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7 Tips for Tweeting Links that Get Clicked

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retweets importance imageI’m not your average “status update” (linkless) type of tweeter.

Most of my tweets are retweets of awesome content that I’ve run across. I still take time to engage and interact with others by joining conversations and responding to the tweets of others, but I rarely tweet just to give an update.

Some people might argue that is not the most engaging way to interact on Twitter, but since it works for me when it comes to networking and bringing traffic to my blog, I’ll continue my practices.

Perhaps, it works for me because I go out of my way to promote other people’s posts - not just my own. Maybe it’s also because I do my best to spice up my tweets. I even do this when retweeting other people’s stuff.

This makes what I’m tweeting a little more inviting and more likely that my tweets will get clicked.

I’m also not afraid to retweet my blog post links throughout the day, but I definitely try to change them up a bit.

For example, I might start with:

10 Ways I like to Thank Twitter Followers for Retweets http://t.co/vzi3ffb

then a few hours later, I might tweet:

When I see someone has RTd or done something to promote a post of mine, I like to return the favor in unexpected ways http://t.co/vzi3ffb

This actually reveals a little more about the post, making it a bit more interesting. If someone wants to view my Twitter stream, they won’t be bombarded with the same tweet over and over again - plus, it provides more opportunities for click-through. A viewer might be more compelled to click the same link with a different description.

Here’s what I do to switch things up and get people clicking:

Use the blog post’s title without the “|Website Identification” -
It’s not really necessary. It’s distracting and takes up space you could be using to add more spice. But this won’t work as well if you’re not creating catchy headlines for your posts in the first place.

Use key sentences from the post -
That’s how I’m able to change up my tweets. I might be tweeting the same link, but the text is a different because I’m using different pieces from the post.

Use caution!
If you’re promoting your own posts, try to limit those tweets to no more than 4-5 per day, spaced out by no less than 2-3 hours. I know there are people who think tweeting every 15 minutes during the first couple of hours after a blog update is a good idea, but I think all you’re going to do is irritate the spit out of the people who are online during that time.

Spacing out your tweets makes it less likely that people will get annoyed and it also opens your tweets up to be seen by a new audience, since different tweeters log on at different times.

Use numbers even if they aren’t in the title -
Don’t be afraid to add numbers if it’s relevant, for example if your post does in fact, contain 3 suggestions, highlight that in your tweet.

Ask a question -
Your post title doesn’t have to be a question, but you can spark conversation by converting it to a question if it isn’t already.

For example:

4 Ways You’re Destroying Your Credibility and 5 Tips To Avoid It http://t.co/NiObWyU RT @HectorCuevas

Becomes:

Are you destroying your blogging credibility? Want to know how to avoid it? http://t.co/NiObWyU RT @HectorCuevas

Retweet the work of others
When retweeting the work of others, move the “RT @mention” to the end of the tweet to draw more attention to the content and the link. The @mention will be seen by the intended person, but it won’t distract other viewers.

For example, I might tweet:

10 Questions for Planning Out a Year of Blogging RT @fuelblogging http://bit.ly/fxJbfw

@Mention the Guest Poster
When you’re tweeting a post written by a guest poster, take a moment to add the guest poster’s Twitter ID to the tweet. Since they’re not the site owner, the tweet is not going to automatically show up in their @mentions and they may never know that you enjoyed and retweeted the post. That also means you’ve missed out on a great networking opportunity.

Most guest posts have an author’s bio section that usually contains the Twitter ID. If not, don’t be afraid to visit their blog; usually the information you need is right there in the sidebar.

So whenever I read a guest post that I like, I might tweet:

Targeted Internet Marketing Looses to Information Overload? http://bit.ly/fChjT5 RT @tnsblog @webtrafficcafe

Of course this is not a science that will repeat the same results every time; tweeting is an art. So play around with the way you construct your tweets and find out what works best for you.

Read more on how to get RTed:

 

Happy tweeting!

 

Image Credit: http://twittercism.com/magic-retweet-number/

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Comments

  2. Practical tips that really works. Thanks Kiesha for this good post. To be effective twitter, it will be helpful if you have a few tools with you that automates some of the repetitive type of tasks. Recently I’m gone through two of the tools Buffer and Timely. I hope you are using some similar tools. I would really appreciate if you share what are the tools you are using to make your twitter life easier.

  3. Hi Kiesha
    Thank for the tips. I hate when people tweet like 10 times with in 5 minutes. No one have that much on there mind. I try to spread my tweets out and sometimes also retweet others posts or other kind of links. I kind of tweet the way that I want other people to tweet. Nobody wants spam.

  4. These were such great yet simple tips! Thank you for sharing your insights. I don’t think that tweeting your own posts a few times a day is spammy because most people don’t watch their twitter feeds like hawks. You need to reach out to people at different times. Plus like you said, if you change the text up a bit, people might not even notice you’re tweeting the same post over and over 😉

  5. Took time out to practice the asking a question method and it did get me a few click throughs. Truth be told my twitter traffic is practically non-existent but with these tips I see wonders possibly happening soon 😉

  6. Mentioning the guest poster is a great tip - I do something similar. When I publish a new podcast episode I always tweet and include my interviewee’s Twitter ID. It’s a nice way of saying thanks and might encourage them to re-tweet too.

