Christi Borden, CIPS, ABR, GRI

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This is an interesting article. My brokerage Prudential Gary Greene has an easy Facebook App for uploading listings. Luckily for Realtors in Houston, our Association, (HAR) also offers this ability at a touch of a button. We also have auto updates on Twitter for new listings, price changes, etc. Our Board of Directors have made it a priority to focus on Social Media and are constantly offering tools to benefit our members: free blogs, member videos, consumer ratings, real time communication with consumers and more. As for posting listings on Facebook... I think we need to use a bit of caution here. Remember, Social Media is about building relationships and not necessarily selling. I do post my listings on Facebook and Twitter but only about once a week or less just as a reminder that I am in business and to highlight Open Houses or special features. I do post several times a day about personal matters, industry information, videos, photos, my blog posts, etc. but not from a sales pitch perspective. If we all post listings daily, we might end up turning Facebook into a psuedo MLS and we will lose the very thing we love about it... personal relationship building. Not to mention we may all be "un-friended" by those not in the business of real estate - which will turn Facebook into just another Realtor site... Your Katy, TX Realtor, Christi Borden, CIPS, GRI, ABR Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors Email: Christi@ChristiBorden.com Web: www.ChristiBorden.com Cell: 832-372-7470

I look forward to receiving my report. This is always a great resource and we all need guidance in the Social Media realm. I do not mind the agents posting occasional listings Facebook as most are my friends and I love to see their listings (note, I said "occasional) but I do mind the constant Tweets "Looking for a good agent in XYZ area, call me"... That is just not what works in the Twitterverse or anywhere. Can you imagine having success walking into a cocktail party with your card in hand, shoving it into everyone's face saying the exact same thing? I love hearing from other real estate professionals and follow many but will block or unfriend anyone from any profession that is just all about the sales pitch. Your Katy, TX Realtor, Christi Borden, CIPS, GRI, ABR Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors Email: Christi@ChristiBorden.com Web: www.ChristiBorden.com Cell: 832-372-7470

I am still trying to figure it all out. I enjoy catching up with my "friends" on FB but can tend to spend too much valuable time there. As for Twitter, I do use it for gathering and sharing news about our area. I recently went on a cruise in Europe and "met" the guest chef for our cruise on Twitter before we left the States. It was fun meeting her IRL and that is a connection that would not have been made otherwise. What I really do not like is the constant barrage of sales pitches - and real estate agents are the worst of the bunch. Spam on Twitter and FB is like attending a coctail party and walking right up to strangers with your hand out saying, "My name is Tom, I am a Realtor and will answer any questions you may have." I just hope people will get that they must develop the relationships first, then present the pitch if requested. Your Katy, TX Realtor, Christi Borden, CIPS, GRI, ABR Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors Email: Christi@ChristiBorden.com Web: www.ChristiBorden.com Cell: 832-372-7470