Social Media and Your Business - Tips, Strategies and No Nos!!

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Social Media and Your Business - Tips, Strategies and No Nos!!

I spoke to the Rancho Santa Fe Business and Professional Women's Association last week about blogging and social media. This is a diverse group of business owners, including real estate professionals, with a broad range of knowledge and experience about on-line marketing (and a fabulous group to network with if you are in the North County San Diego area).

I talked briefly about social media and how it worked to start, and then shared some notions about:

WHAT SOCIAL MEDIA WILL NOT DO!

Transform your business if it is crummy ( a Linda Davis "almost"quote from Bloggers Connect)
Make you a great business person if you are not
Bring you business overnight
Operate without your participation
Remain the same

Because of time limitations and the broad audience I decided to share my top tips (not really in any particular order):

My 17 Tip Tips

17. DO SOMETHING - Your clients, prospects, and competition are, so you need to understand social media and how it can and is being used. Don't join every website or spend every waking hour involved with Social Media, but do SOMETHING

16. MAKE A PLAN - You need a plan about what you are going to do and when. Focus on WHO you are trying to reach - your target audience. Needs to tie into your overall business plan and goals.

15. DON'T LIMIT YOUR THINKING ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS AND BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS ON-LINE - Don't get into the trap of thinking social media will not work for MY business. Think of how you can create and foster relationships like you would off-line

14. GET A FACEBOOK BUSINESS PAGE - With over 300 MILLION on Facebook now, if you are there create a business page. If you are not on Facebook, get there.

13. CHECK OUT TWITTER - Create an account and follow me - @JDowler - so you can see everyone that is following me or who I am following and howTwitter works. Add followers as you can.

12. GET ON LINKEDIN - If you are not there create an account and add your profile/professional resume. Look for people you may know who are there to connect with. Search by schools, businesses, cities and names.

And here are some more

11. START A BLOG, OR KEEP ON BLOGGING - Great for SEO and pulling up your rankings on Google, making it easier for people to find you and your website. If you have lots of information to share with consumers blogging may be right for you, and you can use this as your website if you don't have one.

10. PARTICIPATE AND ENGAGE - It takes 2 to tango and social media is a two-way street. People won't engage if you don't. Let people know you are there and be part of the conversation.

9. MIX BUSINESS WITH SOCIAL - It's OK to do both - you're human. Business all the time works against you - folks want to get to know YOU not just your business.

8. BEHAVE YOURSELF - Can you play well in the sandbox? Watch the bad language, slander, sex talk, jokes, confidential information, being critical, racial slurs, and innuendos. Some folks seem to forget where they are and what they are doing and saying on-line

7. REMEMBER...THE INTERNET HAS A LONG MEMORY - The Internet doesn't forget. You can't just hit delete and make it go away

6. HAVE FUN - Social networking can be great fun, but if you don't enjoy it, or act like you don't, people will know.

And these aren't too shabby either

5. NO SPAMMING - No mass tweets, connecting with people just to build numbers, and sending email blasts to folks randomly. Don't promote YOURSELF in responses to others' tweets or comments on Facebook.

4. GOOGLE IS YOUR FRIEND - Have you Googled yourself? Do it regularly. Google your prospects and competition. Suggest potential clients Google you.

3. KNOW WHAT YOUR ON-LINE REPUTATION IS AND MANAGE IT - People WILL talk about you, refer to you, mention your name, and so on. You NEED to know what is being said on-line so you can deal with it. Use Google Alerts for your name and business (and variations)

2. DON'T HOPE SOCIAL MEDIA WILL BRING YOU BUSINESS...KNOW THAT IT WILL - attitude is key

1. DON'T STAY BEHIND THE COMPUTER - Face to face is still important. And don't give up what is already working for you in your business.

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Posted by Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Homes for Sale ~ 760-840-1360 on 09/23/2009 12:19 AM

Comments (108)

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Originally posted at: Carlsbad Real Estate News and Views: Social Media and Your Business - Tips, Strategies and No Nos!!

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108 Comments on Social Media and Your Business - Tips, Strategies and No Nos!!

SEP

2009

You sure have a grand breakdown on how Social Media is great for our business and what it can't do if you're not great at it anyway.

All I can say is we work hard at it :)

Jeff as always great suggestions. I loved Your number one. We tend to forget that if we do not press the flesh nothing happens. Also your number eight : this has amazed me so much, how people will act and behave as if they were not being observed by many people

Thanks for sharing your tips when it comes to using social media and increasing one's business. Keep spreading the word out there.

