Turner's Perspective

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Regarding Twitter: Two Online Tools To Help

A Look At SearchCloudlet and twIRC

Tweetgrid's IRC client: I'm a big fan of Tweetgrid for monitoring conversations on Twitter, mainly because it autoupdates and allows me to see up to 9 different conversation topics at once. (One of my tutorials is on the home page at Tweetgrid) But there are times that I want to concentrate on one specific topic or event and see who is most active in that conversation. That's when I turn to twIRC on the Tweetgrid platform. The following video will show you why.

 


twIRC from @jazzychad from Jeff Turner on Vimeo.

SearchCloudlet: I'm not a fan of "auto-following" on Twitter. Yes, I know there are "strategies" out there that can help you rack up big numbers of followers using a combination of automation techniques. I prefer to have conversations with people. So, I look at every person who follows me on twitter to determine if I want to follow them back... or not. One of the tools that helps me (not the only tool) is the SearchCloudlet plugin for Firefox. It gives me a quick way to look at what someone has been talking about on their most recent Twitter page and who they've been talking to. It also provides tag clouds for searches on Google as well. This will give you a quick glimpse of how it works.


Using SearchCloudlet To Vet Twitter Followers from Jeff Turner on Vimeo.

If you follow me on Twitter, you've probably seen these already. :)

69 commentsJeff Turner • March 19 2009 03:49PM

Comments

Thanks for sharing about TwIRC. I haven't tried that one before. I started the whole auto follow process and then realized I didn't like it so much. I was getting so many direct messages every day and then I couldn't see the stream of my friends all lost in the bunch. Following too many too quickly is a mistake

Posted by Sandy McAlpine -Search Lake Norman Homes For Sale - Lake Norman NC Neighborhoods (McAlpine Properties) almost 3 years ago

Sandy, there is an obsession with numbers on Twitter that is approaching fever pitch lately. My advice to everyone is to not play that game. Grow your followers organically and based on your conversations. Otherwise you'll just have a whole bunch of people "following" you who aren't really listening to what you have to say. IMHO.

Posted by Jeff Turner (Real Estate Shows) almost 3 years ago

Thank you.  there is so much to learn about twitter.  Thank you for the tips

Posted by Boca Raton Florida Homes for Sale David Serle (RE/MAX Services) almost 3 years ago

Thank you.  there is so much to learn about twitter.  Thank you for the tips

Posted by Boca Raton Florida Homes for Sale David Serle (RE/MAX Services) almost 3 years ago

hey, this is good information... maybe it'll allow me to understand how twitter can be useful.

Nice to see you back Jeff.

Posted by Alan May, Coldwell Banker Realtor® Evanston, Illinois Homes for Sale (Evanston Condos & Evanston Single Family Homes) almost 3 years ago

Hi Jeff, Thanks for the info about Twitter. I am really new at it and I am finding it is hard to keep-up with a HUGE amount of people at the same time as well. Thank you!

Glad to see you back too!

Posted by Teresa Harris ~ Denver . Lake Norman . Charlotte (Lake Real Estate, LLC) almost 3 years ago

Alan and Teresa... it's a friendly place. :)

Posted by Jeff Turner (Real Estate Shows) almost 3 years ago

Jeff: you're always on top of the techy stuff. Thx for sharing.

Posted by Lake Arrowhead Real Estate (909)273-4542 Kat DeLong, Realtor Dre#01235311 (Mountain Country Realty, Lake Arrowhead. (909)-273-4542) almost 3 years ago

Hi Jeff - Two very valuable tools.  I appreciate the videos and your take on why you use these tools.  twIRC is pretty cool as I prefer to look at conversations in context.  Also, like you, I'm not a big fan of auto follow, so search cloudlet will be a huge help. Thanks so much for the great info....again! 

Posted by Laguna Homes|Laguna Condos| Laguna Real Estate|Marlene Bridges (Village Real Estate Services, Inc.) almost 3 years ago

I agree with you on the "auto follow" feature for Twitter. It reminds me of how my Mother in Law has interesting conversations with my Voice Mail.  She thinks she's talking to an actual person just like me when I've responded to an auto responder.

Yes, my face is red.

Posted by Kristal Kraft ~Denver Real Estate~720-279-4599 (The Berkshire Group Realtors) almost 3 years ago

Kristal, this is an auto reply. It's not really me.

