What is social media and what does it have to do with your business?

Jonnie Jenson wrote this artical on Social Media using SurreyLets as a case study and has been reproduced in my blog with his kind permission. Jonnie Jensen is an internet marketing advisor. He works with businesses to help them match their internet marketing with their business objectives

In case you hadn’t noticed the internet has changed. It is no longer just searching for something and then reading it or buying it. Now we connect with people and companies. We share our pictures on Facebook and our interests on blogs. We comment on other people’s articles and shout about poor customer service. You have probably heard of Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. In actual fact there are many more and today they are defined as social media. But these are just for DJ’s and kids right? You are probably asking “what do they have to do with my business?”

The answer is they are the future of your business success. Nearly 19 million UK residents are on Facebook, 4 million are on Twitter. It has overtaken porn as the No 1 internet activity. Your customers and prospects are using these services. In this article we are going to look at how you can get started using social media and provide insights for your success.

You’ve already got a website – so what?
It is no longer enough to just have a website. Social media platforms build awareness, boost business and serve as low cost/no cost marketing tools. The search engines pull in results from them and are more likely to find content about you there than they are your website. If you want to influence the purchasing decisions of people then you need to be part of the conversation. It is all about establishing trust.

People base their decisions on your reputation and recommendations. When they search your name they will see what you have said and most importantly what others are saying about you. This recession and the backlash against corporations is the chance for start ups and small business to create relationships with customers, provide better more relevant services and beat the big name companies.

That may well explain what it is but why is it important for my business?
There are two main reasons why social media is important for your business. The first is that it supports the promotion of your website on search engines. Google loves social media sites because the content is conversational and therefore rich in everyday words that people use when they search for you. Having your own blog is the best place you can start.Your great content will then be linked to by other people in their blogs and Twitter messages and on bookmarking sites like Digg and Delicious. In basic terms this is how Google works; it finds relevant content and then rates it by how many other sites link to it. The more content you have on the internet, the more you will be found. Better still, your marketing efforts on the internet never die. It all references back to you and will provide a fistful of reasons for someone to choose you over your competitors. This is known as ‘long tail marketing’.

The second is reach. Your network of contacts is no doubt useful to you but it is nothing compared to what your online connections can do for you. Simply explained; if you tell 200 contacts something and they then share it with 200 contacts who then do the same, your message will have reached 800,000 people. That is why it is important for your business.

Case Study - Sally Asling of SurreyLetsSally Asling of SurreyLets came from a corporate background and was sceptical about social media.

Q: What services do you use?
I have my own blog plus I use Twitter Facebook, LinkedIn, Facebook, Flickr, Ecademey and PropertyTribes.

Q: How did you get started?
Started connecting my adverts on GumTree to my Linkedin, Facebook and Twitter accounts. Then I put out strategic messages on Twitter like “I need a one bed flat in Guildford” and the conversations I had with various people led to other referrals.

Q: What kind of business have you generated?
It’s not always first hand. I had a person contact me from Sydney who had been retweeted a message. After checking me out on Google they let a flat from me without even seeing it. It can be very random. Since I started in April I have made about £7,000 directly from Twitter.

Q: What piece of advice would you give anyone just starting out?
Write a personal profile of who you want to be. Think of words to create a catch phrase and then link that into everything you do.
www.surreyletsonline.co.uk
twitter.com/SurreyLets

Let’s Get Started
The single most important thing to remember is that your success will be based on the trust you develop with your community. Share your knowledge and your contacts freely - don't just sell.

1. Define your objectives
Establish what you want to achieve and what you want to become known for. This will help you focus on your audience, content and results

2. Start listening
Go out and look for the people who are talking about your products and services. Just search on Google blogsearch, Socialmention.com and Twitter. Start a spreadsheet to note where these conversations are happening and to record info on who is out there. I suggest you add the RSS feed of the search results to a Google Reader account so you can easily revisit all the content.
3. Choose your tools

You don’t need to use every service to start with. Pick a couple and make sure you complete your profile with a good quality picture, honest information, a link to your site and keywords about your service. Chris Brogan (chrisbrogan.com) describes the process as having a Homebase and Outposts. You can find further information at my blog http://tmandi.co.uk/raw

Start with your own blog – home base. This is where you drive people back to. Make sure you update it regularly. I recommend you use Wordpress.org to add a blog to an existing site. If you want an easy web based option go for Wordpress.com or Typepad.
You then use other services – outposts – to interact with people and direct them back to your homebase. There are many to choose from including:
• twitter.com
• facebook.com
• youtube.com
• linkedin.com

4. Make some content
Use your Listening results to see what people are talking about. The articles and discussions with the most amount of comments are popular topics. If a subject is unrepresented then this could help you stand out.
5. Promote your content

Use your Outposts to link to your Homebase content. Update your status and find other blog’s, forums and groups where you could talk about the subject as part of an existing conversation. If you are starting a topic open a discussion that encourages people to debate the subject.

