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How to Get Followed on Twitter |Twitter 101

11/08/2009 | By Misty Belardo
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So many people are still obsessed with getting so many followers on Twitter.  And resort to so many tactics.   Don’t you just hate getting those DMs telling you how they made so many money online? Or sometimes on the stream itself saying get a million followers in so and so number of days just to entice you to follow them back.  I have been on Twitter for some time now and have followed some of the best ones and none of them ever DM’d me shoving those selling pitches down my throat.  I followed them because they offered value to my twitter experience.

You really don’t need celebrity status to be followed on Twitter.  You can actually just be yourself and still get people to like you. Yes you read it right.  Getting people to follow you will come naturally, just try to consider the following:

1.  Tweet useful content - This may be tricky if you have a variety of followers.  Balance your tweets as my friend Arnt would always tell me. If you have a blog you can tweet that too just make sure that the content is helpful to majority not just for a few.  Make sure to share content that will be of benefit and you won’t go wrong.

2.  Converse and engage - Yes I know, you have skype and Instant Messenger.  But connecting with  your followers makes the experience more intimate and fun.  Don’t just speak Listen too.

3.  Follow people you feel you can relate with. – Some people hate that I tweet so much, at the beginning I felt terrible.  But I came to a realization that some of those that complained mostly follow very little people and then follow ones that have big twitter followers.  You see people who do get twitter know that we are there to share and to interact.  I interact with a big crowd on my stream.  Of course that means if you are following me and a handful, you will get so many of my tweets on your stream.

4.  No  no – The follow – Unfollow scheme – The most irritating of all is when people follow you and then unfollow when you follow back.  Please take care when you follow people, don’t just click on the follow button because that person followed you.  There is no rule on Twitter for us to follow everyone who follows you.  Don’t do it because you feel obligated.

5.  Identify Yourself -   I am an advocate of branding yourself.  You can do this simply by placing an avatar to your profile as well as filling in a short bio.  This will also eliminate your being in the spammer list suspect.  When people know what you like then they can easily relate with you.

6.  To Each his Own - Respect is also important.  Everyone tweets differently, if you don’t like the way someone tweets then just unfollow.  Why did I include this.  Some people seem to try to preach to others how they must and should tweet.  I say respect begets respect.  To each his own.

7.  Avoid cursing when possible - People don’t like negativity and curse words on twitter.  There maybe occasions when you need to do it out of pure frustration.  It maybe okay but maybe better not do it so often.

8. Auto DMs are not cool - I would really appreciate it more if you say hello to me on the stream, rather than sending me auto DMs it is quiet impersonal and rather annoying.

9.   Be yourself and just have fun

Its really not the numbers that matter the most.  Its the experience and the sharing that counts.  But if you are the type of person who would like to be followed on Twitter.  Maybe you can consider the tips above.

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More Articles By Misty Belardo

Author: Misty Belardo

Misty is a Digital Activations Director for one of the most awarded interactive ad agencies in the Philippines. Her true love is design and self-expression. She believes in encouraging others to bring out their creativity to the surface and in whatever medium they feel comfortable with. A designer at heart that loves hand drawn design. She enjoys sketching, painting and doodling. Creating avatars and hand drawn icons and logos are her favorite. Gifted with a very active imagination and uses that to blog about her interactive experiences. Coffee and music lover. Loves social media, Twitter and FaceBook. Connect with her on Twitter @mistygirlph and FaceBook : Mistygirlph


52 Comments

Computer Video Tutorials

November 9th, 2009

I make many follow and I really wanna get followed, make friend more and more. And thank you for this post!

P/S: Your blog design is really awesome!

[Reply]

christian

November 9th, 2009

Great list Misty. I’m with you, be yourself. I used to do what I think I needed to be followed. Now, i make an effort NOT to look at my follower numbers.

Number 4 is my biggest peeve with twitter! I finally got to checking new followers this AM from the weekend. From Saturday: “Joe” is now following me. I checked out his page/bio/link – he seemed be of like interest so I followed back. Not long after a new message “Joe” is now following me on twitter.

Come on people… don’t follow just for the follow back!

[Reply]

Misty Belardo

November 9th, 2009

Thanks guys! Glad you agree with the tips.

