The constant job-seekers
Realtor Notebook
By Teresa Boardman, Thursday, March 12, 2009.
Flickr image by lumaxart.com.It seems like everywhere I look there are social media experts, trainers, coaches and classes. It will amaze some to learn that I can even find these people outside of the real estate industry.
I belong to a local social media networking group that seems to be composed of marketing consultants, social media experts, the mainstream news media, the new news media, and people like me who are small-business owners.
Even though we have our own social media experts and coaches and trainers and consultants in the real estate industry, I am finding that there is a lot of value in going outside of the industry.
Networking with other agents is alright, but my business doesn't come from other agents -- it comes from people who live in my community. There is a lot of valuable experience and knowledge outside of the real estate industry. We did not invent the idea of social networks, blogs, social media, marketing or prospecting.
It isn't that those outside the real estate industry know things that we don't know, they just do things differently. I recently attended an event where a recruiter/headhunter talked about how to use LinkedIn to find a job. LinkedIn, for those who are not familiar with it, is like Facebook except it is a bit more professional.
His advice to job seekers was to make sure that your LinkedIn profile is completely filled out and that it is as professional-looking as possible. He also advised job-seekers to not be afraid to show a little personality. He recommended that persons who are looking for a job start a blog.
I got a lot out of his presentation and it got me to thinking. As a small-business owner I look for a job every day. It is my job-seeking skills that I use the most. We call it prospecting or marketing our services, but it is the same as job-hunting.
Anyone who has read my blog knows that I am not afraid to show some personality. I believe that showing personality is what makes social networking and blogs work in the first place.
The unemployment rate is rising each month. When people don't have jobs they can't buy homes, and some will lose the homes they currently own. The housing market isn't really the center of the global economy. Employment is.
Having the ability to find a job is the most useful skill any of us have. Using social media and networks to find a job is the newest and probably the cheapest was to do it. Having the ability to find work through the Internet using social media is as valuable a skill as being able to sell real estate.
For those who have these job-finding skills, consider going to a conference or joining a group in your own community. It is a great way to meet people and to network and learn. It is possible to learn from people who work outside the real estate industry, and as people who spend a lot of time looking for work we have a lot to offer to these groups.
There are social media groups and clubs all over the country. They can be found through Google or Meetup. If there isn't a group in your community, then you have the opportunity to start one.
Teresa Boardman is a broker in St. Paul, Minn., and founder of the St. Paul Real Estate blog.
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Submitted by Rick Hardman on March 12, 2009 - 8:34am.
You make a very clear, yet very important distinction in your post - you do not sell to other real estate agents. Hence, the need to network outside of the real estate realm and the reason you are right on in your thoughts about utilizing other sources for social media.
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Submitted by Catherine Read on March 12, 2009 - 11:38am.
Refreshing perspective Teresa. I teach social media technologies and their applications to real estate, but some of the best information I have gotten has been from non-real estate related sources. Scott Monty of Ford Motor Company did a wonderful webinar on social media through the Society for Word of Mouth Marketing (#SWOM). I have now used his analogies, stories and examples in classes I've taught for real estate agents and also political committees.
Something I like very much is his analogy that Linked-In is like a business meeting, Facebook is like a meeting in the hallway, and Twitter is like a cocktail party. That has resonated with every group where I have used it. I agree it's good to get out beyond the borders of an industry we know so well.
Catherine S. Read (@csread61)
Creative Read, Inc.
Submitted by Marcia Canady on March 12, 2009 - 11:52am.
Hi Teresa:
Thanks for a thoughtful post. I agree...to be competitive in this market, Agents are tasked with learning new ways to win listings and sell properties.
We at 2media not only have real estate backgrounds, but we have years of online and social media marketing experience.
We created an online marketing program that applies all of the social media, online marketing, offline marketing, job searching tools and cause marketing into one "turn-key" easy program.
We launched www.LuxuryRealEstate4Charity.com a few months ago in Southern California as a "beta" test. We will do a full launch in April and the open up the site Nationally & Globally in the next year.
Agents pay a low monthly fee and can create an Agent Profile (which can serve as their website). Their profile is linked to all of their listings that they upload to the site.
Agents can upload unlimited property videos...and we help them get those videos created. I can't think of a better way to "sell yourself". Agents are filmed giving a tour of the property with the ability to show their expertise and point out the unique features of the home.
All of the social media sharing tools are included: Send the property video to a potential buyer via email (what better marketing tool is that?), post the property video to your blog or website, Facebook, Twitter etc.
We will offer free weekly online classes to teach Agents how to take advantage of social media/online marketing to win more listings and sell more properties.
These weekly classes will be presented by industry experts in online/social media marketing who have the ability to apply these tools to the real estate market.
We are also implementing an aggressive PR & Marketing program to drive the Affluent Buyer to participating Agents and their properties. We act as the Agent's personal marketing team.
So I agree. Agents who seek out these types of programs will prosper in this tough job-seeking economy. :)
Thanks again for the post.
Marcia
Marcia Canady
President & COO
2media.us
www.LuxuryRealEstat4Charity.com
http://twitter.com/luxre4charity
marcia@2media.us
Tel: 949.544.1740
Submitted by Carol Donatelli, CRS on March 12, 2009 - 12:32pm.
Yes, I agree your future employers are not real estate agents.
Determine your interests, make it a volunteer organization ,you will be rewarded.
Best Regards.
Carol Donatelli,CRS
http://www.crs.com/msite/6575289
Submitted by Rick Hardman on March 12, 2009 - 2:18pm.
Marcia - Perhaps a bit too "salesy" in the post. Catherine - a great analogy on the different social media platforms.
I think that one thing we need to learn from the all of the buzz about social media is that it is and always has been about relationships. I think social media is based business model. I can certainly hope anyways.
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Submitted by Tina Merritt on March 12, 2009 - 5:44pm.
Hi Teresa! Unfortunately, my husband's company isdownsizing and he is looking for a new position. He has found that LinkedIn is much more effective for networking and promoting himself than using searches such as Monster and Careerbuilder. Using the networking connections on LinkedIn is a great way to connect and get yourself in front of potential employers - whether real estate related or not. You make a fantastic point.
Tina Merritt, President
Wolkia - "Helping Real Estate Embrace Technology"
www.wolkia.com
tina@wolkia.com
Submitted by Robert A. Hulme on March 12, 2009 - 5:46pm.
We certainly are looking each and every day for a new employer and I agree that blogging is one of the best ways to start communication with each one these future bosses.
Robert A. Hulme
Realtor, GRI, e-PRO
Prudential Utah Real Estate
Loan Officer
Mortgage Xpress
www.UtahCountyRealtor.us
www.UtahCountyHomes4sale.com
801-885-2586