Do you have a Twitter account for your practice but you’re not sure how to get more followers? Do you feel like your tweeting into thin air and no one is “listening”?

Here are a few tricks I’ve learned that have help me grow my Twitter following and promote your private mental health practice online and build your professional identity.

1) Search and follow

Use the search box at the right top of your Twitter homepage to search your specialty areas and interests. Follow people who are tweeting helpful and relevant info relating to your practice areas and let them know that you like what they’re sharing online.

2) Make it easy for others to find you

Hashtags “#” are a great way to make it easy for others who are searching for certain topics. If you’re tweeting a blog post about depression, add #depression to your tweet. While we’re talking hashtags, I have a favor to ask you…will you use #practicetoolbox when sharing this article?

3) Mention others frequently

Talk directly to different Twitter users by including  “@” sign and someone’s twitter handle in your tweet. Retweet great tweets and thank people who retweet you  i.e. “TY for RT @julie_hanks!” People want to talk to people, not agencies or businesses.

4) Learn from effective Twitter users

Use Twitter lists to organize key influencers that you follow.  Watch and learn from people who have large numbers of active Twitter followers and who tweet helpful information that’s relevant to your area of interest. Learn from those “tweeps” that you admire and model what they are doing.

5) Drive traffic to your website

While it’s great to tweet helpful information that others are producing, remember that your goal is to drive traffic to your website. You have a website right? An active blog on your site gives you content to tweet and link back to your site. You can also tweet links to different pages on your sit.

photo credit: harry-m

Want to connect with other private mental health practitioners on Twitter? Join my private practice Twitter list here.

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Helen S T (February 16, 2012)

From Psych Central's website:
PsychCentral (February 16, 2012)

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STRAYFOOTPRINTS (February 16, 2012)

From Psych Central's website:
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Social Media Marketing Checklist: 10 Steps To Building A Stronger Online Presence | Julie Hanks, LCSW | Emotional Health & Relationship Expert | Media Contributor | Songwriter | Speaker (January 17, 2013)

    Last reviewed: 16 Feb 2012