Kim Wood - Greater Chester County PA Real Estate

How to Twitter - Part One gave a brief overview of Twitter, why I use it, and how to get signed up.

In Part Two, we'll move onto setting up your profile. This is important as people look to see if they want to follow you. If you do not have a bio, picture, website etc. I hesitate - so do others. We need to know a little bit first.

So.... you have your username... if you are continuing from sign up, the next screen you will see looks like this:

I personally, never like to use these. I don't like my friends to have to get the notifications :)  However, follow the directions if you chose to. It will search for people in your address book.

So moving right along....

What are you doing? If you are going to listen to me... you won't do anything yet. However, I know some of you will want to - so go ahead and type something in there if you want. (No one will really read it - cause you aren't following/followed yet - but go ahead if you have to).

Let's click on Settings. Most of the learning I have found on the computer is by "playing" so go ahead and play with all of those tabs in there. After completing each tab, be sure and click SAVE at the bottom.

At the least, set these up:

• Account Tab: One line bio, location (you can be general), More info URL (if you have a blog - link it up! If not, use another website you have - even ActiveRain).  Note: There is a box called "Protect my Updates" where you will be locked. I have been locked and unlocked. For the beginning, I recommend you are unlocked - people hesitate following people who are blocked because they can not see anything - and you have to approve them. Of course, when you are unlocked - you will have some people request to follow that you will follow up and block later (I'll address this).
• Device Tab: I highly recommend you do not set this up at this time.
• Notices Tab: While you are getting started, change the drop-down menu to "All @ replies"
• Picture Tab: Duh! It does have to be 700K or less, and square is best. (Picnik is awesome for this).  Some people use a picture of themself, others use logos, pets, etc.

You're all set up!  How to Twitter - Part Three is up where you can start learning how to follow and get followed.

Yes, there is a lot to Social Media and exposure. No, you can not do it all and do it well.  You must select the social media outlets you would like to be a part of - and work them.

Image Courtesy of Scobles Social Media Starfish by DBarefoot

Everyone will have different favorites. I have a friend, Beth Harte of The Harte of Marketing who loves PLURK! I keep trying it, and just favor Twitter so much more. But ya know what - Plurk has worked for her and she likes it, so that is where she should be and continue to connect with her potential clients.

Have you read Buzz Builderz yet? Bill Lublin and Hal Lublin have been helping direct us with some great ideas for breaking down the Social Media into practical and helpful solutions. 

"The mission of BuzzBuilderz is to help businesses and indivduals create “ripple marketing” where each action creates continued sequences of events increasing the impact and recognition of the person or business involved."  Buzz Builderz.

No, you can't do it all.  But in my opinion, you must make yourself a presence in Social Media and the Web 2.0 way to connect with people.  Pick your favorites... and put them to work for you!

Guess what? I have news! I have big news to share!  I met Tyler Wagner today!  Yes, I did!

Please help me welcome Tyler the fabulous world of ActiveRain !!!  He even wrote his first AR post: It's Time to Jump In already! So JUMP on over there and give him a hearty Welcome !

Tyler is not new to the blogging world, in fact we taught Blogging 101 to our association today. But he hasn't gotten fired up about it like he wants to!

I told him about ActiveRain about a week ago - and yesterday he finally signed on - got his profile going - and BOOM - wrote his first post!

He was a big cheerleader for ActiveRain with me, it truly is a great place to begin blogging!!!! So I wasn't the sole "shouter" if AR Dudes' ears were burning :)

Welcome to AR, Tyler ! It was nice to meet you - and I hope you gain lots of benefits from it like friendships, networks, knowledge and business!!!!

You know where to reach me if you need any help!

(pst - you know I had to share Twitter with him too - find him @TylerWagner)

Cancer SUCKS pass it on!!!  Most all of us have had someone in our lives directly or indirectly affected by cancer. I think of our own, Karen George and want to shout from the mountain tops!!!

Spread the word - help fight cancer - whether it is in spreading awareness, walking in a walk, donating money - suck it up and get at it!!!

I am a @Twitterite. There is something I need to tell you about Twitter. Don't abuse it. If you don't use it don't just throw your feeds from ActiveRain up there. 

