Current market conditions have many small businesses scrambling to capture shrinking market share. With over 1,000,000 members in the N.A.R., real estate agents and their brokers have been particularly hard hit. Top agents are shifting from traditional marketing strategies such as newsprint media and direct mail to social media. Why? Because social media tools allow them to more effectively spread their message ” and for free! (See our article: The 5 Reasons You Will Love Social Media.) Which tools are they specifically using and how are they using them?
1)FaceBook:
The number one tool in your toolbox ” if you use nothing else, you must learn to use this one ” is Facebook. It is such a robust platform with so many different features that it dwarfs any other similar application (Linked In, Plaxo, etc) The primary purpose of Facebook is to exponentially grow your database ” your sphere of influence. Facebook allows you to spread your message virally. Your friends not only see it, but their friends see it too!
2)Twitter:
Like Facebook, twitter is a way to spread your message virally. The difference is that its a 140-character tidbit. You dont post the actual notes, videos and photos. You post the LINK to the actual notes, videos and photos. Its ease of use and micro-blog is what makes it so popular.
3)Blog:
If youre not blogging, its because you dont understand its power. Blogging is about positioning yourself as an authority in your specific niche. By providing content that educates your clientele, you sneak your marketing message in through the back door ” that you are the trusted advisor to call when they need you.
4)E-Zine Articles:
Much of what you write for your blog can be repurposed to E-Zine Articles. The primary difference between the two is, whereas a blog is clearly your personal journal, E-Zine Articles has 3rd person credibility ” like having an article published in the newspaper. You will not want to neglect the power of E-Zine Articles to your 4-pronged marketing platform!
Thats it ” the 4 must have tools to put your marketing platform on steroids. And the best part? They are all FREE!