Do you know someone using social media who just doesn’t get the “social” part of it? Every post is a one-way ad that says “Buy from me” or “call me”. Yep, we all know those folks, and it’s a turn-off, isn’t it? That’s why this post is important.
If you’re in real estate, here are some tips for how to use Twitter in a way that connects with others, builds trust and avoids that “spammy real estate person” vibe. The five RE pros below from the Sacramento / Placer area have a good grasp of how to use Twitter effectively. I highly recommend following them to get to know them and watch how they work their magic. There is of course no one formula to follow, but here are some nuggets for your consideration:
Tamara Dorris, Realtor in Carmichael CA
Twitter Handle: @TamaraDorris
Website: www.inlovewithsacto.tv/
1) Find and follow local tweeters.
2) Attend or coordinate a local tweet up so you have the opportunity to meet people face to face now and then.
3) Re-tweet interesting and useful information.
4) Never make it all about you—focus on other people and their tweets and accomplishments.
5) Keep your tweets 90% fun and informative and about 10% promotional, and even then, have fun with it.
Heather Ostrom, Realtor in Roseville CA
Twitter Handle: @RosevilleRockLn
Website: www.rosevilleandrocklin.com/
My approach to Twitter is more a reflection of my personality: I like to make people laugh, interact with others and take care of my local community by spreading their news and needs – I am lucky to have a medium-sized twitter following to push knowledge to a larger audience – locally and nationally. At 5100+ followers – I’m no Real Estate Lady Gaga, but I do have a “Good Romance” with Twitter.
Real estate-related items are only a small percentage of my tweets (probably 10-20%) – the reality is, in my opinion, who wants to read about listings or blog posts constantly? Tweeting just listings and blog posts is “twitter cave yelling” in my opinion and it’s a turn-off and comes off quite spammarific.
Advice nuggets: organize the info with Tweetdeck or Hootsuite into columns, and observe by tag terms “real estate” (searches like #Rosevillle #RealEstate #ColdwellBanker, etc), never send spammy Direct Messages (DMs) and don’t be afraid to say a virtual hello (@ them!) 🙂
Sheri Schmitz, Loan Officer in Folsom CA
Twitter Handle: @SheriSchmitz
Website: www.wellsfargo.com/…
In my Twitter experience, I feel that when I do a mixture of business and personal tweets, people are more interested. I also tend to tweet questions or statements that people feel very inclined to retweet or answer. Sometimes those tweets can be controversial – if you will. I like to tweet about politics, current events, mortgage news, etc. When you have tweets that people can respond to, or that strike a nerve, you get more Twitter action- in that people will follow you to see what you are doing. I also like to retweet things that I find helpful. Re-tweeting gets you more followers, as the original person who tweeted can see the retweet and may want to know about you.
Sheri Negri, Realtor in Folsom CA
Twitter Handle: @SheriNegri
Website: www.loveforhomessac.com/
Twitter is a great way to connect with people if you use it right. It’s all about engaging with others to create a personal connection. Look for ways to engage in conversations with other tweeps. This is the only way you will ever connect with people you do not know very well. And be sincere!
Talk about more than just real estate. Be interesting and mix it up! Talk about the things that interest you outside of work. No one wants to follow someone who is one-dimensional. Don’t do tweet blasts to hard sell people all the time. People that do this seem like used car salesman and it can be annoying. If I see too much of this from someone, I will “unfollow” them.
Always respond to a tweet if your name is mentioned, whether it be a direct message or mention. Whether it’s to thank someone for a RT/mention, or to respond to someone who sent you a message. Not responding to a mention or direct message is like not responding to voice mail or email.
Sheena Reithmeier, Realtor in Elk Grove CA
Twitter Handle: @916homevalues
Website: www.916homevalues.com
What should you tweet about? If you closed a tough deal, landed a new client, had a bad day, or tried a new restaurant, share it with your followers. You will find that your followers are genuinely interested in what you have to tweet and will retweet your content especially if it provides value to their audience.
Who Should You Follow? Search twitter for the industry professionals you rely on day in and day out to help you achieve your goals. It is the same sphere of influence you use outside of social media. Research appraisers, attorneys, bankers, CPA’s, contractors, government agencies, home and pest inspectors, home improvement, home stagers, insurance companies, lenders, locksmiths, plumbers, professional organizations, real estate brokers and agents, title and escrow reps, transaction coordinators, website developers and SEO experts, the list goes on and on.
Not every tweet has to be that profound piece of knowledge, the nugget of wisdom, the Aha moment of tweets. And not everyone will follow you back. It’s OK. Remember you get 140 characters so be creative, shorten words and links, include photos, keep it clean and every once in a while have fun.
I recommend keeping the profile picture consistent across all of your social media platforms. You will be sending followers to links outside of twitter be it your blog, LinkedIn, foursquare, Instagram, Facebook, Google+ and more. Using the same profile picture lets your readers know they have arrived at the appropriate destination. Consider it part of your branding. Your profile picture can be your picture or your logo.
What themes stand out to you from the tips above? Anything you’d add? What type of information do you think real estate pros should include in their profile description? What’s your Twitter handle?
If you have any questions, or real estate appraisal or property tax appeal needs in the Greater Sacramento Region, contact Lundquist Appraisal by phone 916-595-3735, email, Facebook, Twitter or subscribe to posts by email.
Great job Ryan, gosh I love this post – ladies you are really awesome. I loved what you all stated. 🙂 I agree with the consistent photo as well and that’s one rule I break because I have been on Twitter for so long and I change my sunglasses at the holidays – so it’s hard to let go of my silly photo. Keep up the great tweets and hopefully we can teach the RE industry a thing-or-two on good “social” media techniques.
