There's No Body Language on Twitter

I'm on a roll with this social networking content discussion, so I'll keep going a while longer. I think, and I could be proved wrong, that the word "social" is taken a bit too literally on Twitter if you are using it for business.

Realtors, ever since they've been around, have been networkers, hand shakers, joiners and socializers to build their business. And, it does work quite well...when you're standing in front of the person. Presenting a good appearance, having an engaging personality, and being friendly definitely builds relationships, which build business.

A problem I see on Twitter is that I can't see you when you're being engaging (cute?). Even if you have a good image on your Twitter page, it can't provide the body language and verbal inflection that helps me to relate to what you're saying. And, when you're saying it in less than 140 characters, it better be good and get the point across. If I've never met you, as will be the case with most of your tweet readers, I have no idea of your personality. You can say something one way, and I'll read it in quite a different way.

If you build a Twitter presence just for socializing, have fun! But, if the reason it's there is to help you to build your real estate business, then a high noise ratio of "what I'm doing right now" tweets are just going to drive away people who might have become customers. Twitter accounts are free, so have a separate one for those who want to know your thoughts on Madonna's latest adoption.