Twitter Verified Accounts & How To Get Yours!
That fancy blue check. Everyone wants one, everyone wants to know how to get one. It's the "Holy Grail" or at least some people think so, of Twitterdom.
The Twitter Verified account status shows authenticity and identifies someone who might otherwise be impersonated. It also identifies people on Twitter who have a valuable brand. According to Twitter's Help Section, "Verification is currently used to establish authenticity of identities of key individuals and brands on Twitter."
When Twitter verified my account it actually was quite a surprise. It wasn't my focus. Growing a good brand was. (write that down!)
My account was growing fast, with daily new followers, and it was being followed by some prominent business brands. But what happened next was kind of comical! EVERYONE wanted to know how to get verified, how did I make that happen and please, tell me the secret, how do I get verified too! Every week someone asks me this question by DM:
It's almost as if people believe I have this 'inside dig' with Twitter and can just send an email to their headquarters and say, "Hey can you verify Marks account? Thanks!" Ummmmm, not quite. But I do have some suggestions if you are very serious about getting your account verified.
How To Increase The Liklihood That You Will Get A Twitter Verified Account
Disclaimer: (grin) This is not a step by step process. It's simply my suggestions after careful observation and near obsession into studying the verified accounts on Twitter and what their credentials are. Twitter does NOT verify accounts upon request, they don't say how or why they will or will not verify accounts. The following tips are just a list of what I've personally come up with after close observation.
- Increase the engagement on your page. If you are having real relationship with your audience and providing regular content that they are interested in, you will create a brand page (even if you're an individual) that is in high demand. The higher in demand you are, the more likely that you would have someone trying to impersonate you. The more you will be sought out. Hence the reason Twitter 'might' pay close attention to you.
- Become an account that people not only want to follow but offer content that people are actually LOOKING for. Sadly, most of the people who ask me about account verification are simply out to make a name for themselves. Making a name for yourself doesn't make your brand valuable. Have content that you know people are looking for and become the "Go- To" resource for that content. Twitter 'might' notice that.
- Watch your analytics! I'm blown away by how many brands not only don't watch their analytics, they also have no clue HOW to watch their analytics. If you go to analytics.twitter.com and log in with your Twitter user name and password, you'll be able to SEE first hand how your account is doing. Now I don't have a first hand eyewitness account on this, but, it would seem logical to me that Twitter is watching their own analytics and paying attention to what is going on! It would be wise, don't you think, now that they are a publicly traded company, to pay attention to their own brand? Well they are watching. *smile* They have been writing about it often and their newsletter for advertisers is worth it's weight in gold if you're wondering what they are looking for. Watch your own analytics, it is CRITICAL that you know what's going on with your account. Simply gaining followers is a low-ball goal on Twitter. (Actually it's a low ball goal on any social media platform) Creating an account that is highly engaged with it's audience, delivers regular relevant content and is the go-to source people are looking for is the goal. You can also use a great third-party app. My ABSOLUTE FAVORITE is Sprout Social. Be sure to follow them on Twitter and let them know I recommended them. They're incredible. Their service is fantastic as well!
In closing, please read what Twitter clearly states on their website:
What kinds of accounts get verified? (underlined portions are my emphasis, not from Twitter)
Twitter proactively verifies accounts on an ongoing basis to make it easier for users to find who they're looking for. We concentrate on highly sought users in music, acting, fashion, government, politics, religion, journalism, media, sports, business, and other key interest areas. We are constantly updating our requirements for verification. Note, verification does not factor in follower count or Tweet count. NOTE! (Sandi note: I've seen verified accounts with 500 followers!)
We do not accept requests for verification from the general public. If you fall under one of the above categories and your Twitter account meets our qualifications for verification, we may reach out to you in the future.
Become a marketing scientist like I am.
REVERSE engineer what they state they are looking for. BECOME what they state they seek.
My friends, if you want success in any area of life, #BEMORE
With Love,
Sandi Krakowski