    • Hi David,
      That’s the great thing about doing an interview or a review post - if you say enough nice things about the person, how could they possible resist retweeting? 😀

  7. Fantastic tips Kiesha!

    I love the one about pulling phrases from the post itself rather than just using the title. I think that’s a great way to intrigue the reader and earn the click. I also appreciate your down-to-earth advice about how much self-promotion is too much. I like to use TweetDeck’s schedule feature to retweet my updates two or three times over the next 24 to 48 hours, but then I’m done. I probably err a bit on the side of not enough self-promotion, but as you said, it’s an art, not a science.

    Thanks for a really useful, actionable post!

    • Hi Cindy,
      Yeah, I think it certainly makes it more interesting when you change it up, especially when you’re trying to promote an important post. It really is one of those things you have feel - there’s no way method that works everytime.

  8. Hi Kiesha,
    I did something similar, except adding number and mention guest post. So, I should do that. Thanks for great tips.

  9. Very insightful tips Kiesha. Especially that I am not using Twitter to the optimal level yet, I am always hunting for information in this direction. And this post is just so timely.

    Thanks,
    Jane.

  10. Hi Kiesha,

    Great tips here! I have to admit, I have to work on changing up my tweets a bit once in a while…get a little lazy. 😉

    Very interesting point on moving the Twitter username to the end. Never even thought of that before, but it makes sense how having it in the middle can be a distraction. Will definitley take that on.

    Thanks again! 🙂

  11. This is an awesome tip Keisha! I’m going to start doing this more for other people’s content I share. I stopped doing the auto-posting to Twitter from my blog a while ago so I could craft tweets, and this takes to an entirely higher level. Thanks!

    • Hi Robert,
      I think it creates more opportunities for engagement - that’s why I believe it gets more clicks, because people want to respond, especially when it comes to questions.

  13. What if the tweet is more than 140 characters because there are so many people who retweeted it, will it be alright to cut a name?

  14. Communication is a form of art, even tweeting. 🙂 I agree, it’s easy to push content to the twitterverse but in order to make each tweet counts, effort is needed. And the brilliant part is, people do appreciate that effort by considering what you shared is worth an RT or read. I too, modify my post titles but I should do it more frequently though, plus with more thoughts on how it gets more readability. Thanks for making me think, Kiesha.

    @wchingya
    Social/Blogging Tracker

  15. Kiesha:

    Awesome guest post! I never considered switching up the info on the same tweet! I will be taking that advice tonight most definitely. Wonderful tips you give here to help with Twitter.

    All the best,
    Lisa

  16. Hi Kiesha,

    I’m kinda new to twitter so I’m really into knowing about some ins and outs. A lot of people and marketers think twitter is nonsense. I’m glad I came across this post. Thanks for these great tips on how to make your tweeting more effective.

    Hi Ana, this is my first visit here and what to let you know you have a jammed packed blog full of great information.

    Terry Conti

    • Hi Terry,
      I’ve met lots of people who think the same thing about Twitter - but that’s just because they don’t understand it and why it’s confined to 140 characters. I actually like the bit-sized chunks of great content it delivers. Glad to be a source that you’ve found helpful 🙂

  17. Solid tips for re-purposing your tweets. I need to go back and check my own set ups to see if I’m still appending the site name to my tweets on all my sites. I think you’re right that it’s probably more annoying to others trying to retweet with all those extra characters. Thanks for the tips.

  18. Hey Kiesha,
    I easily get bogged down with Twitter and how it balances with my blog. Thanks for the little tips, I look forward to more from you!

    • Hi Navid,
      Yeah, Twitter is one of those sites that can totally consume your time if you’re not careful. I hope these tips can at least help you get a good return investment on your time.

  19. Hey Kiesha,

    Excellent tips you are sharing here. I use of most of these practices. I like using different phrases for the same link for the same reasons you have mentioned.

    Keep rocking, Kiesha!

    All the best,
    Mavis

    • Thanks, Mavis,
      I think it shakes things up a bit - glad to hear that I’m in good company. 🙂

  20. Kiesha, you are all over the place today. That’s ok because I’m following right behind you. Awesome job on the guest posting. I really appreciate when I see you Retweeting my stuff. It means a lot. Thanks!

    • Hi Ileane,
      😀 Are you sure I’m not following you? 😀 You definitely know your way around the blogosphere and I’m just trying to keep up. You do so much to help, honestly retweeting your posts from time to time is the least I can do. Thanks!

  21. Excellent suggestions Kiesha. I especially like your tips to use key sentences from our posts and your examples of asking questions. Also, your @mention tip is great. I’ve heard this one before but I never totally understood it. I couldn’t understand why RT’ing a tweet doesn’t show up in their mentions.

  22. Kiesha,

    Taking a piece of a writers’ blog post is a great idea that works for me too. I like to choose a great quote and give the the link to the site. I have attracted the attention of so big name bloggers this way. I just need to be more consistent in doing this.

    Thanks for sharing what works for you.

    • Hi Sheila,
      Sometimes, it’s difficult to keep with - it’s so easy to lose track of time when it comes to social media, so I totally understand. Just do the best you can and everything else will fall into place 😀

  23. Hey Kiesha,

    I used to change up the tweet using sentences from the post but eventually encountered a back lash. The same people (usually my biggest fans) would click on the tweet thinking its a different post and would land on the post they read few hours ago. So I stopped doing that.

    All the other advice I found to be very effective …great list you got there 🙂

    • Hi Dino,
      There are definitely some downsides. But I’ve learned that you can’t please everyone, so you have to figure out what works best for you and go with that. I don’t do this every day, for every post - only for ones I really need to promote.

    • Hi Traffic Coleman,
      My point exactly. I have to admit that sometimes I get tired of using numbers all the time, but people like what they like, so when I want to get a good response, I break out the numbers. 😀