Social Networking

I found this chart at http://realestateopennetworkers.ning.com/, a Social Network for Real Estate Professionals.

YouTube

Just to follow up on the social media conversation from today’s meeting…I posted my first video on YouTube on January 25 of this year. Most of the videos I have posted have been for fun – concerts and events I have attended. But here are the stats that I find amazing:

I’ve posted 27 videos on YouTube.
First video posted on January 25.
Most recent video posted on August 16 (means I need to post some more soon).
My videos have been watched 42,264 times.
My videos are averaging 200 views per day in recent weeks.
One video received 600 views in one day.
54 comments have been posted to my videos.

…and my video quality isn’t all that great! Everything I’ve posted has been shot with a Flip camera (less than $200) or my Iphone.

So, can you reach viewers on YouTube if you post interesting content? YES.

Here’s one of the videos. This one has been viewed over 5,000 times since May: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1y-Kfawp9lU

12/04/08 – News of the Day

This comment was posted on our blog by Brian Block, the Northern Virginia Realtor whose video I posted a few days back: “Lisa, thanks for posting my video on your blog. This series of “Desperate REALTOR” videos that I filmed have got quite a bit of attention and struck a chord with many of my clients and potential clients, and especially with other agents around the country.”

I received my first text message from the widget I put on this blog the other day. Thanks Val Potts, who continues to impress me with how much fun she is having with technology! She asked for results from the breakfast fundraising on Tuesday. And the answer: the first floor agents raised $110.06. Contributions will be pooled and provided to LACASA, a non-profit, for their holiday fund. Way to go!

The training session for Thursday is canceled.

Bob Smith has changed his e-mail address so please update your contacts to bosmith8@earthlink.net.

Forbes recently named Detroit as one of the most affordable cities for families. To read more about it, go to http://www.realtor.org/RMODaily.nsf/pages/News2008120303?OpenDocument.

Marketing Ideas

Video Marketing – here are a few examples of what Realtors in other markets are doing to market themselves – and communicate with their buyers and sellers.

Brian Block, a Northern Virginia Realtor, blogs at http://blog.brianblock.com/. Here’s a video he posted. Ever feel like this?

And this one comes from Ian Watt of Vancouver, B.C. I’m not sure why, but when I downloaded this one the audio didn’t sync up with the video, so forgive me – but you’ll get the message. You can find his blog at http://www.ianwatt.ca/RealEstateVideoBlogsIanWatt.

What are you doing today to connect with your buyers and sellers?

11/28/08 – News of the Day

Scott Bohlen shares this MSN article with us which has a nice summary of recent real estate data releases:
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/HomebuyingGuide/HomePriceReport.aspx?page=1

More on social networking from the 11/10/08 Realtor Daily News: “You can use social media to maintain a presence with people you already know because it allows you to have a constant presence in their lives,” said Jeff Turner of Realestateshows.com. Your overall business goal of social networking should be to expand your sphere and move conversations offline, panelists said. “There’s always going to be need for face-to-face communication in real estate,” Turner said. “Find a way to marry the two worlds.”

• LinkedIn (linkedin.com): This site is geared to professionals seeking to expand their circle of contacts. Once you’re connected to someone on LinkedIn, you can link with who that person is connected to. Only make “connections” with people you know or you’ve just met, said panelist Rudy Bachraty of Trulia.com.
• Facebook (facebook.com): Facebook is a place to for just about everyone—family, friends, past clients, and colleagues of all age groups. It’s OK to say you’re a real estate professional in your profile, but leave it at that. To connect with other real estate junkies, join a specialized real estate group, but “don’t force it,” says Bachraty.
• Twitter (twitter.com): Twitter is often called “micro-blogging.” You can send short (140 character) messages to people who choose to “follow” you. You can “tweet” from you PDA or the Web.

11/24/08 – News of the Day

Social Networking – For those sales agents & staff who have participated in our training sessions the last few weeks, you might be interested in the following article posted on MSNBC “When you don’t want to be Facebook friends.” It says “Facebook is now the No. 1 social networking site, with more than 120 million active users, and its fastest growing demographic is those 25 and older.” The article addresses some social networking etiquette that might be useful. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27775484/

Speaking of social networking, here is a video posted on NAR’s site encouraging us to spread good news about the housing market on Friday, November 28 which has been designated as National Social Media Day. http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1785312249/bclid1796130814/bctid2945634001

Brighton Area Historical Society – If you have photos or artifacts, or know of someone who does, of historical significance concerning the Brighton area – please contact Jim Vichich, president of the organization at 810-227-4840 (home), 517-304-7722 (cell) or jvichich@comcast.net. The society’s website is http://www.brightonareahistorical.com/.

11/18/08 – News of the Day

Preview Properties.com agents and staff can enjoy breakfast sandwiches and other goodies provided by Julie Fischer, Preview Properties.com Realtor and Skyler from Prostar on Tuesday morning at the Brighton office. Your generous donations will go toward our LACASA holiday family fund.

Embracing Social Media – We had a training session last Friday titled “12 Marketing Tips and One Cool Tech Toy” – it was fun to show the attendees some of the unique and new ways we can market ourselves or our listings better. If you missed this session and are interested in a chance to see it, send Lisa Bohlen an e-mail at lbohlen@previewproperties.com or post a comment on this blog. Here’s a comment from Val Potts, Realtor at Preview Properties.com that I received on my Facebook wall on Friday afternoon following the session: “I got a request for a friend from a past client I haven’t seen in over a year!!!! Thanks for your wisdom in getting us into the new age!”

To all Brighton Preview Properties agents / employees: the back door code in Brighton has changed. You should have received the new code via e-mail. If you need the code, please contact any of the office staff at 810-220-0000.

If you have news to share on this blog I will post and include your name, moving you higher up in search engines. For example, I searched for Scott Bohlen’s name and found the blog mention listed 5th. I searched for Val Potts’ name and found a blog mention listed 13th. Help us, and yourself, get more exposure! Of course, if you would like to post something anonymously, you could always do so by adding a comment to any posting on this site.

Tim Minder is no longer a real estate agent at Preview Properties.com. If you have questions regarding his listings, please contact Jennie Gehring or Scott Bohlen.

Please support local businesses in your community! I noticed three new businesses in Brighton, Michigan this weekend:

• Pawsitively Spoiled – a full service pet shop including grooming. Purchase cute holiday pet outfits for the fashionable four legged critter in your family here.
• Pi’s Asian Cuisine opened Monday in the former Toroz Mexican Grill on Second Street near Meijer. They’ll offer Thai, Japanese, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese with an open kitchen.
• Two Brothers Coffee – not open yet, but awning is now up. Peaking in the windows, I spotted nice display cases for holding deli or bakery items.

Speaking of local businesses, Bob Smith’s client, Gwen Sommer, owns Sommer Breeze Salon & Day Spa at 8023 Grand River 48114. She is offering deep discounts on hair styling and massages. Styling/cuts for $18 and 60 minute massages (sport, relaxation or therapeutic) for $30. For more information, contact 810-225-0000 or http://www.sommerbreeze.com/.