Is there a net gain in social networking? This is the bottom line question when joining social networks like Active Rain, FaceBook, MySpace, microblogging on Twitter, or creating and maintaining a ning site, group, or forum.
Will it bring me more business (referrals and clients)?
Will it increase my readership (prospects)?
Is it worth my time (money)?
I think the answer to all three is yes. I equate it to an offline strategy. If you farm your area, you've still gotta go out and make the calls, you've gotta give valuable information, you've gotta be accessible.....
Most of all you have to learn and listen. You need to care.
The swiftest kick in my blog's butt was getting off it and gettin' on others. I know TLW wrote a post about that somewhere. If I don't know about you, I'm not listening to you, so when I write for you, I'm really just writing for myself.
Audiences of 1 do nothing for more business, more readership, or my time. If I want more referrals andclients, more prospects, or more money I gotta go out and read, make the calls, find valuable information, be accessible.
In blogging I do this by reading, commenting, and networking.
Most of all in blogging I have to learn and listen. I need to care.
I know what I think. I know what Gary Vaynerchuk of Wine Library's $45 Million Dollar multi-media success thinks, but like I said....
**Please note, this presentation contains adult language**
I have to learn and listen. I need to care.
So Active Rain- I wanna know what you think. I want to learn. I am listening.
Yes, networking is all that and a bag of chips. If you don't keep a constant step on networking, you can be forgotton. You need to be in as many people's eyes and memory as long as possible. I might be joining an official networking group. Four real estate agent were competing for the position. I find out Wed if I got the slot or not, I want it!
Great post Rebecca! I say yes to all 3 too. I have been able to connect with our customers through social networks in a different and more personal way. Also - guess why I stopped by and read your post? From you linking to it on Twitter :)
I have been blogging for a year and now finally I have people who meet us and actually say "we see you everywhere " or "you have a lot of home for sale business must be good."
Perception is everything!
I maintain three blogs of my own and provide content for several others. In addition, I comment widely on other people's blogs in the Rain and in the greater blogosphere. Much of my free time is spent doing this type of work to generate buzz, branding, and even a supplemental income. It is time consuming but I am definitely out there.
Great post... like anything else, it comes down to networking and being involved... whether it be in your community or in the blog world : )... best would be both ! If one is connected and involved with other folks online, that would in turn come back to them.
Rebecca, I'm with Missy on this one. AR is my favorite and if I have time left I check the rest out but it is hard to keep up with. Now some of them seem to almost get a life of their own.
Me too. I agree with Marchel and Missy. I am a member to most of those sites as well, but not very good with keeping them ALL updated. I spend most of my blogging time on AR and Twitter. But then again, I was not even into blogging until about 4 months ago. Now I am addicted and have picked up some business from it (which of course makes you MORE addicted.. if thats possible).
Unfortunately, I only have a limited amount of time for all of this stuff, and devote considerable time to blogging, here on AR, and on our Team's Main Blog Center, BlogChicagoHomes.com.
However, maybe I just don't really understand all the "Sending You a Beer," "Rubbing You With Love," and "Giving You A Poke" stuff that Facebook and the other sites have to offer.
Maybe I just need to sit down with someone - preferrably aged 17 or under - for an hour or so for a detailed lesson.
Then, maybe I can take full advantage of what these Social Networking sites have to offer, properly.
Rebecca - I agree with all of Gary's points in this video, and with your post. I think it's all about exposure. That is the essence of good marketing.
On a side note, I wish the video were "work safe" or "kid safe", so that I would feel more comfortable sharing it.
Rich- I know you are widespread and I am really impressed by your effort. I am also not certain that you sleep:-)
Missy, Marchel and John- It is hard to keep up. I think it's good to keep a presence up on whatever comes out, and then automate as much as possible, like using feedburner. I don't do too much on facebook but I do have a profile and a presence and I was surprised when a friend told me the other day that that was where she was reading all my posts. Pick a few and build a strategy so that you have the time to list, sell and make offline relationships.
Lizette- Me too. It's been able to broaden my horizons and perspective in ways that making home in a small town cannot.
Dean- I don't do any of that stuff on facebook. I spoke with a 20 something who uses Facebook for business and has been very successful just using the message application. I think it starts with defining the goal, and then you can use the tools from there....you'll be able to know what you need once you define your goal. Then just type in the search bar here on A/R when you decide on the tool and I bet there will be a tutorial to help you.
Jason- I know. I did have disclaimer, but it didn't align right with the video. I'll go back now and try to add it.
