Special offer
Home > Blogs > Holly Weatherwax > Real Estate and Other Stuff in Northern Virginia
bookmark_border

Social Networks: Do they help your business or waste time?

By
Real Estate Agent with Associate Broker, Momentum Realty

I am the parent of 2 teenagers and a pre-teen. We spend hours in our house discussing Facebook, checking Facebook and looking at pictures on Facebook. While I have my own profile, mostly to (irritate) check-up on my kids, I really don't use it much.  For those of you not familiar with Facebook, it is similar to MySpace. Both are on-line social networking sites.

Have any of you had any success marketing yourself, or your listings, on these sites?  I have read that the potential is there, but I am still not sure what would drive a consumer to look for a new home or a Realtor on a social networking site when there are so many other options (like ActiveRain).  I am a huge proponent of having an internet presence, but I am also very aware that hours can be wasted on-line. 

Any thoughts?

Posted by

 

If you like what you've read, please consider subscribing to my blog by clicking on the Orange RSS button and following the instructions. Thanks!

 Momentum Realty

A GREAT Real Estate  experience.

If I can help you, your friends or family buy or sell their next home in Northern Virginia, please let me know!

If you need help with a home outside of Northern Virginia, I have an extensive network of referral agents and will make sure you are working with the best!

The contents of this blog may not be copied or reproduced without the permission of Holly Weatherwax.

 

 

Save

Comments(5)

Subscribe to Comments Comment
Submit
Show All Comments
Bret & Meredith Amon
LIV-Sotheby's International Realty - Breckenridge, CO
Breckenridge, Keystone, Silverthorne, Frisco,
I wasn't familar with Facebook.  Thanks for sharing.  We are new to Active Rain and have been really enjoying it.  We hope it will drive traffic to our website as well.
Dec 04, 2007 02:19 AM
Scott Blanchard
Mortgage Force - Newtown, CT

Holly, I understand what your trying to say, and I once felt that way, but I have found that Consumers may not come to the social networking site in itself. Some use search engines like google,dogpile,ask jeeves,altavista and type keywords (i.e. Reston, VA Real Estate Agents) and be led to sites like AR.

I know it has worked for me. Any questions feel free to contact me .

 

 

 

Dec 04, 2007 02:21 AM
Tim Nebergall
Front Page Rankings, Inc. - Modesto, CA
SEO Web Design Engineering - Rank Better On The Search Engines
Facebook is not really designed to generate business, but rather is much more of a means to meet people online in a strictly social context.  This is not to say that you can't get some business off Facebook or MySpace, but if you are spending time on there with the intent of generating business then I would say it is not a valuable use of your time.  If you enjoy the site however, then by all means keep doing it, your enjoyment matters!  I would say that if you are going to post on there, don't forget a link to your website!
Dec 04, 2007 02:21 AM
Ken Cook
Content, coding, marketing, host. - Marietta, GA
Content Marketer/Creator
I have over a thousand "friends" on MySpace and actually know a few of them. I have definitely met dozens face to face, several have attended my workshops and many stay in contact with me and I with them. I know nothing about FaceBook except the teenies love it. MySpace if you want to see (sorry for putting a link in your comments but it seems relevant - delete me if you don't like it - no hard feeling ;)
Dec 04, 2007 02:36 AM
Roxanne Tidmore
EliteREVA.com - Cincinnati, OH
NAR Certified REPA/REO

Hi Holly,

I believe that it helps an agent get exposure.  There are ways to use the tools that are offered on each site to network and at the same time market.  There are other sites beside FaceBook or MySpace.  Zolve and LinkedIn and Zillow are a few of the many out there.  Here are some of the advantages of social media marketing.

 

  • Expose your RE blog to others & gain readership
  • Connect with past and current clients
  • Brand yourself further as a niche expert/real estate expert
  • You can learn new marketing/technology tips and resources  

It does take some time to do this. I am currently working with an agent to help build her profile on the social media marketing sites.  And it has helped her increase business.

 

Dec 13, 2007 08:52 AM
Back to Top

What's the reason you're reporting this blog entry?

Are you sure you want to report this blog entry as spam?