Well, duh, you say. But you'd never know it with all the fuss over whatever latest & greatest way there is for us to all bore each to death with announcements of listings stay in touch. As I wrote last month, I've even been told that "If I don't Twitter, I'll fail." (as a real estate agent? As a writer? As a human bean?)
I'm among the crowd who "just doesn't get it." Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know - those of you IN the know are tired of hearing that from those of us who are apparently too lazy or stupid to figure IT out, so over the weekend, I dived in and created a Twitter account. After much cursing and venting, I am now an official Twitterer... and I still say "I don't get it."
But whether or not Jennifer is too dumb to Get It is not the point of my blog today. (To read my point, visit Marty LaChance's featured blog - he says it beautifully and I'll just say "Uh, what HE said.")
My point (aside from the one Marty beat me to) is to say that we in America have a crisis. An economic crisis, a real estate crisis, a mortgage crisis. No kidding, right? And I promise you, my friends, that the solution to our collective crises is NOT to be found on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn. No, not even if all users "really know how to use social media."
I believe that we in the real estate community have a tremendous opportunity in front of us to both help solve the crises that have crippled our industry, and once and for all prove our value to the suspicious general public who has long wondered what on earth we DO for those breathtaking amounts of money.
- We can properly price our listings.
- We can refuse (politely and respectfully, of course) to accept overpriced listings so that our market doesn't appear even more sluggish than it already is.
- We can help our sellers prepare their homes for market and make sure they understand the realities of BEING on the market (so they don't innocently sabotage our efforts).
- We can understand the nuances of FHA financing, or have a relationship with a fantastic mortgage broker who does.
- We can think creatively and be able to communicate our epiphanies to the people who need to help us implement them.
- We can take great photos.
- We can own lockboxes that work.
- We can stay on top of our market.
In a nut, we can do our jobs. We can be exceptional real estate agents. We can do what it takes to get houses sold and closed.
None of which has anything to do Twittering. Oh, I understand that social media is not intended to sell more houses - it's touted (in our industry at least) as a prospecting medium. A way to stay in touch with the people we know - and there's nothing wrong with that! But, as Marty so eloquently says in his blog "Twitter is useful for delivering breaking news...real estate is not breaking news."
So, enjoy the relationships you build on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or MySpace. But please don't forget that social media is probably not the answer to selling that lingering listing or getting your FHA buyer to closing. If we can do more of THAT, we CAN positively affect the economy. And then we'll sell lots more houses!
The Summer of Soul continues on June 6th with "Introverts are (Sales)People, too!"
Read More Here
Thank you for this post. I was begining to wonder if my Real Estate career was suffering because I was not tweeting. I didnt think it was but your post about the fundamentals is the way to go
Jennifer, you are absolutely correct. Here's the thing. There are many ways to do business. Twitter is just another tool. It is not for everyone! I teach a Social Media Networking CE class at our local board, and let the agents know -- it is not the end all be all! Great post!
Charlie - I was wondering some of the same. If I were missing some big chunk of business because I refused to Twitter. But I'm laughing at myself because I always preach to TRUST YOUR GUT and my gut was telling me that all this social media hype is not something I need to spend my time mastering. That might change... and when/if it does, I'll figure it out. But I'm not going to spend another minute stressing over my lack of affection for social media'ing.
Thank you! If we cannot do our jobs properly...all the networking in the world will not do it for us. Ultimately we have to deal face to face with the customer.
Marney - Exactly! So many agents feel inadequate because they haven't figured out how to use this social media they keep hearing about, but as you say - rest assured there are many paths to success and one path doesn't quite make sense to you... it's probably not RIGHT for you!
Jim - CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP!!!!!
One must have several clubs in their bag to win at real estate like golf. One does not use only the driver.
Jennifer love this post...I get twitter and the uses...but the reality...if you cannot do what is required as a real estate agent...no social network is going to save your career...BTW..I not always the best twit..I get it...but I tend to spend more time face to face.
I'm not a Twitter-aholic, although I do use it daily for updating. We should all network, all the time. Twitter is just a form of networking. Although using the word "fail" when not using Twitter is plain stupid. BUT don't hate the avenue just because you don't embrace it. Frankly, who cares if you work FSBO's and Factories instead of networking online via Twitter. The fact is just do something and stick to it. If youare successful not using Twitter, must you dive in? I'd advise people to give it a try, it can b very powerful. But like any other pillar of your business it takes LOTS of time to benefit from. And you have to weigh that time versus other options.
Yep, never had a "tweet" close a deal. I twitter but not yet convinced why!
Gary - You just sparked an idea for a blog!!!! Stay tuned.
Steve - I agree 100%!
Midori - I SO wish more in our industry understood this basic principle...
Harry - No? Oops, maybe that's my problem!
There is not one solution to the problem. Interesting questions and insight
Great post Jennifer! I tried this weekend too to get to know Twitter a little better, but am still not convinced that the time was well spent. I believe wholeheartedly in eyeball to eyeball networking and in some cases the social networking has helped me achieve that. By inviting people to events through social networking and then having them show up is a wonderful and FREE avenue for me. I love the advertising and marketing aspect of it because it fits into my limited budget.
I think it also depends upon what your goal is a business person. My market is local, so twitter helps me zero to one percent in achieving that goal. Facebook is a little different because there are several in our local market that have joined. My guess is that someone like you who wants to market a book/seminar globally could use twitter as an avenue to achieve that.
Doing what fits you and your business plan is key - that may or may not include social networking. Thanks for the great insights - your posts are always enlightening!
Sorry to differ. .you are missing the point. . you are not in the real estate business.. .you are in the RELATIONSHIP business and twiter and facebook are just tools to accomplish that.
I use Twitter for social networking and facebook for the same things. Sometimes I go days without checking in on either site.
Why?
Business comes first, real business.
I was on a panel at the ReTechSouth and with some top social media folks. When asked the question, where our business came from everyone said their Blog. That is the place, to focus when we have time. That brings in referrals and phone calls, and closings.
Fernando - thanks for differing! I shall differ too... I am in the real estate business. I sell houses for a living. That is my priority. And the vast majority of my business comes from past clients who were happy with my service. While other agents are off networking, I am taking care of my buyers and sellers. To me, this has always been the best prospecting strategy!
Jennifer, I have been on twitter for a couple of months - facebook too. I get facebook, but it is definitely social, not too much business.. even though many of my "friends" are truly business associates... Twitter, I try, I don't like... but so far it is not paying off. Probably not doing enough... I do think the amount of effort that might make a difference... just more than I can see spending...
Twitter has barely touched the radar screen here. The fade will be gone and New Orleans may have missed another fade. The locals tend to like face to face and a call now and then. A large amount of my business comes from my blogs and sites but there is only so much time if you are busy.
You made some great points.
I can see that different things work for different folks, and some people are really good at keeping up with all the latest. But in my opinion, some people abuse these new avenues of connecting. I see some agents on the Localism site post listing after listing, and the same one over and over so they can stay front and center. Anyone interested in going to that site for some local information better forget about it. Sorry, off the topic. I am not a twitterer either, but I love this Active Rain platform.
