Social Networking Your Business

 A few years ago I had the privilege of attending a conference in Orlando.  The keynote speaker on the last day of the conference was the best-selling author and speaker Stephen Berlin Johnson.  Mr. Johnson spoke about his latest book Everything Bad Is Good for You: How Today's Popular Culture Is Actually Making Us Smarter.  In the book he breaks down all of societies preconceived notions on things such as video games.  Some say kids today spend too much time playing video games and not enough time playing ball outside.  That very notion Mr. Johnson broke down into a graphical presentation explaining the thought processes someone goes through to reach various levels of a video game like World of Warcraft .  He flowcharted the steps of how a business will implement a new product from conception to final market plan.  Then he placed a flowchart of just how the video gamer will go from the first level of the game to achieving the highest level.  And these gamers will do it without reading a book about the game.  No cheats if you will.  It was an amazing eye-opener to say the least.  So what has this to do with social networking your business?  Technology, mobility, integration all play crucial roles in your ability to stay in touch with your base and your prospective investors. Kids are spending way too many hours on video games sounds logical - but is it.  Mailing a post card to reach property owners may sound good and solid.  But for the most part today it just isn't going to reach the highest number or people.

Your Real Estate business is not unlike any other business. It's all about marketing. Marketing yourself and your reputation. Marketing your business - getting the name out there so people associate your business with you and with your niche. The ability to Buy Real Estate at Wholesale is in part accomplished by you finding the right property and making the purchase. All of this depends on your ability to market yourself and your business. Use the right tools to get connected.

The way successful businesses are reaching the market place today is changing. And if your business isn't able to adapt, to change, or if you have not figured out what all of the buzz is about - then I strongly urge you to watch the video below. Make notes, watch it more than once, but set your game plan for 2010 to change. You've put together your business plan for this New Year so part of your business development and marketing budget needs to include books or online classes to learn the latest social networking tools. Don't miss sales because you are still doing business 'so 2007'. It is essential that your business incorporate the newest social networking tools such as Facebook , Twitter , Digg, LinkedIn and others. These aren't fads - these are tools for reaching your customers and peers. It is as crucial to you as your contact management software. Make your resolution that this year will be the year you Tweet or MySpace.
As they say - Just do it.

In a future posting I'll talk about mobile marketing and how that un-tapped segment of our society can be reached.  But for now you need to watch this video.  Click here and enjoy.