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Are You Engaging or Just Playing Around?

By Jeff Dowler, CRS

Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty of California, Inc. CA DRE #01490977

August 19, 2010 03:03 AM

Blogging and hanging around social media is lots of fun. You can share photos of yourself and the family, your fave songs, "America's funniest home-type videos" and just about anything else you please. You can write about what you want on your blog (careful, there) and share what you feel folks might want to know.

But are you engaging or just playing around?

There's nothing wrong with being social, whether you are on Facebook, Twitter, or even AR. Folks enjoy the personal and humorous side of life. It helps make us personal and real, and can play a big role in why we get calls and emails from prospects.

On the other hand, you probably don't want to be all business and avoid the personal but, rather, should find a comfortable blend of business and social/personal to be most effective.

The beauty of social media and blogging, beyond sharing information, is the ability to have a conversation with others, to engage them, and to create an on-going relationship. It's an active process and you have to participate - it can't happen on its own.

You know...it takes two to tango?

Are You Engaging Others or Just Playing Around

Jeff Turner coined a phrase he called YEO - You Engaging Others - way back in 2007 when he warned us to not be too concerned about SEO. It's a powerful idea and the terrific article that remains as telling as it was in early 2007. Go read it.

Here on ActiveRain and the most popular social media sites there are many potential opportunities to participate, and to engage others

Writing engaging blog articles

Responding to commenters

Commenting on others' posts regularly

Adding AR member to your list of associates

Subscribing to others' posts

Asking questions on Facebook

Responding to all comments you receive on your Facebook wall post

Responding to others' wall posts

Writing on your "friends"" walls

Seeking out others on Facebook with similar interests to "friend"

Tweeting useful or interesting information

Sharing links to articles and videos

DM'ing (direct messaging) others

Participating in Twitter conversations

Sharing interesting videos on Youtube and other video sites

Becoming friends with other Youtube members and commenting on videos

Seek out and link up with folks that interest you or who share come commonality

Are you shaking hands on-line too? And of course you can always email directly or call on the phone those folks who you would like to know better, or who ask you questions on-line or send emails. i'm sure you can thnk of more ways to engage.

With daily life being as busy as it is, with business and personal things happening, and spending precious time trying to write blog posts, share information on Facebook, and Tweet, it's easy to spend less time on the engagement side of things.

I'm guilty of it as well. Perhaps part of writing this was a reminder to me that missed opportunities abound.

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Jeff Dowler, CRS

eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA

The Southern California Relocation Dude

Erika - well none of us are perfect and those that say they are, well, you know. Clients need to come first. I offer these suggestions for folks who may not be thinking about the engagement possibilities. I am far from perfect in this arena. I am still stying to catch up on comments. LOL

Jack - it's work in progress for me.

Craig - I'm glad, too. Now we are both subscribed. Excellent point about the party - it's a good, no great, analogy.

Deborah - Jeff T's post was SOOO good when he wrote it several years ago and I thought of it immediately. Thanks for stopping in. And I will repsond to your email - still trying to catch up from being away since 7 this AM.

Roy - well the fact that folks are thinking about it is the right appraoch. Balance, at least for me, is a huge task. Beautiful photo, BTW.

Kathy - so true. We do what we can.

Don - that makes sense. As long as you are participating. Just being there may not be enough.

Tammie - I would continue to focus on what you do so well - hyperlocal posts about the community and information consumers want and need. Market info IS important but it's not everything. I find that folks really like learning more about the housing options - new communities, listings, etc. - and I liek to use videos and photos to make these come alove as much as possible.

Jeff

Aug 19, 2010 05:01 PM

Vince McEveety

Gilleran Griffin Realty - Sherman Oaks, CA

great info

i think i saw that guy sharing at TED?

Vaynerchuk had a similar take that was very interesting

Aug 19, 2010 06:05 PM

Christine Donovan

Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA

Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

I think it's important to keep the thought of YEO in front of us as it's too easy to get distracted and do only the online.