Jennifer I read your email and laughed out loud. Twitter is still a mystery to me and I am not sure if I will ever be ready to crack that nut. I am just getting used to blogging. More importantly what you said about the importance of agents taking listings that are priced correctly and respectfully refusing to take over priced listings is spot on. Good blog.
As an old philosophy major I will state that the definition of metaphysics should be the first philospophy as defined by Aristotle, which would be the foundation of all other inquiries about reality. What you describe is exactly that, and I don't believe those values have changed. What twitter and other internet sites can be is a delivery system that has a much farther reach than the local newspaper and chance meetings at home can give us. They can work hand in hand, and we then have to see how these delivery systems are going to develop. For us to get involved in them can help shape their future. No I don't twitter while I'm driving, nor do I think that telling people i am smelling the coffee is news worthy. But a blog update about something important to the local community, or my seller needs max exposure. Get the fundamentals right first, then populate like crazy.
Jennifer, social media is just a small part ofReal estate for marketing and making connections. You do what fit's you and your overall marketing plan and peopleyou are reaching. There ia always room for the new and the old and not everybody is comfortable with the social Media form.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts
Bettina
LOL Such a true post! I think some people actually hurt their business with all the social media. You can get wrapped up on here for hours when you should be out prospecting and advertising your business.
Sincerely,
Kathleen
Jennifer -
When the going gets tough, the tough get Back to Basics.
Social Media is not a basic - just a new way to communicate. How many of us know agents that are all over Facebook, Twitter, Plaxo, and the like - and are still flat broke?
No subsitute for doing the basics of any business - as flawlessly as you can!
DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
Jennifer, all the social networking we do is usually fun and easy, so of course agents want to do the fun and easy things they think will sell a house. If you do all those items on your list, you are putting in some time and hard work to earn those "breath taking amounts of money". Social networking is just a compliment to all the tools in our marketing arsenal.
Hi Jennifer, Now if the one's who do what is on your list would just read it and "get" it so the market will start to move! I like this post: it hits the nail on the head!
If a Buyer or Seller is very active in several Social Media platforms and is being courted by two PROFESSIONAL Realtors (one active in Social Media and the other not) the Realtor active in Social Media has an edge. This is just like the Buyers or Sellers whom opt for texting. If the Realtor does not text it's a disadvantage for that Realtor. Social Media does not replace knowledge and professionalism, it's an added advantage with the Buyers and Sellers of the future.
Sergio - good point. If a prospect or client is a social media gal or guy, then being there is a plus. IF it's a good fit for you. Personally, I have trouble sticking with something that I don't enjoy or see the value of.
Karen - YES!!!!!! And I promise you, a moving market will result in far more closings (and thus paychecks) than all the Twittering in the world!
Lisa - Thank you for getting it.
Dean - Yep. Of course, there are also agents who cold-call, FSBO, SOI and farm who are flat broke...
Kathleen - or, marketing your listings or helping your buyers negotiate a tough inspection!
Bettina - Do what feels right and that'll work way better than something that doesn't!
Jennifer: Thank you. I too am unsure how social media ultimately impacts our business. I recently attended a seminar on social media. The presenters were obviously high on the concept. I shot my hand up and asked if they had tracked how much business was coming their way by being optimized. Most of the panelists didn't know. Personally I think a person has to know. Not that I don't think we should have a website, be on Facebook and post Twitter updates. But if it starts to eat into our time of doing the more traditional things such as phone calls, coffees, Open Houses, etc., etc. I think we're in trouble! Just my 2 cents. Thanks again!
Good morning Jennifer, great post!
Yes I Facebook (Facebook can be a verb) but only for social contact. I have a Twitter account but I don't know why.
I think it is human nature to look for the silver bullet. Diet pills that help you lose weight while you sleep, the new exercise gadget that will give you six packs abs (men only please) or thinner thighs.
Kitchen gizmos that will help you eat a healthy diet in addition to saving you so much time you will be able to take up a new hobby.
As far as Social Networking I think that everyone needs to be there. If for no other reason just be there.
Heck I have a fax number that is dutifully put on my business card, email signature and many other places and I do not know why. If I have received more that 2 faxes in the past year I will buy lunch for everyone who comments on this post.
You do have to admit one good thing about Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn and Twitter...they are priced right!
I wholeheartedly agree with the opportunity before us as a real estate community in this market to reclaim our reputation and your list of the basics that actually get the job done, but I respectfully disagree that social media can still be a useful communication tool for networking, prospecting, marketing, etc. I'm a firm believer in "the secret"....in that if you don't believe it's for you then it automatically doesn't work. That's also not to say that everyone should be tweeting either.
Chuck - you make a great point (well, lots of them, but one I want to comment on). All these programs are FREE. If they were not free, would we so enthusiastically embrace them?
Gosh, sounds exactly like what I've been telling sellers for years now.
Price, Condition, Terms will sell any house.
* We can properly price our listings.
* We can refuse (politely and respectfully, of course) to accept overpriced listings so that our market doesn't appear even more sluggish than it already is.
* We can help our sellers prepare their homes for market and make sure they understand the realities of BEING on the market (so they don't innocently sabotage our efforts).
* We can understand the nuances of FHA financing, or have a relationship with a fantastic mortgage broker who does.
* We can think creatively and be able to communicate our epiphanies to the people who need to help us implement them.
* We can take great photos.
* We can own lockboxes that work.
* We can stay on top of our market.
Jennifer- I've walked a few miles or months in your shoes. I got a twitter account. And I gotta tell you I had a little fun following Astro_Mike (from outerspace on the shuttle mission), but as far as real estate- I don't get it either. And frankly like the commercial says 27% of people who just heard that don't know what twitter is, I think my clients are from that 27%. Over 90% of my client base is over 50. Not that they can't learn about twitter, but most of them are just figuring out email.
I have a Twitter account and my AR posts tweet automatically (I think). Otherwise, I don't tweet or for that matter even know much about tweeting or see the value.
Social network may initially connect you to a prospective client. Excellent customer service will keep them and bring them back and net referrals.
The things you are talking about that we need to do better as agents have to do with training our agents to be more professional from the get go. That is about better real estate entry standards and training. Maybe you can start a hashtag on twitter trying to rally the other agents to be more proactive in advocating for higher standards...
If an agent is spending all of their time online and can't get the basics of the profession done, then that person has a problem prioritizing their time and needs better training and supervision. Learning how to incorporate social media into a business plan takes some thought. There is always the next bandwagon to jump onto. The question agents have to ask themselves is "does this bandwagon make sense in MY business plan." If it doesn't, wait for the next bandwagon...there is always one.
Social media is not about real estate... It is about being able to connect to other people and tell them what your are doing... I just happen to be doing a lot of real estate and I let my tweeps and FB friends know... I have been able to connect to people who I have not seen or heard from in a long time and I for one think it is great and a good way to touch someone on a regular basis...
Social Media can help but if its not your thing, its not the end of the world.
You are right - you need to maintain the qualities of an agent that you describe. That is the core to any agent.
But social networking isn't all that bad - - I have a client who reconnect with old friends, family and colleagues through LinkedIn and Facebook and they generate a lot of referrals for him.
