As the year is winding down I’m starting to plan for next year and look at what worked and how I should focus my time going forward. I can definitely say that 2008 for me was the year of getting connected online.
Here are several places that have helped me with my business in 2008 or I hope to use even more in 2009.
Twitter.com I signed up for twitter sometime well over a year ago but really started using it and “getting” it a couple of months ago. Twitter has so much potential for real estate. It is up to the user to decide what they want. A place to promote your business, a way of connecting the real estate community, a way to connect with local community or even a combination of all of the above. I still think that Twitter should be considered the best real estate social networking community.
Facebook.com My facebook account right now is a very strange combination of family and an assortment of friends, some of my best friends from High School and College, there are Ex’s and current friends and real estate associates and more importantly for my real estate business, actual members of my local community. I have a tendency to reminisce too much on the facebook, one of my friends from high school said that in looking back we can remember a time when we were strong and fearless. I’ve called Facebook a glorified yearbook and I still see it that way most of the time. Facebook can be used very powerfully for business – think group creation and targeted advertising.
ActiveRain.com I can honestly say I’ve gotten clients from blogging on Active Rain and while I haven’t been overly involved in the community feel like it is a worth-while place to spend time. Active Rain is another place where you can spend time building community with consumers or agents.
Linkedin.com I haven’t fully explored the possibilities yet of linked-in so while I have a profile up it will be on my to-do list for 2009. I have connected with the real estate community on linkedin, but haven’t spent the time yet to connect with my local community.
There are many other places that real estate agents can visit and if used wisely can get business from. I would be very interested in hearing what has worked for other agents and where you like to hang out on the internet.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I am on all four of those sites. I havent really messed with twitter to much. I dont really understand it yet. I guess i need to get some folks to follow me.
Hey Carolyn!
My facebook is a mishmash too. The real estate contacts while good have left me with connections that will be worthwhile, but there are many I really don’t know. The same with linkedin. Still, I have built many great online relationships and find those where they are least expected. Glad to see your blog is up and going and appreciate the real estate networking we have done.
Mike, aka DANG, if you ever want help with twitter let me know. You can find me at http://twitter.com/cgjerdetu
Cal – your comments got marked as spam! I rescued them. (I have the 15 character limit in the LLL)I’m having a harder time with Facebook than the other sites – I think because more of my personal contacts are there. Probably just need to check in there less often, every few days or so. I think in all of this social networking there is a balance between personal and professional and I keep thinking if I do get clients directly from twitter they will be really cool people because they have put up with me there lol.