How To Use Twitter Like A Ninja
I bet you’ve seen that little green button on my blog posts. Maybe, you’ve even clicked it and shared one of your favorites. Definitely appreciated. 
But, most people don’t really understand the ninja nature of “retweets” and how they can quickly multiply the web traffic you’re getting every day.
So today, over a cup of ninja tea…
Here’s Three Reasons Why “Retweets” Really Matter And The Secrets Of Marketing Like A Ninja On Twitter
Ninja Secret #1 – “Retweets” Are Social Proof
When people share your posts it’s proof you’re delivering value to the world. Naturally, this attracts even more people who are slightly more inclined to share something their peers approve of.
Brain ninjas have been using this trigger for ages – It’s social proof.
Ninja Secret #2 – Give Before You Take
The ninja’s have a saying, “A gift asks for a bigger gift in return.”
When you “retweet” other people’s content you’re pushing two brain buttons: Guilt and Ego. This is why the easiest way to get people to share your content on Twitter is to share theirs.
Ninja Secret #3 – Invisible Ninja Marketing
In case you didn’t know, “retweeting” other people’s posts gets you mucho free exposure too.
People will burn you at the stake for sharing personal links on Twitter, but everybody is totally okay with you commenting on somebody else’s post and then “retweeting” it.
So you can effectively share your links all day long on the sly.
It’s almost like ninja marketing.
Don’t underestimate how much traffic you siphon off.
In fact, I invite you to “hijack” my blog traffic by leaving a friendly comment and “retweeting” this post today.
We both win.
To your success,
Jason The “Better Networker”
The Jason Better Blog
Related posts:
84 Comments
David Wilcoxson on February 2nd, 2010
Great Twitter Ninja tips Jason! You’ve definitely conditioned me to open your emails and read your blog posts, because I know that I’m going to be rewarded with value. Consider yourself retwitted.
[Reply]
February 2nd, 2010 at 11:38 am
Hey David
Is that the proper use of “retweet” in the past
tense?
Love it.
Retwitted!
[Reply]
Dwayne Huggins on February 2nd, 2010
J
Twitter is still on my to do list.
I will add these Ninja tactics to my growing list of twittery stuff.
(I am already using some jedi re-tweet tricks on my blog and they are slowly starting to work, shhh)
Dwayne
[Reply]
February 2nd, 2010 at 11:37 am
Hey Dwayne,
I like how you focus on what you’re doing.
There’s no need to be the Twitter/Facebook/Youtube/
Better Networker/PPC/Copywriting expert to succeed.
[Reply]
Derek Fobert on February 2nd, 2010
I did not know that retweeting had that much of an impact. Great info, ‘Grasshopper’!! Show us some more ninja moves, Jason.
[Reply]
February 2nd, 2010 at 11:36 am
Hey Derek,
I can’t share all my secrets…
Then nobody would come back for more.
[Reply]
Josh Garcia on February 2nd, 2010
Hey Jason,
At the beginning I really didn’t understand the twitter button. You mentioned in Ninja Secret #2: Give before you take…This is something that I learned recently. Very Powerful!
Now Let’s all Tweet Away…
Chat with you later,
Josh
[Reply]
Rebecca Geiger on February 2nd, 2010
So I am curious.
Is it worth being on twitter? I have noticed some big guns leaving with all of their bullets. Closed the door and didn’t tell anyone.
I have delved into twitter and at first I found it fun. Then I found it to be an anti-sleep mechanism.
The odd thing was I was just making friends and some super weirdo things starting happening and getting very ODD and strange remarks from a very select few people.
From that point I hopped off and wasn’t sure what to do.
Any suggestions on how to handle weirdness online?
[Reply]
February 2nd, 2010 at 11:44 am
Weird,
Rebecca…
What I do know is that Twitter might not
be the best mass market medium if you have
loads of money for paid ads but it rocks for
personal interaction if you have more time
than money.
So that might be why the big names are abandoning it.
Twitter works, if you work it.
But it only gives what you give to it.
I’m not worried about Mr. Kutcher disappearing. He never
really understood Twitter anyway. It’s not about how many
followers you have, but how many quality relationships
you build.
As for handling weirdness…
Ignore them.