Excellent tips, Jeff! I appreciate you sharing them with us...it's a good "reminder" even for those of us who are already doing the things on your list. :)

I think that this is one of the most comprehensive posts on the benefits of SM that I have read. Good Stuff, thanks

Jeff, you've got some great insight here. I cracked up at the very first comment you made. And yes, it does sound like a thing Linda would say.

Flagged you for a feature. =)

Great tips Jeff I think I will put it on the reBlog this morning. Have a great Wednesday

Jeff as usual great tips and suggestions surrounding social media! Of course I would put blogging #!:)

Great and very comprehensive list! Every agent new, old, and in between needs to follow this advice!

These were all great tips to follow. Sometimes we really get caught up in the computer and forget that we are a people business.

"8. BEHAVE YOURSELF - Can you play well in the sandbox? Watch the bad language, slander, sex talk, jokes, confidential information, being critical, racial slurs, and innuendos. Some folks seem to forget where they are and what they are doing and saying on-line"

Right-O!

One thing that astounds me is how folks will gripe about another agent... while in the throes of the transaction! What a lack of judgement and discretion.

Avoiding profanity and sex talk? Seems like a no-brainer, but maybe some folks just know their targeted audience better than I do.

I like the way you said, balance.

Blogging brings home the bacon, but it is fun to engage with others on social media sites. Knowing most of your competition is rarely if ever there. Linda's quote was most profound.

I am sooo thrilled that this post got featured!! Excellent!!

Good post today, congrats on the feature! Good suggestions and breakdown.

I SM is here to stay it looks like, but the personal touch is everything!

Patricia

BTW....Ive posted a link to this post on my FB fanpage. Great stuff!

Out of the 17, I think people forget #7 even exists. I see so many things on the internet that shouldn't be out there. And I keep thinking about job interviews, potential clients, etc. If you wouldn't say it out loud - don't put it on the internet!

Great tips - the last tip is the most important. Social media is wonderful but face-to-face is still important.

Jason R. Anderson, MBA
Team Leader, Tag Realty Advisors

Love your No. 1. Isn't it interesting that when people talk about "social media" it is all internet as if social netowrking was started online versus country clubs, churches, business organizations, etc. The fact that you went and talked to a group about social media is significant and probably productive.

Jeff, great blog! A balance between getting in front of people in person and social networking via the internet is vital!

Hi Jeff. This is a great list. I'm glad it was featured.

Great tips, Jeff. thanks. I need to get going with that Facebook business page. Haven't done too much with FB at all.

Good point, also, on #7 & 8, Whatever is posted anywhere gets propagated again and again and will always exist somewhere on the internet.

Jeff, thank you for all of these great tips. It goes to show that there is something to be learned every day in the ever changing world of social media.

Jeff, I love all the tips you provided! I still don't understand why some in our industry are not on the band wagon just yet.

Sally - THanks. And it IS work, but fun as well. The challenge is balance.

Endre - well I certainly agree. It's as if some people's brains shut down and their common sense goes out the window. Happens too easily I think.

You're welcome, Harry. Hope youc continue to participate.

Jeff

Jeff, this is fabulous! I'm sharing a link to it in a class we are having on social media at my office this morning. You've covered all of the bases here with fabulous advice for those who are still teetering on the edge of jumping into SM.

Jeff, thanks for sharing your knowledge. I know there are many blog readers out there who aren't posting comments here, bur are taking your advice an running with it.

We all appreciate your insight! Keep up the good work!

Lots of good advice..especially to get face to face! Thanks.

What a great post Jeff. I would love to share this in my classes for our offices. You are so right about not changing your business, social media just gets your message to many more people. You need to be yourself if you are doing well already and it shows to your followers. I have met so many wonderful people through all the mediums you mentioned.

Jeff - I completely agree with the big 4 you presented - Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Blogging (Active Rain!) With hundreds of social sites out there, agents need to focus on the ones that will help them become engaged with the audience they are trying to reach...

I am still amazed at the amount of real estate pros that engage in no social networking. These are great tips and I shall use them on my agents, who I am trying to get going, trying.

That was a great list, Jeff! Thanks for posting...I especially like #1 :-)

Terrific post. I am going to update my profiles on Facebook and Linked In. Thank you.