[Reply]

Mary Freeland

November 9th, 2009

Love the post! I am in the process of weeding out the spammers. I am looking for “relationships,” not whiter teeth. I have those thank you very much! I love #9 on the list. I think of how I present myself like this, if I met you face to face, would you know it was me?

[Reply]

Diana Adams

November 9th, 2009

Misty,

This is such a great article. Thanks for reminding us to get back to basics on Twitter. I agree with you 100% on all of these points. I love “Avoid cursing when possible” – that one made me laugh, but it is sooo true. LOL

Diana

[Reply]

Edwin Sandoval

November 9th, 2009

Hi Misty

You forgot to mention the power of http://www.wefollow.com this site contains big lists of users that are classified by categories. If you need more friend that likes the same that you, this site can help you.

http://www.twitter.com/sandovaledwin

[Reply]

Elaine Spitz

November 9th, 2009

Misty – it’s like you’re inside my head! Thank you for sharing your very thoughtful insights about Twitter. I think that just like in choosing our friends in “real life”, those whom we follow on Twitter should enrich our experience.

[Reply]

Misty Belardo

November 9th, 2009

Thank you Diana, yep only when possible lol.. sometimes we can’t blame others for wanting to say how they feel.

I agree Elaine, I like that, its like choosing who we want to interact/connect with and not just be following bec. they followed us.

You guys rock!! :D

[Reply]

MiriamS

November 9th, 2009

Hi Misty,
great read! Well done. An etiquette guide to twitter :)
Thanks.

[Reply]

baterya

November 10th, 2009

thanks really for this wonderful tip… this is actually a reminder to those who forgot the real essence of twitting.. thanks fro reminding.. be yourself… share wonderful informations.. thanks..have a nice day

[Reply]

Shurandy Thode

November 10th, 2009

Great post as usual. Great work Misty =)

[Reply]

Sergiu Naslau

November 13th, 2009

interesting points of view, but the problem is that sometimes laws are meant to be broken, depending on the users intentions.
there is a only one rule: tweet/retweet/interact.
applying this to your niche, or target market you will do magic (a active site/blog will help)

[Reply]

dj adelaide

November 13th, 2009

auto dms are not cool… but they are only really an issue if you mass follow people, otherwise it’s not such a big deal

[Reply]

leroy box

November 13th, 2009

I am an Australian guy who loves Twitter. I mostly talk to celebs and people all over the world, would like 2 get more followers, I am at 111 right now. Still working all this thing out.

[Reply]

I agree-these are the best rules of twitter I have seen so far. I am myself, and I try to treat everyone with respect. Thank you and follow me at http://www.twitter.com/christybella

[Reply]

Mary

November 13th, 2009

Thanks for your valuable information.

[Reply]

Killmaso

November 14th, 2009

Agree with everything except the profanity advise. It kinda contradicts the “be yourself” advise. If followers don’t like it then they should unfollow. You should not censor yourself if you’re being yourself. Great info.

[Reply]

Kali & Mike Kunkle

November 15th, 2009

Misty and readers:

We were just led here by a tweet. :-) Excellent article and advice! We break the auto-DM rule to a small degree by using one as an initial welcome, but we never do it for any other purpose.

We recently published our own Twitter guidelines and philosophies at http://tr.im/DWTwitterManifesto and would welcome your thoughts or feedback.

[Reply]

Keith Roberts

November 16th, 2009

Misty, a big big thankyou for your tips, some tips for you to do on @cotweet, twitter.com/COTWEET, as well @MadKeet thanks once again the internet forges forward relentlessly.

[Reply]

Vince

November 18th, 2009

Nice post Misty! I’m curious as to what you would consider a “good” following as far as numbers and how long you think it would take to build that up?

[Reply]

Misty Belardo

November 18th, 2009

Hi Vince, good question, really depends on the person on how much he or she can really consider a “good” number, for as long as they know how to manage speaking with them and sharing and as long as the followers are willing to do the same. How long? lol doesn’t really matter how long it takes, if one i think shares good content, interact and give value to the Twitter stream, then it wouldn’t really take long to get people interested in following. Personally, I don’t have a number or a time frame in terms of getting my numbers up. It just naturally increases. Hope I answered your question.

[Reply]

Todd Wallace

November 22nd, 2009

Big fan of number 6.

