I’ve started to build a professional relationship with Elaine Reese through Digital Relationship Context.
I first met Elaine as @ReesesPeanut on Twitter. She uses social media tools like a pro – Elaine is always conversational, practices good karma by being helpful and most importantly, takes her time to really invest her social capital by focusing on adding value to the people she touches online and off.
Our dialog started in snippets of 140 characters or less, but once some rapport had been built, we connected on LinkedIn to start peeling away deeper layers of the relationship onion. I was so impressed with how Elaine had built her profile and the information she had taken time to disclose with me, that I wanted to learn more and was ready to share my own information.
Here’s a snapshot of how Elaine and I began our relationship. The conversation you see below took place using LinkedIn private messages:
Elaine:
On November 4, 2009 7:17 PM, Elaine Reese wrote:
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I’m not in your outlook email list, but do follow you on Twitter. I’d like to add you to my LinkedIn network.PS: I’m ReesesPeanut on Twitter.
- Elaine Reese
Nate:
Elaine,
Thanks for connecting! I enjoy your tweets on Twitter and I’m REALLY impressed with your LinkedIn profile and what you’ve built. Really great content.
How is it working for you? Are you able to start relationships with potential buyers/sellers?
Would love to meet up for coffee at some point if you’re open to getting together…
Keep doing good stuff!
Nate
614-348-2646
Elaine:
My focus on all SM sites is NOT other Realtors, although I am connected with my favorites more out of courtesy than anything else. I’m also not in need of having my ego stroked by having thousands of followers or friends. Some would say that that is not a good strategy, but that’s what I’m doing for now anyway.
My strategy for each of the 3 key SM sites differs.
Facebook is for friends, family, clients. Since I put up pixs of family, I’m pretty selective in who I friend. I just started FB a few weeks ago. I would expect that eventually its format will generate some business just by keeping my mug in front of others. I’m not a “hard sell” kind of person.
I use Twitter more as a news & info feed and some fun on football Saturdays. Again, I’m selective who I follow because I don’t want garbage cluttering up the stream when I read it on my BB. I’m more interested in having conversations with locals – like you – than Realtors. I really enjoy giving my opinion to the local news anchors. I’ve only been on Twitter a little over 2 months I think. I have low expectations for Twitter delivering much business. If if happens fine, if it doesn’t, that’s OK too.
LinkedIn is my serious, professional site and allows me to stay in touch with former coworkers and clients. I set up a group for my former company as a way for us to keep track of each other. We now have over 300 members. Setting up this group was the best thing I did. I organized a party last summer, and put together a fun photo montage of “old” photos, so obtained visibility after not having seen some of the people for 13 years.
Up to this point, my blog has been the best at garnering business but I’ve had it over 3 yrs, and have sold a number of homes or gained listings because of it. It also got me on TV a couple times. It’s my main focus.
I believe the SM sites take longer to provide actual dollar income, at least for real estate. The key is to work on the background SEO and utilize all the pieces together in harmony but not lose site that FTF is the most important. I think people have to figure out their own strategy based on their business, personality and goals. One size doesn’t fit all.
Elaine impresses me, because she’s built a strategy for using social media that has clear objectives and tactics for each tool she uses.
She understands the different rules between mediums and network context. But what’s even more powerful is that she’s considering her business objectives. Elaine has built a community based on those objectives and is leading a tribe. She’s used a social networking tool to create an affinity group that connects offline relationships. How cool is that?
What can you learn from Elaine? How can you apply her social business strategies and tactics to winning your own game?
Join The Discussion!