The BIG SECRETS to success on Twitter

No, this isn't an ad. Nor is it a plug for an ebook or link to my site. I decided for my 100th post to give a little insight on what it takes to succeed on Twitter. I've enjoyed a lot of success on Twitter, especially recently, and I want to share how I did it. I welcome any and all input on what I'm saying here.

Why people fail on Twitter

Before talking about how to succeed, let's talk about how you can fail. These are the common ways people fail on Twitter:

1. They have a company nobody cares about.

Let's face it, nobody is going to follow Bob's plumbing supply without a really good reason. If someone is so fanatical about your product or company that they'll join your Twitter page, that's fine. But for most people, especially small businesses, it's simply not the case. But there are things you can still do, I'll outline later in this post.

2. They use a picture of a half naked 20 year old girl as a profile photo.

This is the oldest trick in the book, and most Twitter users are on to your game. Unless you truly happen to be a really hot 20 year old girl, and can prove it, nobody really cares to see your picture or add you as a friend. Remember your picture comes up on their Twitter page, they may not want their boss or wife to see a picture like that there. This is a neat trick to get attention but it's not great for the long run.

3. They only post links to their own site or talk about their own products.

Again, if people are fanatics about your product or company this works well. But nobody really cares if Bob's plumbing supply is having a sale today on toilet gaskets. You can have the best product at the lowest prices, and if that's all you post on your twitter page, guess what? Nobody cares.

It may sound harsh, but it's the truth. Nobody cares about your product.

Why people succeed on Twitter

So what makes people successful on Twitter? A hot, hip new product? Sometimes. But what really makes people successful is relationships. Break out the marketing 101 here, because even though the rules have changed, the core game is the same.

1. People don't follow a company on Twitter, they follow a person.

Unless you are Nike or Apple, people aren't likely following your company. They're following YOU. So how can you make people want to follow you? By providing something useful. The number one question you have to ask yourself:

Why would anyone want to follow me on Twitter?

You have to ask yourself this, over and over. Nobody logs on to Twitter and says "Hey, I see this guy Bob and his plumbing supply store. I think I'll follow him, because I know he needs followers, and he probably needs my business. I really can't wait until he posts something I can buy!"

This sounds silly, but this is the mindset most marketers fall into when they get started. They think they can just set up a Twitter profile, follow a few people, and watch the cash roll in. It's never that easy.

So the number one thing you need to think of is simple.

2. You need to provide a service of value to your followers.

In reality, when someone comes across your Twitter page, and they think about following you, they say:


Give them a really good reason to follow you. Give them something of value. Nobody cares about Bob's plumbing supplies, but you know what? People get clogged toilets. People have crappy shower heads, low water pressure, or suddenly find their bathrooms flooded. And who can help them with this problem? Bob can! See what I'm getting at?

If Bob answers questions about plumbing problems, people listen. If Bob recommends taking the toilet out and putting in a new gasket, people listen. If Bob tells you not to use drano on your toilet, you might think about why.

You see, Bob serves a need. Anyone that's had a plumbing catastrophe can attest to value of an experienced plumber. When people who have that need, and find Bob, then the magic has happened. And Twitter provides that at the speed of light.

Answering people's questions and helping them with tips is a sure way to succeed on Twitter. Be helpful. Be knowledgeable. Be useful.

Even if you provide help to someone who never buys anything from you, it doesn't matter. They might tell someone about you. Others will see what you did, and ask you a question, or forward you on to someone else. Just because you don't make an immediate sale, doesn't mean you didn't make an impression on someone. In two years they could end up coming back to you. You never know.

3. You need to be dedicated.

Don't sign up for a Twitter account, follow a few people then abandon it for a year. I made this same mistake. Post stuff. Anything. Did you get a flat tire? What did you have for lunch? Anything can be interesting on Twitter. People want to know that you're a real human being. Real human beings have flat tires, good days and bad, and eat at restaurants they recommend to their friends. It only takes a few seconds to post something, so post it.

Make a resolution to yourself that you'll at least post once a day.

And last but not least:

4. Build Relationships.

This is an old tried and true tenet of Marketing. This is nothing new. You see, social media is changing the face of marketing fast. But the real change is the speed. You still need to build relationships. You still need to talk to those people who really need you. You still need to create and maintain the perception of your company.

Conclusion:

Twitter and other forms of Social Media are not a "magic bullet". You can't just create a twitter account and call yourself "in touch with web 2.0" and you can't disregard the basic rules of marketing now that we have Social Media. You still can't get something for nothing, and you can't get rich quick with no work.

Marketing is all about finding the right people to sell to, and managing their perception of your product. The only thing social media changes is the speed at which this happens. The old rules still apply, the only difference is now it happens at the speed of the light. You still need to provide great service, fill a need, and find the people who need your service. You still have to provide value. The only difference now, you can do it in seconds instead of days. You can reach thousands of people in a short amount of time.


If you liked this Article and find it useful, let me know, send me a nice comment or give me thanks. If you disagree with me, or feel like adding something go for it. I hope this helps clarify what "new media" is all about, and explains partially why some are succeeding (including myself) and some are not.

Good luck, and I hope your business goes well.