RISMEDIA, January 6, 2009-Realtors know that today's real estate prospects and consumers are using the Internet in ways that are revolutionizing the industry. By the time a prospect or customer contacts a Realtor, they have been looking at real estate on the Web anywhere from 10 to 40 hours. And so today, savvy Realtors are getting ahead of the information curve-using the power of the Internet to attract qualified prospects to them.
Getting Started
The attraction of social networking sites for most small businesses is cost, or lack there of. Setting up an account on any of the social networking sites out there is free, but the range of services they provide rival the abilities of costly, full-fledged media advertising campaigns. With a low-cost video camera and a laptop or desktop computer, any Realtor can become a community reporter and post valuable content on the Web.
Becoming a Local Expert
Placing your knowledge of a particular area on a high visibility social networking site can lead prospects to your door. But first, in order to do so, you need to be willing to set yourself apart from the pack-as an expert in a particular area or niche. This requires both a commitment and desire from you.
Lack of information is the biggest frustration most Internet users have. Except for a few major sites, most of the information on the Internet is fluff, or flat out advertising. More and more, people are growing tired of that, so any content that actually fills a void makes an impact. If that content is yours, they'll remember you when it's time to select a Realtor.
Thinking Like a Prospect
The basic marketing concept you're using with social networking is the same as it has always been in real estate. Think like the prospect and then show them what they want to see. Realtors have been doing business this way for over a hundred years, as it's the basic premise of real estate marketing. The difference now is how you're getting your message across.
If you don't think you can make an impact using social networking sites, do this. Go out to YouTube and search anything real estate related in your community. You'll probably notice that there is not a lot going on. It's a gap. It's a gap you can fill easily and inexpensively.
Using any of the social networking sites provides you with an incredible opportunity to carve out a market niche for your business. When you consider what it actually costs you to take advantage of what's available, it's hard to consider not using the tools to build your business.
Peyman Aleagha is the founder and president of RealtySoft.com. RealtySoft provides Realtors with Real Estate Web Design (http://www.realtysoft.com), Real Estate Print Marketing and Free IDX (http://www.realtysoft.com/freeidx.php) solutions.
CTGrapevines.com
The http://www.ctgrapevines.com is a business and social networking local community Website that offers so much more. In a nutshell, members can do a lot with its own network of members. People can join the ctgrapevines community, create a webpage, put a bunch of cool stuff on it (videos, photos, music, blogs, live chat, background screen shots) and then invite friends within the ctgrapevines community to join them on their webpage.
Realtors can can create their very own customized listing with unlimited photos, virtual tour, video tour, and an extensive description of their listing. Realtors are not limited at the ctgrapevines community like they are at the MLS. At ctgrapevines, Realtors can really showcase the great features of their listing and can combine the same concept as YouTube by creating a video that highlights the features of that signature home they're so proud to sell. They can also create a series of videos that capture the lifestyle and quality of living in their community. Realtors are able to really showcase it all at the Grapevine.
Members can also find local restaurants in the business directory (just as one example of the use of the Business Directory for members), spend hours playing over 700 games in the arcade, find local, national, world and offbeat news, sell or buy stuff in the classifieds, find things to do in the calendar of events, get strategies to play the lottery in any state in the country, print out grocery store coupons, post and find recipes, and much more.
A www.ctgrapevines.com social networking website in your local community will provide you with incredible opportunities to carve out a market niche for your business, your expertise, or just for fun.
N'Marie Crumbie is the Public Relations Manager for the www.hartfordgrapevine.com and www.newhavengrapevine.com.
Comments(2)