Before I get too far off on a tangent, let me begin by laying the groundwork for my random thoughts which will soon follow regarding all things future and social.
Finally making time, I'm walking out of the Verizon store today after testing the Blackberry Storm. Amongst other items, one of my frustrations centered around the keyboard. In consideration, a fairly decent size when flipped horizontally but definitely still too small for my fat fingers. Because of the new touch screen technology, it's easier, even though the keys are larger, to accidentally stroke a key that wasn't meant to be stroked. Due to my aggravation, I called my business partner who has been testing / comparing both the Blackberry Storm and the Apple iPhone. He had similar frustrations, but found the Storm to be easier to type on. Through our conversation, I simply asked, how can they fix this? Nobody wants a bigger device, so there's only a certain amount of Real Estate to play with. With this, I began to ponder a bigger notion.
Patience, I'm getting there.
Staying on the same theme but moving to a different platform, let's look at Twitter. On many levels, it's similar to the Blackberry Storm and the Apple iPhone. It's the latest and greatest. It's a glimpse into the future. It's content is compact, 140 characters or less for Twitter a few inches by a few inches for the smart phones. They both integrate pics, video, music, and other media. In short, both tools provide many important things to many people.
Okay, now for the notion I was left to ponder.
Our present push into the future is quite obvious. More interaction, more contacts, more content, better content, improved delivery system, all of which are packaged up tightly for a quick evaluation before we flee on to the next new, exciting thing. In essence, as we already know, we have our mobile network with us everywhere we go whenever we want it. If you have a question, turn on your phone and "dial or Tweet a few million friends".
We know we're going somewhere with this social networking stuff. Through trial and error, we have a loose pathway guiding us there. This tool works, that tool doesn't, this tool would be great if ..., while that tool would be ... Before you know it, a new and improved product pops to the forefront. We try the tool. Enough people like it. The players in the field Tweet it. Boom, a buzz, social acceptance, the next child is born running before it ever had a chance to crawl.
Voila, future becomes present day reality.
I don't have all the answers, but I do know that those much smarter than I will most certainly develop newer and improved solutions. Until then, I'm left to wonder where all of this is headed? How much smaller can we make all of this stuff before it becomes functionally useless? What's in store next?
We're heading somewhere. But, where is there and what does there look like?
Showing posts with label real estate social networking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label real estate social networking. Show all posts
Nov 25, 2008
Social Networking - Why All of the Resistance?
You hear it over and over again. I don't get it? What's the point? This is not useful. I don't want to .... Blah, Blah, Blah.
The sheer amount of negativity that comes with change never ceases to amaze me. In fact, it seems that, as a society, we're most ardent in our ways during periods of time when it's obvious that "the way we've always done it here" attitude is simply not working and the eulogy is all but written on the wall.
Now, with the latest social networking revolution of the web we're hearing the same rally cries from those who don't get it. Why all of the reluctance to embrace change? In essence, it comes down to one word:
I'm not providing this criticism to be negative. I get it. I started with all of the same thoughts. I know for most of you, all of this social networking stuff is relatively speaking new, different, and oftentimes confusing. Was the skepticism any different when people started using personal PC's (anyone remember the Franklin, Compaq - when it was, Commodore 64)? We all could give a 100 examples of what we would never use that we now can't live without.
As real estate professionals, we should be embracing the changes that come with the onslaught of all of this new technology and social networking platforms. Yes, there is a negative, when you don't want to be, you remain connected and it can be tough and downright frustrating to get away from time to time. On the flip side of the coin, this connectivity enables you to do a larger extent of your business operations from the comfort of your chosen working environment.
As a theme that reoccurs hear on The Realty Buzz, embrace these social networking changes and be a part of making the experience better. Instead of being frustrated by all of this newness, spend your time, efforts, and energy getting to know these tools to start using them to work for you!
As the saying goes, doing what you've always done gets you more of what you've always gotten. If that's good for you, I apologize for wasting your time here. For the rest, get movin' and usin'. Change is what you make of it.
