Admin

In business if you ignore social media it will ignore you.

By
Home Builder with Michael Therriault Contracting - M.T. Contracting HIC#: PA028946

I've never been much for blogging. While some people jump right in and feel comfortable with it I never really felt comfortable or at ease with the process. This all gets even more confusing when you consider that each platform is different to use. So my solution was to do as little posting as possible.

Well that worked for longer than you might think. I ignored AR and Facebook. My website still came up on the first page of Google, Yahoo and Bing. Work was coming in faster than I could quote the jobs. Then I started to notice something was different. You guessed it, my website started dropping in the rankings. 

That in and of itself isn't such a huge problem. After all it doesn't really matter if your at the top or the bottom of that first page. It doesn't even matter if you're on the second page. What matters is how you are perceived by potential customers/clients. So that the point behind this post.


As technology changes if you're not out there letting everyone know your up on the latest trends you're likely to get passed over. You're no longer considered the leader or the expert in your local field. The calls slow down. The work also slows down and then you have to start over again.

 

It's not about page 1 or 2. It's not about the top or the bottom of the page. it's about how the public perceives you. So if you're not saying anything, the perception is that you have nothing to say. The potential customer/client moves on to the next guy.

 

Just my personal observation based on current experience. In business if you ignore social media it will ignore you.

Posted by

________________________

 

 

 

 

 

We are a full service contracting company, fully insured and registered with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Michael Therriault

MT Contracting
PO Box 357
Blakeslee, Pa 18610

(570) 977-6308

 

Show All Comments Sort:
Michael Therriault
Michael Therriault Contracting - M.T. Contracting - Blakeslee, PA
The name to remember when you want it done right.

Thanks Roy, I figured this would be a good forum to share this experience on. I already got some good information form Chris and met a few new people. Can't go wrong with that. Plus I think I may be feeling a little more comfortable (although still confused) with this blogging thing.

Apr 29, 2015 02:40 AM
Jerry Lucas
ABC Legal Docs LLC - Colorado Springs, CO
Notary Training, Consulting. Colorado Springs, CO

I have been focused on blogging on WordPress and providing valuable content on my website to keep me at the top of Google search.  I have accounts on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Tumblr, but haven't worked to develop a following.  I am just starting to read about getting and managing customer reviews, and see many complaints about Yelp's bad business practices.

Most of my business comes from Google search, word of mouth and repeat customers.  It depends on whether you have a B2C or B2B business model.  My best customers are businesses, not retail customers.

Apr 29, 2015 04:06 AM
The Julie Morales Team
RE/MAX Cinco Ranch - Katy, TX
Real Estate Questions? Call (832) 367-3412

Thanks for the post! Social media is a must! You are absolutlely right that if you are not with it, you will lose it!

Apr 29, 2015 05:04 AM
Suesan Jenifer Therriault
JTHIS-Professional Home Inspection Team - Blakeslee, PA
"Inspecting every purchase as if it were my own".

First day back and you get featured, way to go. Good post. On another note I totally agree and playing catch up is not as easy as staying caught up.

Apr 29, 2015 05:37 AM
Michael Therriault
Michael Therriault Contracting - M.T. Contracting - Blakeslee, PA
The name to remember when you want it done right.

Thank you all for your comments and input. I was both happy and surprised to have so many people read my post. Thanks again. 

Apr 29, 2015 10:52 PM
Nancy Robinson Ranked #6 in MI
Century 21 Town and Country - Royal Oak, MI
#11 Century21 Realtor in the US, #16 in the World

Nicee post. I enjoyed reading it.  This and Suesan Therriaults  statements were very clear and concise.  And to be sure will stay with me through the day.  Thank you

Apr 29, 2015 11:33 PM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

At some point, whatever we are doing, those fields have to produce a crop

Apr 29, 2015 11:51 PM
Amanda Christiansen
Christiansen Group Realty (260)704-0843 - Fort Wayne, IN
Christiansen Group Realty

Social media is a huge business tool for us, as most of our clients come from our social media efforts. 

Apr 29, 2015 11:58 PM
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

It's really true, you have to work at staying 'top of mind'. It happened because you got busy & let things slide a little bit. Then the slide becomes a rocket sled down the hill.

Apr 30, 2015 12:00 AM
Dana Hollish Hill
Hollish Hill Group, JPAR Stellar Living - Bethesda, MD
REALTOR * Broker * Coach

Years ago, I lost a deal because I didn't have a website. I was in a small 10 person office and we shared a website, but I was very glad I reached out to that lost potential client. He said, not having a website meant I wasn't serious. I found out that another lead overlooked me for the same reason. So I went out and got a website. 

I was lucky to have such feedback back then, but it is harder to tell if you are missing opportunities now.  When a prosepct googles you and you don't appear to be on the latest social media sites, you don't even get the initial contact. 

Apr 30, 2015 12:03 AM
Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR
Weichert Realtors, Welch and Company - Kansas City, MO
Experienced Agent in Kansas City Metro area

When you run your own business....you can't slow down as far as promotion, staying in touch with clients, searching for new business, keeping up with the latest technology.  Always running..

Apr 30, 2015 01:38 AM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

I still struggle with how it all fits together and yet and still work the social media.

Apr 30, 2015 01:43 AM
David Barr
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty - Sarasota, FL

Firt page SERP no longer matters in our business.  Individual agents cannot outspend the national companies or large local brokers.  That doesn't mean you don't need a web presence.

I look at a blog as support for your website.  It shows your expertise in the subject you are writing about.  Once you start you will not want to stop.

I use Blogger (owned by Google) and I do regularly get some first page placement for my very specific blog posts based on long tail keywords.

Apr 30, 2015 04:39 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

The only social site I focus on is Active Rain, because here is where my clients are. I think I "should" do more on LinkedIn, but there are only so many hours in a day. When I visit Facebook, all I see is gossip and nonsense... and people who will never be my clients. 

Apr 30, 2015 04:51 AM
Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

Michael, social media is essential to our business and here to stay!

Apr 30, 2015 07:30 AM
M.C. Dwyer
Melody Russell Team at eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Felton, CA
MC Dwyer-Santa Cruz Mountains Property Specialist

Michael, you are so right!    I'm off to post something on my business facebook page, since it seems a lot of people look at the end of the day 

Apr 30, 2015 09:52 AM
Sunshine Pressure
The Pressure Clean Experts

Apr 30, 2015 05:18 PM
Bobi Bigelow
Jim Green Realty - Fort Myers, FL
Advertising / Marketing Administrator

Thank you for reminding us how important it is to be out there where buyers/sellers can find us. I try to keep a presents on; ActiveRain, Imgur, MobioINsider, Postlets, ReferralKey, Trovit, Trulia, Zillow, Facebook. Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, etc. You just never know where your clients are looking.

May 01, 2015 05:04 AM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

Is this ever true!  I try to show up as much as humanly possible at FB and Instagram, Pinterest... Google +. At least they can serve each other and it doesn't have to be something original at each place.

May 01, 2015 02:28 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Great point!  It's important to be relevant and stay top of mind!

May 03, 2015 02:58 AM