Vflyer has it all over some of the other Facebook listing applications for many reasons:

• Your contact info is prominently displayed at the top of the page
• The listing information displayed is the Internet flyer you created with links to your information
• The application can be installed on both your profile and your fan pages

Here is the Vflyer’s real estate listing application on Leigh Brown’s page, Charlotte North Carolina Real Estate.

Here are instructions for adding the Vflyer application to Facebook.

I also like the Internet flyers you can create with Vflyer. It offers many unique features:

• It contains a slide show and a link to your real estate website on the first page of a multi-page flyer.
• You can include an unlimited amount of links to your other online real estate marketing tools.
• It includes a nice map.
• And offers marketing for your other listings.

Interested in Vflyer, but don’t have the time to fool with it? As your real estate virtual assistant, I’m glad to help. Simply give me a call, 757.271.6047 or send me an email to get started.

LinkedIn is a network of over 55 million professionals who are interested in exchanging information, ideas and opportunities. It is a ‘place to find and be found.’ You can find people who will be helpful in building your business. And you can be found by people needing your real estate services.

Your profile is your online business card. It is the first glimpse of who you are. It is a showcase of your experience and expertise. And it needs to be strategically optimized for people to be able to find you. There are 2 reasons to optimize your profile. One is for the computer and one is for people. Optimization of the computer includes the strategic use of keywords. People don’t search for you by your name but by the services you provide or the company you are affiliated with. You also want people to look at your profile and think, “Wow, this is a person I need to do business with.”

Prior to optimizing my profile, if I searched ‘real estate virtual assistant’, I showed up on page 3 of the results. After optimization, I show up as #2 on the first page. Certainly, a better place to be if I want someone to find me. Let’s look at the elements of a profile and how to best make them work for you.

1. Your Name

Keep this clean. If your goal is to attract buyers and sellers, don’t clutter it up with designations such as ABR and CRS. Most people don’t know what these are. If your goal is to network with other real estate professionals, adding designations would be important. If you were known professionally by a maiden name and people would search for you by that name, definitely add it.

2. Your photo

LinkedIn is a network of professionals. You don’t want to use a photo of you water skiing. Use a professionally looking headshot with a nice background and crop it close to your face. This is not the place to use a company logo. Your goal is to build relationships and people want to see the person they are reading about.

3. Professional headline

Directly under your Name is the ‘Professional Headline’ box. This headline is extremely important and is used by the search algorithms. Keywords are king here and you want to include keywords that will be used in searching for you, such as ‘realtor’ and ‘real estate.’ You also want to include your value proposition. What is it you have to offer? Think of the ‘Professional Headline’ as your bumper sticker or 5 second elevator pitch.

It is also good to include a link to your website or blog. You can’t make it a live hyperlink, but people will see it and possible copy/paste it into their browser to learn more about you.

My old headline read ‘Owner, Team Leader for myREassistant.’ Most people don’t use ‘owner’ or ‘team leader’ as search terms. My new headline reads, ‘Real estate virtual assistant offering services at http://myreassistant.com.’

4. Title

The title is also a place to strategically use keywords. One trick for showing up in searches is to use the same keywords in your summary. Think about the phrases that someone will use to search for you and use them in the title and your summary. Use something like ‘[City] real estate expert.’

My old title was ‘Owner, Team Leader for myREassistant.’ My new title is ‘Real Estate Virtual Assistant I Real Estate Marketing I Transaction Management I Social Media at myREassistant.com.’

5. Websites

This is one place on your Profile where links are hyperlinked and live. The only other place a link is hyperlinked is your Twitter url. You are allowed links to three websites.

The biggest mistake I see people making on their websites is that when they add a website, they choose in the dropdown to call it ‘My website’ or ‘My Company’ or ‘My Blog’. I don’t like any of those. What I want you to do is type in ‘Other’. When you choose ‘Other’ you can enter something descriptive. Instead of saying ‘My Website’, say ‘Search all [city] homes for sale’ or [city] real estate information.’ Choose something meaningful to people reading your profile.

I used to use ‘My Website’, ‘My blog’ and ‘My Newsletter. Now I use ‘Virtual Assistant services’, ‘Real estate success tips’ and ‘build a referral business.’

6. Twitter

LinkedIn is interfacing with Twitter and you can add your Twitter handle here.

7. Public Profile

Go into your profilepage, click on this little ‘Edit’ link right next to your public profile and claim your vanity URL and add it here. Your want this link to be neat, clean and something you put thought into. You don’t want a bunch of meaningless numbers and letters in a default link.

8. Summary

As I mentioned previously, one of the tricks to you summary is the use of keywords and key phrases. You are allowed approximately 2,000 characters. Use all of them. This is your opportunity for you to put your message in front of somebody who’s looking for you or your services. You want to engage people and one of the best ways is to tell mini-stories about how you helped someone. Write a short evidence of success and include your value proposition. The summary is a marketing tool communicating how you can help someone.

At the bottom of your Summary you can add ‘Specialties’. Be sure to use your keywords and key phrases here.