The sheer amount of negativity that comes with change never ceases to amaze me. In fact, it seems that, as a society, we're most ardent in our ways during periods of time when it's obvious that "the way we've always done it here" attitude is simply not working and the eulogy is all but written on the wall.
Now, with the latest social networking revolution of the web we're hearing the same rally cries from those who don't get it. Why all of the reluctance to embrace change? In essence, it comes down to one word:
IGNORANCE
I'm not providing this criticism to be negative. I get it. I started with all of the same thoughts. I know for most of you, all of this social networking stuff is relatively speaking new, different, and oftentimes confusing. Was the skepticism any different when people started using personal PC's (anyone remember the Franklin, Compaq - when it was, Commodore 64)? We all could give a 100 examples of what we would never use that we now can't live without.
As real estate professionals, we should be embracing the changes that come with the onslaught of all of this new technology and social networking platforms. Yes, there is a negative, when you don't want to be, you remain connected and it can be tough and downright frustrating to get away from time to time. On the flip side of the coin, this connectivity enables you to do a larger extent of your business operations from the comfort of your chosen working environment.
As a theme that reoccurs hear on The Realty Buzz, embrace these social networking changes and be a part of making the experience better. Instead of being frustrated by all of this newness, spend your time, efforts, and energy getting to know these tools to start using them to work for you!
As the saying goes, doing what you've always done gets you more of what you've always gotten. If that's good for you, I apologize for wasting your time here. For the rest, get movin' and usin'. Change is what you make of it.
Nov 22, 2008
Embrace the Confusion!
In between our day to day activities as Real Estate professionals, more and more of us are making time for this online social networking "stuff". Remember in the beginning, your multifaceted platform of choice was Craigslist. Come to think of it, did you really have too many other choices?
Now, the social networking tools / platforms / communities are a dime a dozen - Twitter (of course, right now no social networking article would be complete without shamelessly Tweeting a plug for Twitter), LinkedIn, Facebook, Active Rain, Inman, Plurk, MyBlogLog, FriendFeed, Tumblr, Jumpcut, Brightkite, etc., etc., etc.
To this point, some of you are saying, "yeah, I know these sites, get on with your point" while others are saying, "Tumblr, Jumpcut, Brightkite, what now, where did these guys come from?"
Agreed, this social networking thing seems to be all over the board for most Real Estate professionals. Where do I start? What do I use? Does this fit into my 80%, 20% time spent rule? I don't get it! How many of these things do I need to belong to? This is just silly.
Do any of these remarks sound familiar?
For those of you who've already resolved themselves to using these social networking platforms, new questions arise. How do I stand out in such a large crowd? What's the best use of my time? What's the right tool? Wait a minute, is this a popularity contest or am I looking for business leads?
Make no mistake about it, we're all learning as we go. Even the big boys and girls. However, there's a major difference. The big boys and girls are learning about things nobody yet knows about while the rest are learning about things the big boys and girls have already learned and are now teaching. They take the time to understand the silliness, using and evaluating tools and ideas for countless hours to learn what truly is silly and what potentially has staying power. Are these individuals smarter than you? In some instances, sure. Regardless, it doesn't really matter. The important point and their major advantage (key to success) is that they do this social networking thing for a living, which means they spend a lot of time doing!
As a Real Estate professional, do you earn a living by working an hour or two out of each day while taking countless days off in between? How many hours are you really putting into learning this new social networking environment?
We're not foolishly suggesting that success can be found by simply banging your head into a wall hour after hour with your efforts and pains producing results just because. However, you can't expect to be an expert without putting in the time, practice, and following through with relentless perseverance.
Hard work and dedication has it's rewards. We've all been there, we've all felt successes to one extent or another. This social networking thing is no different with one exception. We're on the ground floor, and this is no ordinary opportunity.
Embrace the confusion. In fact, be thankful for this confusion as you have the ability to be one of many, yet relatively speaking, amongst only a few, that will be able to reap the rewards and enjoy the benefits that this social networking medium will bring.
