I spend all day every day telling people to work there sphere of influence on social media. You get a chance to make a powerful first impression as well as a lasting online relationship. I’ll say it again “People buy from people the know, like and trust so you better get people on social media to know, like and trust you.”
Social media and specifically facebook, allows you to bond and connect with people in ways never possible before. You can then turn that online relationship into a powerful offline relationship too. I travel quite often and I always make it a point that when I arrive in a new place to reach out to one of my facebook friends who lives there that I have not met yet. This strategy has built me some very strong relationships with really cool people.
Let me share a story with you that took place last week. I got an instant message on facebook from an owner of a popular real estate company that is here locally. I was invited to come to happy hour for a few free drinks on them. They just wanted me to come and hang out. When I arrived early (like I always do) there were 4 laides at the table that was all set up. I introduced myself to all four of them and each of them said “I know you, we are friends on facebook. it’s so nice to finally meet you in person.” There were the title sponsors for the happy hour.
I already had friends and didn’t even know it! Some people feel all weird when someone points them out from facebook. Me, I’m just the opposite. I say things like “We’re friends on facebook? That’s awesome I need to go like your posts so I see more of you. I love meeting me facebook friends in real life. It’s nice to meet you and nice to be connected. Isn’t facebook awesome?” If people know you from facebook, go with it. They are your friends. You’ve already built the bond.
About 10 minutes later an Agent I have been friends with on facebook for about a year came in and we started talking. Without me even mentioning my work or giving a sales pitch she asked how much to work with me and how fast could we get started?
I also got a chance to meet and connect with a few others I hadn’t met yet. The best part is that the normally awkward first impression was already taken care of thanks to facebook. So just to be clear and to re-cap: I was invited on facebook to a happy hour where I signed a personal client for my coaching business as well as set up something with the title ladies to do a presentation for their lenders and agents. Did I mention free beer?
To top it all off, when I got back home there was this message from the owner of the real estate company on my facebook wall.
The key to it all, especially in the local real estate world, is to work your sphere on facebook and be social. Then, when you get the chance to go offline and be social you can connect with already familiar people. Vice versa, you can also ask every new person you meet to connect with you on facebook. The cycle never ends. It’s a beautiful thing…
If you want to learn the secrets to effectively working your sphere online and off, let’s set up a time to chat and see if we are a fit to work together. I don’t work with everyone, but those I do work with win.
