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Let's get Strategic with the new Facebook Timeline

By
Real Estate Agent with McGraw Realtors

If you haven't heard yet, Facebook is rolling out a new profile page called a Timeline.  Right now you have to opt in by going to Facebook.com/timeline.  In about month, you'll be opted in anyway, so why not jump in now?!  Besides, you'll have 7 days to play around with your new profile page before it goes live, so you can tweak it and learn how to use it.  And use it you should!  That's because the new timeline, used strategically, can help you harvest business for Real Estate!

Here's how...

The new Facebook timeline now lets you put up a huge picture at the top of your page.  This picture is called a billboard or a cover pic.  I like to think of it as a billboard.  I decided to get creative with mine.  Here's what it looks like.

My Facebook header

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now look closely.  What do you see?  It's me, but it's me with a couple of connections to Real Estate.  They aren't in your face.  They aren't too over the the top.  But they are there.  I have my company logo, my company colors, my professional pic and the word Realtor® and three links to social media.  The links won't work because this is a picture I made, but they are there.  (Notice the Active Rain bottlecaps!).

The smaller picture is your profile picture.  I put a fun one there of my wife and I from this past fall.  You can put any picture you want there too. 

I've seen some people reverse what I did and put a bigger picture of them and their family in the billboard spot and a smaller picture of their business logo in the profile picture spot.  For a good example of this, check out Andrew Mooers profile page over at Facebook.

If all that is too much for you, try this.  Get a great pic for your billboard spot and put something on it that has something to do with Real Estate.  It could be a quote.  It could be a logo.  It could be your yard sign photoshoped in discretely.  It could by anything as long as it has something to do with real estate. 

Remember, a profile page is not to be used for business all the time, so you want to be creative and use your iimagination.  But why not do something to keep your phone ringing? 

And why not do it where you have a huge audience!  On Facebook where it is still FREE!

Tomorrow, I'll show you how to put intentional Real Estate related information on your new timeline so that it can be seen.

 

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Information and content in this blog is original to Bob Haywood

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Bob Haywood
Bob Haywood
Owasso, Oklahoma REALTOR®

Tulsa, OK REALTOR®/ McGraw REALTORS®
Bhaywood@mcgrawrealtors.com
(918) 272-7272

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Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I like it.  I've been a little hesitant about the time line but this info may just push me to go and do it, thanks!

Jan 20, 2012 10:29 PM
Cheryl Ritchie
RE/MAX Leading Edge www.GoldenResults.com - Huntingtown, MD
Southern Maryland 301-980-7566

Nice job. I need to modify mine and this post gives lots of ideas!

Jan 21, 2012 12:01 AM
Barbara-Jo Roberts Berberi, MA, PSA, TRC - Greater Clearwater Florida Residential Real Estate Professional
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL
Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Clearwater, Safety Harbor

Timeline......saw it and don't like it! Facebook keeps making changes and it won't be long before I throw in the towel altogether with that website.

Jan 21, 2012 12:56 AM
Mahesh Mike Patel
First Team Real Estate - Anaheim Hills, CA
Call Me And Consider It Done!

Thanks for the info. I will review and work on mine.

Anything happening with the fan pages on timeline?

 

Jan 21, 2012 02:39 AM
Sandy Acevedo
951-290-8588 - Chino Hills, CA
RE/MAX Masters, Inland Empire Homes for Sale

This looks good, and the information is timely for me. I subscribed to learn more.               

Jan 21, 2012 03:14 AM
Ruthmarie Hicks
Keller Williams NY Realty - 120 Bloomingdale Road #101, White Plains NY 10605 - White Plains, NY

Hi Bob, 

I'm kind of wrestling with it. I'm wondering where the fine line is between too personal ending and business beginning.  I would know what to do if this were a FB business page option.  You did it very well, but I'd have to spend a thing I have relatively little of - a lot of time. 

Jan 21, 2012 03:44 AM
The Derrick Team - Indy Metro Realtors
Carpenter Realtors - Avon, IN
Your Pet Friendly Realtors

I too wish we could do the same for pages. Seems a lot of changes in FB have made pages less useful.

