Tuesday’s PRE Expo, focused on in-depth educational, speaker-led sessions, offered seminars teaching real estate agents how to use social media platforms to generate business and leads.

Top Keller Williams agent Ben Kinney – a social media guru and founder of online training program Internet Marketing Specialist Designation (IMSD) – gave tips on how to generate leads for minimal or no cost.

Santa Cruz Realtor Carmela Dawson of Thunderbird Real Estate attended the CAR Expo as a newly licensed agent and found Kinney’s tips especially helpful as she’s looking to build a network.

“I’m here to soak up as much as I can,” Dawson said.

Here are Kinney’s lead-generating, social media tips:

Agent website

• Use Google Analytics, a free online tool, to track visits to your website. This can help you determine what content is and isn’t popular and where clicks are being driven from (Facebook, Twitter, Craigslist, etc.).
• VisiStat is also a helpful tracking tool – it shows exactly where on a webpage consumers click the most often, helping target where on the site to physically place ads or important information.
• Place property listing information at the forefront of the site if targeting buyers. “Most real estate agents’ websites are incorrect,” Kinney said, noting that an agent’s photo and personal information shouldn’t be the first thing seen on the page. “All a buyer cares about is finding a property,” he said.
• Build a form into your website using a service like EmailMeForm. This tool will capture the information of a potential buyer when they email you an inquiry, creating a free lead.
• Use Google’s URL shortener when posting links to your website. Using this tracks the number of people who clicked on your link. This can help you determine whether or not people found your information useful, whether you posted the link at a time of day when traffic was optimal, etc.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

• When posting photos onto your agent website (property listings, etc.), title the photos with key words and a helpful description, such as the name of the city where the home is. Google will recognize this association and it will appear when those keywords are used by others in a Google search. For example, if someone is Googling photos of Laguna Beach, an agent’s photos of their Laguna Beach property listing should come up. When a consumer clicks on that photo, it drives them to the agent’s website.
• Utilize video to drive traffic to your site. It doesn’t have to be fancy, Kinney says, so video can be shot on an iPhone or a flip camera. “Video does not have to be complicated or expensive,” he said. “People just want content.” Shoot simple, one- to three-minute-long videos of properties or neighborhoods and cities where your listings are or where you specialize in selling. Upload the video to YouTube (which is owned by Google) with a link to your personal website and a “shameless plug.” “Drive all forms of social media back to your website,” Kinney said.
• Paid advertising, like Google AdWords, boosts your website in a Google search. Facebook advertising can target specific niches: for example, target people who “liked” horses on Facebook with an ad for an equestrian property you’re listing.

Craigslist

• Classified ads, like Craigslist, generate more leads for less money. The trick is to post “uglier ads,” Kinney said. Post a listing with simply a short paragraph and just one photo of the property. Provide the link to the property listing on your website and direct viewers there for more information.

Yelp

• Register your business on Yelp. The iPhone app Siri derives information from Yelp, Kinney said, so when someone uses Siri to find a real estate agent in a certain area, your information will be provided.

Groupon

• Create offers directing consumers to your agency through Groupon. For example, Chicago-based Dream Town Realty sold a $25 offer to receive $1,000 back at closing when selling or buying through their agency. The offer sold out and the agency received more than 200 more leads from the offer.

Blogging

• Use your agent website to write blog posts that direct traffic to the site when consumers use a Google search. Write about specific local topics like top restaurants and good schools to show that you’re a local expert who knows the area they’re selling in. When a consumer searches for these topics in a Google search, your website will come up.

Action Investments Broker Jason Hector of Porter Ranch, Calif., found these tips useful, he said, because the Internet has generated 50 percent of his leads over the past couple of years.

Facebook marketing expert Stacey Harmon of Costa Mesa-based Harmon Enterprises spoke to CAR attendees, saying that of all social media channels, Facebook has 95 percent of all time spent online.

“Facebook gives you legitimacy, credibility,” Harmon said. “People trust Facebook. It’s very important in our business to establish trust.”

Here are Harmon’s tips to generate business through Facebook:

Facebook

Establish clear, focused goals to accelerate leads on Facebook such as the following:

• Create legitimacy/validation
• Drive traffic to your site
• Promote brand visibility
• Promote listings
• Grow buyer leads
• Get agent referrals
• Increase connections
• Embrace the timeline profile format if you haven’t already. Harmon says it makes you look dated if you utilize the old personal profile format.
• Create a fan page for yourself as a professional. Facebook’s terms of service allows commercial usage on pages, so this is the correct place to promote listings. Do not post property listings on your personal profile.
• Posting content. All content needs to be intentional in order to showcase yourself as someone to “know, like and trust,” Harmon said. Don’t post about only one thing and don’t come off as self-serving. Engaging with others boosts the amount of people your content reaches, so post photos and ask questions. For example, instead of posting a photo of a home that you closed with a description of “just sold,” post instead a photo of your happy clients who closed, congratulating them.

CAR Expo gives Realtors key social media tips is a post from: Lansner on Real Estate

If you’re a fan of social media — or want to learn more — attend next week’s Social Media Day confab at The Orange County Register in Santa Ana.

• The lineup includes the A List of local experts in this field. Your master of ceremonies will be some guy named Lansner.
• RSVP now! The event is from 3-6 p.m. Address: 625 N. Grand Ave. (Get speaker lineup and more details here.)
• Besides getting valuable tips from top social media gurus at this Mashable event, you can catch an amazing food truck lineup including Spudrunners, Dogzilla Hot Dogs, Chomp Chomp Nation, The Scoop on Cookies , Star Diner (Carl’s Jr.), Dos Chinos, The Lime Truck and Oh for Sweets Sake.

