There is so much content being released through the Internet these days, it's ridiculous. In fact, Blogger users alone write as many as 250,000 words per minute.
With all of this content screaming for attention, it's easy to find yourself fighting for every possible response. And when you don't get one, after a while, it's enough to make you want to give up.
The number one question Twitter users often have is, "How do I get more followers?" The answer is simple.
You need to give people a reason to follow you.
You're probably only going to follow another Tweeter for one of two reasons:
a) They write funny or interesting tweets
or
b) They share the same interests
See the keyword here? Interest.
If your content isn't intriguing, it won't attract any attention. Period.
You'll be lost amidst the millions of mediocre Tweeters out there with little more than a handful of followers (most of which will probably be spammers or simply friends and family...) Here are seven ways to prove that you're worth following on Twitter.
1. Treat Tweeting like Blogging
Tweeting is basically just mini blogging. Its called micro-blogging.
Just like with blogging, if all you ever do is give simple updates about what's going on in your life, unless done in a unique way, you will lose your reader's attention. For example...
@subdiva might have said, "Packing for Disney World!". Instead, she wrote, "Packing up to ring in the New Year on the happiest place on earth. No, not the wine store..."
See the difference?
The way she wrote it was unique and enough to make me smile...AND want to share it with you, which is exactly what you want to accomplish with your tweets.
Just like with blogging, if all you ever do is give simple updates about what's going on in your life, unless done in a unique way, you will lose your reader's attention. For example...
@subdiva might have said, "Packing for Disney World!". Instead, she wrote, "Packing up to ring in the New Year on the happiest place on earth. No, not the wine store..."
See the difference?
The way she wrote it was unique and enough to make me smile...AND want to share it with you, which is exactly what you want to accomplish with your tweets.
2. Be Useful
Your tweets don't always have to be about what you're doing or events that are currently happening in your life. If you find articles that are interesting and you believe may be useful to your followers, then share them.
And don't be afraid to tweet advice you may have for others.
Just remember that all information you share doesn't need to be your own. In fact, it will make you seem even more useful if you share articles from others and retweet someone else's advice (even, on occasion the competition). It shows that you're not all about promoting yourself - you really are tweeting in your followers' best interest.
Ask questions, answer questions, respond to tweets - the more active you are with other Tweeters, the more publicity you will receive. If you're just going to log into Twitter, tweet something and leave, it shows that you don't really care about what others think. Remember that Twitter is a social network - be social and interact with others. The more you do, the more you will get out of it and the faster your audience will grow.
It's a good idea to post your own links when you can (as long as you're not constantly all about promoting yourself). If you can introduce the links you share in an interesting way (see 1. Treat tweeting like blogging), you're sure to gain some nice traffic.
On the other hand, simply sharing a link without as much as a comment will immediately steer people away. Due to spammers, we've become wary of what links we click unless we really know where they'll lead. People will be inclined to follow the post you share if you introduce it in a human way.
As I've said before, you want to introduce links in a thoughtful way. It's also important that your Tweets are personal.
No one likes a spammer. If someone feels like you are spamming them, a red flag will go off. They'll likely unfollow you or even block you.
That said, turn off the bots! Automated responses are majorly annoying. Not only does it make you seem spammy, but it's the best way to tell people that you don't care about them or their thoughts. You only want what's in it for you.
Do you get so caught up in conversation on Twitter that you find yourself tweeting out thirty different messages in a day? It's great that you're participating and all, but when you completely fill up your followers' "Tweets" page, it can get pretty annoying. Take it to DM (direct messages).
Also, when you're tweeting articles you find useful for your readers, I find it's best not to share more than 5-7 per day for the same reason you wouldn't tweet thirty times in a day when chatting with another Tweeter. Any more than that could overwhelm your followers and potentially cause them to lose interest.
When keeping these tips in mind, it's important that you find a balance in how you apply them to your tweets. People will want to follow you as long as you can deliver something they feel is worth their time. Balance is key.
And don't be afraid to tweet advice you may have for others.
Just remember that all information you share doesn't need to be your own. In fact, it will make you seem even more useful if you share articles from others and retweet someone else's advice (even, on occasion the competition). It shows that you're not all about promoting yourself - you really are tweeting in your followers' best interest.
3. Interact with other Tweeters
4. Be promotional
On the other hand, simply sharing a link without as much as a comment will immediately steer people away. Due to spammers, we've become wary of what links we click unless we really know where they'll lead. People will be inclined to follow the post you share if you introduce it in a human way.
5. Tweet personally
No one likes a spammer. If someone feels like you are spamming them, a red flag will go off. They'll likely unfollow you or even block you.
That said, turn off the bots! Automated responses are majorly annoying. Not only does it make you seem spammy, but it's the best way to tell people that you don't care about them or their thoughts. You only want what's in it for you.
6. Be considerate of others
Also, when you're tweeting articles you find useful for your readers, I find it's best not to share more than 5-7 per day for the same reason you wouldn't tweet thirty times in a day when chatting with another Tweeter. Any more than that could overwhelm your followers and potentially cause them to lose interest.