Intrigued by the possibilities of Twitter, but don’t know where to start? Wondering how to get more followers on Twitter? The following 10 steps will help you achieve your goal of getting more Twitter followers in no time.
1) Create a Plan
Before you even begin tweeting, you need a plan for your account. Decide what you want your Twitter handle to say about you (e.g., @SugarmanProductions) and create a bio that describes who you are and what you do. Also consider setting up your profile so that anyone can find it—or just your followers, if privacy is important to you. From there, it’s time to start sharing things that will attract followers and build engagement. What do people want to see? That depends on what kind of business you have and whom you’re trying to reach, but take some cues from other companies already succeeding at Twitter marketing. If possible, include a link in each tweet; not only does it provide an extra bit of context or value but it also increases your chances of being re-tweeted. And finally, get busy following other Twitter users. To avoid looking like a spammer (which isn’t good for anyone), follow people slowly over time; aim for 10-20 new follows per day so that you don’t overwhelm your audience with updates and look thirsty for attention. Just make sure to engage with these users too by favorite/retweeting their tweets occasionally.
2) Update your Profile
First impressions are everything, and so is your Twitter profile. It’s what visitors see first when they land on your page, so make sure it presents a professional, well-rounded persona that represents your brand. Update your profile with at least one recent photo of yourself and a concise but informative summary of who you are, what you do and how people can connect with you on Twitter.
3) Set a goal
Determine how many followers you would like to have. Though an ambitious number can be intimidating, remember that gaining 1,000 followers over two months is easier than gaining 10,000 in two weeks. (Tweeting a lot each day will also make it look like you’re big time even if your numbers aren’t high.) Set up a schedule: Decide when you will tweet on a daily or weekly basis and stick with it.
4) Understand your audience
Understanding your audience is key. If you’re trying to attract new clients, make sure you’re only following people who could be interested in your product or service. If you’re an education brand and want kids following your tweets, be careful not to follow too many grown-ups.
5) Build your network
Twitter isn’t just a place for cat photos and venting—it’s also an excellent social media tool for business. While building your online presence can be done a variety of ways, one of our favorite is Twitter. There are two kinds of people in social media: Those who engage with others and those who don’t. For example, if you want more followers on Twitter, you should follow more people on Twitter.
6) Find influencers in your niche
In order to grow your Twitter following, you’ll need to interact with others—but that doesn’t mean you have to follow everyone who follows you. Start by finding influencers in your niche and interacting with them instead. Once they start talking about your tweets or social presence, their followers will begin following you as well.
7) Tweet regularly
The idea behind tweeting regularly is that if people know you’re active on Twitter, they are more likely to follow you. That’s why it’s important that your tweets are interesting—otherwise, your followers will unsubscribe or ignore your updates altogether. Aim for once a day at minimum. More active users may opt for up to three tweets per day.
8) Use hashtags effectively
When it comes to hashtags, use them effectively or don’t use them at all. I know you want more followers, but think before you click tweet. Using spammy hashtags will get your account suspended—not what you want. Use up-to-date and popular hashtags when tweeting about a current event that your followers might be interested in. I guarantee your tweet will get retweeted because it is relevant to more than just you!
9) Engage with relevant users
While Twitter can seem like a playground for social butterflies and self-promoters, it’s still a professional platform. To get more followers, you need to engage with relevant users on Twitter. This includes retweeting others’ content and sharing it on your Facebook or LinkedIn profile.
10) Promote yourself through others
One of the best ways to gain Twitter followers is through your network. The benefit of promoting yourself through others is that when they tweet something you wrote or that links back to your website, followers you don’t know will be exposed to your information and may even decide to follow you on Twitter. Try tweeting out what someone else has written from time-to-time, but always make sure it is relevant to your business and remember credit where credit is due!
