Taking the Pain out of Self-Promotion

[Rick Howell]

Self-promotion can be the most difficult of starting your own business. Your friends and family may know what you are working on, but if you don’t cast a very wide net, you will have trouble getting your business off the ground. While it can feel awkward or even a little embarrassing to put yourself out there, if you develop a strategy that works and you see the successes coming from it, you will find it becomes easier. Here are five ways to promote yourself and you business.

Self-Promotion through Social Media

By now, the only way you don’t know about the power of social media for self-promotion is if you have been hiding under a rock. And if that’s the case, you probably aren’t reading this blog. So assuming you realize the potential of social media, how do you harness it?

• Create accounts you intend to use. If you are not a Twitter fan, for example, don’t feel you need to use it. You may change your mind later, but you do not want to establish business accounts on platforms you don’t want to actually use on a regular basis. No one will come rushing to you if they stumble across a profile you haven’t updated for months.
• Be consistent. Post content on a fairly regular basis, so your audience gets used to hearing from you.
• Boost posts and create ads. One of the cheapest forms of paid advertising is in social media. There are many ways to create paid advertising, so spend some time researching your options. Targeted ads can read more of your prospective contacts without wasting money on people who are likely not interested.

Newspaper Ads

Social media is powerful for self-promotion, but that doesn’t mean there is no longer value in more traditional advertising platforms. Local newspapers reach a lot of people in your geographical area. Do some research on circulation numbers, costs, and decide what works best for you. Cost-wise, it will be more expensive than social media, but it generally is not cost-prohibitive.

Blogs and Real Estate Websites

Blogging has become a popular way to build an audience on a particular topic. It costs virtually nothing but time to get started, and it is a great way to build a reputation as a knowledge leader in your field.

If you do not want to start your own blog, look for real estate sites that welcome contributor articles. Posts do not need to be long, and since you already have much of the knowledge in your head, they should not be very time-consuming to write.

If you are not sure where to start, follow other bloggers in the industry to see some examples. Also, spend some time reading about search engine optimization (SEO) so more people will find your entries.

Networking

It’s all about who you know. Networking is certainly nothing new, and it’s an important part of promoting your business. Networking opportunities are everywhere—from industry-specific meetings and clubs to community events, and local chambers of commerce. Don’t feel intimidated by others at these events who have been in the business longer, or who seem to already know everyone in the room. Everyone had to start somewhere, and these types of self-promotion opportunities are great ways for getting your name to the public.

Business Cards

Also a mainstay in the business world, business cards are a way to give something tangible to a new contact, so they will remember you the next time they have a need you can fill. Many sites offer inexpensive business cards, and you can customize them with your logo and other features to stand out. Don’t be afraid to offer a business card to anyone you have met and discussed your business. You never know who else that person might know, and pass along your information.

When it comes to self-promotion, consistency is important. As a new entity, you will need to spend more time getting your name to the people who need your services. Once you start to build brand recognition and a positive reputation, your business will grow. The more you talk about what you have to offer, the less awkward it will become. Soon, it will be second nature to create social media campaigns, add blog articles, and network like a pro.

[Jay Hinrichs]

Originally posted by @Account Closed:

Great post- love the point about staying active on social- but I would say that it is 2019. I think it almost impossible to be a business owner and not crush social media EVERDAY. This helped lead me to a following of over 75k- and many lack that commitment. 

other than BP i dont use social media  at all.. other than for my grandkids on facebook..  I cant figure out how to work or what good something like a tweet does or any of the other stuff..  how can that stuff help you ?

[Mark Sewell]

Originally posted by @Jay Hinrichs:

Jay people use it for SEO value. The more google sees you running around meeting other realtors, looking at houses and doing REI stuff, the higher it ranks your associated websites. Overtime you start getting organic visits, not just the paid variety.

@Rick Howell This is a great topic.  I think you need to be able to provide content that is either interesting or useful/informative.  Video goes a long way.

[Mark Sewell]

I also think that it doesn't have to be all about self-promotion.  How many of us could share our faceplants and hard experiences when things didn't go right?  That makes us real, and in my opinion, it lends credibility.

[Quito Keutla]

@Rick Howell Thanks for sharing, I haven’t been consistent on FB and will make it a point to do so. Happy Investing!!

[Christi Hawkins]

@Rick Howell  Great article, thank you for sharing!!

[Rick Howell]

Thank you Christi! Have a great day!!!

[Nathan Gesner]

@Jay Hinrichs social media isn't so important for someone that's established in the business. You have your clients and they give you enough referrals that marketing is no longer necessary. You were in this business for 20 - 30 years before social media existed and I'm willing to bet most of your clients are not under 30.