[Reply]
Richard Walsh on February 2nd, 2010
I’ve just begun my development of twitter into my social marketing and you are absolutely right about sharing content. i see it on other forums as well. If someone comments or shares your info you do have to good sense of guilt and at the minimum you check out their stuff. I retweet you daily my friend. One question, why wont my picture show up on my comments here? I set it on my email but no go here. Thanks.
[Reply]
February 2nd, 2010 at 11:46 am
Hey Richard,
Have you tried going to Gravatar.com?
Or is it Gravitar? Hmmm…
That might help.
[Reply]
Dwayne Huggins on February 2nd, 2010
J
When you get a chance could you pass by and check my blog post today. I would appreciate you opinion on it.
Thanks
(Feel free to delete this comment)
Dw
[Reply]
February 2nd, 2010 at 7:23 pm
Hey Dwayne,
For some reason your blog isn’t
showing up man.
Says, it can’t find the server. 
[Reply]
Dan on February 2nd, 2010
I have always retweeted content that I felt was of value to others, so nice to hear that it really does make a difference in how your followers few you.
thanks for the post
[Reply]
February 2nd, 2010 at 7:25 pm
Hey Dan,
I think it’s one of those small things
that has a massive cumulative
effect.
I love the retweet widget too.
“Tweetmeme” I believe it’s called.
[Reply]
Mitcehll Dillman on February 2nd, 2010
A chirping good morning to you Jason…
Looks like the early birds beat me to the proverbial worm this morning.
Great update on some ’super secret ninja Twitter warfar’ tactics. I’ve finally started to ‘peck out’ some results using Twitter. It wasn’t too many months ago when I was just like a Twitter hatchling, asking around about the real R.O.T. (Return On Tweets).
Seems there really is something to be sung about for all the chirping going on around Twitter…
Thanks, and have a Tweetingly Good Day..!
Mitchell Dillman
[Reply]
February 2nd, 2010 at 7:26 pm
Hey Mitchell,
I remember that article.
I wasn’t surprised with your frustration
at that time.
But always nice to hear good news too.
[Reply]
Derek Alvarez on February 2nd, 2010
Hi Jason,
I can definitely relate to this statement:
“Twitter works, if you work it.
But it only gives what you give to it.”
I can honestly say I’ve given Twitter very little and I’ve gotten very little from Twitter as a result.
It’s kind of like taking care of a flowering plant — if you don’t consistently care for it, it wilts and dies.
[Reply]
February 2nd, 2010 at 7:28 pm
Derek Alvarez,
That’s it.
But it’s not like you can be
a master of everything under the
sun.
You do a lot with Facebook… and not
many people are really talking about specific
Facebook strategies on BN.
[Reply]
Rhonda Miller on February 2nd, 2010
Hi Jason,
Great content!!
All I have to say today is that Twitter does work as long as your consistent with it and that pretty much goes for anything you decide to do.
I generally use Twitter 6 days a week.
~Rhonda:)
[Reply]
February 2nd, 2010 at 7:29 pm
Classic Advice Rhonda.
I used to be a lot heavier on Twitter
than I am now.
[Reply]
Volker Schaefer on February 2nd, 2010
Hi Jason,
I 100% agree with you!
This technique also makes it possible for me to deliver value more often.
So I don´t have to write so many articles.
All the best for you
Volker Schaefer
[Reply]
February 2nd, 2010 at 7:30 pm
Totally Volker,
I think that’s one of the major
perks about Twitter.
You can deliver a lot of value in
minimum time.
Quite often I follow people only
for the content they share, but when
they do pitch something… I check it out.
[Reply]
John Rothstein on February 2nd, 2010
Hey Jason,
I gave this insightful post a retweet. Then I sat back and thought of the good old days… when I followed and rt’d Mikes tweets and Mike followed me. Oh, the good ol’ days. Bittersweet memories of the past. Better to have been followed by Mike than to have never been followed at all. Sigh! Well now that thats out of the way. Carry on.
John
[Reply]
February 2nd, 2010 at 7:31 pm
John,
Mike has an interesting take on Twitter.
Can’t say I disagree with his Twitter strategy,
but it’s not for everybody.
[Reply]
Ilka Flood on February 2nd, 2010
Hi Jason,
Hmmm, interesting! I didn’t know all that. I’ve been re-tweeting your content because it’s great stuff that I wanted to share. Now I’m gonna do it even more
[Reply]
February 2nd, 2010 at 7:32 pm
Hey Ilka,
I bet you could add five or six more
“ninja tips”.
