Every now and then we all experience a little writer’s block. The other day I frustratingly typed “help me write” into the Spotify search bar, hoping it would give me a playlist that would break down my mental walls. Thankfully it did! Apparently, I’m not the only one with this issue. It’s pretty normal to get writer’s block if you have to write a lengthy article or a post, but have you ever faced a hard time writing shorter pieces – like a tweet?
If you’re in charge of social media or one of your tasks is generating a million tweets a minute, then you probably know what I mean. You’re staring at your screen, trying to construct a witty sentence, searching for the right words and also include that CTA within those 280 characters. Many a time, even experienced writers find themselves struggling to coin the right message.
The UK’s second most popular social network, Twitter, is a dynamic realm of opinions, news, and so much more. Behind the hashtags, memes and trending topics, there are masterminds creating content that resonate with millions of different people.
Wendy’s is a great example of a company that has mastered Twitter. They were one of the first brands to engage with their followers in an unconventional way. Their responses to Twitter users who comment on their food/brand/competition is full of razor-sharp wit and humour. If you haven’t seen their tweets yet, then you should – they’re bound to make you laugh. However, I bet the people at Wendy’s also struggle every now and then to find something witty to say.
So we bring to you 7 ways you can engage your Twitter followers when you are in need for inspiration:
Ask Questions
A classic way to engage your followers is to ask them questions. Throw in something that makes them think or lets them respond to you. Example: #CventCONNECTEurope is right around the corner! Have you registered yet?
The Giant Sub is coming, Are you ready to go #Allin with this 6 ft Sub? Retweet and we’ll send you a reminder when it lands in a Subway® store near you. pic.twitter.com/vNZHRZSqnP
— Subway® UK (@SubwayUK) June 21, 2018
Use Fun Facts and Quotes
Be thoughtful and show a personable side to your Twitter. Share quotes about life, humanity, travel… anything! Also throw in some fun facts — people love reading and sharing them. Your followers will retweet or favourite something they found thought-provoking.
INSTAGRAM OF THE DAY: Shhh! 😗☝️ This secret beach is found off the Hawkesbury River in Sydney's north. Discover other hidden gems scattered along the coast! #ilovesydney
Please check the #NSWParks website for the latest park details and alerts.
📷 IG/herms_davis pic.twitter.com/zKiiuToc1z
— Sydney.com (@sydney_sider) May 23, 2019
Throw in a Funny Joke or Meme
Don’t shy away from being funny or relatable. Who doesn’t love a good joke? But stay appropriate and make sure what you’re sharing is not offensive.
australia is a very sexy continent pic.twitter.com/iZLL9HU0CW
— mike (@boy_from_school) January 11, 2018
Ask for Feedback!
Twitter is the perfect place to get quick responses. Ask your followers what they think about you, your products, or anything else that is relevant.
A busy morning at the @FCTrust opening of our exhibition!
NOW OPEN to the public, 10am-5pm until 28th of October, excluding Tuesdays. Be sure to leave a comment in the visitor book and tweet us your feedback! ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/cb9glCKAPn
— FFC Exhibition (@FFCExhibition) June 9, 2018
Tweet Pictures
Use pictures to show behind-the-scenes action, pictures of your team, or any interesting news to brighten up your followers’ feeds.
“A kiss for good luck?” 😙
(Kangaroo via IG/margaux_view at @Golden_Outback's #LuckyBay, @westaustralia)#seeaustralia #justanotherdayinwa pic.twitter.com/TyMwyYoZXi
— Australia (@Australia) June 6, 2019
Respond to Your Followers
Let your followers know that you see what they say! This helps them feel heard and encourages them to establish a relationship with you.
Oh, hay. https://t.co/2ZukCW2ART
— Wendy's (@Wendys) May 17, 2019
RT for X, Fav for Y
Another thing trending right now is “Retweet for X, Favourite for Y”. People are using this as a chance to poll their followers and also get some free and effortless PR. This simple poll will have people hitting one of the two buttons on your tweet all day.
Ok. We'll bite…What color is the dress?? Favorite for Blue/Black. ReTweet for White/Gold pic.twitter.com/8kDSkbUBxy
— Alternative Buffalo (@Altbuffalo) February 27, 2015
If you’re looking for other ways to amp up your social media strategy, check out this post.