9. Applications

There are a ton of applications. A couple you might want to consider is the Slide Share. You can use this to upload a Power Point presentation. The other is Blog Link. This allows your blog posts to be brought into your LinkedIn profile.

10. Connections

You want to think about the goal of your LinkedIn network before you start adding connections. If you want to network with other real estate agents, you will want to invite other agents to join your network. If your want to focus on prospective buyers and sellers, you will want to invite your sphere, clients and local businesses. You will want to have a ‘strong’ network that is meaningful and provides value rather than just a network large in numbers that is not going to benefit your business in any way.

When asking someone to connect with you, be sure to include a personal note in your connection request saying why you want to connect with that person. Let the person know what benefit it is to them to connect with you.

11. Recommendations

There is nothing wrong with asking for recommendations, but it is much more personal to ask outside of the network rather than using the LinkedIn request. You might want to send a congratulations email to a buyer or seller after closing and in the email ask for a recommendation on your LinkedIn page and include the link to your page.

Strategically optimizing you LinkedIn profile will increase your chances of being found by people who need your services. Please contact me if you have any questions or need help with your LinkedIn profile.

1. Realtor.com

Realtor.com has a free Facebook application that pulls your listing information from Realtor.com and adds it to your Facebook profile in a box on your left sidebar and in a tab. All you need is your MLS ID and you are good to go. The one drawback to this application is when visitors click on your listing they are taken to the Realtor.com page and away from your Facebook profile. Once on Realtor.com, a visitor may never get back to your information.

You can download the application at www.SeeMyListings.com.

2. My Real Estate Listings

This application is powered by www.previsite.com. The Facebook application is free, but you must subscribe to Previsite. Included in your yearly subscription is a camera kit to do your own virtual tours, a web based platform to upload, organization and management of your images. You can add floor plans and hotspots, send your tours to facebook, twitter, send video tours to youtube, get traffic statistics, email/share the tour, print flyers, etc. A yearly subscription is $579.

This application received rave reviews from the agents using it and listings are displayed in an attractive manner. When accessing the application you must sign up for a Previsite account first. I was sent to a Login page with no ability to create an account. Extremely frustrating to say the least!!

3. Center Stage For Real Estate

This application is from Clientopoly. It displays your listings and even sold properties, publishes updates to your page and automatically generates a flyer/web page. There is a 30 day free trial and then a $96 annual subscription. Listings are displayed nicely and when clicked on a custom flyer displays. This application can be added to a Page, as well as your Profile.

4. My Agent Desk

You must be a member of My Agent Desk to use this application, but membership is free to Real Estate Professionals. Listings are added to a box in your left sidebar and to a Tab. The listing display page is not terribly exciting nor is the property flyer. I wasn’t impressed by the typos on the Info tab.

Here is a full flyer view.

5. Real Estate Agent Widget

This application gives you a separate, professional Real Estate Agent profile with the ability to add your Real Estate listings directly to a Facebook personal, business or fan page. The widget is eye catching and one I thought looked promising. But there are 2 reviews on their page and neither is complementary. Complaints are the widget is too far down on the wall and the subscription is difficult to cancel. You go to http://socialrealestatetools.com to subscribe. The cost is $129.99 annually.

6.  Mighty Agent Listings

You must have an account at www.MightyAgent.com. Mighty Agent creates single property websites for your listings. There is a $195.00 set-up fee and a $39 month fee for 2 agents (I’m guessing a Team). Property domain registration and sign riders are also available. The summary page of listings is the nicest looking that I have seen. When you click on the listing it brings up a full page property flyer customized to the agent. Here is an example: http://selwithdel.com/?mlsnum=3850719.

7.  Real Estate – Realtor Listing Application

This application is from www.elistit.com. It provides a slide show in the left sidebar of your Profile plus a summary page that will show all your listings in a wider column then the Narrow Box. It will also show your contact information and your company logo. Elistit offers a 14 day free trial and then it is $99 annually. I couldn’t get any pricing info until after I signed up for the free trial.

8.  Real Estate Agents Listing Application
Real Estate – Agents Listing Application by SocialRealEstateTools.com lets you add your property listings and manage a professional real estate profile. This service works by combining a feature rich editor for your real estate profile and property listings for sale with custom built Facebook apps and features. This is the same application as #5 with a different name.

9.  See Live Listings

When I clicked on this app, I got a blank page. This is what Julie Woodward-Trenker had to say:  “Well I filled this out except that everytime I confirm my information, the page defaults to listing me as a Spanish Tutor instead of Residential Real Estate Agent. What’s that about?????”

10. USAHomeSearch

If you have an account with www.USAhomesearch.org, you can post your listings to your Facebook profile page. I couldn’t get my login to work and there are many requests for help on the Wall for this provider. I couldn’t find a sample of a summary page.

