Twitter Explained for the Real Estate Blogger
I knew that Todd Carpenter’s guest post was going to open a can of worms for me. I spent a good part of yesterday fielding questions about “this Twitter”. I know I’m not the first to bring an explanation to the interweb, but it’s going to save me from having to do it again.
Do you remember when you first grasped the idea of texting on your cell phone?
I remember thinking, “Who on Earth would waste their time doing such a thing?”
Now, texting has become such a part of my daily communications that I send and receive several hundreds of texts a month.
Initially, Twitter struck me exactly the same way. However, now it is starting to become an integral part of the way that I ‘feel’ connected to my online network.
For the Newbie, Twitter is an Awkward Tool.
Short messages, describing what you are up to at the moment, published online, for the odd folk that care.
“Sitting in row KK, seat 32 at the A’s vs Red Sox game.”
“Just finished dinner at the Waffle House, here’s a pic”
“Why am I still up?”
“At Starbucks by the Palace, join us!”
“just accidentally dropped my Treo in the toilet”
Some of the above are real and some are feigned, but you can’t tell which is which… which is the point. Anything goes with a Twitter update – a Tweet if you will.
One of the reasons why a non-Twitterer may still not see the value and allure of Tweeting is because they can’t see the need.
Just as I couldn’t see the need to text, when I had a perfectly fine communication device in my hand called the phone. Why take the time to type out a less than descriptive message to someone when I could just as easily ring them up for a chat?
If I wanted to type something to somebody, well, why not just send an email?
Twitter is not unlike the text message, but rather than use it to communicate to an individual or a specific group, it is a broadcast of your current state, to anyone who cares.
How Twitter Works:
Twitter asks you, “What are you doing?”
You type in a message no longer than 140 characters.
Fortunately, the message can include links, which help you expand your message by sending the reader to a website, image, podcast, blog article, etc.
Click “update” and the message is now broadcast for all those that care.
Who Cares that I Tweet?
I don’t know… who cares that I blog? Who cares that I answer the phone when they call?
Once you have made yourself known to be a Tweeter, the community that could, would or should care, does care.
The fastest way to develop a community that cares about ‘what you are doing’ is to subscribe to their profile, in order to follow broadcasts of what they are doing.
You still might be scratching your head wondering, “Why the heck would I want to do that?”
For many, an online network has positioned itself as an important and integral part of their social and business worlds. Online life has grown beyond the email database. People are seeking and making real connections online, with the like-minded. The online landscape has inevitably become their business and social playing field.
Twitter feeds right into this phenomenon.
The whimsical connection, water-cooler chatter, small talk, the first question you hear on the phone… these are examples of the role that Twitter satisfies for your online network. It is your online connection to those that care about the little events that are happening in your life, as much as it is your connection to follow the stream of events that happen in the lives of those you care about as well. It is these personal connections that are tightening while expanding the network around you.
Twittering Suggestions
1. Follow First to get the feel of the effort.
2. Learn the tricks:
TinyURL’s for shortened web addresses making it possible to fit a link in the 140 character limit.
TwitPic or the like for posting images from your phone
http://search.twitter.com to dig up Tweets on topics that interest you.
Responding and Direct Messaging with @sender so that they know you care even if they aren’t following you (yet).
3. Get your Real World friends and business contacts into it as well.
4. Remember, you are publishing to the internet, and if you wouldn’t say it to a crowded room, it might be best to resist.
5. Learn to Tweet by Text (40404) or with a Twitter application for your fancy iPhone.
6. Seek out some big names that Tweet. You’d be surprised who takes the time to broadcast what they are doing.
7. Follow me: https://twitter.com/retomato
A small sampling of Twittering addicts that I follow from the RE.net:
https://twitter.com/jburslem
https://twitter.com/ResPres
http://twitter.com/TBoard
http://twitter.com/LaniAR
http://twitter.com/tcar
Additional Reading Resources:
Most Popular Twitter Apps on the Blogosphere
Twitter Downloads
Twitter in Plain English – Must watch video.
Questions:
Should I Tweet my listings? Open houses? Buyer Needs?
My take – if you have found a way to build an audience that cares, then sure.
If not, then you are not being as constructive as you may hope.
Should I tweet my Blog articles?
Of course, but don’t pigeon-hole your efforts as a marketing platform for your blog.
Should I tweet to self advertise?
If you are thinking this way, then you have definitely missed the point… put the business card away, pal.
How will Twitter help my Real Estate Business?
As you continue to leverage the internet at a place where you network, Twitter facilitates your personal connection to those that care about you and your day. In real estate, one never knows from where their next lead relationship will develop. Twitter is all about the incubation of these online connections you have made as you find your place in the social web.
I’m tcar on twitter and would love to talk to you about your cat.
This is excellent! Thank you so much! Since Inman, I am totally hooked and have been on the Twitter mission. I keep getting the same overload look. I will add this to the Common Craft video that I have been sending to get the word out in my area! It’s tough out here! 😉
James,
I’m glad you spoke up. Twitter is an odd bird.
The thing is, it’s not what you are trying to make it; a clear marketing avenue in your RE business.
No one is currently jumping up and down about all the business that they have gained from tweeting. What is happening, is people are feeling more connected to the names and faces that they are networking with online.
If your online network is comprised of people who will do business with you, or refer business to you, then you can ‘tighten’ that connection to them with Twitter.
It may not directly fit most people’s agenda with their real estate business.
Does that make it a worthless effort? That’s for each to decide.
