Review of Soci@l Chapter "Your Brand and Online Image"
Ben Kinney writes: "The 2009 National Association of Realtors 2009 Buyers and Sellers reports that more than 70 percent of consumers would be most likely to use the same real estate agent again. We don't have a consumer satisfaction problem; we have problems celebrating and promoting the vast amount of positive reviews we earn for our service."
Enter social marketing to assist with promoting ourselves. We must start with understanding our brand, the image we wish to convey. Ben Kinney provides helpful "Dos and Don'ts."
Do include your logo, business name, and website on all your online profiles.
Do match your online image to your ideal clientele
Do insert personality into both your business and personal profiles.
Don't disclose information you wouldn't want a potential client to read.
Don't post exclusively about listings and real estate related subjects on your profiles
Don't disclose personal information that might endanger your family or yourself
Don't participate in conversations or start ones that might offend your audience - no religion or politics please.
Ask your social networks for brand advice. What logos and slogans they like that they think best represent you?
Build your brand for the future. The author advises to give your brand "legs" that will encompass the places you may go with your business.
Be memorable---whether it's the smallest signs, the strangest pictures or business card, an interesting domain name---something that makes you stand out and for people to remember you while being consistent with the image you wish to convey to attract your ideal clientele.
The number one thing I learned from this chapter is the author's recommendation on whether you should have two on-line personas---one for business and one for pleasure. His recommendation is no. Thank goodness. Ben Kinney's reasons include that search engines don't differentiate. The same is true for potential customers. They will search social networks for your name and which one will they choose---the personal or business?
Yes, I am a REALTOR®. My friends, family and customers all know this. But I also enjoy relaxing in St. Augustine, as I am sure you do in your town. Our on-line brand and persona reflect the many facets of our lives.
We need to protect our brand. Mr. Kinney concludes the chapter by enforcing the importance of monitoring your on-line brand. Do google your name. I received an e-mail from my website a couple of days ago. It was from another REALTOR®. She had found her name on my website and wanted to ensure I was legit. When we talked, so was thankful for my prompt response and to realize that her name has been on my website for years as an e-PRO. We discussed the importance of monitoring your brand and she recommended http://www.steprep.com/ to me.
This blog post is a review of Soci@l: Attract Friends, Followers and Connections to Your Business. Soci@l is a free download written by Ben Kinney in conjunction with ActiveRain and Jay Papasan. In exchange for downloading the free copy of Soci@l and writing this review, I have a chance to win a free iPad and I'm getting 2000 ActiveRain points.
Download a free copy of Social here and find out how you can have a chance to win an iPad and be guaranteed 2000 ActiveRain points.
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