When I started using Twitter back in the fall of 2008 (I had joined many months earlier, but barely used it up to that point), I was a little stumped by all of the lingo and the fast pace of the platform:
What is a "retweet"? Why do I have to use an "@" symbol in front of everyone's name to talk to them? Is anyone really listening?
Over time, I became much more comfortable with the platform, and it has been invaluable to me as a business tool. I connected with my radio co-host there. I recruited some people to work for our company. I had real-world dollars in my pocket because of the things that I learned there and the people I met, some of whom I got to know in person as well.
In an effort to share some of the things that have worked for me, I am starting a series of posts about Twitter and its usage. If you're looking to learn how to use Twitter as a legitimate tool to grow your business and your base of connections, you will probably want to follow along.
Today's tip (as you probably noticed in the title above) is this:
START OR JOIN A CONVERSATION
One analogy that I've heard and used to describe Twitter is that it's much like a big party. If you are hanging out at a party, you will probably be part of many conversations throughout the event. Sometimes the conversations get a little more in-depth, and sometimes they even get private. Other times, you're just kidding around with friends and having a good time. Most things that you can do with regard to networking in person can be done on Twitter as well, although I am not suggesting that Twitter or any other social media tool should replace face-to-face meetings.
HOW TO START A CONVERSATION
I know that this seems really rudimentary, but we've had so many clients ask this that I thought it would be pertinent to include here. Think of how you start a conversation in person. Do you mention a blog post you just wrote? Well, maybe, but only if you describe it somehow and then chat about it afterward. The same applies with Twitter. Simply broadcasting your posts to the tweetstream with no commentary is valueless, in my humble opinion. You can include them, to be sure, but only as part of a larger plan.
Try these ideas:
- Mention a cool article or video you have seen
- Take a poll
- Ask a question of any kind ("what is your favorite TV show/movie/80′s song?")
- Say something funny - anything truly funny will usually get a good response
- Promote others by retweeting stuff you find interesting or wise
HOW TO JOIN A CONVERSATION
Unlike being at a real-life party, Twitter offers you the opportunity to join conversations with little chance of personal rejection. If you spot something of interest, respond to it, as in, "Me, too. That book changed my outlook on life in general." If you see something funny, respond accordingly, "I laughed so hard just now that milk came out of my nose."
If you see a discussion about something that looks interesting or about which you can converse, just jump in and participate. The worst case is no response at all, and you haven't really risked much, right?
Again, I recognize that this is pretty basic stuff, but I'm trying to illustrate that Twitter isn't mysterious or difficult. It can facilitate things if you use it the right way.
I hope this is helpful for you. I would love to hear your input below. Thanks very much for reading!
Next Twitter tip (coming soon): Promoting others
If you enjoyed this post, why not connect with me elsewhere or subscribe via email?
If you're looking for a home in the Austin area, you can also visit my primary Austin real estate website at www.austintexashomes.com. If you're interested in social media training, visit 210 Consulting. Thanks!
Jason I have quite a few followers and also am following some but haven't been able to get much beyond that. Hope to learn some tips from you.
Hi JC !
I have been a very background user of twitter - choosing Facebook more for conversations, but this is a great first tip, and will help a lot of us if we follow along with your series :o)
Cheers !
I look forward to learning from your posts Jason.
I must admit twitter mystifies me. I don't quite understand it but if it is putting real world dollars in your pocket then I better pay attention and find out how I can use it to put some real world dollars in my pocket.
Thanks for your contribution to my education!
I'm subscribing. I just can't wrap my head around how to use twitter. But then, I'm absolute crap at party mingling as well...
Thanks Jason, I hit the Suggest button, because this is going to be a great series. I originally connected with you on Twitter, but I have not stayed on there consistently. I followed too many people and am being followed by a lot and I don't know how to manage it now. Hope you have something to suggest for that issue. Thanks
Jason - good advice here for new Tweeps as well as those who have joined but haven't been able to wrap their minds around how it can work. There's alot going on there that I personally think you can ignore, but some reall value if you follow these suggestions. I see more great information coming our way.
Jeff
Oh this is perfect timing!! Twitter feels like the next mysterious frontier to me so far - I did get signed up & so far all I have done is....well, I did get signed up - LOL
Am I the only one who's not a big Twitter fan? :-/ I do jump into conversations once in a while. But I do that everywhere. (It comes naturally. lol) It feels more personable to me when I'm on Facebook... which feeds to Twitter, and vice versa.
Jason - I'm starting to follow Twitter more so your post is very timely.
Thx Jason. Some good advice. I'm still learning the ropes here. Started to become more engaged in this around April after a blogger explained a bunch of the lingo and what to do/not do. I came across a few people I know in real life through networking and just kind of observed what they did and that was helpful. Did a same for some of my competitors (in other parts of country) and got some great ideas from them.
