To Twitter and Beyond

Mark Johnson of MARKITECT is a Twitter specialist extraordinaire.  After close to 2 years on Twitter, he has around 7,200 followers using 2 Twitter handles.  He averages 50 tweets per day and adds approximately 10 more followers every day. 

Johnson wasn’t an overnight Twitter maven.  When he began to build his following, he spent 3 to 4 hours on Twitter per day.  Now his tweets are mostly automated and his follower growth is organic.

Johnson gave some very helpful recommendations on how to get started on Twitter.  He suggested posting a short bio on your Twitter page that relates specifically to your specialties.  Johnson also suggested finding a custom background by googling Twitter backgrounds. 

Developing a following on Twitter begins by building a network of like minded Twitter users that you follow first, explained Johnson.   Twitter users with similar interests that you follow are also likely to follow you.  Re-tweeting their content also enhances the possibility that they may follow you also.  

Exploring follower lists of Twitter users you follow is another way to discover like minded users, Johnson suggested.  Following a few well known names or brands can highlight your interests and specialties.

Tweet content and frequency can also have an impact on growing your followers.  Here are some Twitter Do’s.  Johnson suggested tweeting at least 3 times per day and no more than 20 tweets per day.  Johnson said, tweets should “be useful to others”.

Recommended content includes links to blogs, websites, videos, pictures and other content.  Twitter is spontaneous without enduring impact, so including trackable links improves the longevity of the message, Johnson explained.  Relevant hash tags and brand mentions add weight to your message.

He said it’s important to thank others for re-tweeting your content.  Johnson advised using a dashboard like Hootsuite or Tweetdeck to organize your Twitter activity.  Categorizing your followers will make future tweeting more manageable said Johnson.

Johnson emphasized that tweets shouldn’t be too promotional.  He said, “Don’t push content out.”  He added, “Don’t make your tweets too cryptic.”  Some abbreviations can be unclear, Johnson said. 

Your other online media should direct your followers to your website or blog, advised Johnson.  Your tweets should integrate your other on line media which directs to your website.  Your website should have your content embedded from your other on line media.

Johnson attended a home improvement event where he tweeted at the booth of a major brand.  The tweets were noticed by the company’s social media director.  As a result, Johnson was invited to guest blog for the company.  He has also hosted home improvement industry Twitter chats that included a slide share presentation. 

He is currently managing the social media campaign for Green Builder Media’s VISION House in INNOVENTIONS, at Epcot Theme Park, in Walt Disney World.

Mark Johnson FAIA is principal of MARKITECT, a consulting practice focusing on marketing, education and social media for the design and building products industry.  He is a FAIA architect, AIBD Professional Building Designer and NKBA Certified Kitchen Designer.