The Marketing Machine - Annoying your Friends, Family and Other Members of Your Social Network
Social networking sites such as Facebook can be great tools for keeping in touch with members of your sphere of influence. Keeping your friends and family informed of your professional interests is an appropriate use of social networking sites. However, there is a fine line between sharing your professional insights and experiences on social networking sites and using social networking sites as an advertising and marketing machine. For those new to social networking sites, it is easy to take the wrong approach to social networking by blasting your listing information repeatedly to your connections.
Use SeeMyListings.com Widget to Place Your Listings on Your Facebook Profile
For Facebook users, there is now a simple solution. Use the listing widget provided by the National Association of Realtors and Realtor.com to place your listings on your Facebook profile. Here are the steps:
Step 5 - Click on "Add to Profile" or "Update Listings."
In a few simple steps, you are able to automate the addition of your listings to your Facebook profile. Given the number of Realtors who I am connected to on Facebook who aren't using this feature, I thought I would post this this short how-to post to get them motivated. Five easy steps to get your listings on Facebook without annoying your friends, family and even colleagues.
PREA Signature Realty is a full service brokerage located at 1709 Park Avenue in the Lafayette Square neighborhood of the City of St. Louis. PREA Signature proudly serves the following city neighborhoods: Lafayette Square, Soulard, Benton Park, Benton Park West, Downtown Loft District, Forest Park Southwest, Central West End, Tower Grove East, Tower Grove South, Compton Heights, Shaw, The Hill, Dogtown, Carondelet, Holly Hills, St. Louis Hills, Dutchtown, and the Other Historic Neighborhoods of the City of Saint Louis, Missouri.
The opinions expressed herein represent the opinions of the author only and do not reflect the opinions of PREA Signature Realty. All photos and written content were produced by PREA Signature Realty. All Rights Reserved - PREA Signature Realty (2009). This content may not be reproduced or reprinted, except for Active Rain re-blogging, without express written permission of PREA Signature Realty.
Jon - I have a colleague with whom I am connected on Facebook. The status updates are non-stop "Check out this listing..." posts. Although I personally don't mind these posts, I can see how they could get annoying to non-real estate professionals. I have been using this widget for about 3 months. It allows me to share my insights in the status updates. If someone is interested, they can click on my profile to see all of my listings.
Nelson - I can see why you use the CenterStage widget. However, there are two drawbacks. First, it is a paid service. Second, it requires manual entry of listing info. In my book, the choice is pretty clear. The NAR widget is free and uses the MLS feed.
Hve to give this a thought. I have a tem d Raltos and I would like their listings too. I wonder if I could do something similar with Vflyer? I do like you idea though. It is less n your face but still shows people what you are and benefits clients.
Thanks that is good to know. I just hid another agent with postlet yesterday. I'm an agent and all those listing ads annoy me. So, I can only imagine how the rest of facebook friends feel about them. Is there an "unhide" button if the other real estate agents discover (told) the correct method?
Great Tip Ryan, Thanks...It is a fine line indeed to maintain the social integrity of the social networks while taking advantage of the business opportunities they present.
Ryan - WOW!! Thanks! I just got it up (SUPER QUICK) to added it to my facebook page!! Gee, wonder if you can get it on my business page???? Hmmm, let me know if you there is a way to get it on my Facebook business page.
Ryan, just followed all of your steps and I'm up and Running !!!!! My question is : From this point forward will it now automatically load all of my future listings OR is there something I must do manually ????
Patricia - This free tool from NAR is a good way to get your listings exposure without annoying your connections.
Debra - To the best of my knowledge, it is a profile only widget.
Dan - I have been that spammer and just think the widget is a better approach. In all honesty, I still announce most of my listing with a blog post and status update. But, the widget keeps the listings in front of the pack.
Jim - I love the social networks because they generate leads for me. However, I have heards some feedback when I heavily push my listings. Conversation starters and offers of assistance seem to be a better path to generate leads than rolling out the ad machine.
Missy - It is as easy as it sounds. The only downside is I have a number of joint listings and seems only to draw listings where you are listed as a primary.
Joe - It has the look and feel of the vFlyer widget. However, I like it because it automates the process and I don't have to manually enter the listing info.
Gregory - I don't mind the eblasts and listing ads. I have only opted out or called an agent to take me off of their list when they don't exercise common sense. For example, I received 10 e-mails about wholesale properties in areas that I don't sell over a 2 week period. I even replied to his e-mail indicating that I would keep an eye out for him in my neck of the woods (with no reply to my e-mail). If it was 1 or 2 per month or at least targeted to my area or specialty, I may not have opted out.
John - It is all about balance. There has to be some conversation starter to get the interaction going. I get more leads from informational or market research posts than I get from posting listing info to my blog, groups, status updates, etc.
Christine - Sent an e-mail to Max Pigman at Realtor.com asking the same question.
Lisa - I see hundreds of Facebook profiles that include personal and business information so I can't see it as a TOS violation. It seems less intrusive than post listing info to your status update.
Michael - It should automatically update your listings. If you see a glitch where a listing is not appearing, you can manually refresh it by essentially repeating the steps again.
