Is Facebook more than just a way to stay in touch with family and friends? Is Twitter productive or a waste of time? Social media was formed and built more with the intention of keeping in touch and building a personal network, but commercial businesses have realized the benefits of a social media presence as well.

Real estate agents, too, can gain much exposure and status through social media. There are literally dozens of social media sites, and new ones popping up every day. By developing a social media strategy for your real estate business and choosing the sites that suit your needs and interests, you can improve your online presence.

Have you ever been to a cocktail party, or even to a networking conference? You probably met new people, exchanged opinions, and even gave out a few business cards, right? That’s a boiled down version of what social networking can do for your real estate business and exposure. It gets you in touch with people who are interested in what you do and what you have to say.

Twitter for Real Estate Agents

Twitter is a microblogging social media site. With a simple account you can post updates in 140 characters or less. That’s about a sentence or two. But you don’t have to say much. Write a short teaser sentence and a link to your latest blog post. Provide a link to your latest online listing. Gather followers through Twitter and the information you share can build your exposure not only to them, but potentially to their followers, etc.

How Facebook Can Benefit Real Estate Agents

Facebook has proven to be a tremendous benefit to businesses. Facebook allows commercial enterprises to create a free “fan” page. You can upload photos, write a detailed profile about yourself and your services, and include links to your website, blog, and listings. Encourage your clients and web visitors to follow you. Find others on Facebook who might benefit from your services. Then use your Facebook fan base to share your expertise and build your online reputation and exposure.

Social media doesn’t have to be difficult, but it does take effort to build a community and a following, keep regular updates, and monitor your results.

Tags: Social Media