My First 9,999 Tweets – Who I’ve met & What I’ve learnt on this crazy little thing called Twitter

I joined Twitter January  22, 2008.

Twitter Logo 300x300 My First 9,999 Tweets   Who Ive met & What I’ve learnt on this crazy little thing called Twitter

I had heard about it from a few leading edge tech types – the next cool thing – and I figured I should get on and see what the fuss was about.

Like many, I wasn’t quite sure – even after I signed up and took a look around. (Let me guess, you know how I felt!)

As time went on, I started to get it.

Conversations were happening, all around me.  I could listen to all of them, meet the people behind them, and even jump in to offer my point of view.

Eventually, I understood the power of twitter – meeting people, listening to them, and engaging where where I could add value.

We can see (and search through) what people everywhere are talking about.  Talk about market research!

I can hear what the Kitchener Waterloo community is talking about.

I  learn what the leading marketing minds are reading and thinking.

I listen to people’s needs in real time; what’s important right now.

I  interact with my clients and get feedback from prospects.

I  meet and learn from colleagues within the Commercial Real Estate and ‘Real Estate social media’ scenes.

I listen to what brilliant minds are talking about on twitter, and I absorb.

Pretty cool, eh?

Who I met on twitter

I’ve met and interacted with some amazing people on twitter.  Thanks to all of you!

First, the #KWawesome gang.  Kitchener-Waterloo sure is a cool place -and we have our own awesome hash tag to prove it icon smile My First 9,999 Tweets   Who Ive met & What I’ve learnt on this crazy little thing called Twitter

Special thanks to Mayor Brenda Halloran (remember to vote in the upcoming election!), Mandy Dennison, Darryl Kraemer, Thrive Juice Bar, Herle’s and Martin’s farms, Kurt Wissent, Amy & Karl from CuteGecko, Julie Wheeler, Vince Jelenic, James Howe, Mike and Vesna Leonard,  Mike Shanks, Ramy Nassar, local restaurants like The41, Bauer Kitchen (always accomodating my vegan requests – extra thx!!) and Nate and Nats just to name a few.

This list isn’t exhaustive – there are hundreds of cool KW people on twitter – just a sample of the awesomeness behind #KWawesome!

The real estate twitterverse is full of awesome people too.  In the morning i can pop in and say hi to the #CRUSH and #crejavaclub crews.  If I can’t sleep, Tom Royce, Darin Persinger & Ricardo Bueno are always on west coast time talking about real estate & internet marketing.

Real Estate People like Maya Paveza, Jay Thompson, Nicole Nicolay, Dustin Luther, Loren Sanders, Jeff Brown,  Darin Persinger, Lani & Benn Rosales Todd Waller, Marc Pina, Mike Mueller,  Nikki Beauchamp,  Melissa DelGaudio, Jeff Gingerich, Addy Saeed,Teresa Boardman, Ines Hegedus-Garcia, Marianna Wagner are great resources to talk with and learn from. Again, this is far from an exhaustive list!

There is a great Keller Williams community online too, including the whole team behind @kwri, Amber, Jay Papasan, the whole KW Commercial crew, Lisa Archer, Sherry Puffer, David Paterson, and more.

The Global Commercial Real Estate world is also connecting over twitter, with brokers from all over coming together to network, exchange ideas, deals and contacts – all to the benefit of our clients. People like Barbi Reuter, Duke Long, Coy Davidson, Charlie Foxworth, ColliersAZNews, Michael_MBA, and others make twitter a valuable place for anyone looking to learn about Commercial Real Estate – novice or expert, vendor or broker.

There are some awesome Toronto social media people doing their thing on twitter, like Scott Stratten – unMarketing, and TheBizMedia crew headed by Guy Gal (who like Vayner Media, ran a live-to-twitter basketball league this past summer).

