“Hey gang…these are the instructions I promised. Please log in as instructed to claim your free website.
If you have any questions let me know. Anyone who put a business card with a quote about how you thought my free “Social Networking Seminar” went, into my mailbox…gets a free 15 minute booster meeting w/me!”

STEP 1. Make a website! Do your home work 1st. There is no sense in getting traffic to your site if you can not handle the business you get. Be sure you have all the correct contact information on your site to ensure you do get those calls and e-mails.
-Don’t have a site? No problem, the MFRMLS is putting your money to work for you! See below how to get your personalized website. Free w/membership.

Retrieving your Custom Link. Go to the MyFloridaHomesMLS.com click on the “Members Only” link at the bottom of the www.MyFloridaHomesMLS.com home screen. Log in using your MLXchange ID and password. Your custom link which should be added at the end of www.MyFloridaHomesMLS.com will be shown at the bottom of the screen. Example: If the custom link says “/RealtorJoe” your custom URL would be www.MyFloridaHomesMLS.com/RealtorJoe. After obtaining your custom link, it can be embedded as a hyperlink on any personal website which will provide an excellent property search that surpasses other IDX solutions and will also save you money! The custom links can also be shared with your clients so that leads are sent directly back to you.
-Website designers can also build you a custom site. Be sure to get all the rights to your site so you will not have to continue to pay for the site into the future.
-Try creating a WordPress Blog. It is a simple 5 minute process that most beginners can master pretty easily.

STEP 2. Brand yourself! On a sheet of paper, write down all your screen names, e-mail names, nicknames, what you want to be known for. Accentuate your positive and make it your own. Go out and grab that name before it is too late! MSN Live, Twitter, MySpace, FaceBook, Digg, Linked, Blogger, Acid Rain, Flickr, FriendsFeed and Google are all good Social Networking sites.
-BEST TIP EVER* As you create your accounts. Use a password saving program or simply save to your phone, all account usernames and passwords. This will save you time in the future.

STEP 3. What is Social Networking and why do I need to know? Social Networking is basically getting out there and making as many connections as possible. It starts locally through places, like the Chamber, Pop Warner, Golf club, PTA, or business groups. Use the names and contacts you already have and expand. Most sites have the ability to ipload your current contacts to get “connected” with them on these various sites. Why do you need these sites?
-Currently, even fortune 500 companines and top CEO’s visit these sites doing recruiting, marketing and market research.
-Sales is a numbers game…the number of closed deals you make is a direct result of how many people you contact! If you meet 100 people on the internet, marketing effectively you have a better chance to earn business than if you only met 10 people a day in person.
-REFERALS…how many of you get referrals from E-business? How do you think they get those referrals? “Agents” man pop up chat screens and basically wait for clients surfing the internet to click in and ask them about real estate. If you are on-line working anyway, shouldn’t you be getting those contacts directly?

STEP 4. Be yourself! There are thousands of Realtors currently fighting for the same business. Let’s face it, only the best of the best are still in the industry. Right now, those who stay ahead of the market are the ones will succeed. Focus on being the best YOU that you are and clients looking for your unique personality will follow.
-It will not be an immediate result. People on the internet are just as cautious as the rest of us. Remember, people on the internet like facts. If you make a claim, back it up with a link, picture or resource. This is the multimedia generation, a simple picture will not work.

STEP 5. Consistancy. You must log onto your sites daily or as often as you can. Consider it a job. When you are logged onto the internet, you are working. Consider yourself a Real Estate resource and be sure to speak up when comments are made that you do not agree with. Be prepared to defend your position and help when needed. Do not expect business just for helping. You may not get the business of the person you help but someone else may notice and use you next time.
-Is there a Realtor in the house? Don’t set up a site if you don’t check it. Fastest way to lose a client is to not reply to their e-mails.
-Download applications to your cell phones! Use your camera to double your market share. A picture really is worth a thousand words…video is almost priceless.
-Educate yourself. Daily I find myself Googling something to research “how to.” If you find some good info share it with the rest of the team.

REMEMBER: Social Networking is a way to build a solid marketing foundation. If you are a new Realtor, you can quickly build your client base. If you are a seasoned veteran social networking is the perfect way to keep in touch with past clients! A happy former client can earn you several more if you stay in contact. FB, MS and the rest even remind you of your clients birthdays! Stay in the loop and stay connected. If you do good work and are easy to find, clients will find you.

NEXT TIME: How to use your sites to stay organized, manage tax deductions, upload pics/videos/links etc. More FaceBook tips!

REALITY IS PERCEPTION…PERCEPTION IS REALITY
How do people see you? Google yourself? Do you even show up? If you are a person relocation to the area, how would you find a Realtor? Think about it…

KIM JOHNSON

International Realtor

Watson Realty

Office: +1 352 536 6402

Mobile: +1 407 575 7078

Fax: +1 352 243 4166

kimjohnson@watsonrealtycorp.com

www.kimandterry.com