Together, we’ve (1) learned how to set up a Twitter account and (2) the language of Twitter. Now that you’re Twittering (or like JB, you haven’t jumped in yet but will by the end of this article), let’s talk about why we twitter.
Twitter can be like happy hour. You’re all in one location, you’re introducing yourself to people and they to you, talking about what you do for a living, how you do it, what kind of pets you have, the dumb thing your kiddo did this week and what your favorite drink is. In this one location, you all know what each other does for a living, but it’s not a sales pitch, it’s networking. By being social, you’re sincerely touching as many people as possible and ask anyone- social media applications like Twitter can be very disarming and often create an instant comfort zone.
Many seemingly simple topics that have risen on Twitter have become private, offline debates, conference calls with several participants, meetings in person between professionals, new business ventures, inspired blog articles, been research data points for articles and YES, even referrals (Benn had one just this morning). Twitter ain’t your granny’s chat room, it’s much more streamlined and purpose-driven.
So why Twitter? The same reason you go to happy hour- to meet people, to make or deepen connections, and to trade ideas while everyone knows what you do but you’re not selling, you’re mingling. Now, who’s up for mingling?
As promised, AgentGenius will continue to rock your Twitter world- stay tuned and don’t forget to include your Twitter username in the comments!
Cesar
February 21, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Hey Lani,
I was at SMC breakfast this morning but didn’t have a chance to say hi (had to run to do some work for a client).
Anyway, I couldn’t agree with you more. Friends of mine don’t get why I do some of the social media stuff I do sometimes, but I tell them, at it’s core, it’s all marketing. And it’s fun marketing too, not like sitting around writing a press release.
To me Twitter totally is a huge conversation. The people who stick around to listen/talk are the ones who are going to meet people and make connections. There’s no use in being a social media wallflower.
Erion Shehaj
February 21, 2008 at 4:06 pm
I re-visited Twitter after your first post to see if there were any additional reasons why I should use it. After all, I had seen Mike Price use it all the time. But I must say… it is too ADD for me. I don’t see the point of it, really.
Jonathan Dalton
February 21, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Haven’t explored the business aspects but it’s been a nice bit of sanity (or insanity, as it where.)
@DaltonsAZHomes
Cesar
February 21, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Oh yeah, @cesart
Lani Anglin-Rosales
February 21, 2008 at 4:21 pm
oh yeah @LaniAR I don’t think I’ve shared that yet! *duh*
Jennifer Wilson - Agent Solutions
February 21, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Great analogy Lani. Twittering is the ultimate “virtual” happy hour. I have been invloved in personal and business related twitter topics and have met some incredible people there.
It’s all about networking in a less “structured” environment where everyone can be themselves without the stress and pressure of being “on the clock”.
Awesome post Lani!
@AgentSolutions
JB
February 21, 2008 at 5:02 pm
I’m assuming with my Flintstone fingers I’ll need a more accommodating phone, as I can’t even text worth a nickel now.
What kinda phone do most of you guys use, or recommend?
Thanks Lani.
Lani Anglin-Rosales
February 21, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Jennifer, thank you for the compliments. I’m glad to hear that others get it! 🙂
Lani Anglin-Rosales
February 21, 2008 at 5:35 pm
Jeff, I don’t Twitter via phone. I know you’re tired of hearing “I’ll write about that later,” but I’ll write about obligation levels later. I only twit when I’m at the computer and if I miss something, so be it- this is why “applications” (the programs used outside of your web browser that helps organize your tweet messages) are important- they highlight who messaged YOU while you were gone.
Others tweet over the phone, but I have way too many people I’m following and that are following me, so I choose not to. You should NOT feel obligated to bite off more than you can chew! Baby steps- try following 5 people at first, and ramp up as your handle on it expands.
Ines
February 21, 2008 at 5:39 pm
“virtual happy hour” – priceless!!
Someone asked me what the advantages if I only network with other agents. The answer is – have a customer inquiring about Austin…….hmmmm (I wanter who I know there), Denver, NY, Colorado Springs, Phoenix…..you get the point. Or to say, I know a great virtual assistant (that was for you Jenn)
And I am positive that many will think of me when they hear “miami” – it’s part of our branding – and it feels good to be able to talk to someone right away and say…..”I know the perfect agent for you”.
JB
February 21, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Lani — Very nice, thanks. I’ll move Twitter up to my A-List (Weekend) version. 🙂
Jennifer Wilson - Agent Solutions
February 21, 2008 at 6:19 pm
JB – LOL “Flinstone Fingers”. I know the iPhone is very popular these days. A number of “twitterers” use it and yes I have heard it is is easy to use even with your thumbs.
