There’s always something to howl about.

Which is the most useful tool, on social media, to engage your audience and create offline conversations?

I asked this question on LinkedInScott Schang‘s answer rang my bell the loudest:

Social Media has introduced me to other professionals that has resulted in business relationships indirectly. Although I have completed transactions as the result of blog responses, that is not the norm.

I would say that I use Social Media primarily as an idea factory to stimulate my marketing juices and utilize technology and 2.0 tools for business promotion and sales tools.

I consistently utilize online webinars, youtube videos and constant contact which creates a perpetual cycle of automated action items that convert contact into clients.

My product is really education and expertise. Through my internet “presence” I am perceived (rightfully so I would hope) as an expert in my field. I think there’s also a familiarity you develop by being so easily accessible on SM sites.

I have also met many professionals like yourself that have helped me to grow and become more innovative and creative through these on-line relationships.

I have built working referral relationships with many other professionals and I believe that my social media reputation helps to facilitate these relationships.

Bloodhound Unchained in Phoenix last year was really the launching point for my confidence to take more chances with my commitment to social media and I realized that I was far from alone in my search for enlightenment.

Rhonda Porter impressed me with her proactive use of Twitter to “build” a community:

I would have to say Twitter. I have “on-the-fence” clients that follow me for rate quotes and eventually convert. Facebook is a close second as I’m reuniting w/old friends from school and their friends and so on…

Linda Davis and Teresa Boardman impressed me the most from the REALTORs because I discounted the use of of Flickr.  I already noted their comments here.  Here are their Flickr accounts:

Linda Davis on Flickr

Teresa Boardman on Flickr

Linda Davis and Kristal Kraft will be teaching at Unchained this April.  As an added bonus, here’s Kristal Kraft’s Flickr PhotoStream.  All of these ladies get a lot of comments on their pictures; I think that’s a bitchin’ way to connect with people.

Danilo Bogdanovic always blows me away with his comprehension of how to effectively use social media.  I have no idea of how effective it is for him but I suspect it’s working well because he truly understands the concept of a social media “strategy”:

Depends on what I’m trying to accomplish. Each platform caters to a different audience and carries a different tone.

Twitter reaches out to everybody because I have my Twitter feed showing on my Facebook profile, FriendFeed, real estate blogs, etc. Twitter has created the most conversation overall especially with RE industry professionals. If I have a question about something, I simply tweet it and I get the question answered online or I receive an email or phone call shortly thereafter from someone who can and wants to help. And I do the same for others. Nevertheless, Twitter has not led directly to clients and real estate sales.

Facebook has created offline conversations with friends, industry professionals and past clients who are now Facebook friends. It has not directly led to sales because I don’t really become “friends” with people who I don’t already know. If they already know me, they know I’m a Realtor and it won’t be just because of Facebook that they want to work with me.

My local real estate blogs are my bread and butter. They have directly and indirectly brought potential clients and actual sales/deals. Most people just follow my blog and don’t comment, but when the time is right, they email or call me to chat about their real estate needs and whether we want to work together.

Though my blogs are the back-bone to online conversations that lead offline conversation with clients, I have to give credit to Twitter and Facebook for helping. I cross-promote all of the social media/social networking sites across all platforms and it helps paint a better and more rounded picture of who I am “on and off the clock” to those who only know me online.

Social media is not just one thing…it’s a combination of them all, but you have to point them all back to what brings you business in the end. For me, that’s my real estate blog. For others, it could be something totally different.

There were 23 answers to the question.  Log in to Linked in and read them all.