How to Use Twitter to Increase Web Traffic

The value of the Internet to network, socialize, and market business is steadily growing. Whether you are trying to steer traffic to your website or blog, Twitter is a valuable tool to help you maximize your exposure through micro-blogging. Although it may be tempting to simply shout out the praise of your fantastic product, proper Twitter etiquette is essential to your twittering success. Read on for a few ideas how to make the most of Twitter.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Set up a Twitter account on the Twitter website.

2. Build your list of followers. Especially in the beginning, it is good to take any you can get even if they do not have an obvious connection to your topic because all followers who you are connected with is exposure to others who might like to follow you. Use the search tool to find followers who would most likely be interested in your information or product.

3. Observe and participate in conversations for a while before promoting yourself. Coming on too strong will turn people off and others will be more likely to follow up with your tweets once they have gotten familiar with you.

4. Post interesting tweets that link to your blog or website. Posting too many too often will be viewed as spam. But feel free to post the same tweet and link two or three times throughout the day as it is likely you will be promoting your product to a different audience each time.

5. Periodically update or make a bold change to some aspect of your blog, then ask others on Twitter to critique it. Don't forget to add the link and people will go to your site to check it out.

6. Blog about a current event that somehow relates to your site, even if it is not the main focus. Then post an interesting tweet and link back. When traffic follows you back, they will not only be exposed to that particular great article, but whatever information or product you are trying to promote.

7. Make a comment on blogs of your followers. They will likely follow you back and leave a comment for you. They may even turn into regular readers or subscribers.

8. Return the comment favor on any tweets you receive.

9. Comment back on a fellow twitterer's blog who comments on your blog. This establishes a relationship and will lead to repeat visits.

10. Tweet about interesting comments you received on a prior tweet. This is a great opportunity to repeat your tweet and link in an acceptable way, to possibly reach more people, that will not be viewed as spam.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to initiate and participate in conversations between your tweets. Otherwise, you might turn people away rather than instigate traffic. Twitter relationships will not only build traffic,but you build good contacts and pick up valuable information for your website, blog, or life in general, in the process.
• Over tweeting or tweeting without any personality will give you a bad reputation and any traffic gained will likely be short lived.