Brad's Blog Rant

LinkedIn's Limits: What's Up With That?

Brad Hanks — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 22:44:23 -0600

Going through my Outlook LinkedIn folder today (dayng I need to monitor this more closely) and noticed an email directed to some of LinkedIn's top networkers. Seems the 30,000 connection limit recently imposed by LinkedIn has many of them worked up to a rabid froth.

Not that I'll get to that level anytime soon, but I can see why many are taking the news badly. Several of these folks have staked their livelihoods on leveraging the LinkedIn platform for making connections - and LOTS of connections. But even as a LinkedIn LION with a large network, I'm wondering, how big does your network need to be before it's subject to the law of diminishing returns? In other words, does your network become too unwieldy and too unmanageable after a certain point with little hope of ROR (Return On Relationship)? Can you realistically benefit from a network of 25,000+ connections?

Where do you weigh in on network size? Is bigger necessarily better?

No More Bunny Trails

Brad Hanks — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 01:24:26 -0600

Where Am I?

I'm sitting at my computer, doing research for a course I'm writing. I realize that I need to go out on the web to get some information for the project, and decide to search the topic on the web. I pick up a link from Google, and visit a blog site listed high in the ranking. On this site I find a link to another site for a news article that is relevant, and upon visiting the news site find yet another link that looks promising. Before I know it I'm at a site promoting the Ab Slide, and I have no idea how I got there and have forgotten what I originally set out to do.

Similar to my pre-senior moments when I walk upstairs to get something, and once there, can't remember what I was looking for, the web "bunny trails" I hop down can be frustrating. They're time consuming, attention sucking, and even though they're sometimes very entertaining, they dilute my effectiveness. No wonder it sometimes takes me two hours to do a 30-minute task on the web! But hey, at least I found the Ab Slide (As Seen on TV).

Avoiding The Bunny Trails

I'm determined to stop hopping down these trails too far anymore, so I'm making a point to stay focused and on task. It won't be easy with my ADD, but at least I'm gonna try. I'm not going to give in to distraction anymore. I'll resist the urge to click on the link offering more info on the amazing weight loss beer and pizza diet. No more stumbling upon sites offering instructional videos on Irish Step Dance. The links I do succumb to will be opened in a new window, so as not to cause me to hit the back arrow until my finger goes numb. And yes, I've been there.

For now, I'm done following the bunnies. No more mindless web hopping. I'm going forth with purpose and resolve, staying focused and mindful of the task at hand.

Well, at least until I do find a link to a great site offering a beer and pizza diet.

My Left-Handed Crescent Wrench

Brad Hanks — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 22:11:03 -0600

Most that know me know I'm not the most prolific blogger. In the social media toolbox, blogging is probably my least effective and least used tool. It's my left-handed crescent wrench that doesn't get to see much action. I'm much better on the social networking scene with LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. But I'm just not using blogging as well - or as often - as I should.

Why is that? Honestly, I can't put my finger on it. Maybe I'm too self conscious about my writing. Perhaps I get caught up in everything else I'm doing and play the "not enough time" hand. But more likely it's because I identify my strengths in the other areas of social media and realize blogging is not my strong suit. And we all know you should focus on your strengths, right?

This year it's all gonna change. I intend to blog more frequently - here on ActiveRain and on several of the other sites I contribute to - as well as offering up more value in my posts.

Like sharing best practices of those REALTORS that are using social media effectively in their real estate practice. I do a lot of training around the country and come across some people that really "get it," and are willing to share their success stories. And because I believe social media can be a boon to our business, I'll be blogging about it a lot.

I'll be blogging about a variety of tools (left-handed crescent wrenches included) I come across in those travels, offering up insights as to how they can be used effectively in our business. And those that I think are a complete waste of time and money.

