Of course my job is learning on how to keep up with new trends in marketing and social media, so I was more than eager to jump on the newest “it” thing - Loopt! It’s the new “legal stalking” - but so far, it’s been really fun!

For my beginners out there, check out this Loopt commercial for the iPhone.

As a beginner myself, this new little “it” thing is a bit confusing, but the possibilities are pretty cool. So I downloaded the app, invited some friends, and updated my first status!

So here’s how it works.

I update my status to “Working” and it uses my phone enabled GPS to track my exact location. I can even take a quick picture through the app which it attaches to my status and location. Then, it updates my twitter and facebook statuses (even my blog status) and alerts friends that are signed up to recieve my updates.

If you go to my facebook, this is what you’d see:

My status has been updated on Facebook, Twitter and My blog via my Loopt app on my cell phone

When you click on the link, it brings you to my Loopt location, complete with status, location and photo I took!

blow up of the loopt page

You can even type in your address and get directions to where I am! (hey, anyone close by want to grab lunch?)

So if you don’t have an iPhone, it’s not quite as cool - but many providers are offering the app for free - you just need text messaging, access to a data plan and gps (which most up to date cell phones have) to make Loopt work for you!

Loopt also has really good privacy settings, so don’t worry about broadcasting yourself to everyone on the internet - you can control who sees your location, and when you post your location.

Now, let’s talk about how you can make Loopt work in your business. For instance, say I’m a Realtor and have 5 clients and 4 Builder friends on my Loopt.

• Step 1: I’m out and about, checking out some resales in Oviedo with a client. I post a Loopt status that I’m out viewing Oviedo properties, and it maps my location to 419 and Lockwood.
• Step 2: My facebook and twitter statuses have just been updated to show my current location, and that I’m out looking for properties with a client.
• Step 3: One of my builders uses the Loopt program, and it alerts them that my status is close to one of their Oviedo communities. They see that I’m out showing resales.
• Step 4: The builder texts or replies back that they have a new community just a 1/2 mile from my current location and are offering a great commission on their homes. I text them back the specifications my client is looking for, and they reply with 3 inventory homes ready for them to view and set an appointment for 20 minutes from now.
• Step 5: I’m a hero to my client, who found their dream home in one of the inventory options, and I made a great commission!

See how easy it is when you know how to use the tools we’re given? Social networking isn’t just SOCIAL - it’s NETWORKING! It’s about making life easier, quicker and less hassle.

Loopt has just recently announced they passed the 1 million user mark, and I’m sure many more will follow at lightning speed.  The ability to start pulling the social networking sites together as a hybrid will be integral for new platforms of communication. When you start with a program that can combine your cell phone, photos, texting, facebook, twitter, blogs and gps systems - imagine what they’ll think of next!

So why is it so important to keep up with these new trends? Maybe Loopt isn’t for you - but it’s so important to stay updated on things like this! This is where we are today. These aren’t tools of the future.

I challenge myself to always stay 2 steps ahead of my little sister. She’s 19 and always on top of these things. She texts faster than I can speak and I hate when she tells me about something that I didn’t already know about. I was pretty proud of myself when I invited her to join Loopt!

So moral of today’s lesson - keep up, move up. If you’re still learning Twitter, you’re already behind!