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THE "SLOBBERING LOVE AFFAIR" WITH FACEBOOK HAS ME PUZZLED---STILL!!

By Paula Hathaway, REALTOR, LBA

Real Estate Agent with Douglas Elliman Real Estate 30HA0800896

January 29, 2011 05:25 AM

Part II of a series of articles about the real use of Facebook.

Apparently the struggles FB has been having with privacy complaints is quickly changing the "face" of Facebook. The dialog about this huge website is turning defensive right now, on the part of this massive network. Yet there are huge numbers of members that participate without concern for their privacy or safety.

OK, so I did go back on Facebook and give it another try; after getting another comment on my other Facebook post of months ago: http://actvra.in/44s, I decided to take the risk of going back and making another good old college try at the most popular Social Website in history!!! Tni made some points in her comment on my post that I really needed to test on my own; thus the step back into the FB web. SOCIAL NETWORKING WORKS; DOES FACEBOOK?

HEAD OVER HEELS FOR FACEBOOK But I must say: THE "SLOBBERING LOVE AFFAIR" WITH FACEBOOK HAS ME PUZZLED--STILL!! I can not understand the mundane, inane and trivial things that come up on FB, just to make a participant seem like they are "with it"! I find it "cliquish" and sophomoric.

What is wrong with expressing yourself completely? Why all the short, little, cute statements and uninteresting facts of a boring day---or life???? What makes that chatter interesting to a potential home buyer or seller?

.....Just really curious; so, if there is a soul out there who can succinctly put it down in a comment without any inferred meanings(---just the facts, ma'am, just the facts) then I would appreciate it.

Can I hear from some of you out there who have actually found home buyers and sellers from the FB website? I would like to use another Social website besides ActiveRain and if FB has it then I need to go for it...please give me some fodder for my "grist mill"! I would appreciate it so much!!!

THANK YOU FOR RESPONDING---I WILL RETURN THE FAVOR SOME DAY!!!

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Linda Arvanitis

RE/MAX AllStars Realty - Ocala, FL

Your Team Advantage

I love facebook. I go on it daily to see what my friends are doing, to post what I am doing, thinking, etc.

If you love it, it works, if you don't, it won't. I am just now getting the hang of Active Rain. I would bet though, that there are many who are as "into" Active Rain as I am facebook, therefore Active Rain is "working" better for them.

I have referred, and been referred business through facebook and I don't have a business page, just a personal one. Originally for me, it was just for the social aspect of it all, but now I have many friends who are in the business and we bounce ideas off one another, etc. it's a lot like Active Rain in that respect.

Further, one can post "NOTES" on facebook that can be as long as any blog, and all of your friends, (or if your profile is public), anyone can read them. I don't always talk "real estate" because I don't want my friends to block my comments, but I do sprinkle my posts with real estate related info and I have had old friends from school look to me for information pertaining to real estate needs.

I say, give it a good try, go on once in the morning, and once again at night. Post some of your ideas about the real estate business in your area, ask for business from time to time, and let people see your humor as well. I know a LOT of my facebook friends read my posts, they may not comment on all of them, but they certainly keep up with them.

How do I know? I posted over Christmas that I wanted a tambourine, and then when I didn't get one, I had dozens of facebook friends message me that they were disappointed that I didn't get one. Sounds silly, but that's when I KNEW, I was posting things that people found funny, interesting and human.

Have fun with it, it will bring you business when you least expect it.

Jan 31, 2011 02:50 AM

Paula Hathaway, REALTOR, LBA

Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Southampton, NY

...A Local Expert in all The Hamptons

Jeremy: I don't think you are a "tool" for FB--it looks like you have a real "bead" on the best uses for it and I agree; I love to hear from old friends and family members, just like you do!!

Randall: I certainly hope they are--lots and lots of people are counting on them to be there! I would not like to see the "crash" of some pretty big companies if they are not really there! We will see, I guess!

Linda: Thank you so much for your upbeat take on FB...it sounds to me that you have found the best way to use the tools of the network to your advantage---that seems to be the thing: most people who have found their way on FB "get it" big time and are reaping the rewards; those who are "lost" on it are the ones who don't care if they ever go on it again. Then you have the AR devotees ( I admit, I am a big fan of AR!) who need to KNOW that they are on a real estate website--they seem to benefit greatly from that experience...So I guess it's all in what you discover about yourself in relationship to a social network---and the business it can generate! Thanks for your good input.

Jan 31, 2011 03:34 AM

Jeremy Wrenn

Winslow Homes - Youngsville, NC

VP of Finance, Winslow Homes

Thanks, Paula!

