December 23, 2009 204 Comments

If I Were a Realtor

Ducks on a Frozen River

If I were a realtor looking to use social media for my business:

  • I’d write a blog about the location where I was selling.
  • I’d take tons of pictures and post them on the blog.
  • I’d shoot walking tour videos all the time with a Flip camera and post them.
  • I’d shoot interview videos with people from my community.
  • I’d host meetups and tweetups for local residents, inviting people who are house hunting.
  • I’d find various niche communities (developers, stonemasons, parents) and start community platforms for them on Ning.
  • I’d empower as many local businesses onto the Net as I could, and help them get successful.
  • I’d encourage as many people in my community to join Twitter as possible, and I’d bundle them into a list.
  • I’d consider setting up hyperlocal news and events sites, or at least empower/support their construction.

    I probably wouldn’t put pictures of me in a tie (or a dress) and write about the rates. I probably wouldn’t pitch you dozens of times in a row. I probably wouldn’t just rehash links to listings.

    But that’s just me.

    You?

    ChrisBrogan.com runs on the Genesis Framework

    Genesis Theme Framework

    The Genesis Framework empowers you to quickly and easily build incredible websites with WordPress. Whether you're a novice or advanced developer, Genesis provides you with the secure and search-engine-optimized foundation that takes WordPress to places you never thought it could go.

    With automatic theme updates and world-class support included, Genesis is the smart choice for your WordPress website or blog.

    Become a StudioPress Affiliate

    • ← Older Comments
    • http://twitter.com/Israel_Garcia Israel García

      Definitely, it can help lots of professionals that I know, I think I could share with them.

      Thanks Chris

    • http://twitter.com/Israel_Garcia Israel García

      Definitely, it can help lots of professionals that I know, I think I could share with them.

      Thanks Chris

    • http://www.CosmicCowPie.com/ Carra Riley

      Chris,
      You are never going to believe this… a guy I met on linkedin, in Spain who is working social media for night clubs, posted this link on his facebook page.. with his comments in Spanish… and I saw it and thought… this is exactly what every Realtor needs to read! Sooo I am going to do my best to share the word… To THE POINT!
      Rock on!

    • http://www.CosmicCowPie.com/ Carra Riley

      Chris,
      You are never going to believe this… a guy I met on linkedin, in Spain who is working social media for night clubs, posted this link on his facebook page.. with his comments in Spanish… and I saw it and thought… this is exactly what every Realtor needs to read! Sooo I am going to do my best to share the word… To THE POINT!
      Rock on!

    • http://twitter.com/cbattinelli Chrissy Battinelli

      I could be wrong and some might think this is a “stupid” question but couldn't some of this be considered “Leading” to certain neighborhoods??? Or is it OK because you are not the one actually talk up a certain area???

    • http://www.kevintomlinson.com/ Kevin Tomlinson

      Oh gawd–Chris you drank the kool aid.

      If you did ALL THOSE THINGS:
      1. you wouldn’t have time to do deals;
      2.you’d be broke.

      • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

        Then school me, superstar. I don’t know your job. I just know there are lots of people using really oldschool sales tactics, and I know your marketplace isn’t doing so well. Seems much more fun to come up with new ideas than to see people try retrofitting their 1991 methods onto the 2010 web.

        • http://www.kevintomlinson.com/ Kevin Tomlinson

          You asked for it. First–many SM/real estate professionals are only doing one thing.

          I think that if +/- 90% of the consumers first start their search on the Web, common sense would dictate that your best effort would be doing anything online that is indexed in Google.

          Further, whether you like to hear it or not, direct mail is still rockin’ after all these years.

          Chris, I’m active in FB, Twitter, et al and, by and large, the consumer ISN’T yet there.

          I just saw this link by @lauriemanny http://ow.ly/QeVD that Twitter will (and I think it is ALREADY the case) that Twitter will be mainly made up of SM people TALKING about SM.

          I’m one of the few guys with a grip on SM–that is keeping my head on straight.

          Even here in Miami, with traditional and online tools, I had another killer year—and I sell CONDOS in Miami.

          You know the Jenny Craig commercials? Well, even at the bottom of THOSE commercials, it says RESULTS NOT TYPICAL.

      • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

        By the way, most of the commenters aren’t real estate professionals. You might find that interesting insofar as that your prospects are saying they’d love to be marketed to in that fashion.

