Minneapolis Saint Paul Real Estate

I'm involved in several different social networks: MySpace, Facebook, Plaxo Pulse, Fastpitch, Twitter, ecademy and LinkedIn (I'm sure I've forgotten a couple, but cut me some slack - I'm old).  It probably seems a bit much.  But I don't spend much time on most, choosing instead to focus on developing only one or two.  I direct my energies to those networks that fit the target consumer I'm looking to do business with, using the others to drive traffic to my main social networks - LinkedIn and ecademy.

In the age of social network overkill, with 10's of thousands of social networks available to us,* there's no way to manage more than two or three effectively.  Not if you want to keep your day job of listing and selling real estate.  Which is why, even though I'm present on several social networks, I zero in on just a couple to build my business.

In connecting with social network members on other venues, I'm always promoting my LinkedIn or ecademy networks, encouraging those members to connect with me on those networks.  In addition, I'm promoting the groups (LinkedIn) and clubs (ecademy) that I belong to, as well as promoting the social network I've created on Ning - The Real Estate Network - in hopes of building connections and membership on those respective sites.  In effect, I'm cross pollinating my networks.

In promoting these other network connections, I've made it as easy on myself as possible.  I've created template messages (created in Word, to ensure proper spelling and grammar, allowing me to copy, paste and customize to large numbers) to send to those that I've connected with.  I've included a sample of one that I use on ecademy below.**

Each of these messages references the other network that I belong to, along with the groups or clubs that I associate with.  When asking for connections on my preferred networks, I'm finding a cross pollinization rate (additional connections) of about 25% - a substantial number of connections that I could've left "on the table" had I not asked.  In addition, I get a fair number of people looking to join the groups or clubs that I'm part of.  Not bad for just putting it out there.

So consider using this strategy if you're looking to grow your presence on MySpace, Facebook, etc.  Cross pollinate your networks, and become a busy bee, without becoming too busy on the social networking scene.

  *Doubt the numbers? Go to www.ning.com to see a listing of the social networks created just on that site alone.

 **Thank you for your message and the opportunity to connect with you here on ecademy.  I'm relatively new here, but I'm finding the power and the quality of this network to be very impressive.

 As I learn my way around and work to become a better ecademy member, I'm visiting a number of profiles to gain an understanding of what to place in mine.  I appreciate the chance to learn from your profile, and I'm always open to suggestions on how to improve mine.  Please keep me in mind if you have specific ideas that may help.

I noticed that you have interest in real estate.  If you're so inclined, I'd like to invite you to participate in The Real Estate Network club formed here on ecademy.  Just click on this link to join.  We'd love to have you.

In addition, there's a social networking site for real estate professionals that you might find interesting.  The Real Estate Network is a site devoted to real estate professionals and those that have interest in the topic of real estate.  It's free to join, and the site has great content and opportunities to connect with real estate professionals from around the world.

I'm also a member of LinkedIn, and invite you to connect with me through by quick link invitation - http://www.bradhanks.mylinkinvitation.com - if you're a member there as well.  As I train people how to use LinkedIn effectively in their business, I can offer you tips or advice if you'd like to learn more.  Please let me know how I can help.  I'd be happy to share.

Thank you again for the opportunity to be a part of your network.  I look forward to networking with you here.  Take care, and stay connected!

Brad Hanks ~ Connecting People With Success ~

P.S. - You can also follow me on Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/bradhanks.