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Guest: Christine Gritmon Topic: Developing your reputation as a connector on Twitter Format: Eight questions directed at the guest. Everyone’s welcome to share.

Q1: Who is a connector on Twitter?

A connector is a person who seems to know everyone—they’re personally so well connected that they effortlessly introduce people within their network to each other. They act as a bridge between their friends. Our guest mentioned Christina Garnett, Julian Gamboa, and Jessica Phillips as great connectors.

A1b.
Some examples:@thatchristinag and her epic #MarketingTwitter thread@juliangumbo and that thread last year about meeting people behind favorite brand accounts@jessikaphillips and how she’s always connecting people through #SMWL22 and other initiatives
❤️#TwitterSmarter

— Christine Gritmon ❤️ #SMDayICT Speaker (@cgritmon) June 23, 2022

As Doug emphasized a connector on Twitter is often also a connector offline. Connectors have large networks and naturally enjoy bringing people together—it’s about personality rather than just a feature of a social media platform.

A1: A connector ON Twitter is the same as a connector OFF Twitter, just on Twitter. Someone who is present & really gets to KNOW people. Someone who can vouch for & recommend others & adds value to relationships. Someone who builds credibility so they can help. #TwitterSmarter 🙂 https://t.co/4N60ZcgxMg

— Doug Cohen (@dougcohen10) June 23, 2022

Q2: Why is it important to be a connector?

It’s an important trait because it’s an easy way to provide value to other people. The more you connect with others and with each other, the more your expertise will grow.

A2a.
It’s such a simple and powerful way to show up with VALUE in a way that can become literally life-changing for others.
You can only have so much expertise yourself—but if you’re a connector, the amount of expertise you can lead people to is limitless.
❤️#TwitterSmarter https://t.co/qSwnJZpCvs

— Christine Gritmon ❤️ #SMDayICT Speaker (@cgritmon) June 23, 2022

Being a connector can also help in professional spaces. For instance, as our guest pointed out, so many people ask for recommendations from their network first—whether it’s for a new business tool or a job hire. Being a connector helps you get such opportunities easier.

A2c.
I know my own connections have definitely helped us build the @smp_community—I’m so proud to be able to bring so many incredible voices to our community, and to create content with these brilliant people I’ve spent years building relationships with!
❤️#TwitterSmarter

— Christine Gritmon ❤️ #SMDayICT Speaker (@cgritmon) June 23, 2022

Julia from NOW Marketing Group made a good point: being a connector feels good. It’s the right thing to do—offering value to others and being a good community member. When everyone helps each other without expectations, the community thrives as a whole.

A2: Because connectors enrich peoples lives by creating those introductions! 🙌 Being a connector FEELS GOOD, 🥰 not to mention, it helps us to make a positive impact in the world! #TwitterSmarter – JJS https://t.co/YbTGUvpY1c

— NOW Marketing Group #SMWL22 (@NOWMG) June 23, 2022

Q3: How do you find other connectors on Twitter?

Connectors will find you. As long as you connect with others and share helpful insights, your network will grow and you’ll meet new connectors.

A3b.
Also—put yourself out there!

Nobody can know the value that you bring if you keep it private.

Show up, share your insights, and you’ll become known–which will, in turn, make connectors want to know you.

❤️#TwitterSmarter pic.twitter.com/xiWZuVPDaT

— Christine Gritmon ❤️ #SMDayICT Speaker (@cgritmon) June 23, 2022

You’ll also find people on Twitter Spaces and chats, as Madalyn reminded us. Host your own rooms or participate in chats about topics that you care about. The more you get involved, the more connections you’ll make.

A3: There are tons of ways to find other connectors on Twitter. Host or join Twitter Spaces. Participate in Twitter chats. You can also find people simply by being active on the platforms and engaging with others in an effort to get to know new people. #TwitterSmarter https://t.co/3vQq24yiec

— Madalyn Sklar  Digital Marketing since 1996 (@MadalynSklar) June 23, 2022

Q4: What are some ways to network on Twitter?

Event hashtags are great for expanding your network. People attending events want to meet new people and share ideas. From one event and one tweet, you can quickly take it further. Like Christine recommended, once you’ve connected with a person on Twitter, add them to other social networks you use most—like LinkedIn—so you have more opportunities to continue that relationship. Connecting with people on multiple platforms also helps you get to know that person on a personal level—for instance, their education and work experience may be on LinkedIn, but you’ll learn about their likes, dislikes, and favorite bands on Facebook or Instagram.

A4b.
Connecting in multiple places also lets me learn more about them (I may not know, for example, that one of my Twitter connections attended my college, but on LinkedIn the info is right there) so I am better positioned to help them.
❤️#TwitterSmarter

— Christine Gritmon ❤️ #SMDayICT Speaker (@cgritmon) June 23, 2022

Ron shared even more ways to network on Twitter: follow people, engage with their posts actively, and use the direct message feature judiciously.

