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Real Estate Professional Networking - ActiveRain vs. FaceBook vs. LinkedIn

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with ActiveRain

A recent FaceBook group debated the future of professional networking in real estate.  Is FaceBook the future of professional networking?  Is it LinkedIn?  Or ActiveRain?

How do you use ActiveRain, FaceBook and LinkedIn to build your professional network, establish a reputation and trust, and generate referrals?

What is ActiveRain good for vs. FaceBook or LinkedIn?

Enquiring minds want to know! 

Professional Networking

Photo from pjf@cpan, Flickr 

Comments (62)

Lanre-"THE REAL ESTATE FARMER" Folayan
Samson Properties - Bowie, MD
I don't make promises.I deliver results.SOLD HOMES

I was about to say what Joan said Richard comment #20 pretty much summed it up. All four of them are so big and popular it is just hard keeping up with them. Heck it is hard just keeping up with Active Rain alone.

Jan 18, 2012 04:33 PM
Robert Hammerstein -
Christie's International Real Estate - Hillsdale, NJ
Bergen County NJ Real Estate

We concur I guess with just about everybody here. They are all different animals with different benefits. All good and all must be balanced to be useful to each and every person in different ways... hmmm was that too middle of the road.? You gotta find a balance and work it.... Believe us they will come if you work the individual sites regualarly.. Just our two cents....

Jan 18, 2012 04:42 PM
J. Philip Faranda
Howard Hanna Rand Realty - Yorktown Heights, NY
Associate Broker / Office Manager

Apples and oranges and bananas. Wherever you interact with people is where networking accurs. Everyone is different and different platforms will have different advantages. I can't blog on LinkedIn, for example. 

Jan 18, 2012 11:41 PM
Renée Donohue~Home Photography
Savvy Home Pix - Allegan, MI
Western Michigan Real Estate Photographer

I use AR so people I don't know can find me.  I use FB so people I do know can find me.  Linked In I really don't "get".  My husband works Linked In and ignores FB but he lives in a different corporate world than I.

Jan 18, 2012 11:45 PM
Todd Bogert
MacWin Consulting - Goodyear, AZ

Why not use all 3 or 4 or 5? We post to ActiveRain, feed that post to various Facebook Pages, Twitter, LinkedIn all at once or to the pertinent Facebook Pages depending on the content of the post. 

Jan 19, 2012 01:14 AM
Susan Ani
Baird & Warner - Chicago, IL

Facebook "basic" is certainly my own personal connection to friends, family, even some past clients. But Facebook offers the option of a BUSINESS page that puts your Facebook exposure on a totally different plane of existence. So Facebook can offer us two avenues of expression and reward, not just one.

And LinkedIn can also serve as a lead generation tool, because clients can post recommendations on your LinkedIn page that are read by potential NEW clients. So again, don't discount LinkedIn.

 

Jan 19, 2012 01:53 AM
Monika McGillicuddy
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty - Hampstead, NH
Southern NH & the Seacoast Area

I use them all and have had success via closed transactions from them. I was never a believer of putting all my eggs in one basket but do try and direct everything I do back to my own blog (non AR) when ever possible.

Jan 19, 2012 03:07 AM
Anonymous
Jo Ann Poole

I'm glad to see so many of you agree with my thinking...I do not use Facebook or Twitter, even for personal.  I believe there is too much liability and having to be so careful to say the "right thing" or use the "right words."

I am a member of LinkedIn and am just getting to know how to navigate around it.  However, I am not sure how muxh time I am willing to spend behind a computer rather than seeing y clients.

My firm opinion is that face to face is always the very, very best method to capture clients.  Some of the generation that uses these social media networks are my clients, so I must be doing something right!

Good luck all!

Jo Ann

Jan 19, 2012 03:15 AM
#50
Sandy Acevedo
951-290-8588 - Chino Hills, CA
RE/MAX Masters, Inland Empire Homes for Sale

I think that Richard, # 20 said it all perfectly. I agree with him.                    

