Karen Purves

What is the makeup of your Tweets?

Posted on 05 June 2009

Twitter is such a simple concept but, somehow the application can be more complex. One of the reasons may be that there are no rules. It’s open to interrogation and that’s what makes it what it is.

Twitter is still evolving. The Twitter I joined in July 2008 is completely different to October and that is completely different to now…and, it’s continuing to change.

If you want to use Twitter to increase your presence and reach, then I suggest adopting a mix of tweets comprising of:

· Your own content
Whether this is based on your own insights, blogs, white papers articles, you share with others

· Comment upon published content
Share what you find interesting and that you consider will add value to your followers. Give you comments rather than just the title and the link

· RT content received
The ReTweet is your way of complimenting the person that their content is of value. It indicates to them that what they’ve offered is of value. (This is not to be confused with being asked to RT)

· Replying to people (@ )
This is in response to the content of their tweet. This is one of the most powerful ways to foster loyalty amongst your followers

Consider for a moment, how much of each do you do? And what happens to your tweets. This dies depend upon your market and how much you have to say.

Just responding to tweets is easy and great for those who received a reply but can be pretty boring for everyone else unless each tweet is self explanatory.

Two suggestions

1. Grow advocates as followers

2. Grow your reach and tribe through your content and RTs

Advocates tend to be people who know you whether that is as a client, supplier, receiver of information and testimonials

Once you have people who RT your material, then your reach and tribe will grow. And, continue to grow providing you tweet material of value and interest.