Google officially announced Google Buzz, the Google push into the social media irruption. Google Buzz is kind of a combination of Twitter, Facebook, and Yelp and integrated directly with your Gmail and Google Talk. That certainly sounds like a mouthful. In other words, Google has updated your Gmail email to allow you to share with those that you email and chat with most, all of your online updates, photos, and videos. Your Gmail contacts and Google Talk friends are automatically added as people you are following and allows you to share your items publicly to the world or privately with users you email and chat with.
Google Buzz integrates with your inbox and sends updates to your email and allows the conversation to continue with responses directly from within the email making comments updating in real time. @replies are also supported so you can send responses directly to someone’s email sending a buzz to their inbox.
One of the most compelling aspects to Google Buzz is that it can utilize your phones GPS location (or nearby location) to share with others where your Buzz was started. You can also go to the “Nearby” tab to see what others nearby are Buzzing about.
Most of you might be thinking, is this the new social media to take over Facebook and Twitter? It’s hard to say, especially with Facebook surpassing the 400 million user mark. Facebook is undoubtably the dominant player and additionally announced that Facebook will be eventually be launching its own webmail service. It will be interesting to see how many people will be ok with Buzzing while providing their whereabouts.
You can make your voice be heard by voting in the poll below and joining in the debate.
Facebook turned six today and in Internet social media years that’s like turning 50. In honor of this momentous occasion I was trying to decide, do I want to “poke” Facebook, throw a snowball at them, vampire bite them, feed their Farmville crops or send unicorn heart hug?
I decided the best thing I could do was to give them this meager shout-out, post the link to Mashable’s much better story and share with as much of the world as I influence these simple ways not to not annoy people on Facebook, based on the Oatmeal’s hilarious comic about it (on my personal Facebook page) that I can’t add to a corporate blog or I risk annihilation:
Constantly gaming on things like Farmville, vampire slayings, mafia wars, etc. and never really interacting with anyone outside of “watering their crops” or “biting” them. Annoying.
Taking every quiz known to man and publishing the results. If you’re trying to find yourself and knowing your “Zombie love name” will help – that’s great, take the quiz, just don’t clog up my status updates with the result because I will never call you “Lord Gwazlag.”
Stop being passive-aggressive. Leaving comments and status updates that say things like, “Some people need to stop talking like they know everything and learn to use the copier in the office properly and not drink the last Diet Coke and shower more frequently” is really just showing that you are either bitter and resentful, or lack the courage to confront those that bother you. Either deal with the issue face-to-face or let it go. (But seriously, don’t drink the last Diet Coke if it’s not yours.)
Stop being a rash. If you surf Facebook all day, every day and comment on every post someone sends, it tells the rest of us (your coworkers included) that you aren’t paying attention to your real life (aka your JOB, kids, spouse, etc.) and that you might be a tad bit stalker-ish.
Don’t just do business on here. These people are called “friends” – not your purchased marketing spam list where you can ask that they become a fan of you, your business, your businesses products, etc. ‘Nuff said.
Go ahead, keep posting creepy pictures, creepy person. Don’t post pictures of your kids as your profile picture if you’re going to talk about how wasted you got last night, the person you hooked up with in Vegas or if your other pictures are of your spring break in Cancun… that’s weird. Also, stop throwing people under the bus by posting pictures of your friends, colleagues, or fellow party-goers in embarrassing or unprofessional shots. Everyone is entitled to a life outside of work, we just don’t need it splashed up on the Internet.
There you go Facebook – your birthday gift from me, to you. Happy 6th!
Today is my birthday, a day when I typically spend some mental energy reflecting on where I’ve come and where I think society has headed. Today I was frustrated. Has anyone else heard that schools are considering cutting spelling and learning multiplication and division from the curriculum? I thought about what I’d do with a society of people that couldn’t jot a coherent note without spell check software or a group of people that couldn’t understand how to leave a tip or see if they’re getting ripped off without a calculator in their pocket and I was disgusted.
