Twitter: The Fundamentals You Need To Know

By
Real Estate Technology with CityBlast

 

 

While Twitter is synonymous with breaking news and celebrity gossip, there’s something else you should be thinking of when it comes to the platform.

 

Business.

 

That’s right – while most of its users login to the platform seeking out news, opinions and creativity, Twitter is the ideal platform for you to further your business’s social media efforts. Interacting with potential and current clients, increasing your brand’s profile and providing real-time customer service are some of the invaluable features the platform offers - and ones that you can’t afford not to utilize.

 

Twitter reports that 66% of its users have discovered a new small or medium-sized business (SMB) on the platform. 94% of users plan to purchase from the SMBs they follow. And 69% purchased from an SMB because of something they saw on Twitter.

 

To put it lightly: there’s vast opportunity for you to expand your business on Twitter. The numbers don’t lie: if you’re not tapping into this platform, you’re missing out.

 

So, you might be wondering how you can expand your reach and truly maximize your social media efforts with Twitter.

 

I thought this post would be a good opportunity to share with you some of the biggest opportunities on the platform - and what you need to keep in mind when you login.

 
 
 

Real-time customer service: results, now.

 

I’ve said it before: with attention spans shrinking and the volume of content growing, you need to stand out. Whether in person or online, we all know prompt customer service is essential. Twitter makes it easy for you to deliver on this: with instant, direct messaging you can reach out, follow up and resolve problems for customers in real time. And with Twitter's recent advent of auto replies and welcome messages for Direct Messages (meaning private, one-on-one conversations with users), it’s even easier to speed up your customer service.

 
 

Discovering your market

 

Tap into your local market and discover the latest listings, trends, and news - Twitter is an excellent way to gather information you need. Whether you’re researching a new neighbourhood, looking for your next listing or reaching out to potential clients in your area, there’s several ways to hone in on - or join - a particular conversation:

 
  • Hashtags: Become familiar with the most relevant ones for you. Whether it’s geographical or topical, there’s a wealth of information out there for you to discover. Joining conversations relevant to your business or area will give you more exposure.

 

  • Influencers: These are the authorities on a particular topic or area, who typically have acquired a sizeable audience of followers. Following and interacting with influencers in your market, area or industry is a good way to increase your visibility.

 

  • Content: Twitter posts are limited to 140 characters, making them perfect for so-called “snackable” pieces of content. Add photos or videos to create more engaging content that will attract an audience.

 
 

Think about your personal brand

 

Once you’re signed up and ready to start posting, start thinking about how you can engage your audience with useful, practical or interesting content related to your business. Are you an expert/authority on a particular issue? Do you have insight into something that others are interested in? And remember: authenticity is rewarded online. Mashable notes being authentic and staying true to your brand as essential in developing your Twitter presence.

 

Have experience on Twitter? Let me know in the comments!

 

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Comments (7)

Li Read
Sea to Sky Premier Properties (Salt Spring) - Salt Spring Island, BC
Caring expertise...knowledge for you!

Very savvy post...and greatly appreciated.

Nov 07, 2016 05:10 AM
Sharon Kolb
Atlanta Decatur Homes - Atlanta, GA
Broker - Atlanta Decatur Homes

Not a frequent Twitter user - perhaps I'll take another look. Good informative post!

Nov 07, 2016 10:02 AM
Anonymous
Donna Brown

I appreciate the link to Mashable to learn the basics of Twitter and Facebook. Thank you

Nov 07, 2016 11:16 AM
#3
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 - New Lenox, IL
708.921.6331 - 40+ yrs experience

You can count me as someone that likes Twitter, Shaun Nilsson ... I find it useful and interesting for many reasons.  It's taken me a while to gain an audience ... but I think it's been worth the effort.  Not sure I get business directly from Twitter, but I do believe that it improves my visibility and credibility immensely.

Gene

Nov 09, 2016 05:14 AM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

I have to take another look at Twitter.  I do not use it often.

Nov 09, 2016 10:54 AM
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

Just a casul user of Twtr.  The local company has another round of layoffs here. This time 9% more are booted out. Same with COO and poor top managment.

Unless TWTR can find a buyer with deep pocket soon, its future is at best a matter of months. Losing much money.... Most big players do not see how it fits to internet commerce business like FB.  

As for blogging I need to find more than one or two AR rainmakers who claim they are trying to find customers there....

 

Nov 09, 2016 01:23 PM
Steven Beam
RE/MAX Alliance - Parker Colorado Real Estate. - Parker, CO
Parker Colorado Real Estate

I've tried it several times over the years and cannot seem to get any traction from it. I personally think there are better ways to spend my time and generate leads. When I'm searching for something or want an update about a topic or event twitter never crosses my mind. 

Nov 09, 2016 01:39 PM