If you want more out of this, stop treating it like a hobby and start working at it like a job. Give this the respect it deserves, the devotion it calls for, and the effort that it's going to take to figure it out. After all, who said transforming your business was going to be easy? It'll take a lot of work, but it's got to be done.
Make your mark while the gettin's good. And, right now, the gettin's really good!
Now, the social networking tools / platforms / communities are a dime a dozen - Twitter (of course, right now no social networking article would be complete without shamelessly Tweeting a plug for Twitter), LinkedIn, Facebook, Active Rain, Inman, Plurk, MyBlogLog, FriendFeed, Tumblr, Jumpcut, Brightkite, etc., etc., etc.
To this point, some of you are saying, "yeah, I know these sites, get on with your point" while others are saying, "Tumblr, Jumpcut, Brightkite, what now, where did these guys come from?"
Agreed, this social networking thing seems to be all over the board for most Real Estate professionals. Where do I start? What do I use? Does this fit into my 80%, 20% time spent rule? I don't get it! How many of these things do I need to belong to? This is just silly.
Do any of these remarks sound familiar?
For those of you who've already resolved themselves to using these social networking platforms, new questions arise. How do I stand out in such a large crowd? What's the best use of my time? What's the right tool? Wait a minute, is this a popularity contest or am I looking for business leads?
Make no mistake about it, we're all learning as we go. Even the big boys and girls. However, there's a major difference. The big boys and girls are learning about things nobody yet knows about while the rest are learning about things the big boys and girls have already learned and are now teaching. They take the time to understand the silliness, using and evaluating tools and ideas for countless hours to learn what truly is silly and what potentially has staying power. Are these individuals smarter than you? In some instances, sure. Regardless, it doesn't really matter. The important point and their major advantage (key to success) is that they do this social networking thing for a living, which means they spend a lot of time doing!
As a Real Estate professional, do you earn a living by working an hour or two out of each day while taking countless days off in between? How many hours are you really putting into learning this new social networking environment?
We're not foolishly suggesting that success can be found by simply banging your head into a wall hour after hour with your efforts and pains producing results just because. However, you can't expect to be an expert without putting in the time, practice, and following through with relentless perseverance.
Hard work and dedication has it's rewards. We've all been there, we've all felt successes to one extent or another. This social networking thing is no different with one exception. We're on the ground floor, and this is no ordinary opportunity.
Embrace the confusion. In fact, be thankful for this confusion as you have the ability to be one of many, yet relatively speaking, amongst only a few, that will be able to reap the rewards and enjoy the benefits that this social networking medium will bring.
If you want more out of this, stop treating it like a hobby and start working at it like a job. Give this the respect it deserves, the devotion it calls for, and the effort that it's going to take to figure it out. After all, who said transforming your business was going to be easy? It'll take a lot of work, but it's got to be done.
Make your mark while the gettin's good. And, right now, the gettin's really good!
Nov 20, 2008
What`s Twitter`s Viability?
Twitter, Tweet, Tweet! Yes, we're all definitely having fun micro blogging. As with most things in life, the dust will settle and reality will set in. When it does, what will have become of Twitter?
In a previous post (What`s Your Purpose Here Anyway?), we addressed the purpose of Twitter and why, from a business perspective, we should be using the tool. Knowing our purpose, the next question becomes Twitter's viability.
Will Twitter simply be that fun social networking tool that drives you to let everyone know that you're sitting down at a Starbucks with a brimming hot double cappuccino or will it really continue to evolve into something much bigger than that?
Does Twitter have the potential to become that multifaceted, lead generating, social networking tool that ultimately we will all use as seamlessly as keyboards translating our thoughts onto computer screens?
Is it going to be that routine, that powerful, that necessary?
In a previous post (What`s Your Purpose Here Anyway?), we addressed the purpose of Twitter and why, from a business perspective, we should be using the tool. Knowing our purpose, the next question becomes Twitter's viability.
