Social Media For Realtors

Stuart R. Crawford 403.775.2205 [email_address] www.ulistic.com So many Realtors do the same ole thing. Make 2010 your year to do something different. Social Media for Realtors

First off...the way people find us

''One thing to be careful as a Realtor playing in the social media field. Do it like you mean it!! You cannot do it halfway or that is worse than not participating at all.'' Chris Hill

Knowing the differences
What is the difference between social networking and social media?
Social Networking = the art of relationships
Social Media = the tools you use to create your works of art

Why Social Media?
Contrary to popular belief – social media/networking in not free, but it can be nearly free
Allows you to be found online and viewed as the “person in the know”
People are changing how they look for information today

Social Networking is...
Social Networking
The art of you connecting with buyers and sellers
The art of you creating long term relationships
The art of you connecting, working and maturing healthy business relations
The art of you providing a memorable experience with others

Social Media is...
Social Media is:
A way to connect you with sellers
A way to connect you with buyers
A vehicle for you to connect your sellers with your buyers
Social Media allows you to:
Provide value to those who you serve
Offer guidance, tips, and general information

Social Media is not...
A place for you just to list your properties, homes or whatever else you are selling
A place where you boast about how well you are doing
A place for you to toot your own horn

What is your plan?
What are your goals for 2010?
What are your strengths?
What are your weaknesses?
What do you want to improve?
How do you see Social Media helping you?

Your Social Networking must be planned
Time committment
Where
When
How much
Are you going to do the work?
Who can help you?
What options are available?

What tools are available?
Blogs
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Flickr
YouTube
Podcasts

You have to blog!
What is a blog?
It is really a website
Interaction between you and your readers
Stories, articles, experiences are published online
Google loves blogs, increased search rankings, more people find you.

Where to start
Wordpress is the preferred blogging software
Stay away from the free wordpress blog site
Invest in a customized wordpress theme and professional hosting
Research events and happenings in your community, areas of interest or target sales zones
Determine your schedule. When and how much to write.

Your blog is the centre
Blogging is important because it will feed everything else you do
Your blog becomes your mechanism to share what you are up to, what is happening around you and events worth sharing
Your blog will expand to other social networking sites and also become the centre point for other media services.

Blog Examples

What else can you add...
Mortgage calculator
MLS search wizards
Your listings (widget)
Twitter updates
Anything you can think of

Facebook - www.facebook.com
Facebook growth is in the 35 years and up crowd
Facebook allows you to share information with your friends
Facebook allows you to participate in groups
But...the real power in Facebook is:
Facebook Ads
Fan Pages

How to get setup on Facebook
www.facebook.com
Sign up for your free account
Complete your profile (professional)
Upload a professional photo
Request to become friends with colleagues
Create a Fan Page (advanced)
Reminder – Keep it professional always

Twitter - www.twitter.com
A lot of noise, however very valuable
Why is Twitter a must for all Realtors
Allows you to share your blog posts
Allows you to share your listings
Allows you to target geographies
Allows you to keep a pulse on what is happening around you – other realtors and their listings etc.

Getting started on Twitter
Setup a free account at twitter.com
I recommend several accounts (advanced)
Set your location, website, bio and other information
Setup a neutral colour (settings)
Upload Twitter Wallpaper (advanced)
Become a Twitter lurker, listen for a while, see who is who in the zoo, retweet, create a following.

LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com
B2B tool
This is where you will find your business executives
Local groups
Local discussions
LinkedIn events
Questions/Answers
Business networking

Getting started on LinkedIn
Create your free account at linkedin.com
Join local groups in Red Deer
Chamber of Commerce
Red Deer Entrepreneurs
Participate or start conversations in LinkedIn groups
Network with other Realtors
Answers questions through LinkedIn questions

Flickr - www.flickr.com
Online social media photo site
Upload, share and organize your photos
Great for uploading and creating a photo album and link to:
Your blog
Your twitter account
Facebook fan page

YouTube - www.youtube.com
YouTube is the second most used Search Engine next to Google (YouTube owned by Google)
Social Media site for the storage and broadcast of videos
How can you use YouTube
Create your own YouTube channel
Upload video, share with your network and embedded into your blog

YouTube example
Vancouver Real Estate blog with embedded YouTube and sharing local happenings in the area.
This is priceless!

Podcasts - blogtalkradio.com
Create “radio talk show” like Internet programs
Connect with locals
Share bits of information
Showcase your listings
Interview leaders in the community
Mortage brokers
Home inspectors

How to get into podcasting
Create your free account at blogtalkradio.com
Schedule a show
Get some intro and closing music (advanced)
What are you going to speak about
Who can you interview
All you need is a telephone and a computer

Remember
Social Media are the tools used for you to connect with people
Social Networking is the art of connecting with people
Hint, you don't need a computer
It is about you giving value, not always selling
This isn't Glengarry Glenross! I will give you coffee!

What successful realtors do
Talk about everything around them and how news would impact their buyers
Schools
Bussing
City taxes
Snow removal
Tip Always share information constantly thinking about how this will impact the reader, viewer or listener. Share experiences whenever possible.

Next steps...
Red Deer Blogging Course – Jan 30 from 9 to 5 at the Chamber of Commerce. $50.00 for the day.
Social Media training in Feb/March 2010
One on one consulting available book now for February

Thank You Stuart R. Crawford Social Media and SEO Consultant Ulisitic Internet Consulting A fresh way to do business online 403.775.2205 [email_address]

Social Media For Realtors

by Ulistic Inc. on Jan 20, 2010

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