Creators Digest guide
Grow on Bluesky from Twitter
Learn how to grow on Bluesky from Twitter with starter packs, custom feeds, and AT Protocol mechanics, and discover which Twitter habits to abandon for success
As a Twitter creator, you're likely aware of the buzz around Bluesky, which has now surpassed 30 million users. Journalists and creators are flocking to the platform, and it's time to learn how to grow on Bluesky from Twitter. In this guide, you'll discover how to leverage starter packs, custom feeds, and the AT Protocol mechanics to build your audience. Unlike other guides, we'll focus on the specific habits you need to abandon from your Twitter days to succeed on Bluesky.
1. Setting Up Your Bluesky Profile for Success
Setting up a complete and professional Bluesky profile is crucial for establishing your online presence and growing your audience. Your profile is often the first impression users have of you, so it's essential to make it count. Start by claiming your username, which should be consistent with your brand or personal identity on other social media platforms. If you're a journalist or creator who previously had a Twitter presence, try to claim the same username to maintain continuity.
To create a visually appealing profile, use a tool like Canva to design your profile picture, bio, and header image. Canva offers a range of templates and design elements that can help you create a consistent and professional look. For your profile picture, use a high-quality image that represents you or your brand, and ensure it's at least 400 x 400 pixels. Your bio should be concise and informative, including a brief description of who you are, what you do, and what you'll be sharing on Bluesky.
When designing your header image, consider using a tool like Canva's custom dimensions feature to ensure it fits Bluesky's recommended size of 1500 x 500 pixels. Use this space to showcase your personality, interests, or expertise, and include any relevant links or calls-to-action. To add your profile picture, bio, and header image to Bluesky, open the app, tap your profile picture, then tap Edit Profile. From here, you can upload your images and enter your bio text.
In addition to completing your profile, make sure to set up your profile for discoverability. This includes using relevant keywords in your bio and header image, as well as engaging with other users and participating in discussions. Open Bluesky, tap your profile picture, then tap Settings to access your account settings and customize your notification preferences. By taking these steps, you'll be well on your way to establishing a strong presence on Bluesky and growing your audience. Open Canva now and start designing your profile picture, bio, and header image to get started.
2. Migrating Your Twitter Audience to Bluesky
Migrating your existing Twitter audience to Bluesky requires a strategic approach to maximize growth on the new platform. Start by announcing your Bluesky presence on Twitter, using tweets and threads to inform your followers about your new profile. Utilize relevant keywords like "Bluesky" and "AT Protocol" to increase the discoverability of your tweets. You can also share your Bluesky handle and a brief introduction to your profile, highlighting what your audience can expect from your content on the new platform.
To drive traffic to your Bluesky profile, use Twitter's built-in features like Twitter Cards and Twitter Polls to engage your audience and encourage them to follow you on Bluesky. For example, you can create a poll asking your followers if they have joined Bluesky yet, and provide a link to your profile in the poll description. Additionally, you can use Twitter threads to share your thoughts on the benefits of using Bluesky, such as its custom feeds and AT Protocol mechanics, and how they can enhance your audience's experience.
To further leverage your Twitter audience, consider sharing exclusive content on Bluesky that is not available on Twitter, such as custom feeds or behind-the-scenes insights. This can be done by sharing screenshots of your Bluesky content on Twitter, with a caption that encourages your followers to join you on the new platform to access the full content. You can also collaborate with other creators who have already established a presence on Bluesky, using Twitter to promote your joint efforts and drive traffic to your Bluesky profiles.
Open YouTube Studio, go to the "About" section of your channel, and add a link to your Bluesky profile, so your YouTube audience can also find you on the new platform. Similarly, update your TikTok Creator Marketplace profile to include your Bluesky handle, and use TikTok's "Link in Bio" feature to drive traffic to your Bluesky profile. By using these strategies, you can effectively migrate your Twitter audience to Bluesky and establish a strong presence on the new platform. Open Twitter, compose a new tweet, and announce your Bluesky presence to your followers, including a link to your Bluesky profile and a brief introduction to your content.
3. Creating Custom Feeds on Bluesky for Niche Topics
To create a strong presence on Bluesky, it is essential to establish yourself as an authority in a specific niche. One effective way to achieve this is by creating custom feeds for niche topics using the AT Protocol. This protocol allows you to curate content from other creators, build engagement, and attract new followers.
To start, open Bluesky and navigate to the Discover tab, where you can browse through various topics and find relevant content to curate. You can also use tools like Beehiiv to discover and organize content from other creators. Beehiiv is a content curation platform that allows you to create custom feeds based on specific keywords, hashtags, or topics.
Here are the steps to create a custom feed on Bluesky:
1. Identify your niche topic and relevant keywords.
2. Use Beehiiv to discover and curate content from other creators.
3. Create a new feed on Bluesky and add the curated content.
4. Customize your feed by adding a title, description, and relevant hashtags.
5. Share your custom feed with your followers and engage with them by responding to comments and messages.
By creating custom feeds for niche topics, you can establish yourself as an authority in your niche and attract new followers. For example, if you are a journalist covering the tech industry, you can create a custom feed for tech news and curate content from other tech journalists and creators. You can also use this feed to share your own content, such as articles or podcasts, and engage with your followers.
To further grow your presence on Bluesky, consider abandoning some of your old Twitter habits, such as posting low-quality content or engaging in arguments with other users. Instead, focus on creating high-quality content and engaging with your followers in a meaningful way. Open Bluesky, tap the Create button, and start creating a custom feed for your niche topic. Use Beehiiv to curate content and add it to your feed. By doing so, you can build a strong presence on Bluesky and attract new followers.
