Twitter offers many ways to search for content, users and more. The search function on Twitter is one we recommend for people as a way to find others to connect with.
Why follow other people on Twitter?
Whether a prospect, colleague, friends, family, local people and business … you need to build your twitter list of followers in order to have people to ‘talk to’ online. I am always for having a “Friending Policy” so the people you are connected with online – are a mix of people – not just potential and current customers.
Why a mix of people? To have a variety in your tweets online. Some you may know more closely and that allows you to ‘talk’ with them differently online. Some are prospects, you can talk to them with tips to help them… and then there are total strangers and you never know what will happen.
How do you Search on Twitter? There is the simple search function on Twitter and then there is the advanced search they offer as well.
You can search for people, phrases, hashtags and more… but did you also know you can search in a way that you remove any links in the tweets that come up? Yes! This is such a cool way to use Twitter Search because the results you get WITHOUT LINKS tend to be people looking for help not selling their services.
The trick is 5 simple characters …. –http
By adding the term –http to your search, the results will only show tweets without links – which honestly are mostly ads and promotions, it only returns “real mentions” of the phrase you want.
By using this search method you can in a much easier way find people to follow – potential clients – or just start conversations with people looking for the kind of help you offer. Here is an example for you to see the difference in these two pictures.
Let’s say you are a Dietitian or Nutritionist looking for more people to connect with that might be having trouble following a diet – they are probably our ideal client! A search term you might use is ‘follow a diet’ as that might be something they say online when frustrated with their results.
Here is a sample of results without removing links in the search.
This one shows results without links – you can see there are more showing in this search that are NOT selling their service but showing their frustration.
As a dietitian – you step in and say something like, “Hey John, have you tried a food journal to understand where your weaknesses are to work on them?”
Now you’re connecting with a potential client and not just prowling through ads…and all because of 5 simple characters that will make your twitter search more effective.
Learn to do more with your marketing by understanding the Foundations of Content Marketing with this free guide.
Stop Struggling and Start Thriving! My passion is helping to guide people just like you, private practice and service-based business owners, who are often frustrated with all their wasted time spent on marketing that gets you nowhere. You can learn strategies to attract a steady flow of clients and build a thriving and profitable practice. Get started with some of the free resources on my Pepper It Marketing website, especially this Guide to Streamline your Marketing. I also offer several self-study training programs to help you attract more clients so you can Build a rewarding and profitable private practice and still have time to LIVE your LIFE!