Build Your Twitter Followers by Going Offline

I read an article earlier today via Social Media Examiner (you can read the full article here) that provides some valuable insights on using Twitter events to grow your network.  They stressed a very important point that most people tend to neglect.  To truly grow your networks (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.) you not only have to focus on your online presence, but your offline presence as well.

We are spending more and more time online that we sometimes forget how valuable a face to face conversation can be.  Every time I attend a Social Media (or other marketing) event and spend time networking with other individuals, I see an instant growth in my Twitter followers.  Not because I’m necessarily communicating with more people there than I would on Twitter, but because the personal connection that stems off of an in person conversation is extremely difficult to replicate.

Now I’m not recommending that you shift focus away from Social Networking.  In fact, I recommend the exact opposite.  Meeting people at events, seminars, etc. will help establish that initial connection, but utilizing your Social Networking profiles frequently and properly will help you to keep these people connected.  Once a personal connection becomes a Social Network connection, keep interacting with that person. Retweet their posts, comment on their Facebook statuses, recommend them on LinkedIn; it is difficult to lose somebody as a connection if you are actively communicating with them.

Keep using your Social Networks daily to build and grow relationships with clients (potential, future, past) as well as other valuable contacts.  Just remember that on site networking events have tremendous value and serve as a great way to help build your Social Network profiles.