If your marketing campaign relies heavily on social media, listen up! Although there are many reports that Facebook encourages brand interaction more than any other social site, keep in mind one small tidbit that can have a big impact.  For brands that use a third party Facebook app to automatically post updates to news feeds, as opposed to directly via the site, may be engaging less with their audience. A new analysis of 50,000 pages show that posts via third party apps had 88{0a8e414e4f0423ce9f97e7209435b0fa449e6cffaf599cce0c556757c159a30c} fewer likes and comments.  Make the most of your posts by making sure they’re timely for your audience! 

As a business, it is important to develop a base of loyal followers. In our industry in particular, devoted clients can help spread the word about your services, which will likely fill out your Rolodex of contacts. Brand Key released its 2011 Customer Loyalty Leaders Index this week and although it measures very large national and global brands, we can all learn a few lessons from the top-ranked companies. Amazon topped the list, in part due to how the brand connects with consumers’ emotions and differentiates itself from the competition. How can your business apply these attributes?

Too soon or right on time? Although we are just wrapping up the season laced with pool parties and popsicles, some retailers are beginning to amp up their holiday advertising campaigns.This got me thinking of when real estate agents should implement their aggressive local advertising efforts in advance of the spring busy season. If you are of the retailer’s mindset, and by that I mean advertising early, the beginning of the new year would be a great time for a campaign kick-off.

In the digital age, blogs are a great communication tool. If you have a blog via the Blogger network, you now have access to create and publish posts on your iPhone. This will be a great tool for the on-the-go real estate agentwho posts information and images on listings. If you are not currently blogging, I would suggest it as a way to highlight tips for buyers and sellers, local community news and information on new listings. 

Are you getting your plane tickets for the upcoming NAR Realtors Conference & Expo in Anaheim, California? If so, check out a new site, Milewise, that factors in frequent flier miles and points to get the cheapest airline ticket.