The Internet is a vast, endless asset filled with potential
just waiting for someone to grab it and use it. Twitter is one of the most
popular and utilized social media websites with over 300 million users.
Companies and marketers are all vying for ways to make that work in their
favor. Going viral is the mark of success on social media and trending on
Twitter is the way to get that done. Unfortunately, no one can just decide to
trend because that reaction is entirely up to Twitter users. So, how does a
company grasp trending and make it work for them?
Do Your Research
To do anything well, you must first become familiar with theterritory. Before going to college, you look into the academic programs and
tour the campus. What do you do prior to your big job interview? You look at
the company’s website and found out what they are all about. Can you find
success in a project by jumping in blindly with no idea what you are doing?
Sure. It’s been known to happen. However, you significantly up your chance of
being successful if you do your research ahead of time.
This is true for trends on Twitter as well. Do you
understand Twitter? If not, register an account and take it for a spin first.
Look into what is trending. Why is it trending? What contributes to the trend?
Just like a keyword density search, what trends will work for your cause or
business? How are people reacting to the trends? The answers to this
information will make you so much more prepared to use trending wisely.
Top Ten Troubles
Many companies wanting to take advantage of Twitter
trending, head straight to the top ten trends. Then they try to find a way to
incorporate what they are doing into what is already hot. The idea has merit.
Those trends are already grabbing attention and making waves and jumping onto those
coattails might help you.
The masses of Twitter are wise. They can spot a fake
interaction. While some believe any attention is good attention, a bright
spotlight on how not to use social media is not the way you want to gain
visibility. Also, if the trend isn’t related to what you are selling – how
effective is the attention you are getting? Things will peak for a short time
but then people will drift away because the audience was interested in the
trend, not you.
However, don’t give up on trending just because the Top Ten
doesn’t suit you. There is so much out there on Twitter and a niche market or
service can still make an impression on social media even if it can’t break the
top ten barrier.
Trends that Aren’t
Trendy
Like with any fad, some are meatier than others. Trends are
destined to be temporary so it’s important that companies focus on solid trends
and not just what is trendy. The goal behind trending on Twitter is to get
enough people talking, and posting, and #hashtaging an idea. However, the true
motivation for businesses should be to not only get people talking but to keep
them talking long after the trending stalls. The trend is the hook but it
requires sustenance to convert those conversations into loyal followers. Ask
yourself if this trend has the potential to do that or if it’s just a spur of
the moment fancy that fades just as easily as it soared?
Join the Conversation
the Right Way
Twitter is a tool and, if understood, can be used to
manipulate and garner new followers. However, like so many other paths, if you
take the easy route and only think of Twitter as a tool to be used to increase
your business then you are missing out on the true potential it possesses.
Spamming, scamming, and cutting corners will be apparent to anyone interested
enough to pay attention to you.
Join the conversation or a start a new one. Engage and
interact with your followers in ways that feel meaningful to both you and your
audience. If you are going to invest this much time in figuring out Twitter and
its trends, make that time valuable and productive. Find the right trends. Pay
attention to what is trending and don’t miss out on something that truly works
for what you do. Get familiar with Twitter’s tools and the best way to monitor
trends and conversations. Really connect with people and then don’t forget to
follow up with them. Monitor, track and
study your results so you can focus on which are working for you. Then repeatyour successes. These are the ways to journey through trending and make it a viable
part of your social media arsenal.
Get the idea of how best to utilize Twitter trending but
still not sure where to start? Give us a call to brainstorm where to begin or
how to make the most out of what you are already doing.
~ Social Media is changing the way people do business. Don't get left behind ~
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Hollie Clere, of The Social Media Advisor is a "#BeAwesome" Developer, Social Media Brand Builder, Content Manager, Trainer and Author in LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Google+ , YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram and the tools to manage them.
Click here for her Social Media Workshops, Classes and Seminars
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