According to the National Association of Realtors, 89 percent of home buyers use the Internet during the home search process. While it’s probable they are looking at property listings, potential home buyers may be researching the right agent for them based on initial referrals.  The increasingly tech savvy, informed consumer has the ability to asses an agent’s personality and expertise by browsing personal blogs, videos and Facebook posts. This is a great reminder that your online presence really can impact your bottom line. Be mindful of how you and your business are represented online, as it could make or break a potential client relationship!

How do you (socially) sign in? If you are like a growing number of Americans, it’s from your mobile devices. comScore announced that the mobile audience of Facebook and Twitter has doubled and grown 75 percent respectfully.   As brokers and agents, it’s a good idea to think about how you can meet this on-the-move audience with relevant and interesting information. Inman’s Chris Smith shares a great video presentation and article, providing fantastic insight on the latest technology and social media tools and techniques that will help brokers and agents succeed. Check it out at: 20 Mobile Tools That Will Make You Stand Out. What are your favorite mobile apps?

If video is part of your marketing plan (think virtual listing tours or advice clips), YouTube has made updates to improve the user experience, including enhanced viewing recommendations. For the curator, the improved video editor tool helps fine-tune your video masterpiece. Is video a tool you utilize? It’s a great opportunity to showcase homes in addition to your personality and expertise!

Lastly, InboxQ has developed an interactive heat map that shades areas occupied by Twitter users who “demonstrate a greater than average knowledge on a topic.”  Try it out by searching “real estate”. Are you surprised by the regions that are highlighted?