This isn't a potshot against anyone or any service but I do find the Tweet and the photo to be a bit ironic.

Bobby Carroll - Vice President Sales & Marketing

Dakno Real Estate Marketing

3101 Popularwood Court Suite #108

Raleigh, NC 27604

Phone: 919.926.7015

Follow Me on Twitter: @rewebcoach

Here's a quick recap of an interesting "phone" conversation I had with a Dakno prospect today. We were talking about making sure the new website worked  = lead generation.

Prospect - Oh, the broker/owner doesn't want web leads and IDX engagements on his website. He wants buyers and sellers to pick up the phone and call him.

Me - Okay, so how did you feel about calling me today?

Prospect - I was reluctant to call you.

Me - Why?

Prospect - I don't like talking to "pushy" sales people.

Me - You think home buyers and sellers feel the same way?

Prospect - Yes!

Me - Here's a tip. Go tell your broker/owner you now understand why home buyers and sellers aren't likely to call his agents like they have in the past. Anonymity is the name of the game for most consumers.

Prospect - I will! Thanks!

Me  - in my head. Another mind has boldly entered the 21st century reality of marketing :-)

Bobby Carroll - Vice President Sales & Marketing

Dakno Real Estate Marketing

3101 Popularwood Court Suite #108

Raleigh, NC 27604

Phone: 919.926.7015

Follow Me on Twitter: @rewebcoach

After having a recent consulting call with Dakno client and RE/MAX - Ottawa real estate team owner Bobbie McGowan, it dawned on me it would be a missed opportunity not to share some of that conversation with all of you. Those of you who are social media savvy know there are several win/wins for agents who effectively use social media. First, it allows you to create awesome relationships with new people and strengthen existing relationships. And second, it gives you the opportunity to possibly convert a fan, friend, follower into a client by gaining a face to face appointment. I'm sure most real estate agents who leverage SM do it to nudge their digital sphere of influence (SOI) from online conversations to face to face conversations that lead to their friend, fan or follower to becoming a "client".

Here are some other aspects of social media to consider:

1. Connect with your target audience and engage in meaningful conversations online. It's amazing what you will learn from your conversations!

2. Show value to your target audience in your conversations (and be a cheerleader when your community member experiences success and empathize when they are down). Use their "name" when you Tweet, and mention them on FB updates.

3. Enhance "Top of Mind" awareness for your brand. In other words, "be memorable"!

4. Gently nudge friends/followers/fans off Facebook, Twitter, foursquare, LinkedIn, YouTube to your online hub (website/blog/IDX) where you can be more aggressive with your "calls to action" (search for homes, subscribe to our blog, etc.). Use "targeted landing pages" from your SM platforms.

Here are some examples:

Vickie Wyman - All Access Realty in Vermont and New Hampshire

My Twitter Follow Page on the Dakno site
Vickie Wyman's targeted foursquare welcome page

The goal for Vickie's "welcome foursquare friends page" will be to have copy highlighting Vickie's "valuable foursquare tips" and linked local resource pages. It's Vickie's intention to hyperlink to content pages where her foursquare friends will learn about where to find all the terrific places to eat, where to have fun, what are the awesome must see local events and how/where to save on local deals and the best local hotels. These pages will solidify Vickie's role as the local area expert and trsuted adviser for all things about her areas of VT and NH.

5. Once you have secured a friend, follower, or fan and converted them into a "client", the next transition is to turn them into "raving fans" who will be your brand ambassadors! My good friend and Portsmith, NH real estate agent Ann Cummings had this occur for her business when one of her seller clients changed her Facebook personal profile photo from a photo of herself to a photo of Ann's "sold sign" (see attached). That's the ultimate! It just doesn't get any better than that! Think of the weight or Klout that carries with the seller's friends (who on average have 150 friends on Facebook). Congratulations Ann and Jim!

What are some other goals I missed for social media? Be sure to leave a comment.

To your success,

Bobby

Bobby Carroll - Vice President Sales & Marketing

Dakno Real Estate Marketing

3101 Popularwood Court Suite #108

Raleigh, NC 27604

Phone: 919.926.7015

Follow Me on Twitter: @rewebcoach

I was Tweeting this morning with some of my favorite New England buddies (plus Cyndee Haddon from FL) and asked everyone in the conversation if they had a Yelp Business Profile. My morning coffee buddies include:

@TwangyTexan @MariaHagan @acummings @cyndeehaydon @REALTOR_Vickie @monikamcg and @sandracummings. By the way, these peeps are super smart and you should follow all of them on Twitter!

After receiving several DM'd email addresses, it dawned on me. I should whip out a quick Posterous Blog post for "everyone" who would benefit from these easy tips to setting up a Yelp Business Profile.