Learn social media tips June 30 is a post from: Lansner on Real Estate

Thursday, December 16th (and most Thursdays)

• What: Facebook Marketing Mastermind Meetup
• Where: 2930 Grace Lane Unit H, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
• When: 4:30pm
• Details: Happens most Thursday afternoons. Check the site for whether the meetup is dark or active for the coming week. This meetup is designed to bring together small business owners and Facebook marketers interested in discussing Facebook marketing strategies for small and mid size companies. Cost is $5. Learn more here: http://www.fbmarketingmastermind.com/.

Thursday, December 16th

• What: Social Media Marketing: The Next Generation of Business Engagement
• Where: Atrium Hotel 18700 Mac Arthur Boulevard, Irvine, CA
• When: 6:30pm
• Details: Dave Evans, author of “Social Media Marketing: An Hour a Day” and “Social Media Marketing: The Next Generation of Business Engagement” will lead a discussion of interest to anyone considering implementing social technology in business. Learn more here.

Saturday, January 15th

• What: EdcampOC
• Where: Davis Magnet School campus in Costa Mesa. 1050 Arlington Drive Costa Mesa, CA 92626
• Details: At EdCamp, you will meet educators from all over the Southern California area from Public, Private and Charter schools. This chance to network in an informal arena will allow you to build a network of like-minded colleagues with whom you can brainstorm and learn. Arrive with an idea for a session that you would like to lead or with the anticipation of a full day of learning. A session might explore a technology tool, a discussion about best practices, or a collaborative presentation with multiple facilitators. Learn more and register here: http://www.edcampoc.com/

Have an event in new media to be listed here? Drop us an email at morganb (at) gmail (dot) com.

Meetups: How to engage is a post from: Lansner on Real Estate

That according to a survey of 850 Apartments.com visitors found …

• 71% percent are active on social media.
• But 25% used it during their apartment search.
• When they did use social media tools for an apartmenst search, the top five benefits: Additional apartment community information and recommendations (58%); photos and videos of apartments (55%); apartment listings (53%); hunting for special offers (47%); and sharing apartment information with friends and seeking feedback (21%).

Chris Brown of Apartments.com: ”As social media continues to evolve online communications, we believe more apartment communities will follow suit and become more visible in this space … Residents will likely be receptive to interacting with their apartment communities in this way, especially if the content is meaningful.”

Social media not yet apartment-hunt tool is a post from: Lansner on Real Estate

This week, come hear from Bob Watson, the founder of Social Media Mastermind Orange County and “TopBrokerOC” on Twitter, as he shares his insights on building community with social media, social media for small business, and more, at this week’s Social Media Club Lunch & Learn at the Alley in Newport Beach. Details below.

Tuesday, December 7th

• What: Social Media Club Orange County Lunch & Learn with Bob Watson (@TopBrokerOC)
• Where: The Alley Restaurant & Bar, 4501 W Coast Hwy Newport Beach, CA 92663
• When: 11:45am – 1:15pm
• Details: The Alley Restaurant & Bar will be hosting the Social Media Club of Orange County’s Lunch & Learn on Tuesday, December 7th. Our featured guest is Bob Watson, Founder of Social Media Mastermind Orange County (SMMOC), and a Nationwide speaker on using Social Media for Real Estate. Cost is $16.81. Learn more and register here: http://smcocalley.eventbrite.com/

Thursday, December 9th (and most Thursdays)

• What: Facebook Marketing Mastermind Meetup
• Where: 2930 Grace Lane Unit H, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
• When: 4:30pm
• Details: Happens most Thursday afternoons. Check the site for whether the meetup is dark or active for the coming week. This meetup is designed to bring together small business owners and Facebook marketers interested in discussing Facebook marketing strategies for small and mid size companies. Cost is $5. Learn more here: http://www.fbmarketingmastermind.com/.

Thursday, December 9th

• What: Orange County Holiday Tweet Drive
• Where: Atrium Hotel 18700 Mac Arthur Boulevard, Irvine, CA
• When: 6:30pm
• Details: Let’s make this holiday season a joyful one for the SoCal kids in need. Join us at the Orange County Tweet Drive on December 9th! This Holiday Tweet Drive is a nationwide toy/clothing drive that will use social media to give back to charity. We will be benefiting Orangewood Children’s Foundation in Santa Ana. To attend this event, all we ask of you is to bring one NEW toy or NEW clothing item, you don’t have to wrap it! Just bring a toy/clothing and come have a good time while giving back to our community. For more information follow us on Twitter: @OCtweetdrive

Friday, December 10th

• What: 2nd Annual Fairmont Holiday Tweetup
• Where: Fairmont Newport Beach 4500 MacArthur Blvd Newport Beach, CA
• When: 6:00pm
• Details: It’s the end of the year and we all deserve to celebrate. Whether you are new to twitter and want to meet people in real life or you are a twitter veteran and miss all your twitter friends (I know I do)…come enjoy festive drinks and 2-for-1 appetizers! For more information visit: Fairmont Newport Beach and RSVP here.

Saturday, December 11th (and most Saturdays)

• What: Social Media Mastermind Orange County
• Where: 2930 Grace Lane Unit H, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
• When: 9:00-11:00 am
• Details: Meets most every Saturday morning at 9am and runs until 11am (some holiday weekends we are ‘off’.) Check to see if it is on at http://www.facebook.com/smmoc … @TopBrokerOC Bob Watson is founder and facilitator of the discussion; networking, learning, sharing social media and technology.

