We are often reminded that hindsight is 20/20 – a proverb that means “it is easy to understand something after it has already happened”, and how ironic that is since we are in the year 2020 and not sure we can fully comprehend all we are learning and what hindsight this will bring.
Reflecting back to six months ago, there were many of us that didn’t have much of a clue about what the rest of 2020 would look like and how we would have to adjust to a more virtual world. We’ve updated our ways of working, connecting with colleagues, socializing with friends, networking with those in our industry, or looking for a new job.
Microsoft suggested that we have seen two years’ worth of digital transformation in about five months. For example: MS Teams, Zoom, and Google Meet have become the new way to host networking sessions, work meetings, and “chats” with colleagues; Tele-med appointments became the norm for routine or non-911 emergency doctor appointments; curbside pickup at grocery stores and food to-go orders via online ordering became the new normal (they existed before but saw tremendous growth in number of users).
We also had to learn how to create engaging and interactive ways to connect solely through a screen. We are already Zoom fatigued and wondering how online meetings have zapped our energy so differently than in person. It turns out, looking at ourselves and trying to talk to a group is a lot for our brains to process.
The Atlantic shares a great article about why the Zoom social life might feel so draining, saying that “Attempting to translate your old social habits to Zoom or FaceTime is like going vegetarian and proceeding to glumly eat a diet of just tofurkey”. No offense to vegetarians, of course.
You could argue though, that we’ve all been interacting via screens for years with the dominance of social media channels – whether it was posting our thoughts in 140 characters on Twitter, or sharing photos and videos of our artisanal sandwiches/cute kid/pet pictures on Facebook. But this seems different. Times are different and we will not be going back soon.
In this interim, many people are trying to make the best of the situation and are figuring out ways to connect. We will always need human connection (and without the germs, even better).
What about our single friends? If they don’t have anyone in the house to already drive them crazy, then where can they go to meet new people and/or possibly love interests?
While many experts are trying to predict the outcomes of this global shift, it may be hard to know what will change permanently. We know many industries are experiencing major disruptions – online dating apps being one of them.
According to Digital Trends, Tinder still ranks as one of the top dating apps. However, now that people are sheltering in place and/or social distancing, there’s a new app taking over as a way to “meet” someone a little faster, while also allowing you to stay behind the screen, sans mask.
“Slide is a video dating app that changes your first-date frustrations into real connections and instant chemistry. Explore video profiles, go on first dates via Video Calls at your fingertips, and find that chemistry before dating IRL.”
So, while Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge play quarantine catch-up, Slide is stealing their market share.
How? With video.
Slide recognized the massive success of short-form video platforms like TikTok, and have translated it to dating. They focus on features like:
- “Vibe Check”, which gives you the option to video chat immediately after matching with someone to see if there’s chemistry. This will save you from long or misinterpreted text conversations and money you may have spent on that first date.
- A video-first approach that lets you see the real people behind the profiles so you can pass if they aren’t really who they say they are.
- AI-assisted creation of “future bae” profiles that help suggest your best matches and spare you extra swipes. If Netflix can find similar suggestions…
As of August 2020, the Department of Labor and Statistics estimates about 13.6 million people are currently unemployed and searching for a new j-o-b. Is it possible that some of these newer ways of connecting online could be included in how we network for a new job/career opportunity?
For example, instead of sending a connection or networking request on LinkedIn, what if we could send a quick video about our story, or what we’d love to learn from that person, or how we’d like to connect?
Would that create a faster, better, possibly more genuine connection?
This would seem worth exploring as many job connections are created by in-person networking or reaching real people vs. solely online applications, behind a screen. Some other formats that have seen increased use are Marco Polo for video chats (you don’t have to both be available at the same time) and FaceTime group calls.
It might be worth exploring how short-form video platforms could assist job seekers in networking, outreach, and connecting with others. These are just some ideas as we continue to watch this digital transformation unfold.
Matt Stigliano
June 21, 2011 at 8:27 am
There will always be DIYers, but this is an interesting ad. I'm not sure how CA licensing works, but I can't imagine this being a smart move in Texas. Fannie Mae is going to look at that "rebate" for one and TREC is going to look at it as well. In addition, this person may have filled out the paperwork, but I wouldn't put my license (and my broker's) on the line and hope they didn't mess something up enough to open up future legal action.
I know people will always argue about our commissions, but I see two major components to why we're able to charge what we do (removing the obvious that we actually do more than just open doors and play Mad Libs with contracts): liability and risk. First, there's liability. My commission doesn't even cover my ass if something goes wrong. That's not to say that I expect things to go wrong or that I don't work to make sure they never do, but let's face it, people love to sue and we're at the top of the blame list. I take that liability in my hands every time I open my mouth. Of course, with proper training and attention to the "rules" I can limit that liability, but it is always there. I've seen some amazingly silly lawsuits since becoming an agent (not my own).
Then there's risk. I really feel the current models of commission-based pricing are based in risk. I can't guarantee that every interaction (or even transaction) is going to end in a successful closing. I work hard to make sure they do, but there is no accounting for some things. Unfortunately, we have to account for our "lost time" in working to move a person from looking to buying to closing. There are ways for us to tighten up that process (simple pre-approval both from the lender and agent sides is a great example) and I think we move closer to that goal as we give more data to the consumer through IDX, blogging, and education. The better informed the consumer, the more likely they are to know when they are ready, willing, and able to buy.
I think if the liability levels came down and consumers got (I hate to say it this way, but it was the best way I could think of) more "serious" about the buying and selling process, prices could come down. Would they? That I'm not sure of, because we do have a tendency in our industry to cling to the "way things have always been."
One other thought – when listing homes, the emphasis used to be on marketing, which meant printing, mailing, advertising…which had a cost associated with it in hard dollars. Now, much of that is free, but takes more time (which is also a valuable commodity). I know I invest a lot of time in any listing, but the consumer may not see that – and might not see its cost in quite the same light as me sending out 1000 flyers (tangible goods). I think the trick here is to define time as a cost and show how the two, although very different, are both valuable goods.
Mark
June 21, 2011 at 8:43 am
Craigslist creates hundreds of ads, in your area, about real estate, some good, some bad, some just plain silly. Maybe a newbie will want to use this as a project for experience AND fill up his tank AND get lunch money for the rest of the month. Good for him/her. I'll just ignore it.
Benn Rosales
June 21, 2011 at 11:15 am
There is value in every transaction. Whether you're just wanting the side to meet personal/business goals, or being savvy enough to realize your true hourly rate and gutsy enough to earn and demand it. My response to an ad like that is go get your license, or better yet, complain to the state of California about even needing an license to transact real estate. If it's so easy, let's deregulate it.
herman chan
June 21, 2011 at 6:18 pm
hey y'all! i think agents have a right to procure biz how they want, but to me, the real story about this ad is that there are people out there who think all we do amounts to $500 ;-/