Twitter as a Tool in the Industry
Twitter now changes all of that. It allows you to send text-based posts or micro-blogs (up to 140
characters, about a sentence long) to the Twitter website, multiple cell phones, IM services, or
Facebook. Twitter's technology now means that you can reach anyone that has a cell phone with
text messaging capability. These micro-blogs, or "Tweets" in Twitter lingo, opens up new
possibilities for real estate professionals.
For larger real estate companies and brokers, it allows you to communicate information in real time
via cell phone. Price and rate changes, new listings and sold properties in the market, or seminars,
meetings and events can now be disseminated to every member of the organization with one
message to any phone with text messaging capability. Team members can share tips and
information on activities and accomplishments all without the need for a smart phone.
But the individual real estate sale sassociate may benefit most by using Twitter. While individuals
within a real estate organization may each have a smart phone with Web and email capability,
many of your potential clients may not. The ability to communicate a drop in the asking price of a
property, or a new listing to multiple potential buyers instantly to their cell phone is a good way to
stay one step ahead of the competition. Plus, you can send an informational "Tweet" to clients with
a link to a website, article or event. A simple text message with a link to a newspaper article
describing plans for a new school in the community can pique a buyer's interest - and position you
as a knowledgeable and responsive sales associate that's constantly investigating the best possible
residence for their clients.
Making Twitter Work for You
To get started on Twitter, you can go directly to their website, www.twitter.com, to join and get
information on what Twitter is and does. However, the best source of information on how to use
Twitter as a marketing and informational tool comes from real estate professionals currently using
it. There are a number of sites, articles and blogs out there, but four of the best are:
• The WAV Group's article, "Twitterstate: Twitter for Real Estate Professionals"
(http://waves.wavgroup.com/twitterstate-twitter-for-real-estate-professionals )
• Union Street Media's blog, "Twitter for Real Estate or Business"
(http://www.unionstreetmedia.com/blog/twitter-for-real-estate-or-business/ )
• Daniel Rothamel's blogs on agentgenius.com, "Welcome to Social Media for Real Estate 101:
Twitter" (http://agentgenius.com/?p=239 ); and "I Wish More Real Estate Bloggers Would
Use Twitter" (http://agentgenius.com/?p=182 )
• Joel Burslem's article on future Of Real Estate.com, "Using Twitter to Listen to Your
Customers" (http://www.futureofrealestatemarketing.com/using-twitter-tolisten-to-yourcustomers )
•
Each of these offers useful insights, evaluations and tips on how Twitter can be used by real estate
professionals. Plus, the links included can provide additional valuable information on the uses of
social media and networking. Read what others in the real estate market are saying, and then
decide if Twitter can be a useful tool for communicating with your clients and peers. Before you
know it, posting your daily "Tweets" may become as much of a habit as checking the MLS listings.
This article is for informational purposes only. Please refer to each respective website for the Terms of Service. As with any content posting you should consult your own attorney as to any legal considerations that should be contemplated prior to participation.
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