Twitter is probably the largest networking room you'll ever encounter... so how do you figure out who to follow around the room? Get some tips on Twitter followers and followings in this useful Social Media Matters webinar.

1. BE AN EFFECTIVE
FOLLOWER ON
Social Media Matters

2. Connect on LinkedIn, and
The Alternative Board BLOG, &
National Events page of TAB’s website.

3. Twitter is 100 99% public.
“Tweets” (updates made on Twitter) are limited to 140 characters (including
spaces).
RT – ReTweet, or Share, a Tweet to your followers.
@ - mentioning or directing a Tweet at another user.
# - calling out a keyword or topic to make the Tweet more searchable.
D - turn a Tweet into a Direct Message, which is private; can only be sent to
a user who follows you.
Twitter… a few basics.

4. Is your Twitter name (“handle”) logical and easy to remember?
Have you selected a decent background, or uploaded one of your
own?
Do you have Profile and Header Images uploaded? Do they
compliment each other and promote visibility of your Profile
information?
Have you completed your profile bio? (160 characters)
Twitter… how do you look?

5. Your goal on Twitter is have RELEVANT FOLLOWERS… especially
if they ReTweet, Mention, Favorite, or Click on your Tweets.
In turn, your Twitter profile can FOLLOW other relevant Twitter
users.
You can protect your TWEETS for specific followers to see.
Include links in Tweets whenever possible – give your followers
something to click on.
Craft your Twitter profile to align with your other web presence(s):
website design, logo, keyword or common name.
Twitter… a few followers.

6. “Brevity is the soul of wit… and
Twitter.
Twitter Takeaway:
“

7. Keep It Brief:
Use “&” instead of “and”
Use single spaces between sentences (yes, it’s
OK).
Use link-shrinkers: ow.ly, bit.ly, etc.
Try to only use up to 120 characters for your
Tweet; it makes ReTweeting easier for others.

8. Following More vs. Following Less
 You may choose to
follow (almost) every
user who follows
you*.
 You may choose to
follow only Twitter
users whose Tweets
you wish to regularly
see.
Follow More Twitter Users Follow Less Twitter Users
Do not follow
“aggressively,” or you
may be flagged as a
spammer. Take it
slow.

9. So who should I follow?
Your CUSTOMERS.
Your BUSINESS CONNECTIONS.
Your COMPETITORS (or, instead, monitor them as a Keyword)
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS related to your business.
BUSINESSES run by people you know, or people within your
network (Email contacts, or LinkedIn Connections)

10. No matter if you’re following everyone or a
select few, Twitter Lists can help you
organize the masses.
Twitter Lists

11. Should I follow everyone who
follows me? Things to consider…
Your Twitter Feed can become swamped with
updates by any active user you are following…
whether their content is relevant to you or not.
Unless you have protected your Tweets, you may
wind up following a user who is irrelevant
or, worse, unsavory to your brand.
If you reserve your follows for certain users, you
can make it more complimentary or meaningful as
a way of engaging.

12. OK, why should I not follow
everyone who follows me?
Your “Following” list is public to anyone who visits
your Twitter profile.
Back to the compliment or meaning of “following;”
it will mean more if you are selective in
subscribing to Twitter users and their Tweets.
Your goal in following others is to engage, not
garner huge numbers of followers who are
meaningless to your messaging. 

13. •Do what works best for your brand.
•Before your follow, check out the Twitter
profile: their timeline (Tweets), bio, and who
they are following.
Who should you follow?

14. “It’s not about how many followers
you can get; it’s about how many
relevant followers you can get.
Twitter Takeaway:
“
clicktotweet.com

15. Is your Twitter handle in your email
signature?
Do you have your Twitter handle or
link on your website and/or blog?
If you’re on LinkedIn, have you
connected your Twitter account?
Twitter… final thoughts.

16. Email Rmoore@TheAlternativeBoard.com
Questions?