Posted by Jeff Turner (Real Estate Shows) almost 3 years ago

I'm using tweetdeck right now because I like having my different groups.  I have participated in some hashtag conversations and I really like that feature that it puts the hashtag in for you. 

Pros and cons of this versus tweetdeck?

Posted by Melina Tomson, M.S. Principal Broker/Owner (Tomson Burnham, llc Licensed in the State of Oregon) almost 3 years ago

Glad to see a post from you!  You were at the top of my subscription list this afternoon :)

Posted by Julie Ferenzi (Real People Realty, Inc.) almost 3 years ago

Great tip for sure.  But in order for me to wrap my brain around it all I'm going to have to play with it for weeks.

Might sink in faster with one of those Turner Classic Mojitos.  ;)

Posted by Carol Smith (Casmi Photography) almost 3 years ago

Thanks Jeff!  I have watched your video on Tweetgrid site but haven't dug in yet.  I first heard of Twitter from your posts and avoided it because I didn't understand it and now love it and I am sure I will feel the same about these tools - you haven't been wrong yet - bought the Panasonic Lumix on your recommendation :-)  I guess it's time.  I agree about following - I look things over before I hit the button - nothing automatic so the last tool seems intriguing.

Posted by Cathy Tishhouse Royal Oak Real Estate (RE/MAX Showcase Homes) almost 3 years ago

Wow - I'm still on page 1 of Twitter and don't really want to get too enTWined with all the add-ons.  One step at a time.  But thanks for the info.

Posted by Georgina M. Hunter R(S) e-Pro Maui Real Estate Sales (Jim Sanders Realty Inc. - Maui) almost 3 years ago

Since I am throwing a new horse site into my mix, I appreciate the CloudLet now more than ever. Looking forward to seeing you Friday.

Posted by Susie Blackmon~Ocala~Horses~Western Wear~Horse Farms~Marketing. almost 3 years ago

How does this compare to TweetDeck? Because TweetDeck doesn't work the way I expected it to. I'm pretty disappointed with it. I guess I'll just download whatever you're using. You seem to always be 2 steps ahead of me with this stuff =)

Posted by Lisa Hill (Daytona Beach Real Estate) (Florida Property Experts) almost 3 years ago

I second Melina's question about Tweetgrid versus Tweetdeck!

Posted by Loan Survivor Real Estate Financing Expert (Purchases, First Time Buyers, Pre-Approvals, Refinance) almost 3 years ago

Good advice on building organically. This weekend I was looking at my numbers and wondering just how reliable they were as an indication of effective communication and marketing. I'll take a look at CloudLet if any of the NCAA games turn into blowouts this weekend.

Posted by John Novak - Las Vegas and Henderson NV Real Estate (Keller Williams Realty The Marketplace) almost 3 years ago

Thanks for the information!

Posted by Laura J Hatcher (Sierra Cal Investments ) almost 3 years ago

John, that's a good question to be asking. Numbers are easy to get. Want 10,000 followers. I can show you how to do that without even having a single conversation. But to what end?

Posted by Jeff Turner (Real Estate Shows) almost 3 years ago

Drew and Lisa. I use both Tweetdeck and Tweetgrid. When I want to be actively monitor a nuber of conversations, I turn to Tweetgrid. I have several 9 slot grids saved as bookmarks with the different topic categories I want to monitor.  If I'm just casually following, then I use Tweetdeck, because it's simple. I use twIRC when I really want to engage heavily with one specific event. Since it presents a nearly live feed without refreshing, I miss less of the conversation. And being able to see who is most active in the conversation helps me understand who is most interested.

Posted by Jeff Turner (Real Estate Shows) almost 3 years ago

Something else I didn't know about!  So much to learn - so little time.  Thanks for the info.

 

 

Posted by Irene Tron (Precept Ministries International) almost 3 years ago

thanks for more great information!

Posted by Tucson Real Estate Experts Anne and Eddie McKechnie (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage) almost 3 years ago

I was looking at tweetgrid last night. I was at a 1am hazy loss as to what to "do" with the tweet grid.

Thanks for the more than timely insight.

