How to get a “follow back” on Twitter . . .

I’ve read plenty of “tips” to get more followers on Twitter, #teamfollowback and all that jazz, but it just leaves me thinking . . .

Do I really want someone to follow me simply because I followed them?

I appreciate it yes, but will I unfollow because they don’t follow me? Not as long as they have something interesting to say. And, I’m sorry to say I won’t follow anyone back simply because they follow me (Like it or lump it as my grandma used to say). Being a writer, I do follow back almost all writers, because as a fellow writer, I’m interested in their work and what they have to say. Simply put, I follow back all people with mutual interests – be it writing, blogging, fiction, movies, humor, etc, . . .

That said, I want people to follow me because they want to follow me, because we have a common interest.

How to get a follow back from me (and keep me following). . .

• Have a legit bio, I certainly don’t follow people with a blank bio. Why would I? I have no idea who you are or what your interests are. Likewise, if I can’t make heads or tails of your bio, you’re probably out of luck.
• Have a legit picture, this also goes without saying, but I don’t take eggs as serious tweeters.
• Have interesting things to say, about yourself and others. If you’re using twitter to promote your own work, remember to promote others as well – you have to give some to get some.
• Be interactive – this goes along with the previous point, but I think it’s also important to emphasize. It’s much funner to interact with tweeters who interact.
• Don’t post the same thing so many times that I notice it, especially when I’m following more than 1000 people. Obviously, you want to stand out, but not for the wrong reasons. It’s not exactly like I stalk tweeters all day, but when I see the exact same post from the same person, multiple times throughout the week (RTs, thank yous, etc. not included) then it gets a little tiresome.
• I also pay attention to #shoutouts, #followfriday, and similar postings, because first, the people who post them are supporting their fellow tweeps. And second, the people they’re supporting are probably worthy of a follow as well.

So there’s my take on #teamfollowback. But at least you’ll know that if you’re getting a follow from me, I’m genuinely interested.