What`s Twitter`s Viability?

Twitter, Tweet, Tweet! Yes, we're all definitely having fun micro blogging. As with most things in life, the dust will settle and reality will set in. When it does, what will have become of Twitter?

In a previous post (What`s Your Purpose Here Anyway?), we addressed the purpose of Twitter and why, from a business perspective, we should be using the tool. Knowing our purpose, the next question becomes Twitter's viability.

Will Twitter simply be that fun social networking tool that drives you to let everyone know that you're sitting down at a Starbucks with a brimming hot double cappuccino or will it really continue to evolve into something much bigger than that?

Does Twitter have the potential to become that multifaceted, lead generating, social networking tool that ultimately we will all use as seamlessly as keyboards translating our thoughts onto computer screens?

Is it going to be that routine, that powerful, that necessary?

What Social Networking Websites are You Using?

If you're a Real Estate Professional and you're reading these words odds are you have some interest in the social networking buzz. For some, the question is as simple as what is social networking? For others, the question becomes how do I use these social networking sites to promote and increase my business?

If you don't have the foggiest clue as to what social networking is, we would urge you to become a member of the Active Rain community (120k plus Real Estate professional members and growing). Your social networking questions will be quickly answered, your haze will fall mercy to clarity, and you will quickly develop a much needed appetite for more.

Currently, our top three social networking websites of choice are Twitter, Active Rain, and MyBlogLog. Our reasoning is simple. Gobs of information (the latest and greatest), the ability to target a captive audience, and unlimited opportunities to promote and brand our message.

What social networking sites are you using and why?

Are You on Twitter?

If you're on Twitter, drop us a comment leaving your profile page in our "comments" section in order for us to follow you. We will be compiling this list and re-posting your addresses to share with other like-minded social networking twittering professionals.

Do us all a favor, Tweet the message along (copy below):

The Realty Buzz Twitter list for RE Professionals. Comment on blog to join - http://tinyurl.com/6kk4m3


Follow the Real Estate professional Twitter list (updates continue, last updated @ 1:45AM PST 8/31/2010):

