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Getting Started in Social Media for Realtors: The Nuts-and-Bolts

May 10, 2009 by · 2 Comments 

In speaking with agents on a weekly basis, I see tons of Realtors who understand that social media is something they want to participate in, but they perceive a huge gap between where they are, and where the people are who are talking to them about their success with social media are. They wonder how to bridge that gap, set the foundation for a successful experience with social media, and get started on their own. So last month at Real Estate Bar Camp Phoenix I debuted a new presentation I had put together titled “The Nuts and Bolts: Getting Started in Social Media” which is designed to help Realtors who are excited about social media successfully get started on the social web.

I have this idea that it really isn’t the technology, or the signing up for an account that is stopping Realtors from getting started – that part is actually really easy. The tricky part is that Realtors don’t know what they want to say about themselves once they are on social networks…and social networks ask a lot of personal questions! So, I advocate having a strategy. After all, for the Realtor looking to use social media to build business, their profile and participation really is a marketing effort to position themselves as a trusted real estate advisor. What do they want to say in order to accomplish this? Most never think about this before they jump in. And, the “rules” for successfully marketing yourself in this medium are different than in an offline world. For example, your photo/headshot that Realtors so faithfully use off line in marketing materials is generally a vertical professional portrait shot. This is the norm. However, online, your photo (or avatar as it is know in the social media world) has some different “rules” to it. It tends to be square. It tends to be more casual than formal (keep in mind…it still can be professional). It tends to be presented very small. You need a photo where you are zoomed in as a result. These are the types of practical tips I present and challenge Realtors to think about in my presentation. If you have any questions, feel free to comment below or send me an email.

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Phoenix Bound for Another RE Bar Camp | This Time, I'm Presenting

April 16, 2009 by · 7 Comments 

Real Esate Bar Camp Phoenix

Next week I’m off to Scottsdale for Real Estate Bar Camp Phoenix (RE BarCamp Phx).  I’m looking forward to connecting again IRL (in real life) with several of my RE.net friends as well as making connections with a host of new people (RE Bar Camps are great for this).   Oh, and I expect to learn a few cool things as well (I always do!).

This will be the 5th RE Bar Camp I’m attending and I’ve decided to more actively participate this time by presenting a session (cue my nerves!).  I’m preparing a talk titled “Nuts and Bolts – How to Get Started in Social Media”.  I see a lot of agents who attend RE Bar Camp get very excited about incorporating social media into their real estate strategy (Bar Camp has a way of doing that).  But then what?  How do they go from excited to successful social media superstars?  I see many asking for guidance on practical steps for how to get started.  It was only a year ago that I was in the same position and I have been reflecting on the specific steps I took to get going.  I’ll be converting my experience into a series of practical “to-do’s” that the agent who looking to get started with social media can follow.  If you are attending RE BarCamp Phoenix, I look forward to seeing you there and if this topic interests you, I invite you to attend my session!

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From Drab…to Fab!

March 29, 2009 by · 22 Comments 

Harmon Enterprises Corporate Headquarters is open for business and great things are to come.

Harmon Enterprises HQ

What I thought would be a simple two week home office remodel project of painting four walls and buying some Pottery Barn furniture is now complete – 3 months later. What an ordeal (but aren’t these things always a bit more than they are initially cracked up to be?).  Unforeseen issues including a roof leak, an urgent care visit, and an 8 week Pottery Barn production delay all played their part. However, I must say, it has been worth the wait. I’m thrilled by my new environment and look forward to many hours of productive work in my updated space. I find the green happy and cheerful, and the expanded desk space and configuration is such a treat. A few details are still to go (my Aeron chair will be arriving soon, and the roof leak issue still needs to be resolved) but, for the most part, I am up and running and productive.

Here is my office before:

before_horizontal_450px

This is during (working out of my bedroom during this time was a treat…let me tell you).  I went with the darker hue:

during

And after:

Where I sit:
Harmon Enterprises Corporate HQ

My future assistants workspace (and the view you get if you Skype me):
Assistant Space

I’d like to give special thanks to the following people whose help on this project is immensely appreciated:

  • Trask Harmon – Rowdy and I both apologize for nearly killing you.  That would have been a major bummer on the remodel.  Instead, you have helped me to create a space that is positive and I love and I am so grateful for your help and your continued health.
  • Sally DuBane – From square paper cutouts to carpet cleaning to keeping me sane mid project, you are always my favorite and most effective support.  Thank you.
  • Jill Parma – Your patience and understanding through the chaos is appreciated.  And, you certainly came through when furniture moving was needed.  Thank you.
  • Rico – You were the icing on the cake.  Your calm manner (and brute strength) in executing the movement of heavy pieces of furniture was a lifesaver.  Margaritas soon are my treat!
  • Rochelle Matson and Julie Ward – I appreciate your help as I undertook my first ever painting endeavor.  Rochelle, you should be in sales – I was convinced it would be easy ;)  Julie, your help certainly made things more fun.  I’m sure however you will both understand when I hire out any future painting jobs!
  • Spencer Brown – Those green boxes were a huge help in keeping things organized and tidy during a hectic time.  I so appreciate the loaner.

For those of you who I Skype with, I’ll be happy to give you a full web cam twirl next time we talk. For now though, signing off from my new M&M green office!

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