BAH!
Is anyone tired of of hearing this line? Lately it's all about Twittering, Facebooking, Linked-in-ing and 
whatever other latest technology I'm not familiar with. At a Terry Watson presentation at last year's Colorado Realtor Rally, he proclaimed that an agent's Number One marketing tool was... YouTube!
HUH?
Of course, it's not as if we haven't been hearing this same crap forever. In the old days (and still some today), the Masters proclaimed that if you don't cold-call, door-knock, farm or advertise, you'll be dead in the water. Then you had to bombard your Sphere of Influence with cheesy mailers every month. Then you had to have a fully-functional website. Then you had to SEO and PPC. Oh, and you must have a PDA (the old-timey Daytimers won't cut it). Gotta have a blog, mobile-web and GPS...
OR YOU'LL FAIL!
Nonsense. I guarantee you that if I never Twitter or go near my Facebook page again, it will not affect my success selling real estate. And I'm still enamored with my trusty Franklin Planner (the paper kind), with no plans to upgrade to digital.
Just do what has always worked for you! Upgrade to new technology when YOU'RE in the mood, not when some guru scares you half to death with the consequences if you don't!
"If I don't Twitter, I'll fail..." Sheesh.
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Jennifer,
I particularly like your call to action on MY terms: Upgrade to new technology when YOU'RE in the mood... What's Twitter? LOL
Mike in Tucson
I'm glad somebody said it. I think we all develop our own methods that work. What may work for some, may fail miserably for others.
Jennifer - you have to commit to doing it right if you add on layers. I jury is still out for me on Twitter as I really haven't had the value of it validated enough for me to invest my time. I'll just sit on the sidelines and observe for a while. Thoughtful post!
I think these things will help you in your business. However I don't think they MAKE your business. I think YOU make your business. I'm new on Twitter and didn't get it at first now I'm seeing the "use of it".
Jennifer - Rock on !!! Love the photo ! Are those mindless drones sending tweets ? I agree with you. There are multitudes of great agents and top producers that do not have a Twitter account nor even have a blog ! An agents success can come down to there SOI and their relationships. Many folks do not need to do any of this stuff. Now, I do agree that doing some of the social media might help someone expand their presence and help them grow their business, but I defintely agree that it is not the difference between success and failure. Great post ! Will flag this for a feature as most every other post states the opposite : ) . Is good to know there are several ways to reach the ladder of success.
Great post! My business is 90% referral so I add tech as it is required to communicate with my base. It's fun and makes lots of stuff easier but can NOT become the total focus of what I do. The new tech tools keep me fresh but, you're right...my business isn't going away without them. Cool pic, BTW.
Sarah - Technology is great, but I just can't help but giggle when someone tells me I MUST embrace this latest gizmo-goodle if I have any hope of selling another house. Puh-Leeeeze!
Chris & Stephanie - Agreed! Some agents don't even have an SOI and they do great... some have never farmed and they do great... some ONLY farm and they do great...
Wendy - I'm a Twitter resister and that may or may not change. Let me know how it's working for you!
Connie - I've embraced some technology, but if it doesn't resonate with me, I'm not going to spend any time fussing over why it doesn't... or forcing myself to give it a try. UNTIL I'm good & ready!
Mike - I have no flippin' idea, actually.
Don't worry Jennifer many of us are failures based on what the experts say! I find it interesting..I believe we can have our niche's and that would include the techology we are using. I am a lousy twit but according to Mr. Tweet I'm not so bad! I just do what I do for what works for me..and others probably should follow suit..do what works for you!
Yupper Jennifer find out what WORKS for you and DO IT....
BUT here is why those GURU's fill the ROOM and sell people on something new to try...It's because MOST people DON't WORK !! So it is easier for them to try the flavor of the month idea and NOT focus on the most important task for all of us.
HOW MANY NEW PEOPLE DID I Talk to TODAY about what I do?
WHO did I FOLLOW UP WITH Today?
and LASTLY Who did I HELP Today outside of MY Business?...
Twitter and Facebook all day but don't stop doing the basics :-)
GOOD POST thanks for sharing!
Spending too much time on Twitter and Facebook can probably result in losing business, it's all about balance.