I love facebook (much better than MySpace - which I started with first)! I have connected with existing friends and family and have developed a community of people that I have begun to network and develop relationships with. To me, it's a great medium for learning about new products and services, as well as creating relationships with people that I may be able to work with in the future.
I also happen to be a techie, even though I'm not 17 - you don't need to be 17 to be savvy, and I love all things computer/network/internet/social network. So it helps alot if you're not afraid to get out there and connect.
Dahlia- Yes and we need to reconnect with each other. It's no secret why social networking has taken such rise and popularity- people miss connecting with each other.
Yes, Yes, Yes to all of your questions---AR has made a huge difference in my business.....The referrals that I'm now receiving from AR members are starting to make a big difference in my production.
Glad you posted this question - I am new to blogging and these social networks and was unsure if it was a waste of my precious time. I see a few Realtors in my area that do have a fair share of the market so something must be working. F=Good luck to you and the rest of us!
Rebecca - Gary is a great example of the power of Social Networking... His success didn't happen overnight, but he has built a community that has a powerful "word of mouth" network and I believe that is what we are all looking for.
I totally agree. In the last few days I was counting the number of referrals we got & did business with this year from networking groups (BNI). The time we spend (90 minutes weekly) & the money spent have WAY paid for itself. Completely worth the time & effort 10 fold. kM
Rebecca, the answer to all three is yes. The kicker to all three is you have to be involved. I see to many people who join and sit there waiting for something to happen.
I think this is a generational thing and some of us have to learn to do things a new way. This is the way of the world and I don't want to be left behind because I haven't developed new ways of communicating.
It makes sense to have social networking as a part of your marketing plan. The trick I have found is to find a balance. It is just one part of the plan -- and I don't want to join so many networks that I lose the quality of the experience. So, I think about 3 is a good number.
I think social networks are great. Not only do you connect with old friends and new, but you're also connecting with their friends, and their friends and those peoples friends. The contacts that you can make are endless.
LinkedIn is a social network geared toward professionals where I have been connecting with recruiter prospects as an avenue for more relocation business. I embraced it immediately after attending the NPA recruiter conference in Nashville earlier this year. One of the group meetings focused entirely on LinkedIn and how each recruiter can increase his or her business by networking with other recruiters in a similar discipline. Recruiter A has a job to fill, but doesn't have candidates while Recruiter B has several promising candidates, but doesn't have positions. What a great way for each to connect with the other and share in the placement fee!
I view LinkedIn as the "MySpace" for professionals where the focus is business-related. It is geared toward finding other business-minded people and not about the nonsense one finds on MySpace ("sending some love" or "giving you a poke.") Don't get me wrong - I enjoy staying in touch with friends and family through MySpace, however, for business purposes LinkedIn and other social networks geared toward increasing business opportunities is the way to go for me.
Diane- That is fantastic to hear- keep up the rewarding work:-)
Bridget- Good relationships can never be a waste of time.:-)
Debbie- Exactly:-)
Emily- Good to hear...what is transparency? It's allowing yourself to be open- The No Spin Zone, as Missy Caulk wrote. Across industries, consumers are tired of the bs. They want the real deal.
Kristin- You did the math and the numbers worked in your favor. Awesome.
Jose- Glad to hear of your success.
James- Makin' it happen- right on.
Danny- Good point- it's just like any other success you are striving for- first the effort has to be there.
All this work goes into blogging & social networking I think we all ask ourselves these questions. Not sure that it has brought me business but it gets our brand out there and we learn something in the process.
Abbie- Great points, each network has it's value...you just need to evaluate what's best for your business to determine where you should spend your time. Where can you meet your goals? What's your business plan?:-)
Troy- I know, I get to see what my sibs are up to on MySpace which is great because we are busy and each live such diverse independent lives, but I always want to stay connected.:-)
Rebecca, thanks for sharring your info and the video. I can feel your passion for doing the right thing in business. You are building your social media equity and you're inspiring others to do the same. Keep making a difference.
Cedric- Thank you, it is my passion to help others in the ways that I can:-) Then I can look in the mirror at myself and at my children and feel good:-) It's like Gary V. says, "Building your legacy".
Brien- I am glad to hear that. Once you have your internet marketing plan with your goals lined up, than figuring out how to use the tools will be much eaiser for u. There are many posts written about both Facebook and LinkedIn right on Active Rain, but you need to decide what u r trying to do, then you can learn how to do it:-)
I say yes to all three too. In a small island market, we need all the social networking we can get. Hopefully, AR will start to provide referrals for us too! ALoha from Kauai
Hey Rebecca,
I know business is really slow here and I have time to blog and I'm trying everything I can. I may not get any direct business from Active Rain (I hope I do) but even if I don't, I'm getting lots of good information and lots of encouragement and inspiration.
