Let’s face it, the chances of you growing your Twitter following to 17 million followers all waiting on the edge of their seats for your next tweet is highly unlikely. However, there are steps you can take to not only build your Twitter following, but also create quality connections for yourself or your brand.
1. Tweet
You can’t win if you don’t play the game. And if it’s more Twitter followers you want listening, you have to talk. Don’t let your Twitter account sit dormant for too long without contributing to the conversation. If need be, use a third-party application to schedule tweets during times you know you won’t be able to post manually.
2. Share Your Expertise
Regardless of who you are, there is something that you are knowledgeable about. Define what that niche is and tweet about it! One of the great things about Twitter is that it gives you the opportunity to define yourself as an expert on a subject. If it’s sports you’re into, tweet about your favorite team. If you’re a fashionista, share your fashion tips. Tweet what you know and what you’re interested in and other people with similar interest will be more likely find and follow you.
3. Follow the Experts
Twitter is all about connecting with people. Forming quality leads and instant connections has never been easier. Make it a point to follow people on Twitter that offer valuable insights with their tweets. Follow Twitter accounts that tweet information that gives you a better understanding of your industry or that which interest you. People will be more willing to reciprocate your follow when you have shown interest in the content that they are sharing.
4. Interact with People
It’s not enough to just follow people. You have to engage with them if you want more followers. Let those that you follow know that you’re a real person by reading their tweets and responding to them to fuel the conversation. Retweet information that you think those that follow you will also find compelling.
5. Don’t Over Do It
One of the best ways to LOSE Twitter followers is to inundate them with a barrage of tweets that flood their timeline. Spread the love out. If you just have to get those tweets off your chest, use a third-party application to schedule tweets over time. A good rule of thumb is to limit your tweets to 4 or 5 at most per hour (not including @ replies that will only be seen by mutual follows).
6. Fill Out Your Bio
Take time to complete your Twitter bio. Use the allotted 160 characters to give people who click on your account a brief description of who you are and what they can expect from your tweets. Add a location to your bio so that potential followers have some context of where you live or work. When it comes to gaining followers, your Twitter bio is valuable real estate for giving people a reason to click “follow” and be interested in what you have to say.
7. Be Authentically You
Don’t be afraid to be yourself. Inflect your own personality into your tweets. Far too many people use Twitter as a place to talk like a programmed robot. People want to follow and interact with people that sound like people they know. Give good content and at the same time, be conversational.
Of course, these aren’t the only ways to gain more Twitter followers. Keep in mind what it is that makes you follow people on Twitter give potential followers that same experience.