Take me to your reader

How to write tweets that go viral

“How do you find time to tweet?” my speakers’ network e-zine asked subscribers.

What makes them read? Information that’s relevant, valuable and useful, according to the research. Image by Shohei Hanazaki

“I don’t have time not to tweet,” I wrote back.

That’s because the people I follow on Twitter serve as sort of a virtual research team. They scour the web, finding valuable information — new studies, resources and insights — so I don’t have to.

Why people share content

Passing along valuable information is one of the top three reasons people share content, according to a 2010 study by Chadwick Martin Bailey. Those reasons are:

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Don’t ‘engage in the conversation’: More ‘@’ replies = fewer followers Spread yourself thin: Self-reference is not retweetable

Think Like a Friend, Fan or Follower

Offer news you can use, and watch your reach and influence grow

“Our readers don’t want to read stories,” writes Brian J. O’Conner, editor at Bankrate.com. “What they really want is a big button they can push that says, ‘Solve my problem.’ It’s up to us to be that button.”

What do readers want? Help solving their problems, research shows. Image by Andy Matthews

Sadly, instead of delivering information that helps readers solve their problems, too many web writers churn out web content that focus on “us and our stuff.”

At Get Clicked, Read, Shared & Liked — a two-day online-writing Master Class on Sept. 28-29 in New York — you’ll learn how to write webpages, blog posts and social media status updates that grab and keep reader interest with relevant, valuable, helpful information.

Specifically, you’ll learn how to:

• Find the right story — and craft the best story angle — for webpages, content marketing pieces and social media status updates.
• Position your company as the expert in the field and draw readers in with news they can use to live their lives better.
• Get more likes and shares with stories that better serve your audience.
• Make sure your status updates are welcome guests, not intrusive pests, by passing the 70-20-10 test.
• Tap the power of the most-retweeted word in the English language. And avoid the one topic nobody wants to read about.

This is the only online-writing Master Class we’ve scheduled for this year. Don’t miss out! Register now.

Polish your skills at our upcoming Master Classes

Learn to Master the Art of the Storyteller, Catch Your Readers, Get Clicked, Cut Through the Clutter and more

Rather bring Ann in to train your whole team? Invite Ann