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Twitter Best Practices: How to Use Twitter Effectively ~ Make Twitter Work for YOU

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HOW TO TWITTER

Many ask How Does Twitter Work?

But that isn’t really what you need to know to learn how to use Twitter.

The most important thing to remember about Twitter and other social media sites is that they are SOCIAL.

It isn’t about broadcasting or advertising. It is about interacting and relationships.

Twitter Best Practices Chalk board with Twitter bird
Image created on Canva; Chalkboard Image Credit WebDesignerDepot ~ FREE Twitter icons ~ Click image to download icons

You do NOT have to live on Twitter like I do to benefit from using it.

How to Save Time Using TwitterClick this Star to get free Twitter Social Media Icons

  • Just pop in whenever you have a little time.
  • Click on @mentions and answer any tweets that came to you.
  • Type your username into the search box and answer any tweets you’re interested in that mention you.
  • Be helpful to others.
  • Share and retweet what interests you.

Special thanks to Julie Weishaar at NewHorizons123.com for turning my Twitter Best Practices post into the
SlideShare above. If you want your content turned into a SlideShare or video, contact Julie here.

TWITTER BEST PRACTICES

Everything you to know from the basics to advanced Twitter strategies to becoming a major influencer.

  1. How to Get Started on Twitter and the most common Twitter Term Definitions
  2. What NOT to Tweet on Twitter
  3. What TO Tweet on Twitter
  4. Use Twitter Lists so you can find what you want and still follow those who follow you – and why you should
  5. *** COLLABORATORS be sure you do this using TwitterFeed or any other Twitter management solution you use: How to Use Twitterfeed for a consistent Twitter presence
  6. *** COLLABORATORS also do this: Strategy for getting more Twitter followers interested in YOUR niche
  7. Join us on JustRetweet where influential bloggers support each other with Twitter retweets
  8. Better Twitter Retweets
  9. Twitter Tools for Managing Multiple Twitter Accounts
  10. Geo-targeting Twitter – also see How to Use Twellow
  11. Twitterquette – Twitter Etiquette – Twitter Feeds are NOT Burger King – Why Everyone Can Not Have It THEIR Way
  12. Twitter Fail – Why You Should NOT Just Keep Tweeting About Your Business
  13. Twitter Limits – What they are and what to do if you hit them.
  14. Twitter Study: New Data: How To Get More Clicks, Retweets and Followers
  15. Twitter Local for Business: How to Geo Target Twitter for Small Business Local Social Media
  16. How to get Twitter Cards Working on Your Site ~ Why and How You Need to Source and Push Amazing Visuals to Twitter
  17. 4 Valuable Ways You Will Benefit Using Twitter Now
  18. 5 Effective Tips to Maximize Twitter Advertising
  19. NEW: How to Use Twitter Advanced Search Like a Pro

CRITICAL for BLOGGERS: Put Your Twitter UserName on your BLOG!!!!

Twitter How-To Resources

People who are influencers on Twitter and who write blogs can create a better world for us all. If you’re serious about being influential I encourage you to contact me and to follow the other influencers I linked to in my Small Business Advice post. Want more? See my lists of Exceptional Bloggers with Influence on Twitter.

HAVE QUESTIONS? Tweet @GrowMap for answers (no charge).
If you want assistance setting up or optimizing your Twitter account,
Gail @GrowMap can help you. See the Hire Me tab.

[This post was originally published March 4, 2011; It was updated and republished on 9/28/15]

 

 

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Gail Gardner

Small Business Marketing Strategist at GrowMap
Gail Gardner is the founder of GrowMap.com. She is a Small Business Marketing Strategist she mentors small businesses, bloggers, and freelancers. After 23 years in the field with IBM and 5.5 years managing AdWords accounts, her focus shifted to small business marketing strategy. GrowMap.com is listed by Cision as a Top 100 Site for Marketers and has received three Small Business Influencer Awards from Small Business Trends. Named by D&B a Top 50 SMB Influencer on Twitter, you can follow Gail @GrowMap and on LinkedIn.
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Comments

  2. Before, I just think if twitter was just perfect for well-known business that already has a broad target market. So I never optimally use my twitter account despite I have it since 4 years ago. Thanks for these valuable tips

    Reply

  4. Thanks for guiding us Gail. I go through your content and realize that how often small business owners can overlook the benefit of twitter.

