It's Called Social Networking For A Reason
You Have To Be Social!
I have spent the last 4-5 years learning about social networks. Most people know me as a Realtor, but I am also a musician. Some years ago, my business partner and I were learning the ins and outs of writing press releases when he told me to check out this new website called MySpace. Since we were working on getting our music out to the masses, we figured this would be a great place to start. Every time a new site comes along, we check it you. You Tube, last.fm, Plurk, Flickr, Blogger, etc. Many social networking sites have come and gone. Yes I still have an account on Plurk, but Twitter is king right now. Of course I am on Facebook and write several blogs. But there is one key point that SOME....not ALL, but some Realtors miss
SOCIAL NETWORKING WORKS BEST WHEN YOU ARE SOCIAL!
When I have a client relocating to another market, I turn to my networking sphere of influence for help. When I am going to a vacation spot, my Twitter peeps hook me up with the inside scoop. When I am looking to find the real deal on a restaurant, my Facebook family helps me out. But how did I develop this huge international sphere of influence?
BY BEING SOCIABLE
People new to Twitter always ask.....what do I tweet about and who really cares. Being sociable means finding people who like the things you like or think like you think. Once you find them, have a conversation. It's really that simple. I have met so many cool people. Some look and sound like me and many who dont. The biggest lesson you have to learn.....
SHARE
As Realtors, we have to learn to share. I recently contacted a Realtor in another market. The first response I received was "can you refer buyers to me". Refer buyers to you?
I DON'T EVEN KNOW YOU!
And worse than that, you didn't even take the time to say hello or ask me how MY day was going or what MY needs were. Right away it was about ME, ME, ME. Now this Realtor is one of the tops in his market and I am sure that he gets plenty of business by being aggressive, but that was the wrong way to approach me.
Many Realtors approach social marketing the same way. They sign up for Facebook and Twitter and their posts look like this:
***NEW LISTING 123 MAIN STREET ****
***SEND YOUR BUYERS TO ME****
***I AM THE GREATEST REALTOR***
***OPEN HOUSE THIS SUNDAY***
***NEW LISTING 456 SPRUCE ST***
***NEW LISTING 9378 JACKSON AVE***
*** I AM A MEMBER OF THE MILLION DOLLAR CLUB***
In the social networking world, you might as well be sayin "wha wha wha whamp wha wha" (like the teacher from the Peanuts). Everyone hears that you are saying something, but no one is listening to you.
On the networking sites, talk about what is exciting to you besides business. I am a musician, I love gardening, I love music, I love food, I love to travel, I love cars, I love racing, I am a techno geek, I like rap music, I like fishing and of course I love real estate. MY list goes on and on. I am sure you have a similar list.
Those are the things you talk about!
This is how YOU can be social. Do the people I tweet to know that I sell Real Estate...of course. Do they know I have listings...YES!. Because I post about them....just not all the time.
Being social is not that difficult. Making social networks work for you is also not that difficult. I would suggest that you read All I Ever Really Needed To Know, I Learned In Kindergarten by Robert Fulghum.
So be social, Tweet, Blog and have fun. The business will follow.
Have Another Great Day
Make This Your Best Year Ever
Your Friend In The Real Estate Business
Leander McClain, Camden & Burlington Township Realtor & Real Estate Consultant, Atlantic & Pacific Real Estate, 103 Carnegie Center, Princeton, NJ 08540 856-438-0399 (direct)
lee@njsouthrealestate.com, @leemack912, www.facebook.com/Leander.NJRealtor
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