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1st Commandment for Real Estate Agents on Twitter

By
Real Estate Agent with Resident Realty FA.100079118

twitterSelling real estate on Twitter requires you to keep one simple thing in mind.... Don't!  Do not do it!  Don't even think about it!  Stop it!  Quit!  Right this minute!

You are looking at it all wrong.  In order to use Twitter effectively you have to just talk to people, build relationships and add value.  Constantly tweeting that "This #Spokane home is ready for you to move in" isn't value, it isn't interesting and it doesn't build relationships.  Tweeting links to your website for people to find out how much their home is worth is the same.  So is inviting your Twitter audience to search the MLS on your website.

All of that might get you a few clicks, and I'm guessing that you are actually considering that a success (or your social media manager is telling you it is a success).  But is it really?  Did you get to know that click?  No.  Did you add that click to your sphere of influence?  No.  Did you irritate more of your audience?  Yes.

Selling real estate on Twitter needs to stop immediately!  The time has come to join the conversation instead of constantly airing your "commercials" in people's Twitter streams.  Speaking from experience, I can say that Twitter is fun.  There are a lot of really cool people out there.  Most of the people I consider among my best friends I met through Twitter.  Many of the people I consider my best clients I met through Twitter.  Trust me, if you stop trying to sell right this minute and start engaging, here are a few of the things you can look forward to:

  1. Free tickets to Broadway shows
  2. Free coffee
  3. Free tickets to baseball games
  4. Free tickets to Arena Football games
  5. Free concerts
  6. Best of all.... great friends <-- I think those are near the center of that Sphere of Influence thingy

I conclude my series of posts on Selling Real Estate On Twitter with this plea... Please, for the love of God, STOP IT!  It is entirely possible, maybe even likely, that you are interesting... even though you work so hard to hide it with your Twitter activity.

Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

"  The time has come to join the conversation instead of constantly airing your "commercials" in people's Twitter streams."    I think this says it all.. I have to spend more time building relationships on Twitter.

Aug 07, 2013 12:18 PM
Wayne Zuhl
Remax First Realty II - Cranford, NJ
The Last Name You'll Ever Need in Real Estate
Kevin, Grat post and excellent advice. Smart tweeting can lead to business if done right.
Aug 07, 2013 12:53 PM
Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

Kevin, I agree with your approach.  I find Twitter frustrating because the messages are brief and for the most part disjointed.

Aug 07, 2013 12:55 PM
Kevin Ray
Resident Realty - Aurora, CO
REALTOR & U.K. Real Estate Consultant

Joan

I liked that bit too, thanks for reading and commenting :)  I really appreciate it

Aug 07, 2013 01:02 PM
Kevin Ray
Resident Realty - Aurora, CO
REALTOR & U.K. Real Estate Consultant

Wayne & Jean

Thanks! Yes if done right, Twitter can be a huge source of business... and fun

Aug 07, 2013 01:03 PM
Kevin Ray
Resident Realty - Aurora, CO
REALTOR & U.K. Real Estate Consultant

Sharon

I think that is a common view of Twitter, I have found that if you spend time getting to know the nuances of Twitter it looks less and less disjointed and starts to make a lot more sense.

Aug 07, 2013 01:04 PM
Pamela Seley
West Coast Realty Division - Murrieta, CA
Residential Real Estate Agent serving SW RivCo CA

No one likes commercials, or ads. I would never think of using twitter or facebook to sell real estate. 

Aug 07, 2013 01:34 PM
Kevin Ray
Resident Realty - Aurora, CO
REALTOR & U.K. Real Estate Consultant
Pamela Thanks for commenting
Aug 07, 2013 02:02 PM
Ralph Gorgoglione
Metro Life Homes - Palm Springs, CA
California and Hawaii Real Estate (310) 497-9407
Thanks for setting us up for success with your Twitter experience!
Aug 07, 2013 03:31 PM
MichelleCherie Carr Crowe .Just Call. 408-252-8900
Get Results Team...Just Call (408) 252-8900! . DRE #00901962 . Licensed to Sell since 1985 . Altas Realty - San Jose, CA
Family Helping Families Buy & Sell Homes 40+ Years

So tell me more about all of these cool freebies-or is the idea that I'm supposed to provide them for others?

Aug 07, 2013 04:37 PM
Michele Peterson
Sellstate Realty First - Roseville, CA
Sellstate Realty First

Of all the Twitter books I bought and never followed up with.. Your post is far wiser and much more concise.

Thank you for the great advice.

Aug 07, 2013 05:22 PM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

Not every social medium is meant for every message....bravo !

Aug 07, 2013 10:00 PM
Kevin Ray
Resident Realty - Aurora, CO
REALTOR & U.K. Real Estate Consultant

Ralph

Thanks for the comment!

Aug 07, 2013 10:20 PM
Kevin Ray
Resident Realty - Aurora, CO
REALTOR & U.K. Real Estate Consultant

Michelle

Well, it can go either way.  In Spokane, there is a pretty active social media community and there is pretty much always one or two contests or giveaways going on.  Several different companies will give away tickets to local baseball, arena football or hockey games and the Best of Broadway shows and similar things.  Usually by having you re-tweet their message to be entered to win.  Also I have gotten to know, and become friends with the marketing and social media departments of a lot of large companies in this area including some of the news stations, one of the large casinos, those folks always have tickets to and stuff for promos.  Just being active in social media and getting to know the prominant people in the area opens lots of doors for fun things as well as business opportunities.

Aug 07, 2013 10:28 PM
Kevin Ray
Resident Realty - Aurora, CO
REALTOR & U.K. Real Estate Consultant

Michele

You are welcome, and thank you for the kind words.

Aug 07, 2013 10:29 PM
Kevin Ray
Resident Realty - Aurora, CO
REALTOR & U.K. Real Estate Consultant

Sally & David

Thanks for your comment :)

Aug 07, 2013 10:29 PM
Cheryl Johnson
Highland Park, CA

Ditto and Double Ditto for FaceBook, GooglePlus and all the rest ...

That said, sometimes I do post listings and open houses on my FaceBook status  ... and sometimes that is because I am just simply too darned tired out to say anything clever and witty.....

P S I wouldn't mind some free baseball tickets ... front row, first base line ... ya got some extras???  :-)

Aug 07, 2013 11:41 PM
Kevin Ray
Resident Realty - Aurora, CO
REALTOR & U.K. Real Estate Consultant

Cheryl

Hahaha thanks for reading and I will send you the next bunch of tickets I get.... for the Spokane Indians...  Thank you so much for commenting

Aug 08, 2013 12:00 AM
Stephanie Arnett
Mississippi Magnolia - Starkville, MS
Forbes | Inman | BossBabe | Newsweek | Tom Ferry

TRUE!!

Aug 08, 2013 01:00 AM
Kevin Ray
Resident Realty - Aurora, CO
REALTOR & U.K. Real Estate Consultant

Steph

Thanks!

Aug 08, 2013 01:26 AM