What's a good balance?

Question

I'm a newbie who has been at it for a year and a half. Early on, I had a coach that really stressed social media advertising over all other methods. We spent countless hours while I tried to master Facebook ads, getting my website set up, blogging and syncing my website with my Facebook page. Incredibly time consuming. I see that most of the discussion here surrounds more traditional methods; targeted mailings, D4$, EDDM, door knocking, etc. What is a good mix? I don't have the resources yet to pay someone to do this and I think my time is better spent networking, D4$ and studying than it is rewriting a blog to put on my website or making YouTube videos . I know at some point I want to be running on all cylinders but right now all I want is a deal.

Andrea Weule · Answer

First of all, how much success did you have with the social media to this point?  If that's been working great - if that hasn't then it's time to get back to basics.  I truly believe a lot of this business is boots on the ground.  You need to build up a solid base of traditional methods (ie have Agents sending you listing and making offers, reaching out to rent ads to see if the landlord is tired & ready to sell, networking is 100% key).  As you build a team your business is on more solid ground.  You can then branch out and try extras (ie your social media).

I have social media pages and a website and I'll tell you over the last 13 years they've brought me little business.  The basics are sexy or the latest great, but they work.  Evaluate what you want and how much time you have.  Then dive in and get to work.

Best of Success!

Kurt Phillips · Answer

@Frank Raciti that is great advice from @Andrea Weule.  I also have a website and FB biz page and while I have gotten leads and purchased deals from those they really serve as a way for people to find I have an online presence and see that I'm "legit."  Far and away the best way to find deals is to tell everyone you meet what it is you do and network like crazy.  Eventually, you will build a pipeline of deals that you can cherry pick the ones you want.  That may be hard to believe starting out but trust me it will happen for you if you do the uncomfortable work that is networking.

But building your Facebook and website was not time or money wasted.  Now you are set up for people to search for you.

Frank Raciti · Answer

Andrea Weule and Kurt Phillips. Thank you for the great advice. I appreciate you both taking the time to give me solid information that I can really put to good use. I did have fair results with the Facebook ads in relation to the cost but the time I put into it was crazy. It was always just a hit here or there. With the traditional methods, I feel there's more of a flow to it. Especially with networking. Writing ad copy, assembling mail campaigns and face-to-face networking are some of my favorite aspects to the business so I think I'll continue to concentrate there. The point that I need the net presence credibility is a good one. It's been some time since either of you has been a newbie. Please know that your information and validation of what I was thinking are huge for both my knowledge and confidence. I hope soon to be able to offer the forums the type of value that you do.