Tina Merritt
www.wolkia.com

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

 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

 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

 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

 Be honest
 Be genuine
 Be yourself
 Be passionate

 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.

 Facebook
 Myspace
 Linkedin
 Activerain
 Twitter
 Flickr
 Youtube
 Brightkite
 And many, many more

 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

 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.

 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)

 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

 Micro-blogging (140 characters or less)

 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 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

 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

Social networking through photos…………

 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

 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.

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

 Twitter: @wolkia @tinainvirginia
 Blog: wolkia.com tinainvirginia.com
 Rebarcamp.com/vabeach
 tina@wolkia.com 757-287-6338