An Introduction to Social Media, Apps and Online Information

This course provides an introduction to the potential and use of social media, apps and on-line information in the property world.

Small and medium-size businesses and practices are increasingly using social media, apps and online resources for inter alia marketing, communicating with clients, networking, recruitment, career development and for obtaining data and published information. On the face of it these seem capable of delivering results that in the past were impossible without the specialised expertise and financial capability available only to the very largest enterprises. However, they are not without risk or cost and the quality of the information available needs to be very carefully examined. This introductory course looks at how Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter etc. can be used, the Apps that are available and the main sources of online property data and published material. It is primarily for those considering their use or looking to extend what they already do.

The course covers:

• the basics of social media
• the value of networking
• making use of the principal vehicles, including Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn
• using Apps
• risks and disadvantages
• online property data sources
• access to published information
• problems of navigation
• evaluating quality

Timothy Collinson is the Faculty Librarian for Technology at the University of Portsmouth. He takes special interest in social networking, virtual worlds, creativity, and more recently iPad apps and their utility in the workplace.

Isobel Kilgallon is a librarian who has provided an information service for the staff and students in the University’s surveying department for more than 20 years. She is an expert in online information resources relating to property.

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