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How to Twitter - Part Four

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with The Tech Byte

How to Twitter - Part One : Why Twitter? Get signed uptwitter
How to Twitter - Part Two : Setting up your Profile
How to Twitter - Part Three: Follow and Get Followed

Today... Part Four will address The Conversation.

 

After you have accumulated some people that you follow, you will see them talking.  Time to join in!!  Twitter is only a good thing if you use it! 

I have some tips to share with you when you are thinking about what to write:

  1. Be yourself.
  2. Don't be a Salesy Real Estate Agent or other. Don't constantly ask, "Who wants to buy a home in Timbucktu?"
  3. Don't be Link Happy with your own posts.  Link up other posts that you have enjoyed reading - and most of the time, don't link at all.
  4. You aren't limited to "What are you Doing?" You can use "What are you thinking?" "What's for lunch?" "Here is my question for you" etc.  No rules!
  5. Don't use it like a chat room.  (I can be too chatty ::guilt face::)  If you continue one-on-one conversation - take it outside of twitter to a chat program, email, or phone call!

Now onto The Conversation.

To send a general message just type 140 characters or less into the box and enter:

Trying to decide whether to work on Inbox Zero, convert paper to .pdf files, or Twitter some more!

 

To direct your conversation to someone:(keep in mind, others can see your conversation)

@KimWood Congrats on your news of the day!! You are going to write for Mothers Fighting for Others !!

I just heard that @KimWood is a new writer at Mothers Fighting for Others !!! 
(The 1st suggestion is better, it is easier to view your replies if the name is at the beginning of the sentence)

 

To direct your conversation to more than one person:

@KimWood @HeadMutha @Respres Yay for the new Mothers Fighting for Others gig!

A new writer at Mother's Fighting for Others @KimWood @headmutha @respres yay!
or
@KimWood Congrats, that is great news!!!  @SarahWV You write for Mothers Fighting for Others, don't you?
(see the above example - better to put @names at the beginning of a sentence)

 

To send a private, direct message:  (the person you are sending the message to must follow you in order to DM them - but you can @reply)

d KimWood No wonder you were bursting at the seams to tell us.
D [SPACE] name then your message.

* What happens on the internet stays on the internet - just a quick reminder. Be careful with DMs.  What happens if you forget the space - or twitter has a hiccup?  (haha remembering VAR convo at breakfast and my DMs)

 

 

Most of all ... have fun!!!  Remember it gets more and more difficult to keep up the conversation after you have more and more followers.

 

Part Five - Extras on Twitter Web

 

Comments (32)

Thom Abbott
MyMidtownMojo.com |770.713.1505 | Intown Atlanta GA Condo Living - Atlanta, GA
Midtown Atlanta GA Condos For Sale

Hey Kim...we just started following each other last night, and I found your blog here on AR as well! Thanks for making some inroads as to why I should Twitter. Interesting note....it does not seem to be a big thing here in ATL, which is surprizing since ATL has been listed as one of the most "wired" cities in the US? And I live righ next to GATech....an TECHNOLOGY school! Interesting!

Oct 12, 2008 01:11 AM
Anonymous
Sarah Stelmok

Hi Kim!  Great tutorial!  I will be bookmarking this for one of my classes!  Please DM me if that's not cool with you.  And congrats on the new gig! 

Oct 12, 2008 03:04 AM
#14
Sassy Skelton
Staged Right Professional Home Staging Colorado Springs - Colorado Springs, CO

Good tips!  I keep learning more about Twitter.  For example, I thought I could only up date "what I'm doing".

thanks!

Oct 12, 2008 03:08 AM
Lisa Glowacki
Lisa Glowacki - Rhode Island & Massachusetts - Tiverton, RI
Real Estate Broker - RI & MA

Kim,

Thank you so much.  You can even imagine how much help you have been. I still have many questions and look forward to part 5. What happens it I type in What are you doing? when I am in the side bar @replies? How come some profiles have an Action message, nudge? Is that part 5 or maybe 6, 7? 

Thanks Again,

Lisa

Oct 13, 2008 07:22 AM
Margaret Goss
@Properties - Winnetka, IL
Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate

Kim

Thanks for all the information - I signed up to follow many people in your list.  So I've tried it, but what the heck are all those people "twittering" about?  I just don't understand a word they're saying.  It sounds like nonsense and I don't know where to begin.

