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When Social Networking Takes a REALLY Bad Turn

By
Real Estate Agent with Ocean Capital Lending & Ocean Capital Real Estate Services Group NMLS# 1990881 SL# 3516742

How do you know when you have finally taken social networking TOO far? This evening I was checking out another social network at the urging of a business acquaintance that I met through Plaxo. He had recommended that I check out FaceBook.com and stated that he highly recommended it for business networking.

That’s when I saw it.

There is actually a group on there (and I’m sure there are other weird groups... not my point) that is centralized around someone catching and eating a raccoon.

Now, I can understand founding a group with the intention of building a list of people with common interests for business purposes. But, this guy has a list of 1500+ people that just want to see him eat a raccoon.

What business purpose does that serve? Was someone time-sharing a brain and it just wasn’t their day?

Ok, so it’s safe to say that my first impression of FaceBook is tainted. I am used to using tools such as Plaxo, LinkedIn, and of course AR. Although I do have a MySpace account, I rarely use it and when I do its more of a leisure ‘fun’ thing to do, rather than a business tool. So, I am turning to you.

How many of you use FaceBook as a business networking tool, how has it worked for you and would you recommend using it for business networking? Or ….is it just another MySpace?

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as seen onCheryl Carradini, MBA | Marketing Strategist |  GoSIMC

Cheryl Carradini, BSB/MKT, MBA, is a Marketing Strategist for highly successful real estate professionals. She earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Business with a concentration in Marketing and a Master’s of Business Administration. She is currently a Ph.D. student working on her Doctor of Philosophy with a concentration in Marketing. She is a US Navy Veteran and the president and founder of GoSIMC Inc. Her marketing firm specializes in providing website & IDX solutions for busy real estate professionals that want to dominate the search engines.  She has authored several books, Internet courses, and direct marketing manuals for small businesses and real estate agents around the world.   

Quote: "If you do not have a marketing strategy in place, then all you are doing is spending money on marketing that ‘might work’. Marketing is the single most important function in your business and you CANNOT afford to use guesswork as a strategy.

 

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Comments(13)

Abacus Properties, Inc. DBA Apple Dream Homes
Abacus Properties Inc. - San Diego, CA
I haven't used facebook, but myspace has zero use for business networking.
Apr 10, 2008 01:55 PM
Abacus Properties, Inc. DBA Apple Dream Homes
Abacus Properties Inc. - San Diego, CA
I haven't used facebook, but myspace has zero use for business networking.
Apr 10, 2008 01:55 PM
Eric Reid
Renaissance Realty Group of Keller Williams Atlanta Partners - Lawrenceville, GA
I keep reminding myself .. when I am out there in WEB WORLD 2.o am I building my business or avoiding the business at hand
Apr 10, 2008 01:57 PM
Rob Graham
Windermere Real Estate - Seattle, WA
Rob Graham

I think it is more for fun.  I was on it for a while.  It was a silly thing to joke around with your friends with.  I see it as my space for the older kids.  (and for those who need a really great receipe for Racoon)

Apr 10, 2008 01:58 PM
Eric Bouler
Gardner Realtors, Licensed in La. - New Orleans, LA
Listening to your Needs
I set up an account and within a couple of weeks a few of my current customers found me. You can find anything on the internet. Its an on line business card. I see no reason not to be there. You can be one of online professional friends.
Apr 10, 2008 02:06 PM
Pam Joffe
Solaris Realty - Tampa, FL
After hearing what you said, I think I will pass on facebook, watching someone catch and eat a racoon is not my idea of networking.
Apr 10, 2008 02:10 PM
Mary Jo Schaffer
Sweetheart Realty - Bandera, TX
Bandera Texas Real Estate
Cheryl,   I have a Facebook account, it's been more for personal contacts, none real estate related. One of my high school classmates found me through Facebook, so now I'm in touch with the reunion committee and shall attend my next class reunion. Wouldn't have been possible without my info being on Facebook.
Apr 10, 2008 02:19 PM
Jimmy McCall
JimmyMcCall.com - Cunningham, TN
The Ex-Mortgage Consultant
Cheryl,  I agree that Facebook has some wierd activities.  I do not like it as much as AR or MySpace.
Apr 10, 2008 02:20 PM
Jo Olson
HOMEFRONT Realty - Kettle Falls, WA
Retired - HOMEFRONT Realty @ LAKE Roosevelt
I have a facebook acct. I only use it to post some of my blog articles to. It is like any other social network - huge and so a reflection of society as a whole. I would just ignore those types of groups and just use it for business.
Apr 10, 2008 02:46 PM
Geoff Scowcroft
Coldwell Banker - Studio City, CA

I heard they taste just like chicken (Ok,OK, sorry bad joke)...

I haven't found great business contacts on MySpace or Facebook. I get more benefit from AR and LinkedIN.

 

Apr 10, 2008 04:11 PM
Chris Grumley
Florida Eye Tours, LLC - Anna Maria, FL

Hey Leader...

I believe I do have a facebook account. I don't think that I ever considered facebook as a tool for business though. I have a MySpace account that I rarely use and the same applies...

TGIF!

Chris

Chris Grumley
Florida Eye Tours, LLC
PO Box 69
Anna Maria
FL 34216

www.FloridaEyeTours.com

Call Chris on 941 219 2106
Call Erin on    941 545 3110

We did this!

www.VirtualTourSample1.com

 

 

 

 

Apr 10, 2008 11:30 PM
Cree Quaker
The Machree Group, LLC - Woodstock, NY
Ulster County Real Estate

I have a Facebook account I use on such a rare occassion I forget the login and password, and myspace I use for friends.  They are both pretty worthless when it comes to business networking.  Their great for fan bases in connection with film, tv, books, music, etc.

Btb - using your rec for LinkedIn I have reconnected with several former clients I lost touch with.  Thank you yet again!

Apr 11, 2008 01:41 AM
Todd Waller
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Snyder & Company, REALTORS - Ann Arbor, MI
Todd Waller | Real Simple Real Estate

Cheryl,

I have an FB account and have found it to be useful for rentals and homes in that first time home buyer range.  Granted, I'm in Ann Arbor, MI, so we have our fair share of folks looking for rentals.

The reason folks have flocked to FB for networking purposes is to meet customers where they are at.  Let's face it, the next "wave" of home buyers is getting ready to graduate high school or is already in college, and that's the demographic that FB hits on right now.

In a very broad brush stroke, the next wave of buyers are looking for an experience.  And home buying is not excluded from the list.  Getting information about housing is easy.  FB allows consumers the ability to share the experience and get feedback from far flung friends and family.

Oh...and don't even think about twitter if you savor your time!  

Apr 11, 2008 02:45 AM