I was actually asked a question in the form of a Tweet by Vancouver, WA Mortgage Broker Ed Bisquera. (see image to the right)
Rather than offer your usual list of RE.net suspects, my advice on who Twitter newbies should follow is more geared to what “groups” of people newbies should consider following. It’s about having a conversation with your audience. First know who your audience is.
You hear this all the time – “I just don’t get Twitter!” I actually left the following comment on my Twitter buddy Toby Boyce’s Facebook wall. Responding to Delaware, Ohio RealtorToby I said “I’m sure you would agree Twitter makes a 
“terrible’ first impression. I’m finding it’s a terrific platform (like FB) to listen, connect, engage and show value. Tweople who do that can make some serious “social capital” and obtain “top of mind” status with their digital SOI”.
During our travels across our fruited plain (always wanted to say that 
, Brad and I have become quite familiar how RE BarCamps are run and what takes place at each event. It doesn’t make Brad or I RE BarCamps experts but more like informed observers. Stand behind a camera for 8 hours at multiple events and it will illuminate your mind.
While each RE BarCamp is unique, there are some shared commonalities about them all. Those common values include ardent sharers and seekers of information, awesome networking opportunities coupled with pre and post RE BarCamp fun social opportunities. Here’s the thing, based on feedback voiced by attendees and read in our streaming chat room during our streams, there is a growing disappointment over the failure to deliver the kind of environment and experience some attendees were hoping for. It’s not a major problem now but, it seems to be a growing trend. I’ll identify a few of those voiced challenges momentarily.
Believe it or not, way back when (almost 25 years ago) I was employed as a Seaboard Coastline Railroad Yardmaster. Yes, this young pup was supervising old railroaders twice my age and telling them what to do at the Raleigh Yard. It made for an interesting life until I was laid off due to a major railroad industry cutback. That’s when I decided to jump into real estate. So I secured my NC real estate license and went to work for Merrill Lynch Realty. It’s funny how things workout in life. Having come full circle, I’m right back in the real estate industry today and yes, I still have a license. Old lessons learned during my railroading days still help me today. That’s why it’s even more important today to “stop, look and listen” especially when it comes to social media.
