REALTOR®2.0: Getting Started in Social Media
Filed under: Conference & Expo, NAR Events, Social Media, Technology
By Todd Carpenter, Social Media Manager, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
The world of social media, as applied to the world of real estate, is about five years old. Yet we are only now reaching a critical mass of agents who realize this is not a fad. As with mobile phones and e-mail, social networks and blogs are becoming mainstream tools for REALTORS®. If you’re ready to get started, here are three excellent resources to get the ball rolling.
1. Look at this post.
Ines Hegedus Garcia recently wrote an excellent article on getting your feet wet. Here are a few takeaways.
- Put up profiles NOW (in Twitter, Facebook and Linked In)
- Start a blog
- Change your business cards (include your social media stuff)
- Stop using 20-year-old photos for your marketing
- Drop the “fear factor”–you can’t get started if you are afraid
2. Read This Book
Better known for his Swanepoel Trends Report, Stefan’s new Social Media Report really hits the mark as a Web 2.o manual for real estate professionals. Unlike other books that authors forward me, I actually finished this one. It’s a very quick read with concise and effective advice.
3. Come To This Conference.
NAR’s 2009 Conference & Expo will host a dozen great sessions on social media and the Web. Starting with an Introduction to Social Media, and moving to topics like Expanding Your Sphere of Influence: Real World Networking, #nar09 covers social media in real estate like never before.
Tara Hunt, author of the Whuffie Factor will be there. Mariana Wagner, Technology Blog Coach at Keller Williams MAPS, will be there. Jeff Turner, Amy Chorew, Kelley Koehler , Rich Barton, and a host of other top real-estate-related social media thought leaders will be there as well. On top of all that, REBarCamp – San Diego is set to proceed the conference.
In the next 30 days, the opportunity to move from “What is this?” to “in the know” is at your fingertips. Are you ready to go REALTOR® 2.0?
Good stuff Todd. REALTOR’s just need to take a chance. It may not work for everyone but you’ll never know if you don’t try.
I’m looking forward to meeting a ton that are taking the plunge at next month’s NAR Expo and REBarCamp San Diego.
Derek
Todd,
I like where this is going, relevant to my interests. Diego sounds fun, how can anyone turn up a chance to meet Shatner? Let me Twitter that.
Thanks for the mention of the Social Media Report, Todd.
Since publishing the book Stefan and I have enjoyed speaking to our respective spheres about the value of social media in business–not the least of which is the importance of establishing listening posts and monitoring the conversation as opportunities for engaging and building relationships.
Thanks again. Keep up the great work!
Mel Aclaro
Co-author, Social Media Report 2010
These are all great authorities on social media……
I’m looking forward to reading the book.
When purchasing the report, if you use the coupon code Policy you’ll get a good savings… total with shipping is $50.
Thanks for the reference Todd – can’t wait for our session (with Mariana, Jeff, and Teresa….should be pretty power packed)
ah I feel like such a has been.
but in a good way becasue so many have started using these tools.