Previously I have written about the importance of being consistent on Twitter.

It’s not enough to just set up a profile and expect wonderful things to start to happen, as if by magic. Twitter, like life, doesn’t work that way. You need to do the work, and you need to put in the hours.

And the good news?

Most of Twitter can be reduced to one basic requirement: show up. And then keep showing up. Be a presence. Let people know that you’re there, that you’re proactive, that you’re listening, that this isn’t a fad or a phase, and that you’re committed for the long run.

Bottom line? Keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Here’s the thing. You don’t have to be on Twitter constantly, obsessing and talking about every little thing. In fact, that’s the worst thing you can do. It’s very much about balance. But that doesn’t mean the opposite is true. In fact, far from it: if you invest nothing into the network I can absolutely guarantee that you are going to get nothing back.

Don’t underestimate the value of being solid and dependable. If I can paraphrase Woody Allen for a moment, I’d say that’s 90% of what it takes to be successful on Twitter.

And that other 10 per cent? Well, there’s the rub. That’s where you stop “just” showing up and make a difference.

(Hard work image via Shutterstock.)