This is the first in a series of posts that will discuss some of the best strategies to use social media and make a difference in your business. You can find the other posts here:
- Why Twitter is different and how to use it to get results
- How Twitter and Facebook are taking us back to the future
- Coming soon: Using Twitter to build critical connections for your business
- Coming soon: Finding the right leads on Twitter
- Coming soon: Managing your recommendations effectively
- Coming soon: How to spend less time getting leads on Twitter
It is based on trends in society in the way we interact with one another. Many of the points I make are taken from this book by Gary Vaynerchuk. But before I get started, let me point out that I am not an expert. In fact, nobody is a social media expert and I caution you to avoid those that claim the title. The first thing you need to know is that Twitter is NOT a microblogging site. Then what is it?
First, lets look at some common media tools:
- Advertising allows you to send your message out to the world where people will see it. You can't see what those people think.
- Facebook lets two people decide to connect. Those people can now have a conversation and see what each other think.
- Twitter lets you send your message out to the world where people (your followers) will see it. You can also see what anyone is thinking!
Most people on Twitter try to get as many followers as possible and then try to push out a message. This is how advertising works, but it doesn't get you anywhere on Twitter. Instead, you should approach Twitter like you are sitting in a coffee shop and you overhear a conversation. If you heard someone next to you say they needed to find an attorney that specializes in real estate transactions, wouldn't you politely offer a reference or advice? That is great marketing! That person had a need, you helped them to solve their problem, and you gave them your business card. Now you have a relationship and have established yourself as a resource for that person. Next time they or one of their friends are looking for a real estate agent, you are likely to be considered.
Think of Twitter as a coffee shop that includes millions of people all talking with one another. All you have to do is listen!
I searched Twitter for real estate recommend. I am looking for people that need some sort of recommendation having to do with real estate where I might be able to offer my expertise and opinion. I am not just looking for people that need an agent. Lets see what I found:
As you can see, we have requests for an agent in TN, a lawyer in Dallas, a CPA, and an agent in Cincinnati. If you were in one of those places, you could reply to one of these people and send them to someone that is exceptional. The best way to do that is to tell them who or where to go and why. Don't simply say, "Use John Smith Attorney, he is really great!" That is better than nothing, but if you really want to wow someone, tell them "Use John Smith Attorney, I have worked with him personally and he is really great at short sales." The other person will almost certainly thank you, they might ask some follow-up questions, and they might even follow you. This follower is better than most because you now have a real connection with that person.
If you want to use Twitter to build your personal brand, start treating it like a coffee shop. Find a few people every day that have a problem you can help solve. And one last thing. Don't spam your listings. You will chase away good followers that way. Just use it to engage in conversations with people.
Next time I will be talking about how to use some tools to make sure you don't spend too much time searching for the right things.
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