Saturday, January 15th

• What: EdcampOC
• Where: Davis Magnet School campus in Costa Mesa. 1050 Arlington Drive Costa Mesa, CA 92626
• Details: At EdCamp, you will meet educators from all over the Southern California area from Public, Private and Charter schools. This chance to network in an informal arena will allow you to build a network of like-minded colleagues with whom you can brainstorm and learn. Arrive with an idea for a session that you would like to lead or with the anticipation of a full day of learning. A session might explore a technology tool, a discussion about best practices, or a collaborative presentation with multiple facilitators. Learn more and register here: http://www.edcampoc.com/

Have an event in new media that you’d like listed here? Drop us an email at morganb (at) gmail (dot) com.

Meetups: Wisdom of TopBrokerOC is a post from: Lansner on Real Estate

Welcome to our local social media event calendar compiled for

Thursday, December 2nd (and most Thursdays)

• What: Facebook Marketing Mastermind Meetup
• Where: 2930 Grace Lane Unit H, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
• When: 4:30pm
• Details: Happens most Thursday afternoons. Check the site for whether the meetup is dark or active for the coming week. This meetup is designed to bring together small business owners and Facebook marketers interested in discussing Facebook marketing strategies for small and mid size companies. Cost is $5. Learn more here: http://www.fbmarketingmastermind.com/.

Thursday, December 2nd

• What: 91 Freeway Completion Ceremony
• Where: Parking lot of Kindred Community Church, 8712 E. Santa Ana Canyon Road in Anaheim
• When: Arrive at 9:30 a.m.
• Details: The Riverside Freeway (SR-91) groundbreaking last year was the first local transportation news event to welcome social media users and bloggers to covered the event as members of the news media. Orange County Transportation Authority is inviting social media practioners back to witness the completion of Orange County’s first highway project funded by the federal stimulus program. More Info: http://bit.ly/91fwyInvite

Saturday, December 4th (and most Saturdays)

• What: Social Media Mastermind Orange County
• Where: 2930 Grace Lane Unit H, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
• When: 9:00-11:00 am
• Details: Meets most every Saturday morning at 9 am and runs until 11 am (some holiday weekends we are dark!) Check to see if it is on at http://www.facebook.com/smmoc … @TopBrokerOC Bob Watson is founder and facilitator of the discussion; networking, learning, sharing social media and technology.

Tuesday, December 7th

• What: Social Media Club Orange County Lunch & Learn with Bob Watson
• Where: The Alley Restaurant & Bar, 4501 W Coast Hwy Newport Beach, CA 92663
• When: 11:45am – 1:15pm
• Details: The Alley Restaurant & Bar will be hosting the Social Media Club of Orange County’s Lunch & Learn on Tuesday, December 7th. Our featured guest is Bob Watson, Founder of Social Media Mastermind Orange County (SMMOC), and a Nationwide speaker on using Social Media for Real Estate. Cost is $16.81. Learn more and register here: http://smcocalley.eventbrite.com/

Saturday, January 15th

• What: EdcampOC
• Where: Davis Magnet School campus in Costa Mesa. 1050 Arlington Drive Costa Mesa, CA 92626
• Details: At EdCamp, you will meet educators from all over the Southern California area from Public, Private and Charter schools. This chance to network in an informal arena will allow you to build a network of like-minded colleagues with whom you can brainstorm and learn. Arrive with an idea for a session that you would like to lead or with the anticipation of a full day of learning. A session might explore a technology tool, a discussion about best practices, or a collaborative presentation with multiple facilitators. Learn more and register here: http://www.edcampoc.com/

Have an event in new media you’d like listed here? Drop us an email at morganb (at) gmail (dot) com.



Calendar: Social media covering news is a post from: Lansner on Real Estate

Welcome to our weekly, local social media event calendar compiled for

Thursday, December 2nd (and most Thursdays)

• What: Facebook Marketing Mastermind Meetup
• Where: 2930 Grace Lane Unit H, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
• When: 4:30pm
• Details: Happens most Thursday afternoons. Check the site for whether the meetup is dark or active for the coming week. This meetup is designed to bring together small business owners and Facebook marketers interested in discussing Facebook marketing strategies for small and mid size companies. Cost is $5. Learn more here: http://www.fbmarketingmastermind.com/.

Saturday, December 4th (and most Saturdays)

• What: Social Media Mastermind Orange County
• Where: 2930 Grace Lane Unit H, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
• When: 9:00-11:00 am
• Details: Meets most every Saturday morning at 9 am and runs until 11 am (some holiday weekends we are dark!) Check to see if it is on at http://www.facebook.com/smmoc … @TopBrokerOC Bob Watson is founder and facilitator of the discussion; networking, learning, sharing social media and technology.

Tuesday, December 7th

• What: Social Media Club Orange County Lunch & Learn with Bob Watson
• Where: The Alley Restaurant & Bar, 4501 W Coast Hwy Newport Beach, CA 92663
• When: 11:45am – 1:15pm
• Details: The Alley Restaurant & Bar will be hosting the Social Media Club of Orange County’s Lunch & Learn on Tuesday, December 7th. Our featured guest is Bob Watson, Founder of Social Media Mastermind Orange County (SMMOC), and a Nationwide speaker on using Social Media for Real Estate. Cost is $16.81. Learn more and register here: http://smcocalley.eventbrite.com/

Saturday, January 15th

• What: EdcampOC
• Where: Davis Magnet School campus in Costa Mesa. 1050 Arlington Drive Costa Mesa, CA 92626
• Details: At EdCamp, you will meet educators from all over the Southern California area from Public, Private and Charter schools. This chance to network in an informal arena will allow you to build a network of like-minded colleagues with whom you can brainstorm and learn. Arrive with an idea for a session that you would like to lead or with the anticipation of a full day of learning. A session might explore a technology tool, a discussion about best practices, or a collaborative presentation with multiple facilitators. Learn more and register here: http://www.edcampoc.com/

Have an event in new media that you’d like listed here? Drop us an email at morganb (at) gmail (dot) com.