4. Leveraging AT Protocol Mechanics for Content Discovery
Bluesky's user base has surpassed 30 million, and the AT Protocol is at the core of its content discovery mechanics. To leverage the AT Protocol for content discovery, start by understanding how it works: the protocol allows users to create custom feeds based on specific topics or interests, and it uses algorithms to surface content from users who are not yet in your network. To take advantage of this, open your Bluesky app, go to the Discover tab, and browse through the suggested feeds. You can also use the search function to find feeds related to your niche topics.
To optimize your content for discovery by other creators, focus on creating high-quality, engaging content that resonates with your target audience. For video creators, tools like CapCut can be used to edit and enhance your videos before posting them on Bluesky. For example, you can use CapCut to add text overlays, music, or effects to your videos, making them more visually appealing and increasing their chances of being discovered.
When creating content, consider the following steps:
1. Define your niche topic and create content that is relevant and valuable to your target audience.
2. Use relevant keywords and hashtags in your post to increase its discoverability.
3. Engage with other creators in your niche by commenting, liking, and reposting their content.
4. Collaborate with other creators to reach a wider audience and build relationships within your niche.
5. Consistently post high-quality content to keep your audience engaged and attract new followers.
To further increase your content's discoverability, consider using tools like Beehiiv to manage and schedule your posts, allowing you to maintain a consistent posting schedule and reach your audience at the right time. You can also use analytics tools to track your performance and adjust your strategy accordingly. Open YouTube Studio, for example, to analyze your video performance and identify areas for improvement. By leveraging the AT Protocol mechanics and using the right tools, you can increase your content's discoverability and grow your audience on Bluesky.
5. Abandoning Twitter Habits for Bluesky Success
When migrating to Bluesky from Twitter, it is essential to recognize and abandon habits that may hinder your growth on the new platform. One of the primary habits to break is the character limit constraint, as Bluesky allows for longer posts, enabling creators to express themselves more freely. To adapt to this new feature, consider expanding your content to provide more in-depth information and insights, similar to how podcasters use Riverside.fm to create engaging, long-form audio content.
Another habit to abandon is tweet threading, which was often used on Twitter to share longer, more complex ideas. On Bluesky, you can share longer posts, making it easier to convey your thoughts without needing to break them up into multiple threads. This change allows you to focus on creating more comprehensive and cohesive content, much like YouTubers use YouTube Studio to manage and optimize their video content for better engagement.
To successfully transition to Bluesky, consider the following steps:
* Open YouTube Studio, tap Channel customisation, paste your new About text that includes a link to your Bluesky profile to drive traffic to your new account.
* Review your content strategy and identify areas where you can take advantage of Bluesky's features, such as longer posts and custom feeds.
* Experiment with new content formats, such as video or audio content, using tools like Riverside.fm for podcasting or CapCut for video editing.
* Engage with your audience on Bluesky by responding to comments and messages, and using the platform's features to create a community around your content.
By abandoning Twitter habits and adapting to Bluesky's unique features, you can create a more engaging and effective content strategy that resonates with your audience. For example, creators like Sarah Kendzior have successfully transitioned to Bluesky, leveraging the platform's features to build a loyal following and share their content with a wider audience. By following these steps and exploring the capabilities of Bluesky, you can also achieve success on the platform and grow your audience.
6. Monetizing Your Bluesky Presence with African Payment Gateways
Bluesky's growing user base presents a significant opportunity for creators to monetize their presence, particularly in Africa where mobile payment systems are prevalent. To tap into this potential, creators can utilize African payment gateways like M-Pesa, Paystack, and Flutterwave to receive payments from their audience. For instance, a creator can use M-Pesa to receive payments for exclusive content or services, such as personalized messages or exclusive updates.
To get started, open your Bluesky profile, tap the three dots at the top right corner, and select Settings, then Payment options. Here, you can add your M-Pesa, Paystack, or Flutterwave account details to enable payments. You can also use platforms like Audiomack and BoomPlay to distribute your music and earn revenue from streams and downloads. For example, you can upload your music to Audiomack and set a price for each track, then share the link with your Bluesky followers.
When it comes to international transactions, tools like Wise and Payoneer can be invaluable. These platforms allow creators to receive payments in multiple currencies and withdraw funds to their local bank accounts. To set up Wise or Payoneer, simply sign up on their websites, verify your account, and link your bank details. You can then share your Wise or Payoneer payment link with your international audience on Bluesky.
Here are the steps to follow:
* Sign up for M-Pesa, Paystack, or Flutterwave and verify your account
* Add your payment gateway details to your Bluesky profile
* Create exclusive content or services to offer to your audience
* Share your payment link with your Bluesky followers
* Use platforms like Audiomack and BoomPlay to distribute your music and earn revenue
* Set up Wise or Payoneer for international transactions and share your payment link with your global audience
By following these steps and leveraging African payment gateways, creators can effectively monetize their Bluesky presence and reach a wider audience. For example, a journalist can use Paystack to receive payments for exclusive articles or podcasts, while a musician can use Audiomack to distribute their music and earn revenue from streams. Open Wise, tap Get started, and follow the prompts to create your account and start receiving international payments today.
7. Frequently asked questions
What is the AT Protocol and how does it work on Bluesky
How do I claim my username on Bluesky
Can I use my Twitter content on Bluesky
How do I use Bluesky starter packs to grow my audience
What are the benefits of using African payment gateways on Bluesky
How do I measure my success on Bluesky
Can I use Bluesky for podcasting and video content
How do I get started with Bluesky as a creator
What are the best practices for growing my audience on Bluesky
How do I use CapCut for video creation on Bluesky
Growing on Bluesky from Twitter requires a unique approach that leverages the platform's features and mechanics. By following the strategies outlined in this guide, you can build a large and engaged audience on Bluesky and take your creator career to the next level. Remember to always keep learning and adapting to the latest trends and best practices on the platform.