I'm happy that ActiveRain jumped into the Twitter movement and added Twitter Settings and Feeds, don't get me wrong. Brad's Post explains more here.

It's on my list to write my own version of how to use Twitter for you - I'll still get to that one of these days.... I can sum it up by saying:

You really need to just jump in, sign up, start following some people you know (search users) and keep adding more people as you see their names come up.  You'll get the hang of it after you start seeing what is going on.

Regarding the new ActiveRain Twitter settings that you can make a notice appear in twitter everytime you post............  USE WITH CARE.

If you are an active Twitter user - and people get to know you - right on! Send your links - we want to read them!!! They'll be dispursed into other conversation you have.

If you do not use twitter, tried it and hated it, or think of it as a waste of time - if you send your links to twitter most likely you will get unfollowed.  If your profile is full of links and no conversation - you probably won't even 'get' followed.

I asked some people today about it - the consenseous was pretty clear. Feeds are like spam when used the wrong way. It's better if you choose your favorite posts - or maybe the topic of conversation on twitter that day - and link it up !

Another issue that will hopefully get resolved......... I am on twitter for social & business purposes. It has paid off in both in big ways for me.  Linking up my Member's Only posts to twitter - and locals clicking and finding out they can't view cause of no permission? I don't think that will go over too well.

Again, Kim speaks her opinion, do as you wish.

Don't be the cause of a FAIL WHALE !!!

UPDATE 9/30:

In Chris Brogan's post, Using Outposts in your Media Strategy, he said, "Post the occasional tweet about a particularly good blog post to Twitter. Do this at a rate of about 1:12, meaning one post about your stuff to any 12 tweets about other people’s stuff. This will keep people a bit more interested in your stream as something of value, versus a “mememememe” type of Twitter user."

Yep. I'm bragging again.  I got to another meetup!!!  Yay!  The Virginia Association of Realtors had their annual conference in Baltimore this year - which was too close to pass up.  They were very welcoming to this Chester County PA Realtor!

As Teresa says, "It's great to meet the people who live in my computer."  It's actually fun, because not only have I met people for the first time, putting @s to real people (Jeremy, Candy, Sarah, Drew, Matt, Natalie, Tony, Matt & Jennifer, Danilo), but seeing people again that I have met before! (Sarah, John, Daniel, Ben, Heather, Bryan, Jovan, Tina, Brian)

Most of the time, I'm not suprised at all by what people are like IRL (in real life) and this was no different.

I was only able to be in Baltimore for 24 hours - but we packed in a lot of fun in that time!!!

Pictures say it best...........

And once again, I thank ActiveRain........ it all began here! At ActiveRain ! Getting to know people through blogging...... @Twitter has been where we've gotten closer.... but I'd say it all started on ActiveRain, and I don't know if I'd even be on Twitter had I not heard of it here!  THANK YOU AR !!!

My quick tips are what I'd hoped them to be.... something so simple and "missed" by many. (Of course many of you already knew & used the things I shared - and that's great!).

I wish I remembered where I read this - so I could credit that person with the time it's saved - and the wear and tear on my hands, lol.....  all I remember is that it was in my feed reader..........

When using Internet Explorer or Firefox - to open a new tab, simply double click in the space it would go!

How was I doing it before? Right click on tab, left click "Open New Tab". Yes, I was.... so I figure there are a few more people out there doing the same thing.

Go try!  It's been a great new trick I've used many times this week!

Others:

Quick Tip: How to get an Answer for your Email
Quick Tip from my College Kid

What Hat Do You Wear?

In our lifes as REALTORS (R) we learn to put on different hats depending on what tasks are upon us.  Mommy, Seller agent, Tough Game Day agent, Divorce mediator,  etc.

Are You YOU?

However, what hat to do put on daily? Who are you? I am very transparent in my life - I am ME. That's it. I'm just Me. Whether I'm talking to you as your Real Estate Agent, as your Business Associate, your online friend, your newest networking contact, your latest face-to-face meetup - I AM ME.

Do you Hide Behind a Hat?