Jan 21, 2012 04:28 AM
Bob Haywood
McGraw Realtors - Owasso, OK
BobHaywood.com

Ken, as of right now, I don't think there are any immediate plans to bring the timeline to the Facebook pages.

Bob, not sure I'm with?  A blog to explain perhaps?


Richard, I know yours will rock with all the pics you've got!

Carie - You're welcome!

Pat and Wayne - I wonder too.  We will see over time.  In regards to the restricted symbol vs copyright symbol, you are correct.  I made a mistake and hadn't corrected it yet.  I wondered if anyone would catch it!  Good job!

Janis, regular pages are going away in about a month or so

Barbara Jo - stay with it!  Don't give up!

Mahesh - no plans for the fanpages to change yet...

Ruthmarie - it is a decision, as you say.  The thing about this is that it literally only takes minutes!

Derrick Team - bingo!

Jan 21, 2012 04:53 AM
Kristin Moran
Owner - RE/MAX Access - KristinMoran@Remax.net - San Antonio, TX
San Antonio,TX - Real Estate - 210-313-7397

I"ve been uing timeline but am using a picture from our last trip to Puerto Vallarta.  FUN!

Jan 21, 2012 05:11 AM
Connie Harvey
Pilkerton Realtors - Brentwood, TN
Realtor - Nashville TN Real Estate

Bob, this is great. I need to go work on it today while I have time.

Jan 21, 2012 05:20 AM
Margaret Woda
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Crofton, MD
Maryland Real Estate & Military Relocation

I wasn't as creative as you, but I did choose a house for the billboard photo on my personal Facebook page.  I thought that served as a reminder to my friends, who already know I'm in real estate, that I am... well, in real estate. 

Jan 21, 2012 06:27 AM
Lori Cain
Own Tulsa - Tulsa, OK
Midtown Tulsa Real Estate Top Producer

Bob - thanks for taking the lead on this - I'm off to check out your FB page now!

Jan 21, 2012 06:57 AM
Pat & Wayne Harriman
Harriman Real Estate, LLC (203) 672-4499 - Wallingford, CT
Broker/Owners, Wallingford CT Real Estate

Thanks Bob! What did you use to create your cover pic?

Jan 21, 2012 08:15 AM
Evelyn Kennedy
Alain Pinel Realtors - Alameda, CA
Alameda, Real Estate, Alameda, CA

Bob:

Thanks for your billboard example.  I am going to try timeline soon.  I hope it is as easy as you say, but if not, I know who to call.

Jan 21, 2012 09:08 AM
Bob Haywood
McGraw Realtors - Owasso, OK
BobHaywood.com

Margaret, great idea!

Lori, what did you think?

Pat and Wayne, I use an old program called Microsoft Photodraw.  They don't make it anymore.  Any photo editing software will do!

Evelyn, jump in and call if you need any help!

Jan 21, 2012 02:00 PM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Your Part I and Part II series is very helpful, Bob. Thanks!

Jan 22, 2012 02:17 AM
Bryan Robertson
Los Altos, CA

It's still a good idea and you're right, it's not "in your face".  As long as the message is subtle, it's a great form of passive marketing via your SOI.

Jan 22, 2012 04:01 AM
Kathy Clulow
Uxbridge, ON
Trusted For Experience - Respected For Results

Bob - Thank you for this I hate my present little profile photo ..... Hmmm went and had a look but I am not sure about all the information they are going to want ...... do I really want my whole life out there on the internet.

Jan 22, 2012 01:55 PM
Lee & Carol Barbour, REALTORS
Murphy and Hayesville, NC; Hiawassee, Blairsville, Blue Ridge GA - Murphy, NC
Mountain Living Team in Murphy NC and North GA

Great turorial series Bob. What dimension size did you make your billboard in that it fit in so perfect?

Jan 27, 2012 10:13 AM
Bob Haywood
McGraw Realtors - Owasso, OK
BobHaywood.com

Kathy, be sure to use your privacy settings.  You can absolutely hide posts and pics from the world and make them visible to only your family if you want to.

Lee and Carol - your pics needs to be 850 zx 315 pixels.

Jan 28, 2012 01:10 AM