Social Media as a Real Estate Agent

[David Nacco]

How do you guys feel about keeping private and business life separate on social media? I am not so worried about facebook because my personal profile is private and I will be using my business page for real estate purposes, not worried so much about LinkedIn either. What about Instagram and Twitter though? Should I have separate business and personal profiles and should I make the personal profiles private? I don't post much on twitter but I do post things on Instagram that could turn off potential clients and don't fit the brand I am trying to build as an agent (nothing bad, just things like hunting and fishing stuff that some people might not want to see). I also follow profiles on my personal accounts that could show my views on political / social issues which I do not want mixing with business. How do you guys manage your personal vs professional life online?

[Russell Holmes]

I honestly feel that the line shouldn't be so solid between the two. I feel that if your passionate about what you do, it'll spill into the personal side some. And by the same respect, you want some personality to the business side. Nothing is more artificial to me than a business profile with absolutely nothing but sell sell sell on it. My clients know that I have kids, the general area I live, and often we've talked about interests outside the realm of Real Estate. They are real people too.  Having separate profiles is fine, combining business and personal on one can be awkward, but I wouldn't recommend "hiding" who you are. Sure, hunting and fishing may turn some off, but it may attract others. I always find that I enjoy doing business with people I actually enjoy being around. As long as you're not posting horribly offensive, prejudiced, or racist things, let your personality and interest spill through for some authenticity.

I ran another business before being a Realtor and have always found it best to simply be myself across all platforms, that way nobody's shocked if they meet someone somewhere who knows me from a different 'part' of my life, I'm the same person. It's all connected. Be conscious of it, but don't be scared not to please everyone!