I've now created a few lists to avoid all the clutter/spam chatter. So, I have one list for people in my local area (these are the people I care most abt for my biz), one for twitter/social media (so every once in a while I'll pop i here to read a good article and/or RT), one for home improvement and a couple of private lists including "interesting people." I don't publicize that one as it's mainly friends and I don't want others to get offended if they aren't on it.
Looking forward to the series.
Good morning Jason,
Thanks for the introduction to learning how to navigate tweeting and looking forward to your series. Keeping up with Active Rain. Facebook and doing the volume of business, I'm hard pressed to try balancing anymore and have a life!
Sounds like a great series Jason, for those that just don't get it or tried and gave up. Twitter is all about connecting with new folks IMO.
Although your suggestions might be, as you said, basic stuff, but you have to start somewhere! And these suggestions are as good as any.
I think it's important to introduce TweetDeck - that's what made Twitter more CLEAR to me - to see how the conversations evolved. I still don't spend much time with Twitter, so I'll definitely be following your series as well!
How are the push-ups going today?!!
I feel a great series coming on Jason... Twitter is like a cocktail party... just remember to remind folks to be careful of what they tweet as it does get picked up by Google and is track-able... something some real estate agents around here either didn't think about or know.
Jason,
I enjoy using twitter and I have had many great chats on there but sadly I don't use it enough. I'm looking forward to your series, it should make for some good stuff.
:)
I'm getting back in to the Twitter game now, I have to admit it seemed overwhelming for awhile with everything going on.
Jason, this is definitely an area that I need to get into. I'm looking forward to your series. I can use the help.
Jason I like this series already and you just started it. Matter of fact,I going to do what you just said right now. Thanks Jason. Great post.
There are so many questions for people looking to use Twitter and not understanding it. Its important to know how to use it. I'm currently working on my third deal from Twitter. Any account that only had automated updates, I usually do not subscribe to them unless of course they are sharing some solid information. I think I'll reblog for those that may not follow 'featured' blogs. Nicely written.
I'm totally overwhelmed by Twitter. I did click on your Twitter icon and it came up "this service temporarily unavailable." Would you just know it. ;) I'm trying to figure out....is it really worth it?
Thanks for the tips. This is the third useful tip I've picked up here on AR today. It's useful tip Wednesday. This one is by far the best tip so far. I am lost with regard to Twitter.
Nice post for those of us who are novice users of Twitter.
Jason,
Great post - thanks for sharing the great tips.
My wife is in charge of our twitter profile. It has been very successful for us. We use it to develop relationships with local residents, post local content and news, and post listings that send them directly to our website.
We have successfully completed 6 real estate transactions as a direct result of twitter. It is a great tool for real estate.
Thanks,
Mike
http://twitter.com/HickoryNCHomes
Hi Jason!
I'm still behind on Twitter, I usually only post links, and not much conversation. I just can't find the time to learn the curve. Someday, I will tackle the platform, but so far I'm missing out! Great guide!
Great idea for a series. I still feel that I am not in total control of Twitter. I hope you will do a post on hastags!
I am fascinated by all things Twitter. Have not become a regular yet but am observing.
Jason, I'd like to give a big 'DUH' on this, but i know many folks struggle with the concept of twitter. It's difficult for many to see that it's simply about conversation. It's not about followers, and there's no magic bullet to profiting from it. It's simply another vehicle for building relationships that you then have to know how to turn into business relationships. Great post!
Great tips, but personally I think the very first thing a person who is going to use Twitter should do is download Tweetdeck. Without some type of management tool, I think Twitter is very overwhelming. Once you have the tools that will set you up for success, then you start thinking about content. And don't forget "listening" in the Tweet plan is huge too!
Jason
Great for bringing this forward. It's so important that we keep the TRAIN going with all the social marketing media tools, especially as technology is where it's at. We have so many powerful tools in our hands, as National Association of Realtors® - "RIGHT TOOLS - RIGHT NOW".
We use twitter to tweet "what's happening" right now in our community, not just about real estate but about all news happening in real time. Thanks for sharing - and "Paying it forward". Can't wait for your next post!
Thank you for the info today. Tweeter is new to me as well so I'm learning.
Patricia
Jason,
At RainCamp NY I made a commitment to use Twitter. Lasted a month. WIll have to review your tips and give it another shot!
Hey man, great tips all but I will always remember the two you told me in the beginning, Start and engage in conversations!
Jason: Thanks for the tips. I appreciate them. I've been on the periphery of Twitter but have formed some great relationships because of it. Thanks again!
