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

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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I'm armed to the teeth with Real Estate Technology, and when it comes to
negotiating on behalf of my clients, I'm a tenacious little pit bull!

Patti Ann Kasper, REALTOR®
EXIT REALTY NEXUS
763-498-2088 cell 763-548-1418 office
www.HouseHuntingHound.com

Posted by PATTI ANN KASPER, Blaine & North Metro Minneapolis St Paul Real Estate Resource on 12/17/2009 04:55 PM

Comments (85)

Is Social Media a Sinkhole for Realtors? What Do You Think? in the Online Marketing Channel

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

DEC

2009

Birds Tweet not people. Face book is for family and friends. So as a realtor I only blog and do things for my business where I think it will do some good. So I think I am linked, out faceless but not in a twitter when it comes to this stuff.

I predicted in an ActiveRain post about 2 years ago that I didn't believe that blogging would ever "catch on" with a large percentage of real estate agents.

As of now, only about 6% of REALTORS participate in social media. Uh huh.

I spend a lot of time on ActiveRain. However, I'm using it and enjoying it for quite different reasons than most.

It works for me and I know it works for others.

Other so called social media, not so much for me.

I think social media has it's place in a Realtor's marketing/advertising plan. 4 hours a day? nuh-uh.

Facebook has been a good tool for me. I have been using it to reconnect with past clients and prospects. It's a good way to keep your picture and business in front of people's eyes, especially with a business or fan page.

It works if you work it...but people still have to know you and like you.. It is just keeping you in the forefront of your mind. And it is fun

www.sellez1.com

I think the answer is not whether you blog but whether you know how to blog to get clients. Just like you can have a web site but if no-one visits it you'll never get a lead either. How many Realtors have web sites that fit that criteria- I have to think it is near the same 96% of Realtors that do not blog. There is no doubt the the internet is where we need to be!

Patti, I am super happy you posted the article link because when this article hit it was the same time that the CRS instructor Mike Parker (a different Mike Parker entirely) was doing a session on the power of social media at the National Association of Realtors Annual Conference in San Diego.

Social Media is just another marketing tool, but if agents think they can do business 100% without ever meeting people face to face then they are mistaken. It is a great way to keep in touch, but meeting people in person is still the way to go.

Patti:

Thanks for voicing the question I consider almost daily. AR is one thing....but these other internet sites are still questionable in my mind. My sixteen year old neice who is as plugged in to social media as anyone I know tells me Twitter is a time-waster. She's hooked on Facebook, though.

I had read Mike's original article and Deborah's comment is bang on. Social media is another tool and if you are not comfortable with it then it's really not for you. Same as cold calling, door knocking and so on. Do what you do best but ultimately you have to be across the kitchen table from a willing buyuer or sellar or you don't get paid!

Happy Holidays everyone.

So what if MySpace went in the toilet? Its because their format was no longer working to meet the demands of the users. As a generation "X"er, this technology has helped realtors and others connect in a way not possible before. When Facebook came out it was generally shunned by my peers because it seemed very juvenile. After a format change more and more people adopted its platform and now it is the talk of the town (literally). The idea is, as a business people, we must constantly sek new outlets and inroads that bring us closer to our sphere of influence. If Facebook tanks you can be sure I'll already be on to the next best thing.

I couldn't understand the social media concept until I found AR. Its fun and I have learned a lot from it. To me Facebook and Twitter are a waste of time. But I am going to apply some of what I have learned here and give it a shot. You can't expect to sit on the computer all day and not work other avenues in order to succeed in Real Estate.

Well, let's see. I just closed a $1.125M home yesterday. I'm working with 3 buyers in the $2-5M price range. Two new listings coming up (one for $2.8M). I have 4 potential buyers (2 that I've referred out to an agent I work closely with). All of this since I started blogging in August. Prior to that I was doing NOTHING and getting NO clients.

