The Social Media Journey

It is hard to believe I began a journey only 18 months ago with social media. It's taken me about 12 months to get organized, put a team together to build a website that works for me, and that is manageable and marketable. Another 6 months and I am learning the ins and outs of content, placement, advertising via some very savvy social media experts. I owe much of it to my exposure to the right people, at the right time in to real estate and social media world to the many people who give of their time and knowledge via social networking.

Here's what worked for me and the order that seemed most logical at the time.

1. First, I found my Center. Where was it I wanted people to go, what was it I wanted them to know, and who was is I would be speaking to?
2. Second, I found the right people for the job and dedicated myself to use the tools they would provide for me.
3. I organized a social media business plan, and I stick to it.
4. I engage, regularly, and have FUN with it.
   

During my first Real Estate Bar Camp, I got the big picture of social media. Not only did I learn in 7 hours more than I could have garnished in a week, I developed a support service of attendees, which are now, proudly, my friends. I am not a quiet observer, I ask questions, watching, reading, researching learning, but when I get it, it is game on!

After the Real Estate Bar Camp in Miami, my first real social media and technology event,  I began implementing my goals of having an interactive website, connected to all my social media and interactive with the public with hopes of gathering and converting real estate leads AND connecting with new faces in order to grow a network. With the help of Dakno.com and Bobby Carroll, my vision came full circle. I have garnished many new contacts, and customers via the web, on one site or another. Local friendships, tweetups and dialogue have people talking about my website and remembering I am a Realtor. The referrals have been steady.

If I wanted to be known as the local expert, I needed an avenue to create that as well. Thus, the blog and facebook group, "365 Things To do In And Around Tallahassee, Florida." I had seen it a few times, but never sure if it would work, earlier attempts at ning.com sites had failed, and I was hoping it would work. In less than 3 posts there were over 300 followers, most of which I had no relationship with yet at all. Another window of opportunity.

My business plan came together in bits and pieces and it evolves and adjusts constantly. I carefully observed the differences in those who use Facebook for simple personal connections and those who work for business and maintain that digital handshake. My goals are to attract customers who will buy or sell real estate, to have a social marketing plan like no other in the area, and to connect with those who keep me up to date and feed my insatiable appetite for learning. Now, I am putting together a guideline for Realtors on Social Media and teaching classes to newbies. I'm certainly no "guru,", but I have something to share for the moment and  that's the circle of giving and learning. There's also the Real Estate Bar Camp in Orlando that I am planning and more time for learning, connecting and making network contacts. Now, more fun begins!

Today, a Realtor from Massachusetts found me on Facebook with a listing referral, and you know, THAT is just the thing that makes it all worthwhile.