Getty
Getty
These days, we are bombarded with content online. And guess what — we don’t hate it. In fact, over 70% of Americans are active on social media. Whether users are simply catching up with friends or gathering vital information via social media platforms, they are hungry for more.
With social platforms more popular than ever, many professionals are optimizing this space. We are in a time where we are seeing what is commonly referred to as the rise of the influencer. So, whether you’re aiming to connect with others or promote products online, social media influencing may be a path to consider.
Keep in mind, if you’re going to start being an influencer — especially in the realm of commercial real estate — there are some things you need to know when getting started. First, you’re too late. Just kidding! Although influencers are taking the internet by storm, I believe there’s still plenty of room for anyone to jump in the game. You just need to know some of the basics.
1. You don’t need to be everywhere at once.
So, there’s Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Snapchat, Reddit — and you want to be present on them all? First of all, that’s just the beginning of the list; there are even more social media platforms. And trust me, nobody can master every platform, nor do they need to.
What’s great about social media influencing is that you can really focus on your target audience. Different people use different platforms. Therefore, by researching your intended audience and the users of each social platform, you can really hone in on the app or website that you need to use. Once you’ve found where your target CRE audience hangs out, master that platform.
2. Engagement is key.
Whether it’s a photo on Instagram or a caption on Twitter, of course you need to be posting content. However, it’s not enough to simply update your audience from day to day. It’s equally important to be engaging on your social media platforms as well.
What does engagement mean? Engagement refers to connecting and conversing with others online. It’s ultra-important to comment on intriguing posts and cheer your colleagues along. By getting involved in the conversation, you’ll show others that you truly care and it can boost your CRE brand awareness.
Another way to engage on social media is by reposting other people’s content. It isn’t always necessary to reinvent the wheel. If someone you follow has created high-quality content that you want to share, do it. Of course, you’ll want to give credit to the original source when reposting.
Finally, you can up your engagement game by guest posting on other accounts and letting others guest post on your account. This increases your brand exposure and credibility by allowing you to reach new users while supporting fellow influencers. And, keep in mind, a rising tide lifts all boats, so don’t be afraid of sharing success.
3. Try something completely new.
To truly captivate your audience, you’ll want to create interesting and fresh content. Lucky for you, in the land of social media, almost anything is possible. In addition to all the fun engagement ideas, you can add a new twist to your social media account in many ways, including:
• Creating a series of posts that provide details on one subject.
• Taking time to highlight monthly accomplishments in your field.
• Incorporating videos into your feed.
If you’re ready to ramp up your online presence, you may consider developing additional resources that help back up your brand. For example, a blog or podcast can give you the space your audience may be craving to dive deep into the world of CRE.
4. Be yourself — seriously.
Everyone says that if you stay true to yourself, you’re bound to succeed. In the case of social media, this couldn’t be more accurate. Some influencers take advantage of social media to create a following and a paycheck, but they aren’t passionate about what they’re posting. An audience is able to sniff this out quickly. So, above everything else, be yourself.
In the end, your authenticity will pay off and your passion for CRE will shine through. Plus, being yourself can do wonders for business. Customers today tend to trust online advice just as much as recommendations from peers, and a large part of this is believed to be attributed to the realness of social media influencers.
We know that social media is part of the typical American’s everyday routine. So, if you’re looking for a way to share your CRE passions and reach others, social media influencing may be the way to go. When you’re on the road to becoming the next best CRE influencer, be sure to keep these four tips in mind. And don’t be discouraged if you don’t land your first million followers on day one: Social media success takes time, and if you stick to your plan, you’re bound to reach your goals.