Did you know that more than 33% of all daily internet traffic occurs on Facebook? Or that Facebook gets more visits than Google?
Clearly, social media is here to stay. So, how do we make use of powerful mediums like Facebook and Twitter to grow our business? Essentially, they need to be an extension of ourcommunication and marketing efforts.
If you’re thinking of diving in to social media, but wondering how, here are my suggestions for approaching this new medium as a way of generating new business…
10 Tips to Grow Your Online Social Network
1. Start with the basics. Many agents are overwhelmed by the large number of social networking tools and sites that they could use. Instead of spreading yourself too thin, get started with just a few of the more popular social media tools. Many agents get fantastic results with these basics:
a) Create a blog to start and join online conversations. Post short articles that clients, prospects and other agents might find interesting, such as recent sales and listings, market updates, community news and events, and upcoming open houses. Use a scanning tool like Google Alerts to find relevant real estate conversations. Comment on those blog post and point readers to related content on your own blog.
b) Establish a Facebook presence. Create an account and personal profile on Facebook and invite your network to join. Grow your network by joining real estate groups and pages, such as Top Producer’s Facebook Page.
2. Approach online social networking as you would building relationships in the real world. It takes time to develop new relationships- for you to get to know your network, and for them to get to know you. Ask yourself how you would make friends, build trust, establish rapport and gain business in the real world, and apply those same principles in your social networking endeavor.
3. Create a friendly, professional online profile. Upload a professional photo of yourself, and information about your real estate expertise and areas. Include contact information to make it easy for people to get hold of you in the ‘real world’, including your website, email address and office phone number. And make sure that any personal photos and details you share are items that you’re comfortable sharing with potential referrals and clients. It’s okay to have your personal as well as professional worlds blend into one another over social media. In fact, you should be prepared to share a details of your personal life while social networking. Potential clients want to know you as a person before they enlist your services.
4. Aim to spend at least 30 minutes per day online social networking. Update your online networks on personal or professional news, send personal messages, share tips, and stay up-to-date on people’s lives. It’s important to be consistent in your updates- better to update two or three times a week than to update every day for one week, then post nothing for four weeks. Remember to comment on the posts of others, as everyone appreciates their thoughts being acknowledged. Commenting on your clients’ and prospects’ Facebook posts is a great way to check in and let them know you’re part of their world.
5. Focus on delivering value and participating in conversation. Nobody wants to be “friends” with someone who’s just going to aggressively sell and market to them. Help the people in your network advance their goals – share their goals with others, introduce them to helpful contacts, and make public recommendations if you honestly believe in what they have to offer. Help them reach their goals first, and they’ll be more likely to call you when it’s time to make a move.
6. Take the time to read other comments before posting your own. Commenting on blogs, Facebook pages, and other social media platforms is an easy way to network if you’re pressed for time. However, make sure you take a minute or two to read the other posts so yours doesn’t look haphazard and off-topic. It’s easy to spot the person who just posted and left the conversation! Engage with the dialogue by reviewing the other comments.
7. Meet the influencers. Take time to get to know the influencers in a network. These might be the group’s organizers, long time members, or people who make regular contributions. Share your experiences with them about the group. Ask questions, as they will understand how you can become established within the network.
8. Post links frequently and position yourself as a resource for market information. Facebook and Twitter are great platforms for posting quick links and starting a conversation. If you come across an excellent article with current, local market information, post the link where your peers and prospects can access it. Not only do quality links keep your page engaging, they help you supply your clients with their own resources for educating themselves on the market, rather than presenting a hard sell. They’ll remember who the information came from!
9. Promote social media channels on your website and in email signatures. To encourage clients and prospects to participate in your social media channels, include links to your different social media accounts from your website and in your email signatures. For example, your email signature could include links to your blog, Facebook or Active Rain page, along with your name, email address and phone number. Make sure you set up a unique url to your Facebook page by registering a username. Selecting one that is short and easy to distribute will go a long way in helping to promote your page, as you can list it on business cards, email signatures, and ads. Go to facebook.com/username to create yours.
10. Use systems and tools to automatically connect with your social media network. Tools like Top Producer 8i now allow you to link your contacts and prospects with their latest Tweets and Facebook posts, giving you insight as to what is happening in their lives, their interests and their plans going forward. This information is available today within the contact information.
With Top Producer 8i you also have access to recent real estate activity around their home, actives and sold's come directly from Realtor.com anywhere in the U.S. The mapping feature allows you to get a feel for the neighborhood cosmetically which empowers you to have a legitimate, consultative conversation with everyone in your data base! All in all, social media is the new normal – it’s here to stay. Personally, I’m excited by the power and opportunity this new medium provides our industry. How are you using social media to generate new sales in today’s market?
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