Will Twitter simply be that fun social networking tool that drives you to let everyone know that you're sitting down at a Starbucks with a brimming hot double cappuccino or will it really continue to evolve into something much bigger than that?
Does Twitter have the potential to become that multifaceted, lead generating, social networking tool that ultimately we will all use as seamlessly as keyboards translating our thoughts onto computer screens?
Is it going to be that routine, that powerful, that necessary?
Nov 19, 2008
What Social Networking Websites are You Using?
If you're a Real Estate Professional and you're reading these words odds are you have some interest in the social networking buzz. For some, the question is as simple as what is social networking? For others, the question becomes how do I use these social networking sites to promote and increase my business?
If you don't have the foggiest clue as to what social networking is, we would urge you to become a member of the Active Rain community (120k plus Real Estate professional members and growing). Your social networking questions will be quickly answered, your haze will fall mercy to clarity, and you will quickly develop a much needed appetite for more.
Currently, our top three social networking websites of choice are Twitter, Active Rain, and MyBlogLog. Our reasoning is simple. Gobs of information (the latest and greatest), the ability to target a captive audience, and unlimited opportunities to promote and brand our message.
What social networking sites are you using and why?
If you don't have the foggiest clue as to what social networking is, we would urge you to become a member of the Active Rain community (120k plus Real Estate professional members and growing). Your social networking questions will be quickly answered, your haze will fall mercy to clarity, and you will quickly develop a much needed appetite for more.
Currently, our top three social networking websites of choice are Twitter, Active Rain, and MyBlogLog. Our reasoning is simple. Gobs of information (the latest and greatest), the ability to target a captive audience, and unlimited opportunities to promote and brand our message.
What social networking sites are you using and why?
Nov 18, 2008
What`s Your Purpose Here Anyway?
So you're a big social networking guru in the making now. It's hard to image a time when you weren't part of these social networking websites. You're confident because you feel as if you've grabbed a small part of something big getting bigger every day. First floor in an elevator Tweeting messages on your Blackberry all the way to the top. You brag to your cohorts that you have a profile on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, just three of the more well know social networking sites amongst a growing list of countless others.
In your newly found confidence, what's all of this networking "stuff" doing for you? Are you developing relationships and growing your business or are you merely playing in a playground pretending that one day you will make it too?
At the bare minimum, you have to formulate a loose game plan or generate a basic set of guidelines directing your social networking efforts. None of us know exactly what our future holds but there has to be a method to your madness. There has to be a reason why you're using these social networking sites.
It's fun to Tweet your friends letting them know you're watching "Sleepless in Seattle" or writing on someone's "wall" (Facebook tool for those of you still learning) letting them know you have a date this weekend but, and a very big BUT, you must not forget the reason in which you use these tools ... or perhaps these are the reasons.
Are they or do you have a bigger purpose here?
In your newly found confidence, what's all of this networking "stuff" doing for you? Are you developing relationships and growing your business or are you merely playing in a playground pretending that one day you will make it too?
At the bare minimum, you have to formulate a loose game plan or generate a basic set of guidelines directing your social networking efforts. None of us know exactly what our future holds but there has to be a method to your madness. There has to be a reason why you're using these social networking sites.
It's fun to Tweet your friends letting them know you're watching "Sleepless in Seattle" or writing on someone's "wall" (Facebook tool for those of you still learning) letting them know you have a date this weekend but, and a very big BUT, you must not forget the reason in which you use these tools ... or perhaps these are the reasons.
Are they or do you have a bigger purpose here?
Nov 16, 2008
Real Estate and Social Networking Websites - Take a Deep Breath and Relax
It seems like everyday another social networking site comes on the scene. The revolution has been sweeping the web and it continues to do so. It's been great or has it?
We're starting to hear many complaints:
Take a deep breath and relax. As with most of what we do in our lives, finding the right site for your niche is a process of elimination. It takes time. Look around and see who's doing what. It's not hard to find who's respected in their respective fields. Watch what they do, listen to what they say, read what they post, and do your best to learn about the sites that they're successfully using to promote their brand.