Here's my take on this topic:
New technology, twitter, facebook, youtube, social networking are all cool. They are ways to help dissemanate presence in the real estate business.
But in the end, it boils down to making the connection (voice and face) and following up.
Try getting a listing via source through blogging, try getting an application to refinance a mortgage through Twitter. But if you and I don't follow up, our clients will fire us so fast, we haven't even realize it.
Now, how's that for a Friday morning feedback?
Of course... I've just spent the last three, yes three hours here on Active Rain...
You can tweet all day long, but I've yet to close a sale or lease without a handshake, sharing a joke, or breaking bread together. It's all about the human touch. And that touch leads to referrals, even from clients who didn't purchase.
I could easily spend all day just reading AR and remax.net and all the other thousands of websites out there! There is no way I can keep up with it all, and it's very overwhelming. So I look back on my business in 2008. Did any of it come from those sources? Nope. FSBO, buyers that found my listing on the internet (not my website, but a generic search engine), an open house, my SOI. One listing referral from AR (thank you, Tracy!). But 99.9% was from just being out there in the world...and THAT I can do!
Thanks for this post Jennifer! I feel much better now that I know I'm not the only one who feels this way.
I love it, Jennifer! I agree completely, although I do my best to wade into the unknown and meet every challenge. At some point, though, you have to choose to do what works for you and NOT someone else.
It takes what it takes. Find something that works for you and go for it!
Jennifer, I think the reason I love what you write so much is that you are a contrarian by heart like me. Twittering can get you business. But you can also get business without Twittering. You tell 'em girl!!
Jennifer - You've had great success building a business based on SOI. And it's worked well for you. I agree with Loreena - the online social networks are just tools. They won't work for everyone. And I have to admit - they are really time consuming. I truly beleive the agents who are successful using some of these tools are very good time managers too. It's all about balance and choosing what you want to invest and spend your time on - as long as it's actually a good ROI.
Jennifer- You are right about bombarding our sphere with the latest contact information. Some of them may not appreciated it . Pick and choose for YOU AND YOUR CLIENTS!
I agree....technology is a must in today's world, but it is NOT the key to success...PEOPLE are the key to success in this business. the computer might draw them in, but it is OUR job to build a relationship with them...not the internets.
If you don't PURPLE you'll fail!!!
Great post! Hell, I love my blog, my linkedIn, Twitter, etc...but I am finding that with every networking site I set up, I'm told of three more I "NEED". I think I'm done(for now). Blogging is great therapy and there are certainly advantages to social networking...but it can also be a justified waste of time. Hours wasted while you convince yourself you are "working". Thanks for the post...oh, and follow me on twitter @mcdowellchad. Had to throw that in!
I think if you do something and do it really well and you are consistent AND having success, you shouldn't worry. I did swithch to the pda 2 years ago and still miss my Franklin!!!
Wow! So much fun in putting your foot down ~ good for you. The best tools are the ones that you use... if you're not comfortable twittering or linked-in-ing, they're not useful at all! At the end of the day its about doing what you do best, that's what draws clients to you. And just as you're not comfortable with all of it, not all clients are comfortable with it either... I promise when my Grandad is ready to sell (he better call me, LOL), he'd never go looking on twitter!
Thanks for sharing!
Yep, I carry my pink day planner everywhere. I don't have to worry about it crashing or running out of juice. Sometimes the old fashion way of doing business is the most reliable and most comfortable for all.
Hi Jennifer..Funny. Yes we're all told... there are better ways to do our business and make more money. Bottom Line, if it saves you time and helps you get your job done go for it...Twitter Facebook and LinkedIn, etc is just getting your name out there, does it help maybe, Will it bring you now business, probably not. Now Blogging in the Rain does help. All of these actions are great to help you getting listings...show sellers during your listing presentation that you'll talk about their home on the net....as for making your phone ring, they are equal to or better than Print advertising...just don't get stuck doing them for hours every day, go out and meet people, have a coffee with the last person you Sold a house too.
Cheers, thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Sometimes the effort put into the latest technologies are way overboard for the amount of clients you get
Hi Jennifer, Glad someone is willing to swim upstream once in awhile ! Tired of hearing all the hype behind each successive techie whiz bang. Use the technology to support your strengths - forget the rest.
