“They” say that if you’re in a rut, stop digging.

Are you talking to the same people over and over and over again?

Do you only spend time on Twitter in your “mentions” column?

We all have days where we’re trying to just get by and, believe me, I’m the one who says you can maintain your account in five minutes a day, but that’s not going to help you grow.

Whenever I start to feel like I’m in a rut, I am reminded of this Tweet from Scott Stratten:

Reminder to take 5 minutes to reply/retweet others. Nothing about you. Engage/interact/give.

— Scott Stratten (@unmarketing) January 6, 2012

If Twitter is about relationships, then it logically follows that relationships take work. That does take time.

Where we mainly go wrong is in the listening department.  Do you log on to Twitter to post a Tweet and never read anyone else’s?

“Twitter is the cocktail party of our society and it’s about listening not talking.” Gary Vaynerchek

Granted, there is a lot of automation that makes Twitter seem like a  “Nuclear Testing Site” – vacant – but we can change that one Tweet at a time.

Besides spending time in the “home” feed, you can reach out and make connections and/or rekindle relationships by following these tips:

• If you’re like me, you may have tons of lists on Twitter, but only pay attention to a few. Explore your other lists. Respond to those tweets.
• It is possible your tweets aren’t “retweetable.” Change up your style or try another tactic.
• You could actually participate in Follow Friday by following these “Best Practices” from Carol Stephen including “following other people’s suggestions.”
• Follow a hashtag and/or join a Twitter Chat.  In fact, this Monday, I joined the Power of Connection (#PoCchat) for the first time and met about a dozen people I want to continue following.  You just never know what can happen.