[Reply]

Mikael Cubillan

November 25th, 2009

nice one misty!

[Reply]

PrayMaddyMcCann

December 14th, 2009

If You Follow Your Followers Back, You Build Up Your Twitter Reputation.

This In Turn Inspires Twitter Users To Follow You, Mention You And List You!

I Follow Everyone Back, So Follow Me!
Posting Your Twitter Link At The Bottom Of Your Comments Works Well, Too And It’s Amazing How You Want To Automatically Follow Them Lol!

(So I’ll Try It! Remember I Follow Back So It’s All Good!)
http://www.twitter.com/PrayMaddyMcCann

[Reply]

Avi Singh

December 20th, 2009

This is my first time here and found your blog is very informative. Yes, ADMs are always annoying. I wrote a post few days ago about ADM and how it should be treated. Here is the link:-
http://www.avitricks.info/2009/12/4-types-of-automatic-direct-messages-on.html

[Reply]

Ed

December 29th, 2009

Solid post! Saw it from @Alyssa_Milano
Off to retweet it.
And folks, follow @Delbius

Not that I think many unscrupulous folks would be here reading, but you’ll see her warnings about the dangers of playing with
“follower systems”

Thanks,
Ed

[Reply]

@only1one

December 29th, 2009

I am a little confused as to why people don’t ask why somebody ‘un followed’. I sometimes have to un follow, to follow posts from a few for a while, ‘Yes folks groups talk’ and then I can follow them back later. I don’t follow many but I do explore, and in following few I limit myself but give better attention to the ppl I do follow

[Reply]

Misty Belardo Reply:

I used to ask that question myself, but you see people follow and unfollow for different reasons. I think unfollowing someone is one’s prerogative. It’s good that you explore, sometimes opening your world also opens more possibilities of learning and friendships.

People who write here on Bit Rebels all met because of Twitter.

[Reply]

Paul O'Mahony (Cork)

December 30th, 2009

Lovely to find you here in Cork Ireland where it is dark and raining @ 6.55am. @Ed tweeted a link to you with a catchy title. He’s someone I trust to post valuable stuff, so I decided to click on your piece.

I’m looking for stuff to share with others in Ireland. Here, the world of Twitter, and social networking in general, is getting going. We are still at the stage of people having a Facebook Page and not being clear what they want to do with it. Few businesses have much of a clue. I’d like to help the process along here, so I link with others who have more experience.

The Philippines is new to me: never been there, nor do I have many contacts there. I love your profile because it’s so rounded.

What I love about your advice is that it’s clearly written, easy to follow, easy to pass on. It’s relevant to the debates I have with myself: why would I want more followers? Why would I follow anyone else? Above all, how many can I attend to?

Having found one piece of your’s I love, I find myself asking “what else might you have written?” And so the curiosity grows, and I hang around to do a bit of listening…

Have a great 2010
@omaniblog

[Reply]

Misty Belardo Reply:

Thank you I do have a lot of post on here we have a new feature where you can just click on ” More Article written by” Glad the article helped you out :D

[Reply]

Paul O'Mahony (Cork) Reply:

Misty,
Lovely to hear from you, and so fast. I’ve already found your blog and tweeted about it.
Yes, your article helped me out, but what it did most of all was set up the possibility of an on-going relationship, a conversation that might take off and continue… Your article sparked with my world and enhanced it.
I think of everything as being in motion, on a journey, and @Ed as the valuable signpost…
Thanks again
@omaniblog

[Reply]

Misty Belardo Reply:

True and thank you for sharing my blog posts following you now on Twitter :D

Melissa

December 30th, 2009

Great article/blog, I use the same aspects like I do on myspace: coments are coments but if you post ads or spam I will unfriend or unfollow you! We see enough adds and one of these days Twitter may need Google ads but until then I don’t want to see them on my tweets or comments.

[Reply]

Melissa

December 30th, 2009

Great article/blog, I use the same aspects like I do on myspace: comments are comments but if you post ads or spam I will unfriend or unfollow you! We see enough adds and one of these days Twitter may need Google ads but until then I don’t want to see them on my tweets or comments.

