Real Estate Agents - Facebook is a Yes

January 31, 2009
Volume 3 Issue #5

Right now I am on beautiful Beaver Island, Michigan --32 miles out in Lake Michigan with my current wife, also the graphics department and best friend, writing this newsletter on a laptop and sending it via our satellite Internet connection. When we arrived here, we had 2 working vehicles: my prized 1991 Chevy pick-up truck and our 1994 Jeep Wrangler. Currently, neither works (but it is nice to have friends, so we aren’t stranded). Tuesday, there were 2 coyotes in front of our house on the partially frozen lake and my wife has had to close the curtains when changing, as there are so many deer staring at our windows. 

When you received this you might have believed you were getting my monthly newsletter for real estate agents rather than a travelogue. Did I mention that I left the original newsletter on my desk in Illinois? “Where is all this going?” is a legitimate question. 

I am strongly suggesting that it is time for real estate agents to get on Facebook. 

If you thought Facebook was just for college students, it was. Facebook is now open to everyone. 

The first paragraph of this newsletter may or may not have been interesting to you but every time I mention Beaver Island in a newsletter someone emails me with a Beaver Island story or connection. People are naturally curious about you. People who know you might find a first paragraph like mine interesting. Facebook is a great place to let people find out a little bit about you. Tip - Don’t give too much information, leave them hungry for more. 

The last few months I have had more clients asking me about Facebook, telling me how much fun they are having on Facebook or how they have  reconnected with a past client or good source of leads. 

True Confession - I thought Facebook was silly and had no value for agents. I was wrong (ouch, that is hard to admit!). Now, can you waste time there? You sure can. Can it help you network, absolutely. 

I found Facebook easy to set up and after an hour or so I had the basics down and found that there were a lot of people there you wouldn’t suspect are Facebook members. 

For years, I told agents to find a way to call someone. I still believe it is the best way to connect with someone, second only to actually seeing them in person. 

The next best way is Facebook, as that is where the people are going right now. 

It doesn’t hurt to write something short, put up valuable information.  A good example would be information about the $7500 credit for first time buyers and, you might take it one step further, telling people you have more information about it on your website. Or, put a picture up once in awhile (a picture of your town’s landmark in the winter might work). There are plenty of other things you can do. 

I think the beauty of Facebook is that it is simple, fast, fun, nonintrusive, and shows you are up with the times. Don’t go overboard pushing your business. It is a networking tool. 

Another Confession - I asked my college senior to help me in the beginning because I thought it would be difficult to use. It wasn’t plus we bonded over the experience. 

One final thought - if you are going to get involved in Facebook make sure to review your profile for errors, typos, etc., and make sure it has the feel you want to convey. 

Tech Tip - Get signed up on Facebook. Find me on Facebook and be my friend. If you need a little help, call me or email me.