But I'll also be talking about some of the crazy stuff that goes on in our industry, on a new blog site I'm launching soon at http://realestatedementia.com. Talking about things that many of us scratch our heads and wonder, "What were they thinking?" The names will be changed to protect "the innocent," but it's going to challenge the conventional wisdom of why we do the things we do. And I intend to solicit contributions from people within and outside of our industry to really get a sense of the nonsensical. My hope is that we can look at some of the things that are happening in real estate today, and if they don't make sense, offer up how we might work together collectively to make them make sense, or banish them from our thought process and practice forever.

Lofty goals, wouldn't you say? Perhaps. But I first have to dust off the ol' left-handed crescent wrench and commit to using it more often. It's a good thing I'm ambidextrous...

www.linkedin.com/in/bradhanks | www.twitter.com/bradhanks

How Many More Letters Do I Need?

Brad Hanks — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 22:20:28 -0500

Just in the past two weeks I've gotten several emails expounding the virtues of new "designations" available in our industry. Coursework and classes focused on certain aspects of our business, each conferring the obligitory acronyms that attest to our specialization and education. None of which are awarded by the National Association of REALTORS, but impressive designations nonetheless.

Is it me, or is the real estate industry becoming too designation happy? I know, sounds funny coming from a guy who's got enough letters behind his name to be a killer Scrabble partner, but seriously, do we really need these additional designations? Sure, the education is worthwhile and timely, but I have a hard enough time explaining to clients what the CRS behind my name means. And the Council of Residential Specialists does a phenomenal job at building public awareness of the value of the CRS designation. What resources are being thrown behind the XRG (OK, I made that one up) designation to make the buying and selling public aware of the benefits in using an agent with the XRG behind their name? Sounds to me like another opportunity to 'splain myself.

I guess I'm looking for feedback from readers here. I'd like to hear your opinions and thoughts on the designations within our industry. Which ones are worthwhile? Which ones are less than worthwhile? Are there too many?

In the meantime, I'm going to be out searching for vowels.

How Do I Know Who's Looked At My LinkedIn Profile?

Brad Hanks — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:54:23 -0500

An area most people don't pay much attention to on LinkedIn is the area that shows who has viewed your profile. Would you like to know who's been looking at you?

On your front page you'll notice a spot below the ad (upper right) entitled "Who's viewed my profile." (It won't always show, as LinkedIn pulls it down when they update stats.) If you click on this area, you'll be taken to another page that shows who has viewed your profile. In most cases you'll get general information - the position title and where the viewer is located - such as "...Someone in the Management Function of the Mortgage Industry in the Greater Denver Area." Sometimes you'll actually see the person's name, title, company they work for and the area in which they live. The latter is rare though, because by default LinkedIn only provides the generic information. Users that wish to show their specific information must go into their "Account & Settings" area to change that setting (some recruiters do this to spur callbacks from potential candidates).

Most times you'll find that the people that are viewing your profile are simply those looking to see if they'd like to connect with you. But there are also prospective clients that are checking out your profile to see if they'd like to do business with you. Or, you may be the subject of a recruiter's attention, hoping to woo you away from your current position to the land of milk and honey!

The next time you're on LinkedIn, check out who has viewed your profile. Always an interesting visit.

LinkedIn Question: "Describe Your Ah-Ha Moment on LinkedIn."

Brad Hanks — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:09:40 -0500

I loved this recent question posted on LinkedIn. I had to answer, because I literally did have one of those moments; an epiphany of how social netowrking tools like LinkedIn could literally explode my business. A lightening bolt had struck, and I'm quite certain an exclamation point appeared above my head like so many cartoon characters experiencing a revalation.

The question went on: "...the moment you figured out the value of LinkedIn; the moment it made perfect sense. The thing that triggered in your mind that this was something you could really use and committed to."

