Be Aware of the Social Media Signals You Send
So I’m not sold on the whole 4Square thing that has taken off with the RE.net and social media in general. If it’s just a game and supposed to be fun, then I totally get it. If it’s supposed to be more than that? - Then I’m a little speculative.
The thing is that I with more and more people getting on Social Networks (and more of us friending our clients in this arena) one has to stop and ask themselves, “what is the signal that I’m truly sending?”
If I’m a home seller and a client of yours and see the following:
* Checking in a the Gap on @4square www.blankurl.com
* Having drinks with @someone at Martini Park @4square www.blankurl.com
* Taking the kids to see Avatar at Kerasotes @4square www.blankurl.com
What the hell are you doing to sell my home?
I understand that we are all supposed to have lives – and yes that goes for Real Estate professionals as much as the next person. But at the same time, “I’m paying you 6% to have drinks in the middle of the day???”
I think that a lot of this has to do with balance and timing. I want to at least think that my agent would be out showing houses, or showing MY HOUSE during the weekend. I want to think that during the day they are researching the market, following up for feedback, or whatever else it is that agents do.
The other thing that bothers me is most of the “check ins” that I see on 4Square are just that. “I’m here – “ It’s not telling me about the venue, the food, the style or anything else. It’s simply stating that you’re there. Well, good for you cuz I’m not. I’m at home. When someone leaves a yelp review, or goes on citysearch it’s at least telling me a little bit about the area (and if you want deals – why not tweet about groupon.com offers?)
Kristin Walker @chasinsideout put a great thought out there stating “@mattdollinger would think same goes for constant tweeting and daily random blog posts. Got to be an SM balance right?” and I totally agree. If you have time (from the consumers point of view again) to write a lengthy blog post about RPR or Social Media in the middle of the day – I don’t really think you’re doing your job right? If you’re posting pictures from the weekend on your facebook account on a Saturday afternoon – why aren’t you out with clients? This isn’t even getting into the topics (i.e. are you writing for your clients or for other Realtors?)
A rule of thumb that I tell all of the agents that I coach is, “Before you hit post – send – or tweet – ask yourself, ‘Does this bring value to me or someone else?’ and if it does go ahead and send it.” I think that something as simple as scheduling your posts to go out in the evening or early morning would be enough to get around the “what are you doing right now” question from your clients.
Just a couple of thoughts – but something we should all be aware of.
Matt Dollinger
TheYouFactor.com
Matthew Dollinger
Performance Coach
@properties
212 East Ohio, Chicago, IL 60611
O: 312.506.0236
C: 773.354.9681
mattdollinger@atproperties.com
