During this day and age of faster than light Internet connections and so many places to maintain your Internet presence, it would be easy to lock yourself up in a little room and work on your laptop forever. There are countless sites that you can join, most are even free, that will help you stay in front of millions of potential clients and customers through the use of Social Media.
Without a doubt it's here to stay in one form or fashion, and more and more people are making use of it. I got friend request on Facebook a couple months ago from my Mother, so now I know that everyone truly is on there. I would think that any or all of these places, provided you use them correctly, can be an excellent addition to your business plan and marketing strategy. After all, you do want to go where the people go and obviously for now, the people are interested in Social Media.
But in the process of maintaining that online presence, try to remember the original Social Media. Actually going out in the public and meeting people. Your website is a fantastic form of advertising, so is your blog and anything else that you may have in your arsenal. But nothing will represent you better than yourself.
So don't forget to make the most of opportunities to go to parties or get togethers and actually meet people in person. Some of the best friend requests you'll ever make consists of walking up to a stranger and introducing yourself with a handshake.
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JL Boney, III - Columbia, SC Realtor - Russell and Jeffcoat Realtors
I specialize in Columbia, SC real estate and the surrounding areas, including Blythewood, SC, Kershaw County, Fairfield County, and Lexington, SC. If you are in the market to buy or sell a home in Columbia, SC or any of the surrounding areas, I would love the opportunity to speak with to see how I can help. Thanks for reading and feel free to contact me if I can be of service to you.
Office- 803-788-1450 Cell- 803-730-9601 Email- jlboney@russellandjeffcoat.com
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I agree. Sometimes it's easier to do everything from a distance, but there sure is power in actually building a real live relationship!
Amen! It's funny how many people have forgotten this. As a Board of Director for the local Chamber of Commerce we hold monthly business mixers, and I am constantly even there work to encourage those in attendance to actually get up, walk around and actuall 'mix' and meet the others that are in attendance. I attribute it to what you said above about forgetting how to get out from behind their laptops and actually talking with people.
Ray- I think people feel more comfortable when they don't have to be face to face, but it's still the best way.
Paul- I go to a good many Chamber events on my side of town, they can be a great way to meet new people and have some fun in the process.
You mean log off....???
Just kidding, Yesterday I was in my favorite coffee shop chatting, later at our golf club for dinner, it's always so nice so see and talk to folks. I agree social is face to face too.
Linda- You certainly need to spend some time logged on, but it sounds like you are making an effort get a good balance between online and off line.
Maybe that's why I am continuously late getting back here :) Good point...that balance :)
Good point JL. I think it gets a little too easy for us to hide behind our computers rather than get out there and do some face to face friend making.
Absolutely! You said it all, and very well, indeed.
Sally- I'm always late here as well, but sometimes I'm right on time out there.
Susan- Facebook is great, but I have found that face to face is better, we just need to balance our time.
S to S- Thank you very much.
:: standing up and applauding ::
Yabetcha, JL. Face to face is best! Belly to belly as they say in CRE.
The other thing that cracks me up is that people who have just jumped on the bandwagon (including some of the social media punditstars) think it just started last few years!
Many of us have been networking online since the mid 90s. BBSs, newsgroups, Prodigy, and of course RealTalk.
Ain't nothing new under the sun and when it is all said/done it is a communications business but with PEOPLE.
I've been working this entire weekend (as I do monthly) compiling tearsheets of all online/offline advertising to snail to clients who don't want to use their computer and are not in town.
They either are on it all day or they don't want to deal. So it's my job to fill in the blanks. And I love this job.
Candice- Most of my clients, even the ones I have from the Internet, would rather pick up the phone and call me or stop by the office than email me. It's still a people business and though how we do business has changed and will continue to do so, this will remain a people business.
JL ---- very good post here -- I do think that some of our agents tend to get wrapped up in social networking on the internet and forget the old fashioned one.
JL...I like the old social media the best...Nothing better to get someone to remember you than by a firm handshake and a direct look into the eyes.
I love the title. It is truly the original and yet some people hide behind the computer and wonder why no business comes there way.
JL..That is Great ..sometimes we do forget don't we...Thanks
HELPFULHANNAH