You've heard all about social media and that it's the NEW way to sell real estate.  You know you should be "there", wherever "there" is.  It's overwhelming.  Where to  begin? 

Some experts will tell you it's important to craft a plan - a prioritized list of goals with measurable strategic steps, etc.  The beauty of social media ( or Web 2.0 as it's often referred to) is that it's really much simpler than all that.  You begin with an understanding of you.

Step 1: You

• Who are you? 
• What kinds of folks do you want to work with, and
• Where?  i.e. which zip code, primarily (Social Media sites are easiest to build out one zip code at a time.)

Are you a folksy kind of realtor, who works best with young families buying their first home?  Or are you a buttoned-up "professional" realtor who serves business people with an eye towards investing?  This makes a difference in how you would present yourself in terms of the photo, and your bio.

Step 2: Your Photo

Knowing who you are and who you want to attract, now select a photo that illustrates that persona visually.  A jacket and crisp shirt, if you're going "pro" or a sleek, stylish ensemble if you're aiming at a chic, urban crowd.  You face should be facing the camera with a pleasant smile.  Not too many teeth, not off to one side, not peering out of a mop of unruly hair. Straight up, "what you see is what you get" - the ultimate transparent, authentic look.  The photo needs to be scalable, too.  It needs to look as sharp at 700 k on Twitter as it does on Facebook at 4MB and at 100px on Ning.

Step 3:  Your Profile

Your profile on most sites will allow you to enter a 2 -3 paragraph bio with links to your website, articles you've written and even a listings sheet.  Some sites (such as Twitter) will only allow 160 characters.  In either case, the bio should be written in the style that you've identified in Step 1 and reinforced with Step 2.  Bios should be written in the first person if you are aiming at the folksier, personable angle, and in 3rd person if you're "all pro."

Step 4: Sign Up

Now that you have your photo, your bio and a set of links (to your webpage, blog, or summary of articles) you are ready to begin.  The simplest place to begin, is to simply put yourself on the map with "http://google.com/profiles. As you fill in all the boxes, don't forget to jazz it up with as many links and photos as the site will allow.

Next, sign up at the following -

• Facebook (it's the ultimate "relationship management" tool
• Twitter (it's the fastest way to communicate with people, all kinds of people)
• Linked-In (its where all the corporate folks are and where most people who want to do business hang out)
• Yelp (it's the fastest way to "own" your zip code, and so simple, all you do is enter your thoughts on local hot spots, businesses, etc.)
• Those of us in real estate need to sign up also, at ActiveRain.com and Trulia.com

Step 5:  Look Around For People You Know

Some sites will import your address book and locate those folks that you know on that site already.  Others, you have to search and poke around a bit.  As soon as you find someone you recognize, say hello.

Step 6:  Look Around for Groups that Interest You...or that might be useful

Join a few.  Not too many to start.  One or two.  Just join.

Step 7: Lurk, and Listen

Every site has its own culture.  How you can fit in and contribute will vary from site to site.  Watch how others are behaving and see how that might work for you.  Is there lots of advice being offered, or does it tend to be all conversational?

Bonus Tip:- Once you have the lay of the land, you too can begin to "conversate". Start slowly by answering other people's questions until you have enough confidence to post updates on your own. Remember that social media is all about relationship building: getting to know people and letting folks get to know you. It's about dialogue and the other person, first. Eventually you can announce your listings, but never when you're first starting on a new social media platform. Connect and converse, first. And now I'd like to invite you to sign up for free instant access to a social media for real estate template at http://agent2-0.com/toi.html so that you can get started right away on your own journey to the online world and become one of the new and improved, real estate professionals - the highly evolved, Agent 2.0!! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Juliet_A_Johnson