We all know making connections over Twitter is an effective way to work toward your career and life goals, whether you’re looking to change jobs, build a business, grow traffic to your blog or more. After all, Twitter is one of the social media giant that has over 206 million daily active users worldwide.
But what’s not always so clear is exactly how to make those connections on Twitter. It’s not always obvious how to become a Twitter power user.
So here’s one super-effective technique you should add to your Twitter regime to get the absolute most out of your time on the network. This technique will drastically change how you use Twitter. It will help you become far more targeted so you get more out of your efforts. In other words, it will help you become more productive.
Here’s what I’m talking about: Creating your own Notice-Me List.
What’s a Notice-Me List?
A Notice-Me List is a list of people you want to notice you on Twitter — people who can help you get where you want to be. And (this is important) it’s a private list, so only you can see it. (If you’ve never created a Twitter list before, here’s how to do it.)
Most lists are topical and include people who, say, tweet about entrepreneurship or represent the future of journalism. But the tweeps on your Notice-Me List don’t have to have anything in common other than being people you want to know how great you are.
Your Notice-Me List could include the CEO at that startup you want to work for. Or the editor you need to pitch to place a piece in your favorite magazine. Or the blogger you’d love to link to your blog. Or anyone else who’s connected to your goals. Because as the authors of The Start-up of You wrote, “If you’re looking for an opportunity, you’re really looking for people.”
Now, your targets won’t notice you just because they’re on your list. In fact, you don’t even want them to know they’re on your list — that’s why you’ve created a private list only you can see. Since the list is private, I actually call mine “Notice Me.” But use whatever title motivates you to make the connections that will help you take the next step in your career.
Now what should you do with this list?
Next, pull this list into HootSuite (or your preferred Twitter app, or simply check it via Twitter) and use it to subtly help these people notice you.
To accomplish this, retweet a few of their tweets and add a thoughtful comment so they know you’re a smart cookie. Reply to one or two of their tweets. Offer a valuable resource that will help them in some way, and “cc” them on the tweet. You might even introduce them to someone you know who could help them. The key is to interact with them in a valuable and interesting way.
Once you do one or all of these things, the person will likely check out your Twitter feed. That’s why you want to have a feed full of helpful information, plus an enticing bio, so they’ll like what they see and follow you back.
Because guess what happens when they follow you back? That opens the line for private communication via a direct message. And that’s when your real opportunity arises. Now you can send a private note introducing yourself and offering even more valuable information. Don’t ask for anything yet, though. Cultivate the relationship first, ask for favors later.
This technique helped me land a job interview. It helped me get mentions and links around the Web. And it helped me make connections with influential bloggers so I could write guest posts for their site — and direct tons of traffic back to my blog and newsletter.
What I’m saying is, this technique works.
And it all starts with your Notice-Me List. So start thinking about who YOU want to connect with online, and get to work creating that list!
Alexis Grant is an entrepreneurial writer and digital strategist, with a focus on careers. In addition to being a dream-chasing traveler, Pro-Blogger named Alexis as one of 20 to watch in 2012 calling her a “publishing powerhouse.”
Note from Kevin: If you found Alexis’ tips helpful, then check out her five-week course: Become a Twitter Power User. You can see what I had to say about the course too, right here!