Meetups: Are you a Facebook mastermind? is a post from: Lansner on Real Estate

Welcome to our local social media event calendar compiled for

Tuesday, November 16th

• What: Blog Writing Workshop
• Where: 2930 Grace Lane Unit H, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
• When: 9:00-12:00 am
• Details: Blog writing is very different than any other form of writing: it is less formal, more direct, and is allowed to break a few rules. Blog writing is as much about proper structure and paragraphs as it is about capturing and involving the audience. These classes cover every detail that a writer needs to feel more confident in their content and to turn out both quality and quantity in their blog posts. Taught by Kirsten Wright of Wright Creativity. Cost is $50. Learn more: http://wrightcreativity.com/2010/10/register-now-for-the-blog-writing-workshop/

Thursday, November 18th (and most Thursdays)

• What: Facebook Marketing Mastermind Meetup
• Where: 2930 Grace Lane Unit H, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
• When: 4:30pm
• Details: Happens most Thursday afternoons. Check the site for whether the meetup is dark or active for the coming week. This meetup is designed to bring together small business owners and Facebook marketers interested in discussing Facebook marketing strategies for small and mid size companies. Cost is $5. Learn more here: http://www.fbmarketingmastermind.com/.

Saturday, November 13th (and most Saturdays)

• What: Social Media Mastermind Orange County
• Where: 2930 Grace Lane Unit H, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
• When: 9:00-11:00 am
• Details: Meets most every Saturday morning at 9am and runs until 11am (some holiday weekends are off.) Check to see if it is on at http://www.facebook.com/smmoc. @TopBrokerOC Bob Watson is founder and facilitator of the discussion; networking, learning, sharing social media and technology.

Have an event in new media you’d like listed here? Drop us an email at morganb (at) gmail (dot) com.



Calendar: Better blogging is a post from: Lansner on Real Estate

Welcome to this week’s local social media event calendar compiled for sOCial sunday by Orange County marketer Morgan Brown …

This week’s highlight is the upcoming ProductCamp SoCal on Nov. 6. Southern California’s best and brightest product managers, developers, and marketers from all industries will convene at California State University Fullerton Mihaylo College of Business and Economics to participate in the latest ProductCamp SoCal experience. An un-conference that began in the Silicon Valley in 2008 that has since become a global phenomenon, ProductCamp is a unique event where professionals exchange ideas, discuss relevant trends, and share expertise about marketplace challenges. Simply put, ProductCamp is a great opportunity for anyone who wants to learn from, teach to, and network with professionals involved in the Product Management, Product Development, and Product Marketing disciplines. Get the details below.

Tuesday, October 26th

• What: Get Your Site Found-The Top 10 Items to keep in mind for SEO
• Where: 2930 Grace Lane Unit H, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
• When: 6:30pm
• Details: Search Engine Optimization-SEO “Master” Eric Stegemann will be sharing the most important tips and tricks on how to optimize your site to rank high in the search engines. If you have a blog or a website (or are planning one), then this is a session you will NOT want to miss. Cost is $35.00.

Saturday, October 30th (and most Saturdays)

• What: Social Media Mastermind Orange County
• Where: 2930 Grace Lane Unit H, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
• When: 9:00-11:00 am
• Details: Meets most every Saturday morning at 9am and runs until 11am (some holiday weekends are dark.) Check to see if it is on at http://www.facebook.com/smmoc … @TopBrokerOC Bob Watson is founder and facilitator of the discussion; networking, learning, sharing social media and technology.

[ Want social media events by email? CLICK HERE! ]

Tuesday, November 2nd

• What: Lumberyard Laguna Beach Tweetup
• Where: 384 Forest Avenue Laguna Beach, CA
• When: 5:30-9:30 am
• Details: Come meet up with social media folks at the Lumberyard as they kick off their journey into social media. To celebrate there will be Happy Hour pricing on food and drinks all night and half price wine, on every wine. Feel free to bring friends and family – and stay for awhile. We can’t wait to see you!

Saturday, November 6th

• What: ProductCamp SoCal 2
• Where: Cal State Fullerton 800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92831
• When: 8:30 AM
• Details: ProductCamp is a great opportunity to learn from, teach to, and network with professionals involved in the Brand/Product Management, Marketing, and Development processes in Southern California! At ProductCamp everyone participates: by presenting, leading discussions, helping with logistics, securing sponsorships, or volunteering. Learn more and register here: http://www.productcampsocal.org. Follow us: http://twitter.com/prodcampsocal

Thursday, November 11th

• What: Networking w/@UnMarketing
• Where: Gothic Moon Studios: 535 West Palm, Orange Ca. 92868
• When: 7:00-9:30pm
• Details: Linked Orange County Presents: “UnMarketing: Stop Marketing, Start Engaging”
  This event is open to the public and tickets are available here: http://LinkedOC.com. Come and meet some of the best talent in Orange County with special guest Scott Stratten and an impressive VIP guest panel. Keynote is author of the #1 biz book in the world right now, bestselling author Scott Stratten, aka @UnMarketing. We also have a VIP panel: Editor-in-Chief at Entrepreneur Magazine, Amy Cosper, Chief Shoe Maker at TOMS Shoes, Sean Scott, VP Digital Mktg at Fuel TV, Gene Pao, Sr. Director Mktg at ESPN Brentt Eads.

Have an event in new media you’d like listed here? Drop us an email at morganb (at) gmail (dot) com.

