using social media participant handout v3cbgor.com/training/using social media to propel you to the...

© 2016 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC All Rights Reserved

Learn to use your Facebook, Twitter and Google+ accounts to grow your

business.

*As an independent contractor sales associate affiliated with a Coldwell Banker® franchised office, you have a variety of resources, tools, technologies and educational opportunities available to you. The Coldwell Banker educational materials, programs, meetings, or video instruction or programs are not mandatory. Nothing in this document is intended to create an employment relationship. Note: The videos contain suggestions and best practices with regard to specific issues you may encounter for you to use at your discretion to assist you in your career as a real estate sales associate. The views expressed in any program videos produced by independent third parties are not necessarily the views of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.

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This document contains suggested best practices for your consideration in your business.

Social Media and Google

You might wonder what your social media activities have to do with clients and referrals finding you on Google. While Google’s search engine workings are a company secret, and they change all the time, your number of social media posts and reactions has been shown to affect your Google ranking. One source indicates seven of the top ten factors affecting page ranking are related to social media.1 So if you want to stand out from the crowd, it’s time to get social!

Polishing Your Digital Reputation

Your reputation is created in large part by how you treat people, and what people say about you. This is true as much online as it is in the real world. Online, your reputation is made up of who you are, what you stand for and how you are perceived. The steps below can help you proactively manage your digital reputation.

1 Pagemodo: Social Media Signals and SEO: How Does Google Rank You? Accessed September 17, 2014 (http://www.pagemodo.com/blog/social‐media‐signals‐seo‐google‐rank‐you/)

“If you want to stand out from the crowd, give people a reason not to forget you. Put yourself forward to get your business on the map. Nobody will buy your products if they don’t know who you are or what they are.”

Richard Branson

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Your Cover Image

The first thing someone sees on any social media site is your profile picture and cover photo; it is like the cover of your book. Make sure the photos you are using are up-to-date and a good representation of who you are. Your cover photo can express your interests, whether that’s a craft, your pets or a place you love. You should consider whether your cover photo is professional, however. Pictures of you at a party with a drink in your hand might not convey the image you want to potential clients. But most importantly, don’t look like the shadow figure or egg head that Facebook and Twitter default to when you don’t upload a picture. Also, rotate your pictures every few months to keep it fresh.

Your Profile Information

The power in these sites is in your profile, so include details, details, details!

We recommend including the following:

Employment details like company, title and communities served Languages, specialties markets served Your contact information

You are using these sites for business, so it makes no sense not to include this information on your social media profiles.

BONUS: This is where Google+ shines! Google your name and notice your Google+ bio in the top results (see picture).

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Get Social!

Successful agents include their sphere of influence in their social media connections. If you haven’t already, we recommend you reach out to your current, past and possible future clients on social media. Like and share their posts. A few minutes a day engaging with them on social media will go a long way toward keeping yourself top of mind when they are ready to buy or sell a home.

Social listening is also a big part of building up your digital reputation. When you are scanning your feeds and see an opportunity to add value, commenting can deepen your connection to that person, and keep you top of mind. Learn more about social listening on Facebook here: (Link http://www.inman.com/next/secure-more-real-estate-leads-on-facebook/)

If Twitter is your social site of choice consider using the advanced search option. (twitter.com/search-advanced). Finding leads in real time has never been easier and searching for real estate terms and life style triggers is a great way to build up your reputation for being the voice of real estate in your local market.

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To keep top of mind with your sphere of influence, every once in a while, share an article about real estate, or tell a story about a listing you have taken or an experience that highlights why you love working in real estate. You don’t need to overdo it. Just as real estate isn’t the only thing in your life, it shouldn’t be the only thing on your social media stream either.

Examples:

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The Humble Brag

Agents that consistently cultivate referral business congratulate their sphere of influence on major life events that made them clients like buying a first home, sending their last child off to college or retiring. With smartphones with cameras it is easier than ever to reach out to clients and ask for pictures, videos and testimonials that say how much they enjoyed working with you. At closing, consider asking your clients to pose for a picture and with their consent, share it on your social media feeds. If you share with your clients and say how much you enjoyed working with them, they will likely respond in kind.

Facebook Business Page

A common question is should I have a Facebook personal page or a business page? Having a personal page is an absolute must. If you feel like you are ready to take on a business page then ensure it is set up as a way to deliver valuable information to the market you serve. Having a business page is also essential if you are planning to run paid ads. You can create your Facebook business page at https://bit.ly/bizpagefb.

Not recommended:

(The only person who would like this page is Lindsay’s mom)

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Recommended:

Sharon Steele affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Westfield, NJ does it right! Sharon’s page is set up as community page that delivers ideas for dining, shopping and of course real estate.

Check it out here. (Link to https://www.facebook.com/365CranfordWestfieldNJ?ref=br_tf)

Owning a community page takes a lot of time but the benefit is your reputation within your community as the “go to” agent with local expertise. In Sharon’s case, the reward is 2 to 3 inquiries a week.

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Resources

To find more help managing your digital reputation, please check out these Coldwell Banker® resources available on CB Exchange.

The Google Referral, Lindsay Listanski (2:17) In CB Exchange enter “Google Referral” in the search box on the home page.

Social Media White Paper In CB Exchange enter “Social Media White Paper” in the search box on the home page.

Social Media Home Page In CB Exchange enter “Social Media” in the search box on the home page.

© 2016 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker Logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Each sales representative and broker is responsible for complying with any consumer disclosure laws or regulations.

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