Nice to see you.

Aug 19, 2010 06:25 PM

Anonymous

Pete Metz

Hey Jeff thanks for the good info, I am just learning this my self. Been a lender now for 8 years and finally just figuring it out. It's all about building long lasting relationships and engaging in new ones. It's amazing where one relationship can take you. Quick question? I am seeing more agents and also lenders jump on the socials media wagon do u see this ever getting old from the general public? Or do u see social media change the way we all do business?

Aug 19, 2010 06:27 PM

#33

David Lee ~ Orange County, Ca ~ Cash Flow Specialist

United Realty - Garden Grove, CA

Hi Jeff. It was great meeting you for the first time. Thanks for being so nice and helpful. Hope to see you around soon again. Take care!

David

Aug 19, 2010 07:47 PM

Valerie Duncan Stewart

(Metro First Realty) - Oklahoma City, OK

Real Estate Agent-Broker, OKC, OK

Thanks Jeff, I just went to your friend feeder account. I didn't even know what that was and now I am signed up thanks to your blog! By the way, I love your AR photo. Didn't recognize you without your cool sunglasses!!

Aug 20, 2010 03:17 AM

Monica Atherton

eXp Realty - Georgetown, TX

Your Georgetown Real Estate Gal

Hi Jeff. Thanks for the tips. I am trying to stay on top of all of the mixing and mingling be it online or in person. Sometimes it feels like a to do list and not so social.

Aug 20, 2010 03:58 AM

Monica Atherton

eXp Realty - Georgetown, TX

Your Georgetown Real Estate Gal

Hi Jeff. Thanks for the tips. I am trying to stay on top of all of the mixing and mingling be it online or in person. Sometimes it feels like a to do list and not so social.

Aug 20, 2010 03:58 AM

Jeff Dowler, CRS

eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA

The Southern California Relocation Dude

Paul - agreed. It's not really any different that what we do in the off-line world. Or shouldn't be. You just have to go about it a little differently.

Nevin - I appreciate the compliment. There is always room to improve.

Wendy - I know I can't. Your point about being genuine is spot on!! Much better than a ton of insincerity.

Shirin - thanks! A little bit at a time. Video is definitely important and folks often respond very postively to it.

Gary - I try to dabble as much as I can. A challenge at times, don't you think?

Ina - I'm glad you thought so.

Stan - well said. The balance is key, along with balancing real life and on-line.

Jerry - true for many. As long as it is not ALL play.

Deborah - what a nice thing to say. Jeff's blog post really IS a winner in so many ways. And it is so true, perhaps even more today.

Lesley - it is certainly worthwhile striving for, don't you think?

Paige - thank you. It is a continual learning process from many other folks here.

Jeff

Aug 20, 2010 04:03 AM

Coleen DeGroff

Coldwell Banker M.M. Parrish Realtors - Gainesville, FL

Haile Plantation Real Estate - Gainesville FL

Hi Jeff - Great advice! Not only do we need to engage with others on the social aspect, we also need to make sure we keep our antennas up for signals that someone may be looking to buy or sell....even if they aren't in our market....and if someone says something to that effect we need to jump in to let them know we can help them out (i.e. Do you have an agent? If not I can totally hook you up....blah blah)....much easier to do this when you've been engaging with people socially as well....otherwise you can come across as a weaselly used car salesperson.

Just my .02,

Coleen :)

Aug 20, 2010 04:09 AM

Debbie Rumsey

HomeSmart Realty West, Carlsbad, CA - Encinitas, CA

Realtor, Green, SFR

Thanks for the post Jeff. I am guilty of having complete "blog block" the past month or so and you have inspired me to just write. I think we all get caught up on trying to be too informative and lose sense of our real being. It seems to come easy for you.....so jealous!!

Aug 20, 2010 04:40 AM

Marte Cliff

Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID

Your real estate writer

Thanks - this is something I need to work on. It's easy to participate here on Active Rain because people are blogging and talking about interesting subjects. A bit harder on Facebook or LinkedIn.

