The Internet is a noisy place. We’re talking 400-million-tweets-sent-per-day-noisy. So, when the time comes to sit down in front of your keyboard ready to share your 140-characters of brilliance, it can be a little bit daunting figuring out exactly what to say in order to get your voice heard.
Even for the best writers, there are rare moments when the words just don’t flow. This is what’s called a case of tweeter’s block. But, don’t fret! I’ve compiled a list of six things you can always say when you feel like you have nothing to say at all.
1). Speak to your audience
First things first, remember who your audience is and let that shape your message. In other words, define your goal for tweeting. It could be spreading brand awareness, driving traffic to a product page, or just encouraging general engagement. Your followers follow you (or your brand page) for a reason, and they are genuinely interested in what you have to say. Go forward with the confidence that you’re talking with friends, rather than talking at a bunch of cyber personalities.
Ryan Hodgson, one of my favorite people to follow on Twitter for marketing and social media content, executed this idea wonderfully to his 62,000+ followers by sharing a bit of social advice that everyone can relate to.
2). Trending Topics
Hashtags trend for a reason, and that reason is because that’s what lots of people are talking about. If you see a trending topic that’s appropriate to you or your brand, don’t be shy! Hop on into the conversation and give your take on the trend. Here’s a look at some recently trending topics:
Let’s take the trend #incomingfreshmanadvice. If I were tweeting on behalf of a brand that talked to teens and young adults, this would be a prime opportunity to slide into a conversation where my target audience is hanging out. And that’s exactly what we did for our client Bobsled:
3). Say what someone else is saying
Also known as a retweet! That glorious little button at the bottom of every tweet lets you speak to your followers on behalf of another person. If one of your influencers or someone you really admire says something worth sharing, endorse it with a retweet. If you’re a brand, retweeting your customers and fans is a great way to give a social “thank you”. And, let’s be real, everyone loves a retweet.
4). Get snap happy
They say a picture’s worth 1,000 words, which is great when you only have 140-characters to work with. Take a quick behind-the-scenes shot of where you are or what you’re working on. Your followers will love the inside look, and the effort you’re taking to personalize your relationship with them.
5). Enjoy a blast from the past
Your blog has an archive for a reason. And, #ThrowBackThursday is its favorite day to come out and play.
6). Tell a joke
No, seriously. Tell a funny (used subjectively) joke, especially one that’s on-brand, and I can give you a 78% guarantee that someone will at least “LOL” IRL. Just make sure your joke is tasteful. All too often, brands face crisis when a tweet comes across as offensive or inappropriate.
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