[Reply]

Misty Belardo Reply:

I totally agree with you Melissa. Comments are always welcome as they spark more conversation :D spamming is truly a no no

[Reply]

Andre Arnett

December 30th, 2009

A very good and useful list Misty. I would like to tell everyone that tells me that they just did something for me and I should do the same for them to carry on and thanks but no thanks.

[Reply]

missajie

December 30th, 2009

Respect begets respect <3 #6 thanks Misty! Very useful list espcially for us newbies.

[Reply]

Saidokan

January 5th, 2010

A while ago I read Diana’s interview with John O’Nolan and went on to read his Twitter Rules
http://bit.ly/27I8JI. It was interesting to compare your experience, Misty, and his. In “The Rules of Tweeting” #5 he writes: “Don’t endlessly promote stuff – Survival odds: 40%
Sure, I like a good link every now and again, but if I wanted nothing but links then I’d use my RSS reader. Try doing a little more talking and replying.” This is what I’d like to address to Richard, whom I like & follow cause he follows me ;-) How about doing a litte more talking … :-)

[Reply]

Misty Belardo Reply:

Thank you for your comment, I think I covered that in point no 2. I myself talk and share and i do listen as well. I guess every experience we have is different on Twitter and even on other social networking platforms. :D

[Reply]

Saidokan Reply:

Of course, you’re absolutely right: it’s all about individual approaches and experiences. Frankly, I just “misused” your posting to sideswipe Richard because I’d like to keep on running with his “feeds” but it’s simply much too much auto-stuff. Well, I gonna check you out & your “listening skills” :-) )) @saidokan

[Reply]

Allison Rizk

January 8th, 2010

Hi Misty,

I loved this article and there are some great points in there. I’d love to ask you, though. I’ve got a humble following of about 800 people. I know it’s easier to get Twitter fatigue from all of the sales tactics and attention-getting headlines – but there are times when I could really use some help on maybe recommending a good application or service I’m not familiar with. I’ll send out tweets requesting suggestions and very often, not get any response at all.

Is there a way you can recommend targeting better? I usually RT interesting articles, mostly in the music field or RT articles from Bit Rebels and I don’t think I tweet TOO much, but maybe my questions don’t register?

I’d appreciate your feedback! Happy New Year to you too-

Thanks,
Allison

[Reply]

Misty Belardo Reply:

Hi Allison, interesting question, there are some points you also need to consider to get a response on Twitter. When I started out I had the same problem, seemed that I was not getting heard, but as time past when I do post a question or ask for a response, i now get them. Here are somethings you might try.

1. Do you interact more than RT and send links?
2. How long have you been Tweeting?
3. Have you tried asking people personally via the stream by @ them or via DM?
4. Do you answer questions from your own followers?

Sometimes getting feed back is much easier when you get more personal with your followers, engage them, answer their inquiries, say hello. I think you have started right by already Rtng good links, it really takes time to build relationships, but once you have, it will be much easier to get feedback. Asking your followers directly if you happen to know they are knowledgeable in a subject helps too.

Happy New Year!!

[Reply]

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Gangan

January 15th, 2010

Great post Misty. I am not quite with you when you on number 6: “If you don’t like the way someone tweets then just unfollow.” I think tweets that don’t add value are redundant: good morning/good night, havin lunch/coffee etc. But I will not unfollow people just because of that if their other tweets are useful. But it makes sense to make a generic comment to everyone at about such observations.

[Reply]

Misty Belardo Reply:

Hi and thank you for your comment, the number 6 is actually for people who preach to others, ex if one of your followers did not like the way you tweet, and what he or she does is DM you or on stream harass you and tell you that you should not tweet that way. My point is if the person did not like the way you tweet, instead of harassing you or telling you what to do all the time, then they should just unfollow you, rather than try to convert or harass you.

Hope that clears up point no. 6 and thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.

[Reply]

[...] “How to Get Followed on Twitter – Twitter 101” by Misty Belardo [...]

sriganesh

February 10th, 2010

thanks for the tips :) , even this happens to me, i twit good article which is related to design and follow most of the top designers , but very few follow me :( , dont know why, even i dont spam. !! you can check mine :) http://www.twitter.com/animhut

[Reply]

Your Name

February 11th, 2010

Thanks for this article!

It’s a very simple description of what so many of us feel!

I’ll follow all back at:
http://twitter.com/PrayMaddyMcCann

[Reply]

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