Meetups: Products go to camp is a post from: Lansner on Real Estate

Social media guru Chris Brogan – author of the bestselling “Trust Agents” — was in The O.C. recently for a LinkedOC gathering at Oakley in Foothill Ranch. Your social Sunday moderator was there, and here’s my curated – and slightly edited – collection of my tweets from Brogan’s wide-ranging talk on teh state of social media and its imprint on marketing …

ON MARKETING

• Sales used to be face-to-face. Now it is again!
• How do you get your own customers to replace your marketing director? Get referrals!
• What Jeff Pulver (operator of 140 Character conferences) taught him early on .. You live or die with your database!
• Rethink your email marketing! Why do we treat our email subscribers like crap with bad content.

ON CONTENT

• Every business is a media company today. Content sells.
• Squint at your web site. Can you see the call to action? If not, you fail!
• Storytelling sells. Make videos about your buyers, not your own product or yourself!
• People are drawn to faces. Put faces on your websites, especially your “About” pages.
• Brevity matters! Focus on one item at a time. Remember people read email on their phones!

Brogan at Oakley

ON SOCIAL MEDIA

• Good marketing has nothing to do with Twitter … or anything that starts with “Tw”!
• Facebook won’t solve your problems. YOU will solve your problems.
• Don’t force social media on companies that don’t get social media. It’s just too tough!
• Bosses now ask social media pros now “How do we make money from this?” You can’t eat a hug from your community.
• On Twitter, talk about your customers — NOT YOURSELF! Treat your customers well by recognizing them.
• Please revamp your LinkedIn profile. (The funny titles mean you’re unemployed!)
• FourSquare is AOL of location-based services. It’s cool because it’s the only one! But something’s there!

ON COMMUNITY

• Secret to growing audience is helping other people, not writing about yourself.
• I cannot solve your business problems. People in this room can. Patronize people within your community.
• Think about alliances. Everybody’s business is dying. So others are willing to partner, they just won’t admit it!

ON INNOVATION

• 3 keys are experiment, execute and expand community.
• How do you find “Beginner’s Mind” … when you didn’t know anything?
• 100 years ago I’d be talking about this new thing called “Phone!” Social media is today’s “Phone!”
• In the old days if you had a truck you had a job. Technology lets you do that once again.
• Change is hard. NO company wants you to disrupt them.
• Marketing often feels icky when you sell too hard. I want to shake your hand; you stick your tongue in my mouth.
• Find what yields the most and do that!

ON HIMSELF

• I’m not arrogant, I’m just confident I’m right.
• It’s silly that I fly around the world to say video on the web is cool.
• Time management? Don’t watch TV. Never seen “Orange People of Orange County”
• I will never be a cubicle monkey again!

Here’s is another take on Chris Brogan’s visit to Orange County by LinkedOC’s Bryan Elliot!

Facebook, Twitter won’t save a business is a post from: Lansner on Real Estate

Don’t miss this week’s Social Media Club Orange County’s Lunch and Learn featuring The Boutiquing Girls (April Madigan and Erin Hall) have been featured in OC Metro’s 40 under 40 (top 40 CEOs under the age of 40), Orange Coast Magazine, Riviera Magazine, and The OC Register. They took an idea, coupled it will Social Media strategies and created a successful business out of it in under a year. In this lunch and learn we will hear how they did it and what they’re up to now.

SMCOC’s Lunch and Learns are designed to give you up-close interaction with our featured guests, rather than having to sit amongst a few hundred people and never get your specific questions answered. Therefore we have limited the event to the first 30 attendees to register. Our goal is to provide the platform to learn first hand from the people who are utilizing Social Media successfully, so that you have the opportunity to do the same.

Tuesday, October 19th

• What: Social Media Club Orange County’s Lunch and Learn
• Where: 118 Degrees 2981 Bristol Suite B5, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
• When: 12:30 – 1:30pm
• Details: 118 Degrees Restaurant is hosting SMCOC’s first “Lunch and Learn.” The event will be $20/person and will include a great meal, and an opportunity to connect with one of the most successful Social Media successes in Orange County – The Boutiquing Girls (http://boutiquing.com). Limited to the first 30 attendees to register. Register at: http://smcoc.eventbrite.com/

Friday, October 22nd

• What: Dive Into Social Media
• Where: Tech Space, 65 Enterprise, Capistrano Conference Room Fourth Floor, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
• When: 9:00-12:00 pm
• Details: This half-day training includes customized sessions on how to cultivate communications and relationships with your customers from day one, optimize Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other technologies, and get hands on training on the Do’s and Don’ts of social media. Learn more here: http://www.tednguyenusa.com/social-media-training-oct-22/

Saturday, October 23rd (and most Saturdays)

• What: Social Media Mastermind Orange County
• Where: 2930 Grace Lane Unit H, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
• When: 9:00-11:00 am
• Details: Meets most every Saturday morning at 9am and runs until 11am (some holiday weekends we are ‘off’.) Check to see if it is on at http://www.facebook.com/smmoc … @TopBrokerOC Bob Watson is founder and facilitator of the discussion; networking, learning, sharing social media and technology.

Tuesday, November 2nd

• What: Lumberyard Laguna Beach Tweetup
• Where: 384 Forest Avenue Laguna Beach, CA
• When: 5:30-9:30 am
• Details: Come meet up with social media folks at the Lumberyard as they kick off their journey into social media. To celebrate there will be Happy Hour pricing on food and drinks all night and half price wine, on every wine. Feel free to bring friends and family – and stay for awhile. We can’t wait to see you!