Jan 31, 2011 03:58 AM

Sharon Sein

Sein Organizing Solutions & Home Staging - Feasterville Trevose, PA

Paula, it seems that everyone has their own preference. That's why there's chocolate and vanilla (and Strawberry!).

Jan 31, 2011 06:54 AM

Paula Hathaway, REALTOR, LBA

Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Southampton, NY

...A Local Expert in all The Hamptons

Jeremy: You Bet!!

Sharon: Good way to look at it--I am getting all the info I need to make a decision if I want to be on FB or not. I think it won't be long before I start blogging even more than I have been--right here on good ole AR!

Jan 31, 2011 07:31 AM

Cathy Counti

Ask Cathy Marketing Group with Keller Williams - Lee's Summit, MO

Hi Paula: I actually have gotten 3 sales and a referral off Facebook in the last year.

I don't add the mundane comments, I update my status to include funny stuff that happens to me or things I would enjoy reading from other people. Otherwise I just "like" things my friends put on their page so they know that I am interested in their lives. That's the point, to let your clients know that you are a friend who sells Real Estate and to keep you foremost in their minds.

I will post a picture of a house that is exceptionally beautiful or exceptionally cruddy and comment that while showing I saw this... blah, blah, blah. It just plants an idea of who I am and what I do.

Not to mention, I know when people are having babies, when they win contests for their hobbies, get new pets, etc. These are things that only their close friends know usually, not their Realtor. They might only have 60 friends on their Facebook and it brings you into their inner circle. Plus, their friends get familiar with you too when you comment on their posts.

For safety, you don't put your address on there, you don't accept people as friends that you don't actually know and you set up your privacy settings so that only your friends can see your posts, pics or information.

I wouldn't say I slobber for it... but I like it!

Cathy

Jan 31, 2011 09:11 AM

Gene Riemenschneider

Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA

Turning Houses into Homes

You know I am with you. The emperor has no clothes. It is at best an source to look up lost friends and family.

Jan 31, 2011 09:29 AM

Paula Hathaway, REALTOR, LBA

Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Southampton, NY

...A Local Expert in all The Hamptons

Cathy: I have been in the business for 18 years and I have never become close friends with my clients or my customers---I remain in touch with them over the years and I have a regular base of referrals from them..thats all I want from them---and I am sure the feeling is mutual---Never had any complaints at least....The business I get from them is substantial and I don't see how it would be any different if I were chatting them up on FB. I appreciate the fact that some agents do become friends with their cliients--I just don't believe in it...business is business and that works for me.

Gene: You've got it! ...and the business I get from my friends would be there anyway. On another level, I have had some of the worst business experiences with "friends"----they are ruthless in trying to get something for nothing!

Jan 31, 2011 12:41 PM

Michelle Yackel

Divine Redesigns - Atlanta, GA

ASP, IAHSP

Well, Paula, it seems this post has got people talking! Personally, I enjoy Facebook because it allows me to see what my friends and family are up to without having to call or email each of them every day! And as a mom, I get to share milestones in my son's life (I mean, who doesn't enjoy having multitudes of friends comment on how cute or how smart your child is?).

For my staging business, I created a fan page where I can share before and after photos and post success stories and testimonials. I also link to postlets of homes that I staged that are for sale, so that helps the Realtors I work with because it's another avenue of free marketing. FB has been good for my business!

Feb 02, 2011 02:17 PM

Paula Hathaway, REALTOR, LBA

Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Southampton, NY

...A Local Expert in all The Hamptons

Michelle: Congrats on your good luck with Facebook---I guess it depends on how you want to get business. I use FB infrequently and the only thing I enjoy about it is keeping up with some good friends and former classmates. Never have I been asked about my work or any business for that matter and my friens are all over the country. I find my time is better spent right here on good ole AR for business.

Feb 02, 2011 02:35 PM

Anonymous

Here's my opinion, FB is here to stay. I use it socially to stay in contact with my friends and family but I also use it for business networking. I am a mortgage guy, I FB my old customers and my current customers. (I never know when they'll need my services again) and I'm just a click away.

I am also out a lot networking with Realtors, CPA's, financial guys... yada yada yada. It helps me to stay in contact with all these people. It also helps me to remember their face and their names when I see them out again at different functions. It's an icebreaker because people will walk up to me and say "Hey we're facebook friends I like your posts" or something along those lines and then we will start a mutual 'sometimes even semi intelligent' conversation. So the answer to your question is YES I have closed loans because of my presence on FB. but not because of FB alone. I'll only friend people I have met or have had some sort of contact with, so FB is good but it can never beat FF (face to face)

My advice would be to all you Realtors out there... go to your little black book and start typing in all the names of the people you helped find a home. We all know most homeowners will stay in a home roughly 7 years. You're now only a click away. The other thing is the people you sold homes to will have children. How cool is it to stay in touch with them and watch them grow up. They too will need a home one day. My final point is your FB page and your name will never change but your phone # and your Realty office may.

