Do you want to get noticed by more than 80 percent of all mortgage prospects and referral partners? The social media landscape is vast and confusing with many pitfalls. Where does a mortgage Padawan begin his journey?

Facebook, of course, right?! Wrong. Concentrate your efforts on Google + until we meet again, Young Jedi. Why? Your prospects must find you when they're actively looking for a mortgage expert, and Google provides the most powerful tool for local visibility.

If you live in a state like Maine as I do, you may think you can easily achieve overnight mortgage celebrity status because you can't locate your competition anywhere on Google! Don't get carried away. Focus on your local market first before expanding your statewide horizons. When my prospects in Auburn are searching for a mortgage professional, they find me at the top of the Google search results every time. Go ahead, try it.

You must first create your Google+ account, a free and easy step designed for the general public! If you have already opened a Gmail account, you're halfway there. Google+ offers an array of amazing features for your smartphone and tablet as well.

First, set up your Google+ profile. If you need any help, feel free to visit my Google+ profile for ideas! Second, carefully complete your Google+ Local Page. Once you are finished, you are well on your way to discovery as a Local Mortgage Superhero!

I have only scratched the surface of the power of Google+ but will discuss it in more depth after covering the other social media channels most critical for this spring's home purchase season! Until then, please Add Me to your Google+ Circles and contact me anytime with your questions!

Posted by Brendan Fontaine