Hi Jennifer~ You should probably add to your list that we should answer our phones and return phone calls if we couldn't answer it at the time! And make sure we don't let our voice mailbox be FULL so that a message can't be left. Most of the social media sites have the potential to improve our business. It is really a matter of timing, that is all.
I use Twitter and Facebook more for socializing. I did get a referral from a friend, who would have forgotten about me, had I not been on Facebook. Do I spend hours on either? NO WAY.
I have found it very difficult to do "all things" they say is necessary to keep my business in check. I know I have been so busy for weeks with Real Estate, that I haven't had time to "Tweet". It takes time to build relationships and I haven't had the time. When I do log on, I see the same people, over and over and I wonder how they have time to sell? Maybe I don't manage my time as well, who knows. I have learned some wonderful things from links people share, so I plan on using these tools as much as possible.
I finally had to prioritize. Family, Real Estate, then social networking. Who knew it would be a full time job?
What works for one may or may not work for another. I had an agent that told me that this particular agent did not even have a website. I told them that agent did over $30mm last year. Some need to take a look in the mirror and see what really works and what is flash. It is all about building relationships and converting them. How you do it is up to you.
Nice post.
Sell on...........
Jennifer - AMEN! BRAVO! Finally, someone who understands that our job is to do what we are paid to do, whether it's selling real estate or loans. My job is to originate mortgage loans and a majority of my clients are referrals from people who already know, like, trust and respect me. They are people who have already worked with me before and know how good I am with clients and how good I am at my job.
I don't twitter (or is it tweet) and while I do see some benefit to the whole social media thing, in the nine months that I've been blogging I do have one success story to speak of. That being the case, social media is not my main source of business. Therefore, I must continue to serve my referrals (who are my main source of business) by getting face to face to establish new relationships.
Personally, I have never been able to establish a relationship in 140 characters or less. For those that can, more power to you but that doesn't mean those of us who don't aren't in business.
I use Twitter more as a learning tool than a prospecting tool. I follow a lot of RE bloggers and find it a great way to know when they update their blogs without having to check each one every day. Sometimes there are also great conversations about that is going on in the market that I wouldn't be able to participate in if I weren't on Twitter.
I follow a few local people on Twitter, and they follow me back in kind, but do I consider them prospects? No.
I have found that when I post links to my website and blog my hits do increase, and that, hopefully, will bump me up in the search engines. But right now that's insignificant to me, I'm just in to Twitter for the education and current events conversations.
I was announcing blog posts via twitter, and that went automatically to Facebook, because I read posts that said we should do that. Then I read posts that said we shouldn't, so I stopped. But then people came up to me at church and said they miss reading my real estate posts on Facebook. So, now I'm doing it again. It may never lead directly to a deal, but it's easy and if it gives folks a reason to chat with other folks about me, bravo!
It is my belief that Real Estate Agents are in the business of building relationships and selling themselves, and the house is just the final vehicle that allows us to earn a fee for our great work.
Anybody can sell a house, I have seen plenty of morons close a deal......but only few agents, the ones in the top 10% (or on their way there) actually take the time to do their job correctly, listen to their client, and make a real relationship happen.
Twitter and Facebook are just tools that can help, but by no means a quick solution to a lack of sales. There are so many other ways to build relationships, and the power of doing a solid job should NEVER be underestimated.
I know many of you do not GET Twitter, and I promise you that many folks who are pounding away at you for this have no idea what they are doing either. LOL
There is a science to Twitter, and the end goal should be to drive traffic to your REAL money-maker, your blog!
My advice is for people to start looking at Twitter in the same way you look at Google. That is what the tech geeks experts are doing, and that is what I am doing!
Figure out the best way to use this tool that will drive traffic to your blog, and build a few relationships along the way.
While I have improved my business via Twitter and FaceBook, I have never stopped using old school tools like cold calling, door knocking, maiings, and attending networking events to actually shake the real hands of others.
Thanks for the great post, and I appreciate your point of view!
- Harrison Painter
I've got nothing to twitter. Does that make me a twit?
I've got nothing to twitter. Does that make me a twit?
That was 54 characters, so I posted it twice.
Jennifer, you are my kind of gal and the top producers I know NONE of them are on Twitterer and Facebook. So truly, what is all the fuss?
Yeah Jennifer! Well said. I love Active Rain but I don't expect it to make me a success. You're right, we need to do our jobs and do them well and that will bring success. Then we can write about that here.
I don't disagree that social media is another way to connect with people who can and will lead us to business. If it's something that feels right and you enjoy it, then by all means, Twitter away. But it scares me a little to see how many in our industry seem to feel that it's our JOB to network and build relationships, and therefore, when we're doing these activities (whether on Facebook or at lunch or at a BNI meeting), we're fulfulling our duties as licensed real estate professionals. I guess that's a soapbox for a different blog, but I'll say it again - the very best prospecting I've ever done is to make my current clients my priority, and serve them accordingly. Believe me, they notice!
Donne - Always lovely to hear from you - SERIOUSLY. I love the way you think.
Ed - you, too. You, too.
Jennifer: Just cuz it's there, doesn't mean it's for you...
To me, you are the definition of someone who get's it. You're on Active Rain so you've taken your conversation online and participate. You share your story and point of view and you bring value...
Rene'
Great to read your post and see that others agree that Twitter isn't necessary in order to do our jobs well. Like any marketing tool, it has it's place but I use other tools much more effectively (including my A/R blog). I think Twitter is very well-promoted and will eventually be replaced by the next big thing.... There is simply no replacement for taking care of your existing clients and marketing in your local area for new ones, using whatever methods work best.
In looking for ways to improve my own marketing, I've wondered if getting into social media is the way to go. I see the value and may do it yet but I think of what a past virtual assistant told me: "Facebook & Twitter are great if that's a natural way of comunicating for you. If not, that's not the answer for you right now."
So, Jennifer, I'm with you. My goal is to sell houses!
Hi Jennifer. Interesting.
I guess everyone has different styles and tools to use.
Choose what works best for you...
Thanks for writing,
Ken
Hi Jennifer, what a relielf to know that somebody else thinks that twittering and tweeting is not necessary. When I first heard of Twitter, I thought it must be for teenagers. I was shocked that grown professionals are twittering and tweeting. But that's just me!
No doubt, WE can be the answer to this economy. Great Post. The housing industry can DEFINITELY lead us out of this recession. As you are aware, so many things happen when a home sells. Just to sell 1 extra home a month, just one extra, not only helps "your" economy, it helps the economy as a whole.
Thank you
"we can do our jobs" .... well said, it's easy to spend too much time on social network sites, my current clients can do a great job of networking and spreading the word about me when I do a great job for them.
Jennifer..I use twitter maybe once a week if that; and I use Facebook...about the same. When I have the time, I'll socialize.
Hi Jennifer - I have two comments.
First, I support your theory that focusing on the basics of client service is primary to our job. No amount of social media has any merit if you are not competant in serving the needs of your current clients. My "pet peeve" is the inability of many listing agents to take good photos and give attractive descriptions of homes they have been hired to sell. I think that sellers should hire Marketing Managers and many listing agents do not qualify for the job.
