It seems that everyone has an opinion about the number of followers you have on Twitter and whether or not it’s important. In my perspective, if you use Twitter for marketing, then it’s a numbers game, whether you like it or not.
But … each follower you have on Twitter is not created equal. Let me explain.
The more followers you have, the larger the potential audience to view your tweets, and more likely you are to reach people who are actually interested in what you’re sharing — people who will click through. Plus, having a lot of followers can increase your online influence and make your tweets, posts and updates carry more weight.
But the other side of this is that Twitter is not all about the numbers. If you collect Twitter followers for the sake of the numbers and not for the exchange of relevant information, then it can be counterproductive. You need an audience that is interested in what you’re putting out there, an audience that will respond, retweet and engage. And that is achieved by sharing, communicating and interacting on an individual level.
There are hundreds of other ways to grow your Twitter following, but here are a few natural and organic tips (i.e. not tips that suggest buying followers or using mass-follow apps) that focus on gaining only the followers who share a common interest, are in your target audience or offer true value to your network.
Follow More
Based on the idea that people you are interested in are also interested in you and will be willing to follow you back, you can grow your following by following more people. But again, the bulk mindset may not be effective. Instead, try searching for Twitter users who have specific interests on sites like Twellow and WeFollow.
Be Consistent
Many people view the bios and tweets of new followers before following back to see what they’re all about, so it’s important to complete your bio and upload a photo that is consistent with your other social media profiles. You may also want to be consistent with your tweets, retweets and conversation so potential followers know what they’re going to get if they follow you back.
Integrate Twitter Everywhere
To gain more relevant followers, it’s smart to add your Twitter URL to all of your business materials so all clients, potential clients and colleagues can see it. This includes your website, blog, email signature, marketing materials, etc.
Use Hashtags
Hashtags are an excellent way to find others who share your interests on Twitter, and make yourself more visible. Use Twitter Search and hashtags.org to identify hashtags that are relevant for you, and to find new people to follow.
Give It Time
Although it’s not the answer most of us like to hear, it takes time to build up a relevant following on Twitter. As a frame of reference, I’ve been using the service for about 2.5 years and have accumulated just over 5,700 followers by using the tips I outlined here. So it’s possible to grow your following in an organic, natural way. It just takes time to do it.
There are a lot of techniques for increasing your numbers. How do you find more people to follow you on Twitter?
Alyssa GregoryAlyssa Gregory is a digital and content marketer, small business consultant, and the founder of the Small Business Bonfire — a social, educational and collaborative community for entrepreneurs.
