Posts filed under ‘facebook’
Is your middle name “Real Estate”?
Come on. Lets be honest here. You know that you secretly roll your eyes when you see someone changes their name to “Joe RealEstate Johnson” or “Suzy SellingHomes Smith” or “Liz Jacksonville Landry” on Facebook. We all hate it. If it isn’t on your passport, don’t put it on your Facebook profile. I am very vocal about things like this with my coaching and training around the country. So why do people still do it? Well, what I have found is that there are is a segment of trainers out there that are spreading this non-sense (not to mention violation of FB terms of service) through out the real estate world quicker than rumors in a middle school locker room. I partially blame them, and I partially blame us as an industry.
We as an industry are all about hopping on the latest and (often not) greatest way to get out name out there and tell everyone that we sell real estate. Making sure people we are friends with know that we are in real estate is a good thing. Slapping it in their face as the first thing they see or hear from you is a bad thing. This is why people refer to us as sleazy used car salesman. Now; if you are wondering why this is so wrong and offensive I’ll lay it out for you.
- It is a clear and direct violation of Facebooks Terms of Service.
- Facebook is what is considered the “backyard bbq” of social networks. – you would NEVER walk up to someone in your business suit at a backyard bbq to shake their hand and immediately say “Hi, I’m Liz Selling Jacksonville Homes Landry. Great to meet you.” would you? NO. OF COURSE YOU WOULDN’T! Just think of the reaction on that poor persons face. They would run away from you.
- Facebook is comprised primarily of people who already know you and like you. Hence the fact that they already know you are in real estate. You need not put it in your name.
- There is a convenient little spot RIGHT UNDER YOUR NAME on your profile page that says where you work.
- If you just hover over someones name in the news feed where they work shows up there too! So you don’t need it in your name. See proper example below.
Now here is the deal fellow real estate agents. I am kindly asking; begging in fact, for you to STOP pissing off you your friends and family! By doing this you look unprofessional, sleazy and frankly just desperate.
You are hurting your selves by doing this. More importantly if someone does get annoyed enough and Facebook decides to delete your profile you will lose not only all of the connections you’ve built, and all the pictures; you will also lose any and all fan pages that you are the only admin on. I often say there there are certain places to bend the rules, certain places to break them, and others we follow properly. This is one where you should follow the rules. The consequences are too great. So I ask you; is it really worth it?
*Names of all known violators have been left out in the hopes they will read this and correct the issue quickly*
Stik.com – The Real Estate Referral End of Things
The story continues with Stik.com – As many of you have been following the updates since my original post (Blocking Stik.com – Easier than you think!) venting about agents overuse and spam our Facebook wall with their “recommend me” tool you may be interested to know that the referral end of Stik.com has responded. Response below.
Liz, my name is Philip and I am Broker of Record for the real estate referral arm of Stik.com. This is still in alpha phase, so it will be some time before this reaches wide spread access. We are sharing this advance peek with your readers to offer an incentive to *not* block the stik.com messages.
We have been testing functionality that allows brokers to refer leads to those they are connected to via Facebook. We recently sent an actual buyer referral to 6 brokers in Portland, OR, and only 1 responded. 2 more responded when we followed up with direct email messages, saying they assumed the original message was spam. The other 3 never even knew that they missed a qualified buyer referral who has since submitted an offer.
As a broker myself, I am very dialed into the prolific claims around ‘lead generation’, and we are working VERY hard to provide a high quality and lucrative experience for members of the Stik network. Stik has failed at times to avoid pitfalls, and there is still much work to be done.
However, blocking all messages from Stik will prevent you from receiving referrals through the network once it is up and running. For your readers who may choose to block the referral request messages, please check back periodically on the status of the referral network capabilities, as these are leads coming from fellow brokers in your network.
Finally, please feel free to contact Nathan (who posted above) or me (philip@stik.com) with any suggestions on how to make the experience better. We are working hard on the areas that we know, and are always open to new ideas.
Regards,
So I pose this to my friends and followers who have been having issues with Stik.com. Will this, along with the other updates that Nathan spoke about in his response cause you to unblock the tool and give it a second try?
Stik.com Replies to Complaints
On March 24th I wrote a 2 minute blog (seriously… took 2 minutes) out of sheer frustration for Stik.com. As I stated in the blog, I
have nothing against the product and it’s not a bad concept. However, it is a SPAM MACHINE! Well, after several hundred shares and RT’s to match… last night Stik.com has finally reached out and responded. Here is their response from one of their founders, Nathan Labenz. Which I think we will all be happy to hear. Thanks Nathan.
Hi Liz,
My name is Nathan Labenz and I’m one of the founders of Stik.com. I just wanted to comment here to let you know that I’ve read your feedback and that we are taking it seriously. We are planning to introduce upgrades to the site tomorrow that will make recommendation requests more personal and meaningful.
