Is your Twitter presence working tirelessly to link you to your clients? Is it the hardest working member of your team? Or is your Twitter presence in need of some ‘attitude adjustment’?
Many travel and tourism pros are looking to dive deeper into social media. Twitter is a great place to launch a new group departure, showcase your newest package or blog post. I’ve found valuable information here to keep up with our ever changing industry. There are 500 million users and the potential for your reach is boundless.
Let’s explore several strategies and tactics from novice thru advanced that you can employ to increase your Twitter visibility.
Novice: Your Bio and Image
1. Your Twitter handle or name
This is crucial to helping people understand why they should follow you. If you’re brand new to Twitter consider carefully how people know you; by your business name or your own personal name. Choose your Twitter handle accordingly.
2. Your header image
This is your first impression! Make sure it’s as powerfully related to your brand and mission statement as possible.
Twitter has recently given us more real-estate to brand and show who we are and what we do. Here’s your chance to put a picture or graphic of your specialty, niche or latest fam destination. Remember to include links to your other social sites in your Twitter profile.
Here’s how to upload your header image and change your bio:
First, Click “Me” in the top navigation bar
Second, click “Edit Profile” in the bottom right
When you’re in the Edit Profile section you’ll be able to change your bio, photo image and header image. Here’s what it will look like:
In this section, simply click on the pencils to edit or add information. Make sure to Save Changes.
Here are some great examples from our industry.
Intermediate: Conversation is King!
3. Lists
These are an ingenious way to keep up with news that matters to you. As you begin to follow people and businesses start to organize them into lists by topic, industry or specialty. This way you can simply go to that list and see what’s top of mind and participate accordingly. Here’s how to create a list:
First, click on “Me” in the top navigation bar.
Second, click “Lists” on the left side of your screen
Third, click “Create List” on the right side of your screen
You’ll then see a menu and can name and describe your list as well as designate it public or private. Make sure to save your list.
Once you have your lists set up, add those that you follow to the appropriate list. In addition, you can search other peoples lists to see whom they follow and add those people to your lists as well.
This strategy will give you a well-rounded overview by topic, industry or association.
4. Hashtags
Hashtags are a phenomenal way to organize and find information by topic. We’ve seen Hashtags (#) appear in Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and other social sites. When using them on Twitter, PLEASE don’t over-use as it makes your tweet hard to read and many people will skip right over it. Use them sparingly and wisely
Advanced: Relationship Building
5. Twitter Chats
These are a ‘twunderful’ way to converse and draw new followers.
- Set up a Twitter chat prior to your next group departure so that people can meet one another
- Join or start a TwitterChat within your niche market or sector
- More about TwitterChats here.
- Invite chat participants to your other social sites by tempting them with tweets that link to relevant, on-topic material.
Here are more ways to weave Twitter chats into your marketing strategy.
6. Photos and Video
These add relevance and credibility to your tweets. Check out Vine for creating 6 second videos with impact. (link to the blog post about Vine – TBD).
7. Mobile use on Twitter
The number of mobile users on Twitter is growing. Make sure to download the app on your phone and keep up to date all the time.
NEW on your mobile! Up to three tweets in a sequence are shown at a time. This way you can catch up on a whole conversation at a glance. Need more than 3 tweets? Tap on any single tweet to see all of the replies, including any responses from people you don’t currently follow.
This is great news as now whole conversations can be shared with friends via email from Twitter.com, or as individual tweets from the iPhone and Android apps.
FACT: On Twitter the 55-64 year age bracket is the fastest growing demographic with 79% growth rate since 2012.
When you join the 500 million users and become active on Twitter you’ll reach a broad demographic and will maximize your social integration with another channel to reach new clients.
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About the Author, Catherine J Heeg
Catherine Heeg is a travel, hospitality and tourism industry thought leader. As President of Customized Management Solutions and an international speaker and trainer she delivers customized interactive social media, marketing and communication workshops and webinars. Customized social marketing strategy design and coaching keep her driving results for the tourism, travel and hospitality industry.