Second, I think you may be missing the point of social media like Twitter and Facebook. Not only are they "social" in nature - but they give the prospective clients a chance to "spy" on someone before they contact them. It is much easier and quicker to do that on these newer social media than reading blogs. BOTTOM LINE: We need to follow the lead of our prospective clients and THEY are migrating to these media in the millions. It is called "inbound marketing" and it is becoming a vital part of the marketing mix.
Kathi - I'll buy that! In fact, I like it - a lot!
Sara - VERY well-put. Satisfied clients are the very best form of social networking!!! Brilliant!
Jennifer right on sister! I ask weekly what the heck are you creating from twitter to a few younger folks and they say....great coversations and debates and then they say... that relationships. I ask them if they're doing biz on twitterand they say it's not about that. Ok....whatever works for them. Personally I check in on my twitter maybe once every couple of weeks and I wonder who the heck these people are following me. The only posts that go there are my AR posts. I guess people like that cause they keep signing up??
I am a true believer in basics and consistency in our business. Business doens't get accomplished if all that isn't in place. It's a simple as that.
Thanks for starting this conversation!
I completely relate to your post, Jennifer. I'm just getting into blogging, and now I'm supposed to be on Facebook and Twitter, too? When will I have the time to give really great service to my clients? I still need to know my inventory, and do all the other activities we need to do for prospecting and for closing transactions (great list you put together). Not to mention family time!
I wonder what indispensable, undeniable, gotta-do-it social media site will be next?
Jennifer, I would agree with you to a point. The thing that social media does correctly is put us out there. People can read about what we do, what is important to us, and other types of information that takes a long time to build rapport. It shortens the sales cycle for those prospects that choose to use it.
AR is the only social network I'm involved in. Frankly I think this push to be a part of a social network is just another avenue to talk about. I've been on AR for over 2 years and have yet to get one lead out it. The information is good and I enjoy that part of it.
Patricia Aulson/Portsmouth NH Real Estate
Very well written, Jennifer!!!!
I definitely don't think its a necessity but it is a great tool to keep in touch with your SOI.
My brother and I were talking about this just the other day. The reality is that blogging and all of the social media I use is actually work that I do IN ADDITION to all of the work I have always done as a Realtor. It takes a toll as I have far less time to relax so I am still trying to figure out what works best for me. I think that is how each one of us has to look at all of these options.
Hi Jennifer....I thoroughly enjoyed your blog and even went to your site and read the downloadable beginning of your book....you and I are of the same mindset. Selling with soul is a way of life....the golden rule will prevail. I have read all of the comments so far and want to make one of my own.
I have been trying to teach myself about the ins and outs of social networking and I have a presence on facebook, linkedin, naymz, plaxo, twitter and my favorite, ActiveRain. There are not enough hours in the day for me to continously connect on all of these sitea. I have discovered great personal satisfaction with ActiveRain.....I can post my blogs, add intereting content and photos on Localism and enjoy wonderful interaction with others across the country that respond. I have discovered numerous people whom I love to follow and have many that comment frequently on my posts. But, this is about giving and not about selling.
I haven't utilized ActiveRain for my listings....and I want to think seriously about it before I do. Sharing with others brings great personal satisfaction and hopefully, I provide some smiles and interesting information to others.
Thank you for your blogging. I will continue to follow you.
Jennifer--Everyone wants that one magic pill or idea that will miraculaously fix everything but as you said just doing our jobs right is the best thing we can do. Not everyone is going to get Twitter or even want to use it. Just cause it works for some won't mean it will work for everyone. Time to stop looking for a quick solution and get to work. Good post!
Great post, Jennifer, thanks for saying what I've been thinking for a while...I don't get it either. But, I, too, have established a twitter account, and have a brand new facebook account as well to go along with my linkedIn account and of course, Active Rain. I figure even if all this doesn't get me "clients" at least I can have someone to commiserate with!
Jennifer:
I agree with you in regards to Twitter, in fact I made a blog post titled Five Tweets You DON'T Want to Get. You might find it interesting.
Calzephyr
Jennifer,
Great post, stir up the pot and watch it flow. As far as networking not solving our current problems in the market. I for one think we need to reform Gov't. Bad polices and special interest by both parties I think created this problem. Having said that, I remember being at a real estate seminar. They said embrace technology or you will be a dinosaurs. What is the figure 85% of buyers are looking on line. So social networking, developing SEO skills and learning from Activerain, Facebook, Twitter are great tools. Hey I learn a lot from the gang in the Rain from different networks. So what ever works for you, do it well.
Steve
Here in my little WNC market, if I talked to anybody besides realtors or IT pros, twitter and tweets mean birds, facebook means a photographic tome in the local bookstore--wait, we don't even have a bookstore! -- and even active rain means the product of the thunderstorms that've been prevalent here lately, just as we've all planted our gardens. Love you all for the social (realtor) networking, but I've yet to get a viable client thru this medium that I adore. I'm sure it differs in large metro areas, but just like real estate, social networking is a local commodity. Here, social networking still means going to high school and jr. high football games, church socials, downtown business association and city council meetings.
That's all to say, doing my job well is first, last and everything. Always will be, past the trend of tweeting. and it is a trend, make no mistake. the more relevant objectives of building a national community online, that's good. That'll grow. Tweets will not. I'm just saying...
chirp, chirp, Charlene
Jennifer, you said:
We can refuse (politely and respectfully, of course) to accept overpriced listings so that our market doesn't appear even more sluggish than it already is.
This, I think, was a more important statement that pointing out that twitter and all of the other social media sites will not get houses sold (which is also true, imho).
Three cheers for an eloquent post!
We have so many social networks now that if you tried to keep up with all of them you wouldn't have time to speak to a client, let alone show a house or take a listing. I like Twitter - I'm following some interesting people and it's fun to follow their links when I have a little extra time. But I'm not going to spend time there hoping to find copywriting clients.
As for Facebook, LinkedIn, and the others - I haven't even figured out what to do if I go there. What's more, I'm not going to take the time to figure it out.
I do visit Active Rain - because I like reading the blog posts. And I write a post of my own now and then when I think I have something useful to add. But still... only when I have time.
I love your list of things you can do for this economy. But you missed one that I'll bet you do: LISTEN to your buyers and help them find exactly the home they need without spending 10 days looking at the wrong homes.
Keep up the good work!
I am on twitter (and consider myself above average in internet marketing) but I still don't get it either :-)
I've been on Twitter for awhile and am still trying desperately to "get" it.
I'll be honest with you, I love Active Rain but I am yet to put much stock into social media networking. Whenever I see a lot of people doing the same thing I get a little skeptical.
It's so good to know I'm not alone.
I really like reading the blogs on Active Rain, but that's about it. I understand Facebook and enjoy the socialization, and have sold two homes this year from it, but Twitter is a whole other story. Just don't get it. Still trying tho.
Mary Lou Cherry
It's nice to know that it's the basics that matter not some newfangled new media.