Hi Jason -- I need all the Twitter help I can get, this is something I just haven't delved into much, thank you! :)
Hi Jason. I love Twitter! though I use one for business... and one for personal. Hootsuite is good too but I use Tweetdeck. It makes things so much easier to manage.
Seriously, whre do you get the time to do all of this social media items plus be an agent? It takes a lot of my time just to try to write bolgs...
Very cool stuff Jason. Looking foward to the rest!
Looking forward to more from you on this important topic. I have just started to really utilize Twitter and one thing I like about it is doing a "tex" or "instant message" to a group rather than an individual alone.
Thank you, Jason. Question: how time-consuming is this? Do you have to hang around and follow for thirty minutes a pop if you get into a conversation?
Hey Jason! Thanks for starting a discussion about Twitter. I think this is an excellent topic. I look forward to your future posts!
Thanks for sharing, Jason. We use FB much more than Twitter, but do see the benefits and appreciate you explaining how to get more out of it.
Thanks Jason, I'm looking forward to the entire series.
I've been thinking of starting a Twitter account for a while. I can't wait to read the rest of the series!
Jason- I'm looking forward to all of the tips. I've been on Twitter but have yet to really "get it". But what you say about starting a conversation makes a lot more sense than just Tweeting about news feeds that you get from the internet.
I haven't been using Twitter too much but after reading this, I will have to use some of your tips...a poll sounds good...Thanks for sharing jen
These are good tips for people starting up an interactive use of Twitter. Thank you for sharing this post.
I'd like to add a little clarification to "Start a conversation." Simply autoposting your AR blogs to Twitter IS NOT starting a conversation. I've seen more than a few Rainers on Twitter where their whole stream is "Just posted on ActiveRain ..." Not good.
I agree with Robert #38, time is of the essense and there is so much to choose from and stay atop of. Twitter, tweetdeck, tweetlister, facebook, linked in, AR, google alerts etc...
kaboom overload. But great post and I am bookmarking and waiting on your series.
I use twitter to spread the word about my blog and other RE issues for Miami & Miami Beach, other than that... it's just a little too overwhelming for me. I feel like I am missing out on it (and probably am) but it's just too busy for my mind.
Maybe I need to revisit.
Jamey
Boss: Great advice on using Twitter. I am going to have to follow this closely, because I am worthless with Twitter -- and not much better on FB for that matter. =)
Jason, pleae do not over estimate your audience. Your beginners post was not too elementary for me! Thanks for writing and I will try to follow along.
Great post Jason, I will check you out to gain as much info as I can, as for me Twitter is an un-tapped resource for me. Thanks!!
Awesome tips for twits! I posted on Facebook and linked to your blog. Thanks for the valuable advice. So much it seems like everyone is talking and no one is listening! I'm eager to try your ideas.
Jason, you are awesome on Twitter. You are actually the first person I tried to converse with on Twitter. Remember when you sent me a DM saying that you just realized I was trying to communicate with you? LOL I had not a clue how to talk to anyone on Twitter. It took me a month to figure out -even after your reply!(I'm a bit slow sometimes)
Thanks for the step-by-step instructions.
Jason--Maybe I will tee up Twitter agian. My experience with writing posts on AR has been much more fruitful.
Good post, Jason. Twitter is nice, but unfortunately it is a cluttered mess. Can't tell you how many times I've seen the fail whale of death in the last week. Facebook is so much easier to use!
Jason - Twitter is one social network on which I don't have a great handle. I look forward to your next tips.
Jason ~ thank you for the lesson, however, I just don't get the preface for it.
Jason
How true, it took awhile for me to get it down but I find people contacting me as a result of Twitter
good article and thank you for the information. i like twitter. it is a great site
Reading this made me want to follow this blog series and learn more. I haven't done much with Twitter but hear great things from the people who use it. It's kinda like LinkedIn...I'm there but not benefiting from it. Thanks so much!
Jason - still try to get the basics down with Twitter. I'm looking forward to your series and learning this new tool...have a great weekend!
Jason... I have had a twitter account since like April of 2009 or so... I am just now starting to use it properly and have conversations, like in the last 2 weeks. I just joined tweetDeck and that helps when having conversations... otherwise, it's almost impossible to keep track. Looking forward to your series.. thanks
I have a twitter account but to be honest, I really don't like it. Most of the folks have the same status on their facebook account so it seems silly to read it twice. However, its kinda like a new song. Sometimes I will start off not liking it and it will grow on me. The next thing I know, its my favorite song.☺
Jason - Thanks for the tips. I haven't fully utilizied the tools that we have at our disposal, and twitter is one of them.
Jason - I have an account with Twitter but I have only used it to post links. Thanks for the tips. Looking forward to read your series.