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Getting Organized on Facebook - Setting Up Lists

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with ActiveRain

In my last post, my fiance and I were racing to 1000 Facebook friends and I shared with you a tip of how to easily connect with your database, sphere or email contacts. (I won, but even after a sneaky trick to get there, she is back on my heals.....in the end, she will win as she is much prettier, way smarter, and just more fun to be around)

A common theme among the comments seemed to be 'how can you manage that many friends?'

Lists, that's how.

Facebook FriendsYou are using Facebook lists, right? If not, start doing it. It will make your Facebook experience much richer, and easier to follow. I have a few lists set up. As I was setting up my most recent one, 'real estate people' I realized I probably need a few more lists. But for now, what I have works for me. My two primary lists are: 'friends and family' and 'RE.Net Folks'

In my friends and family list, I keep people that I want to keep up to date with on a daily basis (assuming I have time. It usually ends up being three or four times a week). Old friends from school, my extended family, basically the people that I know a little more personally. Do I have some of my ActiveRain friends, that I have never met in real life, on there? You bet I do! Paul Slaybaugh is a great example......that guy's just downright funny. I have to see what he's saying every day.

In my 'RE.Net Folks' list, I keep all the people who are thought leaders in our industry. This is where I go to get inspiration, to keep up on what's happening with new technology and stay ahead of the curve when it comes to real estate. I usually check in with them at least once a week. I don't interact with this list quite as much, it's more for me to learn from.

What kind of lists could you have? 'Friends', 'Locals', 'Past Clients', 'Sphere of Influence'..........the options are endless. It's really up to you. You just have to set them up.

How do you do that? It's simple. From your home page on Facebook, find 'friends' on the left hand side and click there. Then click on 'create a list' near the top middle of the page.

This will bring you to a screen where you have to name the list at the top and then select all your friends who you want to appear in that list. Simply click 'create list' when you are done selecting people for that list, and viola, you now have a list that's easy to keep up with. In my example below, I just want to know what's going on with all the guys named Aaron that I'm friends with.

Who doesn't like guys named Aaron?Keeping up with the Aaron's

and finally......how do you check in with 'Guys named Aaron'? On the left hand side of your 'home' page, after you click on 'Friends' it will display all of your different 'lists'. One click of which list you want to check in with and you are presented with only what's going on with those specific people. I'll never have to search for what's going on with all my friends named Aaron again!

It's a great way to cut through the noise and be able to build meaningful relationships with the people you are most interested in connecting with.

Posted by

Bob Stewart
ActiveRain Ambassador

 

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Joyce Thomas
The Thomas Group Brokered by eXp Realty - San Tan Valley, AZ
Your Home Sold Guaranteed!

Wow, another great way to keep in touch with your sphere of influence.  I have not visited lists and friends and set any up, etc.  Bookmarked so when I have more computer time I can revisit.  Thanks for the great post!

Mar 04, 2010 01:00 AM
Suzanne Gantner
Realty Texas - Round Rock, TX
GRI, E-Pro, SRES, SRS, ABR, CNE, REDS, CPS, WCS

Thank you for the tip, I didn't know I had a choice and it is a great way to cull the herd so to speak!!

Mar 04, 2010 02:25 AM
Ritu Desai 703-625-4949
Samson Properties - Chantilly, VA
Northern Virginia,Washington DC & Maryland Realtor

Thanks for sharing, I need to sort my friend list on facebook

Mar 04, 2010 04:58 AM
Anonymous
David Gaffney

 Thanks for the Information. I was not aware of "The List" Thank-You David

Mar 04, 2010 09:18 AM
#58
1~Judi Barrett
Integrity Real Estate Services 116 SE AVE N, Idabel, OK 74745 - Idabel, OK
BS Ed, Integrity Real Estate Services -IDABEL OK

I do not want professional acquaintenances reading posts about family or friends problems... so I have 2 separate accounts.. are you telling me that eveyone can be on one fb account as friends but I can keep Bill Jones, a mortgage broker in tim buck too, from reading the sad "lost my girlfriend" post of a nephew that lives in florida, if I use lists?

Mar 04, 2010 12:41 PM
BethAnn Long
RE/MAX of Spokane - Spokane, WA
Realtor, CRS, e-PRO, CLHMS Spokane Wa Real Estate

Nope, not using LISTS but thank you for the know how, off to facebook!

