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Are You Using LinkedIn? Here's Some Tips.

Reblogger Jerry Newman
Real Estate Agent with Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, TREC #0492321

Many of us in Active Rain, including myself have been focusing on our Facebook, Twitter, and Active Rain accounts, but we have been neglecting our Linkedin accounts. Bryan Bowles points out some excellent tips for building your business and relationships in Linkedin. Why not take advantage of all the Big Four Social networks sites to grow your business and get more leads.

Original content by Bryan Bowles

If you’re like most of us, you’re probably focusing most of your social media marketing efforts in Facbook and Twitter… but, don’t forget about LinkedIn. Too often it’s left on the backburner.

There are a lot of really cool tools within LinkedIn you can use to grow your real estate business. Here are just a few things you can do to gain more referrals, more traffic to your website/blog, and increase your overall exposure.

SEO Your Profile. I’m sure there are terms you’d like to be known for; such as “San Diego buyer’s agent”. Well, use them in your profile. LinkedIn is highly indexed by Google, Bing, and Yahoo. So, optimize your profile to get found by more people.

Use OpenLink. As you know, LinkedIn only allows you to send messages to people you’re directly connect. However, there is a way to message people you’re not linked to using OpenLink. You just have to be willing to receive messages from other OpenLink members, who you may not be directly linked to. Your can learn more about OpenLink here.

Join Groups. There are thousands of groups that can help you. Groups that share social media and real estate marketing tips, discuss various real estate topics, and even a group to exchange referrals among other agents and brokers throughout world.

Use Company Buzz. CompanyBuzz is an application you add to your LinkedIn account that allows you to track what people are saying about your company and other related topics on Twitter and LinkedIn. This is a great way to engage with the public on various topics. Just install the application and customize your topics to view tweets, trends, and top keywords. You can find it here.

Always, always review the Network Updates. You can find these on your LinkedIn homepage, and subscribe to receive them by email too. Network Updates are kind of like your Facebook news feed. You’ll want to check these regularly for a quick snapshot of what’s going on in your network; job changes (hint, possibly moving too?!), travel updates, and more. Another great way to engage.

Export connections. LinkedIn provides you with a very simple way to export your connections. Just click on “Contacts,” “My Connections,” and then scroll down and click “Export Connections.” You have the option of either exporting as a .CSV or .VCF file. Keep your network updated with your regular newsletter.

Link your Twitter account. Share your LinkedIn status updates on Twitter, and vice versa. This can easily be edited within the Edit Profile area.

LinkedIn Answers. LinkedIn Answers offers you great opportunity share your expertise and insight, as well as link to blog posts, you’ve created to help to answer other people’s questions. When you’re on the question’s page, click “Share This” beneath the question, and you’ll have the option to share the question via LinkedIn message with up to 200 of your connections.

 

Bryan Bowles
Founder of RealtyPlug

Easily add a property search to your Facebook page, websites and blogs using RealtyPlug!

Comments(16)

Elite Home Sales Team
Elite Home Sales Team OC - Corona del Mar, CA
A Tenacious and Skilled Real Estate Team

Good info I do have a linkedin account but have not utilized it the way I could.

Aug 25, 2011 06:28 PM
James Muhammad
RE/MAX Champions - Upland, CA
RE/MAX Vision

I just joined LinkedIn a few days ago.  Thank for the information..

Aug 25, 2011 07:41 PM
Anita Clark
Coldwell Banker Access Realty ~ 478.960.8055 - Warner Robins, GA
Realtor - Homes for Sale in Warner Robins GA

Saw the original post and actually went over and made a slight tweak to my LinkedIn profile because of it.  Thanks for getting this out to more folks Jerry.

Aug 25, 2011 10:44 PM
Dan and Amy Schuman
Howard Hanna Real Estate Services - Solon, OH
Luxury Home Specialists

Linked In is often forgotten so I'm glad you shared this. Sometimes it's hard to concentrate on all of the big 4 so some do get neglected. I do find that there are different people in my sphere on LI that aren't on FB, so I need to make an effort to be more active there---if only there were more time in the day.

Aug 26, 2011 12:36 AM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Good morning, Jerry....I use linkedin but I don't necessarily pay as close attention to it as I should....I will take another look at it today...I send all of my blog posts to linkedin....

Aug 26, 2011 12:41 AM
Daniel H. Fisher
www.FisherHermanRealty.com (704) 617-3544 - Charlotte, NC
MCRP - Charlotte Real Estate, NC or SC

Thanks for the reblog. Having a solid presence everywhere our potential clients are active is always prudent.

Aug 26, 2011 12:58 AM
Gina Tufano
Ask Gina & Company with Pearson Smith Realty - Sterling, VA
Ask Gina & Company, Northern Virginia Real Estate

Good re-blog. These are some great tips for using Linkedin.

Hope you have a great weekend!

Aug 26, 2011 01:17 AM
Scott Mazza
Stewart Title of California - Ventura, CA

Thank you Jerry. I am not so well versed in Linkedin. I usually just accept invtes and let it build up but dont do much else. Thanks

Aug 26, 2011 02:14 AM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Mark, Linkedin can be a great place to network and build those relationships.

Aug 26, 2011 05:33 AM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Hi James, You can meet many people for various on professions on Linkedin. Best Wishes to your new membership there.

Aug 26, 2011 05:34 AM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Yes, Anita. I find myself having to update my Profile on Linkedin too after reading Bryan's original post.

Aug 26, 2011 05:36 AM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Hi Dan and Amy. It much easier to share our posts and information with the Big 4 social networks, with those convenient new buttons at the top right hand of our blogs now. Plus, I even added that Google Add on button for all those social media buttons on all my computers.

Aug 26, 2011 05:47 AM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Hi Barbara, It should be easier to send your blogs to Linkedin with all those new buttons on the top right of our AR blogs now. I know I need to work on these tips myself for Linkedin.

Aug 26, 2011 05:52 AM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Thanks, Daniel. We do need to be able to reach all the potential clients that we can on all those networks.

Aug 26, 2011 05:54 AM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Thanks, Gina. I am planning to take a closer look at my Linkedin Profile this week and make some more updates to it. Great to meet another KW agent. Have a Nice Weekend too!

Aug 26, 2011 05:55 AM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Hi Scott. Linkedin can be a very resourceful place to meet new contacts and get some new business too.

Aug 26, 2011 05:56 AM