Google Plus for Real Estate – Your introduction to Google Plus for Real Estate Agents and Real Estate Brokers
Social media is all the rage in Real Estate right now. There is no doubt that your clients are on one or more social network, so it is essential as a real estate professional to utilize social media as part of your marketing efforts. We are all familiar with the established social networks like Facebook and Twitter, but what is this new site that blogs are reporting about across the web? If you’ve been on the Internet in the past month, then you’ve likely heard of Google Plus. The question is how will Google Plus be used for real estate?
What is Google Plus?
Google Plus is a social networking platform, not unlike Facebook and Twitter. Google Plus introduces some new features to social networking and reinvents others.
Circles
Circles are Google Plus’ way of managing contacts. As a user of Google Plus, you’re able to group contacts together the same way you do in real life. For example, you can have Circles for your family, friends, clients, and business contacts, then choose what information is shared with which Circles each time you post. When using Google Plus for real estate, circles makes it easy to keep your personal life and business life separate.
Huddles
Huddles is basically a group messaging system. Instead of having to call, text message, or email multiple people about a single event or topic, you can start a Huddle, allowing everyone involved to contribute to the same conversation. Group messaging everyone involved in an upcoming meeting is a great way to use Huddles and Google Plus for real estate.
+1
Google Plus allows you to +1 things that you like. This can be anything from a web page to a photo to a video to a comment from one of your contacts. It simply shares with your network that you like whichever item you choose to +1.
Sparks
Sparks are articles and videos that Google Plus suggests to you based on your interests. These can be stories from news sites or blog articles or videos from YouTube or other video sites. This is a great way to keep up on news that is relevant to your lifestyle. As a real estate agent using Google Plus, Sparks is perfect to keeping up to date with industry news.
Hangouts
Hangouts are essentially video chats in which multiple people are able to participate.
Mobile Apps
Google Plus has native apps for both Android and iPhone platforms, though other mobile devices can access the web interface (http://www.google.com/mobile/+/). Android’s app is currently the most feature-rich while the iPhone app is certainly not lacking. Both native apps have a user friendly interface that allows you take advantage of nearly everything Google Plus has to offer.
How big is Google Plus?
Google Plus has grown at a tremendous rate reaching 20 million users in just 24 days. By comparison, it took Twitter 1035 days and Facebook 1152 days. While that may seem extraordinary, the fact remains that the latest reports show Google Plus currently has 25 million users while Facebook, our preferred network at the moment, has a user base of 750 million people. Keep in mind that all of Google’s services combined amount to a user base of 1 billion people. That means the network has incredible potential to grow once it’s opened up.
Should you use Google Plus?
It is too early for Real Estate to see any significant ROI using Google Plus considering the size and activity of its current user base. The social network is still in beta and invite-only stage and Google Plus for real estate will be much more beneficial when the site opens up to the public and there are more users.
How would I Google Plus for Real Estate?
Real estate agents should use Google Plus in the same fashion that they are currently using other social networks, like Facebook. Google Plus offers an opportunity to quickly and efficiently communicate different messages to different “Circles”. Real estate agents can work on reaching out to new clients, staying in touch with previous ones, and network with other professionals all from one profile while keeping their personal life separate. Also, with the mobile apps available, this can be done on the go in record time, not to interfere with your day to day business.
How do I sign up?
At the moment Google Plus is still in beta and invite-only. You must be invited by someone else who is currently testing/using the network. Keep checking our blog as Sellstate has hundreds of invites that we will be giving away.
Sellstate Google Plus Video Series
Even though we suggest that real estate agents focus their efforts right now on more established networks, like Facebook, we’re not pushing Google Plus to the side. Sellstate’s proactive approach at social media includes having an entire video library covering all aspects of social media and Internet marketing, including Google Plus.
Agents who read this Google Plus article also read:
Google Plus Available for Real Estate
Google Plus Circles vs. Facebook Friends
Google Plus Circles for Real Estate
Google Plus Invites for Real Estate Agents
Google Plus for Real Estate
Google Plus Library
To view related articles, visit our Google Plus Library.
Michael Darmanin
Chief Operating Officer
Sellstate
Twitter.com/SellstateCOO
Facebook.com/SellstateCOO
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