My response:

"I joined LinkedIn March 27th this year, exactly one week after having been a casualty of a reduction in force at my company, where I had been an executive for over 12 years. Having found it through an invitation to connect, I created my profile and started reaching out to people I knew. Most of those people were only half-heartedly using LinkedIn; not really doing much in the way of building their network. I did connect with several people that were successfully building large networks, and at the advice of one of those connections, I decided to take a workshop on using LinkedIn. I had realized there was value to using LinkedIn, but it wasn't until I took the workshop and quickly built my network (from 125 on Friday afternoon to over 1,000 on Sunday night) that I had that "ah-ha" moment - when I realized that I was connecting with people that could provide resources, ideas and connections to others from around the world. Currently I'm at 6,300+ connections on LinkedIn, and continue expanding my network by 50-75 connections per day. I'm now a social networking evangelist, helping people understand the power of LinkedIn and other networks in expanding their business reach. It's truly changed my perception of doing business!"

I didn't add to that answer the fact that I'm actually doing business from using LinkedIn and other networking tools. That's the follow-up to that "ah-ha" moment. Proof that my revelation was correct.

What was your "ah-ha" moment?

I Heart My iPhone

Brad Hanks — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 20:31:38 -0500

OK, so it's only been about 9 hours now that I've had my new Apple 3G iPhone, and yeah, AT&T's coverage leaves a lot to be desired, but I'm actually learning how to use this phone much quicker than any other phone I've ever owned! It's so intuitive, even someone as technologically challenged as myself can operate it in no time flat!

From the moment it came out of the box and my number was transferred, the iPhone was ready to go. No waiting for several hours to charge the battery (it came out of the box fully charged), and no 225 page manual to read (well, not that I ever read them anyway). Granted, the setup of the exchange server was not well documented and required an hour long visit with the Best Buy Apple specialist - we finally had to use the webmail settings to get it to work - but hot damn! This is one smokin' piece of cell/internet/wireless/multi-media technology! I drove home slapping myself for not making the switch months ago.

Several months back I decided to trade in my Treo 700w for another Windows Pocket PC PDA with a touch screen offering the promise that this particular phone (which will remain nameless) worked "just like" an iPhone. Ummmm. Not. Might be in the same universe, but the phone I purchased (the number ends in 6900) wasn't even in the same galaxy as the iPhone. I struggled with this PDA, growing to hate it more with each passing day.

Even after voicing my displeasure repeatedly with the carrier (likewise remaining nameless), I was told that I'd have to pay full freight to replace the phone, since I had gone past my 30-day trial period. Rather disconcerting considering I had been with this particular carrier (OK, their name starts with a "V") for several years, and was a good, premium plan paying customer. Yesterday's phone mishap was the final straw, so I stopped at their store today to see if they'd budge. Nope. So I called customer service and asked what my termination charge would be. The rep heard my plaintive story, and, trying to keep me as a customer, quickly offered up a 25% discount over full retail for the replacement phone I was considering. Thanking her for her efforts with a promise to think about it, I proceeded to the local big box electronics store and was greeted with a sign in their entrance proclaiming the arrival of the new 3G iPhone. The 16G 3G iPhone was even cheaper than the other company's model at the reduced rate. No brainer, right?

The rest, as they say, is history. Which is likely the fate of those other phone manufacturers out there that are selling phones that are "just like" an iPhone.

I just noticed my PC's are cowering...

Cross Pollinating Your Social Networks

Brad Hanks — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 01:07:09 -0500

I'm involved in several different social networks: MySpace, Facebook, Plaxo Pulse, Fastpitch, Twitter, ecademy and LinkedIn (I'm sure I've forgotten a couple, but cut me some slack - I'm old). It probably seems a bit much. But I don't spend much time on most, choosing instead to focus on developing only one or two. I direct my energies to those networks that fit the target consumer I'm looking to do business with, using the others to drive traffic to my main social networks - LinkedIn and ecademy.

In the age of social network overkill, with 10's of thousands of social networks available to us,* there's no way to manage more than two or three effectively. Not if you want to keep your day job of listing and selling real estate. Which is why, even though I'm present on several social networks, I zero in on just a couple to build my business.

In connecting with social network members on other venues, I'm always promoting my LinkedIn or ecademy networks, encouraging those members to connect with me on those networks. In addition, I'm promoting the groups (LinkedIn) and clubs (ecademy) that I belong to, as well as promoting the social network I've created on Ning - The Real Estate Network - in hopes of building connections and membership on those respective sites. In effect, I'm cross pollinating my networks.