I was reminded of times back when I was younger and my parents would ask me to do something that I didn’t know how to do and I’d struggle with it for 15 seconds (which of course I explained was “forever”) and then I’d ask for help. By help I meant, “Can’t you just do it for me since you already know how?” Thankfully, my parents believed that even if it took me twice as long and was frustrating as heck, I was going to learn how to do the basics on my own.
This is how I feel about Facebook, blogging, social media and real estate in general. It’s my job to teach, to keep people informed, to propose new ideas and to provide tools to make your job possible, competitive or easier… maybe all three. It is not my job to be a Realtor. Sometimes, part of my job is helping agents and brokers figure out how to use tools themselves so that they can continue to use the tools more effectively in the future and hopefully teach those around them how to do it as well. This will raise the quality of all in the real estate profession, fostering a community of well-informed, helpful individuals – not a few people who have the answers and dole them out for a fee or at their leisure.
I ask that people keep this in mind before and when calling with a question or issue – if my response is, “Did you try to solve the problem yourself first?” or to help you help yourself – it’s because I care about creating a long-term lesson instead of a short-term solution.
I guess you could call them resolutions, if you’re into that sort of thing. I’m not, I don’t really like the word resolution – I like having a to do list, it implies that I can check stuff off and should keep at it til it’s been done. Whatever you want to call it, below is a list of some things I’m going to try to get done during 2010 in my online life.
I will cleanse my Facebook page of people I don’t know. There is no reason to have 1,000 “friends” on Facebook if you only really know or like 150 of them. If I haven’t met you in real life or have a good reason to know you otherwise then I’m deleting you to reduce virtual clutter.
I will pay attention to what’s happening in people’s real lives. I will not, however, comment on your Farmville status, give you a vampire bite, throw an online snowball at you or participate in your Sorority Life toga party. I will, instead, care about your actual job, family, and attend actual parties so we can have a real conversation.
I will not Tweet out of obligation. I will only use Twitter when I have something I think the twittersphere might benefit from hearing or care about. I will help clean up my follower’s Twitter feeds by not posting every time I get coffee, take a shower or change the channel.
I will respect your privacy. If we go out and have a good time at an event, I will not post the photos of you with your head over the toilet, you giving your boss the finger when he turned his back, etc. I will not post that I’m sorry you and Bobby broke up or anything else about your personal life – that’s up to you. (It’d be a really happy year if everyone else would do the same.)
I will not censor you. I will not delete comments that I disagree with (unless they contain racial slurs or excessive profanity) just because I may not like your opinion. I’m a believer in free speech and that Facebook and Twitter are places that those things are not just tolerated but encouraged – so go ahead and be Republican, Democrat, push for legalized marijuana, healthcare changes, whatever… I may not like it – but I won’t delete that you do.
I will be less available. I will turn off my computer and cell phone for a couple of hours every day and for at least one day on the weekends so that I can have a real life and be an interesting person (and to ensure my dogs and significant other get the attention they deserve). This way, when we connect on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, or – oh my goodness – in REAL LIFE, I’ll have interesting things to talk about besides Joe’s most recent Facebook update.
Got some to do items of your own? Let’s hear them!
Whatever your goals for the upcoming year may be, even if it’s to not have any goals, I wish you a safe and happy close to 2009 and hope to hear from you in 2010.
Facebook is a great place to maintain existing relationships and make connections. Facebook will alert you to when your sphere of influence experiences major life changes such as engagement, marriage, birth of a child, etc. Facebook also provides a forum to join groups or fan pages based upon your personal and professional interests and also increase your presence in the community.
Who Shouldn’t Use Facebook
People who are easily annoyed/offended by the opinions of others. Facebook is a “friendly” forum, which means people will share personal information about their lives, religion, political persuasion, etc. This can be helpful to you – so don’t be too quick to run from it. However, if will be unable to have productive relationships with people whose opinion is different than your own, this may not be the forum for you.
People who are unwilling to share personal information about themselves. Friends will wonder why you visit their page to learn more about them but are not providing information about yourself. This is your place to put your personality out there!
