InmanNext | Social media: Are you in or are you out? Either way, I still love you | Cross River Real Estate

Are you in or are you out?

What should I do with my Facebook page? Do I need to be on Twitter? Should I care about Instagram? All questions I get asked, a lot. I don’t mind; I just wish I had an easy answer.

I like to talk about new apps, technology, and of course my beloved Evernote and as much as my life – work and personal – revolves around Google+, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram (oh and don’t forget Untappd! craft beer anyone?) that doesn’t mean it’s for everyone. In my eyes that should be a beautiful thing but it can lead to confusion and frustration. Understandably so.

The world of social media is one that I think about a lot. What does it mean now? What will it look like in a couple of years? How will it change and in what new forms will it appear? So many questions to ask and only you can answer them for yourself. I wholeheartedly believe what you get out of something has to do with what you put into it.

Here are three things I want you to chew on:

What is your business plan and where, if at all, does social media fit into that?
Facebook business page or not, I leave that up to you. What kind of time do you have and what are you comfortable putting into it? I’ve talked about going on a vacation from Facebook, but I know people that have gotten rid of it all together. If it doesn’t make sense for you and your business plan, then get rid of it.

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Is this what you look like in real life?

Twitter is amazing for engagement and conversations with people from all over the world that you may have never met otherwise.

But, if you’re sitting on the sidelines with that funny egg shape as your profile picture that’s not exactly screaming engagement or even that you care. If you don’t take the time to put in a headshot of your handsome/pretty self and fill out your profile and contact information, it’s time to move on, and that’s okay. I’m not here to judge.

Honestly, I love when I meet an agent or broker that knows Twitter is not for them. They got their feet wet and gave it a go. Maybe they even found 15 minutes in the day to do Twitter,  but it just wasn’t worth their time. You won’t know until you honestly try.

For some, it’s more of a time suck. Don’t be afraid to go against the flow. Only you will know what your goals and strategies are for you and your business.

How much time do you have to spend on engagement and conversations?
Maybe answering this will allow you to know which pieces of the social media puzzle fit into your life. If you’re not able to respond and pay attention to those around you, Twitter, Facebook, etc. may not be it for you.

Is it fun for you? Are you showing people the real you?
Pictures can be worth so much more than the 140 character limit on Twitter. A lot of great people in real estate are using Instagram beautifully. Check out three of my favorites:
1. Greg Fischer, @fischrealestate has a consistent aesthetic behind all things Fort Worth that he shares.
2. Jennifer Kjellgren, @intownexpert shows us who she is as a person and an experienced agent in Atlanta’s Intown neighborhood
3. Brooke Derby, @bderby is another great example showcasing life in beautiful Hawaii.

People want to see more to you than just that house you’re trying to sell. Be real! New apps and technologies will continue to come out of the woodwork. Take the time to educate yourself and figure out what works for you. How does all of this relate to your personal goals and strategies for your business?

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