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3 Groups Of People To Incorporate Into Your Online Marketing Plan

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Zillow

I was at RE Bar Camp San Fran today. In one of many social media discussions we had today, a light bulb went off for me to help people plan their online marketing. 

Basically, you have 3 buckets of people you always have to be thinking about to make sure that you are always working your funnel or pipeline of clients.

  1. Current Friends
  2. Acquaintances
  3. People you don't know

Current friends - These are people that you already that would likely search you out by name.  For example, on Facebook, they would know to type in your name if they wanted to get in touch with you.  In my opinion, this is the ‘fun' group to manage because you actually care to see all the latest pictures of their kids or read all of their posts out of genuine interest for the person. 

Acquaintances - You have some weak or low level bond with this group.  How do you strengthen that to move them to a more serious relationship so that they think of you when they need real estate services.?  Using Facebook again, you'll probably find this bucket in groups and keyword searches.  For example, search your alumni groups, previous companies, etc.  These are people you wouldn't have actively connected with by name, but now have a chance to promote the relationship because of association.  But you have some creditability to leverage because of some weak connection, how can you now strengthen that?

Strangers - Your content is the big hook here.  People are attracted to what you are saying, verses who you are.  As you build relationship with content you can move them into that stronger ‘friend' bucket. 

There is a lot of opportunities in each of these catagories.  If you incorporate each of these buckets in your online plan, it can help to keep a robust funnel of clients. 

Details of social media marketing plan.

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Frances C. Rokicki
Fran Rokicki Realty, LLC - Bolton, CT
Broker-Mentor,CRS

Thanks for the links on Twitter!  I am heading to San Diego this weekend for the Buffini MasterMind Summit.  Couldn't do both, so, I am thrilled that you are offering details!

It's a Good Life!

Fran, Ct Broker

Aug 05, 2009 08:14 AM
Jayne Vaughan
Re/Max Home Team - Clarks Summit, PA
ABR,SRS,CNE

Sara what great ideas. Thanks

Aug 05, 2009 08:25 AM
Anonymous
Marcia Hawken

Sara,

What a great blog.  I am new to all of this, but know the value.  I am feeling a little overwhelmed and need to figure out a way to prioritize all of the activities.  Your blog was most helpful!  Thanks!

Aug 05, 2009 10:05 AM
#22
David L. Montgomery
MULAMONT REALTY, LLC - Pontiac, MI
David L. Montgomery

I've emphasized the sphere of influence in my marketing along with other techniques.  My sphere has always done better.  Good suggestion.

Aug 05, 2009 10:17 AM
Damon Gettier
Damon Gettier & Associates, REALTORS- Roanoke Va Short Sale Expert - Roanoke, VA
Broker/Owner ABRM, GRI, CDPE

Hi Sara, this is what I am trying to do with my web pages and blogs now.....target differeny buying segments all at the same time.  It is interesting reading what others are doing that might actually work.

Aug 05, 2009 10:47 AM
Missy Caulk
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate

woot, I read this on Twitter #rebsf last night.

That is good stuff, glad you went into more detail.

Aug 05, 2009 11:47 AM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Sara, great thoughts on engaging the various circles of your sphere and those further out from you. Good luck from RESF

Aug 05, 2009 01:13 PM
Doug Curtis
Keller Williams Heritage - San Antonio, TX
Your Agent for Life

Thanks for the info Sara!! 

Aug 05, 2009 01:20 PM
An Marshall
Berkshire Hathaway - St. Augustine - Saint Augustine, FL
Your St Augustine Real Estate Consultant

thank you - I really enjoyed the detailed marketing plan link.

Aug 05, 2009 01:54 PM
Kathy Knight
Intracoastal Realty Corp - Wilmington, NC
BROKER, ABR, CRS, GRI, SFR, SRES

GOod definition of the groups we should be looking to attract  Sara --- great...

Aug 05, 2009 02:14 PM
Brian Madigan
RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage (Toronto) - Toronto, ON
LL.B., Broker

Sara,

 

You're right and it's important to focus on each group.

 

Brian

Aug 05, 2009 02:39 PM
Mike Hogan
The Hogan Group at Keller Williams Realty - Mechanicsville, VA
MBA

It's interesting how you break it down...its common sense but we dont normally think about it. The trick is getting those "People you don't know".  Im trying out Twitter now for that purpose.

Great Post!

Aug 05, 2009 02:49 PM
Kathy Baker, GRI Tennessee Realtor
Realty 1 - Jamestown, TN

Hi Sara,

Facebook, Twiiter, I'm working them all. Thanks for the reminder, it isn't always about friends or family, many sales contacts are made outside of our comfort zones.

Kathy B

Aug 05, 2009 03:28 PM
Chris Olsen
Olsen Ziegler Realty - Cleveland, OH
Broker Owner Cleveland Ohio Real Estate

Hi Sara -- Excellent advice, one that requires work, but a very solid strategy.

Aug 05, 2009 03:34 PM
Lane Bailey
Century 21 Results Realty - Suwanee, GA
Realtor & Car Guy

I guess REBCsf is proving to be well worth it... as expected. 

I am tryingt o work with each of these groups.

Aug 05, 2009 03:36 PM
Greg Nino
RE/MAX Compass - Houston, TX
Houston, Texas

especially strangers.

Aug 06, 2009 02:22 AM
Brian Brumpton
Keller Williams Boise - Boise, ID
Boise Idaho Real Estate

Sara,

Thanks for sharing.  What's your take on how many facebook profiles you should have.  The stuff I share with friends sometimes may not be what I want strangers to see.

Aug 06, 2009 04:00 AM
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

Missed REbar but this is a constant topic by Inman presenters. Hopw to use Facebook and Twitter to do this has been facinating.

Aug 06, 2009 04:38 AM
Sara Bonert
Zillow - Atlanta, GA
Real Estate Internet Marketing

Brian- "What's your take on how many facebook profiles you should have?".  Good questions and something that has been heavily debated this week at Bar Camp and Inman.  (this could be a whole post!)

My personal take- If you are an individual agent, you don't need a fan or business page.  Set those up, just so you are getting the SEO juice and is there just in case someone stumbles by it.  But all communication should come thru your main FB page. 

Actually, it is against FB's terms to have more than one profile.  Say you set up two (one personal, one buz).  A competitor could flag your buz profile and FB would take it down immediately and you would lose anything you had built up. 

However, I feel two profiles splits the conversations and splits your personality in a negative way.  If you don't want certain groups of people to see certain pieces of info, FB has all sorts of filters and security measures you can use.  Figure out how to use Groups.  If you already have a lot of friends, this can take some time to set up, but once the system is in place, it is so easy to manage.  If you are new to FB, learn how to set this up right from the start and save yourself a lot of time.  You can broadcast certain things to certain groups then.  You can hide pictures from certain people/groups. 

In a nutshell- one profile, learn to use groups. Hope that is helpful.  Maybe I should do a whole post on this....

Aug 06, 2009 05:00 AM
The Somers Team
The Somers Team at KW Philadelphia - Philadelphia, PA
Delivering Real Estate Happiness

Sara - You are right !  There is a ton of opportunity in each of those 3 groups, all of which should be harnessed and grown.

Aug 06, 2009 09:59 AM