In promoting these other network connections, I've made it as easy on myself as possible. I've created template messages (created in Word, to ensure proper spelling and grammar, allowing me to copy, paste and customize to large numbers) to send to those that I've connected with. I've included a sample of one that I use on ecademy below.**

Each of these messages references the other network that I belong to, along with the groups or clubs that I associate with. When asking for connections on my preferred networks, I'm finding a cross pollinization rate (additional connections) of about 25% - a substantial number of connections that I could've left "on the table" had I not asked. In addition, I get a fair number of people looking to join the groups or clubs that I'm part of. Not bad for just putting it out there.

So consider using this strategy if you're looking to grow your presence on MySpace, Facebook, etc. Cross pollinate your networks, and become a busy bee, without becoming too busy on the social networking scene.

*Doubt the numbers? Go to www.ning.com to see a listing of the social networks created just on that site alone.

**Thank you for your message and the opportunity to connect with you here on ecademy. I'm relatively new here, but I'm finding the power and the quality of this network to be very impressive.

As I learn my way around and work to become a better ecademy member, I'm visiting a number of profiles to gain an understanding of what to place in mine. I appreciate the chance to learn from your profile, and I'm always open to suggestions on how to improve mine. Please keep me in mind if you have specific ideas that may help.

I noticed that you have interest in real estate. If you're so inclined, I'd like to invite you to participate in The Real Estate Network club formed here on ecademy. Just click on this link to join. We'd love to have you.

In addition, there's a social networking site for real estate professionals that you might find interesting. The Real Estate Network is a site devoted to real estate professionals and those that have interest in the topic of real estate. It's free to join, and the site has great content and opportunities to connect with real estate professionals from around the world.

I'm also a member of LinkedIn, and invite you to connect with me through by quick link invitation - http://www.bradhanks.mylinkinvitation.com - if you're a member there as well. As I train people how to use LinkedIn effectively in their business, I can offer you tips or advice if you'd like to learn more. Please let me know how I can help. I'd be happy to share.

Thank you again for the opportunity to be a part of your network. I look forward to networking with you here. Take care, and stay connected!

Brad Hanks ~ Connecting People With Success ~

P.S. - You can also follow me on Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/bradhanks.

Are You Getting Eyeballs on Your Profile?

Brad Hanks — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 01:23:13 -0500

Want to know how well your LinkedIn profile is doing at attracting eyeballs? Check the profile stats area in the "Who's viewed my profile" area (on the right side of your LinkedIn home page, just below the ad).*

The profile stats area provides you with a snapshot of traffic on your LinkedIn profile - who has looked at your profile in the last few days, and how many times you've shown up in searches on LinkedIn. I look at these stats as a barometer of how effective my message is in my profile, as well as whether my key words are doing an effective job at bringing my profile into view of those doing searches on LinkedIn. I average about 20 profile views every few days and look for triple digit results in searches. If I'm hitting those numbers I know my profile's doing its job.

Whether you connect with hundreds or stay with just a few in your network, you should monitor these numbers routinely. Because even if you don't build a huge network on LinkedIn, you want to be found in the sea of 25 million LinkedIn users. You just never know where business is going to come from...

In my next post I'll offer some tips on enhancing your profile and offering advice on dressing up "the most important real estate" on your LinkedIn page. In the meantime, you can connect with me on LinkedIn by clicking on this link: www.bradhanks.mylinkinvitation.com. You can also contact me directly at brad_hanks@msn.com with questions on how to get the most out of your social networking.

Stay connected!

Brad Hanks ~ Connecting People With Success ~

Brad is a real estate broker, speaker and trainer that specializes in LinkedIn and ecademy training for REALTORS throughout the U.S. and Canada.

*The profile statistics are currently in beta. From time to time they will not be visible on your home page, as LinkedIn is making modifications to this service and/or refreshing the statistics.