Jan 19, 2012 03:41 AM
Dagny Eason
Dagny's Real Estate - Wilton, CT
Fairfield County CT, CDPE Homes For Sale and Condo

I agree with everyone, but do find that my future clients do come from bl;ogging on AR.  So that is where I work the most.

Jan 19, 2012 04:22 AM
Jairo Arreola #SOLDBYVETERAN
PRG Real Estate - San Jose, CA
VA Home Loan Specialist - SF Bay Area

Most of my stuff is on AR, but I try to incorporate all of them and link them together.

Jan 19, 2012 07:44 AM
Cathy Perry
RedKey Realty Leaders - Wildwood, MO

I use them all for different reasons.  I use Facebook with occasional posts when something interesting happens in real estate to remind my friends of what I do, but not bore them with a sales pitch.  My most recent post had to do with a listing photo I came across doing a CMA, which showed two captain's chairs from a minivan being used as "theater seating".  Lots of comments, people thought it was hilarious, and they were reminded of what I do.  I have used LinkedIn to connect with others for networking and have gotten involved in several LinkedIn groups with good results.  And Active Rain to do localized blogs and learn from the many great professionals who are so willing to share their knowledge and experiences.

Jan 19, 2012 09:53 AM
Kate Akerly
Kaminsky Group - Manhattan Beach, CA
Manhattan Beach Residential Sales

I've never used Facebook for professional networking.  I use LinkedIn and AR all the time.  They both make a lot sense to me.

Jan 19, 2012 11:28 AM
Jirius Isaac
Isaac Real Estate &TriStar Mortgage - Kenmore, WA
Real Estate & loans in Kenmore, WA

I read a lot of the comments & agree with most of what has already been said, so no need to say it again.  Everything has a time & purpose.

Jan 19, 2012 11:42 AM
Winston Heverly
Coldwell Banker Access Realty - South Macon, GA
GRI, ABR, SFR, CDPE, CIAS, PA

I would go where you find the most benefit, though we think we need to attract the world, bottom line is you service one small part of the globe. I say concentrate there first, then you can expand to the outer parts of the galaxy. The key words should be Focus and Niche...

Jan 19, 2012 02:03 PM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

I have the other two, but not sure how well they are working for me.  Don't use them that well.  Active Rain is about business and about real estate.  It is doing the job for me.

Jan 19, 2012 02:40 PM
Bob Miller
Keller Williams Cornerstone Realty - Ocala, FL
The Ocala Dream Team

I believe Facebook will be mostly social networking and Active Rain professional networking.

Jan 19, 2012 10:14 PM
Sylvie Stuart
Realty One Group Mountain Desert 928-600-2765 - Flagstaff, AZ
Home Buying, Home Selling and Investment - Flagsta

I visit LinkedIn and Facebook, but I spend most of my efforts here on ActiveRain. I have made better connections and have gotten a lot of referrals from my efforts on here

Jan 20, 2012 01:24 AM
Lang Premier Properties
Lang Premier Properties - Clawson, MI
Metro Detroit Real Estate Group

Thanks to everyone who commented on this post! We have been using each of these social networking techniques to market ourselves and its great to know the difference and how theyve helped everyone in different ways.

Jan 20, 2012 06:17 AM
Jenny Durling
L.A. Property Solutions - Los Angeles, CA
For Los Angeles real estate help 213-215-4758

AR is a great place to 'meet' other agents and real estate related professions. I have recieved and given referrals through this venue and will continue to do so. Blogs posted here get great search engine placement so that another definite plus.

I use facebook to keep in touch with people. It's actually a very good way to keep up with past clients. It allows me to see what is going on in their lives and have things to talk about with them when I make my regular contacts. It's also a way to find out about potential clients that show up as Internet leads. Ifyou can find them on Facebook you may be albe to learn something about them. They are also more likely to respond to an email message THROUGH facebook than one directly from your business email address.

I've yet to get any business or real use out of Linked-In, but I'm there and I do belong to and participate in some of the groups.

Jan 20, 2012 05:11 PM