How Do I Get Started In Social Media & Blogging?

Question

Started off in computers in 1992 long before anyone knew how to power them on. Had a lucrative career in computer networking from 1998-2003 before I retired and moved into real estate. But I have to admit that I am now behind in using social media for my business.

How would you suggest I get started? I primarily want to utilize Facebook, Twitter and Linked-In. Any suggestions. I have a facebook and linked-in account just need to know how to optimize them for business (will be starting a separate account on facebook for business since I get waaaay too political on my personal account :) )

Thanks in advance everyone.

Ibrahim Hughes · Answer

Ok Josh I took your suggestion on the pic. Thanks to you and everyone else for your advice (Brian I'm trying to market both - they go hand in hand for me - thanks). For those who may be interested I also took some notes from an online radio interview I heard a couple of days ago. The topic was 'monitizing facebook'. For those who are interested here's a copy of my notes:

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B1F8TbovpOqKZjA5ZDRmODEtZGFlZC00YTEzLTk3OTEtNTU1YmUyMDk5MWI2

Thomas Handy · Answer

Hi Ibrahim.  In addition to what's been mentioned, on Facebook, you can even separate your page from your business page (create a fan page).  That's another way you can do it.  There's also a way to link your Twitter to your Facebook account - posts you make on twitter appear on your Facebook account.  This takes some experimenting but it can be done.  Also Facebook is the largest social network, more than Twitter, Google+, Digg, and so on.  On Facebook, join real estate groups, tell them what you do.  Search for NJ real estate, and so on.

Tom

Jamie Cox · Answer

Read Crush It by Gary Vaynerchuk In my opinion there's no better resource.

Brian Beadle · Answer

Ibrahim, What kind of business are your trying to market? Your investment business or the RE sales?  My brother owns his own marketing firm and he specializes in social media for small business.  Unbeknownst to me, the is MUCH more to facebook than just having a profile. Ill mention it to him and see if he has a few pointers for ya. 
But as Josh said, It seem your doing just fine. What your doing right now is social marketing. You wont find as many deals directly from social media but the networking in invaluable! Keep on grindin.

Joshua Dorkin · Answer

Ibrahim S - I'd argue that you're doing a great job of social networking . . . take what you do here and try it out on these other platforms.  Be active, informative, and engaging and that's the key.  Also, upload a personal pic instead of a target so people can get to know you better - the real key is being authentic;  it is hard to get that when people are networking with a target or anything other than your face.

Keep up the good work . . . and good luck.