Mindshare is a powerful thing, and Twitter is a way to capitalize on a bit more of it.
I don’t see agents (for now) encircling themselves with potential clients that are following their every tweet, in turn inching them closer to hiring them to sell their home.
But I do see people creating ever large networks that continue to expand, forging relationships that improve your reach online.
Your online persona is what you make it, and it is only as valuable as its return. Twitter is so easy to become a part of, if you dedicate part of your business and social life online that it Should be leveraged to continue to expand your network.
PS – Just saw this:
Seven Ways To Get Your Mom On Twitter
http://mashable.com/2008/07/30/get-your-mom-on-twitter/
And another gem from the Real Estate Zebra on AgentGenius:
http://agentgenius.com/?p=182
I understand how twitter could be a fun way to communicate with my friends who actually care what goes on in my day, but I still don’t understand how this would help a real estate professional generate business… You keep referencing “people that care” will follow, but exactly why would random consumers follow the stuff that happens during my day. Consumers looking to buy or sell real estate tend to have very specific needs. They read blog articles for updates on market trends or things happening in the industry they need to know about. Minus the personal articles here and there, real estate people post up-to-date relevant/important things which is why consumers like reading them. If they didn’t, nobody would.
Personally speaking, I could care less that my realtor dropped her dog off to the groomers, or she was having problems with her blackberry… which are the kind of “tweets” I am seeing people write. And, who actually has the time to follow people throughout the day like this… What am I missing?
Very Confused Reader Still Trying To Understand Twitter…
Just put a twitter feed on my blog and loving every minute of it. If you’re interested in a pretty cool use for twitter, check out this blog…www.stevenfurtick.com
It was good suggestion. Thank you so much.
I use twitter. It wasn’t until I discovered twitter local that I was really able to integrate it into my business. I don’t really talk about real estate. I may mention that I am showing houses, or that I am lost but that is about it. Yesterday a local member of Twitter send me a direct message saying that he had no idea a Realtor could be so much fun. A couple of weeks ago a local twit gave a class on how to use it and had members follow me as an example. A great viral marketing opportunity for me.
I appreciate your article. I added Twitter about a week ago and have been trying to make sense of it. But, your article has advanced me.
Additionally, I see two uses for me in business. 1) By providing Twitter to my clients, they will see that our value proposition of being a technology RE company doesn’t simply mean we answer our emails. 2) I work a lot of hours and all hours. By letting clients know my schedule, I will enjoy greater freedom. I can enter in Twitter that I am enjoying some needed family time. I believe only the greatest emergencies would come my way if clients knew I was taking time off.
Thanks again.
Jim / anyone – is there a button that I can add to my blog sidebar that says “follow me on twitter” so that the reader can hit it and be connected up, kind of like clicking on a RSS feed button? If so, where can I find the code for it?
Thanks.
John,
I use Twitter Badge on my AR account
http://www.widgetbox.com/widget/twitter
I twie to twit but I can’t understand the language I see. Is there a twit dictionary or do I have to get my IM kids involved to understand the lingo.
I’ve been using twitter for about two months. At first it just seemed to be “the thing to do”. I wasn’t sure, though. Today, I’m still not sure where all it will take me, but the networking has been great… in just a few months i’ve built up a network of very fun, interesting people and a lot are not even in real estate. As Jim says above, it’s an odd-bird, and I struggle with getting my head around it, yet the potential seems incredible
Thanks for sharing. I never really understood why people liked it so much. It always seemed pointless to me, but now I’ll check it out. I’m looking for anyway to build my network since I’m just starting out. I’ve come across another website– mydropcard.com. Is anyone using this? I’ve read about it in some blogs and agents claim it’s really impressive. Anyone have more info on it? Does it actually impress clients?
A post that explains the use of twitter to people like me who are still unsure of using it the right way despite having a twitter account. Thanks a lot for sharing these tips.
Gina –
I have used MyDropCard. I think that it is a great tool if you find yourself without a business card handy. I’d add it to your arsenal.
one thing that bothers me about using twitter in a business context is that it seems so impersonal. your client isn’t going to feel important or like he/she is your main focus when you’re sending them the same tweets as everyone else you know (or “know”, from the internet). i am sure it’s possible to get new clients this way, since they will know from your tweets that you’re an agent. but as a client, i’d want a higher level of personal attention. the other thing that bothers me is how casual it is. it just doesn’t seem very professional – and maybe it’s just the newness of it. i remember when email seemed so casual! i guess what i’m saying is that it’s probably going to take some time to assess how effective this particular form of communication is in a business setting.
In this Blog, more useful information’s are given by the author. Before I read this article I didn’t have an idea about the twitter and networking. After I read this I got knowledge about this. Thank you.
==================================
rosesmith
Virtual Bird Dog Blueprint
We still see little results from it to be honest.
Has it not occured to Real Estators (sorry not sure what you call yourself over there; here they’re Estate Agents)that you can post exclusive properties that have just come on the market? you can get a photo of that property on the web in seconds, a client waiting for that type of property will be following your messages (because you’ll have a badge on your site & this will save them checking with every agent each day or waiting for a call) and they can be viewing said property within the hour.
You are also a one-stop information shop for people interested in the property market & they follow you so they DON’T HAVE to follow many different blogs & sites because you’ll do it for them & retweet the relelevent links you think your clients are interested in! You can arrange mass-viewings, find out what poeple think about your agents, service and competitors then make sure you’re meeting their needs.I could go on…