Ok, so you may not have the Twitter following that @apluskor @britneyspearshas, nor may you ever. But there are a few things you can do to increase that followers number in your profile.
Avatar: check, Background Design: check, Bio: check
Here be the basics. People want to know who and what they are following. If you don’t have an avatar to me, that is a big Twitter Fail. Use the two simplest ways of showing and telling potential followers what you or your business is all about. Design a Twitter background that reflects your ideas and slap on a nice picture of yourself or your company logo, mascot or colors. Also tell me about yourself in the bio line; this is a simple way to tell me more and show me where else you reside online and off.
I find it hard sometimes not to just follow someone back out of politeness; however, if I get to that profile page and none of what is listed above is included or I don’t find anything interesting in their stream then I say oh well, I gave them the benefit of the doubt and leave without following.
Private, Why?
Don’t set your tweets to private. Plain and simple. When you shield your account from the general public, you’re going to get fewer followers than if your account were publicly accessible. People like getting a sneak peek of someone before deciding whether they want to follow him/her.
Links to your Twitter Page:
Linking to your Twitter page from other social profiles like Facebook or LinkdIn will help with adding more followers. The more links to your Twitter profile out there, the more chances of someone checking you out and following you. Have a bunch of friends on Facebook? Ask them if they are on Twitter. “Oh yeah you are, well what’s your user name?” Add your Twitter URL to all of your signatures, go ahead- pimp it out! Make a comment on a blog? Why not add your Twitter name underneath the post?
Follow Reciprocators:
Reciprocators are those who will probably follow you back because they have about as many followers as they have people following them. If you come across someone who follows a large number of people and has a big following, chances are this person will follow you back once you start following him/her.
Timely Tweets:
During peak times is when you should try to tweet your best stuff. This will help maximize your retweet potential. The time of day? 4PM Friday EST. How did this number/time come about? Viral marketing scientist Dan Zarrella in “The Science of Retweeting” spent nine months analyzing roughly 5 million tweets and 40 million retweets. #followfriday anyone?
#FollowFriday?:
Some would say add this to the list of helpful ways to build followers. Follow and recommend people, and follow users who retweet your stuff the most. However, personally I rarely look at anything with #followfriday on it. What are your thoughts?
Tools of the Trade:
This site scans the Twitter public timeline for new twits to tweet. A few times a day they calculate individual statistics for each twittering twit within the database.
A site application that allows you to make targeted searches by categories. Great way to find specific industries, businesses and people to follow that may reciprocate.
They offer tools that allow you to tweet more efficiently with lots of automated functions like scheduling tweets, track keywords, follow those that follow you, etc.
If you follow some of these tips, I am sure you can begin to see the follower count in your Twitter profile increase. These are just a small fraction of all the possible ways to increase the number of people following you. For more tips, check out Mashable’s Twitter Guidebook — they have a huge list of the basics to the advanced for those hungry for more. Also check out Fastcompany’s post called Nine Scientifically Proven Ways to Get Retweeted. While you’re at it, follow me @patrickwinfieldand us @10e20 
25 Responses to “7 Tips For Building Twitter Followers”
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In regards to #followfriday, I have to admit I only look at ~40% of the ones I see, and I definitely don't see them all. Sometimes I follow someone that I find there, sometimes I don't – depends on if they are actually interesting to me for some reason. I like the idea of it though – if someone I'm following finds them interesting, I might also.
same here.
Since there are soo many suggestions on #FollowFriday I hardly take a lot at them anymore.
I think MrTweet is a way better application to see whos following who.
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http://twitter.com/stelten
Thanks for sharing! I extremely like the diagrams – they are very illustrative and simplify the understanding!
I'm not into the FF technique either, rarely if ever have I added someone the was recommended. While having lots of followers has its benefits I'd much rather be connected to a handful of influential people (like the folks at 10e20). Suppose it really depends on what you want to accomplish with the account.
I need more followers, thanks for the tools and info!
1) My account is locked because when it wasn't every scam artist on Twitter followed me, and the volume of new followers exceeded the time I have to vet them and see whether I want to reciprocate.
2) I agree with what the others wrote about FF which is the twitter version of spam.
3) I will not use any service that requires me to share my twitter password. Sharing one's password invites security nightmares.
Still at a low enough Followers number that every “Follow” helps so I use #FF every week. @robCHOM
I think the statistics gathered by Dan Zarella are very interesting and I have mentioned them on my blog also. However, I am concerned that since Twitter has revamped the RT function, some of the conclusions we have drawn will need to be revisited.
Buzzom is another Twitter tool that can be used to mass follow users with similar interests.
Thanks for the post.
@Ileane
Following reciprocators (sic) is a great way to build a "following." Just don't plan on having any of those human spambots to actually respond to anything you are posting. I'd rather be followed by Shelly Ryan then those fake people.
I dont quite understand the TGIF thing. A couple of blogs tried to explain but still do not convince me.
I think I'll stay with wadja.com #Labels.
Mark Cooper
I consider Twitter to be the most convenient social network source, because I can use it even through my mobile phone.
Good post Patrick! Since you mention Twellow, don't forget http://tweetdeck.com/beta/directory/
I found this directory pretty useful. It also provides you with a few pieces of info that are not on Twellow
Best
Fred
Actually as per my thinking, twitter will reach much higher visitors then wordpress or any other blogging services, the basic reason being the speed and easy of communication of your thoughts. It can't replace blogging because both are meant for different purpose, but the daily use of twitter will definitely reach much more to update your followers, which you can't do by blogging. you can't write 10-20 blogs dailiy to update your blog followers, but yes you can tweet 10-20 very easily. See the difference.
Intriguing that you suggest tactics to gain new followers, rather than suggesting people focus on engaging with people who they follow themselves.
All solid tips.
I usually don't check Follow Friday recommendations. If someone is singled out I might give them a look. I do recommend others for #FF.
Share content and share your stream is my recipe for increased followers. RT often. Engage. Forget the competitive tactics. Don't get followers, attract them.
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While there's lots of good tips in here, I would disagree with 'follow reciprocators' while it will in fact help increase your follower numbers, it's only useful if your end goal is 'have a lot of followers.' Which is a useless goal. Focusing on creating a list of engaged, qualified followers will help drive business results
Thanks Fred! I will surely check that out.
Hi Ari, Who's John?
You are spot on, John should always focus on the conversation and engaging people through Twitter…
One of the better articles I've read on building your twitter network. I partially disagree with Kelly though because you should be attempting to do both. You may not be getting a lot of engaged followers but you may also pick some up by doing it.
Thank you Darrin. Yes, you never know who that follower one follower may have following them… etc.
Thanks Kelly, however I feel that more eyes is better then less. You never know…
Thanks for the tips, especially for the best time for tweeting. I haven't thought that Friday is the best. For me on Friday I can't work as all my dreams are far away.
Thanks for very nice blog..
Twitter is becommig more and more popular – I also want to join to this famous social site. And your guide is very betimes!