As the year quickly draws to a close, many people use this opportunity to think about the marketing plan for the upcoming year - and for good reason. Technology travels so fast that last year’s “cutting edge” marketing may be already out dated, especially when you think about your online marketing. So with this in mind, I thought I would share a few online marketing strategies to look out for in 2008.
Identity Optimization
People are relying on more and more on “Online Peer References” to hire service professionals. Websites such as LinkedIn, Facebook and other online networks allow peers to easily share their sphere of influence. So how does this help you?
- Brand Awareness – You now have your name in more places
- Trust Transference – They trust you because their peers trust you.
Action Plan: Join LinkedIn and start building connections, participate in their Q&As. Write Recommendations for others, encourage them to return the favor.
Additional Sites of Interest: LinkedIn, ClaimID, Naymz, Ziki, Spock, ZoomInfo, etc.
Association Optimization
Like Minded people usually cluster in groups. It doesn’t matter if the common thread is geographic, demographic, or physiographic. With this in mind, begin to spend time visiting sites that not only attract your target market, but also attract you as a real estate agent. You would be amazed at how many unique marketing ideas you can pick up by seeing what other agents are doing in their market.
Action Plan: Join ActiveRain. Search for sites that attract your target and start to engage with them. Become a trusted advisor for a targeted online community.
Additional Sites of Interest: MySpace, Eons, Squidoo and various local social communities.
UserGroup Optimization
This is very similar to Association Optimization but is even more targeted. For example, did you know that there are currently over 17,000 groups (groups, not people) about Real Estate on Yahoo Groups alone? But remember, people in these groups can smell a sales person a mile away. The concept here isn’t about selling, it’s about proving that you are the expert about a topic and watching sales gravitate to you!
Action Plan: Seek out UserGroups that relate to your local real estate market. Begin to participate in these groups by sharing helpful tips and advice.
Additional Sites of Interest: Yahoo Groups, Google Groups, Trulia Voices, Yahoo Answers.
The Tip of the Iceburg
The strategies outlined above, coupled with blogs, online videos, and new social networks will continue to play an even more important role in 2008. And while this only encompasses a handful of online marketing techniques; I hope it does get you thinking creatively about your online marketing strategy for 2008.
Happy Holidays!
Brad Carroll
I am addicted to Active Rain myself, but it is a wonderful opportunity for my clients to build their referral network and connect with Internet-savvy prospects.
I am also a huge fan of Facebook Pages and Ads. I haven’t quite seen any of our clients produce any leads from LinkedIn…
Brad - As usual I stumble across one of your posts and always learn something new. I have not heard of a few of these sites like Ziki and Spock…What about Checkov and Sulu -
Sound like Star Trek. Well I am off to check out these recommendations. Hope you are well.