Hi Barbara:  Your concern is valid and real but it's a concern with nearly every online media outlet.  Needless to say, one has to always keep this in mind.  Someone could follow me to my car, to work, to the grocery store, etc.  Same problems, different delivery system.

As Josef stated, I've interacted with people whom I most like never would have had the opportunity to have ever meet.  As with Active Rain, I've made countless contacts throughout the country in regards to our real estate investing business.  I've learned new tricks on how to collect data, better ways to market and grow our business, and specific market information from local experts.

Can I quantify it in dollars?  No, but either could I with Active Rain.  I believe it's a steady build.

It's not an easy tool to get and it's frustrating in the beginning, but the networking is educational and well worth it in my opinion.

Thank you Alan.  Definitely not my intention but a beneficial occurrence if we make good and follow through with the connections we make.

Actually, I use Twitter quite extensively to automatically broadcast blog postings that I've written on our different sites in an attempt to deliver traffic and, hopefully, out of this traffic, we generate a target audience who reads what we say and discovers a potential connection with us.

If someone learns of us from Twitter, goes to our sites, and still wants to contact us ... well, you know the rest!

First off, thank you for all of the comments thus far!

I'm not going to get into a tutorial here but I will say that one of the ways I personally try to filter the information that I'm viewing is by using the "Search" feature (bottom of most Twitter pages).

For example, I start off searching for something specific, "Real Estate Investing".  This search will usually always get you Tweets.  If your search is too specific, make it a touch more generic (the usual rules apply).

From there, start reading the Tweets, more importantly, click on the poster of the Tweet (image to the left of the message) to read their "Bio".  If their profile seems to cover what you're interested in, "Follow" them.  If not, move on to the next.  The Tweets will be listed starting with the most recent comment / Tweet.

Our "Bio" reads:  "Real estate perspective from actual real estate investors."  If you're interested in investing in real estate, you would want to follow us.  If you're interested in XBox gaming, move on and search for like-minded Tweeters. 

On your "home" page, you will see the Tweets of those you're following and you won't be bogged down by the millions of other Tweets regarding subjects that you're not interested in.

Hopefully a beneficial tip for newbies or wannabes.

For all those that continue to comment, thank you.  I apologize for not thanking the A | R powers at be earlier for featuring my post.  Thank you, too.  We're all so worried about Google juice we sometimes forget about the A | R juice!

I wanted to add a quick note for those who are struggling to find time in their schedule to use Twitter.  It really doesn't take that much time.  Of course, in the beginning, it does take time to search and find contacts who share your interests.  Upon doing so, you merely need to keep a browser window or tab open to your "home" page and check in every so often.  Refresh your page to get the most recent comments and quickly scan for any seemingly interesting news or links.  That's it.  If you like something you see, cordially respond with a quick Tweet thanking the poster or letting them know you will be checking out what they've presented.  After doing so, click the little "favorite this update" star to the right of the Tweet.  You can't see this until you mouse-over the Tweet.  The entire Tweet will highlight upon mouse-over allowing you to "reply" or "favorite this update".  Upon clicking the "favorite this update" button, that Tweet will be stored and can be found by clicking on your "Favorites" link, located in the right toolbar, on your "profile" page.  When you get time in your schedule, go back to your "profile" page and pursue your "favorite" leads.

Your going to miss a lot.  It's okay.  You can't possibly soak up everything nor should you waste your time trying.  Remember the deal of a lifetime comes by once a week.

Secondly, to find contacts that you want to follow, make life easy on yourself.  You can go to my profile page or numerous other A | R member profile pages and check out who they're following.  If you like what we have to say and share similar interests, odds are you might be interested in who we are following.

Lastly, I will give an example of how this does work for business for those who remain reluctant in using the Twitter tool. 

I'm following a Real Estate investor in South Carolina.  His website seems to have information directly related to our day to day business functions (renovating homes, general real estate investing, etc.).  I discovered him on Twitter.  We've Tweeted a handful of times, reviewed each others websites and are now proceeding towards a phone meeting.  What will come of it?  Who knows.  What I do know is that it appears to be a solid lead with potential.  Exactly what I'm after.

I hate this analogy, but I'm going to use it anyway.  It reminds me of dating (no longer as I'm happily married with a 20 month old daughter and another little one on the way).  If you like what you see after a friendly social gathering, you perhaps suggest to the apple of your eye to go out for a cup of coffee.  If the cup of coffee goes well, perhaps it's time for dinner.  If dinner goes well, it's time to spend the day together ......

Again, simply scan and review what seems pertinent.  If it's pertinent, "favorite" it, and then spend the time to research it.  Finally, if it still seems legitimate, pursue the lead.

Sorry, my "quick note" got a bit long-winded.  Thank you A | R, you could never do this on Twitter!