Who are you online? Who are you on ActiveRain? On Twitter? What happens when you meet face-to-face? Are people surprised? Most of the people I have meet up with, it has been a great pleasure. They are just like I've gotten to know them in the circles I travel online.

However, I can't say that about everyone that I've met, I wish I could. Some people become someone they want to be online - then you meet in person - and the truth comes out. They hide behind someone they want to be.

Be YOU

Can I just say that it is not worth it to become someone else. It will bite you in the butt. Trust me on this one. Being deceitful, dishonest, or a fake will come back to bite you in some way or another. I will go out on a limb and speak for most of the online communities - We want to know you. Really! YOU. No, everyone is not going to get along with everyone. But isn't it better that you are liked for who you are; not who you have faked you to be?

No Matter Who - Be You !

People are smart. They can read phoney's. When you meet with clients - be straight with them. When you are connecting with other Real Estate Agents - be straight with them. There isn't any use in pretending to be someone/something you aren't - THE TRUTH WILL ALWAYS WIN.  (Maybe not right away - but it will win.)

Today, Saturday, September 20th, 2008 is Puppy Mill Awareness Day. So be aware. There are dogs and puppies living in and around Chester County, PA that could at the least, use our thoughts today. They live in deplorable conditions and are abused terribly.

I wrote a post, Please Help I Have a Heartbeat Too, which continues to be one of the top clicked through links. Sometimes the news we bring isn't happy news. Sometimes its sad news. However, I am shocked at the stories from people when I ask where they got their new pet they are excited about that it could have begun at a source as a Puppy Mill.

Pet stores, Newspaper Ads, Signs on the Road, Internet Ads..... are all possible sources for pets breed from Puppy Mills. If they continue to make money selling them; they are not going to stop what they are doing. Take action! Spread the word!

United Against Puppy Mills has a large voice right now. I've seen bumper stickers all over Chester County in my travels about while selling Chester County Houses.

If you are looking for a puppy, please be sure and check out the many rescues in the area. One of my favorites is Main Line Rescue - but there are lots!

Stop Puppy Mills Ribbon Picture courtesy of Feral Indeed!

Original Post Stop Puppy Mills on WestofPhillyBurbs.com

You can visit fine homes on Chester County Day in the southwestern quadrant of Chester County this year, including Birmingham, Chadds Ford, Chatham, Cochranville, East Fallowfield, Kennett Square, Lincoln University, New London, Unionville, West Grove and West Chester.

Every year Chester County Day kicks off with a Fox Hunt demonstration early in the morning. Although sometimes rainy, I'm always glad that Mom insists we begin on the rolling hills of Chester County at the Hunt.

This year, the tour is October 4th, always the first Saturday in October. You can begin your tour at any of the 25 homes on the schedule at 10:00am and have to leave your last by 5:00pm. Tickets are $35.00 and can be purchased at locations around Chester County or online. It is helpful to attend one of the previews so you can decide what homes are a *sure to see* on your list (you don't have time to see them all).

Not only is it an experience in itself to tour the exquisite homes, land, antiques, and prized collections of the gracious owners, but a way to support the local Chester County Hospital, one of the odd non-profit, independent hospitals. This event has raised more than $3.5 million since it began 68 years ago.

And for me? It's one of my favorite times to spend with people I love! Usually our van includes: Myself, Mom, Aunt, Cousin/BFF, Sister in law, dd AChrome22, and maybe this year dd Princess19 (we say over 18 yrs only). We have fun tailgating every couple of stops (Mom is still hoping for a silver goblet for her mimosas), passing the open champagne bottle duty, snacking, laughing, and counting how many homes we can get to. I think we make it to about 5-6 - you can definitely do more! I can't go into more detail, because "What happens on Chester County Day are memories among us" you have to see for yourself. We divy out the duties for Designated Driver, Navigator (Hilda, the GPS has sort of taken over this), and Food & Beverage Coordinator. I hope Bertha Snell is ready this year.

Check it out. Selected Chester County Homes to see will not disappoint - and the quadrant this year will take us to some beautiful countryside.

The homes are the tour are usually not for sale. If you are interested in homes that are for sale in Chester County to see in person, contact me for a private Chester County Day tour :)

Original Post Here