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  1. #1
    David Selman's Avatar
    David Selman Guest

    Default Social Networking

    As a professional home inspector in north Texas, when I am not performing an inspection for a client, I am working on my business development and marketing plan. Like the common or traditional forms of marketing, social netowrking (SN) has become high on my list of effective marketing strategies. I don't see social networking any less important to my marketing efforts than visiting real estate offices and passing out business cards and brochures (which seem largely ignored and discarded). To date, the high cost of driving is no match for the effectiveness of social networking on the internet and continuous development of an online presence.

    As fellow home inspectors, I hope you will share more ideas about social networking online and as comments to this post.

    Regards,
    David Selman
    Selman Home Inspections
    Home Inspection Professionals With A Free Limited Warranty


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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Rockwall Texas
    Posts
    4,521

    Default Re: Social Networking

    I tried the social networking with the Realtors years ago. It didn't work out so well. I did some office presentations, did the cards, the notepads, the donuts. I made a few contacts. They sent me a few inspections. I killed their deals supposedly.

    Now we're not social anymore.

    rick


  3. #3
    Ted Menelly's Avatar
    Ted Menelly Guest

    Default Re: Social Networking

    Quote Originally Posted by Rick Hurst View Post
    I tried the social networking with the Realtors years ago. It didn't work out so well. I did some office presentations, did the cards, the notepads, the donuts. I made a few contacts. They sent me a few inspections. I killed their deals supposedly.

    Now we're not social anymore.

    rick

    Hallelujah brothers and sisters. We are Gath....OOOps, wrong thread for that.

    I hear everything you are saying Rick. Yes you make contacts but usually not the ones you were trying for.

    Everyone always says

    "If I could only have 10 Realtors that sold 4 or 5 every month.....or realtor groups that sold 4 or 5 every month"

    Sounds real easy doesn't it.

    That is the stuff nightmares come from.

    "But it sounds so simple"


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Spring City/Surrounding Philadelphia area
    Posts
    3,509

    Default Re: Social Networking

    My best form of social networking is being social with my clients and doing a good job for them. If they like me, they tell their friends.


  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    S.W. Missouri
    Posts
    75

    Default Re: Social Networking

    I have plenty of satisfied clients, they just don't have enough friends that are buying homes.


  6. #6
    Ron Bibler's Avatar
    Ron Bibler Guest

    Default Re: Social Networking

    It is funny when you pull an agents but out of the fire. like they forgot to order the inspection so you move things around and get there inspection completed and you say to your self boy Ron you were great. they will not forget you buddy... thats an agent for life. Then you never get another inspection from the agent. or you see another companies termite report with that agents name in the box of who ordered the inspection.

    L.O.L.

    Best

    Ron

    P.S. Rick your a deal killer Thats my line.....


  7. #7
    Ken Garrett's Avatar
    Ken Garrett Guest

    Default Re: Social Networking

    Okay, then if "Social Networking", how are you getting your jobs? I know those that have been around several years have those agent referrals, but for those that are have been out of the homebuyer end of the business for a while, how do you get business? Websites really don't seem to be the answer. One week I spent more on association fees, donuts, and give-me's than I made.


  8. #8
    Ted Menelly's Avatar
    Ted Menelly Guest

    Default Re: Social Networking

    Quote Originally Posted by Ken Garrett View Post
    Okay, then if "Social Networking", how are you getting your jobs? I know those that have been around several years have those agent referrals, but for those that are have been out of the homebuyer end of the business for a while, how do you get business? Websites really don't seem to be the answer. One week I spent more on association fees, donuts, and give-me's than I made.

    When first out there you have absolutely no choice but to grovel around begging for referrals. It is the only way you will make it at first. My first year I moved to TX was a nightmare. I had to start all over again. I went to every office I could find and dropped of cards and hung around in the lobbies holding a sign up "I will work for food". While you are begging it will take you a year to get solid standings on a website.

    You want links coming back to your website by the dozens and figure out the right key words for your area.

    Beg and grovel. Grovel and beg. Drop off cards. Drop off fliers. Shake hands with everyone coming in and out of the offices when you are there. Everyone you meet give them a card and ask for referrals. Ask everyone you don't meet for referrals.


  9. #9
    David Selman's Avatar
    David Selman Guest

    Default Re: Social Networking

    Thanks guys. I understand and agree with everything said. It is impossible to get started without referrals from agents. Even with the referrals, there are so many inspectors, there does not seem to be enough for them all.

    Regarding "social networking", I was more interested in other inspectors opinions about social networking on the Internet. Do any of you use forums or blogs on real estate sites? Does it work for you? Has it improved your website traffic?

    Keep the info coming.....

    Thanks!
    David Selman
    Selman Home Inspections


  10. #10
    Ted Menelly's Avatar
    Ted Menelly Guest

    Default Re: Social Networking

    Quote Originally Posted by David Selman View Post
    Thanks guys. I understand and agree with everything said. It is impossible to get started without referrals from agents. Even with the referrals, there are so many inspectors, there does not seem to be enough for them all.

    Regarding "social networking", I was more interested in other inspectors opinions about social networking on the Internet. Do any of you use forums or blogs on real estate sites? Does it work for you? Has it improved your website traffic?

    Keep the info coming.....

    Thanks!
    David Selman
    Selman Home Inspections
    This is a social networking site of sorts but really only helps you if you have a website.

    Active rain is another social INTERNET site where Realtors from your area will see you on there and you can interact with them. It will help more toward the website end of things. Merchant circle is another one where others in different industries will see you and you can interact with them. Again the merchant circle thing helps more on your website getting hits.

