Like many people, I started off not knowing much about Twitter. I gave it a try though, and it paid off by bringing one of my biggest clients to me.
In the beginning of my Twitter journey, I only observed — noticing what other people tweeted and what I liked to read. The tweets I most appreciated were from people who regularly posted fun and informative information. I made that the criteria for the tweets I would write.
After posting my own tweets, my next step was looking for people I wanted to follow on Twitter so I could read their posts. I specifically focused on influential people near me. I felt this would give me an instant way to interact with them, should I choose to.
David Braithwaite
Meanwhile, someone else in my area, I’ll call him Mr. Prospect, was doing some Twitter research to find an advisor. Mr. Prospect read what I tweeted to learn more about me, including what my opinions were and how I replied to others. It was a little voyeuristic, perhaps, but this is the way people increasingly work and research others. As it turns out, a lot can be said about your personal character in Twitter’s 280-character limit!
Although he didn’t know any of my clients and had never met me, Mr. Prospect felt an affinity with me through Twitter. That caused him to want to meet me in person. Soon after we met face-to-face, Mr. Prospect turned into the largest investment client we have to date.
Social media can be like promoting yourself in huge, neon letters. If you’re thoughtful, consistent and professional about what you put on social media, you never know what it could lead to. Those tweets you send out could be the best value you’ll get for a few characters.
David Braithwaite, Dip PFS, of Kent, England, is an 11-year MDRT member and Top of the Table qualifier.
Want more social media ideas? Watch this video from Top of the Table qualifier Simon John Gibson, Dip PFS, about LinkedIn tips for advisors.
Still “Face to Face ” under positive circumstances. Mr P did his due diligence virtually. The ageless “What you are, (on Twitter) speaks so loudly I can’t hear what you are saying. Way to go. ALL want someone who understands their needs, can speak in their terms, and maintains integrity!