Growing My X/Twitter Following to 50K: Tips and Strategies for Success

Introduction

Hello beautiful people 🙋‍♀️

I am excited to share how I reached a remarkable milestone - amassing 50K followers on X. Join me as we set sail through the seas of tweets and trends, with each wave bringing tales of growth, discovery, and authentic engagement.

🧠 Note: From now on I'll call "X" -> "Twitter", as I find "X" a bit weird name for a product.

How I Started

My journey started with the #100DaysOfCode challenge. I created a Twitter account a few months before starting the challenge (July 2016) but I never used it, hence, I consider my starting point when I actually started posting (December 2016).

If you're not familiar with this challenge, here is a simplified version of the rules:

1. Code a minimum of an hour every day for the next 100 days.

2. Tweet your progress every day with the #100DaysOfCode hashtag.

I don't want to talk too much about my journey but I want to focus on a few things that helped my account to grow and similarly yours can too.

Defining Goals: A Glimpse into My Twitter Universe

When I embarked on my Twitter journey, I found it vital to understand why I was setting sail in the first place. Defining my purpose was crucial.

• Was it to connect with a community?

• Learn from fellow enthusiasts?

• Keep a finger on the pulse of industry news?

• Or maybe even explore future opportunities?

Personally, I was more interested in genuine community engagement and personal growth.

💡Tip 1: It doesn't matter what your goal is, what matters is having a goal. With that, you can create a better strategy.

💡Tip 2: Similarly to what I mentioned above → Set sail with intent: Much like a ship without a destination, a Twitter account without purpose may find itself adrift. Take time to understand why you're setting sail in the Twitterverse. In the end, you may find that Twitter is not going to work for you, but another platform like LinkedIn, or Instagram, may serve your purposes better.

Understanding the Algorithm

When I first started using Twitter, I didn't know much about how the algorithm worked, and honestly, I wasn't even that interested. However, as I began to engage more with the platform, I realized the importance of understanding the algorithmic currents to grow my presence effectively.

The Twitter algorithm prioritizes content based on factors such as engagement, relevance, and timeliness. (These days it also prioritizes videos and images, which is not my cup of tea...) It also de-prioritizes external links but it's kinda of ok with internal links. For example, it's not ok to link to your personal website but it's ok to link in another tweet).

By creating content that resonates with your audience and encourages interaction, you'll be able to ride the wave of the algorithm and reach more people. For example, most of my followers are developers, and I'd even say front-end/web developers. I know they are also interested in writing articles or learning through videos and blog posts.

The Art of Engagement

Engagement is the key to success on Twitter. I personally focus on crafting content that sparks conversations, share valuable insights, and resonate with my target audience. By actively participating in discussions and replying to comments, I built a strong connection with my followers and made my presence felt in the developer community.

Sometimes people ask me how I started being involved with the community. It was (and still is) through Twitter. For example, I'd share a GitHub repo and ask for feedback, or when someone was asking for feedback or tips I was trying to be there for them. If no one was asking, I'd tweet something like "hey, I have some free time, do you have any questions about JavaScript, I might be able to help".

Consistency: A Game Changer

Consistency played a significant role in my growth on Twitter. I made it a point to post regularly and maintain a steady rhythm. I'll post at least once a day, I'll spend at least 20 minutes checking comments and other tweets, and many time I'll post many times throughout the day.

The consistency started with the #100daysOfCode, I was on Twitter for 100 days straight. After that, I did more coding challenges and I tweeted about them. This not only gave me the motivation I needed but also some great content to share.!

More Tips ~ What to Post

1️⃣. Share valuable resources: Offer insights into the latest trends, tools, and technologies in your field.

2️⃣. Share articles, tutorials, or podcasts that you find engaging and helpful. This will not only provide value to your audience but also position you as a knowledgeable resource.

3️⃣. Showcase your work: Give your followers a behind-the-scenes look at your projects, such as progress updates, code snippets, or even challenges you've faced. This can inspire and motivate others while demonstrating your skills and expertise.

4️⃣. Participate in challenges and events: Engage in coding challenges like #100DaysOfCode, or attend online events like webinars and conferences. Share your experiences, learnings, and achievements to foster a sense of community and personal growth.

5️⃣. Be authentic and personable (but don't overdo it): Let your personality shine through your tweets. Share your thoughts, feelings, and experiences honestly, which can help you build genuine connections with your audience.

6️⃣. Support others: Actively engage with other developers by retweeting, liking, and commenting on their content.

Offer encouragement, advice, or simply show appreciation for their work. This helps build relationships and contributes to a supportive community.

7️⃣. Utilize Twitter Lists: Curate and follow lists of influencers, topics, or hashtags relevant to your field. This helps you stay informed and engaged with the latest discussions, trends, and opportunities. Sharing content from these lists can also provide value to your followers.

Conclusion

Achieving 50K followers on Twitter is possible through dedication, engaging with your audience, and posting valuable content. By following these tips and staying consistent, you too can reach this milestone too and make a significant impact in your field.

Remember, it's important not to compare your journey with others, as each path is unique. Focus on your own growth and celebrate your achievements along the way.

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Thank you everyone for following me! It's been an incredible journey. 💓

Let me know if there is anything I can do to help you out.

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👋 Hello, I'm Eleftheria, devrel and content creator.

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