Saturday, November 6th

• What: ProductCamp SoCal 2
• Where: Cal State Fullerton 800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92831
• When: 8:30 AM
• Details: ProductCamp is a great opportunity to learn from, teach to, and network with professionals involved in the Brand/Product Management, Marketing, and Development processes in Southern California! At ProductCamp everyone participates: by presenting, leading discussions, helping with logistics, securing sponsorships, or volunteering. Learn more and register here: http://sites.google.com/site/productcampsocal/home

Have an event in new media that you’d like listed here? Drop us an email at morganb (at) gmail (dot) com.

Meetups: ‘Boutiquing’ your social media is a post from: Lansner on Real Estate

If you’re like me you’ve been to a bunch of networking events, seminars and business conferences. Some are good and some have been really bad, right? I’m not going to focus on the bad stuff, but suffice to say I created Linked Orange County because I couldn’t find what I was looking for out there. Now, we’re far from perfect and there’s lots of room for improvement, but we are trying to do things differently and have great events that actually mean something to you and produce the results you’re looking for. Here are 6 tips that might make the difference:
1. DO Attend the Event: Actually showing up is important. Remember Wayne Gretzky: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”
2. DO Have a Goal: It answers the question: “Why/What’s the point of this?” Once you know WHY, you can start planning WHAT you’ll do to accomplish your goal when you’re at the event.
3. DO Your Homework: Come prepared to ask questions.
4. DO Bring a Camera, Video and Take Notes. Need content that will drive visitors to your site? Content and context is king.
5. DO NOT Pass Out Business Cards To Every Person: You should get to know someone a little and IF there’s a match, exchange cards.
6. DO Break Out of Your Comfort Zone. It’s fun to be social and talk with the people you know and like, just remember the reason you’re attending.

6 ways to maximize meetups is a post from: Lansner on Real Estate

Welcome to this week’s local social media event calendar compiled for

Tuesday, October 12th

• What: LinkedOC Presents Chris Brogan/One Night Only
• Where: Oakley Inc. HQ, One Icon, Foothill Ranch, CA 92610
• When: 7:00-9:30 pm
• Details: Come hear from one of the most respected and well-known social media experts in the world, Chris Brogan, who will be delivering a keynote at our huge networking event. Cost is $99 after 9/21. Learn more: http://www.linkedoc.com/events/brogan

Wednesday, October 13th

• What: Orange County Product Marketers Mixer
• Where: JT Schimd’s Tustin 2415 Park Ave., Tustin, CA 92782
• Details: Join us for our monthly mixer. Details on our LinkedIn page: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?mostPopular=&gid=1995034 or at http://www.ocproductmanagers.org/

Saturday, October 16th (and most Saturdays)

• What: Social Media Mastermind Orange County
• Where: 2930 Grace Lane Unit H, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
• When: 9:00-11:00 am
• Details: Meets most every Saturday morning at 9am and runs until 11am (some holiday weekends off.) Check to see if it is on at http://www.facebook.com/smmoc; @TopBrokerOC Bob Watson is founder and facilitator of the discussion; networking, learning, sharing social media and technology.

Tuesday, October 19th

• What: Social Media Club Orange County’s Lunch and Learn
• Where: 118 Degrees 2981 Bristol Suite B5, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
• When: 12:30 – 1:30pm
• Details: 118 Degrees Restaurant is hosting SMCOC’s first “Lunch and Learn.” The event will be $20/person and will include a great meal, and an opportunity to connect with one of the most successful Social Media successes in Orange County – The Boutiquing Girls (http://boutiquing.com). Limited to the first 30 attendees to register. Register at: http://smcoc.eventbrite.com/

Saturday, November 6th

• What: ProductCamp SoCal 2
• Where: Cal State Fullerton 800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92831
• When: 8:30 AM
• Details: ProductCamp is a great opportunity to learn from, teach to, and network with professionals involved in the Brand/Product Management, Marketing, and Development processes in Southern California! At ProductCamp everyone participates: by presenting, leading discussions, helping with logistics, securing sponsorships, or volunteering. Learn more and register here: http://sites.google.com/site/productcampsocal/home

Have an event in new media that you’d like listed here? Drop us an email at morganb (at) gmail (dot) com.

O.C. meetups: Mixers and masterminds is a post from: Lansner on Real Estate

Wednesday, September 29th

• What: Orange County Connectors Networking Event
• Where: Chateaux, 18912 MacArthur Blvd., Irvine, CA 92612
• When: 5:30
• Details: Monthly networking mixer, which is always the last Wednesday of the month. Cost is $10. Learn more: http://orangecountyconnectors.eventbrite.com/

Wednesday, September 29th

• What: Sangria and Social Media
• Where: Habana – The Lab 2930 Bristol St, Costa Mesa, CA
• When: TBA
• Details: Learn more and RSVP here: http://twtvite.com/sangriaandsocialmedia

Saturday, October 2nd (and most Saturdays)

• What: Social Media Mastermind Orange County
• Where: 2930 Grace Lane Unit H, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
• When: 9:00-11:00 am
• Details: Meets most every Saturday morning at 9am and runs until 11am (some holiday weekends we are ‘off’.) Check to see if it is on at http://www.facebook.com/smmoc … @TopBrokerOC Bob Watson is founder and facilitator of the discussion; networking, learning, sharing social media and technology.