If they don't want to think it works, I'm too busy to argue with them.

make the distinction between ROI and PR -- most of this is PR and does not have an ROI - some does -- make your own decisions how much time you want to invest in each category -- I elect to spend my time in the return on investment of time category rather than the public relations side of things

Barbara Calwhite All the social media tools are only as good as the person using them. If you don't follow up with personal contact, then it won't do much to promote your business.

I have seen agents spend hours learning Top Producer and then never enter a lead or check the calendar for calls to make etc. This doesn't mean Top Producer is not a good tool, just the user is not a good user.

This article is fraught with mistakes and plainly incorrect statements...

1. News Corp owns Myspace, and they paid several billion for it. Google has never owned Myspace. Google paid $900 million to Myspace to incorporate their ads on Myspace, as well as a Google search bar. And yes, the $900 million was tied to traffic goals that if missed, reneged the full payments Google would have to make.

2. I don't know if he was intentionally exaggerating the number of Twitter users, but Twitter says it is about 6 million/month, not 250 million. Facebook has 350 million accounts, maybe that's where the confusion comes from?

3. I love when he claims that social media will peak and decline, with one exception for the business he works for. It's a fact that online social networking is, GASP, just like social networking at a cocktail party, except when you're online, you can communicate with more people faster and on a more personal level. If you become friends with your clients, then they'll be more loyal clients in the future, and everyone knows past clients are a huge engine for generating future clients.

4. He uses an analogy regarding advertising in social networking sites to discount the long-term use of social media in real estate, but he doesn't actually draw any link with the analogy. He just says one thing and says another thing...it doesn't even make sense (by the way, Facebook is generating HUGE sums of money from advertising...so he can have his opinion on that but it's largely irrelevant).

5. He says a tweet or a placement on Facebook won't sell that next property for you. The funny thing is, he's completely wrong. A few quick internet searches and you can find dozens to hundreds of success stories from Realtors who used Twitter, Facebook or another social network to find buyers or sellers and complete a transaction.

6. He says Google is the most important tool for agents online because 880 million people search Google for real estate needs each month. I wonder what he'd be saying about Google if it were 2002 and Google was just another new search engine? Probably that they're a fad to ignore, pushed on us by condescending "techies." 350 million people on Facebook is nothing to mock.

7. It's also quite funny that as he was talking about how people search Google and not Facebook or Twitter, Google Labs was in the final stages of creating the "Google Social Search" that supplements regular search results. Very soon, very soon indeed, ANY Google search will not only show you web results but it will also search public Facebook and Twitter pages for related results. So while he thinks searching Facebook and Twitter is a waste of time...Google disagrees with him.

I could go on but it's time to call it a day. Even us techies (Multimedia Skills Coordinator with Coldwell Banker Tomlinson Group) have to take a break from pushing technology upon the masses so we can go home and rest!

Different strokes for different folks...whatever works for you and that you apply consistently will bring in the leads...results the only criteria.

Thanks for the information and Happy Holidays to all and to all a good night!

Thing is......I never DID figure out Twitter or MySpace, not to mention Facebook. All I see on Facebook is family and friends playing (silly to me) games and acting like they DID something. lol As for realtors and social media, I don't think I EVER had as much fun in a "real office" as I do on ActiveRain. AR is my social media of choice thank you.

YES

Great comments Brian!

Just today a Realtor called me about a mold problem he was having with a client. He didn't know who to call since he had never been touched by M-O-L-D...

He called a remediator who said something about turtles...he googled " turtles mold" and up I pop with a bunch of my AR mold testing blogs along with some other testing companies...

But he sees I'm a Rainer, so he picks me over everyone else. AR is like a family of talented people helping eachother.

That's the benefit of social media...

Patti, I have business and always have because I've been in my market for a long time and I know what I'm doing. SM is fun. And blogging is a away for me to relax. BUT...I still do about the same amount of business today as I did before I started either. Of course the market has changed quite a bit so doing the same amount of business today as I did in 2005 is saying a lot. I think it's only a waste of time if the time being spent could be spent better doing something else.

Patti Ann...

