RE-bloggers Are The Best

I am looking forward to finally meeting you in July.

Teresa, we got to meet briefly in New York and then more on Twitter. I spoke to Kim on the phone only a short time after meeting her on Twitter. She was as wonderful in person, as she is on Twitter. I hope to meet more of my “computer” people.

“When I meet them it is like meeting old friends.” — T.B.

Ssooo true! It’s a pretty cool feeling isn’t it? I’ve had the chance to meet several great bloggers in my area (I’m from Los Angeles, CA) and I’ve also had the chance to meet a few in Las Vegas… It’s never awkward, weird or anything like that…. It’s more like “Wow! Hey…” and there’s lots to talk about 😀

Fun times… fun times.

We recognized one another quickly… I even saw Bob from the side and GOTBOB ! ‘T’ came walking up and conversation flowed like we were ole (not old!) pals.

Thanks for the laughs ‘T’ ! Glad your lighting bolt left Bob unharmed – I like him 🙂

It’s fun of course meeting people and getting to know each other but in the networking for business realm is anyone transacting any business or is this more of the social “get to to know you” aspect of things?

I’d really like to know if those of you who have had the good fortune of putting a face to the keyboard handle have been able to extend beyond the cordialities and actually conduct business amongst your new found friends.

That would seem to be of some importance. What say you? Are you not looking to actually generate revenue from your “business” relationships or is all of this merely the new millenium’s version of the pen pal?

Barry – yes I have been fortunate enough to get business through my online contacts. I guess I don’t look at it that way. I can never have enough friends or know enough people. I am so lucky that I know Bob and Kim, they made my trip to Harrisburg so enjoyable. I never really know where a relationship is going to take me. Sometimes I think I am meant to help someone so that is what our relationship is about. Other times I need help, advice or ideas and I can always find someone out there who will lend me a hand. In general I am social and I look at every relationship as an opportunity and it isn’t about money.

So far Benn has provided me with the best answer…and the most hope for all of this social networking. We too have obtained a good deal of business from our business networking. However it is in my opinion more directed than passive.

We in our office have no fear in asking for the order. I am not talking about some form of comment marketing..far from it. Most of our business comes from our shows guests. It’s one thing to talk to one another on twitter but I like swinging for the fences. Speaking with the “What do you do and how do you do it ” crowd provides us with most of our referrals and business. Much like Benn’s contact.

From what Kim and Teresa seem to be saying it seems like friendship first before business and if anything comes of it then fine..but the intent does not seem to be about driving business as a priority.

There is nothing at all with this kind of passive approach to blogging, but I have so much on my plate that while I am meeting many people, the wait for a referral isn’t the focus I am taking. We are actively pursuing and fostering business with those in this social networking world who are looking to actual profit from this technology.

Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with the watercooler effect…I was merely asking to gain insight as to what different people are doing to further their business in this realm.

Barry – for the record my blog is for business and that is why I have a blog. i meet people though it who become my clients. meeting other agents is a kind of side benefit and the reason I wrote the post. My life has been enriched in numerous ways through my contact with other real estate bloggers. There are people like Lani and Benn too, knowing them has also enriched my life.

Bill..I did not say that I put dollars before relationships..But since you said it…please tell me which of the Fortune 500 companies operates by not putting success which is measured in dollars first.

Please tell me any franchise that operates by not putting dollars first. What has happened in this Country where the positioning of profit is now looked at as wrong? What are you talking about. Are you saying businesses are formed with profit as an off hand hoped upon conclusion and NOT the intent of the operation? I have my philanthropic endeavors but are you saying that a profit oriented business is formed without having the generation of revenue and profit FIRST? What business plan would that be? Not one I would ever invest in?

We are talking about BUSINESS right?

I merely asked if any of you were profit taking from your relationships. For instance we do exactly the same. BIll I wonder if you have listened enough to keep making such off the cuff statements as us being in it for the “short term”.

C;mon man..I ask a simple question and out come the pitchforks. Do you always have to respond to direct questions as if there is an alterior motive to ananswer. Geeez…

I have leveraged the power of our show into MANY fine relationships. I know what our social and business associations have done for US….I was asking if the same has translated into the same for many others. Obviously it has for you and Benn and someothers. But overall is what I am talking about. Gross numbers..sample of the whole not a single individual. What I am finding is that you, Benn, myself..etc…are actually rare.

Most aren’t leveraging the blogging or social environment for profit. I want to find out why and in knowing so I believe that there is an opportunity for further development.

Lately I have been seeing some really..really..weird posts on bigger name blogs that seem to suggest anything but the nurturing and overall development of successful business relationships.

That was my intention for asking the question.

I like the social aspect of our BUSINESS but in the end..it is BUSINESS first otherwise it wouldn’t be BUSINESS then would it?

Hi Benn,

I wholeheartedly agree that that social media is shifting the way we as consumers will consume goods and services. I also wholeheartedly agree that it is changing the way that we as providers of said good and services mill conduct BUSINESS.

I fully understand that to a certain extent there will always be the watercooler effect of social media, but my question was in regards to developing the best course of action for increasing profit.

