Twitter profile that gets followers

Did you put much thought into that little 160 character bio on your Twitter profile?

If you threw up a form response to the “what do you do?” question and called it good, don’t worry — we won’t hold it against you.  But it might be holding you back on Twitter.

If you’re looking for quality twitter followers, then you’re looking to connect with people that are genuinely interested in what you have to say and offer.  This type of person will read your Twitter bio when deciding whether or not to follow you. 

So don’t waste this prime opportunity to make great first impression!  Here are 6 simple-to-follow rules that will help you craft a winning twitter bio that attracts followers.

Rule #1 for a Better Twitter Bio

Don’t simply answer the question “what do you do?” with your bio.

For example, don’t say “I’m the Vice President at ABC Works, and facilitate employee management and sales.”

Yawn.  What does that mean to me, one of your potential twitter followers? Not much.

Instead of thinking about the question “what do I do?” when writing your twitter bio, think about the question “what can I offer the twitter community?” or “what am I passionate about learning and sharing with others?” or eve “How can I help?”

Rule #2 for a Better Twitter Bio

Use keywords.  Twitter is not just a social meeting place; it’s also a search tool.  People use twitter to search for all sorts of information, conversations, and characters. 

If you show up in someone’s search because of a relevant keyword in your bio, you’ll stand out.

Rule #3 for a Better Twitter Bio

Keep it brief.  Sure, you only get 160 characters, so your twitter bio isn’t going to run on for too long, but the power of being concise should never be overlooked.  Get to the point as quickly as possible.  Use strong, interesting words that can stand on their own without clutter.

Rule #4 for a Better Twitter Bio

Show your personality.  Your twitter bio isn’t a place for that stale, corporate tone.  Show some color – show your real personality.  Don’t be afraid to come off as fun, quirky, energetic, nerdy, outgoing, or whatever trait makes you, you. People want to connect with real people, not boring business personas.

Rule #5 for a Better Twitter Bio

Use proper grammar and spelling.  You want to come off as a unique personality, but in any case, a literate, well-spoken one.

Rule #6 for a Better Twitter Bio

Don’t use industry jargon and buzzwords.  They tend to sounds spammy, salesy, and inauthentic.

Now that you’ve read my rules for a great Twitter bio, I want fill you in one last secret: don’t be afraid to break the rules.  There are plenty of good tips and best practices to follow, and the ones outlined here are some I genuinely believe will help you craft a better presence on Twitter.

But you have to find what works for you.  Be genuine and don’t be afraid to try something new.