It's all about self-control and knowing when to stop. Social networking can take over your entire life if you are not careful. Its so much better to find what works and stick with it!

I think the article was a joke!! I'm COMPLETELY with Brian. Thanks for taking the time to actually lay out some facts Brian... unlike MR. Parker. For those of us that actually know what we are doing, Social Media works wonders. I've written books explaining the how-to's and benefits of Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Social Networking and NAR is featuring my "Facebook Manual for Real Estate" in their bookstore. Before you discount Facebook in your marketing plan, you might want to consider doing some research first... I have and have found the delicate balance between overmarketing on Facebook which many REALTORS® do (to the point that it is against Facebook's policies and will get them deleted) and "getting the word out" in a proper social conversation format that Facebook embraces. When you get that down, you'll have unbelievable access to 100's of millions of willing eyes...

Okay, I had my opinion when I read the post, but after reading the comments, it seems like you have really hit a hot spot for some people.

Whatever works . . . and if you aren't worried about making money in another stream . . . blog, tweet, update all you want. Of course, doing it with purpose and success is another thing.

This is about real estate . . . and social networking (IMHO) is secondary. This particular site, Active Rain, has created debates, dialouges, etc., and a lot of people have LEARNED a lot from it. It's MORE then just a pretty Face . . . Book. It's an e-magazine to me, where I find useful articles about my trade.

I tend to agree on some of his points. I seriously don't know how so many agents I know (and love) live on Twitter like they do. If I"m with clients, the last thing they (the people that pay me...my clients), want me to do is talk to my friends via the world wide web. My clients expect my full attention and they deserve it. After all, they do put food on my table :)

I do find social networking useful in making connections with others in our field. I've made some lifelong friends right here on AR and strengthened them on Facebook. I haven't directly picked up a client from Facebook or Twitter, but have from AR.

I guess, as BB says...if you have nothing better to do, go for it. I won't count on it to put food on my table. I'm guessing it does work for some.

Participating in this social mania I have managed to re-connect with folks that I haven't seen in years and didn't know I was in the industry. In these instances, this has been extremely beneficial for me. Agents know that getting out there and shaking hands is still the most effective way to meet folks but as long as you dominate the relationship with your computer...it works well to do both!

Janet Howard

www.janetleehoward.com

Patti -- they jury is still out on that one ... for me. I spend a lot of time blogging. If I were measuring ROI with the amount of time I spend ... I would say it is a waste of time. I have learned a lot here in the Rain ... about blogging and social media ... and that education has not created any income.

I have learned quite a bit from blogging and reading the blogs of others, I definitely think we need to stay balanced with all of our marketing. Having an internet presence is a must in today's real estate world.

Like anything, you can overdue it. I've gotten a tremndous amount out of my time but there is some diminishing returns after a point.

One could spend the entire day doing social media stuff if they wanted. I don't think avoiding it altogether is the answer but one needs to be selective so as to keep time invested to a minimum, perhaps 1/2 hour a day at most.

It seems that hours and hours a day on SM might be a waste -- never have personally spent that many so can't say from personal experience ---- but whatever one does they need to be consistent and make it work i the time and life one has. Our 2 cents.

ActiveRain is a good use of my time. I have gained a significant amount of knowledge by reading numerous posts and comments, explored various parts of Canada and the USA virtually, made numerous cyber real estate friends in my local area as well as across North America (some of whom I will meet in person), and have developed client relationships.

Although I have setup a Facebook account recently, I have not yet spent the time to figure out how to use it from a real estate angle. However, I have reconnected with some old friends of mine whom I hadn't spoken to in a number of years.

All in all, I think social networking is very useful. It all depends on what your goals are from social networking. I only started to do social networking in mid 2009.

There has to be a balance. It can't be ignored, yet you can find yourself truly wasting time, as you can just using any application on the internet. It has to be used as another business tool to enhance and expand your marketing efforts. In years to come, those who completely ignored social media will be very much behind, as those future buyers who are completely embracing online technology today, will be looking for those products and services and houses online tomorrow. Yes, they do now too, but in years to come, it's going to be so much more.