And Twitter seems lately to be nothing but links. I'll have to admit though - last night I had a little time so followed a few links and found interesting information. But... that doesn't mean I "connected" with the person who tweeted them.

Aug 20, 2010 05:02 AM

Lyn Sims

Schaumburg, IL

Real Estate Broker Retired

I remember that post. You do have to wonder though if you aren't getting enough business but think that writing market reports are 'too boring' for your comical style? I guess SOMEONE is reading them out there right? There are plenty of success stories that aren't boring out there. The jokesters are not necessarily saying positives about anything, just lots of opinions! IMHO

Aug 20, 2010 05:35 AM

Josh & Julie Hambarian

Josh & Julie - Steele Realty. North County San Diego Coastal - Encinitas, CA

Thanks Jeff! As mentioned it's all about the balance. I feel like sometimes I'll have something great to write about and other times when nothing comes to mind and I'll skip a day. I find that if it is going to be interesting for others I'll know it and if I'm searching for something to write about it probably will not end up being interesting. I like to try to go with the flow a bit in my approach.

The good thing about loving where you live is I'm constantly getting inspired by someone I met today or a great little burrito place down the street that probably does'nt need me to be succesfull, but I love giving a little bump to the local businesses that make out area so special.

We appreciate the list above. I'm probably missing quite a few of those items listed, but we'll have to improve upon that. I'm constantly learning and I'll never stop. Thanks for helping out with our social networking!

Aug 20, 2010 06:00 AM

Gene Riemenschneider

Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA

Turning Houses into Homes

I write a mixture of stuff. What I find odd is the stuff I do not think is very good often gets the best response.

Aug 20, 2010 06:03 AM

Sharon Alters

Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty - 904-673-2308 - Fleming Island, FL

Realtor - Homes for Sale Fleming Island FL

Jeff, I feel like I'm in one big family since joining AR - and it spans the entire continent! Even though we have never spoken, I feel like I know you through your blogs, videos and comments over the past couple of years. I am definitely engaged here and on Facebook as well. Twitter I dance on and off of and other sites, but love your list - have to look into You Tube more. My kids are on there big time! :)

Aug 20, 2010 06:29 AM

Chrysti Tovani

Nick Sadek Sothebys International Realty - Sacramento, CA

Sacramento Real Estate Agent

I try to engage as much as I can. Sometimes by the time I finish reading a blog post and then get through all of the comments I don't have anything new or interesting to add to the thread so I move on. I know that's not good. I'll try to engage more.

There have been times that I have called or emailed other AR members when I had a question. Even met a few in person which is wonderful.

facebook, well, if I'm not commenting or posting something over there it gets noticed. LOL! I definitly need to write more blog posts. I was on a roll then fell off. I've got notes all over the place for content.

Aug 20, 2010 11:47 AM

"The Lovely Wife" The One And Only TLW.

President-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Kissimmee, FL

Sadly...

I am just playing around :)

Hubba and I have decided Web 2.0 is just a fad :)

TLW...ROAR!

Aug 20, 2010 01:29 PM

Robert Amato

Bob Amato of Empire Home Mortgage Inc - East Meadow, NY

I am here to learn. I always find a topic that either I knew nothing about or I knew too little about. Sometimes I may be able to add my two cents worth.

Aug 20, 2010 02:35 PM

Joy Carter & Jeff Booker Brother and Sister Team

Keller Williams Parkland/Coral Springs Realty-GreatFloridaHomes Team - Coral Springs, FL

Trust Your Family's Move To Our Expertise!

Love your pictures and your links. Who wouldn't want to move there. Fresno was the closest I ever got.

Thanks for the great reminder on what I should be doing. It's a chore to remember to attack all of the areas you recommended, especially when my attitude is, "Why would anyone be interested in that?"

I get so many emails, the last thing I think I want to do is send more to people. I do enjoy blogging, when I do it. Joy

Aug 22, 2010 02:50 PM