AH-H-H-H that's the sound of my relief in hearing that not tweeting or facebooking will not mean doomsday for me and for my business. AND it's even nicer that this message is coming from a very informed member of a much younger generation. My kids and grandkids were appalled that I wasn't (and don't) regularly use those sites. THANKS Jennifer for a very interesting and informative blog.
So what exactly is blogging if not a form of social media? Twitter is just micro-blogging. And it's just one of the tools in the toolbox. No agent HAS to use Twitter, Facebook, etc., but it works for some; and respectfully, how can you criticize what you admittedly say you don't get? I've gotten great leads from social media and I also know how to do the other parts of my job. They are not mutually exclusive.
Here is a simple truth in real estate....
Talking to lots of people increases your chance for success.
Whether you knock on doors, make cold calls, warm calls, call expireds or FSBO's, or communicate through Facebook or LinkedIn or Twitter..... what matters is how many people you speak with per day and are you looking to find a deal in each of these conversations.
In reality....
Social Media is just a new strategy for making contact with people. It is not necessary however it can be used successfully. Perhaps a different way of viewing these technologies is the following:
Most real estate sales are somehow related to a change in someone's life. Change is the seed of opportunity in real estate. The different social networks like Facebook and LinkedIn and Twitter can give you access to changes taking place in someone's life that may ultimately lead to the purchase or sale of real estate. The idea is not to just buiild massive numbers of friends and followers. The idea is to pay attention to what people are doing to see if there is deal waiting to happen. Networks like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter open the doors to your sphere of influence and their sphere in a dynamic new way!!
Most agents don't pick up the phone often enough because they don't think they have a good reason to call people. The Social Networks give you plenty of reasons to call people. Go on your Facebook page right now and you will see plenty of people updating you on their lives. Pick up the phone and find out what changes are taking place and do any of these changes relate to real estate.
Opportunity is everywhere. It doesn't discriminate. It is at the door. It is on the phone. It is at a swim meet. It is in line at Starbucks. It is on Facebook. There is never a lack of opportunity, only a lack of recognition and action.
Steve
PS If you want to connect with 300+ top agents who are striving to sell a home or more each week click here http://www100daychallenge.ning.com.
Jennifer: I decided a while ago that NOT using Twitter would NOT make me a Twit. I think it is silly. What do I care what brand of poddy paper 437 of my closest friends use ? (Well... there might be one or two I might be curious about... but I cannot go into that here... in public... LOL)
In my opinion... I just think the whole Twitter thing is very juvenile. Give me face-to-face contact with a much-smaller group... and then build relationships with them... and I will be just fine. Thanks for sharing... take care...
PART Two: Just reading the comment above this... by Steve Shull... I disagree that what matters is how many people you "speak" with per day... with the hopes of finding a "deal" in each of these conversations. Communicate through Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn ? Really... how much of an actual real, person-to-person relationship can you foster and nourish ? And... I do not do "deals." Sorry... but I dislike that word very much. Maybe it's ok for The Donald... but not for Miss Karen Anne.
Yes... it may be somewhat of a "numbers" game... but I much prefer quality to quantity. Just an old-fashioned girl from Cleveland helping people solve their real estate problems here in Fort Worth. Once again... take care.
I'm not going to argue Twitter's case but I will tell you that I am a very regular user of Twitter and spending a weekend on Twitter doesn't give you a clue of what it is about. It's like blogging ... most realtors want immediate results and if they don't get them after 3 posts, they are done. There is a reason why many brilliant people and dynamic corporations utilize Twitter. It's not for everyone ... you are correct, but neither is Active Rain or Inman or Selling With Soul.
You might want to read Patrick Kitano's post about the Breaking News sites here:
Ten Steps to Create an Enthusiastic Community Network around YOU
Real estate is not rocket science, but I respectfully suggest that the list of things stated in your post, while certainly 'timely,' does not lend itself to even acknowledging that a MAJOR shift is happening in our industry.
I have many more years of experience as a RE paralegal than as a Broker/Realtor, and I am for the most part a referring agent at the present time because of the direction I am heading with my business.
Here in Metro West Boston we are doing that already. I can't speak for everyone but in my area we are working very hard as professionals. Now back when the market collapsed I might not have been able to say the same thing. And since then many agents have left the business. Perhaps we are left with just the committed professionals now.
Jennifer,
I agree with your headline - Twitter will not solve the housing crisis.
Actually, though, I've never heard any Twits (people who use Twitter) say that it would solve the housing crisis.
Solving the housing crisis and keeping pace with new tools to do our jobs better are two completely different subjects.
We, as Realtors can do our part to help - all the things you put in your list are great. Ultimately the national housing crisis will be solved when inventory is down and unemployment stops growing. We only have limited control of those things.
As I embrace the new technologies, it isn't going to make more people buy houses. It will, however,help more of those folks who ARE going to buy and sell, choose me as their Realtor. This doesn't help the housing crisis but it can help me earn a living.
Those things, along with tons of others all are geared towards one thing and one thing alone - letting as many people as possible become aware and stay aware of your existence and your expertise so that when they are ready, they MIGHT call you.
Twitter, FB, public blogs, MySpace, LinkedIn, etc are just additional tools to put your name out there.
I only starting using Twitter a few months ago and it takes some time to figure out how to use it. I have only about 25 followes, but 6 of them are former clients. Last week I had a young couple that relo'd here about a year ago and bought a condo with me send me a "Tweet" asking me for the name of someone to fix her fridge. I responded in about a minute. Now - they get my newsletter, my calendar and birthday cards - but since she uses Twitter and needed some help - she chose that route to reach out to me.
Did that put any money in my pocket today? Of course not. In the "old days" lots of clients call the Realtors for help on stuff like that - but if I had not been on Twitter, she might have just gone to the phone book. I also followed up with her and found that it was fixed but it only has so much life left in it.
This gives me the opportunity to send her some info when I see some good price on a fridge somewere and maintain my value to her.
I'm not going to "fail" if I stop using Twitter but why would I stop? It's one more great, FREE tool to market myself. It's nothing more.
The other side of the coin, is not to get addicted to it. Online stuff is cool. You have to get past the coolness and use it only in a manner that will help your business. Technology should never be used for the sake of using it.
FINALLY!!!!
Jennifer, Thank you, Thank you. Thank you.
I am an old school Internet marketer. I've lived through chat rooms, discussion boards, instant messaging, and now blogs and social networks.
I am on record as predicting that this whole SocNet phenomenon that has gripped the ActiveRain community for the last 12 to 18 months would collapse after 12 to 18 months. So, right on schedule, here it comes....
But I am not an agent. I am a marketer. I have been demanding a return on investment for all of this time spent tweeting and otherwise posting a wall of words. But nobody was listening to me. I was outcast to the sidelines.
Jennifer, your post is the first real HONEST break in that ice, coming directly from the agent community. You are obviously opening the floodgates discontent that was INEVITIBLE.
Hre's the real deal...This stuff DOES work, for some people. Many of those people hold themselves out as coaches or socnet gurus. Many of you linked to them, added the to your follow lists, added then to your blogrolls, friends lists, etc. The gurus would then tell you how wonderful it works for THEM. Many of them went to the top of the search rankings, all because YOU ALL LINKED TO THEM.