I think social media and networking is HUGE if you know how to use it. Blogging has brought me many clients and so has Facebook. Nothing beats face to face, but social networking has opened many virtual doors that have led to face to face meetings.

Undecided, however, like the old saying goes about "not giving up your day job"!

I want to be open to new ideas but not lose hold of the marketing foundations that have led to my success.

Hi Patti Ann.

Most things are sinkholes for Realtors.

That's why 80% of us are gone after one year.

Social media is my most valuable tool...

Thanks for writing,

Ken

Patti Ann, I am still pretty new to this, but I am already getting positive comments. I am expecting to get additional business from this or to have it reinforce the opportunities I have and help me win business. Time will tell. I do agree there is a reasonableness to how much effort, time and energy you should put into something without results. I'm not willing to do four hours a day on this, its an addendum, not my whole marketing plan. All the best, Michelle

Patti Ann - it's all about what works for you and what you are comfortable with. Done correctly, social media presents tremendous advantages, but I don't see it as the be all/end all - you still have to be out F2F with folks, unless all your clients are buying over the Internet (and that IS happening). Blogging is still the best tool in my social arsenal, with Facebook a close second.

Clearly there are lots of opinions, pro and con, as well as disputes about how successful SM is, how many are using it, etc.

Jeff

As I've mentioned before I suspend judgement on this until I've been at it for sometime. I know in my city, top agent don't go near the stuff and they're making tremendous money. I am building my business and as such I want to be open to ideas. 99% of my business comes from up front personal, face to face, belly to belly business. If this helps me get in front of someone then it will work, but I've done very well without it.

If people have spent that much time on Social Media and it's not getting them any results, they're doing something very very wrong!

Social Media is what you make of it. If someone is going to go on Facebook, write what they had for breakfast and when they walked their dog and when they played Mafia Wars, it is definitely a waste of time and not going to get anyone anywhere. However, social media is definitely here to stay and has its place for the agents that want to do it correctly and consistantly. Twitter is a tool that has its place, but again it's going to be a waste of time if people are not going to use it the right way. Just "tweeting" about garbage is not going to get you any leads or followers. How many of you know that you can do searches on Twitter and also limit it down to specific zip codes?

There is a great deal more to social media than just the social sites. LinkedIn, by the way, is an incredible networking tool - incidently is a great BtoB tool - not a sales tool like some agents are making it by putting their listings on it. Join groups related to our business and you can pick up a lot of really good information And what a wonderful way to make contacts with other agents for referrals. Facebook has pages where you can actually add your listings - another way to make contact with people.

Probably most of you are blogging or you would not be on ActiveRain. Blogging is one of the best tools you can use and it is part of the social media world - a very strong addition. Again, if you are using blogging correctly you can become known as a knowledgeable source in our business and differentiate yourself from many of the other agents out there.

NAR takes it seriously enough that they had a terrific add-on to the ePRO class called Web 2.0. It really teaches what how you can take advantage of the internet as it is today. I really encourage those of you who are questioning social media but are serious about expanding your business to take this course to really get a much better perspective as to what the real world of social media is all about. I believe that you will have a whole new perspective when you finish the course.

Just to add one more note - some statistics I have heard say that Baby Boomers will buy one more house in their lives, Gen Xers will buy 7 and Gen Y will buy ten. The two younger generations are using the internet and social media and will continue to as it expands. So if your career is going to flourish, you might want to consider getting to know the tools that those generations are using in order to keep your business viable.

I agree with Debroah above when she comments about "meeting people is the way to go!" this social medial isn't going to make the difference in my bottom line come the end of the year. It is nice to read, learn and meet the members, so to speak. I enjoy it .

Patricia /Seacoast NH

Kudos to you Patti for bringing up such a controversial topic!