    Reply

  5. Hi Gail,

    I have read your post, I try your best practice, really help me much to grow my audience on twitter, because I have more than one account, so it was really great best practice..

    Please visit my blog also, if you have time, once again, I really thank you for your effort to share this tips

    Reply

  6. I gave a try to Twitter list and I must say that it is an amazing idea to work on. Your Twitter followers increase day by day but you definitely have to spend a little time on finding influencer kind people. I also check twitter counter, just to know what are top 10 twitter accounts. I follow top accounts and at the very same day my twitter follower increase. Try this trick mate.
    Thanks
    Sania hassan would love you to read ..When is Chinese New Year 2016 ? Know DateMy Profile

    Reply

  7. I am actually Facebook addicted, i always wondered that how twitter has a huge use, i get the answer of my questions in this useful article. Now i will apply these tips on my twitter accounts.

    Reply

  9. Gail,

    What an amazing resource! I’m glad you updated and re-published this guide. I’ll be sharing it my clients going forward. Seems that a lot of folks still don’t understand the benefits of being on Twitter.

    Best,

    Brent
    Brent Jones would love you to read ..Publish Your Writing with Don EastonMy Profile

    Reply

  11. Especially like the focus on tweet length.
    I also pay close attention to the visual appearance of a tweet, the included hashtags and any links that may show up.
    Thanks, 🙂

    Reply

  13. Thank you Gail for sharing this valuable information about using twitter effectively. I should definitely try this strategy you have shared.

    Reply

  14. Hi,
    There is a problem in twitter that everybody puts their own concept they do not hear anything from other.After reading this post here is a dilemma in my mind.What concept I choose for my internet marketing………………..Thanks for giving us a post.It’s controversial but I like the way of your research…………

    Reply

  16. Wow Gail, thanks for this consolidated information about twitter strategy. I been working with twitter for multiple social media campaign and these are the same reference I apply with.

    Reply

  17. Hi Gail,

    Over the last four months I started getting serious about Twitter and now it’s one of my favorite social sites.

    Like you said, it’s social. I find following up with those who re-tweet with a thank you and how is your week are really powerful at starting conversations.

    And, like you said, not just posting your own stuff but that of others. I’ve found it a great way to connect with other bloggers and businesses. If used right, it’s a great way to discover new opportunities for business.

    I really appreciate your post Gail and I’m clicking over to check out the link to the exceptional bloggers list.

    I’m sharing out to both my Twitter pages as well!!! Of course, I have to now, right? LOL… 🙂

    Have a great week Gail!

    ~ Don Purdum
    Don Purdum would love you to read ..Why I’m Simplifying the Presentation of My MessageMy Profile

    Reply

    • Hi Don,

      Thanks for dropping by and taking the time to comment. Twitter is my favorite and I’ve been collecting tips and strategies on it since 2008. In my case, I love it when people start a conversation about content or ideas. I sometimes struggle to answer “how are you” or “thanks for following” type questions. While I’m not a big fan of tough questions as a way to start new relationships, I do tend to answer them.
      Gail Gardner would love you to read ..Introducing AtomicWriter: Your New Intelligent Editing Writing ToolMy Profile

      Reply

  18. Especially like the focus on tweet length.
    I also pay close attention to the visual appearance of a tweet, the included hashtags and any links that may show up.
    Thanks, 🙂

    Reply

  19. It is help me much, thank you for sharing,
    currently I just use buffer for my business in social media,
    you give much tips, well. I appreciate it dude

    Reply

  21. I am pretty new to websites and twitter in general. I make sure that I tweet anything that I write, and sure enough some people started following me. It is early days still, but the give and take nature of this platform definitely works and is exciting to see grow.
    click here for

    Reply

  22. Thank you very much for providing such great resources here Gail. I am so behind when it comes to twitter.
    I have not been able to take advantage of it for traffic and promotion, as I don’t really know who to properly use it..