    Some folks in different areas use Craig's list and post an add once or even twice a day. It takes a couple minutes in the morning and evening. The best luck folks have had with that is to continuously post mid day as that seems when people look the most and if you just posted your add will be on top.

    Angie's List is another that folks have said to have had decent luck with.

    Spend some money at MLS meetings and buy the Realtors breakfast burritos from McDonald's and an orange juice. You get to talk for a few minutes as well.

    If you do not get out there and market constanly and even spendsome money doing it you will be sitting on your duff. This just like any other business is not a free business to get into. If you think it is then you should not be in business for yourself. If you just started I can see you spending 50 ish to 75,000 in the first couple of years easy. Hopefully you will be working at the same time buying down some of that or you better have double in your pocket for the first few years. The big one is a spouse that is pulling in some money. If not, good luck. I came to Texas 5 1/2 years ago. Only income is what I brought with me and what I made.

    Ouch, is all I will say.


  11. #11
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    S.W. Missouri
    Posts
    75

    Default Re: Social Networking

    Quote Originally Posted by Ted Menelly View Post
    When first out there you have absolutely no choice but to grovel around begging for referrals. It is the only way you will make it at first. My first year I moved to TX was a nightmare. I had to start all over again. I went to every office I could find and dropped of cards and hung around in the lobbies holding a sign up "I will work for food". While you are begging it will take you a year to get solid standings on a website.

    You want links coming back to your website by the dozens and figure out the right key words for your area.

    Beg and grovel. Grovel and beg. Drop off cards. Drop off fliers. Shake hands with everyone coming in and out of the offices when you are there. Everyone you meet give them a card and ask for referrals. Ask everyone you don't meet for referrals.
    Ted
    If an Inspector did this in my area, if he was lucky, he would ONLY be politely escorted from the premises by the police. Thats a fact! Realtors in my area do not like Inspectors "Going Roug"


  12. #12
    Ted Menelly's Avatar
    Ted Menelly Guest

    Default Re: Social Networking

    [quote=Bob R;111061]Ted
    If an Inspector did this in my area, if he was lucky, he would ONLY be politely escorted from the premises by the police. Thats a fact! Realtors in my area do not like Inspectors "Going Roug"[/quote]

    Now thats funny. Obviously you don't read many of my posts. They stretch things a bit to make a point.

    Obviously you did not get the point. The point was to get out there and get seen. Hand a card out to everyone you meet and the topic comes up. Yes, drop fliers off to Realtors. Do some emailing. *When you are at the Realtor offices* introduce yourself at the appropriate moment.

    What is "Going Rouge", with an e, with going to Realtor offices and dropping off fliers and cards. Why would it be shaking hands with folks at the appropriate moment. Why would a smile and a hello and a card be going Rouge.

    Well, maybe I missed the point you were trying to make.

    He will never get work unless he gets in front of people.

    "The Realtors don't like"

    Hm, what do you think Realtors do. When they re not with a client they are mailing home owners, past clients, INTERNET marketing, website, marketing lenders, title companies etc etc etc.

    They are getting their face out there and begging and grovelling for work.

    We all beg and grovel for work. Most of us do it with a little tact and not like my exaggerated post.

    Obviously you took my post way to literally.


  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Snowbird (this means I'm retired and migrate between locations), FL/MI
    Posts
    4,086

    Default Re: Social Networking

    TM: perhaps he read too much into "hung around"

    I'm quite sure hanging around and shaking HANDS also employed the use of PANTS and likely shorts!

    Hey, I'm an old timer, I NEVER go or went rogue! (blue, commando, "california", etc. etc.). Heck, I'm grateful I can still go sans "Depends"! (knock wood!...errr...lumber....errr...you know what I mean!).

    Cripes...dang Bob Dole, no don't need blue pills either...grrrrr got wood, dang it! I'm digging a hole ain't I?

    ...Never mind.


  14. #14
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    St Paul, MN
    Posts
    1,630

    Default Re: Social Networking

    We do multiple things here in MN.

    1. Realty offices generally have a resource room or table. Our brochures are there.
    2. We rent a booth at all of our local realtor association expo's. Shake hands, pass out info, give away trinkets. Generally cost $200 to $600 per show.
    3. Stop by offices where you know a Realtor real well, take him out to lunch and have him bring a couple friends.
    4. Direct mail the agents with any promotions or specials you're running. Email follow up info.
    5. Send Christmas cards to the agents that you've worked with.
    6. My company runs a national web site and I run one locally. Keep a faceook fans page and link it to twitter. I had an agent in Michigan start following my twitters and I messaged him that we have inspectors in Detroit and gave him the contact info. He replied, thanking me and stated he would contact them.
    7. Put ads on craiglist and use google adwords
    8. Put your agents on speed dial. When they call answer using their name. They love it.
    9. We do home warranty inspections also. The warranty company will set up a presentation with a realty office to take place at a vacant house. They'll give their presentation as we do an inspection of the home for all the agents to see. We don't charge for the inspection but boy the referrals flow in.
    10. Most important...provide superior service.
    Anything you think may work probably will...somewhat.

    I run the Minnesota area for Buyers Protection Group Inspection Services. On this down year I've kept 3 inspectors and one radon technician busy. By the end of the year we'll have over 1,000 inspections and about 200 radon tests for the year.

    MinnesotaHomeInspectors.com
    Minnesota Home Inspectors LLC
    ASHI #242887 mnradontesting.com

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