Real estate networking is one thing, real estate networking online is a whole other ball game.
Whether you’re new to the investing industry or you’re a seasoned pro, you probably understand the importance of networking. Meeting new faces and talking about your business to whomever will listen is not only essential for having a successful lead generation strategy but also, for improving your referral network.
The fact of the matter is, real estate investing is a people business. Analytical skills, budgeting experience, and an eye for design are all important as well; but customer service and people pleasing should be the root of all your business experiences. If you’re low on capital, networking is also a great marketing strategy that is virtually free – talking to people only uses up your time.
So without further adieu, let’s delve deeper into the importance of networking and how you can take your business to the next level.
Real Estate Networking Online: 3 Tips For Making Real Connections
Unfortunately, there are plenty of individuals who get anxious over the thought of having to network, and that is totally understandable. Whether you’re an introvert or someone who has always feared public speaking, a lack of networking can hold your business back.
Luckily, because of the myriad of advances in today’s technology, there are plenty of ways to take your networking game to the online sphere. Real estate networking online should be added to your marketing repertoire so that your business can reach new target audiences.
Use these real estate networking online tips to improve your business’ bottom line.
Start Local. This might sound counter intuitive – since one of the biggest benefits of online networking is the fact that you have the ability to reach a global audience – however, building connections in your local market is the best place to start. Why? Because locals who see that your business is local are more likely to invest their time learning about what you have to offer. Take advantage of the potential clients right from your own backyard as you are just building your online network. Once you’ve created a brand and a loyal band of followers, you can take your networking national.
Ask, “Why This Person? One of the most ingenious aspects of online networking is the fact that you have the ability to specifically define and target your ideal demographic. Most online social networks – which we will delve into deeper shortly – have ways to target specific people based on their interests, location, age, gender, and more, along with built in ways to help analyze the data you find. The point is, when launching your online networking campaign, the more specific you get when targeting, the better. While a broad audience might sound better, a general search query will not convert leads into deals. So when setting up your demographic criteria, be sure to ask “why this person?” Did this individual attend your alma mater? Did he or she work with you at another job? Do you share common interests? If you can connect with each potential client on a slightly deeper level, the chance that they will do business with you now or in the future will increase exponentially.
Close The Deal. You might have hundreds of followers across all your social media sites, but if you can’t turn those friends into clients, your hard work will be all for nothing. Once you’ve connected with people while networking online, it is essential that you follow up. You can start by liking one of their photos or commenting on one of their posts. The next step to take is reaching out via email. Try to find their professional email first. If you are unable to find this, try for their personal email. Last but not least, message them through the social media platform and ask for an in person meeting. Real estate networking online has its benefits, but if you really want to close the deal, a face-to-face meet up is essential.
The Top 3 Real Estate Networking Online Platforms
Now that you understand the best practices of real estate networking online, let’s take a closer look at the best platforms for real estate networking online.
Facebook. Facebook is the mothership of social networking platforms. Not only are its analytics and targeting abilities out of this world – and extremely user friendly – but also it has over 1 billion users. That’s right, over ⅙ of our population uses Facebook (talk about getting the word out about your business on a large scale). Facebook can be used to show off your rehab, rental, or wholesale properties, get advice from other experts, and connect with friends who may eventually turn into customers. If you plan to run a marketing ad campaign online, Facebook is the best social platform to accomplish the feat. Google search results often pull from Facebook as well; meaning, if people are searching for your business online, chances are, your business Facebook profile will be high on the search results list.
LinkedIn. LinkedIn is like Facebook’s more professional older brother. If you want potential clients and other business professionals in your industry to take you seriously, a LinkedIn presence is a must. Not only can LinkedIn be used as a source for keeping up to date with the latest trends and technology in business, it also is a great platform to represent yourself as a thought leader in your field. Did you recently write a blog post? Did you stumble across a news article that is relevant to your business? If so, share these stories on your LinkedIn account. Talk to individuals directly on LinkedIn’s messaging platform or make a request for their personal information.
Instagram While not necessary to have, Instagram is great if you want to share a more personal side of your life with potential clients. Instagram is gaining popularity by the day and it acts as the perfect platform for sharing lifestyle photos and creating a brand identity. Instagram also possesses a “live” feature where you can record videos live while your followers tune in. This is a great way to build personal connections and a following of people who are truly interested in your brand.
These real estate networking online tips and tricks have the ability to turn more leads into actual closed deals. Try them out today!
