kill your business with social media? i’m convinced it can happen. here’s how:
- ignore social media – there are still a large number of folks that don’t see the need to engage in social media in any form – facebook, linkedin, activerain, blogging, youtube or twitter. they still don’t see the need, don’t understand it, or are afraid of it. my advice? get over your fear, learn about it, read the success stories. but get on it. not 6 months from now. get on it now.
- spend too much time on social media – i’ve seen a number of people get caught up in the new gadgetry, gizmos and whizbang tools that come along. they spend so much time – figuring the new technology out, playing with it, tweaking it – that they forget what their core purpose is in business. it’s something i succumbed to years ago when i was still selling. i was working on creating the perfect contact management program for my business. i spent so much time building the perfect mousetrap, i lost sight of the primary objective – catching mice. don’t spend all day on facebook. don’t tweet all night on twitter. don’t spend 3 hours per day on your blog. use these tools to engage consumers and prospects. then go out and meet these people face to face. do business.
- use social media to sell – so many people see these tools as another method to advertise their wares. they jump on facebook and start posting advertorials in their status updates about how great their service is or posting a new property listing. and that’s all they post. they spam their twitter followers with advertising messages. you know what? if you’re not going to provide me with some value or tell me something interesting that’s going on in your world, i don’t want to hear about your listing. and if you continue to do so, i’m gonna kick you out of my network. i love sioux falls, south dakota, but i’m not moving there. so stop advertising your listings to me.
don’t let any of these mindsets kill your business. you’d be crazy to.
12/02/2010 at 3:52 am Permalink
Great Points!!! Love it!!
12/02/2010 at 3:55 am Permalink
Great post Brad!
It seems that many folks are now coming on board with social marketing. This is encouraging, I just hope they … 1. Keep it consistent. 2. Keep a good mix between business and personal.
I don’t think anyone wants to be spammed with a constant stream of business, business, business. We all need to see the other side of the business as well. The behind the scenes so to speak, the lighter side of how people run their business.
Good post!
Best.
12/02/2010 at 3:57 am Permalink
you’re right on the mark marty – consistency and a good mix of business and personal. those that continue to talk business, business, business are going to find themselves losing friends, connections and followers.
thanks for your comment!
12/02/2010 at 3:58 am Permalink
thanks tressa! appreciate the comment.
12/02/2010 at 4:31 am Permalink
Brad, after listening to your presentation to ReMax Ontario Atlantic I came back to the office and I have been working on some of the tips you gave us.
One of the most effective we using a Fan Page in Facebook.
Also, not being afraid when using Social Media to be ourselves…it is so important not to forget that we attract people because of who we are!
It is difficult for most to use good Time Management Skills as well when doing Social Networking to ensure that we are being consistent. Scheduling time for it is imperative.
Thanks for the update!
Jeannie
12/02/2010 at 4:34 am Permalink
thanks for the comment jeannie, and keep up the good work! i know you’ll do well!
12/02/2010 at 6:52 am Permalink
It’s about engagement, building trust online and leverage.
Many agents have an email database that they send newsletters, etc out to.
Simply copy this content and post it up onto a blog so others can read it and then from time to time tell share your articles with your Twitter followers & Facebook friends.
There are so many ways to automate the process and still remain authentic.
Don’t overcomplicate it. Focus on building your presence on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube and use either WordPress or Blogger as your blogging platform. ( I use WordPress).
PS: Posterous might be a 6th one that you may consider, but focus on building a presence on the main 5 and get started.