New(er) agents are still building their presence. My small community has 150 agents and everyone seems to know 10 of them. If I want someone to think of me when they think of real estate then I have to keep putting my name or face in front of them constantly. Younger people (40 and under) aren't looking at phone books. They don't watch local TV. They are staring at facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media platforms.

Twitter is the cesspool of the internet. Facebook and Instagram and all the other platforms are time sucks designed by Satan himself to ensure people naval gaze and ignore the world around them. And if you want to be successful in today's world, there's a 99% change you'll need these platforms to do so. It's a real love-hate relationship!

[James Wise]

Originally posted by @Rick Howell:

Self-promotion can be the most difficult of starting your own business. Your friends and family may know what you are working on, but if you don’t cast a very wide net, you will have trouble getting your business off the ground. While it can feel awkward or even a little embarrassing to put yourself out there, if you develop a strategy that works and you see the successes coming from it, you will find it becomes easier. Here are five ways to promote yourself and you business.

Self-Promotion through Social Media

By now, the only way you don’t know about the power of social media for self-promotion is if you have been hiding under a rock. And if that’s the case, you probably aren’t reading this blog. So assuming you realize the potential of social media, how do you harness it?

• Create accounts you intend to use. If you are not a Twitter fan, for example, don’t feel you need to use it. You may change your mind later, but you do not want to establish business accounts on platforms you don’t want to actually use on a regular basis. No one will come rushing to you if they stumble across a profile you haven’t updated for months.
• Be consistent. Post content on a fairly regular basis, so your audience gets used to hearing from you.
• Boost posts and create ads. One of the cheapest forms of paid advertising is in social media. There are many ways to create paid advertising, so spend some time researching your options. Targeted ads can read more of your prospective contacts without wasting money on people who are likely not interested.

Newspaper Ads

Social media is powerful for self-promotion, but that doesn’t mean there is no longer value in more traditional advertising platforms. Local newspapers reach a lot of people in your geographical area. Do some research on circulation numbers, costs, and decide what works best for you. Cost-wise, it will be more expensive than social media, but it generally is not cost-prohibitive.

Blogs and Real Estate Websites

Blogging has become a popular way to build an audience on a particular topic. It costs virtually nothing but time to get started, and it is a great way to build a reputation as a knowledge leader in your field.

If you do not want to start your own blog, look for real estate sites that welcome contributor articles. Posts do not need to be long, and since you already have much of the knowledge in your head, they should not be very time-consuming to write.

If you are not sure where to start, follow other bloggers in the industry to see some examples. Also, spend some time reading about search engine optimization (SEO) so more people will find your entries.

Networking

It’s all about who you know. Networking is certainly nothing new, and it’s an important part of promoting your business. Networking opportunities are everywhere—from industry-specific meetings and clubs to community events, and local chambers of commerce. Don’t feel intimidated by others at these events who have been in the business longer, or who seem to already know everyone in the room. Everyone had to start somewhere, and these types of self-promotion opportunities are great ways for getting your name to the public.

Business Cards

Also a mainstay in the business world, business cards are a way to give something tangible to a new contact, so they will remember you the next time they have a need you can fill. Many sites offer inexpensive business cards, and you can customize them with your logo and other features to stand out. Don’t be afraid to offer a business card to anyone you have met and discussed your business. You never know who else that person might know, and pass along your information.

When it comes to self-promotion, consistency is important. As a new entity, you will need to spend more time getting your name to the people who need your services. Once you start to build brand recognition and a positive reputation, your business will grow. The more you talk about what you have to offer, the less awkward it will become. Soon, it will be second nature to create social media campaigns, add blog articles, and network like a pro.

 If you aren't crushing it on Social Media every single day someone like me is gonna come around & eat your lunch. End of story.

[Jay Hinrichs]

Originally posted by @Nathan Gesner:

@Jay Hinrichs social media isn't so important for someone that's established in the business. You have your clients and they give you enough referrals that marketing is no longer necessary. You were in this business for 20 - 30 years before social media existed and I'm willing to bet most of your clients are not under 30.

New(er) agents are still building their presence. My small community has 150 agents and everyone seems to know 10 of them. If I want someone to think of me when they think of real estate then I have to keep putting my name or face in front of them constantly. Younger people (40 and under) aren't looking at phone books. They don't watch local TV. They are staring at facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media platforms.

Twitter is the cesspool of the internet. Facebook and Instagram and all the other platforms are time sucks designed by Satan himself to ensure people naval gaze and ignore the world around them. And if you want to be successful in today's world, there's a 99% change you'll need these platforms to do so. It's a real love-hate relationship!

ya you nailed me.. I still use my rolodex I got a cool one.. you just slide the bar down to the letter of the last name and hit the button and it pops open with all those with the last name starting in which ever letter you choose..  I guess in your town putting your info on every bus bench would work I see those around. 

[Nathan Gesner]

LOL! Jay, we don't have buses, let alone bus benches!