And I think the other side of this equation is that "if everybody [blanks], they will all fail".
In other words, if everybody is doing the same thing, then there is no differentiation and as a result everybody will be in the same place that they are today. They will see diminishing returns on their efforts. In order to stand out and succeed, you need to do the things that other people are not willing or able to do.
Hello Jennifer! No matter where we are in the country, we are all experiencing the same things in our business. I think we need to be comfortable with the technology that is current, but use it according to the "needs of our personal business". Great topic for conversation!
Great post I feel the same way. First it was youtube, then myspace, now its the big 4 Facebook linked to your twitter linked to your activerain account that is connected to your linkedin site. I am trying to keep up with all of this to keep my company up to date. I think the bottom line is personal contact. most of the time I don't even know what to write about.
I'm still a hybrid realtor...somewhere between the "old" and the "new". There is a substantive difference right now, though, and that's the shift from an agent centric model of sales to a consumer centric model. The things you describe are just "methods", and they are not meant to replace the bricks and mortar of good business practices. I don't think any of them are being used in the right way, either, as business methods...early days! Important, though, to know how to use everything. No one wants to end up on a scenic byway, a back road, when the highway of commerce has shifted to a new methodology of communication. They're just devices, but if everyone stopped writing when the telephone became "the thing", what's to stop something like "twitter" (used effectively, down the line a little) being used instead of sticky notes, as a memo device?? Underneath, it stands and falls on good business practices.
I'm doing what works for me and that includes everything i'm doing lol!
It is SOOOO TRUE!!!
If you don't:
I do some of these things to a point. A point that works for me!
Just do the best that you can with the time that you have and do what suits your personality. Of course you already know this...your personality (& great sense of humor)shows in every post.
Great Post.
Kathy
P.S. Sorry I missed you in Ocean County, NJ. An ankle injury kind of messed me up for a bit.
I agree with what most have said on here, however, the biggest bonus of technology is that it helps make a big world smaller and makes it easier for us to connect. One of the best things for your business is your network and one on one communication. I hate to shameless plug, but recently launched an online community designed specifically by myself specifically for realtors in order to facilitate professional communication and networking within the real estate industry. We're still in beta, but I could use your feedback so that this network can actually serve a purpose and provide value. If you're interested, it's http://beta.agentlistserv.com
As you and I have seen - the more we embrace Active Rain - the better our results are with reference to being our Local Real Estate Experts.
Social Networking is fine and wonderful - but as has been said, there is nothing like the handshake and long deep gaze into someones eyes.
Great Post Jennifer
Jennifer - One size does not fit all and it never has and never will. Find what works for you and layer in the new and peel off the old when the time is right. I consider myself a hybrid--I still write handwritten notes and I tweet a little and check my Facebook page when I have a moment or two to spare between tasks.
Ahhhh... a gold star... wondered why this little blog suddenly got hit with so many responses! Funny which blogs get featured - personally I thought yesterday's was much more Gold Star-worthy.
I'm so glad to hear all the agreement on the board! So... let's get back to work and stop worrying about keeping up with all the newest & latest tools for our businesses... unless that's your thing, then worry away!
When I see people tweeting at 11:30 pm, I know it is the end of the world as we know it. If you don't love it don't do it. if it doesn't work either fix it or move on. And if it consumes your life, go see a therapist.
BB - I actually had a picture of you in my mind as I wrote this!!!! Thanks for chiming in and confirming my assumption!
Joe - I love it! The end of the world as we know it...
Kathy - I may steal your comment for my book - it's fantastic! And Yeah, I wondered what happend to you in NJ... next time!
Jennifer: Congrats on the featured post, but you are an old pro at this! 151,000 points and 37 featured posts ! Something tells me you are quite up to date on the social networking scene and obviously you are an ACTIVE blogger.
I agree with those that say if you spend every day on these social networking sites and blogging you are not working in the trenches with the people and getting referalls, etc.
If you don't INTERACT personally, you will fail!
I also agree do things when YOU are ready or you will fail!
thanks for the post, love the picture too.
Mary
Whew - great post - does this mean I don't have to be ashamed of my Daytimer now and can bring it back out in public!? Hallelujah!