As you probably already know, 2011 is the year of ratings and reviews for real estate professionals. Start now and claim your profile here: https://realtors.incredibleagents.com/create-profile

Next, go to Yelp and create your business account here:

1. Go to https://biz.yelp.com/

You can sign up for two different accounts with Yelp - A personal account to review other people's businesses or - a business account to have others review your business.

https://biz.yelp.com/ is the website for your business account.

2. Click on the create your free account now image located in the middle of the page.

3. Type in your business name as well as location and click search.

4. If you do find your business listed after you click search and it has next to it. Click it. If your business is not in the list, go to the very bottom of the page and click on "Add your business to Yelp"

5. You will then need to type in business, personal, and account information.

6. After your information has been typed in Yelp will want to verify that you are indeed a part of the business you are signing up with. They will do this through a phone call and provide you with a code to be typed in on the site. It takes 15 seconds!

7. Once you are verified you will have complete access to editing your business page with pictures, special services/events/webinars/open houses, working hours, etc.

Now you are all set up to receive reviews (good and bad) and are listed with one of the most powerful websites on the internet. Go create some 5-star review-worthy business reviews in your area and get Yelped about!

Now here is the BONUS IDEA!

Write a genuine review for a local business. My mom always said if you can’t say something nice, keep your mouth shut. Following my mom’s advice, write a genuine, heartfelt, positive review for a local business.

Here’s the golden nugget…

1.       Print the review (with your profile info/image on it for all to see)

2.       Frame the review

3.       Deliver the review to the business owner

4.       Then watch as they place your framed review for all to see right by the place where there will be the most traffic… at the cash register!

5.       Then go write a business spotlight post (you do have a local business spotlight category…. right?) saying why you love that business and why you are stark raving fan of theirs! Then “Like” their business page. And don’t forget to go back and show them the post you wrote about their business! You’ll have friends for life and at least a few more readers of your blog.

This stuff is so much fun and being a local cheerleader and area expert will do wonders for you and for your business partners. No doubt it will help you grow your social capital too!

Good luck and be sure to leave a comment how this strategy works for you.

To your success,

Bobby

Bobby Carroll - Vice President Sales & Marketing

Dakno Real Estate Marketing

3101 Popularwood Court Suite #108

Raleigh, NC 27604

Phone: 919.926.7015

Follow Me on Twitter: @rewebcoach

Earlier today I tweeted that if I were a real estate agent I would schedule a time to do some coffee shop marketing. Part of that marketing strategy would include a graphic on my website/blog inviting those who might be nearby to stop in during my scheduled weekly visits to join me for a chat and a FREE cup of coffee. Maybe even invite site visitors to sign up to let me know they'd like to meet me. (Full disclosure - I am a Real Estate Broker with an "inactive" NC Real Estate license ;-)

When "camped out" in a favorite coffee shop, I like the idea of placing a "billboard" on my laptop like Dakno client Debbie Summers offers on her "Move to Lake Mary" laptop skin". By the way, her laptop skin was designed by Dakno Real Estate Web Design and made by Skinit.com.

Do you frequent your local coffee shop and perform some "work" on your laptop reading email and following up with your clients?

If you do, maybe you should have your very own laptop skin that seamlessly matches your website, blog and IDX. It's an awesome conversation starter!

Caffeinating your real estate marketing!

Bobby

If you are headed to Austin, TX for the 2011 Mega Camp event, here are 5 simple tips to getting more out of your KW Mega Camp experience!

1. Buddy Up @ #KWMC!

Find someone from a non-competing market and split up for the breakout sessions. The benefit of the buddy system is it allows you to network and gain even more info to the "power of 2"! Take good notes (download and use the Evernote App). Then share what you learned with your buddy.

2. Tweet it Up @ #KWMC!

Tweeting is another form of note taking. You can go back and refer to the Twitter stream for nuggets of wisdom. Glean through these nuggets for actionable strategies (see next bullet!) Not able to attend #KWMC? Take advantage of the "streams of Twitter consciousness" that flows from #KWMC. Then learn and implement!

3. Create your "Fab 5" from #KWMC!

Zero in on your top 5 "ah-ha" moments from Mega Camp. Now take your "top 5 action items" and implement the easiest one next week when you return from Mega Camp 2011!

4. Network with the #KWMC Family!

Build your referral network while you're at Mega Camp. Then come back and create a really cool referral page on your Keller Williams real estate website! This type of page will make obtaining referrals really easy for all your new Keller Williams family members!

5. Now Blog About What You Learned @ #KWMC!
Share what you learned, and your memorable moments with fellow Keller Williams family members! Want to really make an impact? Take video and share that with your fellow Keller Williams agents and potential clients!

Be sure to leave a comment and tell everyone what exciting new strategies you learned this week at the 2011 Edition of Keller Williams Mega Camp!

To your success,

Bobby

Bobby Carroll
Vice President Sales & Marketing

Dakno Real Estate Marketing

3101 Popularwood Court Suite #108

Raleigh, NC 27604

Phone: 919.926.7015

Follow Me on Twitter: @rewebcoach