Special offer

I'm Gonna Get Me Some Business from Facebook! Really??

By
Real Estate Agent with TopBroker Network Real Estate

Just got an e-mail with the subject line "Facebook Do's and Don'ts to get more customers." Hmmm....me thinks this Facebook thing might be catching on in the real estate sector. Hey! I'm a real estate agent and use Facebook! Think I'll check it out. This guy says he's gonna "show me how to get more customers to grow more business in my real estate business by using Facebook." Wow! And guess what? It's a free e-book!! I'm already pretty excited, but wait! There's more! Here's some other learning objectives:

  • How to use Facebook to create powerful referrals and close more deals without spending a dime on advertising.
  • How to separate your personal life from you business life.
  • The big mistakes other agents are making on Facebook and how you can avoid them
  • How to get the most out of Facebook without spending hours a day on the site

Well, what am I waiting for?! Uh, oh...better not wait too much longer because this is a limited time offer.  I mean, I sure could use those "two or more closed deals" by the end of the year, and he HAS "reserved a copy of this powerful book for me..."

 

....wait a minute. Come to think of it....during a good, normal day, I'm pretty adept at separating my personal and professional life, yes, even on Facebook. Most of my friends, including those who have "friended" me, know I'm a real estate gal. I post real estate related things  from time to time, mostly because I love what I do and (at times) want to share helpful information with the world! It's always cool getting a question or two about real estate issues or comments as well. I like to keep things pretty low-key, so as not to cram too much info at once. I think my friends appreciate this fact. Besides, people might get kinda sick of me. I already do a fine job of that. :)

Advertising on Facebook? Never thought about it. Not much of a concern. I've posted a listing here and there and unless I missed the online bill, don't think it cost much.

Maybe I don't need this free e-book after all. I guess I'll have to take the risk of not knowing if I'm making "big mistakes other agents are making on Facebook." I suppose the biggest mistake would probably be in line with, geez, I don't know, turning people off? Other than that, I think I'm good for now. With all due respect, I thank you for thinking of me but I'll pass this time...those who use Facebook or other social media do so at their own pace and choice of method. To each his own.

One thing for sure, free or not, I have got to get off this Facebook thingie. Forgetting my meeting with a client because I was spending hours poking my old high school buddies and learning how to take care of my farm (?) on Farmville probably wasn't the smoothest professional move in my career thus far. Perhaps a bit more time working real estate is in order, the kind that involves going outside and actually talking to people face to face occasionally. Maybe I'll take a friend or two out to lunch next month! Or have a Labor Day BBQ! If I can squeeze them in-between my quiz results...

 

 

 

 

 

Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

Hysterical posting, Carin.

I am one of those people who jump all over the free stuff and then realize it ain't free.  When will I learn that there are no free rides!

All the info you would ever need and more would seem to be on this site.  I think if it was invented it has been spoken about (is that a dangling participle? - about spoken?).

Maybe you can write a free book on something.  I will get it (if it is in fact - FREE).

Aug 26, 2009 09:29 AM
Troy Jowers
Pogo Realty, LLC - New Orleans, LA
New Orleans Realtor

Great post Carin. At lease you're hooked on Farmville. It's worse with me...I've apprently grown into quite the Mafiaoso. So to those freebie pushers, just tell 'em you gotta colleague who'll make 'em an offer they can't refuse!

Aug 26, 2009 10:16 AM
Carin Arrigo-Zimmer
TopBroker Network Real Estate - Orange, CA
TopBroker Network Real Estate

Thanks for the "free" comment, Jane!

Haha Troy! Truth be told, I have yet to step into the world of Farmville, but understand it's quite the social networking drug-of-choice these days...thanks for covering me, Mr. Corolone <said in my very poor Brando imitation>

Aug 26, 2009 10:53 AM
Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

And no thanks to you for pointing me in yet another direction I now am compelled to investigate - Farmville.

Don't I have enough to do!.......

Aug 26, 2009 11:05 AM
Carin Arrigo-Zimmer
TopBroker Network Real Estate - Orange, CA
TopBroker Network Real Estate

Jaaaane....step away from the computer....that's good....and your blackberry, iPhone, or any other smart device within view....slowly..... :)

Aug 26, 2009 11:33 AM
Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

No, and you can't make me!

Aug 26, 2009 11:50 AM
Erby Crofutt
B4 U Close Home Inspections&Radon Testing (www.b4uclose.com) - Lexington, KY
The Central Kentucky Home Inspector, Lexington KY

Yeah, but but but if I don't water my crops, I'm going to go hungry!

Wait a minute,  Maybe I oughta water my client relations instead of imaginary crops.

This online stuff can be adddictive.  sometimes we DO need to step away from the online stuff and get out in the real world and actually "make contact" with real people.

 

-

Aug 27, 2009 11:31 PM
Darlene Barnes
Darlene Barnes Corp - Long Beach, NY

hahah that was funny!!Im trying to pull away from facebook as well.. I do mortgage financing and every now and then i post something but most people are not interested because im not helping them build the farm

Aug 28, 2009 06:40 AM
Carin Arrigo-Zimmer
TopBroker Network Real Estate - Orange, CA
TopBroker Network Real Estate

Erby & Darlene ~ Perhaps I should "build a farm and they (clients) will come?"  Again I say, no Farmville for this girl, nor quizzes, or poking, or throwing pillows.... I'll stick to wall posts, an ocassional note, along with keeping up with pals and sharing a bit of real estate info every now and then. :) Nonetheless, I concur. Addictive, Facebook is. I guess I don't understand why one would need a "book" on how to utilize Facebook to gain more business...

On another note, I did manage to get out of the house and actually show property last night! Thanks for taking the time to comment!!

Aug 28, 2009 07:06 AM
Susan Haughton
Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 - Alexandria, VA
Susan & Mindy Team...Honesty. Integrity. Results.

Cute, cute, cute post...LOL...Facebook definitely has its place (it brought me a referral just this week, as a matter of fact), but who has time for all the "extra" stuff - i.e., Mob Wars, quizzes, fake drinks, etc.  LOL  I have enough trouble managing my real life!  LOL

Aug 29, 2009 01:30 AM
William James Walton Sr.
WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Briotti Group - Waterbury, CT
Greater Waterbury Real Estate

The tongue-in-cheek response to the Facebook for business sell was great, Carin. Farmville? Too much time. I'd rather play Bejeweled Blitz. One minute to score over 200K points...that's what I'm talking about.

Oct 13, 2009 04:08 PM