One of my Twitter followers recently asked an excellent question which I felt could not be answered in 140 characters. Actually, it has been something I have been meaning to blog about, but I just have not got around to writing it. So here is the question:
@ChrisMakara What’s your #1 #Twitter tip for companies to grow there following? #TwitterSmallBiz
— Farhana Cannon (@iMediaExposure) March 19, 2012
While there are many things that can and should be done to increase the Twitter following of a company, I feel this one is the quickest, easiest, and most often over looked best tip missed by the majority of businesses.
If you have been around the web long enough, chances are that you have heard the phrase “The money is in the list”. Often, this is referring to the reasoning behind having a lead capture form on your website to stay connected via email with current and potential customers. Aside from using this list for emailing, did you know that you could use it to connect with your customers who are already on Twitter?
Sure, Twitter asks you when you create your account if you want to link up a Gmail, YahooMail, Hotmail or AOL account to find contacts, but let’s face it; your lead capture form is not tied to any of these services. Thus, all the leads you have been capturing on your website are still sitting in your lead management software.
And BOOM goes the dynamite! You can now connect to users who are already on Twitter and INTERESTED in you or your business. Since they already know who you or your business are, chances are they will follow you back increasing your Twitter follower count. What better way to stay connected to people who have already bought or used your services?
If you don’t have a newsletter, don’t fret, there are other ways to find and import email addresses. Among other options are:
What other ways do you collect customer/client emails that could utilize this method? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Neat post will pass along, with increasing merge online between personal and business personas think there is sometimes a reluctance to proactively target your own[personal network when not invited. Hence with Net etiquette in mind would urge that as with mail lists make sure you offer an opt-in and that messages are non spammy, content on twitter is definitely king.
Glad you enjoyed the post. I agree that you should definitely keep etiquette in mind for your users as to not bombard them with unnecessary sales pitches whether through email or on twitter. Both these mediums should be used to build the relationship with your contacts.
I get this error when I try this technique “There was an error loading your contacts” did anyone experience this?
I have not had issues Mark…have you tried contacting Twitter about the error?
we’ve had the same issue, and seems we are not alone: https://twitter.com/gunnr/status/565956629339062272
Sorry to hear you are also having trouble (as well as others) – I have not tried importing lately to see if I experience the same issue or not?