        • Luanne

          I agree. I am not a realtor, but a teacher. I would like to be marketed to in this way. Besides when I am checking out real estate websites, I find most just have recent trends and stats. I am more interested in what the community and is like.

        • Luanne

          I agree. I am not a realtor, but a teacher. I would like to be marketed to in this way. Besides when I am checking out real estate websites, I find most just have recent trends and stats. I am more interested in what the community and is like.

    • http://www.kevintomlinson.com/ Kevin Tomlinson

      Oh gawd–Chris you drank the kool aid.

      If you did ALL THOSE THINGS:
      1. you wouldn’t have time to do deals;
      2.you’d be broke.

    • http://blog.sellsiusrealestate.com/ jfsellsius
    • Wanda Grinder

      Great! I agree. The man (and sometimes his or her partner) in a suit and tie is just not what buyers/sellers are looking for today. I will try some of your ideas.
      Wanda Grinder
      Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty.

    • Pingback: Social Media Pro Chris Brogan offers Tips for REALTORS

    • http://www.sandor.com.my/ Kian Ann

      Great tips! But I think realtors have too much on their hands to do? Most realtors in my area still prefer to send out flyers to doorsteps, or set up roadshows etc – and it seems like these things work.

      Then there are property aggregators – but it is becoming more aware that 80% of the listings are fake (just to get leads)!

    • ccossio

      Is your company involved with the local community, maybe hosting a breakfast for the homeless, supporting a baseball team or basketball tournament. I think this will help you brake the ice “corporate wise” so people can contact your company in a more “human” way.

      This can create some much needed buzz with social media outlets if you know to target them.

      Best regards and hope this might shine some light.

    • http://twitter.com/richardbouchez richardbouchez

      Chris – another great post, NOT because these are great ideas to get folks buzzing about a home for sale. The gold in these ideas are in the boost the property gets in Google & Bing! When everyone is else is fighting over top search results you would cut through the search clutter to get found by those folks already searching for similar properties in that area!
      Creating tours, making listings share-able online and otherwise creating a social media footprint for a product should be a “no brainer” but the fact is that in order to do so you need to learn the tools and create a plan that makes the workflow manageable.
      START NOW! Create your own social media marketing system! The tools are available, the results are measureable and there are plenty of folks ready to help you get that ball rolling!
      Thanks for the post!
      @richardbouchez
      http://www.InovediaMarketing.com

    • http://twitter.com/socialmediawave Craig Stark

      Hi Chris- seems like a lot of RE people are starting to understand ways of harnessing SM. I wonder if anyone is hearing the freight train coming up behind them? The google train- Google RE will change the rules of standard value chain metrics in the RE brokerage model- ie. the points we will pay for listings and as buyers in the near future. The high touch, low reach dynamics of service personalization are now replicable with online tools which add the high touch ultra-high reach dynamic. Discount services and new hybrids of FSBO will take off this year and onward. I hope the larger nationwide brokerages have a plan to embrace and extend SM right now.

      Any insights or comments on this aspect of SM arbitrage on RE?

    • davidbaer

      How To Make money with affiliate programs Today. Affiliate marketing is the easier and probably the most effective method to make money from the internet. It is basically, a kind of selling technique where potential buyers from your website are directed to the websites of sellers. For every click, the website owner gets a small commission.

      http://www.onlineuniversalwork.com

    • Pingback: Starting A Bankruptcy Practice – If I Did It Today

    • Pingback: How to Use New Media for REALTORs: Day 4 Community

    • Pingback: How to Use New Media for REALTORs: Twitter Lists

    • Pingback: Advice for journalists and realtors: something in common : The ChipCast || by Chip Mahaney

    • michelleaspelin

      Well put. Many times people just keep doing what they are already doing, but expect different results. As a company, we are going to review your suggestions and create an action plan. Thanks!

    • Maya garg

      Hi Chris,
      love it. I am going to use it and give you the full credit for showing me the way…Here I come 2010 in my farm area

    • Pingback: Parte 1: Herramientas para agencias y agentes de bienes raices en Internet. « FronteraEstates - Bienes raices en México

    • davidbaer

      Dear Friend,
      It’s a fact: if you want your website to make you money, generate leads or get subscribers you have to advertise in order to drive traffic to it. Of course this is true for any business, but it is absolutely essential for online business.

      http://www.onlineuniversalwork.com

    • jeffgibbard

      Chris,

      I talk about this article all the time. I think that even in it's simplicity it is truly profound. I've read it, and re-read it and sent it to others and everytime I feel like “duh” that's so obvious. But that's what's so great about this article. You write a list of things you'd do that would really provide value and yet so few companies using social media “get” that.

