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Facebook - Differing Opinions - What is Yours?

By
Real Estate Agent with SHAHAR Management

Facebook seems to be the topic of the week.  I first read Nathan Froelich's post 5 Reasons Agents Should Dump Their Facebook Business Pages and then Anita Clark's post Put On Your Tapping Shoes & Tap Into This Resource.


Facebook

 

Facebook has over 1.3 BILLION USERS as of 2014.  This is supposedly active users.  Which leaves an unknown number of potential lurkers out there who could be looking every day but not posting a thing.  This is the largest amount of users on any social networking site by far.

Wouldn't it make sense then to at least have a presence?  If you can fill in your office address, phone, web address etc...you can pretty much set up your business page.  Whether a Realtor or any other type of business you want to take advantage of the sites that are still free for you to use especially one that has the largest amount of users of any social networking site. 


Most businesses these days have a social media person on site who can help you with the minor problems you may run into setting up that page like putting in a cover photo or something of that sort.  And if there isn't that person, we ALL know someone with a teenager or have a friend who is proficient on a computer.


Like Anita said I ran some ads too after watching Bob Stewart's webinar.  I reached over 3500 people and spent just under $30 with several hundred clicking through to my website since it ran and I am working with one now.  So the ads are worth the money no question.  You just have to find the right ad for yourself.

Facebook Good or Bad?

Just sayin'....how many times a day do you pass by someone who is on their phone or computer and it is on Facebook??

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SHAHAR MANAGEMENT

 

Debbie Walsh, GRI, CNE, CHMS, REM | Office (845) 283-3036 |

website www.viewhudsonvalleyhome.com | search for homes

If you are Buying, Selling or Relocating to the Hudson Valley area and need help from a professional REALTOR®, I would be happy to assist you! Please visit my Hudson Valley website for property searches and to sign up for free listing alerts and other information.

 

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WINNER 2015, 2016 & 2017 Hudson
Valley Five Star Real Estate Agent



Top Agent Magazine Honoree 2015 & 2016

Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Debbie- I haven't tried FB ads but I do know that I got a job via a recommendation from a Facebook group!

Aug 22, 2014 05:22 AM
Suzanne De Vita
RISMedia
Online Associate Editor

Debbie, I read Nathan's post, too. Real estate is a people business, and Facebook is about people. This one's a no-brainer.

Aug 22, 2014 05:40 AM
Maria Gilda Racelis
Home Buyers Realty, LLC-Manchester, Bolton. Vernon,Ellington - Manchester, CT
Home Ownership is w/in Reach. We Make it Happen!

Hi Deb: I had one successful listing last year from FB. Not from the FB page but from my personal postings and presence. So if my personal FB gave me business, the probability that the FB business page will generate one too is good.

Aug 22, 2014 06:54 AM
Anita Clark
Coldwell Banker Access Realty ~ 478.960.8055 - Warner Robins, GA
Realtor - Homes for Sale in Warner Robins GA

Debbie: The one thing that sold me on creating a Facebook Fan Page is it is the largest social media site in the world. With over 1.3 billion users there are many opportunities to generate new business without breaking the bank or spending a lot of time doing it. 

I like getting direct clients from FB but I also like that many follow my FB content over to my WP blog and call because they read good content, performed some IDX searches, and determined I was the agent for them. For me, there is no downside to using Facebook.

Aug 22, 2014 07:17 AM
Nick T Pappas
Assoc. Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, Broker/Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Huntsville AL - Huntsville, AL
Madison & Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Resource

Debbie, I really haven't done much with FB although I always link my post to FB. I do get people looking at them so I know there is some merit there.  I probably should be more active in FB.  Although it drives me nuts that AR is starting to look like FB.

Aug 22, 2014 07:48 AM
David Spencer
Keller Williams Northland - Kansas City, MO
Show Me real estate in Kansas City

I have a facebook presence; however, it is not the driving force of my business. I have begun international marketing and looking to seeing how facebook contribute.

Aug 22, 2014 12:00 PM
Kwee Huset
Kwee Huset Realty - Venice, FL
Venice Florida Homes For Sale

Hi Debbie, thanks for sharing your insider news. It all take time...

