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 be 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.com.  Ines 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!