Finding your niche on Twitter
Twitter isn't rocket science, yet so many people are using it poorly. There is nothing to be gained by following random Twitter users with the hopes of amassing huge numbers of followers who really have no interest in your company, brand, product or service.
Twitter is all about defining your niche. Once you do that, it is much easier to focus and suddenly you stop feeling like you're wasting your time.
Consider this: If you're not a big consumer brand, particularly those that are constantly used as case studies by social media experts, that model of pushing product and blasting deep discounts and sales is not for you. It will not work if your product isn't in high demand and you don't have scores of loyal customers already.
But here's what will work: Taking the time to find the right people and tailoring your communications to provide value and build relationships. Here are six ways you can get started today:
- Search by position and title. If you want to connect with Directors of Oncology at hospitals, make that a goal and seek them out. Putting in the time to find your target audience is worth the effort.
- Identify relevant hashtags. Looking for journalists? Search the hashtag #journchat and see who's participating. Interested in nurses? Try #RNchat. Read the bios of active participants and follow those you deem relevant. Better yet, join the chat yourself and start communicating with your niche if you have something worth sharing.
- Capitalize on existing Twitter lists. Before you start from scratch, look around to see if someone has already culled lists of your target audience. Chances are there is already a pretty good list of math teachers, CEO's, engineers or whomever else you may be trying to reach.
- Use the right keywords. Conduct some preliminary research to determine how your audience communicates and shares information on Twitter so you can speak their language. There is nothing worse than wasting your 140 characters with made-up hashtags that don't resonate with your target audience or that no one ever uses.
- Nix the narcissism and offer value. This may seem like a no-brainer and I really wish it was. But I can tell you with certainty that it isn't. Go back and review your last 50-100 tweets. Were they all about you or were they of value to others? If you are the number one topic, vow to make a change in 2012.
- Refocus and clean out the clutter. It is never too late to unfollow. In fact, it's an action I encourage. Refine the list of accounts you follow so that it really makes sense and is aligned with your main goal. If you have not yet established a goal, that's the problem, and it's exactly where where you need to start.
Remember, you will get out of Twitter what you put in, Twitter is a powerful tool for business. But until you define your target audience, seek them out with gusto and forsake all others, you will never reap the full benefits or realize an acceptable return on your investment.
Author's note: Want to connect with me on Twitter? Follow @communitygirl.
Comments
I wonder if I start to unfollow I'll get rid of that limit of 2000 following?
Completely brilliant post!! Ya you're right recent day’s lots of users using twitter wrongly, and I think by following this post they'll be able to find the right way. Thanks for sharing a helpful post.
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