How to Create Credibility and Trust on Twitter

At first glance Twitter is like an adult’s version of teenage texting. The 140 characters offer the promise of much more behind its brevity and headline.

At its core there are two differences that distinguish it from the humble “SMS”, that have given it traction in the public “mindspace”

It is public
It links to content

Experienced and expert tweeters know how to lead you to the promised land of rich and compelling content by teasing, enticing and tempting readers to click on the link with an inviting headline.

This promise of more is what drives the Twitter click and the initial engagement that pushes traffic to blogs and websites. On the web, people are constantly asking, will the link contain a video, image or article that will solve my problems, educate or even entertain me?

This micro blogging revolution called “Twitter” has to date captured more than 200 million users and attracted over $800 million in funding from private investors since its humble beginnings 5 years ago.

Many questions are asked about Twitter such as ..what motivates people to Tweet?

Why Do People Tweet?

This question can also be asked of other media and social networking platforms

Why do you publish on Facebook?
Why do you have a blog?
Why do you publish your images on Flickr?
Why do you record and upload your videos to YouTube?

At a recent conference in San Diego, Arianna Huffington the founder of the world’s largest blog the Huffington Post (that recently sold to AOL for $315 million) had this to say about why People “Tweet”, “Facebook” and “Blog”

“Self-expression has become the new entertainment.”

This difference between mainstream media and emerging social media is that the mainstream still does not get why people spend so much time expressing themselves online for free.

Beyond this self expression also lies questions of trust and credibility, as Twitter is sometimes used by spammers and hackers for their own devious purposes, along with other occasionally hijacked media such as email and Facebook.

People want trusted credible sources that provide content that keeps them coming back for more.

Trust is the New “Black”

Whether it is on Twitter, Facebook or your blog the initial short content should create initial trust that leads to longer format content. As Arianna said “Trust is the most important thing we can do in everything we want to sell or offer.”

So how can a micro blogger create more trust?

How to Create Credibility and Trust on Twitter

Beyond the initial short, shallow and frothy message that is Twitter, is the allure of something more substantial and credible.

Twitter is a world of tasty morsels that are the entrée to the real meal deal of something of substance and a hearty course of “meat and potatoes”.

The real Twitter power users in business don’t just tweet but blog.

To achieve real credibility your micro blogging has to go beyond the 140 characters and provide a home for your tweets to attract readers and viewers.

Twitter should not be replacement for having a blog.

Your Twitter account should lead readers and viewers to your cyber home.

Treat your Blog as Your Hub and Home

A blog says to your audience “there is much more substance to me than just 140 characters”

It also displays substance with style that can provide a home to your self expression whether it be a video, or an article with images that may invite sharing and conversations.

A blog also states, “I have taken the time and effort to craft a corner in cyberspace that will provide substantial, trusted and credible content that you can use as a resource and inspiration.”

This content does not have to be all original, it can also be compilations with your own slant.

Express yourself beyond the tweet and you may be surprised at the audience that will engage with you from all corners of the world!

Maybe if you don’t have the resources to design and develop a blog you could create a Facebook “page” (not another personal profile) that can be your “home base” for your public global self expression.

Does your Twitter account have a link to your blog or a Facebook page that hosts your content?

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Image by Matt Hamm