Good perspective! I've feelt bad for having a normal phone and not a blackberry, so I gues I'm ok now!
It is a great picture, isn't it? Very eye-catching. Maybe that's why I got the gold star - it's the gold people!
I'm good at blogging, but pretty bad at the rest of the social networking stuff. I sorta manage to keep up with Facebook, although I lose interest every day in it; I haven't been to my My Space page in months, I check in with Linked In once a month or so, and get hassled by all the other sites I signed up for, but haven't "completed my profile."
Which is all kinda funny, actually, because I'm a homebody introvert so it would seem to be perfect for me... but in my experience, being out in the world with my antenna up and a smile on my face is a much more productive way to spend my "prospecting" time.
Susan - I proudly display my Franklin Planner - I like being a rebel!
Kristen - I JUST got a blackberry last month (and I have to confess I love it).
While all this technology is an added feature, it won't make the sales for you! I like your post!
Jennifer - a week ago I attended ReTechSouth, which was very informative, but it definitely was weighted towards the power of social networking such as Twitter and Facebook. However, the final main stage session of the day was a discussion panel among 6 successful agents who claim 80%-90% of their business from the internet. The moderator asked several questions that appeared to be biased towards social networking. However, 5 of the panelists all responded that their blogging, or integrated web/blog site, is what generated that business. On did not have twitter account and only checked in on facebook about once every week to 10 days,
"Which is all kinda funny, actually, because I'm a homebody introvert so it would seem to be perfect for me... but in my experience, being out in the world with my antenna up and a smile on my face is a much more productive way to spend my "prospecting" time."
Jennifer, don't you just love irony? I love this post! You, you, you..... rebel. =)
Jennifer - we are presented with so many options - it can be overwhelming. I think we all try and pick what works for us.
Do what works for you and you will have success! I do have websites and facebooks but I feel the best way for in sales in face to face contact of any source :) I also love my day planner and pen. I think a mix of things will always work. But I see agents that don't really have a plan and just work hard on every lead that comes there way and do great.
A very humbling post indeed! I think we all get caught up in what is supposed to be working. Good old-fashioned one-on-one time works too. Not that the other techy stuff doesn't count, but the lack of it, doesn't count against you. Fabulous post. Thanks for the inspiration. Cheers,
Bless you for taking that monkey off my back! And I agree with many of you that what works is what you will use. I can't speak for others, but if I spend too much time on LinkedIn, FaceBook, Twitter, etc, ad nauseum, when am I selling real estate. Not to mention, spending time with my family.
That being said, I do use some of the tools. Don't shoot me, but I don't do it asking for business. It keeps me in touch on a personal level and referrals are my best source for business.
Farnese McDonald, Weichert, Realtors/FNJ Real Estate ~ Serving DC and Maryland
"If it aint broke don't fix it"
But, more importnantly if iyour plan is working for you, then you have chose the right one!
Thanks! I wrote a blog about real estate (and life in general) being a "me too" enterprise.
I have a fax . . . me too!
I have a scanner . . . me too!
I have a blackberry, blueberry, strawberry . . . me too!
I have a website . . . me too!
I'm too lazy to find that blog, but I wrote about the "me too" phenom. And now, Twitter . . . me too!
Active Rain is alive and jumping because real estate is like HEINZ catsup . . . S-L-O-W
It wouldn't be so actively raining if we hadn't the time to blog and provide content for their website.
Chelsea Handler, the hostess of an E! show, was at the right place, right time. She was given her spot at 11:30 p.m. DURING the writers' strike in Hollywood. When everyone was tired of old Leno (seeing him 30 lbs leaner, and less grey), and Letterman (it reminded us how we've aged) they clicked and landed on Chelsea. She had an audience because of the strike! She struck GOLD . . . was it planned, or just happened?? Who knows. I don't agree with her politics, or her potshots at aging women -- she's got a double standard, her 'boyfriend' is a "Silver Fox" (he's in his 50's) and dating her . . . but a younger man with an older woman is fun to poke fun. Just wait, Chelsea . . . you're time will come! HA HA HA You'll be 50 before you know it too!!
I ramble . . . oh well . . .
But. back to you . . .
YUP . . . GREAT POST!!
