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Is Social Media a Sinkhole for Realtors? What do you think?

By Patti Ann Kasper

Real Estate Agent with EXIT REALTY NEXUS

December 17, 2009 08:55 AM

Social Media a Sinkhole for Realtors? Check out this article from Mike Parker on Broker Agent Social. What do you think? I'd love to hear from my fellow Active Rainer's and get your opinions. Do we go full out into social media? Or is it a waste of time?

Blaine MN Homes for Sale Real Estate

Excerpt from his post: "Remember when My Space ruled the social media scene? Remember Google buying them for the heady sum of $900 million? They just announced that their traffic has gone down so much that Google will not have to make this year's annual payment of $300 million or so. Did you see the article in another e-newsletter last week in which two "successful" social media real estate agents were profiled: one who had never sold a home from her four hours a day efforts and another who had sold one from his two hours a day efforts (oh, but they both ‘have thousands of people following them'!)?"

To see the full article: article from Mike Parker on Broker Agent Social

I am just curious to see what people think good or bad...

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Sarah Eubanks

Hill Valley Financial Services - Oregon City, OR

Preferred Oregon Loan Consultant & Notary Public

Patti Ann, As with all things...it is balance. If we spend all of our time on social media...we will not be able to do our actual job. It certainly has had a solid role in my career and I am entirely thankful for it! Great debate point...thank you for posting.

Dec 17, 2009 11:29 PM

Claudette Millette

The Buyers' Counsel - Ashland, MA

Buyer, Broker - Metrowest Mass

Social media is becoming a necessary part of an overall marketing strategy, but you have to make sure that you are doing it correctly in order for it to be effective.

Dec 17, 2009 11:42 PM

Missy Caulk

Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI

Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate

It shouldn't be a sink hole if used properly. I use most of the sites, twitter, linkedin, facebook differently.

I blog for business, the results speak for themselves.

Social Media is not a fad, maybe the author hasn't seen the results he was expecting.

Dec 17, 2009 11:52 PM

Tony Grego, 317-663-4173 #1 Trade Association for Alternative Inv

REISA - 317-663-4173 - Indianapolis, IN

It can if you allow it. Lets not forget it is still about the client. Telephone calls and personal visits still is key

have a great day

tony

Dec 18, 2009 12:21 AM

Charlottesville Solutions

Charlottesville Solutions - Charlottesville, VA

I try a lot of things and when they work I stick with them. When they do not I trash them.

great debate!

Merry Christmas from your friend in Charlottesville!

Dec 18, 2009 12:34 AM

Jason Burkholder

Weichert, Realtors - Welcome Home - Lancaster, PA

Associate Broker, Realtor, e-Pro, CMS

anything that gets you interacting with people in a positive way, where your expertise can come across without making it pushy is a good thing. Like everything else, social media activities are best done in moderation!

Dec 18, 2009 12:52 AM

Gregory Bain

Mezzina Real Estate & Insurance - Little Egg Harbor, NJ

For Homes on the Jersey Shore

Time is money. And, sometimes we are paid what our time is worth. I think you could pick up a "free" home magazine and call all the agents that PAID to advertise properties and you would get similar results. Not everyone should BLOG and some that do shouldn't. My ego made me comment. Because what I have to say is so profound. OMG ha ha ha LOL ROFLMAO Merry Christmas.

Dec 18, 2009 12:56 AM

Rick Schwartz

William Raveis Real Estate - Danbury, CT

This article of Mike's has been re posted and rediscussed to death since it came out in early November. Everyone is entitled to express their opinion but I think it's important for readers to be aware of the filter that the writer is looking through.

Mike Parker sells SEO to Realtors for their IDX websites. His business is based on you paying him to get your website to the top of Google through SEO. Which works well until the guy in your office who sits next to you pays someone else to do the same for him the week after.

If you can get traffic, referrals and deals from Twitter, Facebook and your own keyword tags on your blogs and your videos on YouTube, then there ultimately will be a lot less needs for his product. So it makes sense that he would look for all the reasons to show the lack of value in Social Media.

Dec 18, 2009 01:28 AM

Debbie White

Southeast Alaska Real Estate - Juneau, AK

I Sell Alaska!

Moderation in all things! Yes, it can be a waste of time - if, and only if, you stop doing your job!

Is it working for me? Yes! It's part of my marketing, but not all of it.

Besides, I'd rather take a chance that I'm wasting time than wasting hard money.

