This post is going to show you how to become a Twitter super snooper. If you disagree with these practices, please look away now.
But for the rest of you, pull your chair closer and listen up…
If you want to spy on other Twitter users to help build a network of business contacts, let us introduce you to a powerful service over at www.TweetStats.com
Step 1
Head over to www.TweetStats.com and enter your Twitter username. This will present you with a range of graphs allowing you to see how you use Twitter, including when you post, how you post, who you post to etc etc. And clicking the “Tweet Cloud” tab at the top of the page allows you to see which words and subjects appear most often in your tweets.
That’s pretty cool, but I expect you already know most of that stuff.
However, I reckon the most perceptive among you know what’s coming next…
Step 2
Now you know how the tool works, you can use it to check the stats for any Twitter user (insert evil laugh here).
Look up your friends, family, colleagues, competitors, industry leaders, ex-spouse. Find out who they speak to, what they speak about and when. Use this info to build up a complete profile of anyone who uses Twitter.
Step 3
Once you’ve got over the novelty of being able to snoop on your friends, consider how you could use this to strengthen your Twitter network. Here are a few examples;
Number One: Timing
Let’s say you want to use Twitter to catch the attention of a leading figure in your industry. Top Twitter users receive hundreds or even thousands of tweets, @replies and DMs every day. So even if you send them a message, they may not notice it or have time to reply.
However, a quick look at Tweetstats will show you which day they’re most active on Twitter and which part of the day they post most messages. Using this info will allow you to send your message on the exact day, at the exact time calculated to increase the chances of them seeing it.
Number Two: Language
Use the Tweet Cloud function to look at the words they prefer to use and incorporate some of them into your message. This will subconsciously make them more receptive to your message as they will feel that you are on the same wavelength.
Number Three: Infiltration
If you want to get in contact with a leading figure in your niche, you can use Tweetstats to muscle into their own mini community and attract their attention.
First, find out who they send most @ replies to. This will give you a clue regarding the most trusted people in their Twitter community. Select 5-6 of these people, visit their profiles and find something to start an interaction with them. In many situations this will be easy as they will belong to the same industry.
Do whatever you can to converse back and forth in public (using @ replies) with this small group of people. When you eventually send a message to the person that you initially wanted to contact, they will be more likely to notice it because they will have noticed your username (either consciously or subconsciously) several times before in timeline of his/her Twitter friends. Think of it as gaining trust/recognition by association.
Get creative, work out how to use this Twitter spy tool to your advantage. Occasionally you’ll gain an insight into the Twitter lives of other people that will help you to build lasting business relationships.
Would you be comfortable using these techniques, or do you think that social media spying has gone too far? Let us know what you think. Likewise, if you think of any additional ways to use Tweetstats we’d love to hear from you.
12 comments ↓
I think a lot of people are trying to get the attention of Twitter “Power” users with their startup business’s/ideas/promotions etc. What we really need to do is stop worrying about those people alltogether and start doing things on our own. Add value to humanity through whatever means you see fit, and people will flourish to you. There is no secret to a successful Twitter experience. Just interact, ask questions, add value, be yourself, swear if you want too, show emotion, be human. Anything worth anything takes time. Please follow me on Twitter is you wish, you can find my account on the website that I linked to this comment. All the best moving forward my friends!!!
Adrian Eden’s last blog post..Planet Earth
Adrian,
I agree any time you are using any form of social media or social media marketing it is important to provide value in everything you do. I equally agree it is important to be yourself on Twitter. People like to follow people…. “real” people bottom line. The more you can be yourself the better people can relate to you. This builds authority, trust, brand, etc. Also don’t be afraid to ask questions on Twitter as you will find answers fairly quickly when you do.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Adrian we appreciate all feedback we have been receiving on our blog and videos.
Warm regards,
James Rivers
Twitter Power Team
That is a pretty clever little tip you’ve just given us! I knew about using tweetstats for myself, but not for “movers and shakers”. Pretty smart.
