Using Google+ For Your Real Estate Business
Ok I am going to start this article with a little rant. Like most everyone who regularly uses Active Rain I am sure you have come to really enjoy the networking and the things you can learn from those that share freely. The majority of the people who are here probably would like to use blogging as an effective tool in getting more business in the Real Estate field. Am I wrong to make this assumption?
What I really don't understand though is how few people actually venture out beyond the site to actually use what someone else has shared. I read comments all the time like "this is great I will check it out later." The fact of the matter is I know many of you never do!
Not to be critical but I think the vast majority of the folks on Active Rain could be getting so much more out the site than what they do. I say this from personal experience. When I first started here I used to spend endless hours reading and commenting on blog posts. Don't get me wrong the networking was great and I have made a ton of friendships. I learned along the way, however, that spending all day in one spot making making comments or writing for other Realtors is not going to earn you a fantastic income. In fact it is not a productive use of your time at all.
For some of you what I have just said will go in one ear and out the next because you really don't care about increasing your business. You would rather just have some FUN and comment on blogs all day. I am not sure whether it is getting points or featured posts but this is what far too many focus on. I like to think these things drive egos.
For those of you that do want to generate more business listen up!! Many of you know me from the early days of Active Rain and know how much I shared about SEO and social media. If you want to truly make an exceptional living selling Real Estate you need to be well versed in these two subjects. We are in a digital age today. We all know that buyer's and seller's are turning to the internet to find someone to work with. They way more and more people pick a Realtor to use is far different than it used to be. Many consumers will go right to Google and punch in something like "Realtor's, city and state". If you are not on the first page then you can forget about getting a consumer's business.
A Realtor or other industry professional who understands this can make an incredible income. What I am going to tell you will be the most important advice you have heard in a while.
You need to get on Google + and use it every day like you use Active Rain!
That is obviously a pretty bold statement and you may be wondering why? The answer is simple - search engines are changing. As most of you know Google dominates where people go to search. Google wants you to use their products. ** In the very near future Google is going to start ranking a persons usage in Google + as a means of what they show in search. I am sure you have already started to see some familiar faces showing up when you do Google searches. This is because the person has claimed "authorship" of their blog or website that is showing up in the results!
Google is eventually going to start showing results based upon a user's profile! Much like the Active Rain point system, those that share information within Google can get a Google+, a Google share and comments on the articles, pictures and videos they post.
You obviously need to be there and participate to get your profile to rank. One of the things I have been doing over at G+ besides sharing some of my better Real Estate blog posts, is posting articles about how to use Google+ and build your profile. The first thing you should do is sign up for a Google account and fill out a profile if you don't have one.
Once you have done that come and add me as a contact......>Bill Gassett Google+. What you will notice is that I share the types of articles that will help you in your Real Estate business. Many of the article's discuss how to improve your SEO and use social media in your daily business. Some of you are already there and can chime in and let the others know what they have been missing:) You can also find my Google Business page here......>Maximum Real Estate Exposure. I would suggest you have both!
Here are a couple of links just to give you a sample of what I am talking about in regards to Google Plus:
- 40 tips to improve your Google+ experience
- Why every author needs a Google+ profile
- 10 Experts talk about why you need to be on Google+
Here are a few other general postings you will find one my Google+ profile:
- 21 tactics to increase blog traffic
- Redesigned Linkedin pages available to all companies
- 10 creative ways to use Instagram for business
So what you need to really ask yourself is if taking the time and posting 10 comments at G+ could put your OWN website or Blog on the first page of Google LOCALLY would you do it? The time to act is NOW! Get into the game early and get your G+ profile rocking - you will be glad you did. You need to remember in order to get people to want to follow you participation is key.
Don't just expect that posting about your latest listing is going to make people want to connect with you. You need to share others peoples articles which is similar to re-blogging. You need to G+ other postings which is like giving a gold star and you need to comment. It is that simple and mimics a lot of what you already know from being on Active Rain. Please don't forget to add me as a contact - I hope those of you who are not already on G+ soon!
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About the author: The above Real Estate information on using Google+ for Real Estate was provided by Bill
Gassett, a Nationally recognized leader in his field. Bill can be reached via email at billgassett@remaxexec.com or by phone at 508-435-5356. Bill has helped people move in and out of many Metrowest towns for the last 25+ Years.
Thinking of selling your home? I have a passion for Real Estate and love to share my marketing expertise!
For Massachusetts Real Estate and homes see Maximum Real Estate Exposure. Want to have MLS access to beat other buyers to your dream home? Sign up with no obligation at my MLS Property Finder.
I service the following towns in Metrowest MA: Framingham, Hopkinton, Milford, Upton, Southboro, Westboro, Ashland, Holliston, Mendon, Hopedale, Medway, Franklin, Grafton, Northboro, Shrewsbury, Bellingham, Northbridge, Uxbridge, Sutton, Millbury, Worcester, Millville, Douglas, Natick and Wayland MA.
Building lasting relationships by helping people move in and out of Metrowest Massachusetts for the last 25 years.
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