QuantumDigital teams have just returned from three major real estate trade shows hosted by Keller Williams Realty, Prudential and RE/MAX. We have also hosted more than 10 webinars in Q1 and are continuing to be asked for information on how real estate professionals can stay in contact with past customers and gain more visibility in their local markets by using social networking tools such as YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.
Many of the speakers featured at the trade shows talked about the need for real estate agents and brokers to spend a good part of their week joining social networks and updating their pages. What is lacking, however are good examples of how to do so.
Today, I’ll focus on just 3 tips that you can take and start using today. I can’t take credit for all of them, so I’ll include some links to other resources that will definitely help you on your quest for valuable information.
My first tip would be, ASK your customers what they are using. If the majority are using Facebook, include your Facebook link on your marketing collateral, your emails, and your website. Make sure they know that you are on Facebook and make sure you shoot them a friend request soon after your conversation.
According to real estate professionals, sphere of influence is still the #1 way to get new business. All Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter provide is a way for you to connect and stay connected so you stay top of mind. They are amazing networking tools, so pick at least one and get to networking.
The second tip is a very creative strategy. It was featured in an article titled, “How to Build Your Real Estate Business Using Social Networking Sites” and featured on the RISMedia website. The author states that becoming a local expert is key. I think we’ve all heard of the main concept, but check out this idea:
Combining this concept with YouTube, a destination for savvy Web surfers looking for entertaining video clips, you can provide a video that highlights the lifestyle and quality of living in a given community. YouTube’s format, which is easily accessible from most any computer, allows users to transfer a video performance from a computer to the site. Once uploaded, the video is searchable by the YouTube community. Why not create a series of videos that capture what’s great about living in your community? If you do this and post it, people will find it, and when they do, they find you. It’s in this searching that Realtors can find a marketing benefit to YouTube and other Web 2.0 sites.
Another article, “Real Estate Social Networking Really Takes Off” talks more specifically about social communities, two of the most popular being ActiveRain and RealTown.
Join a community and ask other members what networks they are using and how. Many are using these communities to connect across the country with other agents and also consumers. I am a member of ActiveRain and use it to ask questions of real estate professionals to fine-tune our marketing message and offerings and also to keep a pulse on the market and/or latest trends in real estate.
The third and last tip for today I ran across on InMan news, “Serving up Renters through Social Networks.” The article highlights a new creative idea on rewarding those that send you referrals.
Most importantly, don’t get overwhelmed. Stick to a community where you can ping ideas off of other professionals and to a social network that your clients use the most. You can always turn to Google where you can search for how other real estate professionals are using these tools.
And of course, if you are already using social networks, share your experiences with the rest of us!