    Reply

  24. as usual Growmap this is a great guideline for Twitter use…i have been a twitter user for years and still this helps me a lot

    Reply

  25. I took your advice and read this article, I have learned at least 10 things in less than 5 minutes – You advised me to get an avatar in one of your other post about going viral. I have my work cut out for me getting my twitter page updated. Be back to comment sonn on another great post of your in the future

    Thanks,
    Dori 🙂

    Reply

  26. Wow, just beginning to mine this Twitter resource. Have to admit I don’t make maximal use of Twitter, and sometimes wonder about my etiquette. There’s so much stuff to look at I wonder how other Twitter users sort through it all. For example, I found this article on my latest Twitter feed!
    AstroGremlin would love you to read ..CommentLuv Enabled Search EngineMy Profile

    Reply

    • Hi,

      That’s the beauty of collaborating using CommentLuv – we can learn what works and implement it much faster. It still takes time, but the tips in this post can really make a HUGE difference. That is why I often include TwitterCounter images in them as visual proof that these strategies work.
      growmap would love you to read ..Why Your Geographic Location IS a NicheMy Profile

      Reply

    • Hi Satrap,

      I just edited this post so I could more easily call your attention to what you need to know first. Just look for the big Twitter Star and the Sub-title SAVE TIME USING TWITTER.

      If you do just those things that will make a HUGE difference – and then you can use some of the other links and strategies to become influential on Twitter and send more traffic to any site that deserves it.
      growmap would love you to read ..Quantity Equals Failure. Success Focuses on Quality!My Profile

      Reply

    • Hi Brian,

      I encourage bloggers and Twitter users to auto-tweet each others’ high quality content that is relevant to their followers. I do NOT recommend EVER buying followers for two reasons:

      1) That is a great way to get banned by Twitter and have to start over.
      2) You don’t get targeted followers that way.

      How many followers you have is irrelevant – what matters is having followers interested in what you share who want to interact with you!
      growmap would love you to read ..Why We Need Group Geo-Targeted Niche BlogsMy Profile

      Reply

  29. I am pretty new to websites and twitter in general. I make sure that I tweet anything that I write, and sure enough some people started following me. It is early days still, but the give and take nature of this platform definitely works and is exciting to see grow.

    Reply

  31. If you wish to use twitter for your business you should interact with people following you. Please them, you can do this by replying to their tweets or retweeting tweets that are worth sharing.

    Reply

  32. The main problem for most of the online entrepreneurs is they they only tweet about their blog or business. That’s the biggest mistake. There is nothing wrong to updated your followers with your latest posts. But if you do only that and do not reply too often and neither you interact with them, you will rapidly loose them as followers.
    matei would love you to read ..Inflatable Wetsuit: Mandatory Accessory For Surfers?My Profile

    Reply

    • Hi Jeff,

      I suspect most of us started out making that mistake. Besides being somewhat boring to your existing followers, when someone new checks you out if your Twitter stream is nothing but repeated “buy from me” tweets who would want to follow you?

      This is THE most common mistake I see businesses still making today.
      growmap would love you to read ..Small Business Internet Marketing Starter PackageMy Profile

      Reply

  34. I find it’s just important to not bombard your followers with cynical sales tweets all the time. Intersperse them with light-hearted tweets as well

    Reply

  36. The way social networking sites are improving are amazing to think sometimes. It’s a boon and we have to use it wisely. I devote more time on facebook but after reading about all the new different ways I can use on twitter is making me lean more towards using twitter. I also noticed that Twitter introduced the IOS application which include the Quick Bar but sadly this new update does not take away the dickbar.

    Reply

    • Hi Karen,

      Be sure to check out my post on how to geo-target your Twitter account. It is #15 in the list in this post. What local businesses including realtors need to understand is that they need to reach their target audience – and most of the time that means other people where you are located.

      Few realize you can and should follow and be followed primarily by this target audience and you can make that happen fairly easily. It just takes some time to do it.

      Realtors should also think ab0ut what would keep their target audience interested in reading their blogs. Most people are NOT watching to see what is getting listed unless they are ready to buy so why not write about other things of local interest so you already have an established relationship and they think of you first when the time to buy or sell arrives?
      growmap would love you to read ..Why Your Geographic Location IS a NicheMy Profile

      Reply

  37. Gail,
    This is where my focus really is, with MSrelief.com I want to get tweetdeck up and running so I can see both my accounts on one page. Kimberly Castleberry loves houte suite but It’s not comming to me quickly, I first learned with tweetdeck but now after so many months and too many mistakes I can’t even get logged in to TweetDeck and when I tried to download it again, it remembers my lindagrace8 but it’s blank! I’ll read here and learn! My problem is that I can only devote about an hour a day to twitter! Wish me luck!
    Thank you for all the information here!
    Linda
    Linda G. Cox would love you to read ..Shower Chair AnyoneMy Profile

    Reply

  38. Gail,
    I am so excited that you found me! Twitter was the first thing I learned about when I started social networking. After TONS of learning about other social networks, blogging, viruses, brain overload, I’ve stopped focusing on Twitter. Now I need HELP to start again! I’ll be visiting you often!
    Linda

    Reply

  42. I think having too much followers or following too many people is a bane. You just can’t keep up with their tweets or build up proper relationships.