Retweets rock.
Definitely a win win.
[Reply]
Garfield on February 2nd, 2010
Hi Jason, (if that is your real name!) lol
Love your blog, thanks for the great leadership.
Twitter moves so fast, marketing at the speed of thought basically. Anything I can learn about the ins and outs of twitter and how to maximize leverage is gold.
Hmmm, ‘maximized leverage’, sounds sexy!
Garfield
[Reply]
February 2nd, 2010 at 7:34 pm
Hey Garfield,
Look up Gravatar.com
or gravitar? Hmmm…
I’ll have to Google it and write an
article about it soon.
A lot of people ask that question.
Thanks for dropping in.
[Reply]
Rebecca Geiger on February 2nd, 2010
Funny I haven’t been on twitter and was thinking of two other people.. Huh so Kutcher quit? Get yer twitter news here too!
Yer awesome!
[Reply]
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:41 am
Rebecca,
I heard he did…
Never followed him too closely.
[Reply]
Garfield on February 2nd, 2010
Yo Jason!
Your tip about http://en.gravatar.com/ worked like a charm! See my pretty face? It was super quick and easy and now that image is attached to my email address whenever I use it.
Thanks again,
Garfield
[Reply]
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:42 am
Nice,
Garfield… I believe it was
Derek Alvarez who first turned me
on to that.
Way cool.
[Reply]
Rhonda Miller on February 2nd, 2010
Jason,
Just wanted to say thank you for the gravatar link. I, too, was wondering how everyone’s pretty faces were on here.
Hopefully when I click “Submit” my face will show up. I like seeing who I’m conversing with:)
~Rhonda
[Reply]
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:42 am
No prob Rhonda,
Should thank Derek Alvarez.
I couldn’t quite remember where I set mine
up. Probably the same place.
[Reply]
Mitchell Dillman on February 2nd, 2010
Hey there Jason,
YOU rock buddy…Just getting started with my evening webinars. I was following up on a few items and thought I’d say thanks for everything you do!
YOU’re always helping us out with such great information, I hope everyone realizes how much you help us all out…I’d still not have a face either if it wasn’t for your help a few months back 
Your friend,
Mitchell Dillman
[Reply]
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:44 am
Hah Mitchell,
Are you saying you would be like “the blank” in the
old Dick Tracy comics?
You’re “cleverer” than you think.
[Reply]
Tracy Matthewman on February 2nd, 2010
Jason, I always love your posts. I just started tweeting again and am going to take it to the next level now…Keep those great posts coming.
[Reply]
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:45 am
Hey Tracy M.
Why thank you.
Twitter is a powerful thing.
Although in my opinion, much more
powerful on a personal level than
a mass communication level.
[Reply]
Peter Grimes on February 2nd, 2010
Jason,
Twitter to me is like a feeder app to the larger marketing effort of e.g. blogging or article marketing or such. Just another arrow in the quiver of a successful ninja marketer
[Reply]
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:46 am
Peter,
I agree man.
Twitter isn’t the whole game…
unless you make it that way.
But even 5-10 minutes a day with
a great strategy can have an interesting
impact on your blog.
[Reply]
Dwayne Huggins on February 3rd, 2010
J
Not sure why it wasn’t showing up for you. Works fine now though.
Thanks
Dwayne
[Reply]
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:47 am
Hey Dwayne,
Yeah, I just checked it out.
No idea,
I was getting a “server is down”
type message.
[Reply]
Michael Cole on February 3rd, 2010
Hi Jason,
I recently started using a new tool called Synnd. It’s a community of people re-Tweeting, Digging, ect. each other’s content. It gives a beginner a boost.
Of course if you post junk it doesn’t matter how many views you get.
While reading through the comments here, there were 38 at the time, I was inspired to write a quick post about blog commenting. Including a part about Gravatars, please feel free to refer your readers to my blog, or not.
Michael
[Reply]
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:49 am
Hey Michael,
I think I’ll be doing a post about valuable
contributions from readers of the JB Blog
in the near future.
You guys rock. So it would be cool to
highlight a few of the really cool contributions
like that.
