Web2.0 as it is, claims to be new.  Many in the tech and web design industry claim truthfully that it is nothing new- I agree with this, sort of.  Honestly, clean style sites have been around for a very long time, ask Apple Computer.  The idea of a fresh clean page with little clutter that gets to the point in a way that speaks to a consumer rather than selling to the consumer is maybe where web2.0 may have a right to claim itself as new.  The “New Style of Professional Copy” is in and of itself something web2.o has given professionals  permission to just be themselves… Thank God. 

Blogging today is explosive, there is no denying that in any way shape or form, and has many believing that it is the new way to tap into the growing market.  Add to that social networking sites that seem to spring up daily, and you get a sense that there must be some truth that we can somehow market to the new and newer 20-30 somethings using this platform.  The fact is, many come across as Dad at the college sorority party– this was pointed out recently in the latest copy of GQ magazine in reference to political candidates using the social networking arena to spew more politics.  Watching Hillary on a video being funny and herself has its advantages if the audience likes Hillary, but if they never liked her in the first place, chances are she will come across as Mom at a high school school dance. Yuk.

The stakes are high with mainly the 20-30 somethings being up for grabs, social networking could potentially retrain entire demos to do business in new ways and Realtors will want to be at that party as well as virtually thousands of other industries.  The problem is, how are you perceived?  Are you the elephant in the room?  Do you convey?  Do you speak their language?  Chances are you don’t.  A Realtor calling another Realtor a fat cat (using 70’s vernacular) is just another moron to a younger demo because the idea that you say fat cat somehow makes you cool and somehow relates to me is presumptuous- the plastic Realtor who is old and is trying to be younger comes across as old and trying to be younger, nothing more than another dork ignored at the party. The truth is, web2.o says be yourself, not someone else- why insult their intelligence?

It has always been my opinion that social networking sites are a fad, but will not go away, therefore you must embrace it. These sites will morph into something much greater, the way bellbottoms morphed into the tapered legged jeans some of you still wear.  1980s called, they want their jeans back– but anyway… It is advantageous for any and all business to get into the conversations buyers and sellers want to have.  It is also advantageous to understand the ideas web2.o present and what they do not or you may end up spinning yourself out of business because you’ve completely lost all credibility to all demographics.  Relating as it relates to conversation is just that, relating, not giving up who or what you are as a professional.  Inviting in and respecting a know it all consumer will only add value to your conversation because the perspective becomes grounded in reality- how it really relates. This makes this concept an exciting must participate opportunity for Realtors even if you aren’t quite sure how to fit in.

It is my humble opinion that blogging is also fad.  Believing that all humans want to broadcast their thoughts beliefs and emotions online or read yours is absurd.  However, what social networkers really do enjoy is the human interaction via technology- chat functions and the ability to wink at a cute girl from a distance without the fear of all out rejection.   This is where I believe the smart money will be spent- creating that human interaction functionality for a consumer to interact without actually having to step into the salesmans den.  A get to know you courtship by reading YOU, who YOU are, what YOU like, and what YOU stand for- developing a sort of personal connection that allows a real comfort zone for the consumer as well as the ability to join a conversation of personal interest. A webpage was close, but lets face it, it missed the mark in the sense that it actually made the business look bigger and not so approachable. 

Web2.o is old hack.  The new name begs a web-second-point-oh look at the internet, technology online, and the opportunity it gives to business and consumers is simply a cry for attention- RE-INVEST in us!  “The dotcom didn’t really bust, we just shed off the bloated and not so informed.”  Web2.o is a fashion trend, possibly a very expensive one over the long term with 2.o v2.3 beta soon to be released. But this 2.0 version is permitting  you to change your site to something a little more lose and baggy with less fringe.  It is also permission to change your copy to more of yourself or corporate philosophy as opposed to the professional jarg consumers have always heard- but as with any trend, it will change.  Colors will change, technology will change, information will become more fluid and ever changing, because now you’re blogging with the consumer shaping the topic and content- but the one thing that should not change is you.  You are the one constant from now until then and your reader wants to know you the product. 

So, are you the elephant in the social networking room?