Here is my opine:

It depends on your market/sphere. If you are in a less sophisticated market where most people don't have smart phones, everyone knows everyone, smaller town, then yes, all this social networking for business could be a waste of time.
If you're in a major metro market that draws relocation from all over the country, then you're crazy for not signing up on Facebook and finding your entire high school and college graduating class! A friend of mine signed up, 'Friended' her high school acquaintance, and received a referral within 30 days. Usual? No, but possible? Yes.
Generation X Y and whatever comes next...they are not emailing anymore! My friend's babysitter thought that her boss would see her 'out of town' post on Facebook and know that she wasn't coming to babysit! This is the way they think, and it's NOT changing. Facebook drives so much of the Internet's total traffic; companies are spending a lot of money targeting their audiences and ads. We post listings to our client's facebook pages for them via Postlets, Vflyer, Trulia, it's all very easy and you never have to log in.
It can be a major time waster if you don't use it correctly. I use mine primarily for friends and family, but as 2010 approaches, I will start using my business page more to communicate with prospects. If you log in and get distracted by non-money making topics/issues, your best to leave it to an assistant or update your status via ping.fm
You should have a 'Follow Me' on Twitter button on your web site, and a 'Join my fan club' on Facebook if your primary market is young first time buyers, or thirty-somethings. They like knowing their agent is saavy! And how cool would it be to 'friend' your client, post something about their purchase /sale (after the deal is DONE! Privacy rules!) and one of their friends sees you on there, and asks for your help!

If you're not a dinosaur, why do you want to look like one? Sign up for Facebook, it's not hard.

That being said, I HIGHLY disagree with companies that exist solely to get Realtors to pay them to 'enhance their social networks' and 'blog' for them. We do social networking, and we blog for clients. But before we do that, we learn their goals and purpose. If you spend a few hundred dollars to have someone else set up all these accounts, without making sure your web site is optimized and can be 'caught' by the search engines, you're throwing money down the drain.

Use caution before handing over that credit card or writing that check, this stuff isn't going away anytime soon...think it through and put it on your 'To Do' list. It's a very personal thing as well, so hiring someone else may not be the way to go...

If not used correctly, it can be a sinkhole. Write to an audience who reads your posts and calls you. Then, it's worth it!

Interesting conversation. Rob Hahn and I will be debating this at January's Inman Connect. Personally, I have too much social proof of the success of Social media for realtors and lenders... And like many of you know, when you do it right, you get the right results.

For the doubters, I'd ask you to consider SM as a natural progression of what has always worked in real estate. it's your geographic farming, networking, working referrals, staying connected to past clients and more. The difference is with SM, we can do it faster, at dramatically less cost and most importantly... BE where the people are.

Like my friend Gary Vaynerchuk says... "Remember, they're just tools". Therefore they must be used correctly to produce the results you want.

Best of luck to you all and happy holidays!

I think it depends on ones comfort level. Social Media is hear to stay and I think realtors especially need to be part of it!

Success will be dependent on each individual as stated previously in my opinion. Social networks and social media are not as direct in terms of results as many would like to think. They play varying roles within one's business in terms of discovery, presentations, etc. For example, just having a blog does not equal success. Having a great blog with valuable and interesting content will undoubtedly especially when it is publicized effectively. At the same time, a blog that is not 'fed' routinely' will gain the user nothing. As well, a poorly made video will detract from business and image. Whereas the well produced video can enhance business.

I closed my first facebook deal today. I still think that we need balance. I'm all for what works, but I know too many broke agents who put off real work & think they'll get rich tweeting and ignore other things which might make them money.

Geez... all of my business has come from social networking. Some of it is in person, and solidified by online communications. Other is built online and solidified in person...

It is a tool and an extension. That is all.

Social media I think is just one more way of keeping in touch with clients. Like all marketing it should be evaulated.

I think Facebook is a great place to stay in touch with family and friends. It can also be a place to remind all that you are in real estate. I am trying to keep a balance in my marketing efforts and believe that the social networks are a good place to do just that. Just like with investing though, don't put all your eggs in one basket.

