This is the fourth post in a series on using social media to grow your real estate business.
Of the social media we've covered so far, Twitter is probably the least familiar to you. But don't worry—that's about to change.
Twitter is what's called a “microblogging” site. Users can post short messages of 140 characters or less, or post individual photos or videos. These posts are called Tweets. Twitter has become a popular medium for organizations to make important announcements and for celebrities and other public figures to connect directly with supporters.
Here's the rundown on how it works and ways to use it to market your business.
Statistics*
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Twitter has over 500 million users.
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About 200 million people account for most Twitter activity, including account updates, “follow” requests (more on that in a minute), and sending Tweets.
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Generation X (25-44-year-olds), an ideal demographic for real estate professionals, makes up about 33% of all Twitter users.
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About 20% of Generation Xers use Twitter on a daily basis.
How Twitter Works
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As with LinkedIn and Facebook, you create a Twitter profile that serves as your homepage.
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In addition to sending Tweets, you can “follow” other Twitter users. This means that their Tweets will appear on your homepage for you to read.
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You can also respond to Tweets or re-Tweet them, much like commenting on or sharing material on Facebook.
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When tweeting, you can use a hashtag (the # symbol, followed by a keyword or phrase) to create or join a particular conversation. Twitter users can then search for Tweets using that hashtag and see the entire conversation at once. For instance, during the May 2010 Nashville flood, tweeters used #nashvilleflood when sharing information about the flood's progress, water rationing, or where to find shelters.
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To address someone directly, use the @ symbol and that user's Twitter handle (e.g., @janedoe or @fabulousrestaurant) in your Tweet. Your Tweet will then appear on that user's homepage. You can send a private Tweet to someone by prefacing their handle with “PM.”
Tips for Using Twitter
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As with Facebook, keep in mind that your Twitter account will be part of your business' public image. Protect your privacy by maintaining separate Twitter accounts for personal and business use, and don't tweet anything you wouldn't want associated with your business.
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Maintain a consistent look. Your Twitter homepage (fonts, photos, etc.) should complement your business website and your business Facebook page, if you have them.
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Twitter is meant to be personal. Keep it informal, let your unique voice come through, and don't be afraid to add some fun every now and then.
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With its 140-character limit, Twitter is a great place for short, punchy announcements. If you just listed a famous historic home, won a major award, or joined a new brokerage, Twitter is a great place to celebrate that.
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As with Facebook, don't saturate your audience with marketing; tweet value-added information, too. For instance, re-tweet the announcement of a new restaurant opening in one of your market's hot neighborhoods, or share a link to an article about a beautiful kitchen renovation.
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When you first join Twitter, find some related users to follow. For example, if you sell a lot of historic homes, follow your city's historic preservation board; or if you specialize in vacation homes, follow the tourism board in your market. To help raise your visibility, contribute meaningfully to some of the conversations these users start.
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Use hashtags judiciously. Ask yourself, “Is this information people would really like to have a conversation about?” If the answer is yes, hash away.
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Twitter has a great guide on how to use Twitter for your business. Read it.
Hopefully, I've demystified Twitter a bit for you. Check back in a few days for the final post in my social media series!
*from TechCrunch and the Pew Research Center
Other posts in this series:
Social Media as a Marketing Tool
Using LinkedIn to Grow Your Professional Network
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