Mar 04, 2010 02:20 PM
Eric Boyd
Red Rooster Property Management, 904-469-6335 - Jacksonville, FL
FL Lic Real Estate Broker / Property Manager

Wow, I should have started this a long time ago.  Now, I'm close to 500 FB friends, so it's taking a few extra minutes to get 'em all selected.  Thanks for the post!

Mar 04, 2010 03:15 PM
Lisa Heindel
Crescent City Living LLC - New Orleans, LA
New Orleans Real Estate Broker

Hee hee....Paul is getting random friend requests on FB.

Mar 05, 2010 11:39 AM
Elaine Hanson
Coldwell Banker Realty - Malibu | Topanga - Malibu, CA
REALTOR - Topanga, CA Real Estate Agent

You are SO on my list. Yeah, what kinda operation you running here?

Hi Bob :)

Mar 05, 2010 11:42 AM
Paul Slaybaugh
Homesmart - Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale, AZ Real Estate

I have but one FB Death List, albeit with 78 revisions.  79 after realizing you are behind the random acts of inexplicable friending that has befallen me in the last 48 hours. 

Curse you, Bob Stewart!

Mar 05, 2010 01:57 PM
John Cannata
214-728-0449 http://TexasLoanGuy.com - Frisco, TX
Texas Home Mortgage - Purchase or Refinance

Whats really funny is that you thought "I'll create a list called Guys Name Aaron". I realize you probably dont really have this list, but its funny to think you do.

Mar 05, 2010 02:36 PM
Cheryl Johnson
Highland Park, CA

I was going to b*it*h and whine about how, back before the most recent FaceBook "upgrade" you could set a particular list up as your default Home screen.... which you can't do now, you have to click through the Friends link to get to your lists  ....  but then I decided I'd just mind my own business.... Cuz what's an extra click or two in the big scheme of things?.....  Good morning, Bob!  How are ya?  :-)

 

Mar 07, 2010 01:50 AM
Steven L. Smith
King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Bob,

I have kind of a slow learning curve going on with Facebook, although one of my friends sent me a darn facebook virus the other day.

Mar 07, 2010 09:22 AM
Matt Listro
National Credit Fixers - Matt Listro - Vernon, CT
Your Credit Repair Expert

Hi Bob:

I stopped by to wish you a Happy St Patrick's Day from the team at National Credit Fixers!

:)

Mar 17, 2010 06:45 AM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

I'm glad you finally got the glasses and realized that she is prettier than you. Now as for smarter? She is with you? I think you are the smart one snagging someone out of your league and all. (LOL) Look forward to seeing you today are REBar Camp.

Mar 19, 2010 12:56 AM
Robert The Earl of Real Estate
St Pete LUXE Living Group - Saint Petersburg, FL
The Earl of Real Estate

Going to talk some work based upon 2600+ that are in 4 lists.  wow.  Could be a day job - need to outsource this.

Mar 19, 2010 09:53 AM
Barbara-Jo Roberts Berberi, MA, PSA, TRC - Greater Clearwater Florida Residential Real Estate Professional
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL
Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Clearwater, Safety Harbor

Bob- thanks for the information - so far I had not created any lists, but as my 'friends' reach 400 I think I will follow your advice!!!

Mar 24, 2010 03:46 AM
Ingrid Laine
Sun West Mortgage Company, Inc. - Virginia Beach, VA
Loan Officer

Bob,

 

Thank you! I have 2 lists for almost 700 people. I will start making better use of the lists tonight! Awesome tip.

Thanks for the blog entry.

-Ingrid

Mar 29, 2010 01:22 PM
Donna Yates
BHGRE - Metro Brokers - Blue Ridge, GA
Blue Ridge Mountains

As I find myself struggling with Facebook, I am very pleased to get some direction from you.  I am better than average when it comes to technology, but Facebook isn't coming to me quite so easily.  I knew I could turn to the experts like you Bob, on Active Rain to get the guidance I need. Thankyou.

Mar 30, 2010 01:55 PM
John Ryan
Century 21 Alliance - Havertown, PA
Apr 04, 2010 06:52 AM