Want to increase your Twitter followers? Read our top tips on how to get more eyeballs on your 140 character masterpieces...today!
Want to increase your Twitter followers? Read our top tips on how to get more eyeballs on your 140 character masterpieces...today!
Follow others
It sounds painfully simple but follow people you're interested in! Anyone you add will receive a notification that you are now following them and may then follow you back.
Tag people in your posts
Use the @ symbol to tag people when you mention them in your tweet. Anyone searching for them will then see the tweet and it'll share the love to your followers as well. This will encourage people to follow you.
Tag people in your posts
Use the @ symbol to tag people when you mention them in your tweet. Anyone searching for them will then see the tweet and it'll share the love to your followers as well. This will encourage people to follow you.
Re-tweet posts
This can really get you noticed. Not only will the person who posted the original tweet be grateful for the extra exposure, but your followers will also be happy that you shared information with them.
Top tip: If you copy and paste, adding in RT@... or 'quote tweet' rather than hitting the 'retweet' button, you can make sure it's your avatar that appears in the feed next to the hilariously funny/informative/cute kitten content you've just forwarded. Just make sure you credit the source!
Tweet regularly
Dormant news feeds aren't interesting. Fact. You need to engage people to increase your followers - but no one wants to know that you're 'on the loo' or 'waiting for a bus'. Make sure that your tweets reflect your personality and and the things that you find interesting. This will attract new followers who share your interests.
Auto DM new followers
Make your new followers feel welcome by setting up and automatic response message when someone clicks 'Follow' on your profile. This is also a great way to promote your blog or website by adding a link into the content.
Include a profile picture
Include a picture on your profile. People want to see who it is they're following. It'll also mean that people can find you and be sure that they're following the right person.
Ask people to follow you
It may sound obvious but it works. Challenge people to become your 100th, 200th, 300th follower etc. Nothing wrong with a bit of harmless competition!
Reply to tweets
If someone tags you in something or wants to start a conversation, make sure that you respond. You wouldn't ignore someone at a party if they spoke to you would you? (Ed: Depends what kind of party it is...)
Share useful information
You want people to think that following you is worthwhile. Whether you're entertaining them, enticing them into conversation or sharing links to informative articles, people will respond well and even retweet.
Link to your Twitter account from other sources
Add 'Follow me on twitter: (insert your twitter name here)' to your signature strip on your work and/or personal e-mail signature. Link to your twitter page from your Facebook, Linked in, myspace etc accounts to promote your Twitter profile tothose who already know you.
Our top tweeters
The Queen @Queen_UK Introducing HM The Queen...of Twitter. This is a fictional account that's seriously funny. If you haven't heard of 'gin o'clock' yet then get following!
Lindsey Kelk @LindeyKelk British writer, Marie Claire columist and karaoke enthusiast living in New York.
Stephen Fry @StephenFry British actor, writer, host of QI and Mensa member. He has been labelled 'Britain's most intelligent man'.
Lady Gaga @ladygaga This lady was one of the first stars to hit the 16 million followers mark. Follwer her to see how it is done.