Many of my fellow real estate associates have historically scoffed at my blogging efforts or ridiculed me for my involvement on social networks such as Facebook, proclaiming them to be a huge waste of time/energy. They view such activities as being in the same league as AOL Chat Rooms or playing Solitaire. They often suggest that I should focus my energy on more viable and proven marketing methods - like buying ad space in Homes & Land, or calling on canceled/expired listings.

Okay, so let's face it. Participating on social networks can appear to be a waste of time to those who don't understand their value. The can also be rather addictive. Many well-intended real estate professionals have joined the ranks of popular platforms such as ActiveRain, Facebook, Twitter, and others, only to be quickly derailed into spending inordinate amounts of time and energy with activities that bear little or no fruitful results to their business.

(Mafia Wars, anyone?)

Now more than ever, we need to carefully evaluate and discern the best investment of our time, especially when it comes to our social media marketing efforts. In addition, we need to develop effective SMO (Social Media Optimization) plans/schedules, and discipline ourselves to staying on task.

The most healthy approach to utilizing social media in your business is the realization that it is simply one more viable tool, among many, at your disposal. Engaging in social media is not the miracle 'purple pill' that will save your business from the woes of the current recession. It shouldn't replace your current marketing methods/efforts, but reinforce and supplement them.

Expanding Your Digital Footprint

Something that I have found to be extremely helpful in grasping the 'Big Picture' of social media for my business is the understanding that all of my SM involvements serve to expand and enhance my 'digital footprint.' The more I consistently participate, contribute, and spread meaningful content across a select range of networks, the greater the chances for potential clients to find me through organic searches.

Connecting with Your 'Virtual' Sphere

Nearly all successful real estate professionals understand the basic importance of developing and maintaining a comprehensive and organized Sphere of Influence (SOI), usually in a database or some form of contact management program. They then use this information to make meaningful 'touches' or connections with the people in their sphere. Traditional methods of 'touches' have been through mailings, phone calls, and personal face-to-face meetings, etc..

The use of social media/networking simply affords you the opportunity of making more meaningful 'touches' within your sphere, only virtually through the Internet, and with greater speed and efficiency.

Keys to Leveraging the Power of Social Media

The real keys to successfully leveraging today's social media tools are two-fold:

1. Determine what platforms offer you the greatest degree of exposure and search ranking potential

2. Develop and implement an effective and consistent strategy of participation

Don't Underestimate the Power of the Rain!

The ActiveRain Network is one of the more powerful and viable platforms that you simply cannot afford to ignore. Like Star Trek's invincible 'Borg' Collective, ActiveRain's members create an insatiable search engine feeding frenzy by combining their massive volume of daily blogging content, spreading/sharing the resulting wealth of Google juices.

To view the entire 'Blog Tips for Rain Drips' archive, GO HERE

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Rich Jacobson is a licensed real estate professional providing knowledgeable empowerment and relentless representation for his clients of residential properties and vacant land throughout all of Kitsap County WA and portions of Pierce, Mason, and Jefferson Counties. You can also find him at KitsapLife.com, SOUNDBITEBLOG, and Crabbing in the Hood, or e-mail:  kitsapagent@gmail.com