Hey so just inquiring how you guys are using social media in order to promote yourselves? I find that so many real estate agents just kinda spam twitter and facebook accounts but does that approach really work? I'm just starting up and trying to get my name out there. Any help or guidance would be deeply appreciated.


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I am using facebook to promote our business but I think it's limited. I don't think there's any substitute for blogs in real estate right now.

Facebook seems like the worst of the available social sites to promote a new business...

Are you serious? Facebook being the worst? Would you please explain why would you consider it as the worst? In my own humble opinion it is the best Social media to use you can integrate that into your website.

I don't like Facebook as a tool to market yourself. You're only able to reach out to those you already know - usually your friends - and unless you want to come off as the cheesy agent, you're going to have limits with how much you ping your friends. Google + is getting a little smarter with circles as search results will be impacted by your circles and your connections' circles. Regardless, there is no substitute for strong web content and a blog.

Facebook is excellent for nurturing your SOI, if you use it right. You're correct--you aren't necessarily going to meet tons of new people that way. But if I'm quick to add people I've met socially to Facebook, it's an easy way of keeping in touch with larger groups of people in a casual environment. You're also correct--people hate being "sold" to, and I've de-friended people whose sole reason for being on Facebook seemed to be shameless business promotion.

I use it as a way of periodically reminding people I know that I'm in real estate. By that I mean I post funny experiences I've had, pictures of unbelievably hideous houses I've toured, that sort of thing. People don't need to be CONSTANTLY reminded that I'm in real estate; I just need to be out there enough that people think of me when the issue of real estate arises. In that regard, Facebook has been highly successful--and I can trace at least a couple recent deals to Facebook. That's more than I can say about other advertising methods I've shelled out gobs of money for in the past.

Twitter and YouTube are really the robust platforms for getting out there in the community. If you shoot a good YouTube video it can be seen by lots of people in your area. This video I shot http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLVspRliUYU was "like" over 60 times on Facebook.

Every town/city has a good hash-tag become part of the twitter conversation not a spammer.

I do agree so many agent just spam their open house info or new listings all over the place.

So many agents sell the steak not the sizzle.

In what way? If you use to cram your venture down you friends throat, then yes, its a horrible venue. You gotta have a personality to be successful with social media and advertising. Not every post should be about you.

[quote=SaltspringRE]Every town/city has a good hash-tag become part of the twitter conversation not a spammer. [/quote]


I have a lot to learn...I do not understand what the Hashtags are.

Most will agree that social media, IE Twitter/Facebook are great ways to promote your listings. I've heard of many agents closing deals through these sites.

I think facebook/twitter are the best too. Although I am new to twitter and still figuring it out, it looks like it can have huge potential. I have used Facebook to run a few ads and had good success and gained a decent amount of followers. Facebook makes it too easy to share and have your posts spread. As long as you provide good content, don't try to sell, and offer a fun but informative experience your facebook page can be very helpful.