What’s the ideal time to Tweet?

A reader asks:

There are obvious times when you can link tweets to the content of a TV show (for dual-screeners). But otherwise, what is the best time for Tweeting to maximise audience access?

There are three clear approaches you can take as to when to tweet. The ultimate time to tweet would be a combination of these and there are a few tools you can use.

The best time for your platform

This handy infographic from SurePayroll contains tips on the best time to share content on each platform as well as how you can increase engagement.

The best time for your audience

As the saying goes, if a tree falls in the forest and nobody is there to hear it, does it make a sound? The same is true for your social media channels. Luckily there are a few tools to let us know when your audience is around (assuming your followers are representative of your audience).

For Twitter you can use a tool like Followerwonk to check when your followers are online (based on when they are tweeting). This will give you peak hours to tweet – and you can even repeat your message at different times to reach different people and queue up your messages using Buffer. Remember to check the success of your timing using Twitter Analytics.

For Facebook you can use Insights to get this information.

When your audience is most receptive

Timely tweets build on your audience’s receptiveness to your message and can be timed (as you suggest) around TV shows or trending topics when you know people are already talking about your subject. If you’re a baker and you’re not tweeting along with #GBBO you’re missing a trick!

Readiness to change behaviour is influenced by other major life events. If you’re moving house or having a baby your ordinary plans will be shaken up already, so it’s easier to take on new habits at the same time – the Government’s behavioural insight team include tips like this in their advice (PDF).

We can take advantage of this in social media by targeting Facebook advertising at people who have changed their status in line with these life events.

Follow @DigEngGuide for more examples and tips