• Video is something that is very popular on the web.
• Home buyers want to know what the area around their home is like.
• Buyers might also like FREE stuff.
• Local businesses would love to have new local customers…

So, I am having a thought of creating “Welcome Videos” from local businesses for “the new home owner”…  Perhaps they might invite the new buyer to have a free meal or free massage… or whatever.

Nothing long, just a “quick hit” introducing themselves and their business and welcoming the new resident.  I think the only charge would be the “freebie” for the buyer.  The video could be recycled to different property blogs…

If you have a local business and you are interested in taking part, let me know.

No, I didn’t misspell Flickr…  If you aren’t familiar, Flickr is an online photo sharing site.  It is world-wide and very diverse… and it can be hyper local and quite specific as well.

So, the question is…

How can a photo-sharing site be a social network?

And the answer lies in a little creativity.  I talked about this a little bit during #rebcclt, in a couple of different groups.  Flickr is a perfect way to help build online relationships and foster offline relationships.

Here is an idea…

• Using a site like MeetUp, you put together a group of like-minded folks with a common interest.
• Through FaceBook and Twitter, promote the meetings.
• After the event, use Flickr to compile the photos from all of the attendees.  Create a group on Flickr and build albums for the group.
• Using Flickr slideshows, embed slide shows about the event in blog posts by any of the members.
• Promote future events with all of the pictures that are generated…

In this case, Flickr is a good tool to foster a continuing relationship with people that you initially met through social networking.

Or…

• Put together a Flickr Group based on an existing group, like your child’s school.
• Invite all of the other parents to upload their event photographs to the Flickr Group.
• Using slideshows, distribute the more complete picture albums across different blogs and websites.

This time, the Flickr Group is being used to strengthen relationships that begin and continue offline.

Finally…

• Go find a bunch of people that you would like to know…
• Shoot a bunch of pictures.
• Invite them to see the pictures on your blog or website.
• Invite them to join your Flickr Group to add more pictures.

Here is a strategy to use offline social networking to build your online awareness among your target market.

So, here are three ways to utilize Flickr to build a community/social network that is both online and offline.  There are as many different ways to leverage Flickr as there are people trying to do it.  I bet you can come up with a few ideas of your own.

from Lane’s A|R Blog