Twitter has a new feature called "Fast Follow" which allows you to follow people on Twitter via SMS (short Message Service) and you don't even need to have a Twitter account to do this. I know that many Real Estate Industry professionals are still trying to get their arms around the concept of how to use Twitter effectively, but with this new feature, at least you can follow those who are posting valuable information and content for their followers.
Just text "follow + TwitterUsername" to Twitters "Fast Follow" at #40404 and you'll receive text updates from that user right on your smart phone. You may want to be selective, especially if you pay for your individual text messages on a limited phone plan.
Fast Follow seems like something that will appeal to those wanting to maximize social media advertising, but imagine all the passive non twitter users out there who want to receive information and updates from their favorite people, brands, and companies, but have no desire whatsoever to tweet themselves.
Now I know that you avid twitter users out there will instinctively want to try this out by following yourselves first to test it out, but the text message you'll get back might mess up your day and your ego along with it! lol~
Take a look and see if this is something that might work for you in your quest to get relevant content from those you believe provide it, and at the same time, see how other individuals and companies are using twitter to gain readers, followers, and grow relationships and business.
Check out the Twitter Blog for more details on their new "Fast Follow" SMS feature. Should I tweet this too?!
Brad, this does sound like something right up my alley...I hardly have time to post blogs , update facebook fan pages and YES...practice my real estate profession. So receiving info from key Twitter followers with out engaging them in a long back and forth debate, might make it easier to stay abreast without working at it.
Hello Brad:
Thanks for the tip. Too much social media with too little time, this should help.
Just when I've reached total overload, something else comes along to push my limits. LOL. Thanks for the head's up about this, Brad.
Thanks for sharing - I am like all the rest --- too much to do --- not enough time! Have a great day!
Thanks for sharing - I am like all the rest --- too much to do --- not enough time! Have a great day!
Brad, looks interesting and worthy of further investigation, thanks for sharing, I did hear something about this
Brad, as always thanks for sharing. Am I missing something, how is this different from having a twitter account where you don't tweet often, but still get all the messages you want from people you want to follow? Is it a onetime message you are receiving or all the twwets from that point forward?
Brad, thanks for sharing this with us and I agree with other commenters - not enough time to do it all! ~ Susan
Hey Lora - this is for folks who don't have a twitter account and aren't immediately considering one. That's how it's different. :-)
This will make Twitter work much better for me. I really dislike the "garbage", but I do like the easy way to connect with my base. This looks like a winner. Thanks for the update. Bookmarked for later reference. And, I will have it up and running by the weekend. (More than 50 characters!)
Dang, adn here I was going to follow myself.
I suspect this will appeal to many who are not on Twitter and don't, as yet, want to be.
jeff
Great information. Thanks, I had not seen that before.
HI Brad,
quick question, is there or will there be a way to have those that want to follow us and are not "twits" to get a special button on our various sites......?
All we need is one more button
Thanks as always
Man..... New stuff come up every day. I now wish I had not skipped paying attention for the last couple of years. I'm having trouble trying to decide what to do first to catch up.
Brad.. This is very good news, especially for someone like me that can't wrap their head (yet) or feel totally comfortable with Tweeter. Thanks for the heads up.
It is hard to keep up with all of the changes in Tweeter, Facebook, and ActiveRain. Thank you for doing this for us.
This could be great to get people who "don't have time to fool with that Social Media Stuff" to see your Tweets... assuming of course, that they can use a Smart Phone.
Thanks for the heads up, Brad!
Hi Brad... it's been a busy week and Fast Follow has been on my list. Thanks for the reminder. As you know I'm talking to RE Agents everyday about their social media strategy. A percentage of them are not ready to try twitter, but I can see they might want to use Fast Follow (and I'll give them a few names to follow) so they can dip their toe in the water, see it's value, then decide what to do next.
Brad, you always have the greatest tips....thanks...lots of media attention on Twitter this week.
Not sure what I think about this. If someone is not on Twitter, how do they respond to or engage someone they're following via SMS?
Brad - Another application to understand. I do understand that it is for those that do not have an account. It is not that hard to get an account so I am not sure why. I will have to read a bit more. Maybe I am missing something.
Sounds like an anonymous cyber stalking.. LOL.
I'm still trying to decide if I even LIKE twitter and now new information to digest! YIKES! LOL
Thanks for the tips. I had not heard of this and, like many others, I still have not grasped the Twitter dynamic. I'm trying...and time will tell. Always good to hear of new apps though.
Brad,
Geez I don't have enough time to do all of this. I have not even been blogging as much as I should.
Brad,
Geez I don't have enough time to do all of this. I have not even been blogging as much as I should.
Brad - I'm with the crowd here who is glad to know about it but on the fence about it's value, if any. I suppose since I have an account and prefer to interact with others on the same level that this doesn't seem like a benefit to me. However, the timing makes me curious as I recently had almost fifty new followers in one day (and not from some 'hot' tweet, I'm pretty sure). Makes me curious about the timing of it if nothing else.
