It was a mixture of all when I was an agent. I have since invested heavily in social media ad impressions with a third party vendor for non real estate endeavors, it's one of the best decisions I've made. It's done like clockwork, I just write the checks.

Why do you assume that they don't. Real estate agents are all over social media. And I don't use social media to educate my "peers." Not my job. Educating potential clients is a different story altogether.

It's just like a recent Q about how to get agents interested in blogging. Some just don't take to it. In CRE where the old timers still live (though lots of fresh blood there too) lots of brokers are not tech-comfy and so they don't.

So what you said, plus desire! Still a belly-belly biz. Having that presence and visibility sure helps, though!

I hope the ones who won't plug in never do - works for me!

yes! yes! yes! plus add lazy!

I don't believe most business owners (and that includes agents) know how to use social media for profit. It's not just about posting listings. You have to build a brand, bring value, and convert viewers to leads.

That being said, it takes time to both learn and execute.

What is the greatest reason why so many fail at this game, they dont do the things that they need to do.

This would not apply to me, my social media is booming with activity. Followers, likes, comments... I don't invest hours into it either. I do however know how to work it & we get great results from it. My partner just got a beautiful listing from social media. 

I can tell you why I don't do it.  It's a waste of time for me.  I'd rather build an audience to MY WEBSITE which I have full control over and isn't going to shut me down if I post something they don't agree with or if I use an automated tool for posting.  God forbid I check-in at a gun store, post a picture of me at the range or post anything proving that vaccines are deadly and that climate change is 100% made up bull shit.  I'll be banned in a heartbeat!

No thanks.  Done the "Pound sign" hashtags, advertised, put serious time and money into it and had zero ROI.  People aren't going to FB/IG/Twiter and looking for homes, they sure as hell aren't going to my company page.  I've had more traffic to my personal site and long form blogs there that is 100% targetted, 100% free and from Google, Bing, Yahoo and other search engines.  No need to waste time with social media that silences users who disagree with their ultra-left wing and communist agenda.

I know a lot of agents that do, including myself.  I cannot speak for what others do or why they do or don't do certain things. 

I think it's all of the above.

 Mills,

Successful agents do...so I never even think of those who are pretending they sell real estate or even their reasons...A

#1. They don't need to. Sufficient referral business to keep them busy and those important to them are touched on a frequent basis.

NOTE: This is indeed the very best marketing strategy
#2. Observed many peer agents who jumped into the social media time hole and have nothing to show for it.

#3. We each believe 'our way' is the right way. Those seeing results with SM believe it is the right way and others may say pressing flesh is the tried and true 'right way.' The truth is there is not right or wrong way just variable results based on the commitment of the agent.

I think it has more to do with the lack of control as far as outside responses Mills Herndon .

I think that creativity is the #1 reason. Most agents just over think the whole process & just don't start. I remember eons ago I just 'lurked' not knowing what I wanted to write. Picking a style so to speak.

There are some that just can't write no matter what. Spell check is also lost to the individuals.

The reasons why people do and don't do many things are likely countless.  How would "knowing" enhance anyone/anything?  People are different.

Time commitment, in my opinion.

Maybe it's ROI.

Perhaps all of the above, and another possible reason... they don't want to get sucked into the abyss.

All of the above, mixed in with FEAR, and Laziness.

I agree with Anna Banana Kruchten - Phoenix Homes Sales. 

I think it is a mix of all. AND i dont mind when i am and they are not

Perhaps because everyone is doing just that. I like out of the box myself

Lack of knowlege or motivation.

Probably all 3.  But for many, it also has to do with an unwillingness to use social media.  

fear

I use online and offline marketing for branding..... 

I don't really know why they don't, Mills. I would imagine lack of creativity has a lot to do with it. OR, it could simply be they don't want to take the time.

No time I guess

I have "O" interest in connecting on social media...even though my webmaster does promote me on that.  Can't say I got any business from it.

I think in order to be successful with that,  you have to "work it" and connect with people.  I am a private person and do not care to pretend to be interested in people that I do not know.

Eve

Lack of interest, time and creativity! They are missing the boat to promote themselves. Not their job to educate their peers!

Biggest thing for me: time commitment.

Mills, some of them are lazy, some of them don't know how to do it, some of them don't need it.

I don't know the biggest reason. Some may find it daunting, others may feel they don't have content or the $$ to pay someone to do it. etc.

Could not tell you Mills, I do use social media for promotion. 

I can't tell you how often I run into social media accounts that are set-up and then have just a few posts shared on them, Mills Herndon.  And I just wonder WHY someone would go to the trouble of setting-up their profile and account, then not use it?  It leads me to believe that if they do not see immediate results, they bail ...

Gene 

I do use social media, and don't feel the need to educate my peers.

Quoting Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041 

"#3. We each believe 'our way' is the right way. Those seeing results with SM believe it is the right way and others may say pressing flesh is the tried and true 'right way.' The truth is there is not right or wrong way just variable results based on the commitment of the agent."

Nailed it for me.

Each agent specializes in what they feel fits their style best.  I enjoy writing and sharing ideas so Social Media was made for me.  I don't concern myself with the time as it fits into my daily schedule when relaxing.  Many others simply consider it as a waste of time.

I think many do, but no doubt the reasons for not do so vary. Some are simply not interested, or perhaps only want to use it for personal reasons.