Comments on: Let’s Not Ruin Social Networking

By: Michelle Martin

Michelle Martin — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 23:05:46 +0000

Thank you for this piece! It’s one of the most insightful assessments of an ever-rapidly growing problem in the real estate industry I’ve read. I have been discussing this very issue just this week with several colleagues. Though it’s been mostly said above, I too agree that I don’t want (nor do I want my past clients) to read about how many listings Broker X took today, how many offers he/she wrote, and worse, how many people attended their open house today, yesterday and tomorrow! The whole picture can’t be told in a twit or a wall post —- so may I have done the same or more, but there is not where they’ll hear about it, or ever. I want all of my clients to feel they’re important — building relationships, one at at time. Thank you for validating my recent concerns! Onward to our next topic!

By: David McIlvaine

David McIlvaine — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 14:38:02 +0000

Agents generally are looking for the easiest and fastest way to get business; I understand this premise, but I realize that usually things that are easily gotten have no or little value…a relationship has tremendous value well beyond the next deal.

By: Rick Bosl

Rick Bosl — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 22:54:42 +0000

Hey Larry, I completely agree with you. I too weave my real estate happenings into my posts. ‘Get a life’ was probably the wrong phrase to use. Rather, share your life & thoughts. Reveal something about yourself instead of just posting your listings/open houses/contracts. That gets boring & redundant and doesn’t build relationships, which is what social networking is all about. Now, if you have a separate FB page (separate from your profile), then I think it is totally appropriate to have a section on it to show your listings & open houses.

By: Jim Calabrese

Jim Calabrese — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 22:24:30 +0000

Matthew –

I can only speak of Facebook, as I’m not too active on Twitter or LinkedIn. I only see 1 or 2 percent going overboard. I pay attention to how my Realtor friends use Facebook and have found that most interact with other Realtors, not their clients. Maybe they have a listing that they want to share with their fellow agents, or have a marketing tip to contribute.

The problem lies with not taking the time to learn how to use the tools Facebook provides to selectively post to the proper audience. Every post, link, photo, message doesn’t have to be broadcast to everyone on your friend list.

You are dead-on when you say that it’s about building relationships. You don’t have to post your content every day, several times a day. It’s more effective participating in the dialogue that’s already out there. Thank your friends for sharing their link, comment on their photos, even if it’s just a thumb-up “like”.

And most importantly, when you have something to tell someone, message them if you’re not sure they would like to share it with the entire world.

By: Marcie Roggow

Marcie Roggow — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 21:53:30 +0000

Couldn’t have said it better myself! Just did 2 programs on the ‘defemation of characters’ showing up on Facebook….and all of the Code of Ethics violations to boot! How in the world people don’t understand ’social’ is beside me….they’re REALTORs for goodness sake! One post on facebook in response to one of those “here’s my new listing” posts….said “Quit blasting your friends with this stuff…it’s social … not business!” Again…couldn’t have said it better myself!

By: Larry Jebsen

Larry Jebsen — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 10:56:55 +0000

And if work is part of your life-share that too. the trick is to have who you are and what you do be a part of the conversation. Don’t just “post” your listing. Ex. “I saw so and so, I went______ and I listed a cool house on Dover street. Great Day. ” That is my life and I’m going to talk about it.

By: Rick Bosl

Rick Bosl — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 20:25:44 +0000

Matthew,

Excellent post. I couldn’t agree with you more. I’m a Realtor and a Facebook user, but I know where to draw the line with spam. I used to be more willing to befriend another Realtor on Facebook, but not so much anymore. To many agents just use it for self-promotion and don’t add anything of value to the conversation – get a life.

By: Melina Tomson

Melina Tomson — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:48:51 +0000

You know, my local city just had a local bloggers get together and we have a site that is all of our local blogs together. I am one of two agents that feeds into the site. The other agent, a rookie blogger, posts her listings and open houses. It did not go over well with the rest of the group for the very reasons you mentioned here.

