This is a “tweet” I sent out last night. Within 4 minutes, 26 people had clicked on the link (It’s up to 64 this morning), which sent them to this photo:
“So what?” someone is likely saying. 64 of your friends see a picture with no information about the home. How is that “marketing”?
I just received a “Direct Message” from someone on Twitter. I follow them, they follow me, but we don’t really know each other. They are a local person that I “met” somehow on Twitter (name redacted for privacy):
Of course there is no telling where this could lead. The home could be in the wrong area for these folks, too expensive, too cheap, too big, too small. Who knows.
But I’ll find out.
There are 462 people that “follow” me on Twitter. Many I know, many I do not. It’s probably safe to assume those 462 people all have friends, co-workers, family. Some of those might just be looking for a home.
Perhaps some will say this is “shotgun” marketing — just firing stuff aimlessly about the internet and hoping something hits.
But there are a lot of people wandering aimlessly about the internet.
And some of them are looking for homes…
(And don’t worry Louis, this and more will be coming shortly for the HomeGain post I’m writing…
)
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Pat Kitano 06.01.08 at 12:31 pm
On Twitter, I’d say “great post Jay”, on Friendfeed, I’d “like” it and on your blog, I’d be compelled to write a cogent comment that would have taken me 10-15 minutes… the power of Twitter is in transmitting ideas and communication in a matter of seconds….
Dave Bethoney 06.01.08 at 12:53 pm
This is great, Jay. I’m not looking for a house nor do I live even remotely close to this listing, but I am one of the ones who clicked on the link and I loved looking at this great photo (you don’t see backyards like that where I’m from!). You tweeting about this listing really served multiple needs: getting the listing out in front of more people but also a great photo for those who are property obsessed like myself.
Louis Cammarosano 06.01.08 at 1:43 pm
Something more than a tweet and less than a blog post.
A Twog?
Believe it or not someone has that domain name!
Louis Cammarosano 06.01.08 at 1:43 pm
Jay
You don’t believe in blogging your listings, but tweeting them is ok?
ines 06.01.08 at 2:44 pm
social networking at its best! - I was wondering why you were uploading pics to flickr - thanks for the heads up
Jay - The Phoenix Real Estate Guy 06.01.08 at 3:00 pm
@Pat - thanks, Twitter can be fun. But powerful too…
@Dave - There’s always a second home…
@Louis - It’s a Twog, not a listing blog!
Never said *don’t* blog listings, said don’t be boring — do something different. This is different, sort of.
@ines - The Flickr pics will go into the single-property blogsite. We’re starting to keep all our listing photos there. I’m a Flickr noobie, but am loving it!
Scottsdale Homes 06.01.08 at 3:26 pm
Twitter is really cool for just how ‘instant’ it is. I set up a profile back in March of this year and don’t use it near as much as I should. My Director of Marketing loves it, he’s got it turned on almost all day everyday.
Matt Pellerin - Realtor
John Lockwood 06.01.08 at 6:15 pm
There’s nothing wrong with a shotgun.
Ask Dick Cheney.
Joseph Ferrara.sellsius 06.01.08 at 7:53 pm
Wow, you really ARE the Phoenix Real Estate Guy, Jay
As opposed to some folks who talk the social media marketing talk (without ever using it), you walk the walk, my friend. Bravo on showing us “proof of concept.”
Jay, you have always been open to trying new marketing ideas, without prejudgment– one of the many reasons why I admire you.
(for those who may not know it, Jay was the first real estate agent to use the term “unzillowable” in a listing. The man has chavollies.)
Teri L 06.01.08 at 8:05 pm
Great job Jay.
I’ve just been thinking about the best unspamming way to tweet listings as well. I have come up with another idea for doing this. Twitter is really wonky lately so I haven’t used it.
It’s a fine line to walk between using twitter as spam and using it to share useful information. And how do we know who will think it’s one or the other? But I’m glad someone has experienced some success. Good for you!
Linda 06.02.08 at 12:27 am
I think Dave made a good point, alot of people like myself clicked on the picture just to see the picture. Still you never know when you will get to the right person.
Eric Blackwell 06.02.08 at 2:21 am
Hey Teri;
@ your quote: “It’s a fine line to walk between using twitter as spam and using it to share useful information.”
Great point.
Perhaps the line on Twitter is the same one that Jay was referring with blog posts..as long as it is interesting and of interest to those seeing it. I agree with you that I certainly wanted to bomb some folks with the over 500 listings in our office.
That being said, I don’t think mixing in a little bit of WELL SPUN marketing is out of bounds…problem IMO is with the word “moderation” (grin)
Great post Jay.