Posted by Teller, Park and El Paso County Colorado Sabrina Kelley Pikes Peak Region Realtor (ERA The Herman Group) almost 3 years ago
I agree, jeff, I look at every one who follows me 1st before deciding. I am here to make friends nt follow 10,000 people. TomLarsen (Twitter name)
Posted by Tom Larsen (The Larsen Protection Team) almost 3 years ago

More tweets from our twitter guru!  I have to set aside more time to get into this further.  I have bookmarked this post and will be back.

Posted by Joan Whitebook Southern New Hampshire (BHG The Masiello Group) almost 3 years ago

Dear ActiveRain Member:  Thank you for such an informative post!

Posted by Rich Jacobson Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker (Keller Williams West Sound Realty) almost 3 years ago
Jeff-thanks for the information. I use tweetdeck and have to take a look at tweetgrid.
Posted by Maria Mastrolonardo - Short Sale Realtor® ~ Naperville, IL Real Estate (RE/MAX of Naperville) almost 3 years ago

Awesome!  Thanks so much!

Posted by Maya Thomas, foreclosures, short sales, water front, Old Town Key West, Sunset (Key, Key Haven, Geiger, Sugarloaf, Cudjoe, Summerland) almost 3 years ago

I'll have to check this out. I don't do auto-follow because not everyone has something to say that I want to hear(see). I was re-thinking this today when all I saw on my home page were RT's, quotes and link URL's. Boring stuff sometimes. Where are the real original thoughts I want to see? Maybe I'm just not into all of it today. Check again tomorrow...

Posted by Lizette Fitzpatrick - Lexington KY MLS - Kentucky Homes - Horse Farms (Lizette Realty - Lexington KY - Richmond KY) almost 3 years ago

Thanks Jeff..powerful way to not lose track of those conversations or tweets.

Posted by Andrew Mooers | Northern Maine Real Estate / Aroostook County Broker (MOOERS REALTY) almost 3 years ago

Jeff - So I wrote a really cool comment, but ActiveRain went goofy on me for a minute.  So instead, I just have to tell you that the SearchCloudlet plug in is a great tip and I appreciate it. 

Posted by Matt Stigliano (Becker Properties (210) 646-HOME) almost 3 years ago

I just read through several of your blogs including this one. You have one of the more informative blogs I have read on here....Thanks

Posted by Stephen Strickhausen (Benchmark Realty) almost 3 years ago

I follow you on Twitter, but am SO GLAD to see you back in the rain!! Thanks for the Twitter info. This will be one post I'll have to bookmark and digest when I can. Thanks, Jeff.

Posted by Pat Starnes (Pat Starnes Real Estate) almost 3 years ago

Jeff - Thanks for this tutorial. I mostly lurk and don't tweet as much as I should. So much to learn so little time.

Ha ha Rich's comment above.

BTW Bob here not to be confused with Lisa.





smiley

Posted by Robert and Lisa Hammerstein, Realtors® Coldwell Banker, Pascack Valley Area (Bergen County New Jersey Homes For Sale 201-218-6802) almost 3 years ago

I've got to take this one step at a time...i.e. twitter, facebook, linkedIn, etc.  My brain circuits....OUCH!

Posted by Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor WV Real Estate in Greenbrier County (Coldwell Banker Stuart & Watts Real Estate) almost 3 years ago

Thanks for the info

Posted by Jean Terry (Keller Williams Realty Spartanburg, S.C.) almost 3 years ago

I, too, prefer substance over volume any day.  Thanks for the lessons. 

Posted by Pinecrest | Palmetto Bay | Maggie Dokic, SFR (Keller Williams Realty Premier Properties) almost 3 years ago

Makes perfect sense to me, although I have a lot to learn.

Posted by Chris Olsen Broker Owner Cleveland Ohio Real Estate (Olsen Ziegler Realty) almost 3 years ago

Jeff - I've installed SearchCloudlet on my Twitter page, the tags did not make a whole lot of sense to me now. I like TweetGrid based on what I just saw on your video explanation, but the loading of the video over at TweetGrid is right now not working for me, I'll try later. Thanks, this is really cool and I'll share it with my followers.