DeAnna Troupe’s last blog post..When networking don’t send a canned invite
DeAnna,
We have found so many ways to think outside of the box with regular Twitter Tools. This Twitter Power Tip shows you how to get the edge on your competition and rise to the top with them. Stay tuned for more great tips coming each and every week.
Signup for great tips delivered to your inbox on our main home page here Twitter Power System
To your success,
James Rivers
Twitter Power Team
QUICK NOTE:
Thank you everyone for your interest in today’s Twitter Power Tip on How To Become A Twitter Super Snooper. Due to the number of people visiting our blog entry then going to use Tweet Stats we have overloaded their server twice today. They are working hard to get the server back up and running.
Once site returns you can use this Power Tip to get the edge on your competition. We welcome all your feedback on this strategy. Let us know how it works for you as we have seen first hand how powerful this technique can be.
Successful Tweeting,
James Rivers
Twitter Power Team
Great tips. There is so much to learn as to how to use twitter effectively. I look forward to upcoming tips.
Jennifer,
You’re right there there is a lot to learn about Twitter to master everything. We plan to continue sharing great tips each and every week with everyone.
We are also announcing the launch of Twitter Power System in next Tuesdays email. Looking forward to sharing with everyone.
Warm regards,
James Rivers
Twitter Power Team
I think it’s also about only replying to these “leaders” when they have something that’s truly of value to you. It’s fine to make yourself visible but just talking with them on a consistent basis without showing relevance will make your tweets white noise.
I agree with others…focus on making a splash in other social circles…the leaders will notice eventually.
Dorian …
You are right about the white noise factor. As a matter of fact if you go to http://www.twitanalyzer.com they measure five different factors the quantify one’s impact on Twitter. One of the key factors is the substance of your tweets. The analysis is free and they give you specific suggestions on how to make a bigger impact. It is a great program you should give it a try.
My caveat to that point of view is that our interest is using Twitter for business. So, impact is important for us. Those who are interested primarily in socialization need not worry so much about impact. However, as you said, most want to be heard and viewed as relevant.
Thanks for your comments,
Peter Francis
Twitter Power Team
Maybe it’s just me but I find gambits like these and artificial follower inflation through ‘viral’ schemes distasteful and potentially harmful to social networking.
My instinct is to unfollow everyone involved but then I would neither be able to monitor what is going on nor try to persuade people to stop trying to ‘game’ the system and start developing appropriate relationships with those whom they wish to know in a more natural manner.
The danger is that people who manipulate others and teach their acquaintances how to do so will only succeed in driving away those whose idea of ’social’ networking does not involve these ploys, i.e. the vast majority, the public to whom you are all hoping to sell things.
You risk ending up all trying to sell your wares to each other because your potential customers have all gone elsewhere to get away from you! It has not escaped my notice that all those who post this way have developed large followings through manipulation techniques, not in an organic and natural way.
You might find a way to get the attention of the leaders like this but you are risking that they will soon discover your manipulative ways and expose you to everyone. Just as well, I say!
Thanks for your comments Linnet. You make some interesting points. There are many automated schemes and techniques which have the potential to undermine the value of social networking.
However, I don’t see how it’s possible to ‘game’ the system or manipulate others. You can’t force anyone to follow you on Twitter. That’s the beauty of the system.
It’s up to every user to select the criteria that they use to decide who to follow.
Second, how is it possible to start developing appropriate relationships with other Twitter users unless you follow each other?
The best way to attract followers (and create a chance to develop a relationship) is to provide massive value and let people know that you are there. Other users then have a free choice whether or not to follow you. And they always have the option to unfollow anyone who annoys or offends them.
To gain real benefit from social networking, surely it doesn’t matter how you connect with people, it’s how well you interact with them thereafter.
Some of the Twitter users with a large following may derive very little from their time and effort. But ultimately, they are fooling nobody apart from themselves.
And finally, if you were at a real life networking event, would you stand in the corner and wait for other people to approach you, or would you take steps to meet and develop mutually beneficial relationship with the leading people in your industry?
Stuart Laing
Twitter Power Team
More to learn about Twitter….nice!
Leave a Comment