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What is Twitter?

Twitter is a social networking and micro-blogging service.

It enables its users to send and read other users' updates known as tweets.

These tweets are text-based posts of up to 140 characters in length.

Updates are displayed on the user's profile page and delivered to other users who have signed up to receive them.

Senders can restrict delivery to those in their circle of friends.

Posted by Greg Afarian on 03/06/2009 09:01 PM

Comments (14)

Social Media in the ActiveRain Channel

social media, twitter, facebook, greg afarian, zipvo, zipvogreg, zipvocom, real estate, re bar camp, mass association of realtos, amy chorew

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14 Comments on What is Twitter?

MAR

Greg it amazes me that there are still people out there that have no clue what twitter is when it's been around for years. I admit I havent been on that long but to have no clue.

Hey Heather, Thanks for the response... The truth is, it's absolutely AMAZING how little some people know about the importance of social media and what's going on out there. Like social media expert Gary Vaynerchuk says.... If people don't want to embrace it, the better opportunity it is for you....

Hummm. I just joined twitter a few days ago but still can't figure out it's significance.

I'm familiar with Twitter, but maybe it's because I don't "tweet" often enough and don't have many followers that I haven't really connected with it. The fact that I'm addicted to Active Rain & Facebook probably doesn't really help either. I need to spend more time tweeting!

Robin, Some people say that and I am afraid they are missing the point.... It's the same type of networking you may do by going to like Rotary Club or Kiwanis gathering. Twitter is about talking / updating friends and your network by using simple messages 140 characters or less in an effective way.... The goal is to have people follow you that have like interests to start conversations and relationships that will bring you business over time.

I joint Twitter a few weeks ago but I can't say I really get it. There are so many social networks out there I find myself just getting lost. So I just pick the ones I like and forget the rest.

Nishika, Twiiter fits in perfect with the Facebook and ActiveRain Communities. What I would suggest is that you invite your friends and potential customers on Twitter to keep in touch with them. Over time you'll grow your follower base and engage you in conversation that eventually will get you business that otherwise couldn't of been possible.... Twitter is a very powerful social networking tool!

Connie.... I don't think Twitter is one of those tools I would forget about. You're right that there are a lot out there but, the power of connecting with people the way Twitter allows you to is really incredible!

There is no way that we can belong to all of the social networks and still be productive human beings. I've been purposely staying away from Twitter because I'm on Facebook, LinkedIn, Plaxo now and Active Rain, not to mention MySpace. All of these can keep lines of communication open with others. You can gently remind people of what you do for a living on some networks and go all out with your business on others. It's knowing what's acceptable on which sites that you have to figure out.

If you ask me.... Twitter and Facebook are the best two "social networks" to be on as far as networking and to use platforms like ActiveRain, our site (Zipvo) to place your professional content on (Real Estate specific sites).

IMO... I think MySpace is not the best place to be as a Real Estate Professional and LinkedIn is really only useful to post resumes but that's my opinion. But, you are right about acceptable content. Even though it is on-line.... It is real life stuff that ends up building relationships that achieve the goal you're looking for.

MAR

Hey Greg, Thanks for including me in your example. :)

MAR

thanks this was helpful, i'm off to create my twitter account now...

how did you settle in on your username?

Hey Dan... Well, that was sort of easy. My company name is Zipvo & my name is Greg so I cam up with ZipvoGreg for my twitter name... Some people use Real Estate or house or whatever it is you're interested in.... Good luck and have fun!

APR

I must admit that I do have a twitter and mysteriously have a few dozen followers, but have never really figured out how to use it or subscribed to anyone else. Not sure I really want to hear updates about other people and what they are doing.

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