6. Measure results
Social media is measurable. Use all the available metrics and refer back to your original objectives. You can measure:
• Number of followers
• Number of links to your website/blog
• Number of times a message is re-Tweeted
• Views of your video
• Total comments
• Total clicks
• Revenue growth

Any result measured over time will give you an idea of success. If you aren't measuring traffic to your site then set up Google Analytics – it’s free!
Just get started
It doesn’t matter where you start. Just start. Be yourself, add value to others and don’t say anything you might regret in the future.
Follow Jonnie Jensen
• http://tmandi.co.uk/blog• Twitter.com/jonniejensen
• LinkedIn.com/in/jonniejensen
Jonnie Jensen is an internet marketing advisor. He works with businesses to help them match their internet marketing with their business objectives. To kick start your internet marketing email jonniejensen@tmandi.co.uk or call 02032862306
www.tmandi.co.uk

Mini joins the SurreyLets fleet

SurreyLets welcomes the Mini to the companies fleet. The Surreylets mini is distinctively recognisable with the SurreyLets logo displayed.

SurreyLets director comments "Branding is very important. By clearly identifying the company on our vehicles it provides us with constant marketing as the cars and vans drive round the area. Some clients and tenants also welcome the security of being met by someone clearly identifiable by the fact they are in a branded vehicle in addition to which all SurreyLets personal carry ID"

Mini Car - Maximum Service

SurreyLets purchased the Mini through Vines at Guildford. SurreyLets Director, Sally Asling comments.

"The customer service I received from Vines Mini of Guildford was incredible, particularly from sales executive Matt Thoms. The service was second to none from the moment I walked in with my enquiry to the moment the car was received. I have been really impressed, which takes a lot as I have high standards when it comes to expectation in the service industry. I had the pleasure of being greeted by Matt Thoms, one of the sales executives, on my initial visit. I described to Matt what I wished to purchase as a company fleet car and Matt expertly helped navigate through all the car and purchase options. Within three three weeks from purchase to delivery I received e-mails updating me on the progress of the car. Matt even got the mini fully sign written for delivery. Nothing was too much trouble. Upon collection of the car I was given a clear concise run through of all the gadgets, right through to Matt tuning in the phone! In this day and age the service we receive does make a huge influence on what we as a consumer decide to buy and ultimately where we decide to buy it from. Matt and his team were consistently professional, warm and welcoming, helpful, informative and genuine. It has been an absolute pleasure to do business with Vines of Guildford and I will not hesitate to buy further cars from them and recommend them to anyone looking to purchase a mini"

SurreyLets are now ARLA Members

1st September 2009
SurreyLets have now joined ARLA, The Association of Residential Letting Agents.

ARLA members follow a strict code of practice and are leading the campaign to ensure all Letting Agents become licensed. For the consumer this is excellent news, demonstrating the Agent has the right qualifications and knowledge, the right insurances, client money protection and have an independent redress scheme in place.

SurreyLets has joined the Property Ombudsman

SurreyLets is now a member of the Property Ombudsman - (Membership D04077)

Lettings and property management agents who join the TPO subscribe to the Code of Practice for Letting Agents. This is part of the process of becoming a member of ARLA, the Association of Residential Letting Agents.

SurreyLets believe in operating fairly and professionally giving advice and service within codes of best practice. SurreyLets it is behaving in a way which is fair to the consumer by offering transparancy and where the consumer may have a further body to go to if there is a problem.

Sally Asling Director of SurreyLets comments. "I am still amazed by the lack of information a consumer entering the world of becoming a Landlord has. It seems the process is not been fully explained and neither is the service they should expect and what procedures are available. It also seems consumers are not aware of what they should look for in a letting agent and are not aware of there being a benchmark for minimum expectation. I hope that by joining the Ombudsman I am demonstrating to my clients that we do follow a code of practice and what they should expect as a consumer"

Following Text from TPOS website (click link to visit site)

The Property Ombudsman provides a free, fair and independent service for dealing with unresolved disputes between sales and letting agents who have joined the TPO and consumers who are actual or potential buyers or sellers or landlords or tenants of residential property in the UK. The Ombudsman is a member of the British and Irish Ombudsman Association and follows the standards and rules of the Association. The Ombudsman is totally independent of agents and reports directly to the TPO Council which has a majority of non-industry members.

