3 tips for building relationships with journalists on Twitter

Of all the social media platforms, Twitter may not seem like the immediate choice for relationship building—especially since it can feel like shouting into the void.  Yet, when used correctly, Twitter can be a powerful tool for connecting authentically with journalists.

Earlier this year we were lucky enough to have several PR pros share their strategies for building relationships on Twitter at one of our free events. Their advice boiled down to two words: Be human.

1. Show your commitment.

If you are interested in eventually connecting with or pitching a media contact, the first thing you should do is follow them. It’s a sign that you want to see their activity, that you care about what they produce, and that you are there to do more than just sell them on your brand or client.

Brands can’t build relationships with people, so make sure to use your personal account when you follow and engage. This way, too, when they see your name pop up in their inbox later and recognize it from Twitter, they’ll be more likely to read the email (so long as you’ve followed the next two tips).

2. Leave thoughtful comments.

Likes are an easy but relatively pointless way of showing interest and agreement. They don’t make you stand out. They don’t add anything to the conversation.