Thanks to Celebrity authors and speakers like Gary Vaynerchuk, Stefan Swanepol, Robert Cheeke, Coach Tom Ferry, Richard Robbins, Chris Brogan, Jeff Pulver and Tom Peters, who take the time to listen and talk with the people who buy their products.

Tom is cool enough to take time to exchange tweets with me on lazy weekends about global politics, (lack of) integrity in journalism, among other topics.

I think everyone knows how @GaryVee will drop anything and do a call or ustream for a fan, so I don’t need to recount that here. Needless to say, Gary has been very generous with his time and knowledge.

Rich Robbins tweets out the best ideas from his morning reflections, and these thoughts help me get the day started right.

It’s cool that I was able to easily gain access to people like this through twitter.

So… Was it all worth it?

My first 9,999 tweets led to me meeting awesome new people, being interviewed on internet radio programs, receiving invitations to speak at Inman’s Agent Reboot in Seattle, writing for the leading real estate online magazine Agent Genius, speaking to an audience at REBarCamp Toronto that included internet marketing legend Dean Jackson, meeting and speaking with the Mayor of Waterloo, having juice with Duke Long in Toronto, receiving business referrals, meeting new clients, sharing my blogs with more people, having dinner with new friends, taking online relationships offline and face-to-face (how cool is that?!?!) and being able to engage with my communities on a deeper level.

What an awesome ride so far.

I’m exciting to see where the next 10,000 tweets lead me.


Are you on twitter? What has it led you to?

Let me know in the comments, and add me at @BenjaminBach

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Great post Benjamin, I can only echo your sentiments. Twitter is an awesome tool once you figure it out. Thanks for the mention, it has been an honor to meet you in the Twitterverse.

Coy

This is belated... but still wanted to share my thoughts.

Your post is essentially an "ode to Twitter", and it's a very true one. You've stated the real purpose and tools of Twitter; to connect, engage, inform, be informed,give help, ask for help, with the end result of being social. Getting out, meeting those in the community you may not have been aware of pre-Twitter, and developing new relationships.

Thanks you for being one of people who puts "social" in social media, and spreads it on and on.

KWAwesome!

If CRE people would do just 1 tenth of the things you do online....CRE would be amazing! You are the next generation of CRE....and I'm thrilled to be in the business with you!!! Push the edge....please!!! Oh, and I know I am prettier in person :):) !!!

Thanks Duke!

Benjamin - you're a prime example of the positive energy of engaging, that we all know helps us grow, be better at our businesses, and help by giving back. What a great reflection. I can relate (about 5,000 tweets behind you...). Much success, amigo!

The article was enlightening, Benjamin. I have appreciated being able to exchange with you and others on twitter and I certainly have learned from your social media success. Here's to the next 10,000!

One of your own! http://ow.ly/2udY9

This comment was originally posted on Twitter

Benjamin:@allstarmom3
I think I have already posted this so delete if it is a duplicate, but I like joined the Twitterverse in 2008. At first I thought, "did I really just join ANOTHER social media group?" But about 6 months later I started to really "get it" and engage with others. I have made some AMAZING friends (yes, real friends) through twitter and have enjoyed being apart of their lives. I have even had a couple of referrals so far this year and sent out several. It has been a pleasure to get to know all of the before-mentioned and can't wait to meet more of you IRL.
I have learned so much from you and others, that I am grateful you are here.
Great post and congrats on 10,000. I am not far behind.

RT @benjaminbach: My First 9,999 Tweets – Who I’ve met & What I’ve learnt on this crazy little thing called Twitter http://bit.ly/cBwa5s

This comment was originally posted on Twitter

RT @benjaminbach: My First 9,999 Tweets – Who I’ve met & What I’ve learnt on this crazy little thing called Twitter http://bit.ly/cBwa5s

This comment was originally posted on Twitter

RT @benjaminbach: My First 9,999 Tweets – Who I’ve met & What I’ve learnt on this crazy little thing called Twitter http://bit.ly/cBwa5s

This comment was originally posted on Twitter

Benjamin:
What a fabulous post. I could not agree more. I too joined twitter in 2008 and at first was wondering what I had gotten myself into. Learning and engaging with others in a real way has meant a lot to me over the last 2 plus years. Meeting people like you and everyone else mentioned in your post has been remarkable. I look forward to meeting you IRL at MegaCamp. My schedule is getting weird with the kiddos but it will happen soon.
Again, so happy to be connected.