11. Agent Nation

The AgentNation Facebook App integrates with your AgentNation real estate listings, virtual tours, and blog displaying them on your Facebook Profile. AgentNation offers virtual tours, property flyers, Google street views, Realtor.com integration, unlimited hosting, video creation and hosting, and Facebook integration for $89 a year. There is an impressive introduction video that is worth taking a look at, https://www.agentnation.com. The summary page is easy to read and here is a sample of a virtual tour, http://www.agentnation.com/vt/1118.

Well, my friends, your real estate virtual assistant has done her homework and compiled this extensive list of applications to help you decide how and where you want to  display your listings on Facebook. I hope it saves you much time and aggravation so you can get back to your job of selling real estate.

If you are confused, have questions or want help with your Facebook and social media presence, give me a call or shoot me an email. I’m here to help!!

Are you one of many who think social media is a Fad and you and your real estate business don’t need to be there? I was! This video by Erik Qualman at Socialnomics.net will change your mind!

As a real estate virtual assistant, I have been blogging for years and have understood the seo value of blogs. I also have personal profiles on the prominent social media sites, as well as created profiles for clients. But I have to admit, I did really GET social media.

This video and a webinar course with Social Media Magic his opening my eyes. You will hear more about what I am learning and how to make money with social media.

I’m sure you have heard the latest catch phrase, social media. Like me, you probably realize that social media has to do with sharing photos with friends, telling about the great party you went to last night and what you are having for dinner tonight. You may not understand what it has to do with your real estate business. Sure all the real estate trainers say you need to be on Facebook and Twitter, but what exactly IS social media and WHY do you and your real estate business need a presence there!! 

What is Social Media? 

Social media is a complex, organic online conversation between multiple people. The keyword here is ‘conversation’. In the old Web 1.0 Internet, you had no interaction or relationship with people. Your website is most likely is very static. The content doesn’t change much and there is no real time interaction. With the new Web 2.0, which social media is a part of, you are involving people in your business and empowering them to have a relationship with you. 

Social media is not just Facebook and Twitter. It does include social media networks, but also includes, blogs, microblogs, video and photo sharing, message boards, wiki, virtual reality, social gaming, podcasts and Real Simple Syndication (RSS). 

Why Do You Want to Participate In Social Media? 

Your clients and prospects are there and you want to know what they are talking about. Social media websites are the fastest growing category of the Internet and doubled in size in the last year.* 

• 73% of Internet users have read a blog
• 45% have started their own blog
• 39% subscribe to an RSS feed
• 57% have joined a social network
• 55% have uploaded photos834 % have watched video clips 

Of all social media site users: 

• 33% use social media to research products before deciding to buy
• 47% are influenced by social media to buy specific brands
• 26% have decided not to buy a specific product because of social media
• Facebook has 600,000 new users DAILY! 

How Can Social Media Benefit My Real Estate Business? 

Implementing a social media marketing strategy will

• Provide exposure
  63% of business owners increased exposure to their business through social media marketing
• Increase traffic
  80% of business owners increased traffic to their website and 67% increased email/newsletter lists
• Build new business partnerships
  62% of business owners closed new business and established new business partnerships
• Increase leads
  50% of business owners increased the number of new leads

5 Step Process to Increased Business with Social Media

There is a 5 step process to increasing your real estate business through social media. 

1. Develop a Social Media Marketing Strategy 

Create a strategy to: give exposure to your services, to create new business by converting prospects into clients, to reinforce credibility and retain clients and improve search engine visibility. 

2. Establish your social media presence with profiles on various social media networking sites.

3. Expand your reach by inviting prospects to join your networks. 

4. Nurture relationships by updating your profile and joining in discussions. 

5. Properly maintain your presence through consistency. 

Top Social Media Websites for Your Real Estate Business 

• Twitter (www.twitter.com) – 86% of users of social media are here 

Twitter is a microblog with posts limited to 140 characters. Here you can share timely information, promote contests, share useful links, personify your brand, build credibility and follow competitors

• LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com) – 78% of social media users are here
• Facebook (www.facebook.com)  – 77 of social media user are here 

With LinkedIn and Facebook you can share photos, video, audio and links. Send private messages and instant messages. Join groups and gain fans. You can create a page to promote your business. Point fans to your blog and encourage and join in discussions. 

Dominant Niche Sites 

• www.Biznik.com
• www.Plaxo.com
• www.FastPitch.com
• www.ActiveRain.com
• www.Localism.com
• www.Meetup.com
• www.Yelp.com
• www.Trulia.com
• www.Zillow.com  

Like any marketing strategy, social media marketing for real estate takes a commitment. Anyone can setup a profile, but it is what you do after that that counts. Did you ever create a geographic farm? To be successful in a farm you couldn’t mail one flyer or one postcard. But planted many seeds and your success came after many months of working in that farm. It wasn’t a one shot deal. 

Social media is virtual farming. You are planting seeds through conversation and interaction. Like your geographic farm, it will take time to produce results. But your consistent efforts will result in increased leads, increased exposure, and increased business. And the good is your consistent efforts can be outsourced to a real estate virtual assistant who understands social media marketing!

* All statistics provided by SocialMediaMagic.com.