Posted by Petra Norris - Lakeland Florida Realtor® Lakeland FL Homes for Sale (CDV TransAtlantic, Inc.) almost 3 years ago

Following people who really iinterest you makes all the difference in the world with the Twitter experience.  I love the way that a simple tweet can broaden my perspective, inform, educate, make me laugh and make me pause with a simple piece of inspiration.  Thanks for sharing this tool...it will make it a little easier to enjoy what I like most about the site. :)

Posted by Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate almost 3 years ago

I do like to use tweetgrid - i think I learned that from you : )  - I will look into the SearchCloudlet and the twIRC...

Posted by Emily Lowe - Nashville TN Realtor (The Lipman Group Sotheby's International Realty) almost 3 years ago
Excellent info. Took you approximately four months to come up with something new to add to the Rain? I don't think so. But welcome back and thanks for the great advice! (You were one of the reasons I came to this crazy place.)
Posted by Suzanne McLaughlin, Wright & Sherburne Counties Realtor (Sabinske & Associates, Inc. (Albertville, St. Michael)) almost 3 years ago

Jeff - Good to see you here.  This tool does look like it make the twitter experience more meaningful as it allows you to focus on specific topics.

Posted by Jennifer Fivelsdal Rhinebeck Real Estate (Serving Dutchess| Columbia|Ulster Ctys (LIC. R.E. Broker JFIVE Home Realty LLC ) almost 3 years ago

I am seeing twitter everywhere, it was metioned at least 5 times during the first minute on ET tonight. I hope it doesn't become pase'

Posted by Overland Park Real Estate and Homes for sale :: Michael Russell (Overland Park KS Realty Executives ) almost 3 years ago

I am seeing twitter everywhere, it was metioned at least 5 times during the first minute on ET tonight. I hope it doesn't become pase'

Posted by Overland Park Real Estate and Homes for sale :: Michael Russell (Overland Park KS Realty Executives ) almost 3 years ago

I am on Twitter Jeff but I am afraid I don't use like I should. I will take a look at the links and maybe that will improve my experience. If I only had two sets of hands and two separate brains . Then I could do my work and twitter too! Actually it is more that I don't think to log in very often.

Posted by San Diego Real Estate Voice authored by William Johnson GRI CRS e-Pro CDPE (RE/MAX Associates) almost 3 years ago
Jeff - Good stuff, as usual. I have used Tweetgrid quite a bit, but I hadn't seen twIRC before. The search cloudlet seems invaluable at determining who the "good guys" are!
Posted by Jason Crouch, Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653) (Austin Texas Homes, LLC) almost 3 years ago
Jeff you have a magical way of unlocking the Human brain. I have always followed your advice bringing us to number 6 for last year company wide and number 1 last week. Thank you.
Posted by Paris and Connor MacIvor Santa Clarita REMAX (The Paris911 Team) almost 3 years ago

I'm still trying to better understand Twitter and appreciate the info.

Posted by Christine Donovan Costa Mesa CA Homes Broker/Attorney 800-610-7253 DRE01267479 (Donovan Blatt Team - Donovan Group Realty) almost 3 years ago

Good stuff here, Jeff. I have not done much with TweedGrid and clearly need to do more. Love the idea of SearchCloudlet. Will you be at REBCLA?

Jeff

Posted by Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Homes for Sale ~ 760-840-1360 (Solutions Real Estate (CA DRE Lic. # 01490977)) almost 3 years ago
Hi Jeff, Twitter is on my April to do list. I will bookmark your post so that I can work on it then. Thank youl
Posted by Zilkia Olmeda-Martins, GRI, Realtor San Antonio Texas Luxury Homes (Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper) almost 3 years ago

Jeff- Thanks for the answer. That really explains a lot. I'm one of the casual users... or less than casual if such a thing exists. I'm just not that into it. But your answer explained a lot. Thanks =)

Posted by Lisa Hill (Daytona Beach Real Estate) (Florida Property Experts) almost 3 years ago
I agree that the auto follow thing is kinda crazy. Seems to me that deciding to auto follow or depends on whether your business is regional or national. Different strategies for different users. Haven't really followed any conversations yet - you gave me some insight on how to do that in a controlled way. thanks
Posted by Kate Bourland Debt Settlement - Mortgage Acceleration (Financial Solutions Inc.) almost 3 years ago

Jeff

Amazing how much we can accomplish with the proper technology

Sincerely

Tom Braatz

Posted by Tom Braatz,Waukesha County Realtor Real Estate agent,Waukesha Cty WI Real Estate (Re/Max Realty Center 262-377-1459) almost 3 years ago

Jeff - Where in the world do you get all this techy information?  You're amazing!  Thanks!

