Twitter has long been established as a key player in the online marketing world. We all know establishing a presence on the platform can be instrumental in growing our brands. You don’t have to be a brilliant poet to be successful in this 140-character game, but you do have to know how to engage and what kind of voice resonates with your audience, and you do have to be consistent.
Here we’ve found a few examples of Twitter feeds that get branding and marketing right. Whether they are inspiring, informing, or adding a smile to your day, they consistently attract the people they want to notice them, giving big value and getting a great return on their investment.
Donald Miller (@DonaldMiller)
Bestselling author, public speaker and marketing guru, Miller knows how to Tweet. He teaches brands how to clarify their message, connect with customers, and grow their companies. His tweets consist of artfully crafted quotes on brand definition and he shares boatloads of resources on everything from writing to marketing to spirituality. Donald’s feed is an indispensable resource for those looking for help in the branding department.
TAKEAWAY:
Notice that Donald’s promotional tweets get just as much engagement as his value-based shares. If you give, give, give to your audience, they are thrilled to take action (and share) when you have something to promote.
Taco Bell (@tacobell)
This fast food taco giant’s Twitter feed has been built solely on humor and it’s been a landslide success. With a following of over 1.7 million, their social media fame has been a walk down Easy Street. Their mastery of incorporating pop-culture into their tweets has been instrumental in getting followers to retweet. An example of a brand establishing its voice on a foundation of fun and playfulness, Taco Bell resonates with audiences looking for comic relief. Walking this line could be precarious for brands with a target group that is not receptive to such tomfoolery. It’s certainly valuable to know your demographic, BUT remember that everyone enjoys (appropriate) humor once in a while.
TAKEAWAY:
As Johnny Carson said: People will pay more to be entertained than educated. Humor (in alignment with your brand) increases engagement and builds trust.
Pam Moore (@PamMktgNut)
A Forbes Top Ten Social Media Influencer, Pam is a best selling author, prolific keynote speaker, and social media strategist. You’ll find her Twitter feed a refreshing mix of shrewd marketing wisdom and highly relevant content sprinkled with a smattering of brutally honest advice. Something that sets Pam apart from the crowd is her willingness to engage her audience, often conversing with users on a regular basis.
TAKEAWAY:
Try this direct approach with your audience by answering questions, retweeting content, and having casual conversation with your followers.
Rebekah Radice (@RebekahRadice)
She’s a social media guru, brand evangelist, mother and self-admitted sunshine lover. Her refreshing doses of stark honesty coupled with indispensible marketing wisdom make her a Twitter force to be reckoned with. You’ll find her feed brimming with inspiring quotes, amusing infographics and compelling content. But what we like the most: her humility is like a frosty cold one on a hot summer day. (Can you say refreshing?)
TAKEAWAY:
Be inspirational, but be yourself. Don’t forget that people connect quicker with real human beings, not perfect (fake) mannequins.
JetBlue (@JetBlue)
Another massive branding campaign, the airline has over 2 million followers on Twitter. What is their recipe for success? A remarkable dedication to customer service in the form of directly acknowledging customers’ concerns, replying in real time while passengers are still at the airport, and turning negative feedback into an opportunity for a positive experience. Operated by a small army of remote workers (mostly stay-at-home moms), the frontline of JetBlue’s Twitter network know their brand’s message and consistently stick to its lighthearted and witty tone.
TAKEAWAY:
Be responsive, stay on brand, deal openly with customer concerns (don’t hide a problem), and show that you genuinely care.
Lessons to takeaway from all inspirational Twitter accounts:
- Know your audience
- Stick to your branded voice
- Use a confident – yet friendly – voice
- Be customer-focused
- Throw in some *on-brand* humor
You won’t magically transform your Twitter account in one day, but if you consistently apply these lessons, you will see results. Take a look at what I’ve done with my Twitter account (@NikaStewart). I post cheerful, optimistic, inspirational tweets; engage with my audience daily; give tips and advice; use humor; and (try to) entertain. And… I’ve built my business (which now employs twelve people) with Twitter marketing. So why wouldn’t you take my advice?
Or, if you prefer my team to do all the work for you, take a look at our Twitter programs here.
