A well-written, frequently-posted, technical or "specific topic oriented" blog published by an expert is more likely to gain a growing group of loyal readers via email subscriptions, RSS feed subscriptions, and as a result of search engine results than by being a frequent-tweeter, or by having a beloved ("liked!") FaceBook page. The exception to this is in those cases of subject content specifically involving celebrities, gossip, sports, breaking news or sensationalism. Blogs tend to get built more slowly, but more solidly.
The Twitterers who garner the most followers the fastest are those generally categorized under one of the content types described in the preceding paragraph and:
1) Tend to be very interactive;
2) Tend to be oriented toward curious individuals (in their non-professional capacities) or to retail-oriented consumers;
3) Tend to be geared toward those aged from 21 to 42 years of age;
4) Tend to incorporate elements of shock, conspiracy or social/political/other causes;
5) Tend to be formatted in a way which lends itself to easy response or re-tweeting in order to "spread the news."
While the Twitter World and the Vertical Blogosphere are still quite complementary and mutually enhancing, the area of intersection in the populations they attract tends to be relatively small. The utility of Twitter to most Bloggers is to gain new subscribers -- the utility of Twitter, from a business perspective, is gain a large following for the advertising and promotional purposes; especially in those cases where the 'thing' to be ultimately sold is a relatively inexpensive, easily described product or service, either useful to consumers or to fledgling businesses.
Most bloggers see Twitter's principal function as that of a "net" or of a "funnel" to attract new readership.
The curious exception to the "Blog Reader or Twitter Follower? Division" is the world's population of ardent hobbyists, who become faithful blog readers (through the means described in the opening paragraph) and who also become Twitter Followers and active Twitter and Re-Tweet participants -- especially if the hobby involves changing technology or growing knowledge. The area of intersection in the populations they (the blogs and the Twitter groups) attract tends to be relatively large, as if merged into a club.
Twitter is a superb broadcast medium with a high level of recurrent visibility. But the greatest profits in Twitter campaigns (aside from sponsored tweets, general branding, or simple mailing list -building) comes from their ability to "steer" prospective clients to blogs and websites where they can purchase products, services or obtain useful information.
If you want to acquire more loyal Twitter followers for either purpose, be certain that your topic focus of of broad interest, and that it is entertaining. Your Twitter credibility goes up if you frequently pepper your tweets with commentary or questions which are pointed, personalized, and don't have hyperlinks. People (prospective followers) would like to think that you are speaking to them and not just selling to them.
Douglas E Castle for The Mad Marketing Tactics Blog
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