I hear you loud and clear Jennifer! I don't think it's going to make or break one's success if they don't market and stay heavy on the social networking side where their business is concened.
However, it can't hurt. I have come into this business as a newbie pretty recently, and as far as networking with other realtors and my friends and family (SOI) it hasn't hurt it a single bit either! I think those that don't at least give it a try if they haven't been successful any other way, are shot changing themselves of a possibility...
Embrace technology or pave your way for obsolescence....this doesn't mean placing RFID chips into your farm and sphere when they're asleep- it just means look toward efficiency or someone else who is More efficient will beat you to the average transaction. You don't have to be on facebook, twitter, and whatchamacallitnewtechnologyoftheday.com... but beware of going the way of the fax, the tube TV, the icebox, the candle, the pony express...do these sound familiar?? All these were set aside because of the steamrolling-nonstop inevitibality of progress. The question you have to ask yourself is- are you living in the past, or the present...are you doing business in the past like the pony express, or are you living in the present like Fedex Kinkos???
On a side note- for those who get 90% of their business from referrals is not something to aspire towards- it's a symptom of dysfunctional methods of procuring new business...I've seen many "order takers at McDonalds" try and proclaim that they were proud of only doing referral business- most of these agents only did less than 10 transactions a year. I'm not saying you should discount this as a pillar of your business- I'm only saying that you shouldn't have this as your only pillar of your business.
Interesting post, it's pretty much the exact opposite of every other post i read on AR.
New perspectives are good!!!
Thanks
I'm on twitter, facebook, linkedin...but do not spend hardly anytime on the sites. I spend my extra time on AR....it works for me. In fact, I am sitting on the sidelines deciding what to do about the first three aforementiined sites.
I believe in mixing things up - old school and new technology. I will say that my WP blog gives the most profitable part of my business. I got a TV interview because of it and a nat'l media columnist will be quoting it. I like LinkedIN for connecting with former friends in my corporate life. No business yet from it but very good re-connections. I don't expect anything from Twitter as I tend to use it for a news feed and I don't plan to do Facebook. Having said all that, I STILL love doing open houses where I actually MEET people and I send newsletters to my sphere.
BTW, I was really glad I had my Franklin planner when my computer crashed a couple years ago. I lost all my email addresses, and the planner saved the day.
Jennifer - I also don't see the need to start twittering. I just started blogging about seven months ago when I joined AR and I just started my facebook page last month. To date, none of these things are my primary source of business. For me, staying in business depends on how many people I actually "TALK" to.
I opened two new escrows this week and both were referrals from my SOI. Keeping up with my SOI is vital and since most of my SOI doesn't play in the rain or twitter, then I need to make time to talk to them in other ways.
Jennifer, though I am planning to try to learn - or at least understand all of those, I am doing it at my pace. AND if I don't like them, I probably won't finish learning them. I do think we need an understanding of technology but it certainly doesn't make us failures if we don't.
ummmm I'm a pretty big Twitterererer and just had to add..... Those of us on Twitter do in fact see a FAIL WHALE sometimes ;)
@KimWood
Kim - Would those of us not on Twitter have any idea what a FAIL WHALE is? Or is it just me who has no clue? Please enlighten me!
Jennifer.... I was really pulling out your point of FAIL if you don't........ cause of the FAIL WHALE if you do :)
We, Twitter Users, are seeing the FAIL WHALE less and less, but it used to show up often as a system "hiccup" - it occasionally just let's us know that sometimes we talk/engage too much and it needs a quick break.
Do the best you can. Social Media is not for everyone. I have found it to be very valuable, although difficult to measure the ROI. Whatever works for you..... do your best :)
Jennifer - There is definitely more than one way to perform real estate, and multiple ways to be successful in the industry. You just need to find something that works for you and stick with it. If it stops working, then you need to try something else. It does not have to be all about technology either.
Jennifer, just going to reiterate my response from another post:
I think you should do what you enjoy. I REALLY enjoy Facebook. Love it. So, it's no problem for me to be on there all day. I do enjoy blogging. I enjoy Trulia. I enjoy open houses. I don't enjoy PTA things, or doing anything at our Realtor board, or business groups. I don't think there's only one way to skin this cat.