    Reply

  44. What has worked for me the most is to follow users that follow accounts with the same interests as me. As a result I get around 35% users that follow me back. It may not sound as much but 35 new followers each day is not bad.

    Not to mention that my traffic from twitter has increased accorsingly as well.
    Gustavo would love you to read ..Twitter for MacMy Profile

    Reply

  45. Thanks for these tips Gail! Very much helpful! Also if you have a high PageRank in your Twitter profile, I believe the links you tweet will have an effect on the search engines results , the link could potentially help get a rank as well. The authority person’s tweets are also beneficial for organic search especially in Google. Thanks Gail for the great share!

    Reply

  46. Although we are using Twitter for our toner business, we are yet to see its effect on increasing brand awareness, customer loyalty, and more importantly sales.

    Reply

    • Hi Raymund,

      You have the challenge of having an enormous, highly divergent and not very targeted market that will only be interested when they need toner or ink. That type of product is also much harder to write or find compelling content to share.

      You might want to try finding either highly entertaining computer related blogs or tech gadget bloggers who frequently write about new computer products to feed using the TwitterFeed strategy linked to in this post.

      Businesses that sell common products need their Twitter accounts to have a personality and interact on things besides just your products.
      growmap would love you to read ..How to Win Friends and Influence Bloggers- OthersMy Profile

      Reply

  47. Thanks for the great list of Twitter resources! I find it crazy that so many people and businesses still don’t understand the best practices in using Twitter. If you spend your time answering questions, connecting people, and promoting others…it will always make for an incredibly positive experience

    Reply

  49. great post and also very useful ..mostly elements you mentioned i already know bcoz i was using tweeter for previous six to eight months but your this information helps newbies when they join tweeter

    Reply

    • Hi reehasmith,

      If you already learned all that in 6-8 mos. you’re definitely a fast learner. The two posts that serious bloggers should check out are the one about TwitterFeed and growing followers in specific niches.
      growmap would love you to read ..How to Monetize Your BlogsMy Profile

      Reply

      • hy
        thanks for all that! i had a very fast picking quality that,s why if you told me the main concept than i can handle all the things at any situation

        Reply

  50. While Twitter began as a self-promoting platform, like a sort of microblog, the application has evolved to become a social media tool which allows people to express their opinion on a certain topic. This is very much helpful to market analysts in need of ideas to improve their product.

    For instance, an energy drink company introduces a new product in the market and tweets about it. While feedback may come in the form of blog review, raw data may also be sourced from Twitter. By just typing the name of the produce on the search tab, you can see who among the Tweeple patronize your drink.

    Reply

  51. Just getting started with Twitter, and I just finished the article on using Twitterfeed to post others’ blog posts. That’s brilliant!

    I have to be honest, I’m still struggling to see the “big deal” of these social marketing sites. I suppose it’s because I’m not the most social person, lol. But, I’ve come to the realization that it’s time to get on board. Too many success stories to ignore, ya know?

    I’m planning to go through the other articles now 🙂

    Sarah would love you to read ..Make Affiliate Money Creating Review SitesMy Profile

    Reply

    • Hi Sarah,

      The benefit of using Twitter is that it makes it easy to filter interests by subject using lists and connect with others who are in your target audience.

      Twitter is the primary method the very best bloggers in the niches I write about and read regularly first “met” and connected and that led to collaborations that greatly speed up learning curves of all kinds.

      Instead of each of us learning how to do something individually, we each learn different things and then pool our knowledge. When multiple bloggers already know a subject well, we compare experiences and come to a consensus on best practices.

      You can see who the bloggers are that I collaborate most often by looking at the list in my recent post about joining BizSugar to find and share Small Business Advice.

      When a new solution comes out to do something instead of us all having to check it out we decide who wants to look at it and that person or persons can then fill the others in.

      growmap would love you to read ..Kikolani Blog Post Promotion Ultimate Guide EbookMy Profile

      Reply

      • Thanks for the reply – that makes so much sense. I guess I just never looked at it that way before. So, essentially you’re forming a mastermind group online vs. in person. I like it!

