Jeff Dowler wrote an excellent featured post today about the 365 Things to Do trend and how you can use it in your real estate marketing.

I jumped on that bandwagon about  a year ago, and have been doing it I think since February 2010. 

At first it was really overwhelming, and I felt I HAD TO post a unique thing every single day. I sought out local businesses and events. A year later, the page has 2378 fans (that's big for our area -- our population has about 50,000 households only) and it has taken on a life of its own.

Here are the things I have done to make my page successful.

1. The page is OPEN for anyone to post. I allow fans to post events and anything they want. I have only had a problem one time and banned a fan from posting because he just started posting political stuff that really has no place on this page. He was defaming a local political candidate and posting ugly stuff. I simply monitor the posts and remove the flames.

2. Encourage interaction. Sometimes I post a local event or about a business. Sometimes I pose a question "What is your favorite local Easter tradition?" or "It's a beautiful day in Schuylkill County. What are you doing today?" or such. It gets fans to comment and creates a little buzz for a day or two, and I see fan numbers jump after a question is posted.

3. Relax and enjoy it. In the beginning I would stress if I didn't post every morning. Now with 2300+ fans, and fans posting things, I can relax! 

4. Let them know who you are. On the fan page I prominently post my name, business website, etc and email. Fans contact me sometimes to post something for them, and I always reply back via email, and then  I add them to my monthly email newsletter. Nobody has opted out or unsubscribed yet.

Maybe the 365 thing is a phase that will wear out eventually, but for now mine is working! I see cross-interaction, fans joining the 365 page then getting my newsletter, then joining my real estate fan page. 

Try it!