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Twitter...What's The Point!?!?

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Results MN#20344949 WI#93113-94

For the third straight day I am blogging about Twitter!  Day I my post asked: What Do You Think About Twitter?

Day 2 my post titled: Twitter Has You Confused Too!?!? was featured on Active Rain.

 

There were a variety of comments on this post. However, the majority fall into the category I will call:

Twitter …Whats the Point?!?!

When you get on Twitter at first it’s going to seem like a big waste of time.  First off, what can you say well in 140 characters or less?  For me at first I did not know what to say or how to say it.  So for almost 1.5 years I just allowed Active Rain to pull my blogs over to Twitter and I NEVER interacted.  THIS WILL GET YOU NO WHERE! 

I finally got some instruction on what to do and I changed my perspective because I too thought “WHAT IS THE POINT”.  Like my second post linked above says I started Retweeting and Replying to peoples tweets.  At first it seemed like NO ONE was listening or appreciating it.  However after about 2-3 weeks of just enjoying the process of learning Twitter, people did start responding to me and thanking me for retweeting their tweets. 

Now people are retweeting my tweets.  Just like blogging you HAVE TO HAVE GOOD CONTENT in your 140 characters to get others to share it.  Others will share it if you are starting a conversation with them.  Which is done by @ Replying and retweeting. (Explained in blog #2 above). 

Also it’s done by sending someone a Direct Message. You can only direct message people following you.  You should NOT sell with direct messages. Just use it to break the ice or to continue a conversation at first.  Then later you might direct message someone to an offer or service you have, but only after you have established a relationship with them. (This is online networking and it takes time for someone to know, like and trust you enough to buy from you or work with you.)

For those who don’t get Twitter or are going to start trying Twitter know this going into it:

1. You will likely feel ignored for the first couple weeks.  Thats okay just keep at it and start making connections.

2.  It takes time to build relationships online, just like it does off line.  (Did you ask your spouse to marry you after one or two dates?)

3.  Be YOU on there.  If you like running, cooking, reading, etc…connect with some of those people and start a conversation.  They could eventually see WHAT you do and that’s what could lead to business.  (You can search Twitter with keywords that can help you connect with people that have the same interests.  Example: I’m a Minnesota Vikings fan I might search #Vikings to see who is talking about them.)

4. For Realtors just posting your listings will likely not get you anywhere.  Again you need to connect with people and start a conversation.

There are whole books on using Twitter.  The reason for my sharing is that I have been at the WHAT'S THE POINT?!?! stage and now I am getting it so I thought these blogs would be helpful

Lets connect on Twitter and learn from each other.  Follow me by clicking here.

 

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Chuck Carstensen is a Realtor with RE/MAX Results in Elk River and Cambridge, MN.  Helping buyers, sellers and investors in great Minnesota counties like Sherburne, Isanti, Wright, Anoka, Chisago, Hennipen and Mille Lacs. He is a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE).

Contact Chuck by emailing him at chuck.carstensen@results.net or by phone at 612-290-3809. 

 

Michael Ford
Coldwell Banker Heritage Homes - Marion, AR
Matching Families with Homes

I enjoy twitter just for fun.  When at a ball game I tweet a big score.  It's also fun to keep up with some of the athletes and their tweets.  It also help to continue to grow your business because young folks are looking to see what we are doing!

Dec 29, 2010 09:06 AM
Peggy Dowcett
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Concord, MA
978.302.3988, Concord, MA - Mass Real Estate

I am looking forward to using twitter better! Thanks for the help.

Dec 29, 2010 09:26 AM
Eric Shute
Cameron Real Estate Group - Norwood, MA
MA Real Estate Sales Agent

Thanks Chuck, Like you in the beginning, I have a twitter account and have not used it yet and still are not using it. Your post is very heplful. I will now try to get up and "Flying" with Twitter!

Dec 29, 2010 09:31 AM
Donna Foerster
HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO
Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

OK Chuck, you've got me sucked in now.  I've read all 3 posts.  I didn't understand the value of AR when I first started and it sounds similar.  I'll give it a shot.  I'm following you now. 

Dec 29, 2010 09:33 AM
Mahesh Mike Patel
First Team Real Estate - Anaheim Hills, CA
Call Me And Consider It Done!

Thanks for the more info...

I have been twitting ONE Way as will change that with more interaction, replies and retwitting....

HNY  Thanks fo the connect. @maheshmikepatel

Dec 29, 2010 09:38 AM
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Chuck, I know that many people use Twitter, I just can't get into it.  I have all I can do to keep up with all the other sites I work

Dec 29, 2010 11:16 AM
TERI LINDSAY
Reno, NV
STAGELIGHT HOME STAGING CO.

Twitter is my next "big thing" to tackle.  As a new business owner, I have learned so much about the internet, my business site, SEO, driving "traffic", etc.  And have learned most of it from AR and excellent help and suggestions such as yours..... thanks for the FYI on Twitter!  I am still somewhat confused with Facebook, and haven't quite gotten the hang of it yet and have started  terrible "rumors" totally unintentionally!  Learning by my mistakes!

Dec 29, 2010 01:20 PM
J. Philip Faranda
Howard Hanna Rand Realty - Yorktown Heights, NY
Associate Broker / Office Manager

Twitter has enormous power, but it isn't what people expect. I have seen the curation of great information on there, and I have gotten fast answers as well. 

Jan 02, 2011 11:42 PM
Rhonda Abbott
Howard Hanna - Wadsworth, OH
Wadsworth & Greater Akron, OH

I have not ventured into the Twitter arena just yet, but I have been toying with the idea of giving it a go.  Thanks for this great post on how I can maximize my efforts!

Jan 04, 2011 04:19 AM
Craig Daniels
Tech Training for You! - Staten Island, NY
Technology Instructor/Project Consultant

Twitter is amazing. When I first heard the idea, I thought I'd never like it. I've been able to connect with some amazing people that I never would have otherwise. Your blog posts on the topic hopefully will help a few more be curious to try it. Good info. :)

Jan 09, 2011 07:58 AM