Don't fool yourself into believing that these social networking sites are simply a passing phase, the latest rage. In the years to come, the landscape may look different, but the social networking power will remain new and improved.
You can have your face to face interaction. You can make that phone call. We simply suggest that it's imperative that you begin learning how to start searching for your next contact online using one of these sites.
You may not like these sites. You may not be comfortable with these sites. But, make no mistake, your future success lies within your ability to use and navigate these sites in search of your next opportunity.
We're starting to hear many complaints:
- I used to belong to that site but I just didn't get it.
- There's no point in using Twitter, I don't want to hear everyone's intimate minute to minute, day to day details.
- I don't have time for all of these sites, I barely have enough time to keep up with what I already use.
- It's all about meeting someone face to face. A real interaction.
Take a deep breath and relax. As with most of what we do in our lives, finding the right site for your niche is a process of elimination. It takes time. Look around and see who's doing what. It's not hard to find who's respected in their respective fields. Watch what they do, listen to what they say, read what they post, and do your best to learn about the sites that they're successfully using to promote their brand.
Don't fool yourself into believing that these social networking sites are simply a passing phase, the latest rage. In the years to come, the landscape may look different, but the social networking power will remain new and improved.
You can have your face to face interaction. You can make that phone call. We simply suggest that it's imperative that you begin learning how to start searching for your next contact online using one of these sites.
You may not like these sites. You may not be comfortable with these sites. But, make no mistake, your future success lies within your ability to use and navigate these sites in search of your next opportunity.
Nov 15, 2008
Active Rain - Real Estate Professionals Start Blogging
Networking, networking, networking. There are few better Real Estate specific social media networking outlets than Active Rain. A targeted audience, over 100k members strong, for you to broadcast your real estate business message. As important, there are endless opportunities to increase your online marketing knowledge and presence through Active Rain. If you're not a member. You need to be.
However, before you get started, send us an email (PropertyQwest@gmail.com) with your email address so that we can invite you to get started blogging with Active Rain.
We want those points! For those of you who use Active Rain, enough said. For those of you who haven't started, but need to, you'll understand our NEED and GREED for points!!!
If you're tech savy, you don't need this video. Simply go to http://www.activerain.com. Otherwise, the quick video below will nudge you in the right direction.
However, before you get started, send us an email (PropertyQwest@gmail.com) with your email address so that we can invite you to get started blogging with Active Rain.
We want those points! For those of you who use Active Rain, enough said. For those of you who haven't started, but need to, you'll understand our NEED and GREED for points!!!
If you're tech savy, you don't need this video. Simply go to http://www.activerain.com. Otherwise, the quick video below will nudge you in the right direction.
Nov 12, 2008
About Twitter - Do You Twitter?
Who is Twitter?
What is Twitter (as noted by Wikipedia)?
Interesting Twitter Tid Bits:
For day to day "goings on" at Twitter, check out their blog: http://blog.twitter.com/
Interested in Twitter gadgets? Check out what they have: http://blog.twitter.com/search/label/apps/label/apps
Want to search Twitter to see what people are doing? http://search.twitter.com/
The Buzz - Want to find out the most current, most popular Twitter links? Check out TwitterBuzz
The future evolution of Twitter? http://www.sociableblog.com/2008/10/28/why-twitter-needs-multimedia/
One persons "22 Reasons to Use Twitter for Business and Pleasure":
Intrigued? Find out more about the "What", "Why", "How" as noted by Twitter. Signup and start networking - http://twitter.com/
Twitter is a privately funded startup with offices in the SoMA neighborhood of San Francisco, CA. Started as a side project in March of 2006, Twitter has grown into a real-time short messaging service that works over multiple networks and devices.
In countries all around the world, people follow the sources most relevant to them and access information via Twitter as it happens—from breaking world news to updates from friends.
What is Twitter (as noted by Wikipedia)?