Tuesday, October 12th

• What: LinkedOC Presents Chris Brogan/One Night Only
• Where: Oakley Inc. HQ, One Icon, Foothill Ranch, CA 92610
• When: 7:00-9:30 pm
• Details: One of the most respected and well-known social media experts in the world, Chris Brogan, delivering a keynote at networking event. Cost is $49 for Early Birds or $99 after 9/21. Learn more: http://www.linkedoc.com/events/brogan

Wednesday, October 13th

• What: Orange County Product Marketers Mixer
• Where: JT Schimd’s Tustin 2415 Park Ave., Tustin, CA 92782
• Details: Monthly mixer. Details on our LinkedIn page: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?mostPopular=&gid=1995034 or at http://www.ocproductmanagers.org/

Tuesday, October 19th

• What: Social Media Club Orange County’s Lunch and Learn
• Where: 118 Degrees 2981 Bristol Suite B5, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
• When: 12:30 – 1:30pm
• Details: Join us for our first lunch and learn. Here a great case study about how local businesses are using social media to find success. Learn more here: http://www.facebook.com/smcoc

Saturday, November 6th

• What: ProductCamp SoCal 2
• Where: Cal State Fullerton 800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92831
• When: 8:30 AM
• Details: Opportunity to learn from, teach to, and network with professionals involved in the Brand/Product Management, Marketing, and Development processes in Southern California! At ProductCamp everyone participates: by presenting, leading discussions, helping with logistics, securing sponsorships, or volunteering. Learn more and register here: http://sites.google.com/site/productcampsocal/home

Have an event in new media to be listed here? Drop us an email at morganb (at) gmail (dot) com.

O.C. meetups: Sangria and Brogan is a post from: Lansner on Real Estate

Monday, September 20th

• What: Orange County Podcasters
• Where:Paradise Perks Espresso & Tea Bar 15475 Jeffrey Road, Irvine, CA 92618
• When: 8-9:30 am
• Details: Your blogger, Jon Lansner, discusses better podcasting. Learn more: http://ht.ly/2GBtj



Social networking goes high speed is a post from: Lansner on Real Estate

Social media calendar: Birthday bash is a post from: Lansner on Real Estate

Orange County’s social media crowd loves to meet! This week, sOCial sunday previews the next local mega-event, thanks to Ted Nguyen of Orange County Transit Authority …

Orange County professionals are using interactive tools to connect with each other and provide support and services — often times at no cost or significantly low cost. And the social media users are coming together for “ConnectOC” this Thursday night in Costa Mesa.

The no-cost event begins at 6 p.m. and provides business as well as professional networking opportunities. Organizers expect approximately 500 people to attend that will help raise $5,000 for two nonprofits in Orange County: Childhelp prevents and treats child abuse; and Build Futures connects homeless youths 18 to 24 with stable housing and mentorship.

“It’s part of our effort to bring our online conversation that we’re having every day with each other and take it offline to see each other face to face and continue supporting each other during the turbulence times of this economic recession,” said Dean Soto, owner of a business and technology consulting firm called Pro Sulum and a veteran of the Iraq war. “The latest business forecast shows that Orange County will lead California out of this recession, and it’s because of small businesses, major firms, nonprofits and public agencies coming together to ignite our economy.”

Hoping to spark a new economic revolution in the heart of Orange County, several entrepreneurs within the region found that there were no large-scale networking gatherings in the area that were also accessible to professionals struggling financially. Rather than continue the trend of pay-as-you-go networking, the organizers launched Connect O.C. earlier this year. The first event in February, sponsored by the Hilton Hotel, brought together more than 400 participants supported by 50 sponsors with gift bags filled with local vendor products, gourmet delicacies and most importantly business connections.

“I went with a friend and was very impressed with the caliber of the event’s members,” said Lonnie McDanel, an Orange County resident. “We had a wonderful time and laughed a lot … something sorely needed in this difficult economy. It was network heaven.”

Know Before You Go:

• 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 9
• Hilton Costa Mesa Hotel, 3050 Bristol St.
• Free admission with $5 parking that will entirely donated to two nonprofits — Childhelp and Build Futures
• 250 free gift bags with items donated by Orange County businesses
• Silent auction & opportunity drawings with 100 percent of the proceeds raised going to our two nonprofits
• Special, social-media themed drink options (Twittini, anyone?)
• Free appetizers from 6 to 7 p.m.for first 250 attendees
• Free delicious desserts provided by Orange County’s great cupcake, candy & ice cream stores
• Special priced dinner menu prepared by Executive Chef Chad Krahling
• Fun photobooth to take pictures throughout the night
• Register HERE!

Big O.C. networking event Thursday is a post from: Lansner on Real Estate

Have an event in new media that you’d like listed here? Drop us an email at morganb (at) gmail (dot) com.

Calendar: Connect with OC bloggers is a post from: Lansner on Real Estate

1. WordPress 3 is THE best platform for eeal estate websites due to blogging, home searches (IDX), market data, etc.
2. WordPress plug-ins set your site apart from the crowd and are very user friendly. For example, Viper’s Video puts video in the body of your blogpost and Gravity Forms allows you to add a myriad of forms.
3. ANSWER the QUESTION! If someone requests information and responds to a link they should land on the answer, or a portal to the answer.
4. Posterous can organize all your social media, including WordPress website, into one manageable hub.
5. Move online relationships offline, likewise, move offline relationships online.
6. When it comes time to “sell” make it a private direct message, not public feed.
7. Don’t forget the most used and useful social media tool: E-MAIL.

And, oh, the UCI Anthill Pub and Grille has a great selection of beers.

Our “How to best use video” series!

7 ways social networks boost real estate is a post from: Lansner on Real Estate

Have an event in new media that you’d like listed here? Drop us an email at morganb (at) gmail (dot) com.

Calendar: Engage with the socially active is a post from: Lansner on Real Estate

Wednesday, August 18th

• What: OC Product Managers August Mixer & Discussion featuring John Mansour
• Where: Location TBA
• When: 6-8:30pm
• Details:  ”The Strategic Side of Product Marketing” RSVP here: http://ocproductmanagersaugust.eventbrite.com.  Orange County Product Managers facilitates the exchange of ideas, resources, best practices and contacts between product management and product marketing professionals in Orange County.  Cost is $15 pre-register, $25 at the door.  Must pre-register to guarantee entrance.

