Use Twitter to Build Your Brand Recognition

Don't fool yourself. Even if you are a single agent, working for yourself, you still have a brand. Your brand is more than just your image – it is people's perception of your image, of you, of your business, your credentials, your reputation – you get the idea. As social media takes a stronghold on the world of branding and marketing, we are learning newer and better ways to use it to our advantage. Let's talk about how you can use Twitter to build your brand recognition.

You may want to sit down and map out a brand strategy. Do a bit of Google research or play around on HootSuite (after setting up a free account, of course), and work out ways other people are building brand awareness through social media. See what catches your eye and what you personally find attractive, endearing or smart. Twitter can also be a great platform to promote open houses and other home events.

Twitter can be instrumental in building brand recognition, because it operates in real time and has tremendous reach. You don't have to be someone's "friend" or "connection" to start a conversation. Using hashtags and Twitter Chat gives you – and anyone – the chance to be in on the conversation. This is where the real connections get made.

Make sure others will want to know you by updating your Twitter photo and bio. Be approachable, include an interesting fact or two about yourself or your business, say what you like to talk about, and use a great picture (don't be the egg!).

Here a few tips to getting the most out of Twitter when you're trying to build brand awareness:

• Use photos and videos. Twitter stats show that tweets with images and videos get retweeted more often.

• Use hashtags. Experts say to use three separate hashtags for each tweet to help your tweets rise above the masses. Mix them up, post the same content in different ways, using different hashtags. And absolutely use relevant trending hashtags – get involved in larger conversations for greater exposure.

• Ride on the coattails of others. If you're selling a fixer-upper with a ton of potential, try tweeting about it during episodes of Rehab Addict. Want to encourage buyers to use an agent? Tweet while they're watching Love It or List It. Or use the Million Dollar Listing time slot to tweet about that gorgeous horse ranch you've just listed for a new client. Research shows that using relevant hashtags during a trending TV show can really boost your Twitter exposure.

• Be yourself. As a real estate professional, your brand ultimately comes down to YOU. Make things personable and personal. Stick to what you know and what you like. Tweet things that interest or engage you. Retweet and comment often, when others tweet things that are important or interesting to you. Thank those who follow and retweet you.

To view the original article, visit the Properties Online blog.