I’ve blogged before about how sharing content on Twitter can drive big traffic back to your blog. It’s also a great way to network with others, and to find and share content that makes you and your network smarter. I am a big believer in sharing content on Twitter and here’s five of my best tips:
1 – Share content from sources that people trust, and identify those sources. I am constantly looking to see what CopyBlogger, Spin Sucks and Convince and Convert are writing because I know they consistently produce good content that helps other people solve their content marketing and social media problems. I also let people know that the share is coming from these sites, because that makes them more likely to click the link.
2 – Tell people why they should click the link. This one is sometimes tough with just 140 characters, but if at all possible I like to add why the link is worth clicking on. A personal endorsement along with a link drives more clicks.
3 – Identify the author of the article or post. You want to do this to let others know who wrote this awesome piece, but to also ping the author to let them know you are sharing their content. Add via @username to your tweet. BTW that also makes it more likely that this person will want to share YOUR content (Pro Tip).
4 – Participate in the conversations around the content you share. Many people miss this but sharing content on Twitter is a GREAT way to network with others. I purposely try to schedule most of the links I share with HootSuite ahead of time so I can be on Twitter and interact with people that comment on the links I share.
5 – Share your own stuff. Self-promotion? Oh the horrors! Relax, if you are sharing useful content then you have every right to share some of your own stuff as well. In fact, this is one of the biggest benefits from sharing OTHER people’s awesome stuff, it drives more clicks to YOUR content when you share links. I’ve tested this but when I am sharing other people’s content and THEN share a link to my latest post, it drives more traffic here versus only sharing my post. Try it for yourself and see what happens!
BONUS: Share content from the people that share your content. Look for ways to put the spotlight on the people that are promoting you and your content. Remember, reward the behavior you want to encourage. Besides, saying ‘Thank you!’ is the right thing to do.
Related to your 4th bullet, I make an effort to comment on a blog post or article before sharing it. If someone clicks and sees I already shared my opinion, the emotional connection for them is higher.
Ari that’s a good point, if there’s already a comment in place from you BEFORE you share it, as you said they can more easily connect with it if you have offered your input. Good tip!
Excellent advice, from a generous example (that’s you, Mack)! I think #2 is most important– thanks to all the automation tools, Twitter is now littered with tweets that say: [blog post title] via [username] [link]. I find that so very boring! Adding value by including even a word or two of why you’re sharing a post/article will really make your tweets stand out, and helps show followers you care enough to actually read what you’re tweeting.
You mean you still don’t like Triberr? 😉 I agree, just a post title and link feels pretty impersonal, I try to add an endorsement if possible. Within restrictions of 140 chars, of course 🙂
These are some great tips, thanks for sharing! You only have a limited number of characters for persuading people to read what you have posted so it really is an art. Interaction and engagement is key and I’m glad you pointed it out.
I really liked this one. It’s like what we were discussing yesterday. As for the Triberr, you can add your own 2 cents before sharing it with others.:)
That’s good, I think too many people just use it to push out content from their group, without vetting the content as ‘shareable’. I think that just cheapens the experience for everyone.
I really love your second tip. I also try to do this because I’ve found people are more willing to not only click on the link, but to engage in conversation with you about it. Ryan Hanley and I were just talking about this very thing on his podcast. People forget social media is about being social. Find ways to be social through the content you share.
And…thank you for the nice mention. You’re a rock star!
Hi Gini 🙂 I really think #2 is the most important of all. Chris Brogan does an excellent job with this, and I think it definitely leads to more clicks. Since he can give others more exposure, that increases the chance they will want to bring exposure back to him, etc etc.
I’m here because Gini shared your content! Thinking I share like a pro I was expecting mainly to have my best practices reinforced. The good news is they were for the most part.
Except for number 2 which you’re identifying as the most important. I don’t often do that so I’m glad I read this post. I’ll start trying to share why someone should read a link I share and not just a straight RT or tweeting the original title.Thanks!
Hi James, and Gini is smart enough to comment here first and then share the post, as Ari suggested above.
You won’t always be able to add a ‘this is why I liked this post’ when you share a post, but it helps if you can. Plus it makes your share stand out and many people just share the title and you’re left to click it to see if the post was worth your time.
Great post Mack. You are right on with these. I like point five because I think people tent to go one way or the other. They either only share other’s content or they over share their own content. By having variety you become a valued resource sharing different perspectives, one of which is your’s.
Keep up the great work.