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Yes, Social Networking Works!

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Internet Marketing NJ

 

Yes, Social Networking Works!

 

 

 

Social Networks

I am a firm believer in a balanced marketing approach. Allocate the largest time to the activities that have been proven to achieve the best results. A smaller percentage of your time should be spent on exploring new websites and social networking. Even if it is only 10 minutes a day social networking has an important function.

 

Social networking sites provide a platform for us to expand our Internet footprint. Social networking helps strengthen your online profile and can be used to build inbound links. Any time you create a profile with a link to your primary website it is a score and we must use those opportunities to our advantage. There is absolutely a search engine benefit.

 

Another important aspect of social networking is the ability to the deepen our online business relationships both clients and associates. Use social networking to establish and develop a national network. These relationships will grow over time and many opportunities can develop. While blogging is a great way to engage people and develop rapport, social networks can take it to another level.

 

I enjoy the socializing aspect of networking, it is fun. There are so many occasions when I been inspired, educated, or entertained by a social networking friend.  I have also been fortunate that social networking friends have supported my blogs and websites. Other active bloggers and marketers have a lot of potential to improve visibility to a website or blog post by flagging it or promoting it in their internet activities. Websites like Digg, StumbleUpon, Bumpzee, MyBlogLog, Twitter, and Plurk can drive substantial traffic and our networks carry substantial juicing potential.

 

Conclusion

It is very easy to waste time and burn hours surfing the Internet if you aren’t focused on a goal. Your goals and marketing plan should always be in sight when you invest time in your business online. We all need to be not only efficient in our time use but open-minded to all areas of opportunity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo credit: luc legay

 

Chuck Carstensen
RE/MAX Results - Elk River, MN
Minnesota/Wisconsin Real Estate Expert

There are some many social networking sites.  I do my best but I do need work too.

Jul 06, 2008 11:37 AM
Bob Cumiskey
A1 Connection Realty, Inc. - Sun City Center, FL
US Army Retired, Your Sun City Center, Florida ~ Realtor

Good post.  Staying focused is very important, and surfing can be useful if you are surfing within your field, and not following the trash sites.  It's hard sometime to stay focused and on track on the internet.

Jul 06, 2008 11:46 AM
IMNJ - Internet Marketing Specialist
Internet Marketing NJ - Red Bank, NJ

Chuck - I think it needs to be part of a daily discipline.

Bob- thanks for the feedback.

 

Jul 06, 2008 01:18 PM
Bill Gassett
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Hopkinton, MA
Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate

Many really miss the boat on the power that joining social networks can have for SEO and building traffic for your website and blog. So many assume incorrectly that in order to take advantage of a site you need to spend hours there.

Jul 06, 2008 01:52 PM
Jeff Thornton
Jeff Thornton ABR CRB CRS CSP e-Pro GRI - Lansing, MI
ABR CRB CRS CSP e-Pro GRI

I  for know that social networking is good for SEO but it is also a great way to learn.  I started for SEO but I believe the information may even out way SEO

Jul 06, 2008 02:25 PM
IMNJ - Internet Marketing Specialist
Internet Marketing NJ - Red Bank, NJ

Bill - I absolutely agree.

Jeff - If you continue to build a large national network, the referrals can be a great source of additional leads. I would take a good lead any day over web traffic.

Jul 07, 2008 01:43 AM
Barrie Clulow
My Time Is My Own - Uxbridge, ON

Blogging, social networks, I am not so sure about the proliferation on the web. While various levels of government are legislating privacy the general public is out wandering the net leaving trails of information that can be very harmful to their future.

Jul 07, 2008 04:32 AM
D B
Quakertown, PA
e-PRO, Realtor - Bucks County PA - 610-952-3578

Yes indeed, this does work.  I have made money as a result of Active Rain

Thanks

Don

Jul 07, 2008 04:38 AM
Teresa McDonald
EME Realty - Florence, SC
ABR, Florence and Lake City SC Real Estate

I try to social network as much as possible. I am on MySpace and FaceBook. There is so much to do and so little time.

Jul 07, 2008 10:10 AM
IMNJ - Internet Marketing Specialist
Internet Marketing NJ - Red Bank, NJ

Teresa - Do you think facebook and myspace represent the demographic of your target audience? I would like to suggest you look into LinkedIn it may be a better fit for you. 

Jul 07, 2008 10:19 AM
Richard Byron Smith, NMLS #184479
Mortgage Loan Officer, Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation NMLS #2289 - Chattanooga, TN
Mortgage Loan Officer

I have a linkedin profile, but really have not done much with it. But the linkedin links are a significant percentage of my referral sources. I really need to get more active, a daily dose. Some others I have only heard the name, such as Twitter.

Just another deficiency on my Internet presence.

Richard

Jul 08, 2008 03:34 PM
Norma J. Elkins
Elite Realty Group - Morristown, TN
Realtor - Elkins Home Selling Team

Great advice - thanks for sharing!

Jul 11, 2008 12:58 AM
Ronald Gillis
Southwest Florida Notaries (Mortgage Notary Signing Agent) - Port Charlotte, FL
CNSA Southwest Florida. Notaries, Port Charlotte, 941-7-NOTARY

And just think - AR is networking (at its' best I might add)

Signature of Ronald Gillis - owner of Southwest Florida Notaries - for all your mobile notary & mortgage signing needs in Southwest Florida call 941-7-NOTARY

Jul 12, 2008 11:14 PM
IMNJ - Internet Marketing Specialist
Internet Marketing NJ - Red Bank, NJ

All - thanks for the feedback. Social network is an important aspect of your internet marketing strategy and its value should not be underestimated.

Jul 14, 2008 02:24 AM
Bo Hussung
Bell Title /Triserv LLC - Nashvle, TN

Okay, I am soaking this stuff up like a sponge.....may I add, a ridiculously big sponge, at that?

So, I am going in to all those sights (Twitter, etc.) and joining. It seems to be a little cumbersome and over whelming at first, but I assume it is like riding a bike. The more practice, the better you get. Any suggestion on managing this stuff?

Thank you kindly,

Bo

Jul 14, 2008 04:26 AM
IMNJ - Internet Marketing Specialist
Internet Marketing NJ - Red Bank, NJ

Bo - The best advice I can offer is to stick to your marketing plan. Allocate your time based on measured results. Spend a small portion of time exploring and experimenting. I recently wrote a post about time allocation you may find helpful: Internet Marketing Asset Allocation

Jul 14, 2008 04:31 AM
Andrew Kyle
Royal LePage Foothills - Calgary, AB
Calgary Condo Realtor

I like the emphasis on focus in your post. It is something I need to work on when online - it is so easy to get distracted online.  I need to just do my blogging/updating/commenting/bookmarking and then get on to other stuff!

Jul 14, 2008 04:38 AM