What they can't do it explain how YOU can duplicate THEIR success. You can try. But if YOU are not a guru, you will get very little traction.
Second, this is complex. Blog here, post there, tweet this, add that tool or widget to your blog and Facebook and twitter account. It takes full time to keep up with "bleeding edge" advice, and then more time to actually do it. I talk to many agetns who simply do not have that time, dislike writing, and have great search rankings sending leads their way anyhow. They have no need to for this endless task of keystroking your live away.
Folks, this was all a novelty when times were the worst. All it cost was time. Now that the market is changing, who has time to pursue all of this?
Meanwhile, I still see example after of example of agent sites that do not yet have basic optimization in place, and no links of any importance. A fraction of the time spent on this social networking gambits could be applied to proper optimization, with a subsequent improvement in search rankings.
Sorry folks, Google is still the 800 pound gorilla in the Web marketing room. Until you have addressed that, everything else is just beating around the bushes.
Return on investment. It always comes back to ROI. And, as I predicted about 12 months ago, many agents will spend (have spent) precious time on this and get no ROI whatsoever. Just wasted time.
Should you have a Facebook and LinkedIn account, and use them widely? Sure, and maybe others. It's foolish to ignore such powerful communities. Will you sell a house if you spend all day on blogs and tweets and the rest? Maybe not.
There will always be a small contingent that swears by all of this. But, for the vast majority of agents, it seems that the end of the fascination with all of this is approaching. Socnet is another tool. It's a tool that takes enormous amounts of time to pursue successfully. Some people will apply themselves to it, regardless of the time required.
But it is about time that the question of ROI and skill set is finally addressed. It's been blissfully ignored by the socnet cheerleaders in this business.
thanks...I just needed to add notification.....
Hi Jennifer. Still thinking about this one.
Are you trying to solve the real estate crisis?
Really.
I don't think it is our job.
No one said Twitter would solve it anyway. Just a great way to stay connected.
Ken
Ken & Rick & others, No, I don't think anyone ever said Twitter would solve the housing crisis, so if that's what my blog implied, it shouldn't have! My point is more that I wish our industry would focus more on figuring out what we can DO to solve the crisis instead of constantly obsessing over the latest & greatest new toy to prospect with. If we would all commit to doing our part to get the sluggish economy moving again, we'd all have more paychecks to enjoy, and more clients to serve, thus distracting us from our prospecting woes.
This is a topic I can soapbox on all day long and it saddens me that very few people join me on that soapbox. People - LET'S DO OUR JOBS to the best of our abilities and sell some houses! While we can't turn the economy around ourselves, we can certainly make a big impact if we focus less on bright shiny prospecting gadgets & gimmicks and more on serving the clients we're already honored to have.
That's all I'm sayin'
Amen Sister! I'm a pretty geeky gal, and I DON'T GET TWITTER. Now, Facebook, on the other hand, I LOVE! I love reconnecting with my childhood friends, family, and people who have seriouly shaped my life. Not to mention friends and associates within my small town community. It's fabulous! I'm been able to connect/reconnect with so many wonderful people. They all know I'm a real estate broker - whoopee. They don't need to be bogged down daily with info on my listings or my business. In fact, I don't think they really care unless they're looking to buy or sale, in which case, they'll let me know. I had to decide early on to make my Facebook page more "personal"--for people I really know and care about.
I get irritated with all of these blogs and notices about how important it is to be pushing your business on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and even Active Rain. I've already discussed Facebook, Twitter, I just don't get, LinkedIn is mostly for people looking for jobs and (in my opinion) Active Rain is a place where we (in the industry) come to learn more about the industry. I don't feel like your ability to be "seen" in these places makes you better at your job. And I don't even feel like having millions of blogs on Active Rain or elsewhere, gets you more business. In fact, I have a hard time understanding how brokers have the actual time to sit down and write hours of blogs. The only thing I got from it was big chunks of time in my day were gone. I'm busy!
Guess you hit a nerve there Jennifer. I've just been trying to figure out how all this social media is going to help me and it just leaves me chasing my tail. It's so great to read your blog and get confirmation on what I've already been thinking but no one else has said. I love your writings and am definitely a soul sister.
Dirk - you make a lot of good points about people trending in to the hottest thing that will eventually fizzle out. You also make a good point that the most successful Twits are those who are trying to sell their ideas on how to use the platform.
Where I veer away from what you say is that neither of those true statements should be used to jump the chasm to say that Twitter isn't a vaulable tool for Realtors. Just because something may become obsolete is not a reason to stay away from it. You shouldn't put all your eggs in the basket but a couple of eggs wouldn't hurt.
Twitter has evolved - the days of people using Twitter simply to post their daily comings and goings is gone
Very few Twits do that anymore. Some do - but the key is you can choose who to read.
You are 100% correct about ROI. My favorite business book is called THE GOAL bu Eli Goldratt. He states in there that no individual in any business should be spending any time on anything that isn't driving the bottom line.
There is ROI available from Twitter. It is NOTa full time job, by any means. There are tools to manage the process.
Some of the things I post, for example:
Remember - Twitter is not just for posting - it's for searching. It is not likely to replace Google but a lot of people use it to search. Go into Twitter search and type "[yourtown] real estate"]. See if any Realtors come up. See if you come up. Would you like to be on the list of people who come up or the list of people who do not come up. By posting entries on Twitter that are relevane to what people are interested in, will help you get "found" if people need what you offer. And it's a fairly level playing field. They don't have meta tags, keyword tags, SEO, etc. Everyone who posts is limited to the same 140 characters and what they say in those posts is what determines the results of the search. I'm sure there are some ways to exploit it but so far it works pretty well.
One of the tools is something called "Tweet Later". It allows you to write severals postings and schedule them for future delivery. While watching 60 Minutes on Sunday evenings, I write about 10 - 12 Tweets for delivery during the week. No big effort.
There are tools that enable you to post Tweets from your phone. So if you think of something worth writing while you are waiting in your Dentists office, you can post on Twitter.
Remember Twitter is merely another blog. It is a micro-blog which limits the post length to 140 characters. It's a free blog. It is just one more way of putting your name and your ideas in front of people. Since you can only post 140 characters it forces the writer to write succinctly.
www.mytechopinion.com is a website by Nicole Nicolay (Twitter name @nik_nik). She has some unbelievably great ideas on how to use techology but not let it take over your life. SHe has a free e-book called TWITTER FOR REAL ESTATE TWEETS. It's very good.
Could Twitter come an go? Absolutely - but it's not going in the next 12 - 18 months; and if the platform is replaced by something else, those who have built a good network of people on Twitter can migrate their network.
Jennifer -
I, also could talk about this all day - (but alas, TRW is calling).
The thing is this. Your cause of tyring to get Realtors to do a better job at their job is great. I am 100% behind you, for whatever my support means :).
I just don't get the idea that you have to choose between providing your customers with world class service and using Twitter. They simply are not mutally exclusive. One Realtor can do both.
Rick - you are correct and perhaps my analogy is flawed. But it generated a lot of interest, eh?