I also wanted to make clear that we are not automatically sending these requests. Our users have full control over whether or not to send requests, and to whom. We have been surprised by how many requests some people send and are considering imposing a limit in order to avoid annoying people like yourself.
Have a great day and let me know if you have any other feedback for us.
Best,
Nathan Labenz
Blocking Stik.com – Easier than you think!
We have all be annoyed beyond belief of Stik.com postings on our wall. Often from someone who doesn’t even interact with us. I myself almost went on a unfriending frenzy about this. Only to do a little research and realize that once a user signs up for Stik, they have virtually little to no control over those postings. So I backed off a little. But still want it to stop. So you will all be VERY happy to know that its easy as pie to make go away. My 2 second instructions are below……. You’re welcome!
Searching in Facebook go up top and search Stik.com (in FB search bar NOT URL)… go to all results (bottom of the window that opens up), left hand side click on apps. Then.. once in the Stik.com app window scroll down to left hand side and block app.
And… Wa la!
By the way. If you want recommendations from your peers or customers go to LinkedIn. This is the PROPER place for such non spamming activities.
Social Scoring – Are you hanging with the cool kids?
Ok. First off. Some of you may be wondering what social scoring is. Well, here it is. We all know that there are people in this world who have more influence than others do. Plain and simple. We listen to Michael Jordan selling Hanes because it just wouldn’t have the same effect if your crazy uncle Billy was the guy in the commercial. So since we look to regular media celebrities it was only a matter of time before we looked to social media celebrities. Now I am not saying we’re looking for Tila Tequila (old-time MySpacers know what I am talking about). However, what we ARE talking about is people who have a social influence, a following, a pull.
Enter Klout. Klout popped on the scene about a year ago; and really hit main stream summer of 2010 with their Facebook integration. Klout measures you’re overall social influence through a number of factors. Now, two days ago I was able to have a great discussion with some social media greats that you can listen to the archive on blog talk radio. In this conversation we explored the pros, cons and other aspects of social scoring. You’ll hear right off the bat that I am pro social scoring.
But the big question is how does this apply to you, as a real estate agent.
Think of it this way. Social Media is like the new BNI. Made for making connections, networking and connecting with the right people. When you look at the social platforms there are so many people to weed through, who to talk to, who to connect to, who to spend time with. You could miss valuable connections if you don’t pay close attention! If you check out someones Klout score you may realize that they have a lot of sway. Someone who may be the “mayor” or your community – could be right under your social media nose!
So next time you meet someone while prospecting it may be worth it to check out their Klout score. Maybe even check your sphere and past customers. Think about the benefit that someone with social sway could bring to your business. This is no joke folks. It may sound a little snotty, like we are only going to talk to “the cool kids” who are popular. If they know you and they like you…. and they know lots of people for you to do business with you’ve just hooked the big fish 
Facebook: Building Relationships #KWMM
So its Sunday November 14th 2010 and I am stowed away in one of my favorite spots in the country. Bet your thinking its a tropical beach somewhere, or a secluded mountain cabin; maybe a park in the middle of the city. Nope. I am stowed away on the 6th floor of the Hilton Austin, across from the Grand Ballroom. I know. Not nearly as thrilling as one may have originally guessed. So you’re wondering why on earth is this one of my favorite spots. Don’t get me wrong, I love the tropical islands or a weekend in Vegas just as much as the next girl. However; with this, as all good things it’s about the people and the experience not necessarily the place.
Four years ago at conventions and meetings we all tended to stick with our office people, and connections were slowly built with outsiders. Today, this is one of the few times a year I get to have lunch with and talk shop with some of my favorite people in the country. Notice I only said few times a year. We never see each other. In fact, most of us have never stepped foot into each others homes. Never sat in each others cars and never pet the others dog. Yet, we know each others habits, likes, dislikes, moods and thoughts better than most.
Thank you Facebook. In the last two years I have watched relationships grow with people I had never met. Once we met, it was like we had known each other for years. And every time we get together it is like a day has not passed since the last time we had dinner. Instead of dreading getting on a plane at 6am to go to 4 days worth of meetings, lose sleep and eat poorly I now get excited to see my favorite people. Of course, I still hardly sleep, the flight is still early and I only eat once a day. But I digress. What is now accomplished in these four days is done with a smile, and anticipation and therefore is more productive.
When I teach I talk to people about the way the world has actually changed the way it communicates. Time zones and state lines are no longer separating factors in friendships. Moving across the county is far less traumatic on a friendship. When we look at how the world now communicates and has grown look at the last 5 years. Now. I challenge you to think 5 years ahead. Where will we be?
