Hey y’all! I’ve been pretty active on the blog’s Twitter over the last few months (ever since I graduated and have nothing to do until my job starts next month #rip). Y’all have noticed, and since then we’ve had a few of our readers ask us to do a Twitter growth strategy guide!
Since I have SO MUCH content to share with y’all, I decided to make my Twitter strategy guide an ebook. However, after writing the first ~2 full~ pages of the ebook, I realized that I don’t want to rush to finish the ebook just to get it out there. I want it to be nice and polished so that our readers can get the most out of it.
However, I still want to share some easy ways to fast-track your Twiter growth and engagement rate! I think Twitter is my favorite social media platform because it’s fun, quick, and still in chronological order (yeah, @Instagram). So let’s go let’s go!
Disclaimer: I’m not going to say our strategy will get you x amount of new followers or an x% engagement rate in a specified time frame. Twitter is meant to be a fun way to share your thoughts and your content. So, if you’re authentic on Twitter, the followers and engagement will come!
5 Easy Steps to Fast-Track Twitter Growth
#1. Tweet when you would naturally be on Twitter
I think that the biggest question we get (and that I’ve sure Googled a lot) is exactly when is the best time to tweet to maximize exposure and engagement.
Quite simply, I think the best time to tweet is when you naturally check Twitter.
[ctt template=”7″ link=”mwfZp” via=”yes” ]The best time to tweet is when you naturally check Twitter, because chances are your followers are doing the same. [/ctt]
For me, on a normal work/school day, I check Twitter first thing when I wake up (not a good habit, but that’s another post), during lunchtime, and after dinner while I’m watching Netflix or TV.
Chances are, you and your followers live similar lives. Not like in a creepy way, but in like an “I’m a college blogger and most of my followers are also in college” kind of way.
So, for maximum Twitter growth and exposure, think about when you’re on Twitter. Chances are, your followers are doing the same!
#2. Share Your Old Content All the Time
Twitter is a great way to recycle old content, and you should use Twitter as a means of self-promotion.
One trick that I use to keep track of old content is a good old Google Spreadsheet with all 3+ years of our blog posts organized into yearly tabs.
I schedule two old blog post tweets a day using Buffer. To make it super easy for myself, I pull the links from Google Spreadsheets and then highlight the titles in a different color every month so I can easily see what’s been tweeted recently and what can use some more promotion.
Tweeting your content not only drives people to your blog, but it encourages people to follow you because they want to see more of your content.
Self-promotion can be a glorious thing, but don’t abuse it! Try to tweet one post from another blog for every two of your own posts. Which leads me to my next tip…
#3. Tag Other People When You Share Their Content
You want to tag other people for a few reasons.
First, it lets them know that you’ve read (yes, please read the content you’re sharing) and shared their post. That usually garners a retweet/response from them, giving you exposure (read: potential followers/readers) with their followers.
Second, it makes your Twitter look not completely like the “Your Blog Name” Show. You wouldn’t be real-life friends with someone who only talks about their life, so why would anyone follow a blog who does the same?
Third, it’s what the blogging community is all about! Seriously, it shouldn’t feel like a chore to share other’s content. You should want to share other blog posts and YouTube videos and creative content because you love it and want other people to love it, too!
Tagging someone in a tweet is just a simple way to say “Hey, I love your content and I’m sharing it with the world!”
#4. Optimize Your Blog for Twitter Sharing
Seriously, go check right now where your share and follow buttons are.
I promise you’re missing out on people sharing your content/following you on social media if the buttons aren’t right in front of your reader’s face.
Your followers are lazy—make it easy for them to shout your content from the (Twitter) rooftops!
[ctt template=”7″ link=”vb725″ via=”yes” ]One of the EASIEST ways to grow your Twitter following is to simply make sure that your social links are easy to find on your blog![/ctt]
Also, I would recommend getting the “Click to Tweet” plugin for your blog and adding “Click to Tweet” buttons in each post, like I have in this post.
Again, your followers are lazy. A plugin like “Click to Tweet” makes it suuuuper easy for them to share your content with their followers.
The key is to pick inspiring or informative phrases from your post. That way, people on Twiter will feel compelled to click on the link and/or give your blog a follow!
#5. Interact
Reply to other’s tweets, retweet other people, and just be an all-around good Twitter user, and the followers and growth will come. Enjoy Twitter in all its meme-sharing, relatable-tweet glory!
Ready to explode your Twitter growth? Start implementing my strategies today, and I promise you’ll see results! If you have any questions or comments, tweet us @theswirlblog or email me at hannah@theswirlblog.com. Happy tweeting!