People who are only going to post about real estate or post all of their listings – this will have a negative impact on your relationships with others and perception in the marketplace. Facebook is not your own personal MLS page.
Who Should Use Facebook
People who enjoy interacting with family, friends and others in a community setting.
People who enjoy sharing pictures, videos and interesting news with friends.
People who will log in at least once per day and update their status as well as check up on how their friends are doing.
People looking to build lasting relationships.
Getting Started
If you are a Realty World NCA member, you can log on to the Realty World website and click on the Training tab at the top. From there, click the Online Training tab and then click Social Media/Blog. Here you will find a series of videos that will walk you through:
Account Creation
Account Security
Finding Additional Friends
Homepage Overview
Uploading Photos
Applications
Events
Group and Fan Pages
Adding Outside Content
If you are not a Realty World NCA member, the login steps on the Facebook home page will instruct you with account and profile setup as well as some basics. You may also call the Realty World NCA office to learn more about access to our training tools.
Facebook Dos
Use a recent picture of your face as your profile picture. Save the pictures of kids and kittens for elsewhere on the site – we want to make sure people recognize you when they search
Put your real information out there. You don’t have to give your home address but there is no harm in adding your phone number, email and real interests to the profile information section. People can find the same contact info on your business cards, bus benches and Google!
Make sure you know people before accepting them as friends. This will ensure your page is not inundated with miscellaneous stuff and will give you peace of mind about who can see your profile.
Be courteous and only friend people that you know. Inviting all of your friend’s friends will only turn people off if you try to pitch them real estate as soon as they accept.
Facebook Don’ts
Post all of your listings to Facebook – that’s what your website is for! Just like you wouldn’t go to a dinner party with friends and hand them a stack of listings flyers, you shouldn’t send them all via Facebook either.
Only talk about real estate. – People want to get to know you. It is how you build trust and rapport. You’d be surprised what you can bond with people over (running, knitting, sports, etc.) if you talk about it!
Make a fan page for yourself your first week on Facebook. – People will be turned off at the presumption that they want to be a fan of you when you haven’t been contributing to the community or their pages/lives regularly.
Make your first comment to people, “Hey, I saw you’re getting divorced, can I help you find a condo?” Treat people like friends first. Enough said.
Facebook Extras
Get a Username – A username (also known as “vanity URL”) will be your own URL on Facebook that is “branded” with your name. (ex. www.facebook.com/erinnrobbins) This will help when you include your Facebook page on business cards (which I recommend!) in your email signature and when people search for you. You can get your own Facebook username here.
Share links, photos, events and videos – Be sure to use the icons below the “What’s on your mind” box to ensure these items are uploaded in an appealing way that draws friends to them.
Lists – Whenever adding a new friend be sure to add them to an appropriate list. This helps you sort contacts, send material to relevant people and organize your online life.
Neighborhoods – This Facebook application has thousands of neighborhoods and lots of members in specific geographic locations. This will give you access to people that live down the street interested in what’s happening in their community. The newly released Real Estate Listings function will put your listings in front of the right people. Check out Neighborhoods here. You will be prompted to “Allow” the application. (This application is safe.)
Sustainable Blogging – I believe blogging is a fantastic form of self-expression, a way to showcase your skills, and a medium to dive deeper into subjects than email or other social media typically allow. Below are some thoughts on who should blog, who shouldn’t, how to blog faster and what to do when you want to give up.
Who Shouldn’t Blog
People with little or no regard for proper grammar or the desire to learn it. (You don’t have to be an English major, but you should know how to correctly spell the words associated with your industry.)
People who will blog about religion, politics or other controversial or unrelated topics on their professional blog. (You can create a blog for personal interests too – just don’t put it under the one titled real estate please!)
People who will push their own agenda (trying to make a sale) in every post.
Who Should Blog
Realtors that know their city/town/community. *Hint – this should be ALL of you.
Realtors that want to educate home buyers and sellers on the process, market, local industry and issues affecting homeowners.