        Since I’m new to using Twitter, I wasn’t familiar with using lists (until I read your post, lol!) to segment interest groups. I like that idea, as well.

        Thanks again!

        Reply

        • Hi Sarah,

          Yes, we use Twitter to connect and then take our “Master Mind” groups to a domain we control (because Twitter and Facebook censor some shares and sometimes just delete accounts out of the blue).

          Twitter is like a fast way to leave messages for busy influencers so that we can operate at full efficiency.
          growmap would love you to read ..Why Your Geographic Location IS a NicheMy Profile

          Reply

  52. Thank you, Cynthia, for taking the time to comment so that others will benefit from your experiences. I believe that Twitter is an essential part of any Internet marketing effort and highly valuable for connecting with people who can be very difficult to reach using any other method.

    Do you have a blog anywhere or are you interested in doing any business blogging?
    growmap would love you to read ..Twitterquette- Twitter Feeds are NOT Burger King – Why Everyone Can Not Have It Their WayMy Profile

    Reply

  53. Have to be honest I still just don’t get the whole twitter thing, I have had an account for a while and even read a few books about using it but it just doesn’t appeal to me. As a business owner there are supposed to be lots of benefits for advertising yourself but it just seems to me that its used for talking rubbish most of the time.
    khaled would love you to read ..What are the Differences Between Natural and Cultured PearlsMy Profile

    Reply

  54. Thanks so much for the links! I have been working on my twitter account and not really sure what to do. These links will help so much!

    Reply

    • Hi Keith,

      These posts should answer just about any question you have so if anything is NOT completely clear please do me a favor and ask so I can improve whatever is not. If you do that you will be helping anyone else using those posts to improve their Twitter productivity.
      growmap would love you to read ..How to Monetize Your BlogsMy Profile

      Reply

  56. Thanks for the great list of Twitter resources! I find it crazy that so many people and businesses still don’t understand the best practices in using Twitter. If you spend your time answering questions, connecting people, and promoting others…it will always make for an incredibly positive experience. I have made an unbelievable amount of area connections through Twitter, especially in the marketing, media, and PR industries. It couldn’t be more worthwhile when used effectively.
    HUG would love you to read ..4-7-11 – Party for a PurposeMy Profile

    Reply

    • Welcome Hug,

      Thanks for taking the time to comment. Many ARE still confused about the value of Twitter as you can see by some of the comments in this post. They are probably watching the general feed flowing by full of silly nonsense instead of the kind of feed I see because I use Twitter lists and follow people with specific interests.

      I put some examples of highly targeted feeds in one of the other replies in this post that we can use to show people what a targeted Twitter account can look like.

      I feed only the blogs related to a specific account into it so it becomes an easy way to see the best content in each niche I am active in.
      growmap would love you to read ..Small Business Internet MarketingMy Profile

      Reply

  57. I quit Twitter awhile ago. It’s just a waste of time, although if you’re smart there are potential ways to make some very cool connections (think angel investors, potential employers, etc) there. Other than that, ppl seem to use it for egotistical purposes, thinking everyone cares about what happens in their day to day life. Waste of time!
    Henway would love you to read ..Discover Card TipsMy Profile

    Reply

    • Hi Henway,

      If you believe Twitter is a waste of time you haven’t seen the true potential. The key is to have what you Tweet and who you follow match. For example, I originally followed other serious bloggers from @GrowMap because we share and are interested in the same things.

      Now I am connecting with more small businesses because they are who needs the information that I and my other bloggers have.

      In my NoBogies account I only tweet golf related stuff and only follow others interested in golf. I very rarely tweet marketing related posts there and I don’t feed any of the other blogs I feed into GrowMap into NoBogies.

      It could be argued that connecting with an angel investor or finding a new position make Twitter very valuable and definitely not a waste of time. I find that people who are extremely challenging to reach by phone or email can be easy to connect with on Twitter.

      What those who do not understand why we spend time on Twitter or why we follow so many people consider this. Every tweet I make from GrowMap gets about 60-90 clicks and when they go viral they can get 50,000+. I have screen captures from su.pr showing multiple Tweets with 30,000-50,000 clicks EACH for one event I was promoting. That kind of traffic is not easy to come by from ANY source.
      growmap would love you to read ..Small Business Internet MarketingMy Profile

      Reply

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