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Ask an Ambassador: should I buy Facebook likes?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 GREC# 169695

Most of the time when I write a post about marketing I will preface it with "this is my opinion and what works for me" because I realize that not all things work for all peopleBut for the love of all that is good in this world, NEVER ever buy Facebook likes.  

I had a conversation with a a fellow ActiveRain member on Thursday morning. They let me know they had gotten some advice from some other members and one member told them to go to Fiver to "buy" likes for their page.  Well guess what? None of those likes are helpful, in fact most a probably harmful. 

here is some reading on the subject:

Buying Facebook Likes

I purchased Facebook likes

Buying facebook likes?

Should my Company buy facebook Likes

5 reasons why buying facebook likes is bad

It's bad, it's bad for your reach, it's bad for your page.  The goal of a good Facebook business page is NOT to have the most "likes" it's to have a following of people who are interested in your business. For real estate agents that means people looking to buy or sell. For loan officers that means people looking to get a new loan or refinance an existing loan and for home stagers that means agent or sellers that might hire you.  

Business that comes from Facebook pages, like almost anything you do including blogging isn't going to happen overnight.  You are not going to set up a business page and immediately get a flood of consumers flock to it and hire you.  It's a process.  It's being consistent and engaging with people who like your page.  It's inviting past clients to like you page.  You can post market reports there and when you invite a past client you can send them a personal email that says.... Hey, if you want to keep up with the real estate market in the neighborhood you bought in you can follow my Facebook business page to keep up, I post my market reports there.

It's really kind of Branding.  If they see your name, see you face on the regular they will be more likely to think of you when they hear someone looking for an agent.  Stop and consider the pages you see in your Facebook feed.  I just scrolled through mine.  I am an avid Amazon shopper (I don't do malls) and Yes I get the amazon nearly every time I load my page.  

But having a bunch of likes from "likely" another country that are for the most part those fake accounts who try to friend you is just worthless.  You might as well have just burned your money.  They are not going to help you by sharing your posts, they are not going to buy a house, sell a house from you and they are distracting from measuring your actual growth. Slow and steady wins the race.

 

Posted by

706-485-9668  us on facebook

Tammy@Lake-Sinclair.com

(Click on Lane Realty Logo for web site)

Tammy Lankford, Broker/Owner

 

Broker License # 169695  Lane Realty License # H-11420

Real Estate Instructor License # 355089

Call me today for all your Lake Sinclair real estate needs.

 Search for homes on Lake Sinclair now

For readers who are not members of ActiveRain feel free to also add your comments or you can click on the EMAIL me link to the right of this blog and email me.  Thanks for reading.

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Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

I'm even averse to asking agents around the country to like my page, even when I know them.  Blogging is my main priority, IDX pages next, and Facebook is a very distant third for me.

Sep 15, 2018 09:26 AM
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

If the idea of buying Facebook likes wasn't so pathetic it would be funny.  Why do people want to spend their money to cheat when they could be spending it for real connections with real prospects?  The world continues to confound my feeble mind. 

Sep 15, 2018 10:41 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good afternoon Tammy Lankford, 

I have to admit I agree with Carol Williams comments..why on worth would you spend money to buy likes!! Establish relationships with real people and establish connections with real prospects! It takes a little effort you can't buy it!

Sep 15, 2018 11:37 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Great advice, Tammy. I cannot imagine why someone would want to pay for random likes for Facebook, or any other site! Waste of money and proabbly will cause more harm than not.

Jeff

Sep 15, 2018 12:23 PM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

One thing to remember (if you can) that there was LIFE before all this...

Sep 15, 2018 05:10 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

I remember when you could buy Twitter Followers by the boat load, now that all the platforms are starting to crack down on fake profiles why would I want to buy them? Great post and love the conversation you created Tammy. Why would anyone even think of doing it? Endre

Sep 15, 2018 07:08 PM
Tammy Lankford,

to look popular perhaps?  I don't get it.

Sep 17, 2018 10:54 AM
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

It's not unlike buying listings, Tammy.  Most of these will expire as being overpriced and will cost you money.

Sep 16, 2018 05:55 AM
Lesley Wilson-VanGoethem
Innovative Realty Solutions Group - Winter Springs, FL
Residential Real Estate Broker Associate

so true... Buying likes, whether its social media, political votes or face to face (buying things for people so they are your friends) are  usually the worst ideas!

Sep 16, 2018 06:58 AM
M.C. Dwyer
Melody Russell Team at eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Felton, CA
MC Dwyer-Santa Cruz Mountains Property Specialist

Thanks for explaining your position so well. I liked your closing comment, “Slow and steady wins the race.”

Sep 16, 2018 10:34 AM
Bruce Hicks
Best Homes Hawaii - Honolulu, HI
Your Best Hawaii Realtor!

My goodness Tammy Lankford, I am way far behind.  Didn't even know a person could buy LIKES!

Sep 16, 2018 05:11 PM
Cindy Jones
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News

It's the same for Instagram as well.  Sure you look popular but the follower bots aren't helping you build your business.

Sep 17, 2018 06:18 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Carol Williams I fully admit to begging (ie asking my AR friends) for my first 25 back in the day when I first set up my business page.  I did so to get a look at the "stats" which require 25.  But beyond that I prefer local organic growth.   But I guess some folks think you look popular if you have 20,000 followers on your page.  It certainly isn't good for business though.

Sep 17, 2018 10:57 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Liz and Bill Spear I did feel that way until I got a client from FB and now I've lost count.  Admittedly they don't ALL come from my business page, some come from MY community group and others from a community group where I post nothing business wise, but just good general information... like when I write a community event post I share it there. I also try to answer lake questions in that and My own group.  But by far I'd would say Lane Realty is the most recommended brokerage when someone asks who do I hire to buy or sell.  That makes me very happy.

Sep 17, 2018 11:01 AM
Mike McCann Nebraska Land Broker
Mike McCann - Broker, Mach1 Realty Farm & Commercial Land Broker-Auctioneer Serving Nebraska - Kearney, NE
Farm & Commercial Property For Sale 308-627-3700

Hi Tammy Lankford, I advertise on Facebook.  However...I keep it narrowed down to my geographic area for ad purchases.  I am not purchasing likes...but I am purchasing face time...just like a newspaper ad does.  Some folks like the article and a few end up liking the page once it appears to be of value to them.

I get a lot of business off of facebook and anticipate get a lot more in the upcoming years.  I have around 309 likes...which isn't bad for a new page only a few months old.

Have a great week!!

Sep 17, 2018 02:04 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Oh good grief how idiotic is that idea. Honestly I'm not on FB right now and I'm not sure I'm going back after all that craziness going on with them.

Sep 17, 2018 02:30 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Tammy I am back I just read something tonight about fake  reviews of a Hotel some guy was mass producing fake hotel reviews and is going to jail because of it...love it JUSTICE:)))

Sep 22, 2018 10:44 PM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Endre Barath, Jr. fake good reviews because he worked there? or fake bad reviews because he had a bone to pick?  

Sep 23, 2018 12:33 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
Sep 23, 2018 12:46 PM
Anonymous
ROHIT MAURYA

It's the same for Instagram as well. Sure you look popular but the follower bots are helping you build your business. thank you more information click here

Nov 29, 2018 07:09 PM
#42
Krista Jenkins, REALTOR®
klm Real Estate - Lubbock, TX
Residential sales and retail & office leasing

My natural frugality has been a good deterrent to purchasing anything questionable such as Facebook likes. There are just no shortcuts. Each of us must do the work.

Mar 20, 2019 07:19 PM