Keep blogging, good luck for great success and God bless.
I absolutely agree with you. I recently joined a network called Plaxo and I now have over 1,750 connections worldwide. The preponderance are in Southern CA where I conduct most of my business. Connections have led to other connections and leads have been generated. I had the added pleasure to be able meet some interesting and wonderful people.
"The swiftest kick in my blog's butt was getting off it and gettin' on others" is a great line and pretty much encompasses what we have to do to make the social arena work for us. Thanks very much:)
Nice Post. You may want to check out http://www.passitto.com , it is an online referral and lead exchange community. The part I like about Passitto is you can create your own referral/leads group, sort of like creating your own LinkedIn in a couple of minutes. The site is new, so not a lot of members on there yet, but I am impressed by what they have to offer, and expect big things from them. I also just noticed they are now integrated with LinkedIn and Facebook (wish they had that when I joined, I had to re-enter in all my profiile info).
As always it comes down to what you put into your blogging experience. For 1 and 2 to happen you have to put some time into it which will never equate to what you could be earning during that time, but one such listing from this network will easily make it worth your while. Just keep blogging away and let the rest happen on it's own. Before you know it, you will get something out of it.
Yes, there is definitely a gain with social networking. I've been blogging for the last couple of years. I was just reading your post when I received an email from someone who had been doing a Google search for REO properties. She found a lot of information and she found me. It does work!
Rebecca,
I absolutely agree with you. I recently joined a network called Plaxo and I now have over 1,750 connections worldwide. And love the video!!! Great Job!
Rebecca, great video, I just signed up for Plaxo, and a page on facebook, its a place to start I think. I'm new to this but am trying to grasp it all. Jane
Take a different attitude. Don't expect a referral. If you get one, great..... I blog for a couple of reasons. Primarily, I blog to get free (other than my time) branding for Google searches. Put on a CONSISTENT campaign of blogging about a given neighborhood....say two blogs a week. Then Google search the neighborhood and watch the results. I even put a blog talking about an event coming up in December and for people to put it on their calendar. Googled the neighborhood and it reached #2.
Next, blog to educate yourself. You can learn more from AR than any seminar anywhere.
Not so sure about Facebook yet. Just started it a few weeks ago, but I have had 3 investors join. I am trying to get my sphere on it and then work it from there. It will take time, but I am positive it will be an effective tool. It was a client of mine that convinced me to do it.... A client!!!!
I would have to say yes, social networking is essential to the success of Realtors. Whether it's on forums such as Active Rain, MySpace & Facebook, or an actual live event, the point is to market & promote your self business. It's like planting seeds, good things will eventually grow from networking.
You bet it will. One better adapt to change in order to survive. There is an old saying "if you don't run the the pack, you will be eaten up by the wolves.
Social Networking. I see it as a whole new world. Some people get it some dont. I really think we are going to see more and more relationships starting on line . Business that is. I prefer streaming video to emails and micro blogging to long winded text. We are in an information age and sometimes the bulls eye approach works best. Thanks for the blog your right we need to become each others buddies and help everyone !
Alison Creamer
RE/MAX Allegiance
www.Bzibee.com
Ronnie- Be consistent and Be Real and it will come- If I can get a referral, not being a REALTOR, you can too:-)
Marian- Yes it it a great educational vehicle.
James- That is fantastic, I haven't done a ton with Plaxo, but I am there. It's almost time for me to review my networking efforts. Gotta measure too- that is key.
Sean- Gary V. killed it.
Christina- Ask yourself first what you want from it- what are your goals, then look at your current efforts, make a plan and go for it. It is like any other part of your business and can be highly effective when you stop to make a plan.
Charles- Glad to hear this works for you. Make sure to diversify some of your efforts.
DJ Swanepoel- You are welcome....I need to look at your wiki more closely.
Jason- Thank you, I will, you need to b all over.
Castellum Realty- I agree in that the time comes first and the short term money may not,....but the goal is to surpass that with consistent efforts, better connects, leading to better clients and WOM.
Deb- A couple of years....u are the early bird:-) Good for you.
Joe and Jane- O.K.. that's at least 3 nods in Plaxo's direction- I am going back to my account and take a look see, thanks:-)
Tony- Thank u- I think that was one of the 1st networks I joined. Yes Gary really has passion and u can feel it- that is soooo the advantage of employing social networking in your biz. People can really feel u.
Lisa- Fantastic- I can hear the excitement in your commnent!!!