I know a lot of Realtors out there and they are all looking for the next seller or buyer. Just think of it, How many customers or even almost customers have you accumulated the past 5 yrs, 10 yrs 20 yrs? Most of these people are on FB. Think about it! Really think about it...

...and oh please look me up, friend me!

Tim Kennedy

Mortgage Concepts

Feb 04, 2011 04:33 AM

#85

Debra Gould

Staging Diva / Six Elements Inc. - Toronto, ON

The Staging Diva

I agree with everything you said. The only reason I'm on there is because apparently links in Facebook drive more traffic to websites than Google does now. It's begun to fill the role that a search engine does for many.

What I'm still not clear on, as all these gurus (usually people who sell courses on how to use Facebook for business) try to convince us we absolutely must be there is how much of all this traffic it's sending is related to business. My suspition is most of it is of the "check out this video" variety sending people to youtube.

What is shocking to me is the average person supposedly spends 2 hours a day on there Monday to Friday. They check in in the morning when they get to work, then again at lunch, and lastly in the evening. In other words, they're employers are paying them to waste time on Facebook.

I suspect for people who don't get an automatic paycheck just for showing up, the usage is less.

Feb 04, 2011 05:33 AM

Paula Hathaway, REALTOR, LBA

Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Southampton, NY

...A Local Expert in all The Hamptons

Tim: i hear that FB is loaded up with real estate agents and that's about it! I will have to wait and see if any of my current customers are on FB---so far -0- zip...nada..

Debra: You and about a million other people have not been able to generate any business through FB---I am waiting to see my custmers on there--so far nothing!

Feb 04, 2011 06:16 AM

Kathy Smiley

Rodeo Realty ~ Fine Estates Westlake Village - Newbury Park, CA

"Real Estate results that make YOU smile!"

Paula - for me, Facebook is a great way to share photos of kids, trips and tidbits of personal (I say tidbits) of info with friends & family. I use the business page as an occasional addition to remind my facebook friends that I am in the RE business: open houses, new listings, price reductions.. I want them to think about me when they think about RE so they are ready to give my name in a referral. I agree it's not a business-builder or business blog. (btw, I have several friends who started out as clients and are now friends on fb. Usually AFTER the transaction, though! Have gotten good referrals, but would have anyway!)

Feb 06, 2011 04:23 PM

Paula Hathaway, REALTOR, LBA

Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Southampton, NY

...A Local Expert in all The Hamptons

Kathy: Sounds like you have a similar experience to many others here---I personally have never seen any business from FB--in fact most of the people on FB are RE agents!

Feb 07, 2011 04:52 AM

Ellen Wright Adams

Academy Mortgage.......We are a Equal Housing Lender - Eugene, OR

LoansByEllen- Licensed in Oregon

Paula: Thank you so much for asking this question. The comments are great for me right now as I'm 'questioning' what I want to continue social media wise, how to link them, etc etc. Thanks again for this post. It felt like listening to a group of people talking about the very topic that's on my mind this morning!

Feb 15, 2011 05:19 AM

Paula Hathaway, REALTOR, LBA

Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Southampton, NY

...A Local Expert in all The Hamptons

Ellen: How great is that? I know that the idea of Facebook being at the grassroots of the revolution in Egypt is very telling as to it's value; it is a way to get the word out on something that the masses will read and see....good for revolutions, not so good for selling real estate!! (IMHO)

Feb 16, 2011 03:57 AM

Paula Hathaway, REALTOR, LBA

Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Southampton, NY

...A Local Expert in all The Hamptons

Peter: Thank you for letting me know about the mess above! How the heck do these creeps get in here anyhow?? I guess it takes a watchful eye and good attention to reporting these obscene comments!

Feb 12, 2013 09:03 PM

Pete Xavier

Investments to Luxury - Pacific Palisades, CA

Outstanding Agent Referrals-Nationwide

You bet Paula!

(last night was checking last comment made button in the blog section...that is how I find them)

Feb 12, 2013 11:13 PM

Paula Hathaway, REALTOR, LBA

Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Southampton, NY

...A Local Expert in all The Hamptons

Peter: Well thanks for being a caretaker of the blogs! You should get a big fat gold star for that! :)

Feb 12, 2013 11:53 PM

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ActiveRain has become my home away from home; it is a place that I have grown to respect and appreciate as an open forum for real estate professionals and the public; a place to advertise and speak your mind on many subjects, ESPECIALLY real estate. It is rare that we are given the chance to talk openly to the public or even our fellow associates...this is THE PLACE!....WELCOME TO MY BLOG

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