Vickie - It is my understanding that all local MLS that currently feed to Realtor.com are included in the list and should be able to feed listings to the Facebook widget.
Ryan, good stuff! Thanks for the information. It drives me crazy when agents in our area flood Facebook with dribble every day like, "someone PLEASE buy this house" Yuk!
That's a good idea. Never heard of that before but I have been worrying about some of the real estate agents I follow getting kicked to the curb by Facebook for spamming.
Thanks for the tip, Ryan. I never liked promoting my listings/business on Facebook. This looks like a good way to find that balance between work and personal life. I will look into it!
Hi Ryan -- Many thanks, I just did it. You seem to be more in the know re: fb than anyone I know. What's a good resource(s) for a fb newbie like me to learn the ropes?
Great post and great idea. I have had to hide countless agents that I have befriended due to every post being something about how great they are. maybe they should just post their listings.
Your posts are always so relavent, I always enjoy reading (I just subscribed to them). I could not agree more that most agents are taking the role as spammer on social networking. It is important that your sphere be reminded that you would like to work for them, but I think that is vastly different from blasting advertisements to them. Friendships should not be taken lightly, and I don't think it is intelligent to take advantage of the relationship you have with people, just to blast ads.
Thank you so much for this valuable info! I don't post listings on my FB page because I don't want to overload my "friends". I do post on my Fan page, though. The widget will be perfect on my regular profile!
Thanks for the tip. I see some of my partner agents on Facebook and not all are using it to show their listings, but this tool may help them greatly. I appreciate the post!
Bob - I get the same dribble. I don't mind it - except when it is idiotic posts like you described.
Steve - Glad it helps. I am a bit surprised that NAR and Realtor.com haven't publicized this little widget more.
Integrity - Passing on info makes friends... good tool at no cost.
Mary - It was as easy as I described, right?
Maureen - It is all about tone, volume and the nature of the audience. You don't scream "buy this house" at cocktail parties. Why do it on social networking sites...
Malisa - You are welcome. Glad it helps.
Scott - It took me about 2 minutes to set up... ease of use is a plus.
Stephen - Nice widget with no manual entry... Make something easy to use and I'll use it. Save me time at no cost - I'll even blog about it.
Will - I do promote my business on Facebook. However, it is a mix of personal and professional to try to balance it all out.
Chris - We are developing some Facebook materials. I'll let you know when they are done.
Dan - No doubt about - all business and no personal info shared is pretty good recipe for an unsuccessful social networking campaign.
Laura - I have the same approach. I will still do photo albums, video, and occasional announcements.
Tim - Those types of posts are annoying - as our "I just wrote a sale contract" posts.
Matt - It is a balancing act. Glad to have you as a subscriber.
Tammy - I liked it so I thought I would share it.
Liz - Pretty simple tool... shows 3 lisitings with link to other listings on Realtor.com.
Kevin - Helping agents makes for good long term referral relationships.
Steve - I didn't realize it wasn't pulling the commercial listings. In the first few comments at the top, there is another application described. However, it is a fee based service and requires manual entry of the listing.
Great tip... Thanks a billion any time we can automate showing our listing it a must do. Only took a few seconds and there it is on my profile... Cool...
Yours is a terrific suggestion that I'm going to use. Everyday I'm thankful for having become involved in AR. I learn so much, like your tip, that it makes my involvement with AR so worthwhile. Thanks again.
Vanna - Some friends are subtle - others not so - with their comments. I know I made adjustments because I was one of those people bombarding others with advertorials.
Ryan, thanks for the information. It was really simple and fast! I had bypassed that on realtor.com before and now wish I had taken the time to read it. That's what's so great about ActiveRain; all the tips from other Realtors.
What an excellent suggestion!! This took me all of about a minute and it's done! Thank you SO much for this blog entry!! I am going to pass this on to others as well.
Barbara - If I review it, I have tested it. I have been using it since July or August. The only drawback that I can see is that it doesn't include listings where you are the co-agent.
Christa - Glad to help.
Leah - Saw your LinkedIn comment. Glad you stopped bye here.
Aaron - It seems that 70 or so agents didn't know the feature existed and have now tried it or are planning to try it so I'm guessing it was relevant to them. Feature worthy? Seen better. Seen worse.
I've had to cut off the news feed to more then one overzealous Facebook connection that was flooding my home feed with too many "salesy" announcements.
The Listing Feed is much more appropriate since it is not such an "invasion".
Awesome Ryan, I can see this helping many of our members promoting their listings on FB. This is really the best and most subtle way to do it effectively. Thanks for posting this for members on Both networks. :-)
Don't know if anyone else said this, but I use my outside blog... just post the link and I can choose my pic. The front elevation is always one of the thumbnails to pick from. Thanks for the tip. Good luck out there.
Thanks for the info. I will definitely check this out. I too am concerned about bugging my facebook friends with listings but we have had some good response so I hate to give it up.
Paul - I have been guilty of that offense and once got a nice lashing for it.
Lana - It took awhile for me to figure out the do's and don'ts of social networking.
