Social media can be scary; somewhat like the school playground where making the right connections can result in certain privileges and special access to information. However, in business networking has real bottom-line benefits and much higher stakes.
Read on to find out which friends and connections you should pursue to help you generate more business.
1) Staff at Your Local Economic Development Office
Job increases in your area mean more people moving in, and those people need homes. Real estate agents who are tapped into their regional economic development offices can stay ahead of the game and aware of upcoming local trends. These public funded units are responsible for recruiting businesses, selling localities to corporations, and always have insight into the next big developments happening in your area.=
Most offices have their own blogs and other ways to track their latest news. To find your local partnership, just search on Google for your “area name” and “economic development” to start engaging now.
Make the connection: When it comes to these offices, the people you want to know and engage with work in communications. They want help getting the word out and you need to have the business news first.
2) High-Dollar Clients
Profits run in packs. For agents, that means you need to stay connected with the clients responsible for your biggest deals. Why? You’ll know when they are in the market again and they will be more likely to refer you to their high-dollar friends.
Take a look last year’s balance sheet and make sure you’re connecting on Facebook and through a special (private) Twitter list with those clients.
Make the connection: One of the best ways to start conversation with the past client crowd is to inquire about how the settling in process is going. Ask about renovations, how they like neighborhood, or anything else to get them chatting.
3) Your Closest Competitors
Competition can do one of two things: Defeat you or make you better.
If you want to ensure the latter, make sure you’re monitoring and talking to the big deal makers in your area. Doing so can be a great source of ideas (or learning from their mistakes). It’s also a great way to discover marketing opportunities you might be missing that will help you connect with more leads.
Make the connection: Not only connect with them on social media, check out their websites, Trulia profiles, and any other promotional areas they’re involved in. And, don’t just lurk. Engage with them now, because you might be working with them on a deal before you know it.
4) Local News Outlets
Good sharing gets you great attention online. Retweeting and talking to your local reporters helps keep your friends and followers informed and brings positive attention to your personal brand.
Great agents also need to be tapped into what their future clients are thinking, and that means you need to be in tune with the news and experts that are influencing them.
Make the connection: Most news outlets are embracing and featuring social media as a daily feature and sometimes a live broadcast segment. Be sure to share and offer your perspective on stories through Facebook and Twitter comments. The next time they need a real estate expert, or a home, you’re more likely to be the one they call.
5) Area Blogs, Critics, Personalities
Last but not least, find and follow the superstars in your area. Whether they are radio personalities, online influencers, or local businesses everyone loves, you need to engage with them.
In many areas, everyday working people are at the helm of social media conversations in their area. They are influencers, and association with or recommendations from these people are serious brand builders when it comes being top of mind with consumers.
Make the connection: Just start talking, tweeting, and chatting with your favorites. Remember your online engagement should match your interests. If not, it just becomes extra work.
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