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Do your Twitter followers truly listen to the things you share?  Have you ever wondered why you don’t receive many mentions, retweets, or direct messages?  Well, its time you started to rethink your social media strategies.  The main reason you aren’t receiving any recognition on Twitter is simple…nobody cares what you have to say.  I know that sounds brutal, but its true.  You need to make people care and it all starts with showing you care about what they are saying.  For instance, have you ever wondered how well known Twitter users like Gary Vaynerchuk have such a large following, yet still have relationships with a large chunk of those people?  Well, I have your answer.

Share The Work Of Others And Engage With Their Content

When you read the content that other users share on Twitter and you either leave a well thought out comment or send them a reply on Twitter, you are showing your appreciation for their work. Its one thing to retweet or comment on another individuals work once, but if you never do this again, your social media strategies are going to fall quicker than the rain from the sky.  One time interaction does not guarantee your chances of a “follower” becoming an actual “listener.”  If you want people to listen to you on Twitter, you first have to do a lot of listening to them.  By doing so, reciprocity tends to take place.  Just think, if someone was acknowledging the things you do continuously, wouldn’t you want to check out their content?  Its just a natural human reaction. This is how you create attention for yourself in the Twitter space and improve your social media strategies.

Don’t Let The Title Get To Your Head!

The title of this post can give you the impression that I’m strictly trying to help you better yourself in the social media scene.  Even though I am, its important to remember that if the feedback and interaction you are having with others isn’t “REAL,” people will know.  Nobody likes a person that talks out of their ass.  They want real conversations with real people.  If you understand that, then you will be able to build your Twitter presence to become an influencer in your space. Granted becoming an “influencer” takes time, but remember, it only comes about because you showed you cared about what other people had to say.

Figure Out Who You Haven’t Talked To

You may be following a lot of people on Twitter, but have you connected with all of them?  I’m guessing the answer is no.  Then what’s the point of following them?  Don’t just follow them because everyone else is.  You should be interested in what they are talking about so that you can contribute to the conversation with them.  Social media is only as good as the way you position yourself in the space.  You need to surround yourself around people who share similar interests and learn something about them or what they do.  I believe its important that if you have someone your following that you have never interacted with, that you contact them on Twitter. If you don’t know what to say…share your thoughts on there last post or simply say hello!  Saying hello is always a great step in improving your influence in the social media scene.

So Much Noise…So Much Garbage

If you can understand that due to the amount of people on Twitter, its easy to get lost in the noise, then you are in a good position compared to the person next to you.  Most people don’t feel the person next to them is sharing anything interesting.  You’ll hear people labeling what they share as “garbage content.”  Its important for you to capitalize on this opportunity and be the individual on Twitter who engages with people.  When potential “followers” check out your Twitter profile and see all the engaging that you do, you set yourself apart as someone who is an interesting person.  People want to know that there are users out there who will interact.  The people sharing content that’s nothing but self promotion will get lost in the shuffle.  Your best social media strategy is your personality.  Your personality can carry you very far in the social media scene.  You just need find what works best for you.

Does This Work?  What Proof Do I have?

Yes, these strategies do work.  Best of all, they are genuine.  I’m not sharing any tactics that are considered tricks to get ahead of other people.  They are things more people need to be doing to better themselves.  My proof…well, I have a solid amount of proof.  Due to my interactions on Twitter, I have had the ability to interact with some well known individuals in the industry on my podcast.  Some people you may recognize are – Robert Scoble, Louis Gray, and Cali Lewis. There’s more and it may be something you will want to check out.  Not only has interviewing been a perk of my social media strategies, but I’ve been able to write guest posts for well known blogs like Site Sketch 101 and Not A Pro Blog to name a couple.  Just remember, these strategies aren’t deceitful.  I’m developing real conversations and relationships with people.  I’m the person that cares enough to email you personally if you are a first time commentator.  Let me say, a lot of people like this idea!

Where Does It All Start?

My personal thoughts, in today’s day and age…it all starts on Twitter.  Facebook is definitely huge in terms of building recognition for yourself, but I always stand by my opinion when I say that Twitter will allow you to build relationships that will last a lifetime.  I’ve built my pretty large Skype contact list through Twitter from a lot of interaction with people.  I think that alone measures how successful your social media strategies have been.  Why Skype?  Well now you have a personal way to contact these people.  I’ve been given advice for free from these individuals and I feel they have helped me to succeed.  Not only that, they’ve told me they want me to succeed.  So, if you can understand the value of using Twitter to its highest level, you can gain a lot out of it.

Takeaways…

-Contact someone on Twitter that you follow.  Make it someone you haven’t spoken with yet and get to know them.

-Use your social skills and find a common interest to bring the conversation off Twitter to Skype.  Skype is where you learn the most and its all thanks to your Twitter conversations.

-Tell me where you feel your social media strategies have worked best for you?

Further reading:

T.S. Elliott Interview – How Are People Using Twitter?

Which Sponsored Tweet Platform Is Best For You?

Is The Twitter Trend Follow Friday Fading Away?

The One Social Networking Tool Essential For Your Business