As you probably already know, many of the top real estate and mortgage professionals throughout the country look to REIC for what’s “next.”

2011 was a great year for REIC and our clients. We expanded our staff, offices, and released new products. Most of our clients had one of their best years ever despite the overall economic climate.

If you’re the type of professional who wants that extra edge then you’ll want to be aware of these tools and trends in 2012:

1. Become a Certified Social Media Agent™: In 2012 many real estate agents will claim they know what they are doing on social media, but only a few will be certified by an independent 3rd part company like REIC.

2. Beware of your Online Reputation: As the world changes, so do the methods people use to hire us. If you’re not using many of the free tools available to manage your online reputation, then there is a good chance you’re losing business from customers who use online search find you.

Google yourself and then ask yourself: “If I were a home-buyer or home-owner would I hire me based on what I find?“

3. Facebook will change: It always does. Whether you like it or not, there are agents out there selling more homes because of their Facebook activity and more agents will do so in 2012 using a professional Facebook fan page.

4. The gap will widen between the best and the rest: If that statement makes you nervous because you’re on the wrong side of the gap then you need to contact us now to talk about strategies that will catch you up to the professionals who will dominate in 2012.

Unfortunately, executive 1-on-1 coaching with John Alexandrov is sold out, but you can contact us to get on the waiting list when a space opens.

Also consider attending one of our live Continuing Education events in Massachusetts to earn your CEU credits and stay on top of the latest real estate marketing trends. You can also take advantage of the free resources available online.

We also want to thank Westcor Land Title Company who has sponsored all of events, referred us many clients, and been a steadfast endorser of our mission at REIC. Thank you to the entire Westcor New England Team!

As we close out 2011 we want to thank the hundreds of clients who hired us this past year for coaching and social media services. 2012 will be about taking you to the next level!

- The REIC Team

The best agents that we work with have already discovered that your social media activity is 1 of 4 main ways you can affect your online reputation…and the amount of leads you get from online marketing.

What Affects Your Online Real Estate Reputation?

Google Results: Probably the most important thing you need to take control over today is getting your real estate business on the first page of Google. If people can’t find you on Google then it’s possible you are missing out on a significant amount of potential business.

Social Media Presence and Professionalism: At the foundation of using social media for real estate is being signed up for the right accounts, optimizing those accounts, and using those accounts professionally. When you become more active and professional on social media, you’re online reputation is dramatically improved.

Website: If you asked a stranger to describe your real estate website, how would they describe it? “Pathetic, old, and hard to use” or “Modern, pleasing, and easy-to-use”? The real estate website is still the foundation of your online reputation, which means you should take great care in how it reflects on you.

Review Sites: If you are not signed up for a free account on Trulia or Zillow right now you are missing a big opportunity! Many consumers trust these 3rd party sites for real estate information, listings, and to find the right agent. Be sure to ask your clients to write you a review on these sites!

While it is important to have a professional Facebook Fan Page for your real estate business, remember that Facebook is only one place for people to find you.

Contact us today for help getting your online reputation optimized for instant results.

Jarred Alexandrov

Social Media Architect @ REIC

For Immediate Release

First Group of Real Estate Agents Complete Certified Social Media Agent™ Certification

Boston, MA December 12 2011: CSMA™ = Certified Social Media Agent™

Imagine being among the real estate agents in the country to properly use social media to get more listings and sell more homes.

On December 8^th the first 12 real estate agents were certified as Certified Social Media Agents™ in Westborough, MA. The CSMA™ designation is offered to real estate professionals who want to showcase how their social media skills directly affect their ability to better serve their clients.

Here are the names of the first group of Certified Social Media Agents™:

- Linda Andries, RE/MAX – Sherri Barrette, Best Buy Real Estate – Melissa Garlisi, KW

- Tom Gavin, Tom Gavin Realty – Lisa Johnson, RE/MAX – Susie Johnson, Hallmark Sotheby’s

- Daneen Law, Old Cape Sotheby’s – Antonia Monarski, Otis & Ahearn

- Ryan Persac, Otis & Ahearn – Ronnie Northrop, Jack Conway Real Estate

- Michele Phaneuf, Hallmark Sotheby’s – Beth Sager, Prudential

The CSMA™ Course Covers:

• The professional standards and ethics for using social media for real estate.

• The scripts, materials, and accounts you need to be successful.

• How to be in control of your online reputation.

• What to say to buyers and sellers about social media.

During the certification event, the agents learned how to get more views to their listings using Facebook fan pages. They also were introduced to NeuroPersuasion© scripts they can use when speaking with buyers and sellers.

Each agent passed the course test and has committed to following the CSMA™ code of ethics. Last but not least, each agent must attend 6 continuing education webinars in 2012 to maintain their designation.

To register for an upcoming CSMA™ event in your area or get in contact with a Certified Social Media Agents™ visit www.socialmediareagent.com. There you can discover the full benefits of becoming a Certified Social Media Agent™.

Congratulations to the first graduating class! For a the full contact info of any Certified Agent visit our Agent Database.

We also wish to thank Ross Mortgage and Westcor Title for sponsoring and hosting the event.

REIC™ was founded by John Alexandrov to provide professional real estate coaching and social media services to agents serious about dramatically improving their business. REIC has a suite of coaching and social media options for professionals involved in all aspects of the real estate transaction, and they present dozens of live seminars across the US and Canada every year. John Alexandrov is the best-selling author of Affirmations of Wealth and The Money Chi.

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You’re about to discover the news that Facebook will collapse!

However, this is not an article about what Facebook is doing wrong, or the rise of Google Plus. Facebook is not going anywhere for a long time and should be used by most REALTORS©, loan officers and other professionals to enhance their business.

Why Facebook Will Collapse:

Facebook is going to eventually collapse because a new communications technology will replace it.

It might be 5 years…or 15 years but a new platform is going to eventually be invented that makes communication, sharing, networking, and connecting easier and more efficient.

At it’s core, Facebook is a communications platform…one of the most powerful to ever exist, but something will come along that is better.

(In my opinion it will not be Google+ or anything resembling Facebook. It will be something we can’t fathom today like we could not fathom Facebook 10 years ago)

However, you should still be capitalizing on the power of Facebook marketing today…just like you took advantage of the power of newspapers in the past.

Now you can stop worrying whether Facebook will fade away. Eventually it will, but the smart REALTORS© and loan officers are taking advantage of it’s power today by communicating more effectively with their past clients, current clients, and referral sources.

Jarred Alexandrov

Social Media Architect @ REIC