Over the past three years I have had a social media presence. I have a fair amount of followers and have engaged on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. I have been trying to get engaged on Google+, read Chris Brogan's book, but I’m still struggling there a bit.
Now, if you haven't guessed, I am in the luxury real estate business. Last year I had the opportunity to speak at a luxury real estate conference put on by Hawaii Life called the Worthshop and was asked a very direct question about social media and how it plays in the role of my business.
My answer was that we use social media, but I did not feel that our clients use social. I have been of the opinion that most of our clients do not want to be found on the internet, never mind in social media.
Marc Davison (@1000wattmarc) from 1000 Watt Consulting mentioned in the same conference that he was not sure about my opinion. Marc has referred one of his closest friends to us to sell their property. Marc said that much of the discussion was happening on Facebook.
Well, I am here to say that I have my first personal success story on how I was able to use social media to gain a client. We had an auction this past week for 265 Abrahams Lane, Villanova, PA. Our on-site staff had a prospect through the house multiple times, but the prospect failed to give their contact information and asked to just be contacted through their real estate agent.
The final night before the auction we had not heard back from the real estate agent and really felt that the prospect was missing their chance to own the property for a price they would be happy with.
I was able to locate the prospect on LinkedIn. I have an upgraded account — If you don't have one, you should pay the fee and get one. Using the upgraded account features, I was able to e-mail the prospect through LinkedIn directly.
The prospect e-mailed me back with a phone number the next morning, registered for the auction and was the high bidder at the sale that evening.
He was very thankful, and his children came to the property that evening and couldn't have been more excited about the home they just purchased.
As for myself, I finally felt a sense of accomplishment with my social media presence. I have asked time and time again for agents that are engaged in social to describe direct examples of what has worked. Unfortunately, I had never heard one, but can sit here and tell you that I now have one for myself.
I am excited and rejuvenated by the experience.
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