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Is Facebook In Your Business Plan?

By John Novak

Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty The Marketplace NV License # 56750

November 24, 2007 02:15 PM

Facebook screenshot 'Mariana Wagner has thrown a sheep at you.'

That was one of the notifications waiting for me a couple of weeks ago when I logged into Facebook. I quickly searched my memory to figure out what I had done to deserve this. Had I left an inappropriate comment on her blog? Did she think one of my recent posts was just rubbish? How exactly should I respond ... or retaliate?? :)

While many perceive Facebook as a 'MySpace for 20-somethings', the site has some very compelling statistics:

Over 55 million users
The fastest growing demographic in the 25+ age range
#6 U.S. site in terms of traffic
#1 photo sharing site on the web

Facebook recently added Business Pages to help businesses connect with consumers in the same way friends connect with each other. The Business Solutions section has details on using social ads, polls and more. Here is the business page for (RED)™

Long before she was hurling small woolly animals, Mariana wrote a fantastic featured post titled "The Secret Life of a "Generation X" Consumer ... My Story." Pay attention to the NAR statistics she mentions on home buyers, and think of the impact that Gen X and Gen Y will have on the housing markets over the next 10-15 years.

Now ... considering the statistics, having seen the Business Pages, and looking at the huge buying power of Gen X and Gen Y ... is Facebook in your business plan?

Added 11/25 from the comments:
Join the Facebook Tips group on ActiveRain.

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Tina Maraj

RE/MAX One - Fullerton, CA

Celebrating 30 Years of Real Estate Sales

I really have to be more business minded about facebook. Right now I am just enjoying catching up with old friends!

Apr 18, 2009 04:04 AM

Billie Hillier

http://702IsHome.com - North Las Vegas, NV

Savvy Home Realty Solutions

In under 2 years since this post FB now has over 250 million users with the majority being persons aged 35 - 50. WOW!

May 19, 2009 06:34 AM

Anonymous

John,

Thanks for your post. I am new to the industry and will definitely look into a business page for my team.

Matt

May 22, 2009 09:58 AM

#90

Jonathan Rivera

Real-TechGuy.com - Orlando, FL

I find facebook to be a terrific way to implement a very subtle conversation style marketing strategy.

facebook pages are AMAZING. The analytics you get for page interactions is amazing. You can almost

see your pages "social health."

Right now I'm playing with the theory that you can actually use a page as your new RE website.

Think about it, you can share photos and videos of your properties. Using some HTML plugin

you can capture names and email addresses of interested parties. The events feature is perfect

for open houses, and the updates allow you to be in the feed. What could be better?

Jonathan Rivera

Real-TechGuy

Jun 24, 2009 11:45 AM

Barbara Heil-Sonneck

Design2Sell - Atlanta, GA

Home Staging Atlanta

Hi, I just subscribed to your blog, sometimes I wished the day has more hours to keep up with all SEO and Social Media. I will take it step by step :-)

Aug 26, 2009 03:34 PM

Ross Quintana

Real E Smarter - Spokane, WA

Real E Smarter Real Estate Coach - 509-362-1966

Yes, i have found just in using it socially that facebook is a great way to get a little closer with your clients. Instead of sending them a recipe postcard you can actually connect witht hem and have conversations. It's great and I plan on using it more and more.

Oct 27, 2009 11:04 AM

Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089

Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI

Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

Yes, it's a part of my plan. I can see the value of consistency there.

Nov 04, 2009 06:23 PM

Michael J. Perry

KW Elite - Lancaster, PA

Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

I'm going to write a 3.5 hr. MCE class on "New Age Prospecting" .It will be based on using primarily AR and FB as your Lead Generation tools !!! For years I've harassed my agents to enter their S.O.I. into a database(still important). Many have said they've lost touch or would almost be embarassed, or wouldn't KNOW WHAT TO SAY(after all this time)!!! I'm asking all of them to go thru all the settled files they can find(I'm talkin 20+ yrs. for some) and ATTEMPT to befriend them all !!! The same for any old yearbooks, old membership lists etc. !!!!