Dining Room Set 06.02.08 at 4:33 am
I like your logic. In the non-line world too, good supervisors teach rookie salesmen to make more calls to hit average number of calls and to get a higher hit rate!
Dining Room Set 06.02.08 at 4:34 am
John, I have serious doubts that Dick will have the same opinion now!
Eric Blackwell 06.02.08 at 5:04 am
Ummm…Jay…looks like you are getting spammed with the above two comments. Just a heads up..
Best;
Eric
Teri L 06.02.08 at 5:30 am
Eric-
I’ve talked about this before across the blogiverse, but I use tweetscan to track particular words. Realtor is one of the words I follow. I’ve read more than a few tweets wondering out loud why so many Realtors are on twitter.
If you are having real conversations with people, and Jay does that, then people welcome you, but if you are following people without adding value to their twitter streams, or are only there to promote yourself, people are very quick to dump you from their twitter stream.
When people ask “What do I do with Twitter?” my answer is always “Engage”. If you can’t engage people in meaningful or at least entertaining conversation, then don’t bother showing up. Jay obviously knows how to walk that line, but not every Realtor jumping into Twitter is able to do that. JMHO…
ines 06.02.08 at 7:02 am
Teri - I think it has to be with people’s way of engaging. If all you post in Twitter is “another new post” or “a new picture” and never go in to really engage and talk and share other posts you are reading, then there’s no value on your presence and people will stop following you.
Just yesterday, some guy engaged me in Plaxo and started a really pleasant conversation, which ended with a sales pitch. If he would have engaged me a couple of times, I would have been more open to seeing his product.
Be smart! Give in order to receive.
Jay - The Phoenix Real Estate Guy 06.02.08 at 7:03 am
Thanks for contributing everyone!!
Spamming, or the perception of spamming is never a good thing. Unfortunately, there are some (many?) out there who will thing anything and everything a Realtor does or says is spammy.
90% of why I use Twitter is simply to “talk” to my friends. Twhirl and Twitter (when they work….) make that easy.
It’s also a *great* way to learn, and find new things to read.
The jury is still out on the marketing aspect of Twitter. I’m sure like much of this wild and wacky online world, it will evolve and change over time.
@Eric - speaking of spam, “Dining Room Set” is actually a long time reader here. Their name does come across as spammy, but they actively read and participate (including sending me some great articles via email), so I let it go. And I have to admit, they’ve got some nice furniture…
Really when it boils down to it, “Dining Room Set” isn’t any more spammy a name than the many agents using names with real estate terms in them…
Eric Blackwell 06.02.08 at 7:18 am
Thanks Jay…the name alone was not what threw me… the reference to Dick and John was what did it…I did not see them above…Now I found them and it makes more sense. (It was EARLY here when I posted that-hehe)
Didn’t mean to cause any commotion where there was none!
Now that you mention it, they have nice stuff! (pleased to meet you Mr or Ms Furniture) (GRIN)
Eric
Jay - The Phoenix Real Estate Guy 06.02.08 at 7:34 am
@Eric - was it “early” or “late”? You’ve commented at 2:21am, 5:04am and now 7:18am.
And people ask me when I sleep?
Eric Blackwell 06.02.08 at 7:44 am
Since I am on Eastern standard time, it was 5:21, 8:04, and 10:18 (grin).
Not so bad that way!
Eric
Scottsdale Homes 06.02.08 at 2:17 pm
“Really when it boils down to it, “Dining Room Set” isn’t any more spammy a name than the many agents using names with real estate terms in them…”
@Jay I use my domain name as my login name on many, many blogs. (Sort of like your very own login name when you comment here, you use your domain) Hopefully it’s okay here as well, or were you speaking directly at me?
Jay - The Phoenix Real Estate Guy 06.02.08 at 3:21 pm
It’s absolutely OK here Matt. You (and I) are far from alone.
I know some out there have a problem with anything other than pretty much a full legal name. Personally, I don’t really care. You are Scottsdale Homes.
But I am the only Phoenix Real Estate Guy.
“Anonymous” is really the only thing I have a problem with. But I still allow it. The only reason it bugs me is it seems a huge percentage of the time, “Anonymous” has nothing but some smart-ass comment to make.
But they can still make them here!
Scottsdale Homes 06.02.08 at 3:57 pm
Thanks for the reply Jay.
Whenever I find an interesting blog to follow, I check out many posts before I actually comment… sort of looking at what is and what is not acceptable if one wants to be a part of the community.