Realtors looking to showcase a specialization such as short sales, first time home buyers, second homes, etc.
Blog Topics
The questions you get via email and in-person all the time! Copy and paste from the email response – remembering to remove people’s personal information first.
Local events – Talk about all of the events that are happening in your community. Free events will be appreciated by those trying to save and charities, local schools and others will appreciate you mentioning their happenings as well. The holidays are a great time to get started with this!
Review local businesses. *Hint – Stick to businesses you like and use frequently in the beginning. (Use Yelp for negative reviews.) Let the business know you wrote a blog post about them so they know who you are and what you do.
Tell people why you became a Realtor. Everyone’s story is different – from 3rd generation real estate families to people with different first careers, there’s a great bit of human interest into why you want to help people with their homes.
Seasonal changes and how they affect your home and community. Write about winterizing homes now, spring-cleaning in March, etc. Tourist seasons and road conditions are also big topics.
Do a monthly market update as it pertains to the national economy and your housing market locally. Send these out around the same time each month so people come to expect this information from you.
Time Saving Tips
Zemanta – Download this handy tool to have pictures, links and tags automatically downloaded/imported for you based upon what you’re writing about – it’s like magic!
Use the scheduler in the blog. Found in the right-hand side while you’re writing a new post is the option to “Publish now” – by clicking on “now” you can schedule posts to go live at other times. This will allow you to write two or three posts at one time and then schedule them throughout the week so you won’t have to think about it daily!
Repost interesting articles and blog items from other blogs/news sources. Only show the first paragraph or a short synopsis, you will then credit your source and link back to their post.
Blog Platforms
If you are a Realty World NCA member, you have a free blog website that is branded with your franchise and ready for you to use. Contact Ron Dillon to get set up or retrieve your password.
Other Recommendations:
WordPress – Slick and simple designs will grow with you as you bloom into a boss blogger. Get your WordPress now and you’ll be happy you did later.
Posterous – Good for people posting pictures and those blogging direct from email. It integrates easily with other platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. This simple tool won’t allow a lot of customization or advanced options.
TypePad and Blogger – Basic blogging platforms similar to WordPress. Blogger is a Google product and TypePad is run by SixApart. Both are simple, reliable tools that integrate with services, phones, Facebook, etc.
General Blogging Tips
Frequency – It is optimal to blog 3-4 times per week, especially at the start.
Topics – Keep your topics relevant to real estate or your local community. Posting a personal post as the exception, rather than the rule, will make readers more interested.
Accessibility – Make sure to include your blog in your email signature, on business cards, on your Facebook page, etc.
Pictures – Try to include a picture with each post. Using a tool like Zemanta will be helpful. If you pull a picture off of the Internet be sure to credit your source.
Links – Include links to relevant sites and sources in your post to help readers and to increase traffic to other areas of your site. For example, if you mention foreclosures in a blog post, link the word “foreclosure” to a page on your site where they can see foreclosure listings.
Tags – Tag each post with relevant terms. Even if you have tagged previous posts with a term, it is important to tag each post with the terms. This will help your tag cloud sort so readers will know what topics you talk about often. See this article for more.
I’m the rookie at all the real estate events this year and I can assure you I’ve caused my fair share of waves. I’m a technology and social media industry veteran and often times those in tech ignore a lot of the polite beating around the bush that real estate agents have adapted (because you guys work with the public and we work with machines) so I have developed a certain ‘matter-of-factness’. (I’m also Texan, so I just can’t help myself.) When I’m at events, I ask tough questions and I call “bullshit” when I think it’s needed.
I’ve recently made some comments that some might read as me not liking barcamps. This couldn’t be further from the truth. I have been attending barcamps in the tech sector, where they originated, for years. I have learned amazing stuff and met some of my closest friends and colleagues there. My real take on barcamps is that the real estate industry, with its outgoing and personable ways, has grown them to be too big to be what they were originally intended. Here are some things I would do to build better barcamps*:
Narrow the focus. Original barcamps didn’t cover “technology” as a whole – the spectrum of topics is too broad and EVERYONE has something to say about it. If you pick a focus like Facebook, Hot New Startups, Blogging, etc. and allowed the entire session to be focused on that topic, the true knowledge leaders would emerge and people would get a deep dive with greater understanding of the topic.