RT @benjaminbach: http://ow.ly/2tHAy (very cool post. the 007 of Canadian RE looks back at 10000 tweets)

This comment was originally posted on Twitter

Ben,

Great article, I think your experience with Twitter followed a very similar path to my own. I didn't get it initially, but now it has become a very integral part of how I find, meet and get to work alongside hundreds of wonderful people who are all very passionate about this area, and their respective industries.

Rock on Twitterverse!

Wonderful post and thanks for the mention. It has been my pleasure to follow many of your 9,999 tweets. They are always informative and well-reasoned. Like you, I wondered what all the fuss was about initially but, within weeks, Twitter was indispensable. I have many and varied interests which create a host of different "communities" including #kwawesome. I'm reminded daily what a great region and country we live in and to never take it for granted. I love the passion and intelligence of the people I follow on Twitter. The future is bright and I look forward to the next 9,999 tweets!

Thanks Jeff! KW sure is a great place to live :)

Thnx! RT @benjaminbach Thx @kwri @jaypapasan @sherrypueffer @allstarmom3 @amberdpresley @kwcareers @michael_mba! Why? http://ow.ly/2txau #kw

This comment was originally posted on Twitter

RT @amberpresley: Sweet! RT @benjaminbach: @amberpresley Hey Amber, check this out: http://ow.ly/2tH6y Special shout out to you, @kwri, @jaypapasan & crew!

This comment was originally posted on Twitter

This post was a pleasure to read, Benjamin. And you are a pleasure to 'know,' from afar.

Thanks Susie, I appreciate you

Thanks so much for including me in your list. What an honor. I'm a huge fan of @garyvee as well. Gary Vaynerchuk has been an incredible role model for me. Awesome that we've both been able to learn from him.

Keep up the great work and thank you for your support of me and my projects. That really means a lot.

All the BEST Ben!

-Robert

Thank YOU Robert! You and Gary are both great role models, and I'm glad you're able to see the effect you're having on others.
Keep up the great work, and again - congrats on the publishing deal! I want to read your next two books too :)

Benjamin, great post summing up quickly why a person who does not use Twitter should consider tweeting. I honestly did not understand how powerful it could be until sat in a meeting and heard Gary Vaynerchuk speak about a year ago. It was an eye opener to say the least.@professionalone@mirealestate@garyvee
(who IS the real deal).
We must have similar taste because I've had a few tweets back & forth with Tom Peters, heck what could be cooler. Tom Ferry has been a great inspiration as well. I could go on but i'm getting a bit long winded so I will leave it at this....I look forward to meeting you Benjamin F2F or IRL, whichever term you might prefer. Keep up the good work.

Thanks Loren - looking forward to our F2F meeting too!

RT @benjaminbach: My First 9,999 Tweets – Who I’ve met & What I’ve learnt on this crazy little thing called Twitter http://bit.ly/cBwa5s

This comment was originally posted on Twitter

Sweet! RT @benjaminbach: @amberpresley Hey Amber, check this out: http://ow.ly/2tH6y Special shout out to you, @kwri, @jaypapasan & crew!

This comment was originally posted on Twitter

@benjaminbach Great testimonial what Twitter is about. Twitter should post in the Twitter handbook. Thx Mr. Bach http://ow.ly/2tJdd

This comment was originally posted on Twitter

Benjamin-

What a great post.From multiple perspectives-showing how something like Twitter can prove to be enriching and valuable,in spite of its limitations on characters utilized per message,conversations take place,evolve and grow. When I joined Twitter last year,I had no idea of what its purpose could be for me,but interacting with you,and a whole host of others,has certainly made an impact-in a good way.