Brokers & Managers - Are You Rolling the Dice?

Brad Hanks — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 23:25:28 -0500

With more and more real estate professionals blogging and participating in social networks, is there a potential liability risk to brokers, owners and managers for something their associates post online?

Well, um, yes. (I was tempted to say "d'uh," but chose to bite my tongue instead.)

It's surprising to me that more hasn't been made of this topic, especially given the surge of real estate professionals utilizing social media in their business. Thousands are blogging, and many more will be doing so in the coming months. And they're flocking to social networking sites like MySpace, Facebook and LinkedIn in record numbers as they attempt to reach the millions of consumers that are regular visitors there. Yet very few in brokerage management have attempted to become educated to the Web 2.0 way of doing business, let alone develop proactive strategies to manage and monitor the use of these tools by their associates and staff. Just a few points to consider:

There has been an increase in the number of lawsuits filed against associates for posting defamatory and malicious statements about individuals and companies. In one case, the initial complaint sought damages in the 8-figure range! These lawsuits have managed to ensnare the company and responsible broker as well, and even if the company and broker manage to untangle themselves from the suit, it comes at considerable cost (think attorney's fees and negative publicity).
Real estate commission rules and regulations pertaining to supervisory duties of principal brokers are deemed to apply to the digital representations of their associates as well.
Brand "hijacking" and inconsistent use have become widespread throughout the social networking sites. Many major franchising organizations are expending time and resources to take back trademarks used without permission to promote certain groups, clubs or individuals - in many cases, where those individuals had no relationship with the company whatsoever.
Real estate companies are experiencing dilution of their image and brand erosion due to mixed messages conveyed by their associates. An inconsistent message and a failure to clearly enunciate the organization's value proposition are to blame.

I'm imagining a veritable hand-wringing, teeth-gnashing festival ensues from here, as harried owners and managers, already wracked by a retreating bottom line, are forced to ponder this new fate. But all is not lost. There are some steps to mitigate social media mishaps if you're proactive:

Educate yourself on the new tools of the business. Take classes or surf for answers to blogging, micro-blogging, podcasts, vlogging and social networking. These tools are here to stay, so ignoring them and hoping they go away isn't a sound strategy.
Offer guidance and counsel to your associates as to what to say, or rather, what NOT to say, avoiding controversy and polarized commentary. Remember - blogging and social networking can be forever. You can pull a blog post or profile down from the web, but you can never be sure they won't surface somewhere else in the future.
Develop policies for your company's digital representation on blogs and social networks. Provide an expectation of what the company's profile should convey. And develop procedures to follow in the event you need to enforce your policies. It's much easier to handle when you've outlined what needs to be done if a circumstance arises, as opposed to making it up as you go.
Monitor what is said. Don't misread this as an Orwellian undertaking. You're not looking to suppress creativity or free speech, or even offer editorial advice. But you have a vested interest in how your company is represented, so it behooves you to stay informed. Subscribe to Google Alerts (free service) to notify you about items posted bearing your company's name.
Get on board. Join the social networks that are frequented most by your associates. You don't have to jump in whole hog and start throwing sheep (Thanks Jim - a chance to use a mixed barnyard metaphor), but you should at least connect with them.
Subscribe to their blog posts through feeds and RSS. Save yourself the time of skipping around the web and have their blogs delivered to you.

These few steps can help reduce the odds of surprises springing up as a result of social media gaffes. Without taking the necessary precautions now, you're gambling with your company's future. And the odds may not be in in your favor.

Disclaimer - Seek the advice of an attorney in determining what policies are best suited for your company.

Brad Hanks, ABR, CRB, CRS, GRI, e-Pro is a Broker Associate with RE/MAX Alliance in Denver, Colorado. He is a Master Instructor with the Council of Real Estate Brokerage Managers (CRB), a Senior Instructor with the Colorado Association of REALTORS (CAR) and owner of Brad Hanks Seminars, specializing in training real estate professionals on social networks such as LinkedIn, Facebook and ecademy.