Using social media as a communication tool is huge. If you really look at where the eyeballs are, you could not ignore Facebook and Twitter as a minimum. Using social media appropriatley does not mean that you sit down for 4 hours a day and just post and tweet. Social media is a great tool that puts you in conversation with a large group of people. It is here to stay so we as Realtors should become proficient in it's use.

Patti Ann~ SM is here to stay. Email as we know it will probably go away. FB is the place to be and ActiveRain is the best resource for Realtors and buyers and sellers find us every single day because of our presence on the Internet. I can say that it works because I have gotten plenty of leads and business from it.

Patti, social media is another engagement format to grow, learn, and make connections, hopefully online leading to offline.

I think the key is making SURE you are doing a consistent variety of things, and not spending alot of time on SM hoping it will replace the hard work of face to face prospecting, mailings, phone calls, open houses, and good old fashioned hard work, SM does not magically create business, but it may yield some results.

I am looking over the business I did in 2009, and analizing the source of each transaction, and that is where I will spend my time, energy and money. You need to make intelligent, informed decisions on how you spend time working. I enjoy AR and Facebook, and I will continue it for that reason, but I also believe my online presence has actual value, and that I can indeed prove that. However, it needs to all be in balance with desk work and the like.

Like any activitiy, it can be useful or not...for Social media...it all depends on your business strategy.

Read a post about the 2.3+ million on closed deals Chris Ann Cleland got from AR this year and then ask yourself is it worth it?

Blogging works for some people. It should be part of your marketing mix. I think that most things Internet related are over-hyped.

It is very interesting.. Of course the games can be a sink hole. Active Rain is a great platform for those who are willing to use it.

Whether or not social media a waste probably depends what you're doing with it and how much time/money you invest in it, just like any other marketing.

For me, I've seen business from Facebook and blogging, so I think it's well worth my time.

DEC

2009

I don't think this needs to be a contraversial subject. Everyone that has commented here is blogging on a social platform hopefully to gain business.

Unless some are just doing it for fun? It is fun but it's hard work. I could sit at my office and write newspaper ads, deliver flyers, and other time consuming ways of prospecting but social media is has made prospecting so much more fun and I'm in my comfort zone.

What is not to like about consumers contacting you because of the SEO you are getting from blogging and your website if you are keeping it updated and fresh. This also takes time but it works.

I was only using Facebook for friends, family and some clients but I just started a Facebook business (fan) page. You may be aware the Google is now indexing your Facebook business pages and your Twitter accounts.

I was surprised to see my Facebook articles, links, etc. coming up on Google already. It does work but you have to work it. More and more of my business is coming from the internet.

Almost 85 percent of people start their home search online. When they are searching Oakville, Ontario neighbourhoods, I want to be there.

Wait a minute! Am I hearing correctly? Look, REALTORS are in the business of brokering the sale of real estate. The social media phenomenon should be viewed as a vehicle to enhance one's business. Unless of course you are using it for personal reasons.

Any form of self promotion (glossy magazine ads, pens, calendars, magnets...) can be a sinkhole!

With social media, I personally think that it is a good tool in order to learn from peers & "socialize" in what can sometimes be a very "lonely" profession. It will not replace "hard" prospecting techniques & face to face contact with prospects. Any additionnal business attributed to it, I consider a bonus...

"Always ride your horse in the direction he's going." Sitting Bull

Social Networking...I think to hit it early, hit it late, but to make a work "date" with a few social networking sites is to be where your clients and sphere are circulating. Name recognition, interaction, supportive comments...there's a win there.

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.

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.

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.

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

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

DEC

2009

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.

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

2009

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

2009

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

2009

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

JAN

2010

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

FEB

2010

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

MAR

2010

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!

AUG

2010

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!

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PATTI ANN KASPER, Blaine & North Metro Minneapolis St Paul Real Estate Resource

Blaine, MN

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Address: 2143 Northdale Blvd., Coon Rapids, MN, 55433

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