I have truly enjoyed our conversations,and reading your tweets.The fact that we can do so,is marvelous-modern day pen pals,in a sense.

There is value in listening,connecting,and engaging with others,focusing on the return on the relationship-regardless of medium,laying the foundation for a whole host of possibilities in the future.

I look forward to #ICNY in January,and continuing the conversation offline,over a cocktail,or after a yoga class (or window shopping).

Thanks Nikki. Making plans with Sarah now!

LOVE this post! Nice testament to what Twitter can be (and lead to). It's not about "What I had for breakfast", it's about conversation, engagement, collaboration and meeting people.

And it's been great to meet you Mr. Bach.

As always, well said Jay. You're a real leader in our industry's space, no matter what medium!

Great post. And I absolutely agree about the awesomeness that is Twitter. I have never experienced anything like it. I have met some amazing people and had incredible experiences I never would have had.

I'm creeping up on 20,000 tweets (holy crap!) and I can say, without a doubt, it has changed my life for the better. I got my first customer through Twitter - without even promoting my business. I don't even have a website yet - or a logo! But I have customers. How cool is that?

I need to meet some more of the #kwawesome that is alive and well in our community!

Thanks Jacki! Hopefully we'll meet at the KW SM breakfast

Thanks Sarah!

Awesome “@benjaminbach: My 1st 9,999 Tweets – Who I’ve met & What I’ve learnt on this crazy thing called Twitter http://bit.ly/cBwa5s”;;

This comment was originally posted on Twitter

Benjamin,

I just found you a few days back through the suggested follows on Twitter. I wasn't really part of the first 9,999, but am certain to be part of the next. Great to see someone so passionate about investment property. Cheers!

Thanks Ryan! Looking forward to connecting more with you over my next 10k

RT @benjaminbach: My First 9,999 Tweets – Who I’ve met & What I’ve learnt on this crazy little thing called Twitter http://bit.ly/cBwa5s

This comment was originally posted on Twitter

Loved your post ,and ty for the mention-but MUCH more so thank you for engaging :) ,see ya in #nyc soon @benjaminbach http://ow.ly/2tFgA

This comment was originally posted on Twitter

RT @benjaminbach: My First 9,999 Tweets – Who I’ve met & What I’ve learnt on this crazy little thing called Twitter http://bit.ly/cBwa5s

This comment was originally posted on Twitter

RT @benjaminbach: My First 9,999 Tweets – Who I’ve met & What I’ve learnt on this crazy little thing called Twitter http://bit.ly/cBwa5s

This comment was originally posted on Twitter

Great Post Benjamin,
A social media savvy Waterloo Region certainly makes for an exciting, engaging and friendly place to live & work

Karl, I agree. I am lucky that my wife chose to do her masters here at WLU, and that she chose to let me follow her :)

RT @benjaminbach: Thx @darinpersinger @nik_nik @tyr @startabuzz @laniar @MarcTheRealtor @HeyAddy @BarbiReuter – For what http://ow.ly/2tx1U

This comment was originally posted on Twitter

My First 9,999 Tweets – Who I’ve met & What I’ve learnt on Twitter | KW #RealEstate: http://bit.ly/blumf2 by @benjaminbach

This comment was originally posted on Twitter

Thanks for the post Ben. Your comments are inspirational. As a result of your example, I am gradually learning how to use this communication process in a more effective manner.

Thx Paul! I'd love to spend a bit of time with you & your reps to show them how they can use these tools for their business as well. Let me know!

All I can say is Yup!!! It's not just about the conversation, its about the collaboration. This is a great post to share with anyone when they ask "Why do I need to be on Twitter?"

Thanks Darin. I often scan your late night tweets and links when I'm waking up!