You can connect with Brad on LinkedIn (www.bradhanks.mylinkinvitation.com), Twitter (www.twitter.com/bradhanks) or by joining him on The Real Estate Network (www.TheRealEstateNetwork.ning.com).

Brad Hanks Seminars ~ Connecting People With Success ~

Hey y'all! I did it! My first blog post!

Brad Hanks — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 01:09:41 -0500

Well, almost. You see, I've blogged on Blogger (lost in the noise) and on The Real Estate Network on Ning (www.TheRealEstateNetwork.ning.com - come join us, it's free), but never in such a public venue as ActiveRain. Wow, it feels like Dad just took the training wheels off my bike.

So if you get a chance, check out "But...(sniff)...I Don't Wanna Blog" sometime in the next couple of days. And let me know if those sentiments ring true with you.

I guess I just want to know that I'm not alone. And...sniff...that I'm loved.

'Preciate it, and happy blogging y'all.

Brad Hanks ~ Connecting People With Success ~

Which Social Networks Work For You?

Brad Hanks — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 01:02:03 -0500

There's a ton of 'em out there: MySpace, Facebook, LinkedIn, Plaxo, Bebo, Naymz, Ryze, ecademy, Orkut, Ning. I'd have to take a deep breath to keep going, because there are 10s of thousands of social networks available to join!

The $64,000 question is, which one is right for you? Which social network has caught your attention, and which one(s) do you use for developing your business? We'd like to know.

So give us an idea of which one(s) you belong to, and which one(s) you spend your time on. Tell us the good, the bad and the ugly. And give us your success stories too. Because there are a lot of people waiting to jump in to the social networking pool. But they may not do so until you tell them the water's fine.

But...(sniff)...I Don't Wanna Blog!

Brad Hanks — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 23:58:44 -0500

Gawd, I've resisted this for SO long. I've avoided blogging like the proverbial plague, even though I preach the benefits of using technology and the Internet to further the careers of REALTORS throughout the U.S. And encouraged others to get out and blog. Odd, huh? Especially since I love to write.

And I consider myself to be a fairly good writer. Yeah, I know - just like we all know we're good drivers...

But seriously, I think I can be a pretty decent writer. Humorous, on topic, pithy, informative. So why the blogophobia? Why the reluctance to get out there and put my thoughts on the web?

Perhaps because I had... well, certain self esteem issues. In the back of my mind I was wondering "Who's going to be interested in anything I have to say?" I mean, I'm not a particularly interesting sort. Not that blazingly intelligent. And certainly not so charismatic on a page. In the seemingly infinite universe of the blogosphere, what could I possibly say that would have interest to anyone? Then the realization set in. It wasn't so much what others thought was an interesting read at first, but what I thought was interesting. What got my juices flowing. The rest will come in due time. Readers. Comments. New connections. And quite possibly, new ways of thinking for me.

So, now I'm being drug, kicking and screaming, into the new world order that is blogging. Or at least being towed by the hand while my shoes leave scuff marks on the tile floor. Being coaxed by the likes of Ribeezie (Ricardo Bueno) and Obeoman (Steven Stearns), two excellent blogging mentors who assure me it'll be good for me.

I hope I don't end up hating you for this...

Let me know what you think. Post a comment here, and let me know on Twitter - www.twitter.com/bradhanks. Thanks!

Well, sorta new

Brad Hanks — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 21:11:53 -0500

I'll admit it. I'm one of those that signed up and let my ActiveRain membership languish, my profile idly sitting collecting cyberdust.

I had been to ActiveRain several times before I joined in April, but after I joined, I spent more time on LinkedIn, ecademy, Facebook, and a social network I created on Ning called The Real Estate Network. Kinda spaced my networking here, but with your forgiveness, I'll commit to be an ActiveRainer and participate more.

Nudge me from time to time to keep me goin. And I'll do the same. Cuz that's what networkers do for one another.

Thanks, and see you around AR!

Brad Hanks ~ Connecting People With Success ~