My partner sends out 1500 newsletters IN THE MAIL every month to her niche market - historic homes. She gets a TREMENDOUS amount of business from something that every "expert" in technology claims is dead. Everywhere she goes, people tell her "I get your newsletter." She's consistently in the top 3 for our office and she doesn't blog, trulia, facebook, etc. She has a system that works for her, that she enjoys, and it's making her a ton of money.
I think the problem is someone will have some success with one thing, and then they think it's the ONLY way to do business, and that if you're not on-board, you're totally going to miss the boat as it sails out to sea, leaving you on a deserted island.
I did buy into all the Twitter hype and I was pretty overwhelmed, and quite frankly, didn't enjoy it. So I stopped. I realized it's silly to do things "just because I'm told so." It was like the web 2.0 version of door knocking - "You're either doing it, or your doomed!"
Unfortunately a lot us spend our quality selling time working on all of these "tools" that you need to have! Then we wonder why we don't have any sales! Just remember, if you want to play with the toys, do it before 9am or after 5pm (or whatever your most productive time is)
Jennifer, I love social media. It is really no different that your principals in SOI, it is just bigger and wider. Can you be successful if you never do Twitter or Flickr or Facebook?
Yes absolutely.
It is all in how you build your business.
Social media has opened up lots of opportunities for me and yes money in the bank. But, I agree all things in moderation. If you are spending too much time on social networks and not growing your business then yes it is a waste of time.(unless you are playing in the real estate business).
Real estate is all about relationships, so is social media. They are just as real as face to face. I just showed condo's to an investor today from Twitter.
Amen!! I wholeheartedly believe in the message this sends. I have a Franklin Covey calendar and wouldn't have it any other way. I was against social networking for a while, but have tried to come around. I will admit it is a good way for me to advertise for free. I have made connections that I would have never been exposed to otherwise, but often wonder if it worth the time that I put into it. Thanks for sharing your voice of reason!
And I thought I was the last person in the world to ....
Get a cell phone -- isn't a land line at home good enough?
Upgrade to a Blackberry -- how did I ever do without the email and internet connection?
Sign up for Facebook
Join AR -- when I joined AR, I think there were abotu 137,000 + members. That was three weeks ago. At this moment there are 141,095.
I didn't get a computer until 1993.
I didn't buy a microwave until 1990.
I didn't get my own personal fax machine until 2002.
I didn't get my own personal cell phone until 2003, though I'd used them at work for several years.
Jennifer- The challenge is, as I see it, not the fact that we don't Twiiter or Facebook or.... its accepting the fact that we dont. Im not one to jump on top of every technological thing that comes about but I have a list and I do try something new now and again. You never know. :) And thats my acceptance level LOL
Jennifer,
I have another one for you...If you don't answer your phone while on the toilet you will fail!
I just wrote this blog http://activerain.com/blogsview/1010639/Do-you-answer-your-phone-while-on-the-toilet because I was going back and forth on another blog post about answering the phone or letting it go to voicemail.
I can't believe that people are so desperate that they will answer the phone while in the bathroom.
OK...I am off to post on www.SellWithSoul.com
Kathy
Jennifer, I really enjoyed this post. Strange maybe, because I'm a big fan of social media. But only if it works for you. In the end, real estate is simply about connecting. Relationships. Wherever you develop them, whatever methods you use, if they work for you and more importantly, they connect you with others, that's what you need to stick with. I sold real estate for years. I've knocked on doors. I've cold called. I've sent newsletters. It worked for me (still does, in fact). I enjoy social media, and it's working for me. But it's certainly not a be all, end all to real estate marketing!
You have such a great sense of humor, I just love your posts. You are so right about this but it's kind of fun when you get a client as a direct result of this new-fangled technology.
I think that you're right, in a sense, but it ultimately boils down to what Mark said in #31 - if everyone else in your market is doing the same exact thing re: technology, then it only diminishes your presence. I am the only one in my offices doing this Active Rain thing, and I am awaiting the results. I haven't started tweeting, and I did use You Tube to upload a video tour of one of my listings, but that's it, and I am too busy being a dad, and a realtor, and a teacher, and a husband, and everything else I do to hop on the latest tech bandwagon that rolls by.