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Social Media is a Contact Sport - Stop Lurking and Start Engaging

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Services for Real Estate Pros with Second Self Virtual Assistance

Social Media is a Contact Sport - How to Stop Lurking and Start Engaging

Social Media Engagement Tactics

Social Media Engagement Tactics Social media is a contact sport.  Lurking in the shadows will not help you score with your followers.  Be proactive with these 8 social media engagement tactics.

 

Engagement is #1 - Comment on your friends' and followers' posts and statuses.  Acknowledge when someone likes, reposts or retweets one of your posts.  Go to your followers' pages and look for posts that you can like or comment on.

 

Retweet and Share - A lot of followers means a lot of time spent keeping up with them.  If you're short on time, just click the like or retweet button.

 

Teasers - When you add a new post to your blog, add a teaser or blurb about the post that will pique your followers' interest.  Include a short link back to the original post.

 

Name this Photo - Get more engagement for your social media posts by asking people to add a funny caption.  You can get the party started by adding your caption first.

 

Trivia - Post interesting or weird facts.  For instance, "Did you know that in Japan, radishes are often eaten for breakfast?".  Or, "Did you know that twelve percent of sodas sold are consumed with or instead of breakfast?".   Post a famous quote and ask your followers who said it.

 

Update Your Photo - You will be absolutely stunned at how many people will comment and like a new header or profile photo.  In November, I updated my professional photo and got 73 likes.  Update your Facebook header often to get more likes.

 

Fill in the Blank Statements - Ask people to fill in the blank for statements like, "When I go to the _____, I always head for the ________ first" or "If I had my own vending machine, I'd fill it with ______".

 

Ask for Help - Looking for a way to get lipstick off the carpet?  Need a good mechanic?  Need advice on a tricky situation?  Ask your followers.  You'll be surprised how many people are ready to help.  It gives you a bonus opportunity to thank those who did help.

 

Coming up with trivia, photos, fill-in-the-blanks and other things to post can be time-consuming.  There are several companies that provide great content for social media.  I use PostPlanner.com .  It lets me create my own posts or use ones they have already cultivated. Spend some time once a week or a couple times a week to find and schedule your posts.  You'll see your number of followers increase and your social media engagement soar.

Steffy Hristova
HomeSmart Elite Group Tempe AZ Tel: 602.710.8161 - Tempe, AZ
Tempe AZ Realtor - Your Home Close to Your Work!

Thanks, Pamela. Social media as a contact sport, and communications art ... I liked the ideas that you gave us about engaging audiences - I have never tried asking for a caption on a photo. Maybe I'll try that ... Thanks again, for a wonderful post.

Jan 12, 2017 10:13 AM
Pamela Cendejas

Steffy Hristova - I posted a simple question on FB..."What do you prefer?  Ice cream or cookies?"  The number of responses was pretty surprising...a lot of people offered their opinion.

Jan 12, 2017 12:59 PM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

Pamela a great post. I had several friends who reposted a video I had put up on Facebook yesterday about the development of a local landmark, it was fun to see the views going up during the day as a result.

Jan 12, 2017 01:37 PM
Pamela Cendejas

Nick & Trudy Vandekar - I have to agree...watching people appreciate your video is fun.  I hope you're remembering to add a card with your website on it.

Jan 12, 2017 01:39 PM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

That's how it works here on ActiveRain too.  Lurking is good in the beginning but gets you nowhere except, perhaps, to build some confidence to start engaging.   Engagement is when the fun and results begin.  Thanks for the post!

Jan 12, 2017 02:09 PM
Pamela Cendejas

Carol Williams - An excellent point.  It builds confidence but, at some point, you need to engage.  Thanks.

Jan 12, 2017 02:11 PM
Luis Carrillo
Realty Master & Associates - Riverside, CA
Your Realtor for Life

excellent post! got me think about my social media postings, 

Jan 12, 2017 05:02 PM
Pam Guthrie
Seaside Realty Company - Myrtle Beach, SC
Seaside Realty Co. Owner/Broker In Charge, REALTOR

Hi Pamela - Great name by the way. lol. I've gained many a new clients from keeping up with my facebook office page and personal page as well.

Jan 12, 2017 06:49 PM
Pamela Cendejas

Pam Guthrie - A lot of Realtors I've talked with are a little timid about adding business to their personal page.  It's worked for a lot of agents and you're proof of that.  

