Are you in a Twitter rut? Stop Digging.

“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:

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.

11 Comments

  1. Allen C. Buchananen on September 4, 2013 at 7:23 pm

    I’ve learned from the best, Bridget and Carol.
    You two are awesome!

    Thanks for the refresher.



  2. Allen C. Buchananen on September 4, 2013 at 7:49 pm

    My pleasure!



  3. Bridget Willard on September 4, 2013 at 7:38 pm

    Wow! Thank you, Allen!



  4. Carol Stephen (@Carol_Stephen) on September 4, 2013 at 10:14 pm

    You’re so right about listening. There is so little of it on Twitter, and in social media in general. Thank you for the fabulous reminders!



  5. Bridget Willard on September 5, 2013 at 12:33 am

    I write for myself as part of that audience; it’s tempting to be the loudmouth.

    Thanks for taking the time to read and comment.



  6. Sandy @VTWorks on October 6, 2013 at 5:40 am

    Great reminders Bridget. You and Carole are both such good teachers!



  7. Bridget Willard on October 6, 2013 at 8:02 am

    You are too kind, Sandy.
    And I agree that Carol is very gifted.



  8. Sandy @VTWorks on October 15, 2013 at 9:53 am

    So are you!! 🙂



  9. Bridget Willard on October 15, 2013 at 9:54 am

    🙂



  10. Evelyn on February 11, 2014 at 11:27 am

    The art of listening… yeah sometimes is forgotten. You are always spot-on 😀 I accomplished two very important things by reading post like yours: I learn new, interesting and useful things and I have fun interacting! 😀



  11. Bridget Willard on February 11, 2014 at 11:55 am

    Thanks, Eveyln! I appreciate it very much. I am glad to have been of help.