You've been hearing it for a long time. To succeed in the real estate biz these days, you have to be online. Specifically, you need to be on Social Media.
But with all the Social Media sites out there and all the choices available, the question I hear the most is "Where do I start"?
You may have been asking yourself the same thing, so today I want to give you a little crash course in Social Media 101…
First of all, all Social Media sites are not created equal. They have different uses (and users) and to a point their own language.
Let me explain.
The sites that will get you the most traction when your looking for potential buyers, sellers and property management opportunities are what I call the Big 4.
They are Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Pinterest.
Here's why these Social Media sites are where you want to start.
1) The daily, no, hourly, no, every darn minute activity is huge. These sites are where the majority of your potential clients hang out.
2) You can post all kinds of photos, videos, links to articles, podcasts…you name it. You know the kinds of things your potential
clients are looking for and enjoy seeing. Give it to them. When you do, they'll share, retweet, and repin your content with their friends and it goes viral. The better (and more consistent) your content, the more it gets shared and the more people you'll reach.
3) Both Facebook and LinkedIn have groups you can join depending on your interests and the interests of your clients. It's like those breakfast networking meetings or nighttime mixers on steroids. People from all over the world join groups or form groups. They cut down the noise that can get pretty overwhelming at times and keep a focus on the thing that the folks in the group are most interested in. Get in a group (or three 😉 ), answer questions and be your usual helpful self, and people will naturally be drawn to you…and you don't have to drive across town.
Bonus!
4) Pinterest has become a Social Media phenomenon. Mostly because Pinterest is all about pictures. Have a great listing you want to get exposure for? Make a Pin board for it. Have a photo of a happy buyer getting their keys? Post it with a little testimonial of what an awesome agent you are. The possibilities are endless and I've never seen a Social Media site that gets a quicker response than Pinterest.
Convinced yet that marketing using Social Media is the way to go? I hope so. It's definitely here to stay so get familiar with it, get
comfortable with it and most of all…have fun with it. You'll be glad you did.
Are you marketing your business on Social Media? Come visit me on Facebook at http://facebook.com/bethheilmanbiz and let me know how you're doing. Until then…
To your Social Media Success,
Sonrisas (smiles),
Beth
Social Media was just really beginning when I was a realtor. I knew I needed to do it but it was so hard to learn it all while trying to show houses and network and all the other stuff. I know it's even more hard now! Realtors NEED a social prescence.
Great article and full of useful tips!
Hi Beth, This is important even if you are not in Real Estate. Thank you for writing it. I got a lot out of it.
Great, informative article, Beth! I especially like your Pinterest tips! Thank you!
Facebook was my "first" social media. I guess that's why I'm partial to it. The others have their merits and it is the new face of biz. Thanks for your insights.
Beth, I think that using social media for real estate is great! As a consumer, I would definitely use social media if I was to move and needed to buy another home (especially Pinterest)!
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well done and great info! thanks!
I am looking at helping an investment property company manage their cocial media so these is great information Beth!
Beth, these are great 'getting started' tips! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for the information, Beth. I do agree that having or being active in Social Media can help you to make your business grow.
I would think Pinterest would be a favorite for realtors because pinterest is all about the photos and in house buying, you are interested in what you can see. I have some of my Send Out Cards downline talking to realtors because realtors enjoy the ease of sending 500-1000 cards at once in just a couple of minutes to all of their potential clients with a photo on the front of a house they just sold with a catchy caption. There are some GREAT ideas for marketing specifically for realtors—- I'm sure I'll be learning a lot from your blog, thanks!
Great breakdown of Social Media sites and their benefits. Always good to learn a little bit more about each! Thanks!
Great post Beth! I've seen some Real Estate professionals using social media to their advantage, but unfortunately more are struggling. Great tips, thanks for sharing.
Awesome post, Beth. I particularly like the ideas you suggested for Pinterest. That is a HUGE opportunity for realtors.
I'm definitely convinced Beth! I can see social media being huge for real estate. And the new favorite Pinterest seems like a perfect fit for the market. I am curious about my personal favorite, Google+, is that not a place that real estate has found its way to yet?
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You gotta be where your potential customers are! Great post!