Do a little rant…make a little noise…Facebook tabs go bu-bye
OK OK! Let me be the first to say…yes, this may be a rant. A purposeful rant though. I have been hearing lots of complaining in the virtual world the last few that Facebook is taking down application tabs on personal profiles (11/3/10 to be exact). I have one thing to say about that. GOOD!! Yes, I know. All of my real estate friends love their “market snapshot” tab from Top Producer. Or how about the Realtor.com tab to “see my listings”.
GUESS WHAT?! Your Facebook profile is not an advertising platform and Facebook is taking the proper steps to keep it that way. As we have discussed in the past, social media is about building relationships… not being a billboard. This is simply a step in the process of getting rid of those people who have profiles as business’. You know the ones. Instead of it being a person… it’s a business. This is first off a violation of Facebooks terms of service, but secondly its just poor practice. THAT IS WHAT FAN PAGES ARE FOR! I know the argument, “It’s hard to get fans on my page. It’s much easier if I can just friend them”. I know. I have heard it a hundred times. Here is the bottom line, fan pages are for your business, profiles are for your life.
If you provide valid content and are consistent, you will get fans. Now, go build your business pages properly people!
A Comprehensive Plan
You may be wondering what I am talking about. A comprehensive plan? Well let me shed some light! I am talking about a comprehensive business plan going forward into 2011! Some of you may be thinking….2011, I haven’t even figured out Q4 of 2010 yet. This is common, and worrisome. However, those of you that are chomping at the bit to set trends and break stride in the new year probably already have a solid 2011 plan. But is it including a key pillar of Internet Lead Generation.
I take for granted at times the ease of which internet strategy comes to me. Believe me, there are areas that I struggle, we won’t even discuss expired listings. But internet, that is my thing. That is home sweet home. So, my natural assumption is that it is that way for everyone else too. This, as you know is not the case. With business planning in full swing I have been approached by more folks than I know what to do with and my inbox is on overload looking for internet plan help. With that being said I realize it is that most people just don’t know what it looks like and how everything ties together. So from a visual aspect I think this may help.
I’ve been working on a LARGE project and this is a mere snip it of the greater piece, but powerful none the less. This should put into visual terms for many of you what the beginning of a well rounded internet lead generation plan “looks” like. Enjoy!
Posting with a purpose
Do you? Post with a purpose that is? Are you speaking to your audience? Do you know who your audience is? These are all very relevant things to ask yourself when reviewing your social media strategy. Its true, generally no one cares what type of sandwich you had for lunch, or that your dog woke you up early. But, sometimes they do…it all depends on how you deliver your message. Is it intentional? We are taught to move from E to P (entrepreneurial to purposeful) is business. I believe that same strategy can be overlaid onto social media.
To give you an idea. Being entrepreneurial in social media means that you post, you’re going after it. But your posts may not really be engaging your friends or followers. They may lack life and excitement. No passion. Lets flip this theory. Your purposeful in your posts, you speak directly to your audience and you make them feel like they are a part of your life. They will begin to engage with you. They will feel your passion and your life through your posts.
Example of E: Went to lunch at Panera today –Boring, uneventful, lacks passion, and just blah.
Now, lets look at this same statement with purpose: Just had an amazing lunch with clients at Panera…. the chocolate brownie is to die for! — Exciting, talks about clients (which is a great shameless plug for business) and hits home about brownies. You’ve just made half of your fan base drool on their keyboards!
It’s all about engaging your audience and speaking directly to them with a purpose. Not just speaking words into the clouds and hoping someone hears it!
Happy Posting!
To allow a post, or not allow
It’s the week after Keller Williams MegaCamp and I am going through the list of everyone I met and all of the people I need to touch base with. Being that social media and relationship building through it is kind of my thing I love to post thankful or kind comments to people. So here is why I post. This evening I wanted to go thank someone for everything they did and the awesome job at MegaCamp…. only to find their wall shut down to comments. So now, I won’t write to them. They will never know the thanks that I wished to give them. I will not be able to build and strengthen that relationship.
Many people tend to have a fear about opening up their wall for comments. I get it. I was there once as well. Here is the reality of the situation. Letting go of the power and allowing your audience to interact is what makes social media successful. Not to mention, you set a tone on your page. Through your profile pic, posts, comments and links you set a tone of what is and is not appropriate on your page. Therefore, the fear that someone will post something inappropriate is almost unfounded.
Think of it like this. If you receive a “save the date” card for a wedding and its elegant black and white, then the invitation matches, the RSVP card to suit and the event is located at the Ritz Carlton….are you going to show up in jeans and flip-flops? No, of course you’re not. You’ll show up dressed to the tone that the hosts have set. Your profile does the same. So let go of some of that fear and let people interact with you. Side note: do always monitor your page, things do tend to sneak in. But your fine 99% of the time.