The Ombudsman's role is to reach a resolution of unresolved disputes in full and final settlement and, where appropriate, he will make an appropriate award of financial compensation or other action for example make an apology. Therefore, if you feel that you have been disadvantaged by the actions or inactions of a TPO member, you have access to an independent dispute resolution service and can be certain of receiving a fair and reasonable judgment of your complaint.
A Consumer Guide, available in the offices of all sales and lettings agents who have joined the TPO, informs complainants that:

'Your complaint may be considered by the Ombudsman, if you believe that the agent has:
infringed your legal rights; or
failed to follow the rules and obligations set for agents under any code of practice to which they may subscribe; or
treated you unfairly; or
been guilty of maladministration (including inefficiency or undue delay)
in a way that results in you losing money or suffering avoidable aggravation, distress and/or inconvenience.'
The Ombudsman will not normally review a case until the internal complaints procedure of the agent has been exhausted

SurreyLets Newletter

SurreyLets is making the most of e-marketing through its Monthly Landlords Newsletter and Weekly Available Property Listings for Tenants. With the power of modern technology and the fact that more people use on line resource to find a property than ever before, the newsletter can be circulated direct to all Landlords and Tenants and circulated using social media by posting the newsletter on Twitter and Facebook.

As far as SurreyLets is aware, no other Letting Agency in Surrey are using the power of social media to market its property and generate more awareness in its newsletters

To view a newsletter, please click the following links
Landlords Newsletter: http://bit.ly/Hm0cj
Tenants Newsletter:

Stunning Annexe in East Horsley

SurreyLets are delighted to be marketing a detached Annexe in East Horsley, Surrey. This beautifully presented one bedroom annexe situated in the grounds of the main house beyond electric gates and surrounded by Woodland and sits adjacent to a golf course.

The Annexe is immaculate with accommodation comprising of a modern stylish kitchen offering all appliances, with the addition of a utility room situated downstairs for laundry. The open plan lounge and dining area is spacious with a light airy feel. With its wood flooring and neutral decor this space is a place to relax. The double bedroom set in the eves has sleeping space and a walk in dressing area. The Annexe also has a modern shower room. Externally the Annexe offers its own parking space and private garden area

The Annexe is within walking distance of both Effingham Junction train station and East Horsley Train station. The property is a short drive of the A3 which offers connection at Junction 10 to the M25. The village of East Horsley offers a true village feel with strong local community, pleasant shopping parade which includes local library, banks and medical centre as well as grocery shopping, craft shops hairdressers and boutiques. This property is situated adjacent to the Drift Golf Club and is surrounded by Peace and Tranquility. On the doorstep you are surrounded by pleasant country walks in the Drift, Effingham Common and Great Riding's Woodland. This property is a real rare gem and should certainly be viewed to appreciate what it and the area it is situated within has to offer.

Superb 5 bedroom family property for rental in Cobham, Surrey

SurreyLets are proud to be marketing a superb five bedroom property in the lovely Ashcroft Park area of Cobham, Surrey. This unfurnished property comprises of 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and 4 reception rooms and is situated at the end of a quiet cul de sac.

Full property details http://bit.ly/Thbhs

Cobham is a well regarded area, easy accessible for the A3 and M25 road links, is situated between London Heathrow and Gatwick airports and offers a plethora of excellent private and state schooling. The ACS International School is a short drive from the property as is Parkside, Feltonfleet and Notre Dame. Cobham provides a varied shopping centre with boutique dress-wear, craft shops and coffee houses as well as a large Waitrose and Sainsbury's for grocery shopping.

The property offers a family great living space that is both flexible and spacious. A fine example of a family home that works on all levels, from its family space, lovely garden and the fact its located at the end of a quiet cul de sac which means children can play on the ample driveway and front areas within relative safety.

Accommodation comprises of a through living room with marble surround/granite fire place. Double doors into a wood framed “Life” conservatory. Dining room with double doors into the conservatory. The fully tiled conservatory can be used all the year round as comfortable living space as it has the benefit of full underfloor heating which is fully programmable. The conservatory is fully furnished with a dining suite of cane table and four dining chairs. Also a matching 3 seater sofa and 2 large armchairs with associated scatter cushions, together with a coffee table and 3 shelf plant stand in matching cane.The conservatory is fully shaded with Sanderson roof blinds and full length Appeal conservatory roman blinds in Pinoleum at all the windows. Roof vents open automatically when the temperature rises above a set level and close automatically when it rains.

Additionally here is a family room or Study downstairs with a fully fitted shower room/cloakroom next door which make excellent guest facilities.

The kitchen is fully fitted and complete with black granite worktops. A Britannia range cooker and hood is also provided along with other top quality kitchen appliances. A separate utility space provides laundry facilities and access to the double garage which has the benefit of a remotely operated, motor driven, up and over door.

The master bedroom has an en suite bathroom. The en suite bathroom has the benefit of built in Goodwood maple wood storage cabinets finished with a granite surface and basin surround. Villeroy and Boch basin, WC and bath, Grohe bath and power shower fittings and Huppe shower screen. Fully tiled with Villeroy and Boch ceramics.

A further family bathroom with Vernon Tutbury sanitary ware and shower screen, Grohe power shower. Fully Tiled.

4 further bedrooms.

The property is protected by Banham locks throughout and a Banham burglar alarm system.

The well established rear garden has been tastefully landscaped and incorporates a large fully stocked, “natural” pond. To the front the property has a generous driveway that can accommodate several cars.

For more information regarding this property please contact SurreyLets on 01483 282470