Souza Realty - well as the landscape keeps shifiting it's important to pay attention so you can adjust with it. Facebook is a good example.

Kate - how nice of ytou to say so. I actually had trouble keeping the list reasonably short.

Jeff

I love idea of staying active and do something...too many people sit around waiting for something to happen...be proactive! Great Job!

Jeff,

Just this week I learned of a new and different way my blog was working. A buyer used my posts as one of the ways to learn about the area - and decided to purchase my listing!

Will have to study your points 'cause I'm not incorporating them all yet.

Maggie - well I was at Bloggers Connect when she made this statement - the audience loved it. It has been floating around the Inernet for some time. But I think it is so true, too. Thanks

Thanks, Paddy. Much appreciated...I stopped by to visit and see what folks had to say on your blog. Thank you!!

Jeff

Great list Jeff. I particularly like the first 3 points of what social media will not do:

Transform you business if it is crummy
Make you a great business person if you are not
Tranform your business overnight

I think participating in social media has transformative powers *super powers*, but the fundamentals have to be there to begin with.

Thanks for another great post!

Hi Jeff. Simple and sweet.

So far it seems I am doing OK...

Ken

Jeff,

These are great suggestions. I am going to start implementing some of them today! Thanks

Jeff - great information, I love your point about looking for ways to build relationships online with people the same way you would do it offline.

Jeff, These are all great tips for newbies and experienced. I am the least proficient at the Facebook Business Pages. Do you write on yours every day? I can get the part that my personal Facebook page should be personal but I'm not quite sure I understand the Facebook Page. Thanks!

Hi Jeff ~ Great post. Checklists are great, they're the best way to make sure you haven't missed a step... Plus, there are so many things one could be doing, it's nice to have a road map to keep things simple.

I think anyone following the advice in your post is likely to be getting off entirely on the right foot when it comes to the use of social media. Great job.

Denise

Jeff - excellent post about the social media, and you are right about not doing it all at once.

Jeff,

I appreciate that you set expectations early on in the post when you state that social media will not bring business overnight. I feel that a six month commitment is required to evaluate a particular resource where more than one submission is accepted. It's kind of like a diet, you can't watch what you eat for one week and expect spectacular results, but I guess it could happen under the right circumstances.

Excellent advice! I just re-blogged. Thank you for making it simple, concise and to the point!

Thanks for the tips. I think realizing that like all things it will take time to develop. Working on it consistently is the key.

Great job with this blog Jeff.

The advice you present is nothing short of critical to doing business in today's marketplace...and beyond!

Congratulations on the featured post!

Well deserved indeed!

Well said. I couldn't agree more especially with #9 and #1. Our industry is about connecting with people. I started my facebook site to be just business but I quickly learned that you must share your life if you expect someone to share their life with you.

Terrific list, Jeff! And you did save the best for last. Real estate is, after all, a contact sport!

Hi Jeff - Participate and engage is one of the most important. Merely setting up a presence is not enough. Agents need to understand that social media is an ongoing process.

Just super Jeff!

I gained one list from NAR yesterday and now another today, so I must be true to both and instigate all these ideas. All my sites are in place, and now the phone will ring...

Jeff, this is all excellent advice. I'm still struggling with Facebook, but guess it's time to launch a business page!

Bill - well I would agree. But for those who are not interested in blogging, they need to at least do something.

Barb - well it is a continous learning process, isn't it?

Jeff

Jeff:

Great tips. Thanks for the clear and concise post

I use twitter and other social networking venues for business and it has worked for me. I will tell you what I don't do. I don't tell people about every aspect of the day in my life. Nobody cares if you just went to get a cup of coffee or if you're showing a house at 230pm, or at least I don't. Who has the time for it? I don't. On twitter, I am guilty of following people and not reading one thing almost 99% of them say. I'm sure others are the same way.

As to google, it is important to google yourself frequently, I completely agree.

Nice list!... What you get to a lot in your blogs I really like... Have Fun, and get out there and meet people face to face... I tell my clients, don't worry you can't break it!... #17 is so important... you have to participate! Thanks for a great read...

Good checklist Jeff. Social media requires patience and the right approach. Nothing happens over night. Thanks for the info!

