My husband got a kick out of telling me I was in the paper yesterday. I knew the article on Twitter and real estate blogging might be coming out since I’d been interviewed a few weeks ago, and I’d met the photographer at one of my rapidly dwindling listings, but I still was taken by surprise.
I thoroughly enjoy connecting with people, on-line and in person. I first discovered the power of social media through my blog and then via Twitter a couple years ago. Then, Flickr caught my attention, and I started sharing photos and learning more about photography. I signed up for the more professional LinkedIn, and starting finding old buddies from my previous career. Then, there was Facebook, where I seem to connect to my friends, family, old classmates, and other Realtors. Recently, I started playing with music over at blip.fm.
Social media in its infinite forms is here. I watch my son work Facebook, Skype, and text message all at the same time. It’s how his generation communicates. And, for me, it’s been an eye-opening way to connect with a world of people that I never would have met, if I’d restricted myself to face-to-face meetings.
One of the best parts of this recent media experience was during the photo session. I was explaining Twitter to the photographer, and this tweet arrived on my phone:
I couldn’t believe that I was actually seeing this happen while I was explaining how and why I use Twitter. Total synchonicity!
Twitter can be whatever you make it. It can be totally a business tool, to share a business or do to research about one, but that’s not what makes it interesting and keeps people coming back for more.
I found that the more I let myself play with it, the more the real me came out. I can share the latest real estate stats, or I can play "Taking Care of Business", or I can upload a photo of a dust storm rolling into Scottsdale. It helps me paint a picture of the Scottsdale real estate market in a really unique way.
I think Twitter has applications across a wide range of business. Ask Christy. She works with major league businesses every day, showing them how to use social media to expand their reach.
And, if you looking to buy or sell a home, it really could be worth your time to explore Twitter a bit. You’ll get a pretty good feel for the person you might be hiring for your next real estate transaction.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Dru,
It was really nice to see your smiling face in the papaer yesterday.
You make so many things look effortless. I love your style in using theses social media skills of yours and have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know you online and off. Keep up the GREAT work you are doing for your business and your community.
.-= Nick Bastian´s last blog ..Metro Light Rail Ridership numbers for June 09’ =-.
Hi Ms. Dru,
What a nice surprise to see your photo in the paper. It has been such a long time since our AMEX days. I also was surprised to see that you are doing real estate. I am sure that you are very successful. I have been a realtor since 1984 and not active recently. But we just closed our sign company and I am back in it again.
Would love to catch up one day. Let me know if you have some time for lunch or coffee? How is your son doing? I hope well.
Hugs,
Jan
Congrats Dru – great article! Such good timing on that tweet
Two critical components of success with any social media tool:
1. Be yourself.
2. Engage in conversation.
You do both very well and I, personally, enjoy the variety of your tweets during the day. When the time came that my concerns about the lease-option on this house my wife and I are in went beyond “quiet, nagging doubt,” I only knew of one Realtor in the area that I trusted.
Of course, now we’ve learned that our landlords are going to renege on our contract, but rather than fight them for this house, we’ve decided we’re going to find something else. Now we’re out hunting in this maddening heat.
If it weren’t for my wife’s best friend very enthusiastically referring us to the agent with whom she looked at over 100 homes last fall, I know there would have been no need for us to find a Realtor, since I already know a good one.
.-= Brian DR1665´s last blog ..The $1000 car – A Grand Idea =-.
Nick – you are so kind… if only it were effortless!
Jan Eggers – I thought that was you following me on Twitter
It’s been fourteen years since our paths crossed. Amazing! Yes. We will need to get caught up.
Christy – You are a master! Timing is everything. Even in finding the right house.
Brian – We do have fun don’t we? Hope you find the house you are looking for. Appreciate your trust. Thank you.