1. Thesa Chambers - http://www.twitter.com/thesachambers
2. Property Qwest - http://www.twitter.com/PropertyQwest
3. Joel McDonald - http://www.twitter.com/joelrunner
4. Derek Forrest - http://www.twitter.com/derekForrest
5. Marianne Snygg - http://www.twitter.com/mcsnygg
6. Susie Blackmon - http://www.twitter.com/susieblackmon
7. Patrick Riddle - http://www.twitter.com/PatrickRiddle
8. Craig Ernst - http://www.twitter.com/CraigErnst
9. Malisia Wilkins - http://www.twitter.com/malisia
10. Stuart Miner - http://www.twitter.com/StuartMiner
11. CWaterhouse - http://www.twitter.com/cwaterhouse
12. Josef Katz - http://www.twitter.com/directmaestro
13. mycmps - http://www.twitter.com/myCMPS
14. Shannon Lefevre - http://www.twitter.com/NaplesSmartGirl
15. Lu - http://www.twitter.com/ludoan
16. Chris/Stephanie Somers - http://www.twitter.com/thesomersteam
17. Jim Whatley - http://www.twitter.com/whatley
18. Paula Henry - http://www.twitter.com/IndyAgent
19. Susan Milner - http://www.twitter.com/floridafuture
20. Erin Chappelle - http://www.twitter.com/erinatkw
21. Jay Thompson - http://www.twitter.com/PhoenixREGuy
22. Bill - http://www.twitter.com/resherpa
23. Sandy Gleason - http://www.twitter.com/Sandyrealtor
24. Kevin O'Brien - http://www.twitter.com/shorerealestate
25. BHGDigital - http://www.twitter.com/BHGDigital
26. John Juarez - http://www.twitter.com/johnjuarez
27. Debra Drummond - http://www.twitter.com/MichiganMoves
28. Rita Burke - http://www.twitter.com/kennarealestate
29. Steve Mattison - http://www.twitter.com/ozarksagent
30. Sherry Baker - http://www.twitter.com/sherrybaker
31. Jay Carden - http://www.twitter.com/cosrealtor
32. Tom Royce - http://www.twitter.com/tomroyce
33. John Corey - http://www.twitter.com/John_Corey
34. ForeclosureIndustry.com - http://www.twitter.com/ForeclosureData
35. Rhonda Duffy - http://www.twitter.com/RhondaDuffy
36. Knoxville Scott! - http://www.twitter.com/scotthendrix
37. Barbara Inc. - http://www.twitter.com/barbarainc
38. Dennis P. Fassett - http://www.twitter.com/dennisfassett
39. Amy Tharrington - http://www.twitter.com/coastalgirl142
40. Amy Tharrington - http://www.twitter.com/coastalgirl142
41. Tina Merritt - 1 - http://www.twitter.com/tinainvirginia
42. Tina Merritt - 2 - http://www.twitter.com/wolkia
43. Tina Merritt - 3 - http://www.twitter.com/hrrealestate
44. Tony Longo - http://www.twitter.com/CondoDomain
45. Erica Farthing - http://www.twitter.com/ebounce
46. John Billings - http://www.twitter.com/WebbRealEstatec
47. Matt Collinge - http://www.twitter.com/604homesguy
48. Rochelle Ann Allison - http://www.twitter.com/StPaulRealtor
49. Tim McDonald - http://www.twitter.com/tamcdonald
50. Jan Huchteman - http://www.twitter.com/JanHuchteman
51. Ann Cummings - http://www.twitter.com/acummings
52. Dale Chumbley - http://www.twitter.com/DaleChumbley
53. Angel Giles - http://www.twitter.com/angelgiles
54. Katie Minkus - http://www.twitter.com/KatieMinkus
55. Pamela Williamson - http://www.twitter.com/pamelaw53
56. Pam Buda - http://www.twitter.com/pambuda
57. Jeff Turner - http://www.twitter.com/respres
58. Dean Guadagni - http://www.twitter.com/deansguide
59. Erica Muller - http://www.twitter.com/realestatefl
60. Jeff Royce - http://www.twitter.com/JeffRoyce
61. Mike Mueller - http://www.twitter.com/MikeMueller
62. Tom Vanderwell - http://www.twitter.com/tvanderwell
63. The Harriman Team - http://www.twitter.com/wharriman
64. Lauren Krady - http://www.twitter.com/lkrady
65. Maureen Francis - http://www.twitter.com/maureenfrancis
66. Jason Sandquist - http://www.twitter.com/jasonsandquist
67. Matt Wilkins - http://www.twitter.com/mattwilkins
68. Craig Barrett - http://www.twitter.com/craig42k
69. Barry Quine - http://www.twitter.com/barryquine
70. Julian Benton - http://www.twitter.com/julianbntn
71. Jennifer Egbert - http://www.twitter.com/jenniferegbert
72. Leigh Ann - http://www.twitter.com/LovelyLeighAnn
73. Ashley Gephart - http://www.twitter.com/ashdhart
74. David Childress - http://www.twitter.com/akronohiohomes
75. Mark Gordon - http://www.twitter.com/vailrealestate
76. Tony Lazzari - http://www.twitter.com/TonyLazz
77. Nancy Shakeshaft - Slack - http://www.twitter.com/nancyss
78. Chris Shouse - http://www.twitter.com/ChrisShouse
79. Drew Sygit - http://www.twitter.com/loan_survivor
80. Jim Lee - http://www.twitter.com/RealtorJimLee
81. REMarketingGuy - http://www.twitter.com/REMarketingGuy
82. Jeff Kirby - http://www.twitter.com/KirbyRE
83. Ken Cook - http://www.twitter.com/thekencook
84. RealEstateRon - http://www.twitter.com/RealEstateRon
85. Lee Michael Homes - http://www.twitter.com/leemichaelhomes
86. Julie Broad - http://www.twitter.com/revnyou
87. Emily Medvec - http://www.twitter.com/EmilyMedvec
88. Jason Crouch - http://www.twitter.com/jasoncrouch
89. Amy Chorew - http://www.twitter.com/amychorew
90. Todd Tarson - http://www.twitter.com/ToddTarson
91. Mark Madsen - http://www.twitter.com/mark_madsen
92. Brent Ellis - http://www.twitter.com/Realtor_Brent
93. Chris Myers - http://www.twitter.com/orlandoproperty
94. Joyce Corsi Hazen - http://www.twitter.com/ChariotHome
95. Samantha Lorefice - http://www.twitter.com/Sam4RE
96. Joe Manausa - http://www.twitter.com/HousingReporter
97. Linda Slocum - http://www.twitter.com/LindaSlocum
98. Lisa Spalding - http://www.twitter.com/lspalding
99. Derek Overbey - http://www.twitter.com/doverbey
100. Deborah Schultz - http://www.twitter.com/djschultz
101. John Whittinghill - http://www.twitter.com/ATLhomefinder
102. Madeira Homes - http://www.twitter.com/MadeiraHomes

