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3 Smartphone Applications to make you a Real Estate Social Media Genius

By
Real Estate Agent with Myrtle Beach Homes Blog

As some know, before coming on board with ActiveRain I spent a few months working for TMobile as a sales associate.  During the time there, I was able to learn the nitty gritty of the phones and the features that they possess. One thing that really helped me was being able to explain how to use the smartphones for social media work.  Many that came in had no idea that most of the major Social Media Networks have applications now that allow you to use the network easily and quickly from your phone. For sake of time, I will be covering the two most popular smartphones, an iPhone & Blackberry. So, I am going to touch on just a few of these different applications that can make your smartphone make you look like a genius. 

Hi, My Name is Jeremy, I am a Twitaholic

The first would be for twitter.  As most know, twitter is a huge craze right now that is taking the world by storm. Even Shaq is into twitter!  Most don't realize the great twitter applications available.  For the Blackberry there is Twitterberry.  iPhones have a few more options available. There is Twitterfon, Twitteriffic, & Tweetie just to name a few.  Tweetie is probably my favorite because of a few great features it includes.  One of the coolest is the ability to see who is tweeting nearby.  It uses the GPS of your phone to find those around you who have recently sent a tweet.

Numerous agents have shared success stories of how they have received solid leads and even great paychecks straight from using twitter.  I know personally I gave someone business just yesterday because of having a conversation with them on Twitter.  Just like Blogging, it takes time and sometimes a good dose of common sense to use Twitter effectively.

Is there something for Facebook Fanatics?

Facebook on Your Phone.  Both the BlackBerry & iPhone have a great application to be used with Facebook.  One of the feature I enjoyed on the blackberry was that I received my facebook notifications automatically and was able to keep up instantly.  Unfortunately, I don't believe the iPhone app has this same feature.  But, something that application for iPhone has is chat.  You can do facebook chat just like you were on your computer with all your friends.

Just like Twitter, Facebook is another social network outside your blog that can bePicture from Miamisim used to bring you additional business.

What about Pictures?

Flickr on your Phone!  Flickr is a great way to share your photos with the with the world.  Both the IPhone and Blackberry have a good 2.0 Megapixel camera. (Unless you have a new Blackberry, then it is 3.2 MP) They both take some really good quality photos that you can share with quickly and easily to this site.  A great example of how to use this is Miamism.comInes has an entire section of just photos that has been taken by her iPhone and then uploaded to her Flickr account.  This has helped her to become an instant success and very well known real estate agent all around Miami, FL.   The picture to the right is one that she took with her iPhone. 

Many of the photos you have seen in my ActiveRain blog were taken with my phone and uploaded to my flickr account.  IT is a huge time save.  Plus you almost always have your phone handy and charged.  Unlike the infamous digital camera.  For some reason, it never seems to be close by or charged when the perfect photo op is present.

So, we have these three applications, to help us on our way of becoming a genius.  While having the applications is important, it is just the tip of the iceberg.  How you use these applications is what will help to set you apart from the rest.  I wrote a few months back about an idea I used when listing a home for sale that helped me obtain several listings when competing with other agents.  In case you missed it, read: How Twitter can set you apart from the competition when listing a home.  This was just one example of using your phone and thinking outside the box. 

When I would share this with sellers, they would marvel at the concept even if they may not understand it in it's entirety.  I instantly became this genius because of some simple processes I did with my phone.  The point I am trying to make is that the simple applications & concepts that are present can be used for business and not just fun.  It is all how you package the material and use it.  The key is thinking outside the box to come up with a concept that nobody else has. 

So, don't use your smartphone to just make a call and check your email.  Let it become your most useful business tool.  I know my business would not survive long without it!

Comments (111)

Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Hi JB, great to know these apps....

Dec 12, 2010 03:44 PM
Laurie Logan
Keller Williams Realty, Inc., Broker Associate - Madison, WI
South Central WI Real Estate

Time to check out Flickr!  thanks for the info,  L

Dec 30, 2010 01:56 AM
Beyonca Clark
Century21 New Millennium - Lusby, MD

I have a palm pixi, and the phone clarity is poor despite my service being with Verizon... I have had Blackberry's in the past and intend to switch to that VERY soon!!!

Jan 01, 2011 09:57 AM
Maggie McFarland
RE/MAX Pearland - Maggie McFarland - Pearland, TX
Pearland Realtor, Homes for Sale in Pearland Texas

I really need to look into Flickr....

