Want a better Twitter reputation? 3 crazy-simple tactics many brands miss
Using Twitter to build your company’s reputation and loyal community needn’t be rocket science. While some “gurus” may lead you to think that you need a doctorate in psychology, around 90% of your effort should be focussed on just three simple tactics.
[highlight color=”yellow”]1. Thank people[/highlight] – how hard is that? Apparently, insanely, because very few brands take the time to thank people that say nice things about their brand. Seriously people, if someone tweets that they like your company, recommends you to someone else, or just generally gushes about your products, thank them! We’re all busy, but how hard is it to simply reply to that person with a “thanks.” People want to know that you appreciate their kind words. They want to feel like their tweet is appreciated. And, they subconsciously desire positive reinforcement to do it again. So, say “thank you” a lot!
[highlight color=”yellow”]2. Retweet people[/highlight] – this should go hand in hand with saying thanks, but it has an added benefit. If someone takes the time to write a blog post, post an image, or simply links to something you’ve shared, then tweet it, go ahead an retweet them. As a customer, nothing is more frustrating than publishing something positive about a company and then tweeting it in to an apparent vacuum. If you are monitoring your brand mentions on Twitter–*cough* Trackur *cough*–then you should see whenever someone mentions you in a tweet, or if their tweet includes a link to your web site. RETWEET THEM! Not only does it let them know that you appreciate them, but it shows your other Twitter followers that people are saying awesome things about you. A win-win for your Twitter reputation!
[highlight color=”yellow”]3. Educate people[/highlight] – let’s just assume that you are already tweeting your own blog posts and promotions to your audience, but how about putting down the shill-pipe for a bit and share something that doesn’t benefit your brand, but still benefits your Twitter followers? Tweet interesting articles, share entertaining videos, retweet other people’s blog posts. The key is to show that you care as much about building up the knowledge of your Twitter followers as much as you care about pimping your brand to them. Those that share valuable content–regardless of whether they authored it or not–create tremendous value and either keep customers or attract new ones.
So, there you go. It’s not “brain science.” While the above doesn’t give you permission to slack off from your other Twitter activities, following these three simple steps will improve your Twitter reputation almost overnight!
P.S. Don’t forget to follow Trackur on Twitter–where we’ll thank you for any tweets of this post. 😉
I disagree with point #2. 🙂 I hate it when people RT nice posts about themselves – way too pompous and self-serving for my tastes. I do think you should thank the other person, but that can be done with a standard reply.
I asked a question on Twitter a year ago about a similar topic: should you RT when someone mentions you in a #FF tweet. Overwhelming response was no. http://www.smallbusinesssem.com/almost-unanimous-dont-retweet-it-when-someone-mentions-you-in-a-ff-tweet/5438/
A fair point, and for individuals, I agree it can look tacky. But if you tweeted to Dell about a post you had written about their computers, wouldn’t you be happy if they retweeted you?
I personally might be happy, but I’d also think they were vain, and their many followers would probably think that, too. 🙂
Imagine you’re at the grocery store and there are 8 checkout registers going. And imagine if each cashier hopped on the PA and made an announcement to the whole store every time a customer said something nice about him/her or the store. Annoying, huh?
Yep, that would be annoying. So, should we remove customer testimonials and newspaper reviews from our web sites? 😛
I think RTing someone that RTed you, or RT a #FF shout-out is tacky, but if someone tweets to me that they wrote a glowing review of my company, why would I not retweet that?
Remember, Twitter reaches not just your customers, but those considering your company too. Of course, we’re free to disagree, and any tactic is always open to abuse. 🙂
Websites and social networks are totally separate platforms. 🙂 When I visit a company’s website, I expect them to blather on about how great they are, and that includes letting their customers blather on like that, too. But as we all know, that routine doesn’t play well on social networks. When I follow a company on a social network, I expect conversation, not promotion. As I say in my presentations: “No one wakes up in the morning and says, ‘I’m gonna get on Twitter now so I can be advertised to.'”
“if someone tweets to me that they wrote a glowing review of my company, why would I not retweet that?”
Because in theory your company should be doing such a great job that you get a ton of nice things said about you and you shouldn’t feel the need to point it out to the world. Like that football saying – when you score a touchdown, act like you’ve been there before. 🙂
BTW, I recognize I’m waaaaaay in the minority on this topic. And my client doesn’t even listen to me on this point!
I really think this is a judgment call. Sometimes it looks tacky, sometimes you can incorporate the original compliment in your thank you. I feel like this works especially well if there is entertaining commentary that may entertain the rest of your followers…
I absolutely agree with each of these points.
As a Hawaii travel blogger, I find it extremely frustrating when I’m tweeting about particular island, restaurant, hotel and they RARELY if EVER say a thank you or retweet or share a facebook photo/post. To me, that comes across as extremely selfish.
I think companies/brands that are in social media should make a point of helping themselves by helping the people who are singing their praises and sharing their story.
For example, in my case, if a island bureau/hotel/restaurant retweets me or shares a facebook photo/post, it broadens my audience. It’s a win win.
Dear Hawaii,
Help me help you.
Signed,
Me