7 New Ways to Grow Your Twitter Following

Despite Instagram’s rise in popularity and Facebook’s continued dominance, Twitter remains a useful tool for bloggers on so many levels. Networking with brands and other bloggers; promoting blog posts; keeping up on current trends, world news and pop culture; and finding inspiration for future blog posts are some of the major reasons we stay active on Twitter. I wrote about ten ways to get more Twitter followers last year, and it continues to be one of the topics I’ve seen the most feedback and follow-up questions on. As social media does, Twitter’s gone through quite a few changes this year, and so I thought I’d tack onto that last post with some new tips and best practices for 2014:

Pin your favorite blog post

You can now pin one of your tweets to the top of your profile (when you’re logged into Twitter.com.) This is such a great place to keep your latest blog post, one of your most-read posts, or any other post that best represents your blog. It’s the first tweet anyone who visits your profile will see – which helps your most important blog-related tweet stand out amongst all of your other tweets.

Feature your best photos

The other major profile change this year is the expanded cover photo and background. Now, there are three different spaces for images (including your profile photo.) Make sure all of these spaces are some of the best, high-quality photos you’ve got. These profile pics shouldn’t just represent you, but your blog and personal brand as well!

Live tweet events or shows

I don’t know about you, but I get my news and other updates almost exclusively on Twitter. I’m also one of many who’ve developed an affliction for ‘live tweeting’ during events (like the Emmys) or favorite TV shows. Live tweeting is a great way to meet other bloggers and people who are into the same shows you’re into, but it’s also a prime opportunity to engage with brands including the show itself (and the network it’s owned by.) Networks and cable channels have picked up on the power of social media, and bloggers are being hired to do as they’re already doing with engaging on Twitter during these events & shows

Use hashtags in your bio

You might use hashtags on Instagram more frequently, but usage of them prevailed on Twitter first. They’re still useful in various search functions on Twitter. One of those ways is in searching bios to find people with similar interests to follow. Use them when you’re filling out or updating your Twitter bio to help people find you! Here’s more info for creating a rockstar bio.

Use GIFs

Twitter now has the capability to embed GIFs in tweets, just as you’d do with photos. GIFs are just fun to use and add some variety in the kinds of content you’re sharing. If you’re savvy enough, you can use them to convey the perfect emotion or punctuation at the end of your tweets!

The 10/10/10 Rule

There are many names, percentages and variations on this rule, but basically, the 10/10/10 Rule speaks to equal parts telling, sharing and engaging. For every blog post or other original tweet you share, make sure you’re sharing (retweeting) other followers’ useful or fun tweets, and also engaging in conversation with the people you’re following. This rule was a favorite among my coworkers and I at the social media agency I worked for, and I still use it as a rule of thumb today. It keeps variety in your tweets and makes sure you’re not overdoing it with self-promotion.

Tweet 3 new people every day

This tip was so popular last year I want to bring it back again. As you follow new people on Twitter, challenge yourself to actually engage with them too. I shoot for tweeting with three people I’ve never tweeted with (or who I don’t tweet with regularly.) It’s as simple as offering up congrats, compliments or gratitude for what they’re sharing in their tweets, or offering help or resources for a question they might have. Whatever the case, you’ll find this is a good practice to get outside of your comfort zone to have meaningful conversation with people you’re following.

Any Twitter tips you’d add to this list?

(Image credit: Shutterstock.com)