I read a post a few months ago and wanted to write my own version of it. I was in the hospital the day before my daughter was born and read this post and thought…
What a great idea!
Gary Vaynerchuk, posted an article titled 13 Tweets a Real Estate Agent Should Have Answered, Not Me.
By the way, Gary is releasing his third book titled Jab, Jab, Jab Right Hook: How to Tell Your Story in a Noisy Social World. I recommend you pick up a copy because if this book is like his other 2, it’ll be another best-seller and will give you a ton of ideas to add profits to your bottom line.
In fact, if you do pick up a copy and for some crazy reason you do not enjoy it, email me at Adam AT Socialsinergy.com and I will refund you the cost of the book.
It is that good.
How To Effectively Use Twitter for Business
This is how Twitter should be used for business, but very few businesses do it. Most businesses use the micro-blogging platform to push their message. Have you ever went to a networking event and met the person trying to sell you something BEFORE you even get their name? That is what you look like on Twitter if you’re constantly pushing.
One time I had a guy pushing a windmill on me. Yes, a windmill to put in my backyard to save money on electricity. I did not get the guy’s name because he was acting like a 17-year old boy and trying to close too early, but told him my HOA probably wouldn’t approve.
Thanks for the great offer, creepy networking guy.
Ok, rant over. I took to The Twitter last night to prove my point, and in this case, how car dealerships should be using Twitter for their car lots. You can do this for just about every industry, I just choose car dealers because a lot of people are looking for a new/used car on the social network.
Nathan is looking to buy a Subaru WRX
Now, if I am a Subaru dealer in Western Pennsylvania, I am reaching out to him asking him questions, similar to what I did with: Have a color in mind? I am offering him value, tips, what to look for, what to be careful of, then asking him to come in for a test drive.
Here is another Tweet I sent to a young lady in San Diego…
If I am a car dealer in San Diego, I am reaching out to her and congratulating her on generating enough clients to afford a vehicle. Again, I would ask questions and let her know that if she has any questions about anything, please let me (the dealer) know.
This is how to rise above the noise (your competition)
Another Tweet to a young lady in Alabama…
Here is one to Katie in Minnesota…
This is more of a hot lead as she said she is buying before December. If I sell SUVs in Minnesota, I am reaching out to Katie and asking if she has anything in mind. If she’s looking to buy new or used. What color was she thinking. These are all questions that would take a few seconds to send her and see if she is interested in what your dealership offers.
If your dealership doesn’t offer what she is looking for, do you think you could arrange to get her the vehicle she is looking for? I bet you could.
Here is one more of someone going car shopping tomorrow…
Ok, this is a HOT lead! She is ready to go tomorrow! I’d ask similar questions to the ones I would have asked above (color, new/used, model, make, etc). Ask her to stop by tomorrow and you’ll have [whatever she’s looking for] waiting for her.
See..
I jumped in the conversation and asked questions. I didn’t try and sell anything, and that is key. I took a genuine interest and reached out to them. This is a great place to start a conversation and eventually ask them to stop in for a test drive.
Smart marketing should be about help, not hype – Jay Baer
How To Use Twitter Search
This is very simple to do.
I went to: https://twitter.com/search-home
I searched for terms like car shopping, need a new car, looking to buy a car, etc. You can geo-target with city and/or zipcode, too. This took me all of 15 minutes to do, look at the time stamps on the screenshots above.
Instead of spending $50,000+ on TV commercials next month, why not hire someone to monitor Twitter (and the other social networks) full-time?
Banner ads, television commercials or radio spots are not as effective as they used to be. Marketing got hard.
People do business with people, not TV commercials.
Conclusion
I used dealership for example, but this works in any industry. If you’re in the restaurant industry, this can be a gold mine. Realtors, take note, this is an excellent opportunity for you, too.
Now, I have some people to get back to on Twitter letting them know, I am not a car salesman, I just play one online :)