Two separate “events” happend today, one on Facebook, the other on Twitter.
They got me to thinking.
<< Uh oh, there he goes, thinking again… >>
First, I saw this posted on a Facebook friends status update:
Do you use Twitter? I’ve been informed it’s a must have in real estate but I just can’t seem to get into tweeting. Input is appreciated.
Well, since he asked, I provided some input:
A “must have”?? Hardly. That said, I like Twitter, use it a lot, and have met some great people through it. Several of which have bought or sold a home with us. But whoever says Twitter is a must have is an idiot. Nothing but doing your job and providing superior service is a “must have”…
That’s what I said, and I’m sticking with it.
Twitter is a “must have” in real estate? Puhleaze.
Don’t get me wrong, I love Twitter. I’m a news junkie, and Twitter is a great way to get breaking news before any of the big boys even know it happend. Planes landing in the Hudson, natural disasters, political uprisings, you name it, someone is “reporting” it on Twitter.
Want to meet people? Like in real life? Go to a Tweetup. Do #evfn. (But, for the love of fluffy bunnies, do not be “that guy” at these things and pass out business cards and be a smarmy Realtory type!)
I love me some Twitter, but if anyone thinks it’s a “must have” for a real estate agent then, well, they are an idiot.
Later in the day, this conversation happened on Twitter. I thought it was pretty freaking cool.
Coop – @soul4realMy renter’s check bounced. Looks like I’ll be looking for new tenants in a few months. Not playing that game. No more checks either. MO only
JT – @julia72
@soul4real If you need a great property mgr, I use @PhxREguy’s company.
Jay Thompson – @PhxREguy
@julia72 Why thank ya!
@PhxREguy For sure. Experience has been nothing but good. I love the direct deposit into my account. So nice, since I am overseas.
That would be an unsolicited endorsement from a satisfied client, and I’ll take those any day of the week. Will it lead to business? I have no idea. Could it? Possibly. All I said to @soul4real was, “Just let me know if we can help Coop…” and that will be the end of the discussion. If she wants property management help, she’ll ask. She won’t get pressured or hard sold. The social media space doesn’t work that way.
Thank goodness.
But the social space isn’t a bad place to drum up a little word of mouth marketing.
And that’s always a good thing.
The Phoenix Real Estate Guy was started by Jay Thompson, and I have a little blogging problem... he liked to say...
Like I said in my post earlier today, the louder you try to be (self-promotional stuff on social media), the less you’re actually heard.
Great post Ricardo! For the reading pleasure of others, here it is: http://www.ricardobueno.com/soft-sell/
Why thank you very much Jay!
Jay,
Great post and congrats for the great unsolicited testimonial. You are spot on: I agree that Twitter is not a “must-have.” I love Twitter because I have connected with such amazing people in our industry (like you), and because of that I have learned a lot and have been turned onto some great RE blogs. Twitter is not about self-promotion, but opportunities can arise from the connections one makes there, and I don’t just mean clients – I have had a few good ones.
Keep up the great work!
“Twitter is not about self-promotion, but opportunities can arise from the connections one makes there…”
*Spot on* Rachel. Thanks!
While I certainly hold a pro-Twitter bias, I think the important thing in today’s marketing environment is this: Go where your prospects / customers are. Ask for permission to engage with them. And engage with them wherever you can add value, and then ADD VALUE.
Whether that happens on the phone, at a coffee shop, via email, on Twitter, on Facebook, on blog comments, or waiting at an airport – go to your customers and participate. The results will emerge over time, as long as you consistently add back value to your relationships.
Nice post, Jay.
Well said Dave!
Getting unsolicited positive testimonials is great for business and always appreciated! I’m in agreement on your soft sell approach with social media too. 😉
Twitter is great for some things, do you absolutely need it – no. Tell ya the truth – I become more and more social media’d out every day. Only thing that keep me going now is my high Klout score
new theme looks good Jay. Mi Gusta
the Klout score was a joke by the way….
All these social media services are simply tools which, if used effectively, can help you connect with clients and even make new contacts. That being said, relying solely on Twitter, Facebook or Klout to build your real estate business is foolish. I like to dip my toes into social networking, but would have to disagree with those realtors who say it is absolutely necessary for business.
How do people find time to “be there” and converse on Twitter? I feel pressed to even get there every day. And as for Facebook – I’m still getting lost when I go there. Active Rain, however, is fun and I visit there a few times a day.
Each to his or her own…
I’d like to find out the trick in getting clients on twitter. I just find that people who follow you are other Realtors who want to be followed back to boost up their numbers.
I work with an age group that isn’t really using Twitter. None of my sphere uses it. How are you able to connect in a way that is mutually beneficial? It seems like you have to follow conversations all day in an effort to connect.
I’ve never been a Twitter addict. I’ve had some responses to information I post but don’t see it as a huge business generator. Still laugh about a local agent who felt that a prospective seller should find out an agent’s Klout Score and use that as a factor when hiring someone to market their home.