Our social media customers often need to build their fan bases from scratch, so we came up with a list of tips to help them. Here are 5 tips you can implement with no out-of-pocket costs.

1. Put Facebook and Twitter links to your property pages on your website. On property specific websites, put the link in the header of every page. On sites with multiple properties, put the link on property-specific pages. Surprisingly, we've met a lot of resistance from client website vendors and in some cases, link requests have been flat out denied. Don’t take no for an answer.

2. Put Facebook and Twitter links in your email signature. If you can put html in your email signature, you can add links to your social media services. My email signature has icons that link to my Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn pages as well as my blog. However, you may also want to consider using text links instead of image links, as some users suppress images in their emails. It's up to you. There is no “right” answer. Need help? Just contact me and I'll send you a sample code.

3. Put Facebook and Twitter names on printed materials. As you replace your business cards, brochures, and other printed materials, consider integrating your social media contact information. You can print your profile names or direct people to links on your website.

4. Get your prospects to fan you. About 1/3 of the folks touring your community will be future residents, but why not also try to engage the other 2/3? Even if they choose not to live with you, by keeping in touch they are more likely to recommend your community to their friends. Ask prospects to fan you. Reinforce this message on any signs in your office and on handouts.

5. Advertise your social media to new and current residents. Add social media information to your move in packet. Inform current residents via email and your community newsletter. Make sure to highlight the benefits of becoming a fan.