Ines – You are too good to me 😉 Thank you. Without a doubt when I hear “Miami” I think of you. You have done an awesome job with your branding. (except you forget to leave your Twitter name @Ines)
Don’t forget to let us know your Twitter name JB once you have joined. You will be surprised the people you will encounter that are not “agents”. 😉 Hope to see you there soon.
JB
February 21, 2008 at 6:27 pm
I’m trying to figure out whether to be an under the radar follower or something slightly more visible.
It is truly amazing how every now and then one of the gazillion new ‘social’ thingys gets such massive traction. And though I can certainly understand those who partake from a business viewpoint, I’m at a loss as to why so many spend so much time ‘Twittering’ down roads leading literally nowhere.
That’s not a judgment of any kind whatsoever. It’s a Boomer spilling his ignorance all over the table for all to see. 🙂
Lani Anglin-Rosales
February 21, 2008 at 6:38 pm
Jeff, guess what? You’re right. Many people will fail at Twitter because of (1) insincere motives other than simply connecting to others (2) the hard sale (3) being voyeurs and not participating. If you go to happy hour and you stand in a corner or aggressively introduce yourself and insist they attend the next seminar or they’re stupid, or you are smarmy, you’ll fail in that too.
It’s just the fundamentals of networking but it’s sped up via the web and it’s easier to have a larger network than at the bar. Everyone can tell you that their twitter presence is part fun, part deliberate connections.
JB
February 21, 2008 at 8:17 pm
Lani — Thanks — I can see your ‘Happy Hour’ analogy is right on the money. You network, get known, everyone gets comfortable, and if business happens, it does so naturally and in its own time.
Andy Kaufman
February 21, 2008 at 11:44 pm
In essence, Twitter is just another tool to help us build our personal network. By connecting and communicating with like minded people, we’re doing what we were taught in marketing 101. Build our networks and communicate to them regularly.
I started Twittering last January and by April it had caught on in the Bay Area geek community pretty hard core. I jumped in with both feet, expecting it to slowly die out when all the cool kids moved on to the next shiny object.
The funny thing is that it kept building and building.
At Inman Connect SF last year, I asked a panel of early adopters and innovators what they thought of Twitter and I was practically laughed out of the room, all while Paul Chaney and I were live micro-blogging the event using it. I’ve taken so much s**t because I drank the Twitter Kool-aid, but I knew deep down that there was a reason that it kept resonating with so many smart, personable people.
I started blogging about Real Estate in late 2004 and really got serious halfway through 2005. Early on, I read the Cluetrain Manifesto and it’s theory that “Markets are Conversations” really resonated with me. At that time blogging was where the conversation was. Those conversations are happening on Twitter now. Sure they’re still happening on blogs, but they’re on a different level than what’s going on in short bursts on Twitter and the various social networks.
I’ve made SO MANY MORE meaningful connections through the active use of Twitter and Facebook than any other social media tool BY FAR. My Twitter network is pushing 800 people and growing. This is a global network of thought leaders that I get to know better each day by connecting, listening and interacting in a way that PROVIDES VALUE.
Of course, we all know that we do business with people in real life, not the metaverse. Thank god I have a ‘warm’ network of contacts that I feel a kinship with that I can contact offline in order to do so. When I pick up the phone to talk to someone that I only know through Twitter, it’s almost like we’re old buddies…it’s amazing if you think about it.
As this snowball picks up speed, I’m more convinced than ever that using Twitter to engage the global conversation is one of the most beneficial social media strategies that you’ll ever adopt.
–Andy
https://twitter.com/andykaufman
Hallelujah. Holy s**t. Where’s the Tylenol?
Steven Stearns
February 22, 2008 at 10:42 am
Lani,
…It seems logical that if you are Twittering, you “get it”-social media. It is a distillation of all the other elements, really.
My twitter name is:
obeoman
and I promise not to bug you too much!
miCr0-bl0g on,
Steve
Mariana
February 24, 2008 at 10:36 am
I Twitter to teach myself how to say things in succinct, yet effective ways. Kind of like a constant Elevator Pitch class.
Lesley
August 26, 2008 at 8:36 pm
I am so forwarding this to my boyfriend (lives across the country) who is appalled with my Twitter habit. He joined at my urging and then gave me an instant lecture that went something like this: “I can’t believe you are telling hundreds of total strangers when you eat, go to bed, what you read and that you are mad at me!”.
I think that last discovery was the one that set him off. However, I haven’t been able to verbalize what twitter is to me and this article did it well enough that it may just shut him up. Or start him back up, but goshdarnit I will win this battle even if I have to use Lani’s words to do it!
Will
September 18, 2008 at 12:16 am
I luv twitter good 2 find other industry pros using. Now following you. twit for tat @ YMPlanner