Too often when speaking to real estate agents they respond in the “me” instead of reaponding as industry proponents.

I get emails and calls from agents all over the Country who are interested in furthering their BUSINESS. It’s easy to tweet, go on facebook, read blogs etc…that’s the no-brainer side of social media.

My clients want information that helps them improve their bottomline. Those I have run into also ask about social media improving their bottom line. It is an issue and it needs to be addressed.

Pressing palms is great. We are social animals. However…a lot of people want to know where’s the beef.

I am trying to ascertain what aspects of social media make the most sense. I have decided to stop following some on Twitter becasue their tweets are like Active Rain posts. I have decided to follow more who actually provide great business insight in addition to the watercooler discussion.

One such person I follow who provides insight, personality AND true business information is the ProBlogger. Chris Brogan is another and in the real estate industry AG’s own RE Zebra does as well. He has provided me with considerable useful info while also allowing me to get to know him. Through Twitter we found out we went to the same college and have some things in common to speak about. He also has shown me much innthe way of new technology to help my business.

That’s what I feel is the true benefit of Social Media. If it were just to hang out and chat..I would not be involved. That’s one of the reason’s I don’t visit AR anymore.

I went on quite a while but hopefully I answered your question.

I have found the social media to be one that has enhanced my life and I have enjoyed the interaction over the past year and in finding all the friends that I have met online. Certainly the many opportunities that I’ve had to meet people who I’ve befriended on line has been a highlight. Bob and I think had a similar reaction when we fist met – “you’re exactly how I knew you to be from online”.

There are still many of you that I wish to meet one day, in persons; Teresa, Mariana, Lani, Benn, Ines, Russell, Jay and more. I want to meet them because I’ve found them friendly. We’ve bonded through your mutual respect for knowledge and sharing.

I think that having some element by which to connect is a important part of social media. If I am looking for client in this venue, it’s important for me to consider two thinks: One – I need to provide enough insight into myself for some to be interested in connecting and Two – I need to surround myself with people who others can tolerate.

Bottom Line Bill and Benn…I understand social media for its “social aspects”. That’s a given. Not denigrating anybody for being social and utilizing all of this technology to better their network of individual relationships.

I had, and still have one question. Does all of this technology make people in this industry as whole, any money or is it mainly for the “social aspect”?

Bill, as you travel to Inman and REbar, what are your expectations? When I elect to go to conferences I go witht he expectation of learning things and making contacts that can further either myself in thought or my business in dollars. Are you saying (a question) that you engage in this mainly for the social aspect?

It’s a very simple question. I have asked many agents..incl;uding Teresa. Are you an agent who blogs or a blogger that sells real estate occasionally?

Sounds to me like the latter is coming to be more of the pattern.

Bill’s statement, which is his choice, that he is going to these conferences “so I can phsyically meet as many of the people in my computer that I have come to respect and enjoy as possible, anticipating that the experience will amplify and enhance those relationships” underscores what I am saying.

The thought that I am having is that the social aspect has overtaken the business aspect and is all of this technology a bit of the tail wagging the dog at this point.

Benn states..”Teresa is one of the most well known, most quoted, most respected individuals in real estate for a reason- folks know who she is”…by whom?? Other agents? Is that translating into conversions by consumers wanting to buy or sell homes or by readers of her blog who are other RE.net agents (by the way, her blog is actually pretty cool and I love her pictures)

In following the Pareto Principle in my business, if the PP is being effected in reverse on many blogs now adawys one has to wonder if it is a true benefit…beyond the pressing of palms and getting to meet RE.net idols.

Barry, one final thought. There is more to life than making money. Much more.

How do you put a value on friendships? I can’t, nor do I really see the point in it.

I work my ass off to support my family. I need a little down time, and if I find it relaxing to Twitter or write a post that has nothing to do with real estate and no chance of acquiring a client, so what?

Life is so much more than just business.

Kumbaya…Kumbaya

See what happens when you bring my name into a conversation? Bad Teresa…

I know one thing…social networking is work…so in a sense that makes it a business. If in fact you have to have a business plan. Search “Social Network Business Plan” and you will see I do have one. We are all in the the business of making money otherwise we would be out of business. The value I place on friendships are much higher than I place on money, because when they bury me…Lincoln, Washington and all the other dead presidents aren’t going to mean anything to me or anyone else for all that matter.

Now, will I hopefully benefit financially from these friendships??? Directly and indirectly, by either sending me referrals directly or making me a better Real Estate Agent and gaining indirect business. Not only are these people inside my computer but fortunately they are in front of me. I meet more clients on line than I do any other marketing effort.

If you can’t figure this out, then you have been looking in the wrong place. I realized a long time ago the more you stress about trying to make money…the more you stress about making money. The more you go out and meet people (on and off line) the more money you make… Opportunity presents itself whenever you create opportunity.

I fortunately had the opportunity to meet Teresa Boardman and Kim Wood on this last venture.

Barry wrote: “..is this a business forum or a freindship platform…”

Maybe the answer is not cut and dried. Why does it have to be EITHER business OR friendship? Can’t it be both?

