Is Twitter really relevant and helpful to today’s financial advisor? You bet it is!!
Consider this: With everyone and their moms using Twitter (the ever-popular networking site currently boasts approximately 200 million registered users), you can bet your bottom dollar that many, if not most, of your clients and prospective clients can be reached on Twitter. So, why shouldn’t these people be following you?
Twitter is a wonderful little micro-blog that incorporates so many features and uses, but the ways in which a financial advisor can use Twitter are unique to that industry.
For the average finance professional (at least from a business standpoint), garnering hundreds of followers is not of great use unless you are targeting the right users – your client base and future prospects. It’s essential for you to establish your ‘Twitter identity’ and invite your existing clients to follow you.
By doing so, you establish yourself as a thought leader. People need to get their financial information and advice from somewhere; why not from you? You have to know that, realistically, other financial professionals are active on social media sites, and you definitely want to not only stay in the game, but become the front-runner!
Twitter provides a distinct form of communication that differs from all other channels. Not each and every client interaction requires a long, drawn-out meeting. If you have a point to make (perhaps as follow up to a previous meeting) or just want to share a brief message or tid-bit of relevant information, Twitter offers the perfect platform within which to do so.
Twitter also offers you the opportunity to expand your following to those outside of your existing client base, thereby attracting prospective clients as well.
Here are a few tips for attracting quality followers on Twitter:
1. Start Following the People that You Want to Follow You:
Do some research in terms of potential leads and start following them. Tweet something pertinent to them and let them know where they can connect with you via Twitter. You might also want to follow other industry experts to share important tips and advice that you can “re-tweet” to your followers.
And, don’t be afraid to introduce yourself. The key word in the term social media is ‘social’. Think of it as one global cocktail party. It’s uncomplicated and very effective to make a personal introduction – and why not make an intelligent comment or ask a question.
2. Tweet Engaging & Interesting Content:
With only 140 characters per tweet, make them count. It’s always a good idea to tweet an eclectic blend of information, from industry news to directional links to informative articles. And, don’t be afraid to throw in the odd joke or humorous quote. Remember, it’s a social network. You want people to know that you are the best financial advisor around, but that you’re also human and very personable. People will only want to do business with you if they genuinely like you.
3. Remain on Track:
With number 2 (above) being said, try to keep in mind that the main objective is to attract clients and prospects. So, go ahead and be personable, but try to refrain from tweeting prolifically about the weekend adventures of your kids or pets. A slight bit of this is okay – after all, you’re human – but that’s not why business contacts are following you.
4. Join In Discussions on Twitter:
Getting in on industry relevant discussions is a great way for you to display your expertise. Join in and show ‘em what you’ve got! To find interesting topics of discussion, you can use the Twitter search feature or search by hashtag (i.e. #RRSPs or #capital #gains #tax).
5. Interact with & Listen to Your Followers:
In posting valuable, information-rich tweets, it’s only a matter time until you start attracting more and more followers. Ensure that you are consistently paying attention to what your audience has to say: what kind of questions are they asking?; what type of information are they looking for? Always respond to queries as promptly and as informatively as possible, showcasing yourself as a valuable resource to your followers.
If you want to learn more about Twitter and about why, as a financial advisor, the time to start tweeting is now, come join one of our Social Networking for Business workshops. Please see our schedule for a listing of workshops in your area and we’ll teach you everything you need to know: http://www.escomputertraining.com/courses/details/industry/2/course/20
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