Social Media Mind Bender

After engaging in two days of heavy social networking while preparing for a presentation on the subject, my eyes have now glazed over and my head is spinning. I believe that I have a social networking hangover. The layers of this social networking onion just keep coming and coming - and my eyes are watering! Just when I think I have something all figured out, I realize that there is something more I could do - or something more that I can't figure out!

This Wednesday, I will stand in front of a room full of RE/MAX agents (at least I hope someone shows up) and will talk about social networking for business like I know something about it. The funny thing is that I thought I did know something. I'm a facebook user, among other sites. I'm on LinkedIn. Yadda, yadda, yadda.

Well, as I started really digging into these tools and checking out some folks who really know how to put them to work I was blown away! There is so much more that can be done.

Here are a few revelations I have had regarding social networking for business:

1. It's here to stay! If you resist, the joke is on you. Might as well jump in with both feet and try to enjoy the cyber-ride!

2. The time to start using social networking tools is NOW. More and more, companies and individuals are looking to social networking as their means of communication. Want to send out a mass text message? Twitter. Want to send pictures of your latest vacation to all your friends and family? Post them on Facebook. Want to search for a job? Check out LinkedIn.

3. It's fun. I used to view social networking as a chore. But the more I use it, the more fun it has become.

4. BEWARE of social network addiction! Time management is a must! Linking twitter and facebook to your cell phone is a great way to send updates daily without getting sucked into the vortex when you really should be doing something else!

5. Social networking for real estate is, in my opinion, still in its early stages so it's not too late to get started. But I do believe it will become more and more important as a tool used by the savy real estate professional. Snooze too long and you might lose!

6. Get personal! Go ahead and share what you did today or that you are a STEELERS fan! (Hey, who wouldn't be?!) Getting personal makes you and your posts more interesting.

7. DON'T get PRIVATE. Personal does not equal PRIVATE. Keep it clean. Don't post anything that you wouldn't feel comfortable letting ANYONE read.

So, just go for it. Pick your favorite site and get started. Understand that each one has it's own unique flavor. For example, LinkedIn is much more business-minded than Facebook. Don't forget to have some fun!

Business may or may not come from your networking on these sites but your market presence and ties to your sphere of influence will definitely improve.

Well, I'm off to tweet!