Real estate is a people business. People looking for an agent “connect” in different ways. Some want the aggressive, take no prisoners style while others want a “friend”, perhaps even a parent. Most are probably somewhere between those two extremes.

I can’t count how many clients, paying clients, have said something along the lines of, “we feel like we’ve known you for a long time from your blog”. People don’t call and say, “I want to talk about listing my home”. They call and say, “bring the paperwork and list my home”. My blog is my “listing presentation”. And it markets and prospects for me 24 x 7 x 365.

I routinely inject “random musings” into my blog. That I do that is no surprise — it’s right there in the header graphic. It is often (very often) that those very random musings are what clients “connect” with.

Do I piss people off by going off-topic? Almost certainly. Do I “lose” potential clients? Almost certainly. And I don’t care. If someone doesn’t like the way I am, that’s fine. I’d rather find out up front than after dragging them all over town looking at homes. No single agent is the right agent for everyone. I’m sure plenty have read my blog and said, “I could never use that guy for an agent”. And you know what? That’s *great*! Saves them and me both a lot of time and stress.

Hell yes I blog for business. That’s the primary reason. But it’s not the only reason. I also blog to learn, to share, to meet people and for fun. Commenting on this thread isn’t going to get me any direct business. But with every comment and response, I learn a little bit more about human nature. And THAT may just in the long run wind up getting me business.

Mesage is being lost..so frustrating..Jay and Get bob..step out side the box..can’t we ever have discourse without it being about the PERSON answering..geez.

Let’s re-phrase and let’s talk about our business….are real estate agents as a whole, the 2 or 3 % who get this anyway, utlizing social media to actually measurably increase revenue for their BUSINESS or are they mainly utilizing social media for kibitzing? So hopefully we can now have some better discourse instead of making it about individuals.

Let’s talk the industry vs. individuals.

Barry, 100% of my income because I DIDN’T talk business in Twitter. I care about and talk to real people, and someone liked that and offered me a job with a company that (IMHO) cares more about people than money.

I rarely remember to throw links to my stuff on Twitter. I don’t think about money first. Caring about the people and not worrying about the money has actually turned out to be a brilliant career move for me.

The people who network for business, hard core business, probably unfollow me in a heartbeat. I could care less about “measurably increasing my revenue.” I just like the people and the revenue kinda happened. I can live with it.

And hey there, Jay! Great meeting you Friday — had a great time, would love to do that again sometime! 🙂

Kim…I have been on our show and typing so I have been making noney WHILE engaging in discussion

You know, I just told myself I wasn’t going to get into this….

“the “trolling” comment was on a post a month ago on Bloodhound.”

So. What does that have to do with anything? (I could have sworn it was also posted on your site, but could be mistaken). Where it was, or when it was posted matters not one iota. I’m simply saying I don’t cull through the MLS looking up people’s production — for both reasons I stated — that being it’s not a good source for total production and more importantly, it doesn’t matter to me.

Do I have an opinion on the industry? Of course I do. I thought you were looking for facts. The last thing I want to do is throw out an opinion and have that interpreted as fact. I do NOT have facts on anyone’s production but my own (and my agents). You see Barry, whether you’ll admit it or not, you are very adept at turning a conversation into whatever topic (or down whatever rat hole) meets your fancy at the moment. Had I proffered an opinion, it’s likely that would have been met with, “I want facts, not opinion”. I proffer facts, and now you want opinion.

OK. Fine.

My opinion, for what it’s worth, is simple:

Some agents make money from blogging and other aspects of social media. Others do not.

Earth shattering, isn’t it?

My opinion is that not-so-many make much money. And I think that holds true with real estate sales in general. Whether an agent is “Web 1.0”, “Web 2.0” or “old school”, my opinion is the vast majority of people in the industry don’t make enough money to survive.

That opinion is somewhat supported by the Pareto Principal — the old “80/20” rule. It’s also somewhat supported by my old C21 office, where someone at the bottom of the annual “Top 10” list didn’t clear $20K. I can’t say if that holds true for any other office, though I suspect it does.

But I have never asked someone “How much do you make?” For one, it’s none of my business, for two, in any industry people generally tend to over-inflate production numbers, and for three, I really don’t care. So I have no factual idea how many make how much.

Would it be interesting to know how many agents made how much money utilizing “social media”? I guess so. I like facts and stats, so I can see it being of interest in that way. But how would knowing that make me more money? I don’t feel the need to emulate anyone who is “successful” at social media. I do my own thing. It seems to work for me. Though it may sound contrary, social media is pretty much an individual sport. How someone else maximizes it may not work for me. Likewise how I utilize it won’t work for everyone (maybe anyone) else.

Thank you Jay for a very insightful and informative response. It was nice having this discussion with you. Let’s let someone else have some fun. I know you will continue to be ahuge success!

How much fun! I want to meet Bob and Kim and you as well…….I love what I do and the fact that we can meet great people and nurture friendships through a computer seems a bit surreal to me. But funny think is that if someone mentions St. Paul….you’ll be the first on my mind (and Jack of course) and if someone mentions Frederick…..it will be Bob.

We’re in a good place my friend.