Disclaimer: By no means is this an original post! We're not trying to make it out to be nor attempting to steal credit for being the original real estate tech heads to come up with this idea. With that being said, we're copycatting those who've already done this because it's a great idea and yet another way to network for that next business lead!

If you're reading this post it's most likely because you're interested in Real Estate and the future of this business using these social networking platforms to help us forge our futures.

There's no better time than now to get started!

Real Estate and Social Networking Websites - Take a Deep Breath and Relax

It seems like everyday another social networking site comes on the scene. The revolution has been sweeping the web and it continues to do so. It's been great or has it?

We're starting to hear many complaints:

• I used to belong to that site but I just didn't get it.
• There's no point in using Twitter, I don't want to hear everyone's intimate minute to minute, day to day details.
• I don't have time for all of these sites, I barely have enough time to keep up with what I already use.
  
• It's all about meeting someone face to face. A real interaction.

We could add to the list but there's no need, as we're sure you already get the point. In fact, we're sure many of you can relate to some, if not all, of these issues.

Take a deep breath and relax. As with most of what we do in our lives, finding the right site for your niche is a process of elimination. It takes time. Look around and see who's doing what. It's not hard to find who's respected in their respective fields. Watch what they do, listen to what they say, read what they post, and do your best to learn about the sites that they're successfully using to promote their brand.

Don't fool yourself into believing that these social networking sites are simply a passing phase, the latest rage. In the years to come, the landscape may look different, but the social networking power will remain new and improved.

You can have your face to face interaction. You can make that phone call. We simply suggest that it's imperative that you begin learning how to start searching for your next contact online using one of these sites.

You may not like these sites. You may not be comfortable with these sites. But, make no mistake, your future success lies within your ability to use and navigate these sites in search of your next opportunity.

Twitter and Real Estate

Is Twitter a valid social networking tool for Real Estate professionals?

I know, Real Estate can often be a dry subject and so can its videos! Nonetheless, Real Estate professionals are using Twitter and they're going as far as having lunch parties to discuss it. These social networking arenas may seem out of place, awkward, and downright silly at times but, make no mistake about it, these sites are our marketing future:





Put aside your frustrations:

1. I don't get it!
2. Do people really sit around all day and do this?
3. What's the point?
4. This can't help my business.
5. Nobody's going to use this!
   

In response to your frustrations:

1. Spend time using the tool. Watch other people, see how they use the tool, learn from what others are doing. As with anything, when it feels like you're hitting a brick wall, keep at it. The more you use it, the more you get it. Let me say that again, "THE MORE YOU USE IT, THE MORE YOU GET IT!"
   
2. No, they integrate it into part of their daily routine. For example, the other day I had a business meeting that was postponed for roughly 1/2 hour. During that window, from my Blackberry, I Twittered (aka TwitterBerry). What came out of this mini Twitter session? I found another real estate investing website that offered relevant information to our business focus. In short, I learned something new.
3. The point is to network! Do I really need to explain to Real Estate professionals how important networking is?
4. Backwards thinking. OPEN YOUR MINDS! Technology is our future and it's happening fast. How many people had cell phones 10 years ago? How many people used that weird thing called "email" for normal day to day business operations?
5. I guess if you consider millions of people throughout the world "nobody". Still in disbelief? Simply check out some of these TwitterFacts. Quite interesting and obviously powerful.
   

Don't allow the fear of the unknown to clutter your thinking. Technology is here to stay and if you want to "get a leg up" in your real estate space, you better get a crackin' or shall I say a TweetIn.

Visit our TwitterPage - http://www.twitter.com/PropertyQwest