Your points are dead on, Jeff. That's why I am still using every aspect of it that I can. You'll have to write a tutorial on creating the business page on Facebook, though...which, btw, some people in my SOI are using to contact me for their real estate needs, which is way cool...I don't have to bombard them with real estate talk, they know I'm there, and they can reach me via facebook when the phone just won't suffice.

Thanks for all of the information Jeff. It is so easy to get caught up in Social Media and forget to the rest...it comes down to moderation I guess just like everything else in life.

JEFF..I almost gave up on making a comment..But heck Jeff ..you are worth it...That was FANTASTIC as usual!

HELPFULHANNAH your friend in PHILADELPHIA

Christine - yes, that is definitely true. And the Internet can be a huge time drain.

Mike - ha ha. Well I suppose it depends on what you are saying and who you are saying it too. I just think it can be risky, and with the great memory that the Internet has...

So true, Missy. I find that blogging IS where the leads are primarily, but I know folks who have found them through a variety of the social media sites. You just never know.

Jeff

Clint - if you're thrilled then I am too. I appreciate the compliment! And the FB link is MOST appreicates as well.

Susan - oh you are so right. I know a young woman who is definitely going to regret the things she is saying and doing on-line now. And I KNOW that employers are Googling job candidates (and enployees) extensively so you know it will show up at some point.

Patricia - well as we are all learning, SM can be used in many ways. Some not so good ways, too. I don;t think it's a fad at all, although there are some who do.

Jason - I think so, but perhaps easily overlooked. I have been guilty of this on occasion myself.

Jeff

Jeff - While my main focus has been blogging on Active Rain, I'm working on developing some kind of schedule that includes the other social networking sites. My time on them has been very limited lately. This is a great list and reference of what we should and shouldn't be doing when it comes to social media. Congrats on the feature!! :)

Hi Jeff ~ Lucky audience that got to hear your tips and lucky us too - thanks for sharing these. This list really sums it up - something to shoot for.

Liz

#1 is the most important. Social Networking isn't something that is purely computer related... meeting people is social networking...

Hi Jeff -- Great roadmap, and it can never be emphasized enough as sm keeps on changing at a rapid rate.

I like the list. I am still struggling with twitter. I guess we can't do everything

SEP

2009

You're absolutely right about WHAT SOCIAL MEDIA WILL NOT DO! and great tips!

What a list! Great! Now I've got to read back through it... afraid i missed something.

Jeff,

Like everything else in business, social media is not a magic pill. Everything we do requires WORK!

Thanks for the info,

Ann

Joe - well in my simple mind it really is very much what we already do and have been doing for a long time - building relationships. It's just being done differently.

Bob - yep, striking that balance is important.

Thanks Lana. Glad folks have found it useful. THe commentary has been great also.

Barbara - so many seem to forget it. I talked with someone at the meeting who had something show up on the Internet from 30 years ago, that wasn;t even originally on the Internet. Now THERE's another challenge.

Dan and Amy - and it KEEPS changing. Sometimes it's hard to keep up. Having folks share whay they know, learn adn think helps tremendously. That's why AR is such a godsend.

Jeff

Great post, Jeff. I got my business page on Facebook up a couple of months ago. Still trying to figure out how to use it...

#10 to me is key - I'm on twitter and unfortunately most of the agents I see that are on there are all about "here's a listing", "here's another listing", "here's why you should list with me", and very little engaging and interacting with others. I see this on blogs too and other social media outlets. Social media is that - social. I don't like to put much out about my personal life but you have to give to get and the giving is actually way more fun for me - I love to be able to share what I know to help someone else. But you have to listen - not just keep throwing stuff out there. The engaging part is the part that will help you succeed.

The agents I love to tweet with are the ones that are funny, giving and interesting with a nice mix of business and personal. I don't need all the details of a personal life - just enough to give them a personality and a sense of who they are. Those who just shove things out there constantly are just not interesting or worth engaging with.

Love your list of tips, Jeff. Your point of getting started instead of being overwhelmed by all the opportunities is a great one for those afraid to put their toes in the water of social networking.

Jeff your spot on! If your going to be in business today you need to be pasted all over the internet!!!!

Jeff - these are all great tips! I didn't realize how important engaging was until the last few months and now that I am, I have been really enjoying it! Also #1 is very important - "Don't Stay Behind the Computer". Face to Face is always going to be more important for most agents than anything else and it is so easy to get caught up in sitting behind a computer for hours on end.

