Social Networks: Do they help your business or waste time?

I am the parent of 2 teenagers and a pre-teen. We spend hours in our house discussing Facebook, checking Facebook and looking at pictures on Facebook. While I have my own profile, mostly to (irritate) check-up on my kids, I really don't use it much.  For those of you not familiar with Facebook, it is similar to MySpace. Both are on-line social networking sites.

Have any of you had any success marketing yourself, or your listings, on these sites?  I have read that the potential is there, but I am still not sure what would drive a consumer to look for a new home or a Realtor on a social networking site when there are so many other options (like ActiveRain).  I am a huge proponent of having an internet presence, but I am also very aware that hours can be wasted on-line. 

Any thoughts?

 

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5 comments • Holly Kirby Weatherwax--Your Realtor® in Northern VA • December 04 2007 10:13AM

Comments

I wasn't familar with Facebook.  Thanks for sharing.  We are new to Active Rain and have been really enjoying it.  We hope it will drive traffic to our website as well.
Posted by Bret & Meredith Amon - Breckenridge CO Real Estate Breckenridge,Keystone & more (Re/Max Properties of the Summit) about 4 years ago

Holly, I understand what your trying to say, and I once felt that way, but I have found that Consumers may not come to the social networking site in itself. Some use search engines like google,dogpile,ask jeeves,altavista and type keywords (i.e. Reston, VA Real Estate Agents) and be led to sites like AR.

I know it has worked for me. Any questions feel free to contact me .

 

 

 

Posted by Scott Blanchard (Mortgage Force ) about 4 years ago
Facebook is not really designed to generate business, but rather is much more of a means to meet people online in a strictly social context.  This is not to say that you can't get some business off Facebook or MySpace, but if you are spending time on there with the intent of generating business then I would say it is not a valuable use of your time.  If you enjoy the site however, then by all means keep doing it, your enjoyment matters!  I would say that if you are going to post on there, don't forget a link to your website!
Posted by Tim - SEO Web Design Engineering Rank Better On The Search Engines (Front Page Rankings, Inc.) about 4 years ago
I have over a thousand "friends" on MySpace and actually know a few of them. I have definitely met dozens face to face, several have attended my workshops and many stay in contact with me and I with them. I know nothing about FaceBook except the teenies love it. MySpace if you want to see (sorry for putting a link in your comments but it seems relevant - delete me if you don't like it - no hard feeling ;)
Posted by Ken Cook, Web Dev, Brand Strategist 678-439-8683 about 4 years ago

Hi Holly,

I believe that it helps an agent get exposure.  There are ways to use the tools that are offered on each site to network and at the same time market.  There are other sites beside FaceBook or MySpace.  Zolve and LinkedIn and Zillow are a few of the many out there.  Here are some of the advantages of social media marketing.

 

  • Expose your RE blog to others & gain readership
  • Connect with past and current clients
  • Brand yourself further as a niche expert/real estate expert
  • You can learn new marketing/technology tips and resources  

It does take some time to do this. I am currently working with an agent to help build her profile on the social media marketing sites.  And it has helped her increase business.

 

Posted by Roxanne Tidmore, NAR Certified REPA/REO (EliteREVA.com) about 4 years ago

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