So you’ve decided it’s time to tweet. Congratulations, and welcome to the world of Twitter! While everyone approaches the Twitterverse differently, there are a few important steps that, when taken, will make your overall experience far richer.
Check out these 10 steps for getting yourself set up successfully on Twitter:
- Pick a short but memorable username. Your own name is best. Keep in mind that this is the way that you’ll be identified throughout Twitter, so it should be representative of how you’d like to be known on the site.
- Choose a strong profile image. It’s important that you do this before you start to tweet. If you’re tweeting on behalf of your business, using your company logo will act as a familiar association for your customers. If this is a personal account, use a clear headshot.
- Complete a bio with a link to your site. Keep in mind that you only have 160 characters to explain who you are and what you do, so give this a little thought before leaping into the task.
- Now that you’ve set up the basics of your Twitter account, it’s time to send your first tweet. This serves as an introduction to the Twitter community, so make it simple and cordial, as well as reflective of the personality you want to project!
- Connect with people you know. Chances are that you already know people on Twitter. Adding them is a simple way to grow your network. It’s also a chance to get to know them in a whole new realm and perhaps learn things about them that you never previously knew.
- Connect with people local to you. Using the Twitter search function, you’ll be able to find users in your local area, including other local businesses that may be good to follow and get to know. If you’re using Twitter for business, it’s helpful to get a sense of how other local businesses in your realm are doing it.
- Let your network know you’re on Twitter. If you send a tweet and no one reads it, what’s the point? Put the word out to your network on your email list or company newsletter as well as on Facebook and your other social networks.
- Join the conversation. Jump into Twitter chats using @Twubs or @TweetChat. Remember, one of the biggest benefits to Twitter is the two-way conversation that can happen!
- Select a Twitter client that lets you manage multiple accounts. HootSuite and SproutSocial are both great options and will allow you to schedule your tweet and monitor key conversations.
- Tweet, tweet, tweet. Whether you’re sharing blog posts, photos and videos or simply helpful observations and information, make use of this medium. Don’t forget to have fun!
What your your Twitter tips? Send me a tweet @katielance!