[Reply]
Kurt Henninger on February 4th, 2010
Awesome stuff here Jason. I’m gonna have to write something to my readers about this.
I like the idea of giving before you get, it really gets people into the mindset of success through helping others.
[Reply]
February 4th, 2010 at 11:55 am
Hey Kurt,
I was thrilled to see you here today.
I need to get in touch with my buddy to see
when your critique hits the pavement.
That’s going to be cool.
[Reply]
Michaelé Harrington on February 5th, 2010
Hey Jason,
You really hit the nail on the head for me with #2 ‘Guilt and Ego’.
Because I don’t have the time to thank everyone who RT’s me individually (and I despise the @friend1 @friend2 etc bulk replies), I tend to operate from guilt!
I usually head straight over to their page, look for something interesting and RT them. Perhaps a personal thank you would work best but I always feel that returning the ’syndication love’ is more powerful than doing an individual thank you…
Which in turn looks boring on my twitter page if I have “thanks for the awesome RT” all the way down my page.
I find returning the ’syndication love’ through the Law of Reciprocity works best for me.
I pretty much look for something to RT on that persons page whenever someone RT’s me.
Here is my own little tip though…
Sometimes I go to return the ‘twitter love’ and all as I see on someone’s page is RT @, RT @, RT @ etc.
This is like the opposite end of the spectrum where people are spending all day long just RT’ing other peoples tweets, without intermixing it with their own ‘value’ tweets.
Not only do these people miss out on a lot of potential traffic when I visit their page, they come across as not having anything individual or valuable to say.
Anyway awesome post Jason!
For some of the people above who don’t yet quite ‘get’ twitter for various reasons, I highly recommend to start using the power of creating lists for the people you are connecting with.
I promise, it will change your whole Twitter experience
Michaelé
[Reply]
February 5th, 2010 at 9:07 am
Hey Michaele,
That’s an awesome tip.
I’ve noticed the same thing. Some
people think it’s entirely taboo to share their
own links.
I think it’s a matter of balance on Twitter.
[Reply]
Denise Gray on February 7th, 2010
Hi Jason,
Thanks for the great ‘Ninja’ tips about twitter. I am just getting started with it and am becoming aware of the amazing potential it has. Lots of interesting people out there with valuable information to share both fun and informative and inspirational,and I aim to reciprocate … I’m getting there slow but sure, persistence and determination are only two of the many inspirational words that spring to mind. I have already began to ‘retweet’ but think I may have done so without first commenting the article …oops sorry if I offended anyone … not intentional… we all make mistakes just as long as we learn from them! Thanks again Jason for advice.
Bi
Denise Gray (UK)
[Reply]
February 8th, 2010 at 8:13 am
Hey Denise,
No offense taken.
Twitter has a special place in my
heart. It’s one of those traffic sources
that a lot of people reject… while other
peeps are making off like bandits.
[Reply]
The 5 Most “Treasured” Posts On The Jason Better Blog…Network Marketing Business Blog on February 12th, 2010
[...] How To Use Twitter Like A Ninja [...]
Heidi Walker on February 12th, 2010
One day someday I will get people to retweet for me. Ah… dreams.
Right now I am trying to get people to look at my blog and comment there.
[Reply]
February 12th, 2010 at 3:20 pm
Heidi,
I would suggest visiting more bloggers like
yourself. The more you comment and share on Twitter
the more retweets you will get too.
Or consider making blogger friends and do a “retweet”
exchange. A fast way to get your name out there.
[Reply]
Scott Hubbard on February 14th, 2010
Jason, as always, you provide excellent information. I have been on Twitter a short time and definitely didn’t understand the value of retweets.
I can see where retweeting someone’s good content can result in a reciprocal gesture in return. It also gives me some exposure to that person’s readers. Thanks for the article.
[Reply]
February 15th, 2010 at 9:36 am
Hey Scott,
And thank you too.
Retweets are one of those little things with
a big impact.
But like everything else, you can only do so much in
a day.
[Reply]
RJ Okuszka on February 17th, 2010
Jason, You really hit me with what I needed today as I can surely attest to the fact of hitting a brick wall almost indefinitely.. Anyway you are the Master and I am the Grasshopper ready to fire away on my tweet ninja…. You are Re-tweeted sir, have an awesome day..
