SOCIAL NETWORKING FOR REAL ESTATE

Tina Merrittwww.wolkia.com

What is Social Networking?

A social network is any site or application that allows users to provide and direct the content through sharing, collaboration and interaction.

Social Networking Myths Social networking is for kids

Social networking is a fad that will go away

Social networking exposes you to people who want to stalk and harass you

Social networking is a waste of time

Why Social Networking? Think of it as an online cocktail party or

networking event

Gives you the opportunity to engage with the community in a “non-salesy” manner

Allows you to connect with everyone you went to high school, college, past-life and let them know you are in real estate

It’s More than Computers Social networking is about PEOPLE and

RELATIONSHIPS

Social networking uses technology to connect PEOPLE through their shared interests

Real estate is and always will be a RELATIONSHIP business

How to Network Socially Online Be honest

Be genuine

Be yourself

Be passionate

How to Make it Work The key to success here is simple. If you want social

networking to work for you, keep it fun, keep it real and stop selling.

It's not like TV where you've got 30 seconds to slam them with whatever product or idea you may have.

Your internet presence is not a brochure either.

An active profile is something much greater and potentially more powerful. It's a living testimonial that places you as a professional in a social context.

Social Networking Sites Facebook Myspace Linkedin Activerain Twitter Flickr Youtube Brightkite And many, many

more

Some Rules of Social Networking

The Internet = the Unselfish Sharing of Information

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) Means Nothing Unless you have YEO (You Engaging Others)

Must be Consistent Must not be Self-Promoting (it's about

"we" not "me") The power is in the numbers

Creating a Digital Footprint

Think of social networking as leaving breadcrumbs all over the internet.

Be careful what you say because it will NEVER go away.

Professional vs. personal social networking.

The more network profiles you have, the more Google juice you may receive.

Facebook 276% Growth in 35-54 Year old

users

194% Growth 55+ Year old users

101% Growth 25-34 Year old users

66.3% of users are over 21

•Add a link (such as to a blog post, interesting RE article)

•Add a photo (an area park, community event, etc.)

•Add a video (community event, neighborhood tour)

Facebook Uses in Real Estate

Create a Fan page and invite your sphere and former clients

Gives you a list of everyone’s birthday Watch the lives of your sphere and

engage without interrupting them Offers a window into the “real” you Promote yourself exponentially to the

“friends” of all of your “friends” Best of all….you can do it in your pj’s

Twitter Micro-blogging (140 characters or less)

What the Heck is Twitter? Think of Twitter as a constant cocktail

party that you can observe and decide whether or not to jump in and engage in the party.

Twitter is best used with the apps available such as: Tweetdeck, Twitpic, Tweetlater, etc.

Companies are realizing the incredible benefits of Twitter….

I Twittered that I was about to board a flight to Orlando out of Richmond……

The airport told me they appreciate my business! Think next time I fly, I will look at flying out of RIC again? Absolutely!

LinkedIn Linkedin is more of a BUSINESS network

than a SOCIAL network. Linkedin Groups Linkedin is for Person A connecting

Person B to Person C Participate in discussions

Active|Rain A social networking site for agent to

agent and agent to consumer networking

Internal blogging (for members-only) and outside-blogging (for consumers)

Great place to get started in blogging and fantastic Google juice

FlickrSocial networking through photos…………

Youtube Create your own Youtube channel

Upload videos of your listings, neighborhood tours, community events, video blogs

Invite your friends and sphere to “friend” your channel

Make it easier…..

Last thoughts….. Schedule time for internet

marketing/social networking just as you would for any other appointment.

Minimal to no cost. The biggest cost is your time. Going mobile with it is essential.

Social networking requires maintenance. If you don’t check your email but a few times/week….this is not for you.

Come to RE Bar Camp!RE Bar Camp is an ad-hoc gathering born from the desire for people to share and learn in an open environment. It is an intense event with discussions, demos, and interaction from attendees.

FREE event! July 16th, 2009 10am-4pm at Buffalo Beach at Hilltop

Get more info: www.rebarcamp.com/vabeach

Follow Me Twitter: @wolkia @tinainvirginia

Blog: wolkia.com tinainvirginia.com

Rebarcamp.com/vabeach

tina@wolkia.com 757-287-6338