Conversations on Twitter are just like the face-to-face encounters you have with customers each day. When you’re ready to start Tweeting, use these tips to write Tweets that establish an ongoing dialogue with your followers. Using the 321 strategy is the most effective way of building a community and getting your brand / tweets shared.
3 = value adds – they need not be about your business, could be a weather update or a feel good story or even a cool image with a quote. Just something that enriches the lives of your community
2= aligning with influencers, large accounts (retweet their content if it is good and in turn you get seen in the same boat as them when the return the favour)
1= marketing, talk about how good your product is, it would be a useful tactic to have a client’s talking about you too. Rather than self-promoting have your clients “promote for you”
Some additional basics
1. Listen and observe.
Take a moment to see what other businesses are doing on Twitter. You can find competitors and monitor relevant conversations using search.twitter.com. When you see how other businesses interact with customers and what types of content they share, you can try testing similar tactics to see which resonates most with your followers.
2. Use the 80/20 principle.
80% of your Tweets should focus on driving interactions with your followers, such as Retweets, replies and favourites. Once you’ve built some rapport, you can mix in direct offers or promotions that get followers to take actions, such as clicking on a link or making a purchase from your website.
3. Let your personality shine.
Strive for an approachable communication style that is authentic and friendly without being overly formal. Wit and humour can help in providing entertainment value.
4. Test and learn.
There’s no right or wrong number of times you should Tweet each day, or when. Instead, focus on generating quality content and establishing a regular cadence so followers know when to expect updates from you.
Develop your strategy
Compelling content will help you attract new followers and keep them engaged over time. Start by creating a Tweet calendar to help you plan your content and get into the habit of Tweeting regularly.
Here are a few examples of how you can fill your Tweet calendar each week:
Monday: Promotions
Build follower loyalty with an exclusive sale or discount that can be redeemed online or in-store using a special code.
Write Tweets geared towards your goals
Whether you want to drive direct response or engagement, here are some tips to help you create Tweets that achieve your desired result.
Tuesday: Behind-the-scenes
Tweet a photo or video that showcases your business operations or work environment. For example, if you’re an artist that is writing new music, provide a glimpse into the creative process.
Wednesday: Helpful tips
Create a regular series of Tweets that are informative or surprising. If you’re a chef, Tweet recipes or kitchen tips. If you have a fashion boutique, Tweet ways to match current trends with vintage items.
Thursday: Customer spotlight
Respond to questions or highlight a positive review to show your customers how much you appreciate them. Make sure that you mention the @username of the customer in your Tweet.
Friday: Feature industry experts or news
For #FF (Follow Friday), encourage followers to learn more from industry influencers. Or you can Retweet content from them that is relevant to your business.
Tweets that drive engagement
If you want to get followers to retweet, reply or favourite you’re Tweets:
Get visual and creative.
Followers are more likely to respond to Tweets that are funny, newsworthy and inspiring.
Ask for what you want.
Increase your reach by explicitly asking for Retweets, replies, favourites or mentions.
Seize the moment.
Tap into popular conversations around seasonal, cultural and industry-based events.
Tweets that drive direct response
If you want to get followers to take an immediate action:
Start with a compelling offer.
Pique curiosity, drive clicks and generate leads by delivering a relevant and timely offer. Ask followers for suggestions.
Create a sense of urgency.
Harness Twitter’s real-time nature to inspire action. For instance, limit the availability of your offer to a specific time period, such as 24 hours or a week.
Include a clear call to action.
If you want people to click on a URL, don’t include hashtags, mentions or photos that could distract from your link.
In addition:
Follow relevant twitter accounts
Use Hashtags
Give people right content they will need to share
Follow the right people
Be available
Connect and engage