Thanks Heather. Yeah, there are some really great tips here. I really like how your glasses change colors. That’s part of the strength of being yourself, which is a point you really made well.
I think some agents simply use sharing services like http://www.ping.fm to post to Twitter the same things they share on Facebook and/or LinkedIn, etc…. So they may not realize Twitter is actually a very social environment instead of a broadcasting platform. That’s the danger of auto posting your content on multiple forums. It really takes away the interaction. What type of vibe does that give for the brand? That’s a good question to ask.
Most definitely, they are feeding from Ping, LinkedIn and FB fan pages – which is also another hot topic amongst some of the pros “repetitive posts on all social media platforms” are annoying for those that follow you in all locations. I think it’s okay to post to all places, but time it differently and/or at least break it up or change the approach. And I agree completely, Twitter, IMO is meant to be a social and dynamic atmosphere. I love the info sharing (w/o a doubt), but I also it like being paired with opinion and personality in follow up items. RE: Your Vibe comment – I think it gives an icy and detached feeling. When there’s no personality or interaction – it’s becoming just a piece of marketing and a lure without bait. There are plenty of people putting out great content, but what makes me want to come back for more, what’s the draw – it’s often personality and trust – or people remember you cared and were available.
I need a “like” button for comments, Heather. Very well said. I have my FB page set to post on Twitter because I think it’s valuable on a few levels, but like you said, posts need to be mixed up. And that’s my business page, not my personal profile.
This is an interesting conversation and it reminds me of how important it is to package a message appropriately. A person can have good content and something really important to share, but if the message is not packaged right, it can sound like nothing more than noise and even turn people off.
But then there’s the reality, that sometimes our messages and distribution have to be streamlined to maintain – and of course we have to do our jobs and for us that tends to run all hours. You are dedicated to your blog and that’s the most important part and you have developed a great support group on many of the main social networks. Keep up the good work!
Yep, you’re right, Heather. There is a place to streamline for sure and we do have to get our work done. 🙂 Thanks for your encouragement.
Afraid I won’t recognize you without your orange shades, Heather!
HA, I know – I bring the sunglasses with me to twitter events now 😉 You are so right Tamara. Sometimes I don’t mind though and I can stay under the radar. I figure they’ll figure out who I am in the long-run at 6ft tall and my outspoken, cheerleader husband (HA!)
Those glasses are so famous!!
Well done tweeps! Twitter can become overwhelming at times so having these mass nuggets of intelligence and experience will be extremely helpful! thanks for the share all and for always keeping it real!
Thanks so much. I agree with you that Twitter (and really any bit of social media) can be overwhelming. We really need to manage it well and bite off only what is best too. Thanks again.
Ryan – great idea and great article! You always have great topics on your blog. Good job ladies!!!
I agree about blasting the same message across all social media. Not all social media should be treated equally. You have to consider the audience and what is appropriate.
Thanks so much, Sheri. I really appreciate your insight!!
Ryan,
Amazing post, as always, and your continued effort and helping agents and supporting our local Sacramento real estate market does not go unnoticed.
Keep up the great work!
Tamara
Thanks so much, Tamara. I’m so glad we connected on Twitter of all places. I appreciate you contibuting to this post too.
Ryan,
Your social media post about being ‘social’ sets the foundation for myself and others to learn more about ‘how to engage’ and not just stand on the rooftop shouting out messages. Great job!
Out of the connecting, engaging and the “back and forth” of a conversation comes the sharing of great ideas, recognizing each other’s efforts, and being a valuable resource to others.
And we have a lot of fun too! Don’t we?
Thank you to YOU and the ladies in this post for teaching me new techniques I can implement asap!
Sheena
Thanks so much, Sheena. I appreciate your kind words. I always love the comments in a blog post. Commentary can sometimes further expand upon the content in the post. Good stuff. Keep up the great work!!
Wonderful post! It’s amazing how much these social networks carry for business persons like ourselves. I find Facebook to be 10 times more effective than twitter, but it most definitely should not be ruled out! Also Google +, LinkedIn and TumbLr are good.
Thanks, Jasmine. It is definintely interesting to see how different platforms work for different folks. I’ve met people on Twitter and done business with them and I’ve also done the same on Facebook. Twitter is actually a highly relational tool, yet it is frequently seen as a broadcasting platform by many. I used to think it was strange to meet people online (when that phenomenon first started happening years ago), but I’m in the thick of it and I enjoy it. Does your business have a Facebook page, Jasmine? What is it?
This is our Veterans United Home Loans facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Veterans-United-Home-Loans/153777814680522
Our USDA page is newer so it only has 1500 fans; the VA loan page has 95,000 fans. The USDA loan is not as used as the VA loan. https://www.facebook.com/usdaloans
I most certainly agree that twitter has benefits, but I personally prefer facebook because of all the apps and integrations you can use to reach out to clients and potential customers. Twitter is a lot of fun though. And almost as addicting as facebook! 🙂
Thanks for the link. Wow, 95,000 “likes” is impressive.
Back in the day, it used to be “fans.” I much prefer the “fans.” 🙂 But yes, “likes” is the new and–I’m-not-so-sure–improved term. However, I see where “likes” for businesses might be better. “Fans” should be for the star profiles like Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber. I’m on a rant. SORRY! LOL
That’s right. I remember when it switched. I wasn’t saying “likes” to correct you, by the way. 🙂