ScreenDreamer LLC Success Notes

Using MySpace for Business: The Do’s and Don’ts

Do…  

Have One! Some people still associate Myspace with teenagers, however, recent polls have concluded that the largest majority of Myspace users are now 35 or older. Your target audience is on this site and you should be too. It's a free site—what do you have to lose? Update Often The only thing worse then not having a Myspace page for your business is never updating it. Keep your page current by adding new content and listings whenever possible. Show consumers that you are actively involved in your business. Blog Even if you have another blog elsewhere, come up with some added tidbits for your Myspace blog. Adding a new post to your blog gives consumers a reason to return to your page. If members subscribe to your blog, they will be alerted when you make a new post. You should also send out a bulletin to notify your Myspace friends when you make a new post. Promote Your Listings Post pictures of your listings on your Myspace page. Also include links to your regular website. There is also a real estate section under the Myspace classified area where you may be able to add some listings as well. Network / Join Groups Consumers aren't the only people you can get to know on Myspace, it's also a great place to network. Add other real estate professionals as friends or join some of the many real estate groups. This is a great way to learn about trends in other markets or find out about conferences.

Don't…  

Post Personal Pictures If you want to post pictures of your family or nights out with friends, create a separate personal Myspace account and keep it on private. Posting personal pictures on your business account looks unprofessional and can cost you new customers. Let Just Anyone Leave You Comments This is very important: change your settings so that you have to approve all comments that are posted before other users can see them. This puts you in control of what can be seen on your page. Otherwise, spammers or rude people can post inappropriate comments or graphics on your page. You wouldn't want to go on vacation for a few days and come back and find something that could taint your business image. Stay in control by checking all comments first. Put Up Obnoxious Songs / Backgrounds Remember that this page is for your business, not for you. If you can't find an appropriate song, then don't have any song on your page at all. You wouldn't want to offend prospective buyers by having music playing that has sexual or controversial lyrics. Also beware of what kind of background you use. There are some crazy graphic backgrounds out there that can freeze the page. If someone visits your page and their screen freezes, they probably won't be back again. Stick to a simple background, preferably just colors that match your branding. Let Your Professional-ism Go Since MySpace is a pretty fun and hip site, it's probably pretty easy to get caught up in the internet lingo. Many times on personal Myspace sites and instant messengers even educated adults tend to give up their proper English skills to use words and phrases such as: IDK (instead of I don't know) U (instead of you) OMG (instead of oh my gosh) TTYL (instead of talk to you later) and so on Avoid doing this on your professional MySpace page. Would you write a client an email using abbreviations such as “IDK” or “TTYL”? I don't think so. As cool as your Myspace page is, remember it's still a marketing tool for your business, not a personal chat board.

 

Test Your Marketing Skills

How much marketing are you doing?
Are you keeping up with the latest trends?

You may not even realize how many marketing options you're missing out on. 
Maybe you feel like you don't do enough, but in reality you're ahead of the game.

So do you think you're a marketing leader?  Maybe you need to be sent back to Marketing 101.

Take our real estate marketing quiz to find out if your marketing skills are up to par.

I send email marketing pieces to my clients or prospects: a)     At least once a week b)     At least once a month c)     Only on holidays or when there is something special going on d)     Never

Social networking is…  a)     Part of my daily work routine b)     Something I do on occasion c)      Something I set up once, but barely use d)     What is social networking?

My blog: a)     Is witty, informative and gets updated on a regular schedule b)     Has a few posts in it, but could use some work c)      Is something I often forget to post in d)     I don't blog, period.

I promote my listings:  a)     On my website, in newspapers or magazines, in email campaigns and almost any other medium you can think of b)     On my website and occasionally I use other mediums c)      On my website or my company's website only d)     I barely promote them and mostly get my business from referrals

My website: a)     Always helps me to capture leads and the design matches my branding b)     Occasionally helps me to capture leads, but could benefit from a few layout changes c)      Rarely helps me to get leads and looks like it was designed in 1996 d)     I don't even have my own agent site

I use video to promote my listings: a)     So often that you might as well call me Steven Spielberg b)     Occasionally, you could compare me to a new indie film director c)      Rarely, because I was unhappy with the results d)     Never, I wouldn't even know how to press play on a camcorder

 

Time to add up your score:

Give yourself 5 points for every A, 4 points for every B, 3 points for every C and 2 points for every D.

24-30 Points: Congratulations, you are a marketing diva or divo.  You keep up with the latest marketing trends and are always ahead of the game.  You're a trendsetter in your business that attracts new prospects and clients with your creative efforts.  You are taking advantage of all the latest things technology has to offer.  Others in the business should admire your marketing skills.    18-24 Points: You're a senior marketer. You're already in the game, now it's time to score a homerun.  You're doing a lot of marketing and putting your best foot forward.  Now comes the time when you need to step it up.  Don't be afraid to go the extra mile to increase your efforts.  Continue with what you're already doing, but put the finishes touches on your projects to transform yourself from a good marketer into a great marketer. 13-18 Points: You're a junior marketer.  Your feet are wet, but you're not diving in.  Your score indicates that you have tried some marketing tactics, but are lacking the commitment to take these efforts all the way through.  Maybe you are pressed for time or maybe you haven't seen success with what you've tried so you've decided to give up.  Why give up, when you can revamp?  Re-evaluate the things you have tried and see what went wrong.  If you are pressed for time, set a goal to try at least one new marketing tactic a month. 0-12 Points: You're still a marketing intern.  Sorry, you need to go back to Email Marketing 101.  Your low score suggests that you haven't tried many of the popular marketing tactics out there that real estate agents can use.  Don't feel bad, there is still hope to improve your efforts.  Educate yourself on some of the topics discussed in this quiz.  If you want to get the best results, you need to use a variety of mediums to reach prospects and clients.  There is no need to feel over whelmed, try one new tactic at a time and watch your lead count increase.