I'd like to be found when someone searches Facebook for an agent. Is that something that requires payment? I searched the help file there and here, but can't seem to find anything.

Thanks

People aren't really going to "search" Facebook for Realtors like people search on Google.

Facebook is a social network, and people certainly will ask their trusted facebook friends for a Realtor recommendation (or use one of their facebook friends if they know they are a Realtor) but I really doubt you'll ever get strangers friending you so you can be their Realtor.

I made my profile public. If someone knows my name they can find me.

You would need to do Facebook Ads for this. They work a lot like Google's PPC service. The ads will show up on the sidebar while the Facebook user is using their account. You can target people who are posting status updates or notes about real estate in your area.

People don't search Facebook.

What businesses use Facebook for is to build on already existing popularity. They'll try to get people who already use their business to become their "fans." Then the friends of those people will see that you're on their friend's fan page and become aware of you.

It's pretty useless and overhyped by people who know nothing about the Internet. Don't invest too much effort into Facebook profiles. The only people who will claim it's useful are "web gurus" who make claims like, "I made 900,000 dollars in 24 hours using Facebook! Find out how you can too!"

i'm not sure people search on facebook for real estate agents? it is great for making connections

Hey!

People are going to begin to search on facebook, for just about everything more and more.

The latest Facebook redesign is coming soon (http://www.techcrunch.com/2010/02/04/facebook-begins-rolling-out-new-redesign-pics/) and the biggest feature? A more prominent search bar!

The best way to prepare for this change is to make sure you have claimed your vanity url on facebook, then you will be sure to be found!

To claim your vanity url, login to facebook and go to http://www.facebook.com/username. Then pick a username that is just like your name so your profile will become Http://www.facebook.com/johnsmith

Let me know if you have any questions!

Although I use facebook to keep in touch with people (friends, clients), I dont think I would use it to search out for professional services. From a consumer's standpoint, I think that search engines are able to provide with more information and that's why I'd continue to seek out SE for that.

My husband rejected a job application based on the dumb stuff the guy posted at Myspace.

Well, here's a story. My friend is friends with a client of hers. She wrote on her client's wall that her market evaluation was finished and that it was on the way.

Client comments something about looking forward to getting the house on the market, etc.

Client is friends with many neighbors. Neighbor says "Hey, I'm thinking about selling too, would you do an evaluation for me?"

Nobody may SET OUT to search on Facebook for an agent, but they may very well decide to use the agent that their FRIEND is FRIENDS with...

People you have to think outside the box for facebook to work for you. You can NOT see it as a lead generator but you should NOT discount it and you should not ignore it. I think Facebook has become what MySpace set out to do.

And re: the blogging - well, blogging WORKS.

Welcome to the new age!

I havent heard this yet This is good info

Where in settings do you do this?

If you have a facebook profile using your name, you already have this. Try typing it with your name. Your profile will come up automatically. He isn't telling us anything earth shattering. No one with 2 posts ever does....

And as for this guy's "more prominent search bar!" it's the same ol' thing - just in a different place. You aren't going to search facebook like you do google.

If you do want to be found on facebook using terms like "florida real estate," then you need a fan page named "florida real estate."

Tx TB, I did a search and found my FB page w/my name. I do have a 2nd profile and a fan page, the 2nd profile doesn't have my name but a bunch of numbers. I guess my first profile took my name...lol.

You pick your user name by going to http://www.facebook.com/username

If you have a fan page and at least 25 fans you can get a vanity url for your fan page (preferably something like your local area..mine is http://www.facebook.com/lakewallenpaupack