Let’s get this out of the way upfront: there are social media sites that are ok with real estate agents actively promoting their businesses. Think Facebook and Instagram.
Then, there are others, such as NextDoor.com and the two discussed below, that may ban you when you self-promote or solicit.
Think of Facebook prospecting as “active” and prospecting real estate leads on NextDoor as “passive.”
They’re both worth doing.
While active prospecting involves selling yourself and your services blatantly, passive prospecting entails sitting back, reading, contributing valuable information, engaging with others and waiting for someone to say the magic words: “Does anyone know a good real estate agent in [name of city].
If you like hanging out on social media, getting to know new people and contributing knowledge, passive prospecting for real estate leads is something you’ll enjoy.
No, it won’t take the place of your active online prospecting strategies, but you may just pick up a couple clients a year. And who can’t use a few extra commission checks?
BiggerPockets.com
If you haven’t considered working with real estate investors, you’re missing out on a huge pool of buyers/sellers and a lucrative niche for real estate leads.
“BiggerPockets is a complete resource for anyone looking to succeed in real estate investing,” according to the About Us page on the site.
They boast 1,897,604 active users (“and counting”), most of whom are real estate investors. They offer forums that you can view by the latest posts, trending topics or just browse.
Right there at the top of the list of forum topics is a reminder that “Advertisements, solicitations, and self-promotional posts are only allowed in the Marketplace Forum.”
One of the topics I noticed today you may find interesting: What’s One Quality You Look for in a Real Estate Agent?
Read through the responses, especially those from real estate agents. With the exception of the agents from Chicago and Memphis, THIS is how to show your knowledge without the eye-roll inducing, overt self-promotion agents are notorious for.
While perusing the forums, I also found a post from an investor who asks “… does anyone have any recommendations for a real estate agent and property manager in the Las Vegas area?”
Out of eight responders, two were from real estate agents. Actually, those two were from the same agent.
That question, about agents in any city, posted on Facebook would be overflowing with agents waving their hands and shouting “Me! Me! Pick me!”
Competition for real estate leads at BiggerPockets is quite slim and, if you understand investing strategies, this should be your new hangout.
City-Data.com
According to an administrator at City-Data, the most common reason that consumers visit the site is because they are (or are considering) relocating.
Warning:
Before joining, please read the site’s Terms of Service (TOS). Agents are not allowed to initiate contact with members (aside from other agents), and there is no solicitation or promotion allowed in the forums.
They’re pretty strict on these points and the other members will hold you accountable if you violate the TOS.
“Some play by the TOS and stay, some leave when they realize they can’t solicit, and some are asked to leave because they do solicit,” warns one agent in the professionals forum.
In fact, the agent members of the Real Estate Professionals forum seem to be highly territorial, so tread lightly if you decide to join that particular forum. At least as a newbey.
The state-specific forums allow you to refine your search to specific cities and topics within those cities. This is where you’ll most likely find folks seeking information about your town, homes there, etc. Remember – be helpful, not salesy.
And, if you like the site and decide its worth your time to hang out there, you’ll find a ton of other forums. They deal with everything from automotive, gardening and relationships to sports and “Unexplained Mysteries and Paranormal.”
Yes, it is a slow process to get leads from City-Data and best suited to agents who like being sociable and are seeking kinder, gentler online social interaction than what they currently find on Facebook.
“I read & post during my between time, or my waiting time, or while drinking coffee,” says one member of the Real Estate Professionals forum at City-Data.
Join, hang out, have fun, be helpful, provide useful information and you may earn yourself a client or two.
Looking for social media platforms to use as an agent? Here are the best ones for you.