Nov 22, 2009 12:25 AM

Michael J. Perry

KW Elite - Lancaster, PA

Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

Facebook saves an old LOST real estate art !!!! In the earlier days of sales/marketing we were taught about a concept of "Telling 20". The idea behind it was those 20 might just tell another 20, who have the ability to tell (you've got the picture) ....... Fast forward to 2010, EVERY Open House should be POSTED on every agents FB(I'm talkin the entire office)- talk about potential market saturation !!!!!!!

Nov 22, 2009 12:30 AM

Robert L. Brown

www.mrbrownsellsgr.com - Grand Rapids, MI

Grand Rapids Real Estate Bellabay Realty, West Mic

I'm using it right now and it's getting results. I should have used it sooner. Hindsight thing. we all do it.

Jan 17, 2010 08:08 AM

Tami Behler

Prudential Bob Yost Homesale Services - York, PA

FB is part of my sphere of influence marketing plan but you have to be careful what you post on FB! I thought of creating a fan page for my business but have heard mixed feelings on fan pages. FB is a fun way to keep in touch with friends and family and post new listings from time to time but I'm just not sure about making friends with my clients and letting them into my personal space! Thanks for your informationon FB!

Mar 18, 2010 07:40 AM

Maureen McCabe

HER Realtors - Columbus, OH

Columbus Ohio Real Estate

"I thought of creating a fan page for my business but have heard mixed feelings on fan pages.FB is a fun way to keep in touch with friends and family and post new listings from time to time but I'm just not sure about making friends with my clients and letting them into my personal space! Thanks for your informationon FB!"

huh? I thought a Fan page was so that you could conduct business on Facebook. I thought you could not post listings on your profile.

Mar 18, 2010 07:48 AM

Earl Miller

Coldwell Banker Solano Pacific - Benicia, CA

Solano County, Contra Costa,Benicia Real Estate, 707-280-6366

I am new and really needed this....thank you so much...I will follow your lead....

Aug 13, 2010 04:06 AM

Gail Sterback

Coldwell Banker Select Professionals, Lancaster PA - Mountville, PA

LancasterRelocation Specialist

We need a NAR approved continue ed course! I feel like I am not giving my sellers the best in todays market because I don't know enough about this stuff. It is also hard for me to just "play" around and learn. Need a teacher. Thanks for your blogs - keep it up

Sep 23, 2010 02:56 AM

Maureen McCabe

HER Realtors - Columbus, OH

Columbus Ohio Real Estate

Wonder if this in the new ePRO class curriculum?

Was using Facebook in the Internet Crusades updated curriculum? I got my ePRO before Facebook, Twitter, ActiveRain, blogging...

Sep 23, 2010 03:08 AM

Hank Richter

HomePro Inspections of RI - Providence, RI

Definitely an important tool, but it can become a full time job if you let it! The big issue here is that Facebook keeps moving the Cheese! Every time I think I have a handle on something -Facebook changes it!

Dec 16, 2010 11:57 PM

Kathy Dowd

EXP Realty, 239 220 4133 - The Villages, FL

Consider it SOLD

Before making my business page I have received 2 buyers from facebook...both I went to High school with from up North. They both seen on my FB page that I was a Realtor in Florida, and have contacted me....So it also reminds your friends that you are a Realtor!

Dec 31, 2011 12:01 AM

Eileen Begley

Coldwell Banker, DelMonte - Carmel, CA

Monterey Real Estate

Hi John; Still don't know what "throwing a sheep" means. Maybe a Farmville thing. Just in the last few months paying alot more attention to both Facebook and Twitter.

Jan 22, 2012 04:33 AM

Sylvie Stuart

Realty One Group Mountain Desert 928-600-2765 - Flagstaff, AZ

Home Buying, Home Selling and Investment - Flagsta

Lol, so did you retaliate with throwing a sheep back? Thanks for this great post!

Feb 22, 2013 12:43 PM

Bryan Beckstead, KOmKards, Care-Connect-Communicate, on auto pilot, 24/7.

Start MAXIMIZING the Internet.... Kommunicon.com - Priceville, ON

Become a KOmKard owner today,

I have to admit, i have been resisting Facebook for a number of reasons.

The demographics seems steered to the under 25 crowd and even the under 20 crowd, both not in my wheel house in terms if potential customers.

People say, business people, people play on Facebook and their smart phone, but do business everywhere else, on their tablet and desk top.