More barcamps, fewer attendees. Original barcamps weren’t 500+ people at a venue all day, they were a few hours long with a small group of people who could really discuss things. By increasing the frequency of barcamps but limiting their size (through venue restrictions, locations, etc. ) you’ll get back to more discussion oriented events.
Shorten the lead time. This will help with the fewer attendee issue as well. Months of planning isn’t needed for an event of only 25-50 people, simply an office or coffee shop that will hold them. 72 hours notice posted on a barcamp wiki, Facebook pages and Twitter will work.
Sponsorship, schmonsership. If you’re only there for a couple of hours people won’t wander off as much as they keep doing at full day events. They will also be inclined to pay for their own cup of coffee or just wait til afterward to have a drink. When the event is short, what inevitably happens is people have gotten into lively debates and the barcamp actually moves to a bar where some attendees gather after to continue talks.
In true barcamp and blogging style, I welcome and encourage discussion on what we can do to make the camps as effective and engaging as possible for the audience that’s intended.
*** Please note, again, I like barcamps. I appreciate all of the effort that has gone into all of the barcamps I have attended. The volunteers and speakers have the courage to get up in front of people and put themselves out there and deserve kudos. Attendees have made the first step in attending such an event and being part of a new industry – something many haven’t done yet. All deserve kudos.
That is the statement put forth in the latest Levitt and Dubner (authors of Freakanomics) book, Super Freakanomics. Claiming, “Just as you can sell your body with or without the aid of a pimp, you can sell your house with or without a Realtor,” they say. “While Realtors charge a much lower commission than the pimps — about 5 percent versus 25 percent — the Realtor’s cut is usually in the tens of thousands of dollars for a single sale.” OUCH.
Unfortunately, the abuse doesn’t stop there. They continue with, “the Internet is proving to be a pretty powerful substitute for the Realtor.”
While I think the pimp comment is just ridiculous and doesn’t need to be addressed, I do see quite a bit of tension about using the Internet as a real estate agent replacement. While I’ve met a small segment of people in real estate that are working with the Internet to increase their brand awareness and build relationships, the majority of real estate agents I come across aren’t doing this. I hear a myriad of excuses or rationalizations (I just finished a three week tour teaching real estate agents technology and social media – I’ve heard it all now!) for why they don’t need the Internet:
What I’m doing works just fine.
It doesn’t work, I know someone that tried it and they didn’t get any business.
Feeling like the Internet is your opponent and working against it, instead of working with it, can lead to feeling defeated or resentful of the power the Internet has. Here are my responses to each of the reasons given above:
What I’m doing works just fine. — What you are doing may be working “fine” but what if you could be doing something that works great? Just getting by now may not be the case in a few more years – just look at how much things have changed in the past five years alone. Learning how to make technology work for you, as a part of your business (it doesn’t have to be the whole thing) will pay off in big ways. Don’t stop doing what makes you successful, instead, look for ways to integrate some ways to use online tools to ensure you stay successful and to engage new audiences.
It doesn’t work, I know someone that tried it and they didn’t get any business. — I hear this a lot, that the agent or someone they know has tried technology and social media and it didn’t work. I equate this to the same things I hear when people try to lose weight and say that it doesn’t work. It is important to not take shortcuts, try to buy expensive ‘quick fixes’ or listen to infomercial sales people who promise overnight results or try to scare you into a decision. With social media and technology, you will need to be yourself, pick the medium that works best for you and your customers, and stick with it for at least 90-120 days before expecting results. Just like building relationships face-to-face in your community, time and consistency is the only way to create sustainable presence online.