Jennifer...I think (like many others who commented) that there is most certainly a place for social media. End all, be all? Absolutely not. I, though, have benefited from both twitter and facebok in closed mortgages. Good post and yes...you got a lot of comments. Good for you. :)
I really do not get Tweeter either.
Completely agree that today's industry requires us to do our job better. Though there is a place for Twitter and Facebook, I like Marty's Twitter classification of "Spam 140 characters at a time" which characterizes the misuse of the tool.
I'm a Realtor and represent both buyers and sellers. I have a strong technology background and have worked for one of the top consulting firms in the world. I introduced UpdateLane.com to help us agents do our job. This doesn't replace the human interaction but it will keep you on top of your listings and transactions, allow you to post and share documents online, educate your clients on what you are doing and what the market is doing, and provide great customer service at both you and your clients convenience.
Good post.
Happy selling,
Dan
Jennifer--great post as always. I'm skirting around Twitter for now because I'm wary of yet another huge time-suck. Every time I turn around there's something to add to my list of stuff I oughta be doing. Thanks for bringing out a conversation that really helps me figure out how to prioritize.
I have a Twitter account but don't 'get it.' I rarely even look at it. I use Facebook occasionally---mostly to see what my kids are doing. They both seem like major time wasters to me. If I'm bored, I'll open facebook and look at my friend's pictures. Maybe I need a class to teach me why I need to be using these tools.
Social networking, yes or no?
The customer is king, and for agents that agree with that, they already know the answer about social networking. We as consumers are dictating the who, what, why, when, how. We have taken control of business. Think back to the gas prices, and what we all did about it. We said "screw you" to the auto industries gas guzzling SUV's and trucks. We brought the truck/SUV market to its knees. With social networking it's opening up another avenue of communication.
Quick true story..
A well known wine expert was staying at a hotel in Miami. It was 1:30am, and he and his friends were hanging by the pool talking/drinking. Where told that they had to go to the bar and hang out. They go inside to the bar, and then are told that they have to hang out by the pool. These guys weren't causing any problems. We'll he has over 40k followers on twitter. He tweets that the hotel people are hassling them about hanging out. Guess what happens....shortly after tweeting, the phone at the hotel starts ringing off the hook, people are calling and asking why they are giving them such a problem. The hotel employees weren't happy about it, and told them just to go to their room.
That is a perfect example of the power the consumer has. Think about how excited a buyer or seller is about you helping them buy/sell their property. It's a major announcement, and they will let their social networking friends know.
You may or not be up to speed with social networking, however the consumers will dictate whether you really need to be.
Bravo Jennifer,
You just summarized the nut and bolts of our profession. We can help our sellers prepare their homes for market. I even went as far as to paint the interior of a home for a seller who lived in another county. Soon after the paint job, the home sold and the seller was very grateful. Service is the key.
Very well said Jennifer! I love technology bu have also questioned some of the hype out there on various products. I think that whatever method we use to create/increase business, we need to do it well. Before taking hundreds of hours to get on every webisite out there and buy every got-to-have-it tech product, we need to know real estate and our market. After that, whatever is effective for us is what we should use.
Jennifer: We don't tweet or chirp or whatever the proper phrasing is. Not that we won't get there one day, but we're girls who haven't gotten on board with texting yet either. Maybe tomorrow! We're just not sure we really care to read about anyone's day that much. Really if someone sent a note about their listing or open house we agree we'd probably begin to get annoyed real fast. Might be the minority, but really don't want to be constantly bombarded with things that mundane!
You make an interesting point about social media, but I really don't think that there is just one method to successful marketing. It is important to have an itegrated campaign that fits your demographic. Researching your past clients and successfully sold homes will show you who your ideal client is and then you should be able to develop a marketing strategy to target that person.
Tweeting for the sake of tweeting will not bring success.
You have to go where your clients are. If that means online, so be it.
Another point to consider is whether your marketing strategy leads you to social media as a branding experience/SEO as opposed to generating a qualified lead.
Social media can be very useful if measured correctly and you are aiming for measureable business objectives. Your goal may be to drive traffic to your website through the benefits of SEO that social media can bring. Your goal could be to do a virtual open house via web cast for buyers out of town. Both of these strategies can be measured through your web analytics.
Tweeting may not be an appropriate marketing strategy for your demographic, but until you set realistic objectives....I can see why you feel so negatively about it.
@Rick Schwartz (William Raveis Real Estate)
Rick, I must admit, you are the FIRST person that I have seen that has put Twitter into practical advice terms, as far as real estate goes. For that, you deserve kudos.
Sprinkling in search terms and local names and places into your tweets makes real sense to me, if only to build a community of like-minded souls. I could see that working for agents who are into cars, golf, horses, hang-gliding, etc. Then you have an immediate connection and point of discussion.
In any case, did you all know that the user retention rate in Twitter is HORRIBLE? With all of these tools, you have to realize that you are in a subset of a subset, and you are not reaching the whole market. Even, then, it can work. It can also be a huge waste of time.
So it all comes back to ROI, not popularity, or the fad-du-jour. Demand ROI.
Amen and blah, blah, blah. Did you mean human BEAN? I would also like to add that AR is going downhill with those people who post mindless 145 word phrases just to have them sent to Twitter. Scroll thru some posts and you see what people had for lunch or unfinished phrases and thoughts. I don't want to get it and sorry to those that do tweet!! Measureable Business Objectiive my BEEP!
I'm not one to claim that if you don't do it you'll fail, or that it's the be all, end all, but I am one who uses Twitter and Facebook in my daily routine and have no qualms with the fact that, year-to-date, the consistent use of Twitter, Facebook and my blog accounts for 83% of my income. Do you have to do it to succeed? No. Use what works for you, and realize that Twitter and Facebook are not meant to replace what you already do, but they can certainly extend your reach if used correctly.
If you think that Twitter is just for broadcasting news than you don't know how to use Twitter! If anyone wants to discuss the value of Twitter as a prospecting/networking/traffic-driving tool... email me.
Jennifer, I too like many of the others am so glad that I'm not alone; I don't tweet and I don't do much following on Facebook either. To me it's just another way to network and if this method doesn't work for me then I'll stick with others that do. Of coarse, no matter what methods you choose it doesn't replace quality service.
I seem to always be saying the same things about any of the tools out there - social media, lead generation services, ActiveRain, coaches, CDs and books...you name it, it applies. Each and everything that is out there for us works for some of us, doesn't work for others. I think a lot of it boils down to comfort level. If you're comfortable using your tools, you can be successful with them. If you're uncomfortable they probably won't ever work for you. I've tried some things that I found just weren't for me. I saw the logic in them, I saw the usefulness, I saw the potential...but instead I was uncomfortable with the way they worked. My discomfort made me feel as if I were "faking" it and that only made things feel even more uncomfortable. I interact with clients and prospects on different levels...I let them be the guide. I have one client who always sends me text, I have a client who prefers Twitter...same with my prospects, they are the ones that should be deciding how we interact with them, not the other way around.
Thanks Dirk - you bring up another good point about the retention rate - and what makes it even harder is that people drop out but don't cancel - they just go into the shadows. So a poster might think he has 1000 followers when there are only 500 or 200 that are actually active. I haven't gotten to thinking about that piece of it yet.