Mar 17, 2011 02:09 AM
Robert Schmalz
West Los Angeles Real Estate Group - Santa Monica, CA
Cal. Lic Broker

Thanks for the apps. I just switched to Verizon and droid b 4 they came out with the iphone. I had the iphone and AT&T and thought I would kill someone. Have not found that many apps that are useful for Facebook and droid. Also cannot believe there is no Rain app for the ipad

Mar 21, 2011 07:27 PM
Doug Bullwinkel
E Mortgage Capital, Inc. NMLS 1416824 - Roseville, CA
Mortgage Loan Officer NMLS #281609

Wouldn't you know it.  I have a Droid.  I look forward to your next post about useful applications on the Droid.  Thanks for your post.

Mar 23, 2011 07:14 PM
Rich Gaasenbeek
IXACT Contact Real Estate CRM - Toronto, ON
Real Estate CRM & Marketing Made Easy!

What's even better is syncing your contact management system on to your smartphone! :)

Rich Gaasenbeek, IXACT Contact, The Easy Way To Manage Your Contacts

 

Apr 01, 2011 05:41 AM
Phil Ross, MLO-150797
Doorway Home Loans - Tacoma, WA

Thanks for this post. As a lender, I'm still trying to get a better grasp of how to utilize Twitter most effectively...guess I'll put that on my list of projects.

Nov 28, 2011 02:59 AM
Drew Caldwell
FUTURE Multimedia - Annapolis, MD

Having owned several Blackberries, Droids, and now an iPad (the same apps generally work on the iPhone as well) and the iPad by far is the best for social media.  First of all, having built in Twitter for every app is awesome.  Secondly, it is extremely easy to add a "Pin This" bookmark in Safari for the iPad, making Pinterest easy to use as well.  The large app catalog gives you quality apps for nearly every social media site, some first party ones like the official Facebook app, and some third party apps like MyPad (Twitter and Facebook management) or HootSuite, which lets you keep track of all your networks.  And then the camera--the iPhone 4 and 4S along with the new iPad are among the best consumer (non-DSLR) digital cameras on the market and between Apple's consumer friendly apps (iMovie and iPhoto) there are also professional apps (Avid Studio and Photoshop) for film/photography editing and uploading (to Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Flickr).

Mar 31, 2012 02:19 PM
Teresa Cooper
Home Solution Real Estate Services - North Charleston, SC
SC Lowcountry - Charleston, Dorchester, Berkeley

Jeremy - what are the advantages of Flickr over Google photo albums?

Apr 30, 2012 12:34 PM
Laura Murray
Weichert - Silver Spring, MD
Search Montgomery Co., MD for homes www.MDRealEstateOnline.com

I know this is the wave of the future (or rather here now).  I need to wrap my head arround it.  the thig for me that makes it difficult is that is seems that it is constantly changing.  I know digg in and go with the flow.

Jun 18, 2012 01:26 AM
Olga Vasquez
Park Regency - Granada Hills, CA
Olgasells

Thank you for all this important information!

Jun 22, 2012 06:10 PM
Jocelyn Milici
Walk Score - Seattle, WA

Good tips. I recommend Walk Score's iPhone app - where you can create a neighborhood virtual tour to attract buyers and clients alike and showcase your local expertise.

http://blog.walkscore.com/category/real-estate/

Jan 09, 2013 03:19 AM
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

Wow, I thought this was a newer blog but when I read Blackberry in the second paragraph I knew better.  Are they still around?

Jan 27, 2013 12:18 PM
Kerry Lucasse
eXp Realty - Urban Nest Real Estate Group - Atlanta, GA
Your Urban Nest Atlanta Real Estate Consultant

Hi Jeremy, I just stumbled upon your post from 2009 -- isn't it amazing how far we've come???

May 31, 2013 04:59 AM
Marcia Hawken
WILLIAM RAVEIS - Naples, FL
Naples Luxury Specialist
Jeremy, You have been such help over the years at AR. THANK YOU!
Jul 17, 2013 12:08 AM
Matt Kombrink
RE/MAX All Pro - Saint Charles, IL
Your #1 Source For Real Estate

Thanks for sharing, Jeremy.  Do you find a lot of success using Flickr?  I've used it in the past but more recently have gotten away from it and have been doing Instagram and Pinterest.  I'd be curious which photo-sharing site others are using with good results.

Aug 06, 2013 02:05 AM
Joan Rogliano
Rogliano Real Estate Group - Denver, CO

Thanks for the tip!! Its crazy how technology has changed over the years!

Apr 22, 2014 02:26 AM
Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho
Sandpoint Realty LLC - Sandpoint, ID
North Idaho Real Estate - 208-255.6227

Will check flicker out.  Want something to save me time on getting pics from camera to computer. 

Jun 24, 2014 03:11 PM
JM Padron, CCIM, CCP
THE JMTEAM NETWORK - Orlando, FL
CCIM, CCP, International Commercial Broker

Great article, I would ad LinkedIn, I think it is a must in the professional world

Dec 30, 2015 10:36 PM