At the blogging meeting we did talk about how to integrate commercial blogs into the Salemites site without being spammy. It is a HUGE issue.

I have other local agents on twitter who just follow me and post nothing, or only post their listings. I am an agent and this irritates me because I too can look up what I need on the MLS. Some agents just don’t know how to stop.

By: Larry Jebsen

Larry Jebsen — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:34:53 +0000

I think the article was as one sided as those realtors who only speak of business. I agree, only hearing of business creates “name Ice” , where someone comes across your name and their eyes slide right by your post. But friends,past clients and aquaintances will recognize that you are giving every opportunity to advertise your sellers listing. Yes, buyers will look on-line. This is on-line. If I just listed a house and posted a tour-this may be where the buyer sees it. Don’t be one dimensional online-have relationships, be transparent,brag on your kids, show pictures of graduation,babies,office parties, church picnics and new listings. Be proud of it all. Let people see all of you. Don’t exclude what you do for a living.

By: Kim Sullivan

Kim Sullivan — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:47:43 +0000

great one!!

By: Samantha Tino

Samantha Tino — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:34:21 +0000

This is a fabulous article. You are right on!

By: Matthew Ferrara

Matthew Ferrara — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 03:49:29 +0000

Thanks to all of the positive responses; I am glad there are so many people who see the opportunity – and the danger – if we don’t really think through how we use social media! – Matthew

By: Sean Carpenter

Sean Carpenter — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 02:35:40 +0000

Matt – Amen Brother, Amen. I have been suggesting that our agents discuss their real estate business about once in every 10 posts – and even then, just along the lines of a family they had the opportunity to help or a new development that they visited or had the chance to show. The incessant “Rates are great. Who do you know that wants to buy or sell” is ridiculous…especially when 96% of their “friends” are fellow agents!

LinkedIN groups are getting just as bad – people posting their listings and looking for referrals by posting “discussion” posts and Twitter is quickly becoming the equivalent of the “Washroom Attendant” at your local bar. I know you’re there and I know you might want something from me but just let me come in here for what I wanted. I don’t need any outside pressure judgement or breath mints. Oy!

By: Ruth Savino

Ruth Savino — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:57:17 +0000

“Just treating people as people, not prospects, would change everything.”
…. what a concept! Reminds me of another great one!, “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

By: Paul Gaddes

Paul Gaddes — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 21:01:58 +0000

Matthew, wonderful post. This topic has been on my mind a lot lately. I have been “defriending” REALTORS right and left from my social networks for the exact reasons you detailed. I don’t know why they don’t get that it is intrusive, rude and demeaning to the profession to self-promote in a social setting.. My head exploded a couple of weeks ago when I read a REALTOR’S “who do” plastered on my wall? Didn’t she think, that if I knew someone who wanted to buy or sell that I would personally contact them? This is a well written piece and I am going to circulate it among the dwindling number of REALTOR friends that I may have.

By: John Grasty

John Grasty — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:31:09 +0000

It seems that our local board ethics guy has to remind the members every year about etiquette but it still doesn’t stop the shallow strategies of spammers.
I feel sorry for those lacking the ability to form real relationships. I also have a suggestion for them; they’re in the wrong business and should leave quietly without damaging their own reputation or our profession any further.
I hope to see this posted on LinkedIn and ActiveRain (Localism) soon. I’ll be interested to read the commentary.
As always, great stuff Matt; thanks.

By: Jeff Gingerich

Jeff Gingerich — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 16:34:00 +0000

Excellent post! I couldn’t agree more and have sent the link to my colleagues to get the word out.

By: Joe Montenigro

Joe Montenigro — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:12:53 +0000

FWIW, when I DO put a listing link on my wall, I always reference WHO the seller is because my friends often know the seller. For example, ” I’m selling Bob Smith’s mom’s house… thanks for the referral Bob (high school class of 82). Click below for the virtual tour.
Joe Montenigro
REMAX Home Team