Brad - Interesting. I guess we'll see more followers in the future.
What the heck is this Twitter thing people keep talking about? Will you explain it to me at RainCamp?
I have also noticed under you account settings they now give you suggestions on who to follow. This is great as it also tells you who is out there and who you should be following!
Brad: Thanks for the info. You certainly help us keep up with all the new things happening. So much to do, so little time.
Brad, your updates on new ideas and trends are very helpful. I am still experimenting with Twitter so this post will help.
Ty
Brad - Thats pretty cool, unless you don't have unlimited texting. Can you imagine the bill if you followed just half the interesting people on this site!!!
Brad, I can see some utility in this feature for people who may not want to open an account. Thanks for the tip.
Brad, thanks for the heads up.
So, would all of the celebs with like a million followers receive so many texts that their phone would explode?
I'm not finding the value in something like this. If you want to know what is going on in someone's Twitter acct, why not just get your own & set it up. It isn't saving you money since Twitter accts are free, it isn't making it easier to follow because they have their own sms options. They even have great mobile apps. Like John said, you can't respond or engage this way which defeats the whole purpose. The only way i see this being of value is for a parent that wants to watch everything their kids say on Twitter. But then again, you better make sure you have unlimited text messages before signing up.
I guess I just think if you are going to spend all that time watching what someone else is saying, why not just get an account and not only follow but communicate back with them.
Does Twitter also provide a Fast UNfollow for the user accounts that you Fast Follow?
Talk about being ahead of the curve....You are DA MAN! I don't know if I can handle messing up another digital thing in my phone. if I get the twitter stuff I have on tweetdeck I will never find the phone numbers in the phone again.
I am faking it till I make it with this phone as it is. Still, love the idea. Thank you for shining a light...forward.
Love
Lynne Pope
BRAD FAN!
Hi, Fast follow sounds cool, still have not gotten around to educate myself on the full use of Twitter yey
Brad,
Thanks for the info. I had wanted to be on twitter this summer, but I'm falling behind my deadline.
Brian
Thanks for the update, Brad. (And I guess you tried following yourself, eh?) ;)
That's good to know Brad, we use twitter daily (mainly to follow) but we could sure benefit from a webinar that can teach us how to be more engaged and effective in tweeting. Unlike Facebook, Twitter makes me feel like I'm talking to myself, no interaction, few followers, etc. Our Twitter account is "reddingagents" if you want to give us any feedback. :-)
Maybe this is for me since I still can't get into the swing of the Twitter thing.
Thanks for the tips Brad and Happy Birthday!
Brad, Twitter is a great place to learn to manage the art of small talk. : )
Steve
The funny thing about this new twitter feature is that is almost endorses folks to listen and watch but not speak or engage with others. We know that there are many folks out there that do this already, including ourselves, maybe twitter is just making a tool available for these types of individuals, and for a huge phenomenon that already exists?!? Just sayin....
Excellent information but I am on overload. I'll bookmark your blog and discuss it with you at Raincamp.
I don't use twitter as much as facebook, but I will look into this...thanks for the info!
Brad:
Still struglling with Twitter. Yes, I've created blogs and content then downloaded them into my cool Tweetadder software and they are sent into hyperspace. So far I've got 1300 followers at NKYRealty on twitter but I'm still struggling with how to discern who I want to follow. Sure if the people are going to live in a home verses rent or live under a bridge I'm probably interested, still it is pretty hard to localize your following. As always any pointers would be much appreciated.
all the best,
Herb
Brad, twitter is just trying to see how much they can offer me, waiting for this dinosaur to get with it. Thanks for pointing out how slow I am :o))
This sounds like a useful tool for those who don't have twitter.
Still considering uses for my Twitter account - but this looks like a useful tool! ~ Susan
Now I just have to figure out who to follow besides you Brad. How about a blog of the most influential people on Active Rain? That would be a good list. I am not so sure those with the highest numbers are always posting the best content. I am not sure how you would vette out this list.
Hi Larry - here's a link to the top 100 most subscribed Bloggers on AR, not sure if that is what you're looking for either, but there's some great content in them their Blogs!! :-)
I've been following people and tweating, but I am having a hard time really connecting with people on Twitter. I have had an easier time on Facebook
Brad....how cool is that? I never knew that. I guess that it does come down to the cost for texting. I like the fast track though.
Thanks for the cool information!!!
Brad,
Thanks for the heads up, I need to get more deeper into tweeter and facebook, since, I'm just on blogs, take care :)
Thanks Brad: I passed this along to several on my sales team who are twittershy. Thanks for the great tips
Thanks Brad, I am one of many Realtors who have not quite grasped Twitter...
but am willing to learn.