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Are You Using LinkedIn? Here's Some Tips.

By
Real Estate Agent with RealtyPlug

If you’re like most of us, you’re probably focusing most of your social media marketing efforts in Facbook and Twitter… but, don’t forget about LinkedIn. Too often it’s left on the backburner.

There are a lot of really cool tools within LinkedIn you can use to grow your real estate business. Here are just a few things you can do to gain more referrals, more traffic to your website/blog, and increase your overall exposure.

SEO Your Profile. I’m sure there are terms you’d like to be known for; such as “San Diego buyer’s agent”. Well, use them in your profile. LinkedIn is highly indexed by Google, Bing, and Yahoo. So, optimize your profile to get found by more people.

Use OpenLink. As you know, LinkedIn only allows you to send messages to people you’re directly connect. However, there is a way to message people you’re not linked to using OpenLink. You just have to be willing to receive messages from other OpenLink members, who you may not be directly linked to. Your can learn more about OpenLink here.

Join Groups. There are thousands of groups that can help you. Groups that share social media and real estate marketing tips, discuss various real estate topics, and even a group to exchange referrals among other agents and brokers throughout world.

Use Company Buzz. CompanyBuzz is an application you add to your LinkedIn account that allows you to track what people are saying about your company and other related topics on Twitter and LinkedIn. This is a great way to engage with the public on various topics. Just install the application and customize your topics to view tweets, trends, and top keywords. You can find it here.

Always, always review the Network Updates. You can find these on your LinkedIn homepage, and subscribe to receive them by email too. Network Updates are kind of like your Facebook news feed. You’ll want to check these regularly for a quick snapshot of what’s going on in your network; job changes (hint, possibly moving too?!), travel updates, and more. Another great way to engage.

Export connections. LinkedIn provides you with a very simple way to export your connections. Just click on “Contacts,” “My Connections,” and then scroll down and click “Export Connections.” You have the option of either exporting as a .CSV or .VCF file. Keep your network updated with your regular newsletter.

Link your Twitter account. Share your LinkedIn status updates on Twitter, and vice versa. This can easily be edited within the Edit Profile area.

LinkedIn Answers. LinkedIn Answers offers you great opportunity share your expertise and insight, as well as link to blog posts, you’ve created to help to answer other people’s questions. When you’re on the question’s page, click “Share This” beneath the question, and you’ll have the option to share the question via LinkedIn message with up to 200 of your connections.

 

Posted by

Bryan Bowles
Founder of RealtyPlug

Easily add a property search to your Facebook page, websites and blogs using RealtyPlug real estate marketing tools!

Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Bryan, I do use LinkedIn, but wasn't aware of some of these features. Thanks for the tips. Bookmarked!

Aug 26, 2011 01:19 AM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Bryan great tips, in the last couple of months i have really been getting involved with it, i will check my profile now to make sure my description is SEO primed... thanks for sharing

Aug 26, 2011 01:34 AM
Paul McFadden
Responsive Pest Control - Seattle, WA
Pest Control, Seattle, WA.

Bryan: Thanks for the valuable tips. I plan on implementing at least one of them. Thanks again!

Aug 26, 2011 01:42 AM
Mark Delgado
houses for rent, Solano County & Glen Cove - Benicia, CA
Benicia and Vallejo, Property Management, rental h
Bryan, I've got Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter all connected so that what appears on one appears on all automatically.
Aug 26, 2011 01:46 AM
Goran Utvic
Goran Utvic Real Estate Broker/Construction Consultant - Chicago, IL
Chicago 2 Flat Specialist

Bryan - thanks for the great tips!

Aug 26, 2011 02:09 AM
Phil Hillerman
Crye-Leike Realtors® - Rogers, AR
Crye-Leike Realtors®

Thanks Bryan, I've been on linkedin for sometime using it for one on one contacts but your ideas add a whole new dimension to it.  I am heading there now to start seeing what I can do.  Thanks again and congrats on the featured post.

Aug 26, 2011 02:10 AM
Gabrielle Jeans
WebTech Dezine, Gabrielle Jeans Real Estate Coach - Toronto, ON
Real Estate Web Solution, Real Estate Trainer and Coach

These are all great tips Bryan. I have been using Linkedin this way and I have received a lot of leads. Thanks for sharing.

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Aug 26, 2011 02:29 AM
Morgan Evans
Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Manhattan, NY
LICENSED REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON

I am guilty of not using LinkedIn as much as I probably should, your list of easily implemented tasks is something that I will do.

Aug 26, 2011 02:42 AM
Kathryn Acciari
Central One Federal Credit Union - Shrewsbury, MA
Mortgage Loan Originator

I actually prefer LinkedIn.  It's great for biz-to-biz networking and there is no chatter about diaper changing.

Aug 26, 2011 02:50 AM
Eileen Hsu
Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Manhattan, NY
LICENSED REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON

Thanks Bryan.  These linked in tips are certainly helpful as that site is not something we spend a lot of time on.

Aug 26, 2011 03:26 AM
Robin Sherman
www.PensacolaForYou.com - Grand Points Realty - Pensacola, FL
Search Pensacola Homes, For Sale - Pensacola FL Neighborhoods

Thanks for the tips Bryan. I have been guilty of ignoring Linked-In as - well - there are only so many hours in a day. Your explanation of how we might use it in real estate makes me feel like I should take another look at finding some time for it!

Aug 26, 2011 03:53 AM
Anu Dutta
Citi Living Solutions - Forest Hills, NY

Nice post Bryan. Linked in has so many features which stands it out from most of the other social networking sites.

Aug 26, 2011 04:05 AM
Mini Samuel
Mini Enterprise, LLC - Kenosha, WI
Realtors, Kenosha WI Home for Sale

Great post Bryan!

Aug 26, 2011 04:24 AM
David Krichmar
www.DaveYourMortgageGuy.com - Legend Lending - Sugar Land, TX
DaveYourMortgageGuy.com

Bryan, Great Post.  Im going to reblog this.  most folks don't know that you can get more out of Linkedin. 

Aug 26, 2011 04:47 AM
Regina P. Brown
MBA Broker Consultants - Carlsbad, CA
M.B.A., Broker, Instructor

Bryan, these are great tips.  Linkedin is 10 times more powerful than FaceBook, because people are really doing business with each other, not just socializing.  

Regina P. Brown

Aug 26, 2011 06:02 AM
Monica Snipes
BML Properties Realty - Washington, DC
Austin, Helping Buyers & Sellers in Metro Washington, DC

Thanks for that great information.  I've only asked for recomendations from past clients and joined a couple of groups but I will work using LinkedIn more this weekend when I am stuck in the house due to the hurricane :-)

Aug 26, 2011 08:31 AM
Bryan Bowles
RealtyPlug - Chesterfield, MO

Thanks again for all the positive feedback!  I can't believe what a response this topic has gotten, and I'll be sure to post more on it soon.  If you have any questions about how to do any of what I've posted, please reach out to me through the 'Email Me' link and I'll walk you through it.

Aug 26, 2011 09:28 AM
Sarasota & Manatee Counties FL
SaraMana Properties - QuickFreeMLS.com - Bradenton, FL
QuickFreeMLS.com - Listings In Paradise

A good blog post that I enjoyed reading! Thank you for sharing it with us!

Aug 26, 2011 10:07 AM
Gordon W. Miller
Green Mountain Real Estate - Burlington, VT

Thanks for the hints. Very helpful.

Sep 09, 2011 01:49 PM
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

Like any platform, how you use it, for what you do depends only on your creativity levels.

Sep 11, 2011 04:59 AM