Updates are displayed on the user's profile page and delivered to other users who have signed up to receive them. The sender can restrict delivery to those in his or her circle of friends (delivery to everyone being the default). Users can receive updates via the Twitter website, SMS, RSS, email or through an application such as Twitterrific or Facebook. For SMS, four gateway numbers are currently available: short codes for the United States, Canada, and India, as well as a United Kingdom-based number for international use. Several third parties offer posting and receiving updates via email. Twitter had by one measure over 3 million accounts and by another, well over 5 million visitors in September 2008 which was a fivefold increase in a month.
Interesting Twitter Tid Bits:
For day to day "goings on" at Twitter, check out their blog: http://blog.twitter.com/
Interested in Twitter gadgets? Check out what they have: http://blog.twitter.com/search/label/apps/label/apps
Want to search Twitter to see what people are doing? http://search.twitter.com/
The Buzz - Want to find out the most current, most popular Twitter links? Check out TwitterBuzz
The future evolution of Twitter? http://www.sociableblog.com/2008/10/28/why-twitter-needs-multimedia/
One persons "22 Reasons to Use Twitter for Business and Pleasure":
FOR BUSINESS
1. Gain exposure for my blogs… and gain potential readers
2. Build my network with transparency and trust
3. Market my work, products, services, etc.
4. Answer questions/ ask questions
5. Learn new things from other industry professionals
6. Share tech tips & resources (baby blog post) & teach stuff
7. Meet and talk with others (some business/some pleasure)
8. Conference connecter (stay connected, share info, get social)
9. Seek out industry colleagues for assistance w/ special projects
10. Safety- Tweet unfamiliar meeting locations & while traveling
11. Better understand social media
FOR (MY) PLEASURE
1. See a new side of your friends
2. View/Share fitness tips and favorite motivational songs
3. View/Share fun pictures (of self and others, or random stuff)
4. View/Share fun links (great sites and other fun blogs)
5. View/Share local news and events
6. Exchange great recipes
7. Tweet the wacky: (ex: running the Bay to Breakers)
8. Tweet while traveling: (ex: a 24 hour Vegas trip)
9. Makes you think about your life (What am I doing?)
10. It’s just plain fun.
11. It’s free!
Intrigued? Find out more about the "What", "Why", "How" as noted by Twitter. Signup and start networking - http://twitter.com/
Nov 11, 2008
Real Estate, Social Networking, the Internet
Are you a Realtor, an investor, a wholesaler, or simply a real estate professional? Do you use the Internet? If you do, do you use it to simply research information, check the weather, and find out the latest news or do you use it to broaden your network and increase your business?
If you don't, you need to otherwise there's a whole world out there you're missing.
Laptops, cell phones, Wi-Fi, today's latest and greatest technology. Communication and networking drives our business as does it with many businesses. The Internet is "theee" platform to bring your world into your front room.
We're certainly not experts, we don't have all the answers, but, we do know that this technology "thing" is our future.
If you're willing to embrace this future you will find many opportunities around each corner. We'll highlight what we do, the tools we use, the sites we visit, and hopefully help you broaden your technological horizons.
Disclaimer: Perspective from real estate investors actually practicing what we preach. Welcome to our "Bully Pulpit". We intend to exploit it to the best of our abilities to expand our tech yearning horizons.
If you don't, you need to otherwise there's a whole world out there you're missing.
Laptops, cell phones, Wi-Fi, today's latest and greatest technology. Communication and networking drives our business as does it with many businesses. The Internet is "theee" platform to bring your world into your front room.
We're certainly not experts, we don't have all the answers, but, we do know that this technology "thing" is our future.
If you're willing to embrace this future you will find many opportunities around each corner. We'll highlight what we do, the tools we use, the sites we visit, and hopefully help you broaden your technological horizons.
Disclaimer: Perspective from real estate investors actually practicing what we preach. Welcome to our "Bully Pulpit". We intend to exploit it to the best of our abilities to expand our tech yearning horizons.
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