This is worth repeating though since I run 5 blogs myself:
““Anonymous” is really the only thing I have a problem with. But I still allow it. The only reason it bugs me is it seems a huge percentage of the time, “Anonymous” has nothing but some smart-ass comment to make.”
You hit the nail on the head with that one, but positive or negative, if it adds to the conversation then it should be allowed.
Teri Lussier 06.02.08 at 5:38 pm
>positive or negative, if it adds to the conversation then it should be allowed.
This strikes a nerve.
Count me in with those bloggers who is a ruthless comment deletor, and comments on my blog frequently go into moderation. If you are there to promote your own blog or business, then you’d better, like Scottsdale homes says, add real value to the conversation. It’s not about agreeing or disagreeing, but it is about content.
I don’t spend my time creating a place of value to consumers, just for some nameless person (who is typically selling real estate) to show up, say “Great post” and leave. It makes me feel used.
But hey, that’s just me.
Jay - The Phoenix Real Estate Guy 06.02.08 at 6:07 pm
“But hey, that’s just me.”
And it’s YOUR blog Teri, to do with however you see fit. That’s one of the greatest things about this blogging fad. (by the way, it was fabulous meeting you, wish we’d had more time!)
I kill the blatant advertising. Sometimes, I leave the comment and just respond with my own comment — in a tone some might say is “snarky”. But you know what, none of those people have ever come back for round 2.
I’ve found I rarely need to delete a comment. (I’m not counting the hundreds of pure spam comments a day that the spam blockers catch.) Oh, I know some come here only for the link. I chose to “dofollow” comment links as a little “reward” for those who comment, and that does get abused — but it’s pretty rare. And I *think* it’s actually getting better. It really doesn’t take all that much extra effort to leave something constructive, and I think people are starting to realize that. (and I define “constructive” pretty loosely. I like good-natured “banter” — probably not really “constructive” in the real sense, but it can add to a conversational “down home” feel and make others feel comfortable.)
Jayson 06.02.08 at 6:16 pm
Definitely agree Jay - you never know where business is going to come from and if it doesn’t take too much time and can only help, then it’s worth doing in my book.
Riverside Home Source 06.02.08 at 6:30 pm
You know, I do like twitter, and the new applications that I keep stumbling on (thanks for twitpics!) I actually like Pownce.com more. Lets me post links, files, and events as well as random posts.
nas 06.02.08 at 6:52 pm
REDACTED is a housing marketplace that connects people locally, nationally and internationally. People from all over the world can buy or sell properties, professional services, items and more for free! This is the only website that allows you to make and receive offers and chat with buyers/sellers directly, all for free.
Jay’s note: “nas”, really, think about it. Why should I provide you with a free advertising platform? The only reason the comment stands is the next two comments wouldn’t make sense if I pulled it.
Teri L 06.02.08 at 7:03 pm
nas-
Perfect!
Please share more. Jay, you are a much more generous host than I.
And yes, it was fantastic to meet you at Bloodhound Unchained!
Jay - The Phoenix Real Estate Guy 06.02.08 at 8:41 pm
Well, isn’t it ironic that we’re discussing spam and blatant advertising comments and “nas” shows up….
Hey nas, want to explain why it’s OK for you to come here on my blog and advertise your services?
Short answer, it’s not. Read my comment policy please.
I’m going to go in and delete the URL you posted.
Brad Coy 06.02.08 at 10:45 pm
To date I have created several business opportunities on twitter yet all I hear about is the negativity about the utility as a waste of time
Good on ya Jay! It can and will happen.
Paula Henry 06.03.08 at 12:30 am
What a great use of Twitter! Simple, yet impactful! How many sites can we submit our listings to in some format? 25, 50, 100?
Ken in Chicago 06.04.08 at 2:04 pm
OK I think I am going to have to give twitter another look. Still don’t “get it” but there are just to many agents using it that are starting to have results. And results is about all I care about so time to bite the bullet and get over my “this is stupid” opinion of twitter.
Austin Real Estate Blog 06.04.08 at 3:57 pm
That makes Twitter seem a lot more interesting. It just moved up on my list of todo’s. I need to figure out a way to not sleep.
Ken in Chicago 06.05.08 at 9:37 am
“I need to figure out a way to not sleep.”
That is the hard part and why I need to see someone else have results before investing to much time in anything.
M. Boyd - GetMyHomesValue.com 08.25.08 at 7:34 am
Ken - I’ve found that Twitter has a lot of benefits for opening the windows of communication between real estate agents and their community. Not only can you link it to your own blog, but you can use it to pass on news. Check out GetMyHomesValue.com on Twitter for an example of how we use Twitter to not only promote our service, but also communicate news about our company and news about the housing market.