Posted by Bruce & Mary Smith REALTORS® Savannah Lakes Village McCormick SC (Savannah Lakes Homes) almost 3 years ago

thanks Jeff, we have missed your posts, glad to see you back!

Posted by Janie Coffey, GRI - Miami Real Estate (One Sotheby's International Realty) almost 3 years ago

This is helpful information, I am still trying to get the hang of Twitter but I clearly see the potential, otherwise I wouldn't be there.

Posted by Mark MacKenzie Real Estate Planning almost 3 years ago

Hi Jeff,

 

Well I started this comment by writing that I was a "twitter twit" because I did not GET the point of twitter. But as I was typing the comment it remembered what people said to me about blogging and how they did not get it.

THEN the light bulb went off for me.

So I erased that comment... and started this comment.


Like daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa. I get it!

Now I gotta get IT.

Get it?

ME

PS: I love Real Estate Shows. The way I use it is a bit unconventional, but to me it is just an AWESOME tool to make a marketing point.

Posted by Craig Schiller (REAL ESTAGING, a nationally recognized leader in Staging.) almost 3 years ago

I am soo lost on all this twitter tweet twit sh--. OMG, I am so busy I don't have the time for this kinda stuff. How do you people do it!

(Jeff! Long time no see! I see you kept that picture, awesome!)

Posted by Luke Constantino Luxury and high end homes, short sales (REMAX Park Slope) almost 3 years ago

Jeff, you certainly know your way around and I truly appreciate you excellent advice. I have been bothered by the numbers for numbers sake thing. Heck I am barely into it but your statement:

"Grow your followers organically and based on your conversations."

makes all the sense in the world to me! Thanks!

Posted by Russell Lewis, Broker,CLHMS,GRI (Realty Austin, Austin Texas Real Estate) almost 3 years ago

Great tips!  I'll definitely check out Search Cloudlet!  Thanks for sharing!

Posted by Myrick Tantiado (Alain Pinel Realtors) almost 3 years ago

Jeff, Thanks for the links.  I am going to check those after #rets.  Thanks so much for your AWESOME talk today about Social networking.  It's good to know it's not all in the numbers, but more into the relationships. 

I really enjoyed attending your sessions :)

Posted by Elizabeth Cooper-Golden Huntsville AL MLS - (Huntsville Alabama Real Estate, (@ Homes Realty Group)) almost 3 years ago

JEFF - SOOO HAPPY TO SEE YOU BACK!!!!  Please don't stay away so long.  I have so much to learn from you (selfishly she says).  Thanks for the info on the Tweetgrid - sounds cool.  did you happen to catch Marti Garaughty's blog today about Twitter?  Pretty interesting stuff.  OK - I'm way over getting any points for comments but I had to say welcome back!

Posted by Lee & Pamela St. Peter Raleigh Realtors® Raleigh North Carolina Homes for sale (Prudential YSU Realty - (919) 645-2522 ) almost 3 years ago

Jeff - thanks for sharing this.  I am becoming more active on Twitter lately, and have been very careful about who I choose to follow, but keeping up with the incessant posts can be a bit overwhelming.  I will check out this twIRC today. 

I recently put a new site for Realtors & would love your feedback.  The site was built out of the frustrations I had as an active realtor "Everyone told me what to do, but nobody really wanted to tell me the "how-to" part.  So after 7 years in the business I wanted to share the "how-to" of online marketing, social networks, blogs, etc... for other real estate professionals.

Here is a link to the site:  http://www.WebRealEstateTools.com  - Let me know what you think.

Posted by Drew Burks almost 3 years ago

That tool looks really cool. Ok I just rhymed. I think thats the biggest problem with twitter if you respond to someone but no a DM you might miss it and never see that someone responded to you.

Posted by Heather the Realtor - Orlando, Lake Mary First Time Home Buyers, Bank Owned Homes (RE/MAX Central Realty) almost 3 years ago
Hey, sbutle must be your middle name. Great post!
Posted by Lacey 7 months ago

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