Creating "On Brand" Connections with Twitter

Sprint released a television ad highlighting the "NOW network" and mentioned Twitter and tweeting.

We've heard about Twitter on Jay Leno, Ellen DeGeneres, Good Morning America, The Early Show...everywhere it seems! Even more and more politicians are 'tweeting' about their activities, house bills, concerns and triumphs.

There's been much written by Twitter - from how to get started to how to market successfully utilizing this communication tool.  And, truly, that's what it is...a TOOL.  So, how can you stay "on brand" when you tweet?

I have strong and loyal connections on Twitter because I interact with them. As many "advertising messages" and email messages that we're bombarded with on any given day, most of us are tired of being "broadcast to" instead we prefer great connections, resources, conversations and knowledge.

You have a great opportunity to share your unique expertise on Twitter and help it develop your business along with communicating, through your interaction, what an expert you are at what you do!

It is ONE thing to say "I'm amazing"! Anyone can buy any form of advertising that says that. Yet, when you witness someone "being amazing" in their interaction and expert area you begin developing trust in who they are.

Twitter is unique in that those conversations are happening in 140 characters or less with the entire web audience watching.

Here's some key practices to garner success in your Twitter interactions:

1. If you ask people to follow you via email or blog (or any other form of communication) then be kind and follow back.

2. Do not send "auto messages". That is just like being an email spammer and that's a  terrible impression you leave with others. While this practice may have been tolerated in Twitter's earliest days, savvy tweeters voice 'loudly' their dislike for this practice and have no trouble passing around the "twitter handle" (your twitter name) to their connections and shaming you as a spammer.

3. Use your name as your twitter handle. It makes it easier for people to find you on Google as each "tweet" is consider a blog post (since Twitter IS a micro-blog).

4. It's really not about the numbers. Who cares how many people are following you? The more important question is are they reading what you post. Remember, the first rule of networking applies to Twitter (again, because Twitter is a "tool" - YOU are the "secret sauce). The first rule of networking is "be interested" to be "interesting". So, if you post to your blog and you would like it to be read - rather than saying "New blog post: Latest greatest self discovery methods"; you would tweet "Is any1 wondering about ways 2 get 2 know urself better? (then you would put your blog URL here - use bit.ly to shorten your web addresses) You've only got 140 characters so be creative! You can also use twitwall.com for longer posts, video and more but that's another conversation.

5. RT (Re-tweet) when others share some good info, thoughts or resources. Being a connector is also seen as being a giver.

6. Yet, do not only re-tweet. Show them what you're made of, too.

7. Write a good bio so that people will follow you or follow you back. They look for good Twitter bios (and they're also short in space) and a link to learn more about you along with a picture that's of you or something personal to you. A picture of you gives the best impression and has a higher chance of being followed.

8. Instead of using your website as the 'link' in your profile. Use your blog address. Twitter is social so to keep in that same frame and atmosphere link them to your blog because a blog is usually more conversational than a website. It keeps the connection flowing and transitions them better through the funnel of getting to know you, like you and eventually trust you.

9. Be personal because Twitter is a "social network" as opposed to LinkedIn which is a "business network" so be...social! Yet, keep your tweets 'on brand' and you will grow your list, make great contacts, engage referral sources and create community with your current connections!

If you would like to "jump into the conversation" and stay "on brand" with your Tweets, please join us on #brandchat (a live, streaming conversation on Twitter) every Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. CST.  For more info and archives of past #brandchats, visit http://www.brandchat.info

This post was cross posted at TheBuzz101

Author:

Maria Elena Duron is chief buzz officer with buzz2bucks | a personal branding + word of mouth firm - providing services and coaching where the focus is garnering the recognition and connections for success for busy CEOs, entrepreneurs and emerging leaders. Follow me @ twitter.com/mariaduron

Comments

[Corporate Gifts]

What is the best way to get followers? Just let them find you based on your bio? I guess an email signature with a request to follow you may help some too? Any other good ways to get quality followers?

[Barbara Poole]

This is excellent information!