Jeff, Thanks for the great tips. I will be teaching a class soon to a group of Realtors on the subject of social media. Your tips will certainly come in handy. Thanks for sharing.

Hi Jeff,

Thanks for the pep talk that I needed! I have been home with a back injury and decided to use the time to expand my network of Facebook friends and reconnect with lost contacts. In one day I reconnected with 30 people! Also, don't stay behind the computer was a good reminder. Networking in person is always best. I plan to begin Jennifer Allen's "Sell with Soul" plan where she suggests taking friends out to lunch at least once or twice per week.

Great tips and I do agree with #1 that face to face contact is still very important no matter how great social networking is.

Great tips. Its neat to let other potential clients see that you are a REAL person.

Great tips. When it comes to social media and blogging, I say "everything in moderation!"

I like your list - I will use it at our next agent meeting -- don't forget to create links to and from your main website and don't create the social media on an island -- integrate all of them into your buisness and establish your brand

Great advice, and timely for me. I was just thinking I need to up my time spent with these tools. Thanks!

With much appreciation, I must say, great encouraging tips you have presented! Thanks for the insights and suggestions. I know that I will apply many as I wander in and around social media!

Once again, great info to run with, Thank you!

Very well said, and I'll bet it's working for you. This social media explosion is really fun actually.

Right on target! Social Networking is vital to realtors in this day and age. It pays to keep up so it doesn't get too far ahead of you.

Great tips! SEO is changing and your points are very vaild. Social media & blogging are so important to any business trying to create a web presence.

#1 is so important. I could spend all day behind my desk, typing and doing paperwork. I have to get out in front of people too!

Sums it up great!

thanks for the 17 "tips". So what new, not yet invented, technology/social media feature will we be using 2 years from now?

Thanks for the great post and good advice. Too many agents think social media is a magic bullet.

All good points. Social Media is great, but you need to offer quality and go Face to Face often.

good points and reminder. i will add one more: keep a look out for what's next...because it's coming.

Great tips! And I think people need the reminders to keep it light-hearted and not too personal - there are too many who put questionable material out there for anyone to see!

1. DON'T STAY BEHIND THE COMPUTER - Face to face is still important. And don't give up what is already working for you in your business.

Thank you! It's easy to hole up in your 4 walls and forget about actually meeting and greeting people. Great list, by the way. Should finally tackle the facebook business page and twitter :)

It's sounds like the Women's Association benefitted signficantly from having you speak to them and getting your suggestions.

Results do take time, and they do come.

Great post that again reminds us of the importance of social media. I have been doing a lot of reading, and learning, lately on Active Rain! It's addicting. Great site, and enjoyed your list!

SEP

2009

Great tips Jeff. It is great to see that it is definitely working for you. Great work

Jeff,

Good morning. Having been on the net for some time- and those that have not, you have offered some very good advice.

Have a great weekend,

Steven Zimmerman Realtor ABR GRI / Prudential Best Realty, Inc. / GULF HARBORS - on Florida's Gulf of Mexico - your Resident, Waterfront Specialist & Developer's Representative http://retaggr.com/page/StevenZimmerman

Jeff.. sorry that I am late to the party.... I think #'s 17 and 1 are very important... and the one that aggravates me the most... those that spam you with tweets or on facebook, with groups and invites... and some of the same people do it over and over and over... I wish Facebook would allow you to report these people easily. I wonder how seriously facebook takes this crap. I have reported a few and they still keep spamming... makes you wonder. Overall, some excellent and simple tips.

jeff belonger

SEP

2009

Hope they enjoyed your presentation and found it worthwhile. All they have to do is start. I confronted someone once about 'spamming' and they told me to lighten up that it's all a part of marketing for today - nonsense.

Thanks for sharing the message, 17 is a great one. I am new to all this and learning as I go so I can really appreciate post that are educational.

Such great information..I fully believe that marketing is a huge and mixed basket of face to face, internet and mailings. Keep yourself out there! Thanks Jeff.

It is over whelming to keep up with all of it, but you are right, it makes a difference.

SEP

2009

Great tips. Thanks for taking the time to put this list together for your fellow AR members.

SEP

2009

Thanks for haring this useful information.

The post seems to be very interesting and very informative.

Every business man should keep this points in mind to get a

successful business.

DEC

2009

great suggestions. time to get to work and implement them so we can have a great 2010 and beyond!

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Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Homes for Sale ~ 760-840-1360

Carlsbad, CA

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