Twitter: I'm about to take the plunge, but already need help!

Melissa - I would use you personal name just like Jason recommended. I've been on twitter for a few months now and am note sure of the benefits of it.

The biggest recommendation I would have on Twitter is to download Tweet Deck, a free software program.  It allows you to sort tweets by groups and/or subject, it makes it much easier to track conversations and it has the tiny URL converter built in.  You can even track your friends' Facebook status and post to Facebook through Twitter.  It can be a processor hog on your machine, I open it and close it, I don't leave it open all the time.

I disagree with anyone who limits who they follow and who they allow to follow them.  Twitter is all about developing an audience, which you hope leads to relationships, which you hope leads to prospects, which you hope leads to transactions.  Limiting that audience seems counter intuitive to what Twitter is about.

I do NOT tweet about random things during the day.  I spend 15-20 minutes a day reading tweets, responding to those that relate to real estate and local issues.  I think that Twitter should follow the same ratio as your blog, about 80% non listings and 20% listings.

Hope that helps - feel free to contact me with any other questions. 

Make the commitment and consistently participate with the tool -- whether it be once a week, every couple of days or every day -- start it and keep it going based upon what you can commit to and give it some time to work for you.

Before you jump into twitter...go to www.mytechopinion.com and download the ebook on using twitter for real estate by my good friend Nicole aka @Nik_Nik.  It is my Bible...and it will answer a generous portion of your questions.  Believe me, its totally worth it.

Just remember that the end result of whatever platforms people decide to do is to build relationships.  You forget that and your blogging will be worthless.  It is more important to tell someone how to bake a pie than to pitch your favorite home.  People do not care what you have, they care what they desire.

Melissa, GO FOR IT and good luck. I still haven't found that elusive time in the day on my part so I want to know how you are doing post-Twitter immersion. I really don't need MORE exposure. I have ENOUGH friends!!

Melissa - aren't you smart to put your questions about Twitter out in the Rain!  You've got some great tips too (Becky about TweetDeck is right on!). 

My 2 cents... remember whatever name you pick try and keep it short - it does become part of the 140 characters you get to tweet with.  Secondly - it's like anything else - it does take a bit of  time to get accustomed to Twitter but once you've done some reading - watch some videos on YouTube - you'll be tweeting to beat the band!  And all in just minutes. 

Funny - I now find myself checking Twitter before email...  who'd have thought...

@RaleighOnline

Melissa,

Have fun with it!  It's all about relationships.  I've connected with a lot of people in my community that I didn't expect to want to follow me.

Thanks everyone for all the tips!  Check out www.tweetlister.com for a Twitter tool for real estate listings!

I'm still working on Twitter myself.  One thing you can do is have your blog posts here in AR automatically post there.  Some don't think it's a good idea, but it will help you get on Twitter.

I use it almost as a news flash platform for my current data base. I do not put things like what I had to eat and stuff. I mainly post links to articles that relate to real estate. I think it is a great tool to pass out information more than using it to socialize. 

Glad you started this post Melissa, it's got me thinking about Twitter now too. I have an account there, but never tweet, because I just don't get what all the fuss is about...(I'm not very good in arranging my thoughts in less that 160 characters either.:-) Your post and all the comments here have got me thinking though. - Thanks!!

Hi Melissa -- I have not taken the plunge as I don't have the time for yet another social media strategy, so I am curious how yours will work out, thanks for sharing, lots of good comments here.

I have started using Ping.fm to update all of my social sites at once.  It is a time saver!

Twitter is interesting, but remember that you need to interact, not just broadcast information. 

I have been on twitter for several months now. I'm not as active as others that I follow.. It is a great program

I've just started with Twitter. It looks like you are getting a lot of good advice from all these comments. 

Melissa, I jumped in to Twitter in May and have enjoyed it. It's been a slow process but there rae really no m istake that can be made beyond obvious gaffes. I like Jason and Tim's suggestions, try it!

Also, you should post youtr Twitter address, mine is @russellmlewis  see you there!

Follow me!!

http://www.twitter.com/gustygulas

I am starting to see results from my tweets after being on there for about 4 months. I have had other bloggers blog about me and how I showcase Birmingham Alabama Foreclosures. I made twitter my platform as well as facebook and doing the same with activerain to become an online leader in my community for real estate.

One suggestion is to be personal. I tweet thruout the day with what I am doing and thenthrow in some random real estate posts everyday. People don't like to be bombarded with real estate over and over.

For your short sale pleasure, I would come up with your city shortsale specialist or something along those lines and connect with other people that deal with shortsales.

Good Luck!!

Hi Melissa, thanks for asking the question!  Good comments here, and I will be anxious to see how it works for you.  I have not taken the plunge..I was wondering the same things that you were, so I got a lot of answers from your post.  Congrats on the feature, too!