My customers aren’t on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or places like that. — Consumers are everywhere. If these people aren’t “your” customers then they are working with someone else and you could be missing out. Social media and technology use ages are averaging in the late 20’s and early 30’s for most popular sites like blogs, Facebook and LinkedIn. Each year, these numbers grow exponentially, and expand to include more industries and markets. The growth also means that the Internet, like everything else, is maturing and sorting out what works. Much of the noise and frustration is being sorted out or people are at least being given options about exposure to ads, outside requests, etc.
If you are feeling like the Internet is being substituted for you, or overwhelmed – please don’t give up. Forge a powerful alliance with the Internet and harness it’s power to work with your current efforts. There are a lot of great places to get answers – but remember, these answers should be free and not scare you!
We all need to work together to dispel the notions that cause Realtors to be likened to pimps or that they are easily replaced by Internet sources. As always, I welcome your comments, feedback and questions.
I just finished my very first marathon yesterday. I figured I’d do it big, so I joined in the 40th New York Marathon. Through this physically painful and, much to my surprise, mentally challenging task, I realized running marathons and getting realtors started with social media have a lot in common.
While you may be thinking I’m just suffering post-race delusions, I can assure you I had a number of hours to think about it in the long hours after as I iced my aching legs.
When I first signed on to do the marathon I felt invigorated and prematurely triumphant. I was doing something that not everyone can or would do and I was going to train really hard and impress my family and friends.
In the months leading up to the marathon I started to read more about it – the physical demands, the hours of training needed, the “wall” I would hit toward the end, how many just don’t make it and the soreness I’d feel afterward. I began to psych myself out. I was nervous. I wanted to quit before I’d really began.
The day of the race I was full of adrenaline. The first few miles were difficult as I fought crowds and found my bearings. By mile eight I was surprised to find I was moving at a pace faster than I’d trained at and felt like I’d conquer this thing feeling amazing. That lasted until mile 18.
There was that wall… My body began to rebel against me for asking it to do so much. I hadn’t trained as hard as I should have and I wasn’t a seasoned runner. The last eight miles took as long as the first 18. I thought I should quit. Luckily I had support – Steve came to the sidelines walking each painful step, encouraging me to finish.
When I crossed the finish line I cried. I cried because I was in pain and because it was finally over and I wouldn’t have to run for a week. I woke up this morning, 12 hours after crossing the finish line and I was in pain. But I was also proud. I accomplished something that many are afraid to try. I came out on the other side saying I’d do it again but that I’d be more prepared next time. I came out a marathoner.
This is what I see from many Realtors that come to my social media class, conferences and other places they experience social media as a business tool. They hear about social media, take the steps to enroll and get excited. They read more about it, talk with friends and get nervous or discouraged. The get to class or conference and have adrenaline that propels them into social media like a runners high – they want to do it all and will conquer the world! Somewhere around having Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn accounts, a blog and website for a few weeks or a month – they hit the “wall.” This is not what they were promised and it’s not as fun as it once was. For those willing to push on and get trained for the task at hand (it’s never too late!) – rewards await.
The right training is imperative to conquering marathons and social media. If you train once or twice a week, you’ll hit the wall hard. The same is true of social media. Participating frequently is important. It’s also important to have the right people in your corner. Working with those that have successfully conquered social media and genuinely want to help you will get you through times you want to give up – they’ll be on the sidelines walking with you to keep you going.
If you’re not sure if you’re “training” correctly for social media, I offer these few guidelines:
Your “coaching” from others should be free. Learn from those who have been there and want to help you for the greater good of social media. Most social media is free and learning to use it should be too.
If social media begins to take over your life and requires the large portion of your workday, reassess what you’re trying to get out of it and find a social media/technology person that can help you refocus.
Remember that in the beginning that preliminary “adrenaline rush” may push you to do more than you’re ready for. Don’t sign up for every social media site at once and try to keep them all up for months. Sign up and learn about them. Then pick one, maybe two that work for you and stick with those for a while. Moving at a sustainable pace will prevent you from hitting that wall as hard.
If you’re looking for some social media training, please feel free to contact me. I’m speaking for free around Northern California for the next few weeks and I’m happy to help even if you’re located beyond that area.
