Whether it's Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, or any of the other social media platforms, expanding your luxury real estate referral database is now easier than ever before. In the past, we had to spend thousands of dollars on print advertising to generate two or three high quality leads. Or you may have spent hundreds of hours holding open houses, knocking on doors, or cold calling prospects. As often as not, your call, mailer, or door knock was unwelcome.
In contrast, the people who are engaging in social media are eager to have a conversation with you as a person--not as a Realtor (at least not initially.) You will NOT connect with luxury real estate buyers and sellers by telling them how many luxury properties you have sold. Instead, the route to connection is shared interests. For example, are you a "foodie"--someone who loves fine food and wonderful wine? If so, you can use a site www.Monitter.com to see who is on Twitter tweeting about food and wine. You don't need a Twitter account to read what they're saying, but you do need one if you want to join in the conversation. Other topics you could plug in to locate high end clients include golf, travel, antique cars, tennis, sailing, etc. The key is to choose something in which you have an active interest and engage others in the conversation. You can either search these on Twitter or use Monitter.com if you don't have a Twitter account.
Another way to reach high end clients is to use a site called Twellow.com. This site serves as an index on Twitter of people by profession. For example, if you have an interest in stock market investment, you Twellow to locate others who share that same interest. If you were a nurse before you became a Realtor, reach out to other medical professionals.
The bottom line about social networking goes back to the principles of attraction--like attracts like. Social media require you to show up as who you are as a person. When others get to know you on a personal basis, they will be much more likely to do business with you. Best of all, it's a lot more fun to meet people doing what you love to do rather than pounding the hot summer pavement knocking on doors and holding open house!
Posted by Bernice Ross--need more help with your real estate business? If so, find out why "Real Estate Dough(TM) Your Recipe for Real Estate Success was the #1 Selling Book at the 2008 National Association of Realtors Convention.
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