Have you been holding off on social media marketing?

Here are few basics to help you overcome your social tech aversion:

Stop treating social media like traditional marketing. It's a completely different animal.

Social media is a conversation. 

Like any good conversation, when meeting people in social setting you need to say something interesting. You need to be relatable. And, don't forget to listen and respond. REALTORS® are natural networkers, so with a little practice with online networking, you'll soon be a pro at it.

Remember to keep it simple. You'll be less likely to get overwhelmed and give up. 

Beware of the social media time-warp. It's really easy to lose time when you are totally engaged online.

Get to know each other

Treat your “posts, tweets, blog” like you are talking to someone in person. Ask questions, surveys and offer quick drawigs. It’s not all about you (or your business).

Let potential clients and current clients get a glimpse of the "real" you through your social media venue.

Remember the 80 / 20 rule. Only 20% of your posts should be home listings, the othe 80% should be about hobbies, events, tips, pictures and other interests other than ads.

Taking the leap

When creating a social media campaign, you need to just do it.

Don't overthink it. Start easy and small. Start with one social media site first and master it before moving on to a new one. 

And, like all relationships, social media takes committment.  Just know your time constraints to avoid "getting lost" online.

Understand each social media channel and choose the right one based on your personal communication style and goals.  For a quick reference, check out the inforgraphic (from Leverage New Age Media) below:

Develop a strategy that involves your smart phone or tablet. It will make poasting easier and faster.

Most of all – have fun with it! You will meet a lot of new people and be exposed to new ideas. The more fun you have, the more fans you'll attract.

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Next Week: Tackling FaceBook Giant