- Use # hashtags cleverly – Make the hashtag address easy to remember. Create one for each campaign.
- Use @username with caution – Use "@username" only when you want to restrict twitter chats (i.e. those twitts will only be viewable in Twitter streams of users who follow you and also follow @username subscribers).
- Use "favourites" – When you come across an absolutely brilliant twitter post, click "favourite" link right beneath it.
- Use "Retweet" – Click the retweet link under selected tweets. Only retweet information that is of truly high quality. With time, your favourites and retweets will establish your reputation as an expert and will earn you a strong following.
- Comment – Participate in twitter chats in your industry and comment on what other people are saying. In your comments, refraing from merely saying "this was very useful". Add something of value, a helpful tip or a link to a good resource. Do not be afraid to voice criticism. If it has merit and is presented in a polite and respectful manner, your opinion will add to your reputation and credibility.
- Create a designated Twitter page on your website – Create a designated landing page on your website and direct all your twitter traffic to that page (instead of your home page). This will help you with tracking statistics and analysing your "audience".
- Use descriptive Twitter handles and buttons – When you create a special content, add a twitter button that would be descriptive; it will attract more attention. For example: Tweet this awesome list of Twitter tips.
- Use clever blog post titles – Create interesting, shocking and provocative blog post titles. Use teasers. Make sure to include value proposition. Examples: Top ten toxins you didn't know you put on your skin or It is what you don't know about your website that kills your traffic. This is how to find out.
- Use company Twitter for business only – Stay focused and stay professional. Tweet only information related to your business. Tweet only useful and valuable informaiton. Refrain from sharing your coffee chats and mundane events. Refrain from tweeting info related to your personal hobbies via your company twitter account. Unless you are famous, nobody is interested. Tweet regularly but avoid flooding your followers' twitter streams. Three times per week is a good number.
- Ask for "Retweets" – Be upfront. Ask for "retweets".
- Monitor your brand on Twitter – Use Twitter Search tool or Google Tweeter Alerts
- Monitor your Twitter performance and stats – Use such tweeter tools as Google Analytics, CoTweet and HootSuite.
The most important metrics are: 1) Total number of followers; 2) Average number of @replies per tweet; 3) How often people reference your company or products. Use Twitter Search to track this; 4) Number of visitors from Twitter who visit your company website/blog, and above all 5) Number of visitors from Twitter who visited your company website/blog and converted into leads or customers (filled out a registration form or bought something).
To track these conversions, use Google Analytics. Here is how to set up conversion tracking on Google Analytics. You can also create sales funnels on Google Analytics to enable even more granular and detailed statistics. - Stay current about your industry developments - Use blog search engines like Technorati and Google Blog Search (Canada) or Google Blog Search general. Make your business to know the most reputable sources in your industry. Start with one source and then follow user comments for links and references to establish your list of top 10 or top 20. Follow those sources on Twitter to stay abreast the most important developments in your field.
Allocate a minimum of 2-3 hours per week on blogging and tweeting your content as well as on reading other blogs that you can retweet. Whatever you do - focus on quality and quality only. And that's why we invite you to follow Joomla Bliss on Twitter. We might even follow you back <big grin smile>.