      This short blog post has been really an inspiration for me in 2010. Whenever I find myself getting lost in why I do social media, this post is my roadmap.

      Great stuff. Thanks for contributing so much.

      Jeff

    • Sherry

      Most of what you said. First video: German deli/restaurant during Oktoberfest. They went out of bsns the next week.

    • upandcomingrealtor

      If I were a Realtor I would also be a singer. I would sing about the community and all its unique qualities. If I were a Realtor I would be a poet, spotlighting my community in haikus to be posted in the Times. If I were I Realtor I would market to the world, not just my neighbors. If I were a Realtor I would be famous.

    • http://www.eyewear-rayban.com ray ban wayfarer

      I'm a little late finding this article, but I loved it.

    • Pingback: Als ik makelaar zou zijn | nieuwbouw20

    • Pingback: Using Facebook & Other Social Media For Maximum Results « MeredithMortgageTeam's Blog

    • http://www.Isellstatecollege.wordpress.com Maria Hughes

      These are great ideas. I'm glad I came across your blog. I'm a Remax Realtor and love the walking tour idea. I also like the idea of interviewing people of the community. Wish me luck.

    • http://www.memorybits.co.uk/ flash drive

      I am working with a realtor right now to establish a social media presence and we are doing things you just mentioned. Chris Brogan before I ever thought something would claim to know but I'm just glad we feel the same way. Meetups with my client we are by the drive in question and many other fun things at home, focus!

    • http://www.yuregininsesi.com yuregininsesi

      Well put. Many times people just keep doing what they are already doing, but expect different results. As a company, we are going to review your suggestions and create an action plan. Thanks!

    • http://www.fantastic-replica.net replica coach handbags

      Sorry for the huge review, but I’m really loving the articles, and hope this, as well as the excellent reviews some other people have written, will help you decide if it’s the right choice for you.

    • http://www.tibetanjewelry1.com Hair Clasp

      It is really a good post, i like it very much!

    • Pingback: Part 1: Cool web tools for real estate agents and brokers | Real Estate in Mexico Blog

    • Luanne Deatley

      Great ideas for a realtor. Makes them stand out from the others.

    • Luanne Deatley

      Great ideas for a realtor. Makes them stand out from the others.

    • Pingback: The 15 Most Important Resources for Social Media Professionals | Social Media Philanthropy

    • Pingback: Online Marketing For Realtors: Claudio Alegre: VenmarkMedia - bridging the gap between consumers and new media communications technology | Venmark Media

    • http://tigardorhomes.com Waynebpruner

      This is good advice on getting found on a local or neighborhood level where the competition is less.

    • http://twitter.com/MEHomes Derrick Buckspan

      Chris,
      I am a little late finding this post, but I agree with Jeff Gibbard that its ‘simplicity is profound’. I find it helpful as a road map in an environment that I find overwhelming at times.
      Do you have any updates for 2011? -as much has changed in the social web. For example, do you still think you would use ning vs. wordpress sites to support community niches?
      Many thanks for all your contributions.

    • http://twitter.com/MEHomes Derrick Buckspan

      Chris,
      I am a little late finding this post, but I agree with Jeff Gibbard that its ‘simplicity is profound’. I find it helpful as a road map in an environment that I find overwhelming at times.
      Do you have any updates for 2011? -as much has changed in the social web. For example, do you still think you would use ning vs. wordpress sites to support community niches?
      Many thanks for all your contributions.

    • Pingback: If I were a small family dentistry practice | Social Media Philanthropy

    • Pingback: How to: CREATE AMAZING LOW COST VIRAL VIDEOS THAT DRIVE QUALITY CLICKS! « InovediaMarketing.com

    • http://twitter.com/SeeRealIncome Paul Hong

      This is an Awesome post. I think every realtor should read it and apply what Chris recommended and they would be a extremely successful realtor online

    • Pingback: That Peter Brewer - If I were a Realtor by Chris Brogan

    • Pingback: If I were a Realtor by Chris Brogan | inane ramblings from that peter brewer

    • Pingback: How to Start a Facebook Page Step by Step | Social Media Help Links | Social Startup Guide | InovediaMarketing.com

    ← Older Comments