Tweet This! Create an All-Star Brand & Woo More Followers on Twitter

At a time when it seems like everyone and their grandmother is on Twitter, you’re probably wondering what types of tweets will help you stand out from the crowd while remaining professional.

You’re in good company. A couple of career-transition experts have been thinking the same thing. They’ve distilled the best tips related to business uses of Twitter, into a practical new book entitled Find a Job Through Social Networking (available on Amazon).

Career management consultants Diane Crompton and Ellen Sautter demystify Twitter and shed light on how the social media tool can help and hurt your career.

In summary, they said, tweets should be:

  • Positive,
  • Polite, and
  • Relevant to your end goal.

“For example, rather than tweeting something such as ‘I desperately need a cup of coffee,’ post a message that can be of value to others,” they said.

Tweet your interests, passions

In addition to relevancy, I’d add that it’s important to write about things you truly care about and not just what you believe will garner more followers.

Crompton and Sautter agree.

“You’ll gain a lot more from Twitter if you tweet about topics you are interested in and knowledgeable and passionate about,” they said.

To keep tweets on-brand, appropriate, and engaging, the authors also recommend crafting messages that include:

  • Events related to your field
  • Industry trends
  • The type of work and job you are targeting (if you are currently looking for a job)
  • Something interesting you read, be it a book or a blog post, related to your professional area of expertise (just make sure you include a shortened link)
  • A recent accomplishment
  • Resources that have been helpful to you
  • A thank-you to someone for their efforts
  • Your interests and “on brand” activities (for example, “volunteering to manage a project, love leading a team toward a common goal”)
  • Work-related stories that support your professional brand
  • New skills or information you have learned
  • A request for advice and information (you can preface your tweets with “looking for” or “need help with”)

Be careful what you tweet

It’s important to note, however, that not all tweets are created equal.

“The great thing about Twitter is that your tweets can go viral and spread quickly to lots of people,” the authors said. However, that’s also why Twitter poses risks to your professional career, they added.

Indeed,  because it’s over the Internet — a largely unregulated domain — tweets are considered public record, an information stream that can be picked up by Google and other search engines, the authors explained.

“Because of this, you’ll want to make sure that your tweets are messages that are okay to live on as a permanent cyber trail created by you,” they noted.

In summary, Twitter can play a powerful role in helping you achieve your job search and career goals, particularly in the areas of branding yourself as an expert in your field or interest.

Used wisely and regularly, you will certainly expand your visibility to potential employers and clients, and connect with like-minded professionals, the authors suggested.

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If this post was helpful to you — then in the name of harnessing the power of social media — please RETWEET, POST to Facebook, Linked In and reference it on your website or blog (all I ask is that you link it back here).

Just click the SHARE button below.Have some tips of your own? Post your comments below. Would love to hear them!

Thanks for visiting! Now . . . go tweet!

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