Are you online? Or do you just have a website?

The world of real estate marketing has changed forever. And for the better.

Running ads, installing boards, printing fliers and having a website are still valid methods of marketing properties and attracting listings, however opportunities abound for the smart Agent who is willing to roll his or her sleeves up and enter the world of Web 2.0.

“Web what?!”, I hear you say. Don’t worry too much about the fancy name, Web 2.0 is simply the current incarnation of the internet that enables people and businesses to become much more involved via communication, collaboration and sharing of information. You simply need to know this…The web is no longer a static medium that allows you to post information in the hope that the right people will find it.

What today’s Internet allows is an amazing opportunity to interact with your Clients and prospects like never before. Here’s how:

YouTube: Google own YouTube. Google believes that videos enhance your Internet experience. So any business that uploads videos to YouTube will be looked on favourably by the world’s most popular search engine. And that’s got to be a good thing. Here’s some ideas of what you could upload:

• Tours of homes.
• Selling tips.
• Buying tips.
• Suburb overviews.
• Staff introductions.

Twitter: A simple way of getting your message out there in 140 characters or less. Twitter is a great way to share what’s happening in your business and industry, to enter conversations that others are having about your industry and to connect with prospects and others who are interested in what you do and have to offer.

Podcasts: These are simply audio programs that can be downloaded from your website or Apple’s iTunes store. Podcasts are a great way to position yourself as an expert and provide your prospects with valuable information. Once again, topics could include buying and selling tips, suburb overviews or special guest interviews with local personalities.

Google Adwords: There are two ways of rising to the top of Google. One way is to do everything within your powers to ensure your website is key word rich and highly search engine optimised. The other is to use Google’s pay-per-click advertising service. Basically, you ask Google to run your ad on the right hand side of their search results when someone keys in a search phrase relevant to your business – For example…Homes for sale in (insert suburb).

LinkedIn: There shouldn’t be an Agent in the world that doesn’t have a profile on this highly effective networking site. Over 45 million business people use it to exchange information, ideas and opportunities. It’s simply a great way of building your online personal brand.

Now, I don’t expect you to race off now and start doing all of the above…I know for some of you what I’m proposing is quite alien. However, the wonderful thing about all of the above marketing channels is this:

• When combined, they have a significant effect in building your online presence, so that when prospects do a search for a business like yours (and they do) you will rise to the top.
• A presence in everyone of them by default leads back to your website.
• They’re free…the investment is generally one of time, not money.
• Using them will put you way ahead of the game. And afterall, isn’t the idea to create a brand that’s so irresistible that it makes competing with you far less desirable? I think so.

So, are you online? Or have you just got a website?

I’ve been a believer in Podcasts for years now. Here’s why:    

1. You can listen to them when and where you choose…no need to tune in at a certain time.
2. There’s a Podcast on almost any subject you can think of.
3. There’s few or no ads.
4. The presenters are real…They’re not working to the beat of a network’s drum.
5. They’re global…I can download shows from many parts of the world and not just my own backyard.
6. Those that produce them are usually passionate and expert in their chosen topic.
7. They’re FREE!

All these, I think, are pretty darn compelling reasons for making Podcasts a chosen media.

But it appears I’m the Lone Ranger…at least in Australia.

When I ask business owners in my Marketing Seminars have they heard of podcasting…70% say “No”.

My co-host in the Podcast we’re producing at the moment thinks they’re too hard to download.

Most just seem to be using their iPods for music. What a waste!

I feel better now having got this off my chest. It’s helped remind me that I’m right in thinking that Podcasts are the way of the future…It’s just taking time for them to catch on. In the lucky country anyway.

So I will continue to recommend them to Clients as an effective, low cost way to promote their business. And I will continue to produce the first season of my upcoming show.

But what do you think? Are Podcasts under-rated or over-rated? Are they dead?

Gee I love Podcasts…I listen to them daily.

Not only do I get to choose what I want to listen to, but I get to choose when as well. And I love the fact that Podcasting makes it possible to listen to people from all over the globe talking about subjects they are passionate about. Folk who ordinarily may not get the opportunity to share their views in the mass media.

The other upside of Podcasting is that it gives the Marketer the opportunity to create an entire program around their product or service. Not just a thirty second ad, but a fully fledged production that can go for as long as they like. You see, producing a podcast is a very inexpensive operation…all you really need is a good mike, a computer, some editing software and a bit of technical nowse to upload it to iTunes. Additional costs may come in the form of voice talent and a music score, but both these things are freely available as well.

So, if you’re a business owner and are looking for a cheap way to promote your business then I strongly recommend Podcasting. You don’t need to create an epic, just something enetratining that will appeal to your target audience. Here’s some ideas:

1. Educate people on your area of expertise.

2. Offer tips on how to get the most out of your product or service.

3. Tell the story of how your business came to be (if it’s interesting!)

4. Interview suppliers in related areas

Importantly, if you decide to Podcast, make it interesting and entertaining. Not dull and lecture-like.

There are some great examples of businesses both small and large doing it…here’s some to check out:

Manager Tools

Marketing Monday

The Real Estate Guys

So, what are you waiting for? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this great marketing tool.