Russell- LOL!!! I try not to either:-)
United- Country- You are welcome and I am so happy to hear that. I would also show them the comments, I have taken a few notes myself from them. It is the beauty of bloging- learning from the conversation.:-)
Joan- Thank you for joining the conversation.
Tim- Those are all really good tips, "Consistent"- that s/b in bold- that is key. That your client convinced u to do it speaks volumes:-) Hello World:-)
Eugene- Yes and give good information- your brand, your business, will attach itself without any pomp and circumstance of old.
Maria- You got it- work it, work it:-)
Phyllis- Congratulations- and just think, your blog has a shelf life- write good stuff and people can return to it again and again....you can even go and update the older posts....and Google will recycle them for you too. How awesome is that?
Michelle- It is fun when you are making good connections from just being real and being valuable.
Richard- Yes and we can actually become our own worst enemies when we don't put on the right pair of glasses and take a look around.
Alison- Yes...it's like anything and the internet's many mediums are the tools- The tools that when used correctly help us to make new meaningful relationships and the tools that when used correctly help us to maintain old meaningful relationships.
Rebecca...I'll keep it kid friendly..but that was one kick--- video/presentation! Really got me pumped up, and I will be playing that more often to get me motivated. Heck, if I was THE borker in my office, I'd use that at sales meetings! Thanks a mill for sharing!
I just went to a Social Networking class at the local board of Realtors (NEAR) and it was awesome! I am already on Linked in, Facebook, etc but the key is to continue to learn how to use them to connect with people and also grow your business.
Loved Gary's video-I have never heard him speak before.
I haven't received any referrals yet, but am hopeful. I try not to spend too much time behind the desk. I like to get out and rub elbows with the people. The video was a nice boost to keep me interested in blogging. He had some interesting points and his passion was very inspiring. Thanks for sharing.
Thom and Ray- I would share with your broker then.
Louise- I am glad to hear there is education in your local board of REALTORS for social networking. It's just a start- every class should be focused on making relationships. Push is over....pull is here.
Roland- It is a great way to establish relationships among your peers that can lead to business- I agree.
Benita- It's important to rub elbows- a good combination of the two is important.
Thanks for your insight on Social networking....way to go!... Being an older generation in the professional real estate services, I admire Gary Vaynerchuk, his expression is most revealing of how true business relationships develop... passion in what we do is not a temporary charge, but give us incentive for life....
Isabel Waters, Waters Real Estate~Waterfront Specialists
I loved the video -- thanks for finding and sharing it. I love social networking, and have been participating for just a few months. Really am learning lots -- from all -- facebook, plaxo, AR --much more than I expected - it's been great, fun, and unexpected. I started because I heard a talk about managing your online identity--and have found it much more beneficial than just being on line. Have more to learn -- and think that is what it is about.
I have been on myspace and facebook for personal communication but am new to social network sites for business. I hope that I am able to figure out how to get business in addition to all the valuable info I'm gathering! Thanks for the blog!
Social Networking is the marketing plan of the 22nd century. If you haven't been able to establish a professional report with clients, as well as clients-to-be, someone else will. And that could cost referals.
The key to social networking is to be certain that you are not socializing with bunches of industry contemporaries. If 8 of 10 member of a grouop are in the RE business, where is your market for exchange. Unless all 8 are specialized in different areas, you may find yourself competing for airtime.
Find a group that you can socialize with on common interest -- outside of business. For example, maybe a salsa group. That way you are truly being social. And the more diverse that the members backgrounds are, the more oppertunity for networking success!!!
You may not see an exact ROI on attending a Chamber meeting, but most people feel these are still valuable places to network with potential clients, or people that can refer you to potential clients. Social networking might be online, but you still have that ability to reach out and connect with people who matter to you. It's growing by leaps and bounds, and more and more of the people we're trying to connect with are on it. I definitely think it's the future of real estate, and that it's not going anywhere. Thanks for the post!
Isabel- "passion....gives us incentive for life"- so true.
Alexsandra- That is what it is about, in social networking as well as life, never stop learning.
Sankofa- I agree, I think you need a good mix of both, concentrating on consumers.
Rich- It isn't going anywhere not only BECAUSE it is progressive but BECAUSE people want to be able to know, like and trust...they don't have to settle for lees anymore with social networking.
Sharon- Good for you, keep at it.
Winter- It's continual, no one's an expert, if your growing your always learning and that's a good sign.
Thanks for the video - that was the s _ _ t! Anyway, I feel that social networking and Web 2.0 are only the beginning of the new technologies and ways of doing business. Can't wait to see what the future holds.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
Posted by 
;)
;)
