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Market Yourself and Your Listings with Facebook Applications

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Real Living

Here's a scenario that happens too often: You're a member of social networking site Facebook. You've created a profile, added friends and uploaded a few pictures, but that's it. If this is you, you're not using Facebook to its utmost marketing potential.

Here are some innovative applications you can add to drive consumers to your listings and highlight your own personal brand through the use of Facebook:

 

  • Hotlists-This application allows you to search a database of images representing movies, brand names, sports teams, cities, etc. Select these images, drag them to a layout panel and then place them in sequence to create a montage of pictures representing your own personal brand. If you can't find your favorite icons on the Hotlists database, no problem-you can download your own images and add them to the layout.

  • MyBlogs-Link your blog to Facebook through an application called MyBlogs. By adding this, your Active Rain (or other blog) posts will automatically appear on your Facebook profile page. Facebook not only lists the titles of each blog, but displays a brief excerpt as well. Here's what mine looks like:

 

 

 

  • Video-Post videos that talk about you and your services-anything that makes you the expert-to the Video application on Facebook. You can even post virtual tours that drive consumers back to your Web site.

 

  •  Marketplace-If you want to feature your listings, go through the Marketplace. Be sure read the rules that apply. You can list houses, condos, rentals and more.

 

Do you know of other great Facebook applications? Leave a comment!

Comments(5)

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Stacey M. McVey
Keller Williams Greater Cleveland West - Westlake, OH

THIS is what I have been waiting for.  I did exactly what you mention....joined and then left it thinking that I would wait for my kids to help me figure it out.  I know that's terrible but I really didn't know what practical applications existed.

With Facebook, LinkedIn and other social networking sites, I'm really beginning to see that if you aren't putting yourself out there, you're really missing the boat in this business. Nevermind the thought that the easiest commissions we earn are the ones on outgoing referrals and what a great way to network your way to tons more of those.

Jun 12, 2008 11:25 PM
Kaira Sturdivant Rouda
Real Living - Malibu, CA
Stacey, I promise you there are practical applications out there, it might take a while to search and find the ones that are best for you but they are out there I promise. And when you find the perfect one your profile will really represent you and your personal brand. A nice feature about social media sites is a lot of them have a "feed" which tells your friends what you updated or added to your profile. This allows people to see what you are up to and by keeping your name out there you are reaching more clients everyday! Don't wait for your kids, get on one day and play around this the sites. It is actually fun to see some of the crazy applications that are available.
Jun 27, 2008 02:42 AM
Ellie McIntire
Ellicott City Clarksville Howard County Maryland Real Estate - Ellicott City, MD
Luxury service in Central Maryland

Thanks Stacey, I have been using marketplace, but this is great too. Good info.

Jun 27, 2008 02:45 AM
Glenn Sanford
eXp Realty & Working The Magic, LLC - Bellingham, WA

If you have a large real estate database make sure that you search your db via facebook for other facebook users.  I have had a number of agents in my office set-up Facebook and then they will cross reference their client list and find old clients or old prospects on Facebook.  They will request to be friends and deals come as a result of it.  I would suspect that if you have a database of a couple hundred email addresses, 10 - 15% will be on Facebook already and if they were in fact real estate prospects at one time a good percentage will start up the real estate conversation again with you.

All the Best,

Glenn Sanford
--
Founder / CEO
BuyerTours Realty LLC &
Working The Magic LLC
Check out my Real Estate SEO blog

Jun 27, 2008 04:55 PM
Kaira Sturdivant Rouda
Real Living - Malibu, CA
Glenn, Using Facebook as a social network tool is the perfect way to stay in touch with your past and potential clients. Having agents set-up an account is a great way to introduce them into the limitless world of social networking/media too. You never know where it will take you or who you will meet along the way.
Jun 30, 2008 02:12 AM