[Reply]
February 17th, 2010 at 9:29 am
Hey Rj,
I feel like I’m in a dojo now.
And thank you for the retweet.
Much appreciated.
[Reply]
Michael Moody on February 17th, 2010
Jason thanks I’m just begining and believe u have a lot to share so thanks again Michael
[Reply]
Keith D Shrock on February 17th, 2010
Thanks Jason.
I have 2000 followers but my account is pretty much asleep with automatic retweets — comming back at me.
It would help if I was more active — hitting retweet would help.
Interesting–I was smart enough to put a re-tweet button on my blog
But not smart enough to engage my Twitter audience with retweets to interesting posts I find.
I kept thinking I had to log-on to Twitter to engage people — and put it off because i didn’t have time.
Ahhh….the awakening.
[Reply]
February 18th, 2010 at 9:37 am
No time?
Keith my friend,
Five minutes a day is enough if you’re careful
with it…
Don’t have to go overboard.
I prefer five minute sessions too.
[Reply]
JIm Hageman on February 17th, 2010
Jason,
Great advise, especially giving before taking.
Jim
[Reply]
Mary on February 17th, 2010
I love how east Twitter sets up their retweet stuff. Wish all the net was that easy!
Poppie
[Reply]
February 18th, 2010 at 9:38 am
Me too Mary,
Although I was actually a fan of the old way
when you had to type RT and send a normal Tweet.
I thought it was simple… but they thought I was wrong.
I guess? Hmmm…
[Reply]
Will Adams on February 17th, 2010
First, we copied/pasted/the emailed interesting web content to each other. Now, sharing is as simple as pushing a retweet button. The ability to share other people’s insights and knowledge quickly and easily is the stuff freedom is made of.
“In a time of drastic change, it is the learners who inherit the future. The learned usually find themselves equipped to live in a world that no longer exists.” – ERIC HOFFER
[Reply]
February 18th, 2010 at 9:40 am
Love that quote Will,
It’s been a while since I’ve seen that one.
[Reply]
Rosemary Leach on February 20th, 2010
Hi Jason
Thank you for tips on twitter, I always scroll through your emails and picked up some great tips.
Rosemary
[Reply]
February 21st, 2010 at 11:54 am
Hey Rosemary,
Glad to hear.
If you ever have any suggestions
let me know. 
[Reply]
Mike on February 24th, 2010
I know I’m late – but as I’ve told you before…I like to look around when I’m here.
This post is actually on the same terms of the project I was telling you about. In fact, I’m having all types of ideas while I’m typing this right now.
Could really use your help…
[Reply]
February 24th, 2010 at 11:15 am
Hey Mike,
Interesting blog.
What kind of help?
[Reply]
March 2nd, 2010 at 2:01 pm
I’ll be honest. I want your help with getting more visitors to the blog. Getting subscribers. And some sort of launch structure.
Not in a rush to launch, well not in a super rush…lol. But I definitely need outside ideas other than my own. I need more than ever to build momentum.
[Reply]
March 2nd, 2010 at 2:28 pm
Hey Mike,
It’s all about giving value and helping people
out one person at a time. Unless you decide to Joint Venture
with somebody with a large list, or pay for traffic. It takes
time.
No magic. Sometimes the secret is to work even more. Write a
daily post. Share it on Twitter. E-mail you list every day. From
small beginnings, great things happen.
Hope that helps.
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[...] How To Use Twitter Like A Ninja How To Use Wordpress Tags Properly How To Write Popular Blog Posts [...]
Hey Jason,
So we can Hijack the blog!? (ha)
It’s OK I won’t take that literally.
Yes, twitter is a nice little viral tool. The thing I love is that it is real quick and easy to ad into your daily task list.
As for social proof, that is another good point I didn’t think about. It just gets better.
Thanks.
Wayne Vassell, signing out…
[Reply]
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:21 am
Hey Wayne,
I think you’ve earn the title of
“Super Twitter Ninja” for the day.
You “stole’ the number one spot on the
comment totem pole and there’s a few other
ninja who are going to hunt you down now.
Twitter rocks. I swear that most people have
no idea how powerful that site is…
I personally know a guy who didn’t bother
with any other traffic source because it’s literally
the best way to connect with powerful people
in any major online industry…
If you go about it the right way.
[Reply]