“What is Twitter anyway?” my Operations Manager asked me, the Marketing Guy as I handed him a purchase request to get Twitter banners printed up for our latest student housing project. "Why does our project need Twitter?"

“It’ll be great!” I replied, “Students passing by the site can follow the project through Twitter, be updated of road closures, construction updates and check out the progress photos on a daily basis.”

OK, I’m a tech geek. I’ll admit it. The idea to give our latest high-profile project its own space online excited me.

 This conversation took place a month ago, and we now have a growing list of students following the project through the social networking resource. I have to admit that we were not early adapters of Twitter (can you tell by the above conversation?). I personally still have a lot to learn about the way the network could be utilized. One thing we know now, is that there is value behind the Twitter network that applies to our industry.  

While we are still in the midst of the learning curve, we thought we would offer up some insights on how the service can be effectively utilized by General Contractors and Project Owners through construction. Here are our findings:

#1: Twitter Helps You Get the Word Out

Legacy is a General Contractor that has the majority of our projects on operating campuses or in busy residential corridors. We are constantly faced with the challenge of keeping current tenants, neighbors, and stakeholders up to date on current construction activity. There are times when roads need to be closed, utilities temporarily cut off, or when there will be excessive noise. Through Twitter, we are able to send instant alerts regarding project status and mitigate some of these challenges.

#2: Twitter Helps Record Your Progress

Twitter offers a living record of the project and the status of construction. Our student housing project at SDSU has ownership stakeholders that are located in other states. Through Twitter, they can see their project being built in real time. The timeline and history recorded by Twitter updates can be used as a way to review construction progress and analyze it long after the project is completed.

#3: Twitter Connects Your Physical Community

As the world grows smaller, local communities are invested in the projects which define their neighborhoods. With Twitter, local stakeholders can be much more connected to the construction process and feel like they are a part of the project. This is important to us in particular as Legacy is highly invested in the communities we service, and we want to be great stewards of our neighborhoods. The more our neighbors can feel invested in the process, the more successful any project will be.

#4: Twitter Helps Your Bottom Line

Once our project nears completion at SDSU, we will be able to work with the Owners to share Twitter access to assist with leasing the building to future tenants. The established network of followers will provide a pool of potential future tenants to market to. For retail and educational clients, Twitter can create value by announcing grand openings and project completion dates. 

#5: Twitter is Cool

Let’s face it, Twitter and Social Networking is still growing in popularity. Embracing the technology offers a host of opportunities for those willing to make the time investment. And besides, who doesn’t want to be cool.

---------------Check out our Twitter feed and follow this project's progress at http://www.twitter.com/55thandhardy