Have you been exposed to the Social Disease called Social Networking???
Millions have been exposed. If you have a computer or an e-mail address chances are that you have been exposed to or invited to join a Social Networking site. Have you been tested yet?
Disease or Waste of Time Now that I have your attention I must say that some people, especially the old guard, feel the buzz about Social Networking is just a Disease or a waste of time at best. Oops! I hope I haven't offended you. Most of us and yes I am one of the old guard who prefer face to face networking. Nothing beats meeting a friend over coffee for a chat and exchange of business cards. 
However, times are changing. Enter the age of computers and the new Social Networking via the internet.
Now, I don't know a Realtor who doesn't own a computer, do you? But I can tell you that Erie, PA has 500+ Realtors and very few are using even one Social Networking sites. Of the few that are, the majority are engaged in mindless games like Egg Hunts or Dyngus Day and now recovering from pussy willow wounds or internet hangovers. The other few have barely entered enough data on the site to be recognized as a person much less be viewed as a real estate professional.
To be perfectly honest there are less than a handful of Erie, Pennsylvania's agents who are using Social Networking sites to promote their real estate business.
Social Networking sites: Many exist and more are popping up each day. Here are a few that I have been invited to join or declined to join. Please add others in the comments.
- www.activerain.com My favorite, but you have to enjoy writing or attempting to write. Some bloggers tell their story via pictures & graphics.
- www.facebook.com Even though this site started as a Social site, a few Realtors are using it to promote their real estate business. On the weekend they invite their friends to visit them at their open house. A manger of large real estate office invited viewers to come to career seminar. She then posted a report stating she had had one of her best turnouts at a career seminar. (I promote my real estate classes here)
- www.linkedin.com One goal of LI is posting jobs. Why not post your availabilty as a Realtor? (I am here, too)
- www.plaxo.com (I just joined this one)
- www.trulia.com
- www.zillow.com
- www.twitter.com (I forget to tweet or twit, but I am here, too)
Why use Social Networks? Increased visibility. In your face--as the younger generation would say. Online is just one more tool in our sales toolbox. You might not get a direct lead from these sites but is a low-maintenance way to remind people you are still in real estate. It is also a great resource for taking your business to the next level and it is an excellent opportunity to 'meet' agents from outside your area. Agents from other areas are often more willing to share the secrets of their success and they can be good source of referrals. You already know them and they know you.
Where do I find the time? Make time. Unlike face to face networking online Social Networking can be done early in the morning or late at night. A favorite saying from my early days in real estate, do your preparation and computer work when the sun doesn't shine. In other words don't take up valuable face time to socialize online. One agent told me that she allots herself one hour for online socializing from 10-11 pm.
A bit of advice Choose one site to concentrate on at a time. Another old saying if it's worth doing it is worth doing right.
Time & Effort All good things take time and effort to show results. As with gardening, turn the soil, add fertilizer, plant the seeds, water as needed and keep the weeds under control. In time your efforts will burst forth and you will reap the benefits.
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Great advise. Social networking is here to stay. It's going to be fun to see how it evolves. The most salient advise is focusing on one at a time, and moving onto the next.