Real Estate Tech Tips: Instant news posts

After focusing on the successful launch of Highcap Group, a NYC based commercial real estate brokerage firm of which I am a co-founder, it's good to be back bringing you the latest in technology tools to help you improve your real estate business. The wheel has slowly begun to turn again as heads pop out of the sand after many months of uneasiness and an upside down market. As we continue to dig our way out of this self-induced mess, it is important to continue establishing your network base and to create a loyal following. In the past we touched on the plethora of social networking sites out there that have caught fire, in this month's article we touch on a familiar site which is now being utilized more and more as a business marketing tool. User friendly Twitter.com allows you to follow specific individuals, relevant information sources and unfolding local and national real estate news from your PC and mobile phone. It allows you to express yourself in the form of "tweets," or message posts of important business happenings that may be of interest to your clients and other real estate prospects. A form of instant messaging, it allows you to communicate your achievements to your industry peers. The residential industry has been using Twitter as a means to broadcast listings and the commercial industry is just beginning to take notice. While the adoption rate might be somewhat slower on the commercial side, imagine the possibilities of having the ability to broadcast your property to your audience with a few simple lines, or teaser, with a link back to the listing. Knowing which individuals and news sources to follow, and getting insights from the network of people you follow, is critical to its successful business use. Don't forget to include your Twitter name in every email signature and tweet yourself to a successful 2010. Laurence Ross is a managing principal of Highcap Group, New York, N.Y.