Thursday, August 19th

• What: Real Estate BarCamp OC (REBCOC)
• Where: UC Irvine Student Center, A311 Student Center, Irvine, CA 92697-2050
• When: 8:30am-5pm
• Details: Free to attend. Learn about applying technology and social media to your real estate business. Visit http://www.rebarcampoc.com to register and learn more.

Saturday, August 21st (and most Saturdays)

• What: Social Media Mastermind Orange County
• Where: 2930 Grace Lane Unit H, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
• When: 9-11am
• Details: Meets most every Saturday morning at 9am and runs until 11am (some holiday weekends we are ‘off’.) Check to see if it is on” at http://www.facebook.com/smmoc … @TopBrokerOC Bob Watson is founder and facilitator of the discussion; networking, learning, sharing social media and technology.

Thursday, August 26th

• What: LinkedOC presents Engage or Die: What You Still Don’t Know about Social Media Marketing and PR…
• Where: Irvine (venue will be announced soon)
• When: 7:00-9:30 pm
• Details: A special night of networking with keynote by author and marketing guru Brian Solis. Brian is one of the foremost thought leaders in the category; his new book is called, “Engage!” … Early Bird Registration: General admission ticket $29, ($49 after August 19th) … VIP admission ticket $49, ($79 after August 19th) … Register at: http://www.linkedoc.com/events/engage

Thursday, September 9th

• What: ConnectOC
• Where: Hilton Costa Mesa, 3050 Bristol St, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 US
• When: 6:00-9:00 pm
• Details: Bringing OC’s Professionals, Companies, Government Agencies, Networking Groups and Non-Profits together…one event at a time! Our free and second networking event will take place Thursday, September 9th, from 6:00-9:00 p.m. Details coming soon, but make sure you do the following for up-to-date information: Our LinkedIn ConnectOC Group: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?&gid=2793396, Facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/connectoc, RSVP on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=123752454335529

Have an event in new media that you’d like listed here? Drop us an email at morganb (at) gmail (dot) com.

Calendar: Meetups for O.C. social is a post from: Lansner on Real Estate

Welcome to this week’s local social media event calendar compiled for sOCial sunday by Orange County marketer Morgan Brown …

Ready for the next O.C. meetup? is a post from: Lansner on Real Estate

A novel educational effort comes to Orange County this month, when RE BarCamp OC will be held Thursday, Aug. 19 at the UC Irvine Student Center. (Registration opens at 8:00. Last session ends at 4:15!) Unlike a typical all-day workshop with its preformed, built-in-stone agenda BarCamps are free-flowing exchanges of tips and ideas among the experts and noves who attend on online communications and social media as they apply to real estate. It’s free but does require pre-registartion at www.rebarcampoc.com.

We at sOCial sunday asked organizer Stacey Harmon of Harmon Enterprises to explain what’s coming and how to get the most out of RE BarCamp OC:

• RSVP: This will ensure you receive communications from the event planners regarding important details about the day – parking, happy hour, session details, etc. (REBCOC flyer HERE!)
• Participate: BarCamp is about active participation from the attendees. The schedule for the day is set by the attendees, the day of the event by popular vote. As yourself, what do you want to get out of RE BarCamp OC? Pre-submit a topic (via the form on the event website) to facilitate a discussion about what YOU are interested in. You don’t have to be the expert –- your topic, if chosen by a popular vote of the attendees the day of RE BarCamp — will attract others who want to dialogue about the same topic. BarCamp is designed to facilitate open conversations. It isn’t about speakers, or sponsors, giving a presentation — it is about someone taking the lead to say “let’s talk about this”.
• Attend RE BarCamp Bootcamp: If the unstructured, “un-conference” structure of RE BarCamp is new or uncomfortable to you, be sure to arrive in time for RE BarCamp Bootcamp – a half hour orientation the day of the event and will help explain to you how to get the most out of your RE BarCamp experience. RE BarCamp Bootcamp will start promptly at 8:30am and run until 9:00 am.
• Vote: As a RE Barcamp attendee, you’ll have the opportunity to vote on which sessions you want to be part of the schedule that day. Voting will end at 9:45 am so be sure to arrive in enough time to participate in creating the schedule for the day.
• Practice the Rule of 2-Feet: Once the schedule for the day is set (something that will happen the morning of RE BarCamp) you don’t like a conversation that is going on in one room, walk to another room. If you don’t like the conversation that is going on in any of the rooms, create your own. There is ample space in the venue to start a conversation. Do it. Also, if a vendor tries to take control of a conversation and convert it to a sales pitch, move on. You are not obliged to stay. The events attracts all kinds of interesting people who are interested in talking to YOU. Find them!
• Don’t Hang Out With The People You Came With, Network! One of the most powerful aspects of RE BarCamp is the people it attracts. It hasn’t always been easy to find RE BarCamp which is historically promoted online and through word of mouth. Those that find it tend to have a certain bias towards technology – either they proactively use it, they are creating solutions for our industry with it, or the are curious about how to apply it to their business. This orientation is a great filter that helps to put you in touch with like minded people, in person. Make the most of it. Bring business cards. Make sure your cards tell people how they can connect with you beyond your phone number – include your website, your blog, your Facebook URL, your Twitter handle, your LinkedIn profile URL – whatever you have! The connections you make at RE BarCamp can grow online long after the event ends and lead to additional business and learning opportunities. Also, there will be a happy hour after the event – plan to stay and mingle!

Real estate ‘un-conference’ comes to O.C. is a post from: Lansner on Real Estate

Summer heats up for O.C. meetups is a post from: Lansner on Real Estate