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Networking plays a pivotal role in the growth of your mortgage business, regardless of whether you are naturally outgoing or introverted. In today’s digital age, leveraging social media is a surefire way to give your personal brand more exposure.
But some of the usual suspects, like Facebook and LinkedIn, have become a bit oversaturated in recent years. Truth be told, there are thousands of mortgage pros drafting Facebook statuses right now! So, why not get a little creative? The X app, formerly Twitter, can offer a wealth of untapped potential.
Despite some recent rocky headlines, X/Twitter remains one of the most popular social media sites. X is projected to house a whopping 497.5 million users by 2025. Plus, a sizable 38.5% of Twitter users are between the ages of 25 and 34, which is prime homebuying age. That means a more mature target demographic for more high-level connections and, potentially, more business. It’s also important to note that usership increases with income. Around 29% of Americans who make $30,000-$49,999 per year and 34% of Americans who make 75k or more per year use the site.
But where to start? Joining a new social media site, or even simply improving your existing presence, can seem intimidating. Don’t worry. We’ve got you!
Here’s how to set yourself up for success, find the right followers, and grow your business with the help of the X app.
First things first, ensure your X profile is complete, accurate, and current. Depending on your professional persona, this might include adding industry photos, your location, an informational bio, hours of operation, a professional headshot, and more.
Important note: Don’t forget to add your NMLS ID number and any other identifying information mandated by state law! States consider a professional profile to be a form of advertising, so definitely don’t skip this step when it comes to your X page.
You can also get started posting or reposting (tweets and retweets disappeared with the rebrand). Relevant industry news or information is a great place to start. This adds currency, value, and professionalism to your profile while providing potential followers with some context. Basically, it helps them learn who you are and what you care/post about.
With a complete professional profile, it’s time to grow your network.
First, utilize the search feature to look up and follow your closest contacts including friends, family, and current colleagues. You’ll want to start here because this group of people is most likely to follow you back promptly, adding legitimacy to your profile.
As your connections grow, you can begin following thought leaders, industry influencers, and other professionals you’d like to add to your network.
Throughout the process, don’t forget to continue posting and reposting valuable and relevant industry information. Photos or videos, hashtags, and consistently helpful content can quickly attract newcomers to your page and encourage a follow.
When you request to follow strangers, particularly high-level professionals or thought leaders within the industry, consider following up with a post or direct message (DM). Be aware that privacy settings vary, so certain accounts will receive your messages (even if they’re not following you) while there’s a chance some others may never see it.
Either way, you might want to craft a post to say hello or DM the potential connection with a brief but personalized elevator pitch. Introduce yourself, share a little bit about your work, and explain why you wanted to follow them. If you can work in a mention of their specific industry, company, or position, they may be even more likely to return your follow and engage with your posts!
Once you’ve built up a solid follower list, continuously engage with your audience. To build a healthy network, you’ll need to contact as many connections as possible regularly.
Effective networking is less about the simple act of following and more about building meaningful relationships over time. Tag connections in relevant industry news articles, give their recent video a view, or simply make a point to like or comment on their new posts. Think about adding value wherever you can.
To get in the habit, it might be helpful to commit to at least fifteen minutes per day engaging via X. You can even physically schedule out the time on your calendar, so you can connect uninterrupted.
Keep on supporting your current contacts while seeking out new and interesting X connections. Once you’ve successfully optimized your profile and developed a healthy list of followers, you’ve done much of the heavy lifting. Now, nurturing and growing your network will quickly become second nature.
Whether you’re a seasoned X expert or are just starting out, this site could play a key role in your networking strategy. You could significantly broaden your reach by simply completing a profile, building your following, and engaging with contacts whenever possible.
Written by wemlo staff.