Dec 18, 2009 02:58 AM

Anonymous

Andrew Chong

It can be a sinkhole and time trap. But everyone in the world is doing it. So, set aside some time, keep it under wraps, and do it. The trap is to spend much of the day in social networking and not making any calls to prospects. It's happend to me.

Dec 18, 2009 04:10 AM

#79

Doug Maynard

ReMax North Country Realty Inc. - Huntsville, ON

It has its time and place. It cant be overlooked entirely, but you cant go overboard with it either

Dec 18, 2009 04:23 AM

Teresa Boardman

Boardman Realty - Saint Paul, MN

Social media seems to be sink hole for those who don't understand it or know how to use it. It also seems to be a wonderful tool for those who do understand it and know how to use it. I think a lot of things work that way. There is no one way of getting business that works best for everyone.

Dec 18, 2009 10:42 PM

Dennis Duvernay Broker/Owner

Hillview Realty - Northbridge, MA

I agree with # 7 Deborah.....social media is just one of many marketing tools....use as many tools as possible to stay in the forefront but nothing beats a hand shake and eye to eye contact.

Dec 19, 2009 04:08 AM

Patti Ann Kasper

EXIT REALTY NEXUS - Blaine, MN

Blaine & North Metro Minneapolis St Paul Real Esta

Wow! Thanks to everyone for all of the great comments!!! Yes, in addition to Active Rain, I am also on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Trulia, Plaxo, etc...

I was curious and wondering if maybe I should get involved with more Social Media sites or not and y'all helped me decide! I am working to maximize my involvement and improve my skills on the Social Media sites I already have and not worry about setting myself up on any new sites (at least for now).

As is with everything else, it sounds like the consensus is "Everything in Moderation"!

And Jim Lee, I love your response: '"Always ride your hose in the direction he is going" Sitting Bull' I was just wondering how hard I should ride!

Great discussion - Thanks a Bunch - and Happy Holidays!

Dec 19, 2009 10:54 PM

Anonymous

Claudia Brown

I agree. Social Networking is great for chatting with family and friends, but it is NOT the place to non-stop advertise your listings. That is an instant turn-off for me, and I'm sure it is for others as well. I can say first-hand that those fellow agents who are on my friend list and do not talk about their interests, lives, and family and wax on endlessly about their listings or real-estate related products quickly get deleted from my friend list. When it comes to social networking, I want to know about the person's life, not solely the person's employment.

Dec 21, 2009 05:50 AM

#84

Frank D'Angelo

EXIT REALTY NEXUS Minneapolis & St. Paul MN - Coon Rapids, MN

Helping people is my business in Real Estate

Wow, a ton of opposing feedbac on Social Media. My goodness, I feel sorry for the traditionalists. They'll be out of business soon. Shift is Happening. Social Media is an opportunity to convert to effective Social Marketing of our own sphere and those we haven't met yet. Anyone taking an opposing view has to learn the power of Social Marketing vs the 'Time sucking' social media traps associated with just about every social network.

Have a great Twenty Ten.

Frank D'Angelo Broker

Dec 27, 2009 09:55 AM

Anonymous

henrylow

Affiliate Marketing is a performance based sales technique used by companies to expand their reach into the internet at low costs. This commission based program allows affiliate marketers to place ads on their websites or other advertising efforts such as email distribution in exchange for payment of a small commission when a sale results. www.onlineuniversalwork.com

Jan 29, 2010 08:20 PM

#86

Kim Boekholder Utah Real Estate/ PECO

Results Real Estate 801.580.5624 - Draper, UT

Broker Results Real Estate/Leasing Specialist PECO

I agree with the majority here, facebook is great for family and friends but active rain is where its at. I love active rain and all that it has to offer. Very well thought out and a great forum for agents and a great tool for blogging. Hope you're having a great day

Feb 10, 2010 06:51 AM

Kim Melin

Edina Realty - Edina, MN

I really think that it is just part of the world we now live in. It is fun and interesting! I think it is a wonderful way to expose our clients homes to the public and out of town buyers. Thanks for the blog!

Mar 05, 2010 02:02 PM

Steve Baklaich

RE/MAX Results St Cloud Mn real estate - Saint Cloud, MN

Treating Buyers & Sellers to Full Service Always.

Hi, The scattered effect can just suck your time and not get much in the way of traffic, consistant good information is the key. This is why I am working on getting together a group on Facebook to promote all of the fun activities, events and homes for sale by Realtors. I think as a group the reach could be much further and the page could become a state wide community resource. Have a great day!

Aug 02, 2010 05:37 AM