 

Margaret G

Oct 13, 2008 08:42 AM
Jared Wangsgard
Holladay, UT

Great advice. How do you incorporate a plug for your business when twittering without being salesy? I don't want to be salesy but I do want people to know what I do. Thanks

Oct 14, 2008 02:45 AM
Sonja Adams
Keller Williams Realty - Purcellville, VA

Thanks for the info...I did not know how to converse with people directly...

Oct 14, 2008 04:48 AM
Randall Schrader
Competitive Insurance of Dundee - Dundee, FL

Twitter sounds like a great way for people to tune in and follow along.  How many followers do you expect to have?  (As a goal?)

Oct 16, 2008 03:12 AM
Anthony Stokes-Pereira
Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty - Nanuet, NY
Realtor

Hi Kim;

I am a member of TWITTER, I thank you...............................................

Oct 20, 2008 11:34 AM
No Longer Active in Staging. No Longer Staging
Hickory, NC

Hi Kim, Thanks for the info, I just started following you. I am @StagerNC  God bless,

Oct 22, 2008 05:53 AM
Jen Bowman
Keller Williams on the Water - Holmes Beach, FL
Realtor - Anna Maria Island & Bradenton FL

Thanks Kim! As you know, I'm on Twitter, but I don't think I'm really good at it, yet. I've still got some work to do.

Oct 23, 2008 09:01 AM
Eileen Begley
Coldwell Banker, DelMonte - Carmel, CA
Monterey Real Estate

Ok, read your other post.  Still have not followed anyone but will do it soon. Thanks for the info. Also liked your comment that you have to try it for it to start making sense. 

Oct 24, 2008 02:53 AM
Tammie Mize
Keller Williams Realty - Cypress, TX

OMG... Thank You!!!  I joined twitter over two weeks ago, but wasn't using it... I've read your first 4 posts & you are a life-saver.  Plz keep sharing the info.

Oct 26, 2008 05:04 PM
Lon Reed
SwingSign Corporation - San Antonio, TX
We Buy Houses - Nationwide

Hi Kim, Thanks for the lessons on Twitter. I joined and started following you. I am @LonReed Thanks again for the information.

Nov 17, 2008 03:02 AM
Ed & Cindy Knight
Rooms Realty - Washington Township, MI

Thanks Kim I have been meaning to do this - on to tip #5 and finding some followers.

Nov 17, 2008 07:12 AM
Harrison K. Long
HomeSmart, Evergreen Realty - Irvine, CA
REALTOR , GRI, Broker associate, Attorney

Kim ... thanks for this article 4 on how to twitter and your help today. However, I don't get what you said at:  To send a private, direct message:  (the person you are sending the message to must follow you in order to DM them - but you can @reply)

d KimWood No wonder you were bursting at the seams to tell us.
D [SPACE] name then your message.

What?  Perhaps I should go back to lesson 3. On the other hand, I don't need to send too many private messages anyway. Harrison

Nov 17, 2008 05:48 PM
Anonymous
Judy Sepac

Just trying to get familiar with Twitter. My head is swimming. Feeling dense tonight!
Appreciate your tips so much. I've sent my twitter to you and await your reply. Will that come to my e-mail?  Judy

Nov 23, 2008 12:42 PM
#29
Keith Pound
EXIT REALTY CRUTCHER - Louisville, KY
Realtor, Auctioneer - Louisville, KY - 502-645-5950

It's growing on me... but need to find out more

Jan 15, 2009 02:23 PM
Joanne O'Donnell
Chic Home Interiors - Oakland, CA

You have made a big difference to me in my comfort level, time will tell if anyone actually follows me, but appreciate the leg up.  Now on to Part 5!

Joanne O'Donnell, Chic Home Interiors

Feb 01, 2009 02:09 AM
Wendy Welborne-Kimery
Keller Williams-Lake Norman Mooresville,NC - Mooresville, NC

I'm trying to learn more about Twitter.  It was suggested I join the tweeter group and follow both your blog and Paul's blog.  I look forward to learning more by reading your blog.  My post had asked if anyone could give me advice on whether I should just jump in or read up more on Twitter before I try it.

Feb 01, 2009 09:47 PM