Like vitamin E for your face…book
Facebook was originally developed for social networking of college students and required a .edu email address to log in (yeah, I might have had a .edu when it launched, so?). Facebook since has opened to all users all over the world and second only to Twitter is one of the fastest growing networks. It is evolving and has become less of a sheep throwing martini drinking environment and more of a think tank and networking venue.
Facebook opened up their platform so coders could create applications (like Word or Outlook are computer applications, these run on Facebook). When you open an application from the list below, if you’re logged into Facebook, it will show you which of your friends are using each application so you can ask them how they like it if you want testimonials before jumping in.
The biggest problem is that in the list of thousands of applications, many don’t work properly (or at all) or they’re really ineffective, so we’ve combed the list for five applications every Realtor needs (so basically we did your homework for you):
- Social RSS automatically puts links to your blog posts on your Facebook wall or on your page (click here to learn the difference between a page and a group) and it shows up on your friends’ pages when they open their Facebook.
- SlideShare– in Power Point, create a listing presentation, five page ad for your brokerage services or a neighborhood you’re farming, upload to slideshare.com and this application automatically posts your slideshare presentations to your Facebook. Can you say instant, shareable ad?
- My Google Calendar embeds your calendar (made by creating a calendar on Google) on your page or profile. So, host a free weekly seminar over coffee for first time buyers and a monthly community social and put it on your page so people can see what you’re doing and how they can get involved.
- LinkedIn Contacts links your contacts from LinkedIn with your Facebook presence but it’s only compatible with pages. This helps for making sure you’re connected with your network on LinkedIn AND Facebook.
- Professional Profile “leverages your Facebook friends into business connections by consolidating professional information into one place.” I haven’t tried this one out but it seems pretty self explanatory.
- Testimonials are much like LinkedIn recommendations- you can ask for clients or coworkers to write a note about how you operate and it becomes part of your profile.
Linda Aaron
June 25, 2009 at 10:15 am
Lani,
Thanks for this list, I was working with a group of our agents yesterday to setup their Facebook RE pages and they were asking me for a list of applications that are recommended for RE, you saved me the work. I am going to instead have them subscribe to your RSS for tips.
LA
Missy Caulk
June 25, 2009 at 10:25 am
Didn’t know about Slide Share. Good one.
I am trying to figure out what I DID that pushes my tweets, (more than once) and Friend feed in to FB.
Drives me nuts…I go delete after I post. I thought I had figured it out but obviously didn’t. I know if it annoys me, it will annoy others. Same thing like a broken record.
Joe Loomer
June 25, 2009 at 3:22 pm
Thanks again for your wisdom, Lani, I have almost 300 linkedin contacts that I hadn’t merged. Very easy to do as well!
Navy Chief, Navy Pride
Jennifer
July 19, 2011 at 11:00 pm
None of the apps that you're mentioning are installing. the linkedin one would be key but i'm getting nothing. any insight is much appreciated.
Jason Sandquist
June 25, 2009 at 9:42 pm
I’ve also used the ‘notes’ section for pulling in RSS feed, easy and no 3rd party app. Where’s the real estate listing spammer app?
Trish Giassa
June 26, 2009 at 10:38 am
This is great information! I have been working on beefing up my facebook account and now, instead of trying everything under the sun, you have provided a great outline!
tomferry
June 26, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Lani,
6 great tips for Agents … I never see agents with “testimonials’ on their FB, and I 100% agree with you! thanks for all of your great content!
Mark Jacobs
June 26, 2009 at 5:45 pm
Facebook is great for getting your foot in the door with buyers and sellers. Working to get my Facebook account updated. Great outline.
Robert Worthington
July 20, 2009 at 8:55 pm
Okay so I can’t stop reading all the fresh content on this site. I do facebook and do not have a single application. I’m working hard when these applications can be working hard for me. Thanks agent genious.
Jim Calabrese
August 12, 2009 at 10:02 am
It’s easy to spend hundreds of hours growing your Facebook profile. So, take it from me, one of the 6000 Facebook disabled daily, backup your profile!
The only application designed for FB backups is SocialSafe: https://www.socialsafe.net/
I wish I had found it before FB deleted me because a “large group of my friends shared similar physical characteristics”
Bob
August 12, 2009 at 11:31 am
The latest changes to the TOS regarding non commercial use may negatively impact Professional Profile.
Andy Beal wondered about the impact of this change here.
Anthony Rueda
September 13, 2010 at 2:46 pm
A terrific list, and very helpful. Thank you very much.