Aug 22, 2014 12:42 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Debbie I have a profile and a presence on FB and I also have a Business Page, have not received one good lead out of it so I find it more of a time drainer...Endre

Aug 22, 2014 03:32 PM
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

Good morning Debbie. Anita has been a great coach for me when it comes to FB. I have had success and will continue building my FB presence.

Aug 22, 2014 08:55 PM
Debbie Walsh
SHAHAR Management - Middletown, NY
Hudson Valley NY Real Estate 845.283-3036

Jerry - Good luck!

Carla - If the picture is interesting enough it does get attention!

Bruce - I agree with you and if you were getting leads you should go back!

Kathy - See another success story!

Suzanne - Absolutely!

Maria - You never know!

Anita - I couldn't agree more!

Nick - Hmmm....change happens everywhere!

David - Good luck!

Kwee - Thanks for reading!

Endre - Sorry that it hasn't worked for you.....YET

Joe - Congrats to you!

Aug 22, 2014 10:20 PM
Ann Hayden 636-399-7544
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties-St. Louis Missouri - Des Peres, MO
SelectAnn.com

Debbie,

I keep in touch with people on FB.  I have not tried the ads but I have closed one deal from a FB lead.

Happy chip day!

Ann Hayden in West St. Louis County, MO

Aug 22, 2014 10:21 PM
Ron Marshall
Marshall Enterprises - Saint Michael, MN
Birdhouse Builder Extraordinaire

I have a FB, but mostly the folks there are from here and friends.  Like Alexandra said, my level of privacy is pretty high, too.  I get odd requests from people I have no idea who they are, and I just ignore them.  Haven't gotten one sale from there, although I have gotten lots of sales from folks on the Rain, and, thank you, Dick Greenberg , from my website.

Aug 23, 2014 01:51 AM
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Facebook can be a great place for one's business provided it is used.  Like anything on the web, it takes time and effort to keep it relevant.

Aug 23, 2014 08:35 PM
Debbie Walsh
SHAHAR Management - Middletown, NY
Hudson Valley NY Real Estate 845.283-3036

Ann, Ron & Gabe - Thanks for the comments!!

Aug 23, 2014 09:46 PM
Christopher Pagli
William Raveis Legends Realty Group - Tarrytown, NY
"I Stay Open Until You Close"

 I really comes down to a matter of preference.  Facebook has been the hot topic for years.  At on epoint everyone was sayong run to Facebook and setup a profile then awhile later they were saying it's not the end all.  I started using Facebook in 2006 and worked it properly.  I found over the years it was a great way to network and stay in touch with people (this is key in our business).  Did I get many real estate leads?  No, but some.  It is just one more piece of the overall online marketing puzzle.  Back in 20012 I de-activated my account and it hasen't affected me at all, really don't miss it either.  The one grave mistake many agents make is creating a fan page or profile, jamming their listings down peoples throats, and then abandoning the page when they don't get quick results.  Show people your human side, they know that you sell real estate.  You don't need to bombard them with it everyday.  If you create a page be sure to put enbgaging content on it and actually engage with the visitors.  Have a great day!

Aug 26, 2014 11:14 PM
Elva Branson-Lee
Solid Source Realty GA - Atlanta, GA
CDPE - Atlanta Real Estate & Short Sale Agent

Debbie, I've enjoyed both your post and the comment. Never had a lead directly from FB but knoe that new propspects have checked out my biz presence ther before calling me. I've decided to make another run at FB and see what happens between now and year-end.

Aug 29, 2014 05:06 AM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

It's hard to take FB seriously, but maybe it's time to rethink that.

Sep 01, 2014 06:43 AM
Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

I have a presence on Facebook, but do not have a business page. I also have never paid for ads, as I am somewhat of a skeptic. After reading your article, perhaps it is something I should at least take a closer look at.

Sep 03, 2014 03:19 AM
Debbie Walsh
SHAHAR Management - Middletown, NY
Hudson Valley NY Real Estate 845.283-3036

Troy, Georgie, Elva & Christopher - Thanks for your input- much appreciated!

Jan 04, 2015 11:49 PM
Sharon Alters
Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty - 904-673-2308 - Fleming Island, FL
Realtor - Homes for Sale Fleming Island FL

Debbie, Facebook works better for some people than others. I agree that with 1.3 billion people, there are opportunities to be had and driving people back to our blog is one good thing to do, because once people get to know us there, they are will want to use us.

Mar 22, 2015 03:00 PM