Building Real Connections

    Terms like ‘rebranding’ and ‘transformation’ showcase the rapid change of social media platforms these days. X’s acquisition of Twitter is a prime example of this. This social network has evolved beyond random thoughts and meme discovery. People, brands, and businesses are able to construct powerful conversations with their followers. These days it is increasingly becoming important to create effective engagement strategies that enable one to build relationships and meaningfully stand out. With that being said, I want to look at some great engagement tips that help to leverage X and improve business visibility online.

    One of the easiest ways to stay active on X is through replying to comments or mentions. It is both simple and effective, as people appreciate the time and care one puts into responding. Whenever someone replies to your tweet or mentions you, make sure to respond rather than leaving them hanging. Engaging with followers, whether through a thank you message or a response to their opinion, helps ensure that your account does not feel robotic. For brands, believing in and supporting your products also helps build authority. As a college freshman, I can tell you that when brands respond to my comments or tweets, it feels very personable, therefore, making me appreciate them even more.

    It's also important to remember that time is of the essence when replying to people. The more proactive one is in tending to issues or messages, the more engaging the users will be in the future. No matter the matter being discussed, be it a compliment, a question, or a negative remark, it should be dealt with in a respectful manner.

    Hashtags serve as a great tactic to increase activity on X. With the correct hashtags, you can make relevant tweets and capture the interest of an even wider audience. Having conversations around trending topics often helps out with gaining attention, so making an attempt to hit a trend can enable you to capture the higher-level conversation. As a college freshman, I frequently hear my classmates tweeting about, or making posts with hashtags associated with, events like, “#FinalsWeek” or “#SpringBreak2025,” and it is a great way to engage with others who are also going through the same experience.

    To optimize for hashtags, you should focus on integrating them into tweets. Avoid flooding your post with a lot of hashtags. Usually one or two will do.

    People will do anything for free stuff. Giveaways and contests serve as one of the best means to increase activity on X. People want to partake in your post engagements to increase their chances of getting a product, a shout-out, or a gift card. As a college student, I have entered endless contests sponsored by accounts or brands that I follow because they are fun to participate in. Consider a case whereby a fashion brand asks followers to retweet a particular tweet, follow their page, and tag someone to win a giveaway; after that, you get some fashion pieces. Such forms of participation are not only good in increasing interactions, but they can also be a good way of expanding your customer base.

    If you have a business or personal brand, ensure that your target audience will appreciate participating in the giveaway. Make sure that the winner will be someone that will make this exchange feel like a useful experience.

    X’s most effective engagement strategy comes down to one trait – authenticity. Users seek genuine accounts instead of robotic or overly curated profiles. You should share your persona, thoughts, and even your blunders. Expressing humanity on social platforms helps create credibility while cultivating a loyal audience. Personally, as a college student, I enjoy following accounts that seem real and personable instead of business-like or too rehearsed. If you give your opinion on recent campus happenings or make funny remarks about your coursework, be yourself to boost your engagement organically.

    Connecting with your audience on X revolves around nurturing interactions. You may respond to comments, conduct polls, utilize hashtags, run giveaways, and most importantly, indulge in staying true to yourself as a way to strengthen your bond with your followers. In turn, the more you engage with your audience, the more they will want to engage with you in the future. Next time you log into X, always remember that tweeting is only a fraction of the experience offered. It’s about engaging with people, nurturing conversations, and establishing authentic relationships!