If you’re already hitting that wall – please don’t give up, look for someone on the sidelines that can help encourage you to get on course and keep moving – it may be painful at times – but it’s worth it. I promise.
I’ve been wrestling with a moral and business dilemma the past few weeks as I’ve prepared to go out into the world and teach people social media and technology tips for free. Oddly enough, the dilemma didn’t begin while planning the course, it’s locations or logistics… it began when I saw that people who needed this information to propel their real estate business weren’t jumping at the chance to come to a session in their own backyard to learn how to implement this stuff.
I brought up the question to my colleagues, “Is it because it’s free?” – Do people not perceive value in what is free? Do people believe that there are strings attached? If I charged $100 per person would things be different?
I was increasingly puzzled because of the number of free services we depend on each day – you have a Gmail account that you don’t pay for, yet you use it to store your emails. You Google things to find answers and do not pay for the service, yet it’s always there and used by billions. You have a Facebook account that doesn’t require money be transacted when you log on daily, there’s no meter running. What’s up with free? I needed to know. And I think I found the answer.
Yesterday, while waiting for my hotel room in New York to be available (I arrived at 6am on a red eye flight from San Francisco to be told I would not be permitted into the room until after 3pm) so after a long walk through Central Park I settled my exhausted body into a chair at a Border’s bookstore and went searching for books that might be interesting. By some stroke of luck, fate, whatever you call it, I came across Chris Anderson’s newest book, Free: The Future of a Radical Price on a shelf and began thumbing through it. Chris had wrestled with much the same questions I had about an economy that offers so much that is, in essence, “free” that we wondered how it is that there’s not more of a stir about it.
My key takeaway from Anderson’s book (for those of you that don’t have nine hours to kill in a Borders book store on a Thursday afternoon) is this:
(The following is paraphrased from Anderson’s book)
Everyone has doubts about free. People, without trying to sound ageist, are split into two camps: Those who are over 30 and those are 30 and younger.
Those who are over 30 grew up with the 20th century version of free – that being that free was limited to marketing gimmicks, prizes, or as ploys to get you somewhere then rope you in once you were a captive audience. These people are rightfully skeptical, as their experience with free is that it is nothing of the sort – we all pay sooner or later. Free is a gimmick, a marketing ploy, and when you hear “free” – be prepared to reach into your wallet.
The younger critics have a different response, that of, “Duh, of course it’s free.” This is the Google Generation – the generation that has grown up online assuming that everything digital is free. They have internalized the subtle marketing dynamic of near-zero marginal cost economics in the same way people internalize Newtonian mechanics when learning to catch a ball – you’re not thinking about it, it just happens. Creating a global economy around “free” seems too self-evident to be of note. To this generation, many things are accepted as free, so shouting out “free!” constantly is annoying because of the “duh” factor that exists already.
My thoughts: Good things can be free. Many more things will become free in years to come. Everything does not need to be free, nor should it be – but the share and spread of knowledge around topics of social media, online marketing and industry should be. If you’re paying someone hundreds or thousands of dollars to teach you this – I’d suggest paying them (or someone) to actually do the work of creating and maintaining your social media instead. Or, go online and find a free resource – there are plenty of blogs, articles and how-to guides out there available at the click of your free Google browser.
Sustainable Blogging – I believe blogging is a fantastic form of self-expression, a way to showcase your skills, and a medium to dive deeper into subjects than email or other social media typically allow. Below are some thoughts on who should blog, who shouldn’t, how to blog faster and what to do when you want to give up.
I’ve recently made some comments that some might read as me not liking barcamps. This couldn’t be further from the truth. I have been attending barcamps in the tech sector, where they originated, for years. I have learned amazing stuff and met some of my closest friends and colleagues there. My real take on barcamps is that the real estate industry, with its outgoing and personable ways, has grown them to be too big to be what they were originally intended. Here are some things I would do to build better barcamps*:
I just finished my very first marathon yesterday. I figured I’d do it big, so I joined in the 