Special offer

"I Just Don't Get Twitter" Part 2

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Joel McDonald -- www.AutomatedHomefinder.com

Twitter Part 2 of 3: Tapping into conversations with the locals.

Here is Part 1 if you missed it.

This is probably the easiest way to jump in and start engaging in conversation with people who live in your area, or who are talking about your area.  I've included various local searches for the sake of demonstration.  (Now in this case, I used Denver as an example, but you can easily change the searches to fit your local area. Once you change the search, you can bookmark that url for future reference.  You'll get the idea.)  


What's going on in your area? If someone mentions that they're visiting your city or state, send them a quick tweet to recommend a restaurant, or suggest a couple fun things to do.  If someone posts an interesting article from the Denver Post -- retweet it, or write your own blog post with your thoughts on the subject!  (Then, after you post the blog -- announce it on Twitter!) If someone talks about eating at a restaurant in Denver, ask them what they thought of it.)

Chat about a local sports team. When someone is tweeting about the Denver Broncos' latest trade and you have an opinion, enter that discussion! Someone talking about the upcoming Avalanche game? Give em a little ribbing about how your team is going to whoop theirs.

Local Get-Togethers: Notice that I also included a search for "tweetups" or "meetups".  This can potentially be the most powerful part of twitter.  Whether you're following them or not, if someone ever posts details about a tweetup in your area, do whatever you can to get involved with that conversation and get yourself to that tweetup!  The relationships you can strike up at those events are pure gold.  If you don't go, I can assure you that other Realtors in your area will, and they're going to poach the business you could have been getting.  I don't care how good your blog is, or what kind of CRM tool you have -- when it comes to doing business with you vs a Realtor® they've hung out with, networked with, and had some coffee or beers with during a local tweetup -- that Realtor® will win the majority of the time.

If you're not finding any tweetups in your area, START ONE!  Trust me -- there are tons of Twitterers out there who will jump at the chance to get together with other members of the Twittersphere and network.  Here is a post I made about a 40 person tweetup that happened on less than a week notice.  Not only are we making it a monthly tradition, but I've had lunch with one of the folks I met to see how else we can help each other, and am having lunch with 2 others this week.  It's better than any leads group I've ever been in!

Here is a link that includes yesterday's collection of general real estate topics, plus a collection of local topics people are talking about. Check em out, change the searches to fit your local preferences, and then start conversing with them!

And now, for part III - Which is probably the most fun part: Talking about things you love that probably have nothing to do with Real Estate, but can potentially be the most profitable part of Twitter.

Comments (38)

Connie Harvey
Pilkerton Realtors - Brentwood, TN
Realtor - Nashville TN Real Estate

Joel, I'm learning twitter right now. I don't always "get" it but I'm learning! Thanks.

Dec 02, 2008 05:56 AM
Justin Messer
Supreme Lending USDA, FHA, and Conventional Loans - Peachtree City, GA
Residential Loan Officer, USDA Rural Housing Loan

I am 100% new to Twitter and absolutely lost.  Hopefully, by part 3, I will have caught on.  Thanks for all the help!

Dec 02, 2008 06:06 AM
John Novak
Keller Williams Realty The Marketplace - Las Vegas, NV
Henderson, Las Vegas and Summerlin Real Estate

Great suggestions on monitoring local media and events on with Twitter. This is an easy way to help us grow our online presence as well as our sphere.

Dec 02, 2008 06:16 AM
Anonymous
Cidalia

Thanks for the information.  I have heard so much about Twitter and have not yet joined. I am off to go take a look and get involved.

 

Thanks again.

Dec 02, 2008 06:16 AM
#22
Mother Lode
Real Living Sugar Pine Realty - Sonora, CA
Real Estate Master

Thank you so much, Joel, for your time and content. I blog for a real estate company in Sonora, California and am really working hard in the social media arena for my boss especially in this down time in the market. Just getting going on twitter in the last few weeks. Your insights have been priceless. Mike C

Dec 02, 2008 06:28 AM
Emily Lowe
RE/MAX Homes and Estates, Lipman Group - Nashville, TN
Nashville TN Realtor

Yay Twitter - but let's not forget the bigger picture as well - getting to know people for who they are is equally good about Twitter!

