Building Your Business with Social Media

Long gone are the days of searching endlessly through a 3 pound book, chock full of phone numbers, just to find the right plumber. Going in blind, you never know who might show up at your doorstep… is the company you just hired legit? With the Internet, you can search and find a company with reviews to give you an idea of what you are getting yourself into when selecting that person to come fix your leaking pipe. The Internet has made searching much easier, but is your business showing up in the search results? What can be done to get your name found in the sea of pop up ads and google searches? In the latest webinar series provided by the Allterra Group, Ryan Lundquist provides some insight on how to be effective in developing a social media strategy. We sat down with Ryan to get an overview of what appraisers can expect in this webinar.

Buzz: Can you tell us a little bit about your background and how you got started in this profession?

Ryan: I started appraising in 2003. I used to be a teacher, actually, but I made a career move as an appraiser since I thought it would be better for the family (financially and having a self-employed lifestyle). I also had friends who were appraisers, so it was easy to find a couple mentors.

Buzz: Is this webinar for beginners or people new to social media?

Ryan: This webinar is especially good for anyone sitting on the fence about diving into social media, but there will be some helpful nuggets for those who are already initiated too. I hope everyone leaves with something they can apply immediately to their business, that is the real goal.

Buzz: What will appraisers learn in this webinar?

Ryan: Appraisers will learn why social media is important; what it can look like to market your business using social media; and practical tips for using various social platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. We also talk about how to add real estate contacts on Facebook, the importance of having a Google profile, and 10 places to find clients. Finally, throughout all of this I share my story, and I hope that will encourage you.

Buzz: What caused you to develop your own social media marketing?

Ryan: HVCC was a huge catalyst for me to begin fishing for a different type of clientele. I began asking myself who I really wanted to work for, and then I developed a strategy to go after those types of clients. The vast bulk of my business today is a direct result of me building connections on social media (and my blog in particular). At any given time, about 80-90 percent of my work is non-lender, so I have definitely discovered a niche for my business, and I hope to share this success.

Buzz: Why should appraisers start their own social media marketing?

Ryan: As business owners we have to ask ourselves where our clients and prospective clients are hanging out. It’s easy to sit back and expect the business to come to us, but we need to be strategic about our clientele so we are not at the mercy of the changing waves of the real estate industry. Besides, social media is an excellent way to constantly get in front of others instead of waiting to market our businesses when we get slow. Since the world has gone online for just about everything, it’s vital for businesses to have a strong online presence. I’m not just talking about having a website, but rather, building personal and professional connections online with existing and potential customers. Social platforms are a fantastic way for us to get to know others, share our expertise, and get noticed.

Buzz: Is there one action step you would recommend to help appraisers get started on their social media marketing?

Ryan: If I were only going to choose one thing, I would say start a blog, which is a bigger step. A smaller step would be to begin to find prospective clients on Facebook and start connecting with them there.

Buzz: Thank you Ryan so much for taking the time in speaking with us and developing this webinar for appraisers.

You can download the on-demand webinar from Ryan Lundquist here. Sign up today and save $10 off the normal cost of $39.00

Have any comments or would you like to submit content of your own? Email comments@appraisalbuzz.com.