Matthew - Photo albums, post-its, links, etc. are all alternates. I like this one because it is updated automatically.
Amy - Glad it helps.
Robert - Same story - on one hand my repetitive posts do generate leads; at the same time, they occasionally irritate someone. It is a balancing act for me.
Very nice Ryan. Early on, I did annoy my friends I think. Now I have a business page as well, and post listings and marketing info there. I will try this!
Ryan, I did this and for some reason it puts a weird word instead of my name where it says "Homes for sale by". Do you by chance have any idea how to edit my name? Thank you!
Thanks Ryan! I think there are many people who sign up with social sites for social reasons and have really started to get annoyed with people posting business info over and over. It sure can take the fun out of these social sites. Can't wait to try out see my listings for my profile!
I put this widget on either my Profile or on the Business Page. I would love it on both but could not get it to work. Did anyone else get the Realtor.com widget placed on both places in Facebook?
Hi Ryan - Thanks for the heads up on this. It's nice to see NAR recognize that so many agents are on Facebook, and to provide a tool that helps them promote their listings.
Ryan: I have a few listings coming up ... this is very timely. It seems to me these should go on the Business page ... given that Facebook does not like business on personal pages. Maybe I have that confused ... in any case I will give it a go! Thanks again!
Wow! Now that is a useful Blog! It only took a couple of seconds to set up also! FYI to anyone trying to install....you must use your REALTOR.com access not your MLS access. Great Blog, thanks.
Kathleen - Don't have an answer about putting listings on personal pages. I have routinely done it for over 2 years without a problem. The widget doesn't work on business pages.
Damon - My MLS and Realtor access codes are the same. Sorry about that...
Lane - I hope it helps... I haven't visited your blog in awhile. Plan to get a dose of Lane posts later in the week.
There are many sites that allow you to just place one picture and a link on Facebook with the bulk of the text and pictures at the end of the link. Most people do not get offended by that. However, if you are an agent who is entering 50 listings at one time and your FaceBook entry fills the page, then you are in great risk of being hidden or stricken from the friends list of many people. I try to keep my postings of listings to one or two a week and usually do it from my private blog so it occupies minimal space on FaceBook. Those that want to see more can click and go to my other blog. There are free sites that also do this.
And why are agents putting their competition on FaceBook anyway. Do you really want to advertise your competition's listings or expertise?? Why not let them put their listings on your AR blog post? Makes about as much sense. No agents on my FaceBook, at least not local ones. I work to promote my listings and do not want 20 other agents' homes popping up against my 5 I put on. If you want to send people to other agents' sites feel free. For me, I keep them on mine.
However, I repeat once more. If you think that Twitter and FaceBook are going to make the majority of agents a lot richer, I think that is a false hope. Other sites specifically aimed at the real estate market and its customers will get you more prospects.
John - We have a fundamental disagreement regarding whether or not it advisable to have local agents as friends on Facebook. My outlook is apparently a bit different than your outlook. I view the local agents on Facebook as trusted friends and colleagues - not competitors. More importantly, I typically have 50-75 active listings and view these local agents as sources of buyers for my listings so I want to expose them and their network to my listings. I often share tips, war stories, etc. via status updates. If another agent reads a post like this one via Facebook, it may improve the competition. However, it also reinforces the relationship and generates future referrals. Yes, I both give and receive local referrals. As to the benefits of social networking sites, we would again have a fundamental disagreement. I won't pretend that social networks will ever replace hardwork. However, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, and AR blogs have each generated leads, customers and closed sales for me this year.
I added that to my Facebook account last week but wonder if there's a way to show more listings or to priortize the ones that show up on the front page.
Kevin/Monica - There are some limitations. You can't prioritize listings and it doesn't pull commercial listings. There is some discussions on the Facebook fan page that discuss this and other issues.
Don - I hope it helps.
Tim - Good to hear from my colleagues in St. Louis. I hope it helps.
Loreena - I am glad I posted it to multiple groups on LinkedIn. However, it seems to have started a controversy among self-proclaimed social media purists and alarmist who, from their posts, see placing this widget on your Facebook profile page as the social media equivalent of the black plague.
Ryan, thanks for the tip. I'm going to share this with my agents. I really appreciate your response to everyone who's commented too. I was able to learn quite a bit from you in a short time. Thank you!
Awesome link, i am anoyed by the clutter on facebook and hide or (unfriend) people that abuse it.
Andrew Monaghan, CRS, GRI, CDPE. Team Leader, The Monaghan Group Keller Williams Professional Partners. http://WWW.TheMonaghanGroup.com Andrew@TheMonaghanGroup.com
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PREA Signature Realty proudly serves the communities of Lafayette Square, Soulard, Benton Park, Benton Park West, Downtown Loft District, Forest Park Southwest, Central West End, Tower Grove East, Tower Grove South, Compton Heights, Shaw, The Hill, Dogtown, Carondelet, Holly Hills, St. Louis Hills, Dutchtown, and the Other Historic Neighborhoods of the City of Saint Louis, Missouri.
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Ryan,
Thank you very much for the advice. I am a newbie to everything besides AR, and this is important to me.