Many real estate agents boast about how many fans and followers they have on their social media sites. While this is a common practice, Inman News columnist, Bernice Ross, argues that what really matters is the quality of the people in your database, not the quantity.

"Take a look at your Facebook friend list, your LinkedIn account and your Twitter account." says Ross, "Of those people, how many of them would you recognize if you were to bump into them on the street?"

If you don't recognize them, are they really going to refer you any business? Ross suggests culling that list of 2,000 people to 200 whom you interact with on a regular basis.

Ross offers these 5 tips to manage your connections:

1.      Streamline your database:  Separate out the people who are the best potential business referral sources.

2.      Create different lists:  Most agents would never want to "unfriend" anyone, so create lists to distinguish between personal and business contacts.

"Once you have identified your business contacts, divide them into three additional lists following the guidelines below." says Ross.

3.      The A-List:  Ross calls these people your "angels".  They know you, like you, and would hire you and send you referrals.  "These are the people who are really worth being involved with on social media." says Ross.

4.      The B-List:  These are casual acquaintances.  These are the people you would like to know better and eventually move to you're a-List.

5.      "Everybody Else"  on the List:  "You can take one of three actions with this list." Says Ross, "You can delete them, ignore them, or attempt to move them to your B-list. It's important to realize that it's easier to move someone from the B-list to the A-list than it is to convert someone from this list."

Failing to keep up with past clients is the best way to lose them. "Instead of doing expensive print marketing, engaging with past and current clients on social media is one of the best ways to keep those relationships strong long after the transaction has closed." reminds Ross.

Build your relationships using social media sites, taking the time to interact and, therefore, strengthen the connection.

"Ultimately, the best way to build your business is to be in regular contact with members of your A-list and B-list who know you, interact with you, and who trust you to represent them when they are ready to list or sell their home." says Ross.

Read the full story at Inman News.

photo credit: Schockwellenreiter

Posted in Technology And You, Marketing, Blogging

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