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Why Am I Twittering?

Real Estate Agent with Associate Broker, Momentum Realty

October 16, 2009 01:41 AM

About a month ago, I put up a post about Twitter: My Twitter Challenge To Myself . The idea was that I would make a concerted effort to Tweet on a daily basis and see if I could significantly increase my Twitter followers and drive consumers to my website and blog.

The original personal challenge was for two weeks. It has been about four weeks.This is what I have found so far:

Two weeks is not enough time to make a significant change to an on-line presence
My Twitter followers increased from 52 to 68. I have no idea which Tweets resulted in the most new followers. I could probably track this in a spread sheet, but it would not account for people doing general searches and coming up with my earlier Tweets and deciding to follow me.
It is kind of fun.
Visits to my Blog are up 15%.
Visits to my Website are up 44%

I would have to say this experiement is a success. My objective was to drive more traffic to my website and blog. Of course, most of my traffic contines to coninues to come directly from ActiveRain. The other two main sources of traffic to my sites are Google and Linked In.

Given the source of my web traffic, I would have to classify my Twitter efforts as part of my overall SEO and plan for increased on-line visibility. I don't know if, or when, I will receive business directly from Twitter, but it another way of putting my name on-line in front of an active on-line audience. Best of all, it costs me nothing and takes almost no time.

I think for now, I will keep Twittering and see where the journey takes me. If you would like to follow me: www.twitter.com/hollyweatherwax

If you would like to start 'Tweeting,' go to www.Twitter.com and open your own account. I would love to hear how it goes for you.

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Erica Crowell

eRealty Inc. - Wake Forest, NC

Great tips Holly. I too have been adding this to my daily schedule and thanks goodness I can do it on the road!

Oct 16, 2009 01:45 AM

Peggy Chirico

Prudential CT Realty - Manchester, CT

REALTOR® 860-748-8900, Hartford & Tolland County Real Estate

With so many people endorsing it, it makes sense to at least give it a try. Thanks.

Oct 16, 2009 01:45 AM

Kathleen Cooper

Kathleen Cooper, Sposato Realty Group - Worcester, MA

Sposato Realty Group - Broker Owner

Hi Holly!

I've been seeing the same success with Twittering and I've been trying to use it to help me grow my Facebook Fan Page.

Sincerely,

Kathleen

Oct 16, 2009 01:47 AM

Alan Langstone

Mount Pleasant, SC

Hey Holly,

Interesting!

I have tried to avoid Twitter, but may be it's time to take a look.

Oct 16, 2009 01:57 AM

Jeff Craig

Hang Me Up Photos - Jamestown, NC

Greensboro Area Real Estate Photography

I find it hard to come up with tweets that really have any relevance every day.

Oct 16, 2009 02:13 AM

Holly Weatherwax

Associate Broker, Momentum Realty - Reston, VA

A Great Real Estate Experience

I am glad to hear that other folks are seeing results as well. Thanks for your comments.

Jeff, like other Social Media, I have been trying to find a balance between professional and occasional non-work-related posts. Even things like the local weather or local events make sense...if people search on your state or area, those will pop up. Again, if you have your name as your Twitter UserId, then any hits help your SEO, right?

Oct 16, 2009 02:17 AM

Tammi Copsey

Perry Hall, MD

"I find it hard to come up with tweets that really have any relevance every day."

This is how I felt when first using Twitter, but I've learned there is a lot of power from posting what you are doing, who you are with and things about normal every day life. It's you involving people in your life, inviting them to see who you are...your personality.

My Twitter presence has grown quickly by adding myself to http://www.twellow.com (Twitter Yellow Page Directory) and searching their database for local people who interest me. I start following them, retweeting them, tweeting about local events they promote, replying to them and they do the same for me. I also follow people who can help my business or the businesses of my audience and retweet relevant articles that my SOI will gain something from...THIS has been a great way to engage people and introduce myself to like businesses/people.

I only post about business sporadically - all my posts here (not comments) post directly to Twitter which also updates my Facebook and my Google profile...I don't want to alienate people and make them think I am trying to hard sell them my services or what I do. The comments I've received by doing this have been positive and gained me traffic here and on my website.

I was a Twitter sceptic, but I have honestly found it to be one of the best places to keep up with the world, local events and those I care about. I'm not a Twitter expert and don't have a long list of followers, but it is steadily growing and has been an all around positive experience. It's a great tool, but you can't abuse it for business or it will backfire on you. Be yourself, be interesting and show your personality.

Oct 16, 2009 02:38 AM

Lisa Matykiewicz

United Brokers Group - Gilbert, AZ

Thanks for sharing actual data...I am experimenting with twitter myself. Honestly, it is not as fun as active rain!

Oct 16, 2009 03:31 AM

Robert Havana

Park and Protect- Alberta Real Estate License Parking - Calgary, AB

Alberta Real Estate License Parking

Very cool that you did this with a plan Holly and are following it. I have a twitter which I automatically syndicate to. I think I have 80 followers or something like that, it seems every day there is a new one. I dont know where they come from or who they are, but they are there. Personally though, I dont like twitter and think it will be gone as soon as the next best application comes down the pipe in 2010.

Oct 16, 2009 05:46 AM

Kathryn Gorham

Green Key Realty - Emerald Isle, NC

Emerald Isle NC Crystal Coast

Holly interesting experiment. I am still tweeting now and again - but AR is my main focus - still trying to learn and get a handle on it first.

Oct 16, 2009 10:46 AM

Denise Hamlin, Broker/Owner

Cardinal Realty ~ 319-400-0268 - Iowa City, IA

Helping Happy Clients Make Smart Choices

Hi Holly ~ I was a bit of a twitter skeptic when I started twittering a couple of months ago. In the meantime I am starting to "get it" and tell anyone who's skeptical to try it before deciding. It kind of grows on you when you use it regularly.

I go to twitter before I come to AR in the morning. I like the fact that I get all kinds of information in bite sized portions that I can quickly store and move on. I don't hang around on twitter like I do on the Rain, but I think it serves a really good purpose. I disagree with Robert that it will disappear when the next application comes along. In a really fast paced environment where people want information on the move, I think twitter will be around for a while.

Not sure yet about the effects on my business, but like you I'm only starting out - time will tell.

Nice to see your stats. Nice to see some kind of confirmation that it works. If it's driving traffic to your website, I'd say it's definitely worth the small time investment.

Denise

Oct 19, 2009 03:13 AM