Tips of the Trade
One of Lance’s “best kept secrets” for success on Twitter is to keep the tweets short. Even though you are allowed 140 characters, you shouldn’t maximize every last one.
“Tweets under 100 characters have 20 percent more engagement,” she says. “When you keep them short, you’re more likely to get re-tweeted and the amplification increases.”
The great thing about Twitter is that it’s a great way to connect to people you have similar interests with that you may or may not know. In real estate, you want to connect with people who may be buying or selling a home and Twitter is a great way to connect with these people.
“On Facebook we talk to friends, but on Twitter you can expand beyond your reach,” Lance says. “Twitter is the shortest distance between you and your interests.”
For example, Lance recommends searching for people who have similar interests—such as those who enjoy wine or are constantly looking for things to do with their kids. Don’t immediately talk to these people about your job, but let the conversation come naturally.
“People have told me they have gotten business because they connected with cat people or those who love sports,” she says. “When you connect with people, they go to your profile instinctively and at some point, the conversation may turn around to real estate. It’s like being at a dinner party, you don’t just jump to what you do.”
Stop Being “Awful”
There are plenty of Twitter don’ts if you want the site to work best for you. The most obvious one, according to Lance, is to keep from just tweeting out your listings.
“If that’s all you’re doing, stop!” she says. “In those cases, it’s clear the person is only promoting themselves and there’s no interaction or engagement. Social media is a two-way street. You can talk about listings, but make sure it’s not the only thing you talk about.”
