Special offer

Social Media Marketing... Participate Or Perish

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with X3 REALTY

During my junior year at Stetson University (89-90) I took a political science course where the professor, Dr. Anne Motley Hallum (how could I ever forget her), and I had a huge disagreement. She contended that it was unfair that some of us were able to go to school while others were not. My position was that we all had the opportunity to go to school; some, for whatever reason, chose not to. She declared that I was an elitist and I declared that she was a socialist. After a heated meeting with the Dean, we agreed to disagree. Unfortunately for me, she was the one with the red pen and our disagreement was reflected in my final grade. She is still confused and misled...

The same holds true for real estate agents who choose to use traditional (antiquated) methods. Those who refuse to embrace the leverage of the internet and the power of social media marketing will gain market share while those who don't will be lining up at Wal-Mart to see about being a greeter.

Statistics recently revealed by the National Association of REALTORS® demonstrate the dominance of the internet as a medium to find home buyers and sellers. It's a wake-up call to agents who haven't yet embraced the direction of the industry.

  • More than half of all real estate purchases are through someone who knew the agent or through a referral
  • 53% of transactions are conducted through social networks
  • 87% of consumers start their home search on the internet
  • 147 million Americans are active on social networking sites
  • Nearly half of those are active on Facebook®, the #1 social networking site
  • Facebook® has the highest average time spent using per visitor at 3 hours and 10 minutes

Participate or perish... its a choice.

Comments (5)

the Chris & Lisa Grus Team
Premier Realty Exclusive - Saint Louis, MO
GRI, e-PRO

I agree mostly.  I'm a web junkie, so for me your words are gospel.  I do see some of the dominant agents in our area that have some web presence, but will probably get enough referrals and work from past clients to keep them busy for a while. Great Post, Thanks! 

Feb 24, 2010 02:49 AM
Li Read
Sea to Sky Premier Properties (Salt Spring) - Salt Spring Island, BC
Caring expertise...knowledge for you!

Absolutely!    No point in anyone complaining about it, either.   We have to be standing on the same terrain as our consumer, or we will simply be "erased".   No choice!

Feb 24, 2010 02:53 AM
Cari Anderson
Danville, CA

Jarrod:  Thanks for the statistical breakdown on the facts.  In is astonishing and proves this is a fast moving marketing opportunity that you pass by to your detriment. ~Doug

Feb 24, 2010 02:59 AM
Andy Chaudoir
Professional Inspection Services - Georgetown, Texas - Georgetown, TX
Your Home Inspection Connection in Central Texas

Hello Jarrod - Thanks for the great information.  I choose to participate but feel overwhelmed with all the choices.  I guess that's what happens when you get in the game late.

Feb 25, 2010 02:44 AM
Jarrod Weaver
X3 REALTY - Georgetown, TX

Andy: Don't feel overwhelmed! There is too much out there to be able to capture it all. We have to find the solutions to dominate the chunk of the market we participate in and focus only on that. If I can make a couple of suggestiion, read 1) Gary Vanerchuk's new book, Crush It; and 2) Al Ries' 2005 reprint of his book, FOCUS. I have a space copy of FOCUS and would be happy to share it with you.

I have condensed Crush It down to a single page of action steps and am working to gradually dominate my corner of the real estate market just as Vaynerchuk has the wine industry. I'm happy to share that with you (and anyone else who wants it) as well.

Feb 25, 2010 03:44 AM