Dec 02, 2008 06:46 AM
Margaret Goss
@Properties - Winnetka, IL
Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate

Finally, due to your posts, I am beginning to get the idea of Twitter.  Never knew about the grid but it's terrific!  Now I will start to look for a Twitter group (real people!)

Dec 02, 2008 06:48 AM
Mary Pope-Handy
Christie's International Real Estate Sereno - Los Gatos, CA
CRS, CIPS, ABR, SRES, Silicon Valley

Hi Joel,  I will check on the Tweetups (I knew about Meetups) and see what's going on with that in Silicon Valley. Thanks for the tip!

Dec 02, 2008 06:50 AM
Marty Remo
RE/MAX Benchmark- Marty Remo-CDPE, E-Pro - Monroe, NY
HV Home Team

Thanks for the post. I find that Facebook is easier.

Dec 02, 2008 07:12 AM
Missy Caulk
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate

I thank you for this, been following it for 30 minutes, fascinating. Now I can keep up the people and or topics I am interested in. @missycaulk

Dec 02, 2008 09:55 AM
The Somers Team
The Somers Team at KW Philadelphia - Philadelphia, PA
Delivering Real Estate Happiness

Great post ! Is great to network more through Twitter !!!  I am beginning to really like Twitter too : )

Dec 02, 2008 10:10 AM
TIM MONCRIEF
Tim Monciref - Austin, TX
Over 2,000 homes sold…..

thanks.... I am....sort of....figuring out the purpose of Twitter.  I have not figured out the motivation, but in time, hopefully, I will see it.

Dec 02, 2008 11:28 AM
Bo Hussung
Bell Title /Triserv LLC - Nashvle, TN

Darn it Joel.....you keep taking all my good ideas for my next post about Twitter..just kidding

Bo

Dec 02, 2008 11:30 AM
Charles Stallions
Charles Stallions Real Estate Services - Pensacola, FL
850-476-4494 - Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze, Fl.

Cool ready for my second lesson here. I am getting there with help from you and others. I will be back for three.

Dec 02, 2008 01:32 PM
Roland Woodworth
Blue Cord Realty - Clarksville, TN
Blue Cord Realty

Joel: Than you for your twitter series.. I too need to figure out twitter...

Dec 02, 2008 03:13 PM
Rich Rogala
Consistent Clients - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Marketing Coach

Great tips, especially for those who aren't sure how to use Twitter to generate conversations, interest, and eventually business. I especially like the Tweetup/Meetup tip. Haven't gotten to one of those yet!

Dec 02, 2008 07:14 PM
Sandy McAlpine
RE/MAX EXECUTIVE - Cornelius, NC
Search Lake Norman Homes For Sale - Lake Norman NC

a lot of college folks in my area using it. I thought about having a starbucks tweetup to meet them though!!! might be fun!

Dec 02, 2008 10:43 PM
Christine Wade
Christine Wade - Derby, VT
Operations Strategist / Online Business Manager

Wow - I didn't even know that people were doing "tweet ups" - I'm a big chicken in social gatherings, but perhaps it's time to step out of my shell and network with some people in my area!  Great series post, looking forward to Part III.

Dec 03, 2008 01:27 AM
Joel McDonald
Joel McDonald -- www.AutomatedHomefinder.com - Castle Pines North, CO

Thanks for the kind words everyone.

Part III is now posted: http://activerain.com/blogsview/810193/I-Just-Dont-Get-Twitter-Part-3-of-3

Dec 03, 2008 01:34 AM
SacramentoCommercialLoans Bank Turn downs welcomed
Sacramento commercial loans - Sacramento, CA
Quick closings 916-847-7212

Tweeter sounds good but with so many options it is easy to get caught up in another thing that is not as direct as other sites. Still something to look at. Thank you for the post

Dec 03, 2008 09:51 AM