I write this as I sit waiting to talk on the inagural Twitterqueen radio show and just after a conference call with Florida State University's Family Connection Board of Directors, for which I'm President. My post is actually inspired by another Active Rain Featured Post of Paul Cutajar: Twitter - Facebook - blogs. When do we have time to work? Paul relays a little "deer in the headlights" syndrome, and Oh is that a familiar feeling!
I had to chuckle reading Paul's post and feeling his "social media" twitch! This past week I taught a class to local Realtors and small business people on social media and marketing, etc. 8 hours of what, when , why , and where.. and they left like wet noodles. For a beginner, unfamiliar with any social media, it's well.. like a kid in a candy store, only leading to a tummy ache at best!
First, I'm no social media "guru". What you're about to read here is just a simple southern take on a few things mama will never teach you, cause there's a good chance mama hasn't seen this stuff yet. My best advice is to break it down.. unless you can to devote every spare hour, (and what is that in real estate?), to "playing" on the Internet. Begin with one task at a time. You prospect, right? You schedule time for that, right? You write an article or two for your local association or paper, right? You can do this! Talking with Diane (better known as @HeyAmaretto of the "Twitterqueens"), last night, we understand the "I don't get it folks!" Nine or Ten short months ago.. I was there! HINT: Try to "get it" soon.
So my advice and suggestions are:
- Website First- Who in the world are you, and how do people find you! There's a lot of experts out there..so how are you different? Figure yourself out..your market, your profile and get it up and running as soon as possible. Oh, and p.s.... get some help with it unless you are a true SEO genius. Connect. Educate.
- Pick one.. Social Media Profile - If you're really looking for a "niche," a community or a demographic you may want to start with Facebook (and hey.. forget about the games and such..unless you have time to waste, we are talking real estate, right?). Get your profile geared up, talk about what you know.. post your listing info, your neighborhood involvement. Write some notes.. re-post events, or schedule your own! Learn Facebook. Great tutorials on you-tube by the way. Connect. Educate. Communicate.
- Pick another one..Social Media Venues- What the heck is a tweet or twitter? It's like a block party, that's what! A block party where you leave with a goodie bag brimming with information you can use.. or again, the kind that give you the tummy aches. When you "get it," your information will be in those goodie bags too! Good news here people! You can choose who you want to talk to at the party.. or you can be the wallflower. Warning, the beat will make you want to dance soon. Follow your friends followers. Build your invite list..(learn how to gather contact information and plug people into your database!), then tell them how to find you and what you do.. the website,..remember? Connect. Educate. Communicate. Engage
- Ice the Cake - Gather up all your profiles now and put them back on the what? That's right,.. the website. Again,. unless you are a widget master, a profiler, a design diva or dude, get some help with that. share it with your customers and contacts. Connect. Educate. Communicate. Engage. Ice the Cake!
So, in my simple way once again.. it's really about who you know and who you want to know, and completing a marketing program to reach not only people you know, but those you may never have otherwise met had you not found that common thread. don't be daunted! Realtors adapt every day, what's new?
Debbie Kirkland, Realtor, E-pro
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