A4: Network on Twitter by
-following people
-commenting on their post
-retweeting posts (with comments)
-use the DM judiciously
-show up to Spaces
-join chats
-start your own chat or Space!#TwitterSmarter

— Ron Oltmanns (@ronoltmanns) June 23, 2022

Q5: Share some best practices for building a reputation as a connector.

Engage with more people. As you become more active, the more chances you have of meeting people you can connect with each other.

A5a.
The more people you engage with, the more little threads of “this would be a good person for so-and-so to meet” you will encounter, eventually weaving a strong tapestry of goodwill.
❤️#TwitterSmarter https://t.co/SxSNnrEOqM pic.twitter.com/NpQg1hd6s1

— Christine Gritmon ❤️ #SMDayICT Speaker (@cgritmon) June 23, 2022

When you engage with someone, don’t focus on what they can do for you. Instead, think of how you can offer value. At the same time, make sure you’re connecting with givers and not just the takers.

A5c.
Make sure you’re actively engaging, always.
You won’t know what a person needs, what they’re up to, if they’ve changed careers, etc. if you just put them on a static list and forget about them.
Stay in the relationships.
❤️#TwitterSmarter

— Christine Gritmon ❤️ #SMDayICT Speaker (@cgritmon) June 23, 2022

Another important thing to remember is to always be kind and engaging. You can never tell what a person’s going through—so always be considerate towards others.

Q6: What are some things you avoid when trying to build your reputation?

Don’t say something just for the sake of saying something. You don’t have to pop into every chat and every Spaces conversation—speak where you can add value to others. In other situations, listen.

A6b.
To that end, don't butt into every conversation just to be heard.
Your voice should mean something.
❤️ #TwitterSmarter

— Christine Gritmon ❤️ #SMDayICT Speaker (@cgritmon) June 23, 2022

Johnathon spoke about the importance of being authentic. People don’t like engaging with someone who doesn’t feel real—so don’t try to be someone you’re not.

A6: Avoid the trap of being in-authentic. Don't try to be someone you're not because we don't want to connect with phonies. We want the real you to connect with. #TwitterSmarter https://t.co/1fDAMOVbui

— Jonathan Gaby (@JonathanDGaby) June 23, 2022

Q7: Is a connector the same as an influencer?

Our guest explained it beautifully: though there’s an overlap between a connector and an influencer, the connector essentially connects people with each other, whereas an influencer directly influences action.

A7a.
This reminds me of a show I did with @markwschaefer on being known vs. personal brand—there are overlaps, but there are also nuances.
Connectors connect others. It’s incredibly valuable, but also more passive.
Influencers directly influence action.
❤️#TwitterSmarter https://t.co/Ie5UAGeB8V

— Christine Gritmon ❤️ #SMDayICT Speaker (@cgritmon) June 23, 2022

A fun way to think about it is to imagine a connector as leading a horse to water, and the influencer as making the horse drink that water. You can also have a listen to Christine’s conversation with Mark Schaefer on this topic.

A7b.
Connectors can lead a horse to water (ideally a thirsty one!); influencers can make the horse drink (even if it’s not particularly thirsty).
❤️#TwitterSmarter

— Christine Gritmon ❤️ #SMDayICT Speaker (@cgritmon) June 23, 2022

Jelle made an excellent point: A connector exerts influence by building two-way relationships. They genuinely wish to connect with people. Clicks and purchases are secondary.

A7: A connector can be an influencer. The difference is that a connector always exerts influence by building two-way relationships.#TwitterSmarter

— Jelle Postma (@JelleTells) June 23, 2022

Q8: Can introverts really be connectors?

They sure can. There’s no one right way to be a connector. Whether you like to actively run around, network or be more focused on one-on-one interactions, you can be a connector in your own way.

A8.
Absolutely!
As I said in my last response, connecting can be active OR passive. You don’t have to make a big, public thing of it; you can be quietly building one-on-one relationships behind the scenes, and then connecting those people.
❤️#TwitterSmarter https://t.co/1vGaem0MNH

— Christine Gritmon ❤️ #SMDayICT Speaker (@cgritmon) June 23, 2022

As Prakruti emphasized, how you operate socially doesn’t have to dictate your ability to be social. There are so many awesome introverted connectors who thrive in their own style.

A8: 100%. Your social battery doesn't dictate your ability to tune in with folks, bring people together, and connect others. #TwitterSmarter

— prakruti (she/her) (@pvnaden) June 23, 2022

Well folks, that’s all from me this week. Thanks for reading through and for more great insights from our chat with Christine have a look at this Twitter Moment that Joana put together for us. If you think this summary is pretty good, you’ll love the real-time chat. Join us next Thursday at 1 pm ET for #TwitterSmarter. We also hang out on Twitter Spaces at 5 pm ET to continue our chat. Catch you there!

About me, Narmadhaa:

I write all the things—marketing stuff to pay the bills; haiku and short stories so I feel wholesome. A social media enthusiast, I hang out with the #TwitterSmarter chat crew, and am always happy to take on writing gigs.

Say hello: The Opinionated Copywriter | LinkedIn | Twitter

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