INTRODUCTION

Our Social Media Strategist professionals serve as ambassadors for our certification program here at NISM. Not only are they knowledgeable about our curriculum, they also share our passion for social media. Best of all, their stories help shape our organization and the work that we do here.

We are bringing back our series “Meet and Greet,” which introduces you to one of our SMS professionals and shares their story. It is our hope that by sharing these stories, not only will you learn more about others who share your passion for being a SMS professional, but you will also want to connect with them further. We encourage you to “meet” this featured individual by connecting with them through your favorite social media platform or comment at the section below this article.

And with that, we’d like to introduce you to Crystal Lindsey and her story.

Hi Crystal! Tell us a little about yourself and the work that you do.

I am the Founder & Social Media Strategist at 333socialmedia.com, and I am a passionate Public Speaker spreading the GOOD NEWS about Social Media Marketing to real estate agents.

I help entrepreneurs and busy real estate agents harness the power of live video networking to start generating results online through 333 Social Media’s consulting, public speaking, workshops, and even our first online training program!

That’s Right! Go to 321GoLIVE.com  to get access to the Complete Go LIVE Marketing Guide! This online video course walks you through how to go LIVE with confidence and get referrals.

During a typical month, I have 5-10 clients hiring me to create social media strategy, create content for social media marketing and actively grow their page. I will run several lead capture campaigns each month while balancing the needs of running my business’ online platforms.

This means I go LIVE several times a week myself, run lead generation Facebook Ads for my own company’s FREE Resources and build out my Amazon Affiliate Program for the products that I recommend HERE to help entrepreneurs go LIVE!

…And I’m also honored to be a featured presenter at several local, and state-level, Real Estate Associations and Expos.

I never feel so alive as when I go LIVE or speak on stage.  In both places, this is where I share the top social media tips that have allowed me to help real estate agents drive lead capture through social media marketing!

That’s awesome! We can tell you are passionate about social media, but what is your favorite social media platform and why? 

I am passionate about helping real estate agents use social media marketing to drive inbound web traffic and increase sales using social media… So, I LOVE LinkedIn, of course!  LOL, what did you think I was going to say, Facebook?  Nope.

(I just CANNOT WAIT until LinkedIn offers LIVE Video options to our connections.  I will be the first adopter!)

All social media channels help businesses enhance brand loyalty, drive sales, and build profitable industry partnerships. But, NOTHING comes close to the B2B marketing power of LinkedIn (and its souped-up cousin, LinkedIn Sales Navigator). I love how easy it is to post a full blog and get it seen by my audience.

Plus, I have personally built my entire social media firm using my network on LinkedIn.

How did I do this?  Well, LinkedIn allows for anyone to shamelessly self-promote their products or services.  Unlike Facebook, we can talk about our business in the news feed, get seen via notifications, direct message our contacts…AND tell someone happy birthday! Ha!

Indeed, LinkedIn is a special place in a world of social media that forces you to always add fluff to a CTA instead of directly going after who you are interested in going after and talking about what is essential to your business!

Simply put, LinkedIn facilitates “lead capture” for direct marketing on Facebook (or, heck, why not even use the emails in your next email marketing campaign?!).

That’s it!

Voila; an instant email list of the people who already know, like and trust your brand! How cool!

I always use LinkedIn to quickly launch a successful email marketing campaign and direct market my clients’ LinkedIn connections on Facebook!  It’s a no-brainer.

Why were you interested in SMS certification? Anything specific about the program that piqued your interest?

What can I say?!  I am a nerd, and I love school… so, why not?!

Seriously, I have been doing social media for years (and I am darn good at it!!), but I always wondered what everyone else was doing.  My curiosity about what is going on in the Social Media Marketing industry became even more important as I began public speaking.

There is something to say about being 100% confident in a subject when you speak on stage about how social media can transform a business.

And there is something profound about learning a subject in a comprehensive approach like in the learning format for the SMS Certification.  I respect the NISM, and I see my certification as a badge of honor in this often “Sketchy” digital marketing landscape full of “solopreneurs” with no actual training or certification.

It also feels good to know I have NISM in my corner and supporting me as a member of their community too!

We are so glad to have you as a part of our team! Can you give an example of how SMS certification helps you with your job? 

I stand on stage grounded firmly in my belief that I am offering the best tips based on my SMS Certification.

I have also been able to use my social media strategist certification (and the passion that comes from being a former foster youth!!!) to launch a nonprofit called, The Fostered. This collaborative space on social media allows former foster youth to teach current foster youth how to be successful in adulthood through #LifeHacks.

Regardless of whether I am teaching from the stage, leading a workshop, or being hired as a consultant, I use my SMS certification to help real estate agents in San Francisco, Silicon Valley, and San Diego create and implement highly successful social selling campaigns.

Congrats on launching your nonprofit! What a cool way to use your SMS certification! What advice do you have for someone who is considering SMS certification? 

I do public speaking on EASY & EFFECTIVE social media tactics that real estate agents can utilize to increase their sales using LIVE video and social media marketing.

The SMS Certification allows me to demonstrate on stage, with confidence, the best digital marketing strategy for real estate agents.

No matter what industry you want to promote, this SMS Certification will give you the breadth of knowledge to create compelling social campaigns based on the prescribed classes, studies, and exposure required to prepare for the exam.

You can do it!

CONCLUSION

Crystal, thank you for your willingness to share your story with us. Keep up the excellent work! Connect with Crystal through her social media accounts below:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystaljlindsey/
Twitter: @333socialmedia
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUaTy9ZP1fCqUrJQ9Had72w
Facebook: https://business.facebook.com/333socialmedia
Google + https://plus.google.com/+333SOCIALMEDIASanDiego
LinkedIn for 333 Social Media:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/538977/

Read our latest Meet and Greets:

Skol Marketing
Forrest Flinn
Dr. Jennifer Pollard

Author: Amy Berger

Amy Berger is a corporate communications writer based in Minnesota. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Gustavus Adophus College and a Master’s in Business Administration from the College of Saint Scholastica. She is currently interning at the National Institute for Social Media.

Connect with her via LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-berger-m-b-a-85b3149/
and Twitter @amykberger