Jan 13, 2017 08:12 AM
Michelle Gordon
JH Realty Partners - Ada, MI
Finding Your Place

I smile when people tell me they do not have time for "facebook" or whatever - these socail media pages are part of the plan for us for sure - I get many referral's this way. It's not a fad or going away - great post! 

Jan 13, 2017 04:33 AM
Pamela Cendejas

Michelle Gordon - You get many referrals via Facebook.  That proves my point, doesn't it?  Thank you for sharing.

Jan 13, 2017 08:14 AM
John Shipka
3Di FOCUS - Clarendon Hills, IL
Social Media for Real Estate Professionals

Love this post! So many agents think they only have to post once in awhile. Maybe they just don't have creative ways to engage like your article suggests. Thanks!

Jan 13, 2017 05:51 AM
Pamela Cendejas

John Shipka - As you know, the social media "crowd" can be fickle.  They will interact with people who interact with them.  Once in a while contact makes a poor impression.

Jan 13, 2017 08:18 AM
Dan Derito
Success! Real Estate - Brockton, MA

This is a nice list of ideas Pamela.  It's an easy way to stay engaged.

Jan 13, 2017 06:46 AM
Myron Lund
Real Estate Directory - Rochester, MN
Serving the Rochester area for 30 years

Great tips-thank you.

Jan 13, 2017 07:01 AM
John Alesi
Century 21 Award - Mission Viejo, CA
(Orange County California Real Estate)

Thanks for the great tips Pamela. I know there are tons of lurkers out there and I'm always trying to get them to engage.

Jan 13, 2017 11:57 AM
John Wiley
Fort Myers, FL
Lee County, FL, ECO Broker, GRI, SRES,GREEN,PSA

Pamela, I have found out that you cannot just post and expect it to go viral.

You have to work at it. I think your suggestions are great. Liking and commenting on others does make a difference.

Thanks

Jan 13, 2017 01:13 PM
Dianne Goode
Raleigh Cary Realty - Raleigh, NC
Realtor/Broker

Thank you for the great suggestions!  In order to engage, we have to be engaging -- easier said than done!   I love the fill in the blanks idea.

Jan 13, 2017 05:19 PM
Anna Hatridge
R Gilliam Real Estate LLC - Farmington, MO
Missouri Realtor with R Gilliam Real Estate LLC

Nice list of ways to engage others on social media,  Thank you

Jan 14, 2017 11:07 AM
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Burlington, MA
Metro Boston Homes For Sale

Pamela Cendejas any kind of POSITIVE interaction with people is a must for our business, isn't it? Afterall, Real Estate itself is a contact sport.

Jan 14, 2017 10:18 PM
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Excellent post, Pamela Cendejas and one that I will share with Sandy over in San Diego. Thank you!

Jan 15, 2017 06:41 AM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

In the spirit of this post, I did update my Facebook header photo and I'm now re-Tweeting, well, re-blogging you! Great tips; simple but important to do consistently.

Jan 15, 2017 07:54 AM
Donna Foerster
HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO
Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

Thanks for sharing these great ideas Pam. I'm going to check in to post planner!

Jan 16, 2017 10:50 AM
Shirley Coomer
Keller Williams Realty Sonoran Living - Phoenix, AZ
Realtor, Keller Williams Realty, Phoenix Az

Lurking is a good way to learn....but eventually, you need to jump in!

 

Feb 10, 2017 07:00 AM
Pamela Cendejas

Shirley Coomer - I agree.  Initial lurking helps you get a feel for what the group is about.  

Feb 10, 2017 08:09 AM
Mick Michaud
Distinctly Texas Lifestyle Properties, LLC Office:682/498-3107 - Granbury, TX
Your Texas Lifestyle is Here!

It's not "social" if you don't egage.  And with all the politics, it's well beyond a contact sport, it's a blood sport.  Also a good way to lose half of your prospects if you engage in political discourse. 

Feb 10, 2017 10:07 AM
Pamela Cendejas

Mick Michaud - All good points.  Thank you for your thoughts.

Feb 10, 2017 12:38 PM
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

Yes, you have to reach out to others as much as you can. Especially now, when personal contact becomes less frequent  due the covid-restrictions. 

Jan 16, 2022 10:12 PM