Chris - you are dead-on. It has evolved from broadcasting news to a community of micro-bloggers who are looking to connect with others in the community. The challenge is that you don't know the names of those you want to connect with so you have to put yourself out there in a structured plan of communication posting articles that will be relevant to your target audience. This helps them find you.
I still don't totally get it either. Eveyrone has tried to explain it and still, right over my head. Don't get me wrong, I am doing it...in hopes that someday the lightbulb will go off!
Im not sure who ever said that Twitter would save the world so your point is a bit lost on me.
With 80-90% of people starting their search for Real Estate & Realtors online I intend to be the one that is Top of Mind (or near top so I get a shot) when they do. If Twitter, Facebook, AR, etc. help me to do that (and they do) so that my business is now 50-75% online lead driven (and it is) excellent!
If you want to cold call and use junk mail, knock yourself out. Remember the Buggy Whip manufacturers? Neither Do I ;)
Matt nailed it with "they (the prospects/clients) are the ones that should be deciding how we interact with them, not the other way around."
I too have clients who prefer text, others who prefer twitter, others who prefer facebook, email, phonecalls, whatever. If I limit myself to only one or two forms of communication, I'm limiting my business to only the clients who fit that form of communication. The others WILL find an agent who communicates the way THEY want them to.
Jennifer - I enjoyed your article. But I don't think people believe that social media (Twitter, Facebook and so on) IS the cure for the real estate woes - certainly I don't. And unfortunately I'm not sure that us doing our jobs is going to cure it either. No matter how good we are at what we do, there are situations beyond our control that will continue to prevent folks from buying because banks can't/won't make decisions, or avoiding foreclosure, or beinbg unable to get a loan mod, etc.
I do agree with your points about all that we can and should do as real estate professionals. And admittedly many real estate situations would be better, and problems avoided, if people DID do their jobs, but that also includes those on the periphery of the business and in control of the money.
I think social media plays a vlauable role in our current market, whether someone chooses to embrace it or not. It IS part of the current environment and to ignore how it is being used, or can be, is foolish. Nope, it's not right for everyone, and many agents are successful without it. Many WILL be more successful by taking part. Some will never be successful no matter what they do. Others somehow will in spite of themselves. :)
Jeff
I've been locked out of AR all day - just figured out that if I go on Firefox, I can get back in. Woo hoo!!!!
I kinda wish this blog hadn't been featured... it's not my finest work and my overall concept is a little flawed, honestly. I believe everything I wrote, but I'm not sure I said it quite as well as I could have.
So, yes, Social Media has a place in our world and I'm not disputing that. I just wish more of us cared more about the other stuff, that's all.
Jennifer: About your wishing this blog post of yours hadn't been featured. It is VERY difficult to figure out which posts one writes that will be featured. Once in a while we are right... but usually the ones we think we have "aced"... don't get featured. And... sometimes when we just write something that "hits" us... and we almost think it is a "throw-away"... it ends up getting featured. So... not to worry.
I don't believe in Twitter either. I think it's more adolescent oriented. A long series of disoriented one-liners. As I often say... I don't care what you had for lunch, or what kind of poddy paper you use (well... there are one or two I want to know aoubt... but that's another post.) Thanks for the post... take care...
Agreed, girl! Social media is simply a tool to enhance your strategy, not the strategy itself :) Thank you so much for posting!
Every marketing vehicle will attract a certain subset of users/participants/readers and advertisers that swear by it. You all could post ads in local pennysavers, if you want. What about knocking on doors? That still works, I suppose.
Yesterday I saw a local agent who had a box truck decked out in "use this truck free if you list/buy with me!". That's another way to go. That truck appeals to people who like to self-move. I am not sure how many non-conforming listings she'll get with that truck, but non-conforming is the bulk of the market here in Northern VA.
What has happened here with scoial media is that is became hyped way beyond it's justification. Everyone was told that this was THE ANSWER. And, it was FREE!
We're now finding out that it is not free. It takes a lot of time and effort. You have to subscribe to "gurus" who tell you what to do. You have to install the gadgets and widgets that they recommend weekly, and configure blogs and sites, and other gambits. Then you have to participate, constantly. How much time does that take?
Meanwhile, when I look around, I still see a dearth of basic, fundamental search engine optimization within the agent community.
Regardless of what anyone claims, the bulk of web traffic comes from search engines. By a huge margin.
Now, the hype is starting to unwind. Many people have tried this new phenomenon and come away wondering what all the hype was about.
What next? Maybe go back to fundamentals?
Dirk - I think you hit the nail on the head when you said Everyone was told that this was THE ANSWER. And, it was FREE!"
My Dad had a sign in his office that read "If you get something for free, it's likely to be worth exaxctly what you paid."
Caveat Emptor should reign supreme with all new "NEXT BIG THINGS". Is Twitter the NBT? I personally don't care if it is or not. I never would put all my eggs into any one basket. I try as many new things as I can, and if I can make sense of them and I weigh the ROI of my time and it seems to work - I do more of it. I still do lots of other things.
I thought about having my car wrapped - funny you should mention it. I did not, primarily becasue my condo complex fines people for leaving cars or trucks in the driveway with signage on them. It's not a bad idea though.
Back to fundamentals is always good. Even as we speak, I just wrote 20 (snail mail) letters to the GMs of Auto Dealers in the area offering for me to come in and talk with their staff. People in that industry are very nervous right now and I figure they probably have some questions about their Real Estate situations. We'll see how that goes.
As far as how much time you need to invest in digital marketing - that's up to the individual. I personally spend about an hour on Sunday evenings working on Twitter and writing 1 or 2 posts for my WordPress Blog. I then spend most mornings from about 6:30 - 8:00 reading blogs (like this) and other social media stuff. I rarely do any type of online sutff during the daytime hours. Sometimes on a rainy day like today I might.
I had a mentor in sales teach me once the following rule. "Break your day into two components - PAY TIME and NO PAY TIME. During PAY TIME you should be talking to clients. Everything else is done during NO PAY TIME. " I can't say that I stick to that 100% but it is always my target to do marketing work (digital or not) when there is no possibility of actually talking to someone who can buy or sell a home.
Twtitter absolutely has value if you choose to use it. If you choose not to use it - it has no value. Anyone who relies on it as their sole source of marketing is, in my opinion, making a mistake. All of this marketing, from my point of view is simply to get more people to know you, and know you as a Realtor so that when they are ready - they will call you. Twitter can help with that, and so can many non-digital marketing projects.
My last point on this: I can remember not too long ago (less than two years) when a very small percentage of Realtors (that I know) had their own BLOGS. How long ago was it that Realtors didn't want to learn how to use email on smartphones. How long before that were there Realtors who saw absolutely no reason to even have their own computer? How about not having a cell phone.
Each one of those things when they first came to be - were viewed skepitcally by many until it became evident that it really did have value. So for people to claim that Twitter has no value because they personally don't see it - doesn't make it so.
It may go away at some point and I'll try the next thing.
I'm still waiting for Beta Max to come back. :)