I am a new real estate agent shopping for Brokers. I want to use a broker that will allow me to have a web presence (website, blog, facebook updates, twitter updates, etc). Do most brokers allow this? If not, who are the ones who are web friendly and flexible?

I am sure you would just need a disclaimer in mice type to make the broker feel comfortable on all postings and material.

Some brokers do, some don't. There is some vicarious liability involved so some brokers are reticent. Who knows what you might say, especially as a newbie?

That being said, I would not sign with a broker who does not allow it, since a strong Internet and social networking presence is a critical component of any good agent's business plan.

Do the larger brokerages allow internet blogging and social networking (i.e. Long & Foster, Century 21, ReMax, etc)? Or does it vary office to office?

It depends on the broker.

You are confusing a "broker" with a franchise in your question above. The "broker" is the person in charge of the office you work from - the person who takes the fall if you screw up.

Most offices are independently owned and operated, and what one Century 21 office allows, another one may not allow.

My previous broker would not allow me to blog or have a website because she saw it as competition - she was a competing broker. Therefore none of the agents could have their own websites, and also, they could not even have their email addresses or cell phones on the company website! Only their picture and name...and the office number.

Needless to say I didn't stay there long.

Is your previous broker still in business Perky? That seems very extreme.

My company which is one of the biggest RE/MAX Franchises in the world allows it. In fact conducts classes on it.

My office (a Century 21 franchise), allows and encourages a strong agent Internet presence without any restrictions. The agents are trained and expected to conduct all Internet operations in a respectable fashion, and in total compliance with the license laws and ethical standards.

As a matter of fact, they closed up shop maybe a year or so after I left - but while I'd like to flatter myself and think it was cause I left...lol...it really wasn't. There were several factors involved.

Using the social media sites to prospect can often run into clashes with the different state real estate laws and broker in house policies.
Most states would consider a blog (or a facebook or twitter post) to be advertising so the format has to comply. Things like phone numbers and addresses used have to mirror state law. Now, do you think state real estate commissions are sitting there checking blogs daily for compliance? Of course not. But that doesn't prevent a jealous competitor from dropping a dime (or a quarter) on you.

As far as broker policies, if your broker insists that you not blog (or facebook or tweet), shop for a new broker. They're still living in the 1980's. The world of communication is changing too quickly to allow some dinosaur broker the opportunity to convert you to a supermarket bagger.

As long as your use of social media platforms complies with the laws of your state, you should be okay.

Im glad chimed in, I thought of you!

When I was shopping around for my current brokerage it did become an issue. Some brokers allowed it, some did not.

I'm an agent with a small company, only 17 offices, but they are all owned by one person.

My company also trains us to use social media. They want us to promote ourselves instead of the company. There are over 800 agents with the company and they want all of us to have a domain name and do as much as we can to promote a web presence.

I know I would never join a company that didn't want me to promote myself on the web.

17 offices and 800 agents is a small company eh?

lol I was thinking the same thing. We have 4 of us total. I allow blogging if they so choose. I will certainly keep an eye on what they are putting out there for the public though as I am ultimately responsible for their actions.

I guess so, if compared to Weichert Realtors, where Jim Weichert owns over 200 offices and has another few hundred franchise offices...lol

Not only what agents might say but what they may STEAL and commit COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT and put someone else's stuff on their blog, thinking that it's public domain...such as community pictures, maps, etc...

If they lift someone's image that is registered w/ the US Copyright office they could face a HUGE statutory judgement against them...but even if it's not registered and even if it doesn't specifically SAY it's copyrighted, it still IS protected and you could be sued for actual damages...even if you "cite" the source...

A lot of people think that if they find it on the MLS or Google Images that it's FINE to use ....

Ultimately the broker could face a lawsuit as well if the agents are committing copyright infringement.

I think Coldwell may have some restrictions. I interviewed with them and they weren't happy that I was a blogger. They said it had to do with Coldwell itself NOT the individual broker. I know they didn't allow individual IDX.

The coldwell banker by me allows idx listings - unless the agent sights I've seen are rogues! LOL

I think the sights you cite are probably sites.

I thought eye gnu; but was naught shore.

dang - very embarrassing to get caught with a dumb typo like that...lol...vermont you KNOW I know better....lol...it was late and I was full of wine...

Just wanting to make sure ewe gnu that eye reed what ewe right.

I would not sign up with a broker who does not allow you to have an idependent web presence. It is such an important part of marketing yourself.

I would also suggest that you find local message boards to participate in. They do not generally allow "advertising", but by providing helpful content over a period of time, customers will seek you out for your expertise (which has already been established in their minds). I get quite a bit of my business this way.