Whenever I train people on Twitter I encourage an open mind – the first few days/weeks or months will be about getting used to the different types of tweets and the lingo – @replies and RTs and hashtags.

Ideally, if you are using Twitter for business you want to start meeting the type of people who with support and help you to grow your business in whatever way you are hoping to.

It’s not necessarily about sales but really if you find and get to know the right people you will meet the people who will buy your product or service.

So, I have put together a list of ways you can be a “little” bit strategic and targeted. I am not saying sales – oh no – this is basically about being targeted with who you follow.

Before you start following people – ask:

1. Would they be the type of person who would recommend my business?
2. Are they using Twitter actively? (For tips on this – see the post “Are they worth the follow“)

If you have the “what to tweet” and “how to tweet” bit sorted – then check our these little tips on how to find people to follow.

1. Follow the people who follow the brands you think they would like. For example I had one client who’s main client was men in their 30s to 40s and who worked in media, PR, property and law. A bit broad but we went onto the Shortlist Magazine twitter followers and followed all the people who seemed to be using Twitter properly.
2. Follow back people who mention or RT you. – If they are your followers and have made a point to retweet one of your tweets
3. Look at Listorious and do an industry specific search – including the area – starting with your own industry. Then look at the “Lists” results. For example you may be a property lawyer and get referrals from other people in property. You may be based in London. So search for “Property London”and then click on the list – easiest thing to do then is click “View on Twitter” after that.
4. Use a tool called “Twollo” http://www.twollo.com which will automatically follow people who talk about specific things in their Tweets. There is a 4 day trial – and it could find some interesting people for you.
5. Have a look at “Nearby Tweets” and use this for finding people in certain areas talking about certain topics.
6. Use a tool called “We Follow” http://wefollow.com/
7. Check Twitter lists and follow the people who someone else has listed
8. Notice when people who you follow already talk to other people, and follow the people they talk to a lot – and @reply them both – sometimes together – in this way you are jumping in on their conversation and talking to them both – it’s like you are joining a conversation between two people at a party – and on Twitter – it’s allowed! The point of Twitter is to talk to each other.
9. Check Follow Friday or the hashtag #FF on Fridays – this is when people recommend  others to follow – on a Friday – if someone who you follow and you like recommends someone – follow them and then send them both an “@reply” say that you are following them based non their recommendation. The new person who you are following will be happy with the person who #FF’d them – because it worked! And the original followee will be happy – because you took their recommendation. Double happiness!
10. RT compliments (if you agree) Retweet anyone who has complimented someone else and you also know when you agree with the compliment, this again spreads the Twitter joy and makes the people who you have chosen to follow appreciate you just a little bit more!

Hopefully these tips will help you to build your own little twitter community of folks you can get to know better on Twitter!