It's behind the Inman "pay wall" now, but a few weeks ago Rob Hahn penned an article suggesting that having a social media "strategy" was a flawed endeavor. Rob later posted somewhat of a rebuttal to his critics, which you can read here for free. I won't even bother trying to summarize it. I love reading Rob, but sometimes he makes my brain hurt. (H/T to Jim Duncan)
You can and should have a social media strategy
I would suggest you have a strategy for almost everything you do. A strategy is a high-level game plan for what you want to accomplish. Whether it's more money, a more fulfilling career or a happier life, and strategy helps you get there. Without a strategy, you're playing. Without a strategy, you're guessing that your activity will pay off without any way of measuring the payoff.
For social media, your strategy may be as broad as increasing your sphere of influence. Maybe it's connecting with more people face-to-face. Perhaps it's getting your brand out there more. It could be educating yourself about the field you're in. More than likely (and for me personally) it's some combination of all four. Even if it's not explicit, there is likely a strategy behind your web presence.
Be wary, however, of your social media tactics
I'm not going to put words in Rob's mouth, but if I had been asked to write the article, I would have said that it is the tactical use of Twitter (and all social media) that can be flawed. If I get on Twitter with the sole intention of complimenting Annie Agent to suck up to her, that is as insincere as it gets. If I prop up an agent, it's because I think he or she really is great, and I just saw something to remind me of that. Equally ineffective is the mechanical bullhorning of data, quotes, listings and other impersonal communication that we see on Twitter. To me, that's a tactical blunder.
Social media at its best is the human exchange of ideas, thoughts and experiences through internet and mobile channels. For that, tactics can lack authenticity. But I'm not sure I see the flaw with a well-intended strategy for harnessing those interactions to make yourself, your clients and your practice (whatever it may be) better.
"What do you mean you won't have any desks" Part 2
THE DETAILS!
Well, first I want to thank everyone for their patience. The support you have shown me based on my obvious anxiety was tremendous, and Active Rain people are the best people there are so I want to thank you.
Second of all, I am going to try and explain the exact vision as best I can. I am still debating whether I should try this using video, but I'll give it a start using those things we call words first, so here we go.
The Vision:
To create a transformational space that not only emphasizes functionality using the latest technologies, but inspires all that are associated with it by combining form and function with aesthetic. (While doing so on a shoe string budget of course!) Why? Because the industry has changed and so has the way we work. Creating a space that is dedicated to that premise is vital to the success of the Chevy Chase office. Therefore the result I am seeking is to create something no one in the Real Estate industry has seen anywhere.
The Components:
1) Idea Central:The nerve center of the office, Idea Central is the very heart and soul of the office and is meant to encourage all staff and associates to grow. The largest part of the office, this open space takes over where the traditional bullpen used to be. No longer are there rows of desks, empty and void of production and life. Now it is the lifeblood of the space - where agents share, laugh, learn. Now Idea central has two parts: the functional and the lounge.
The functional partis where an agent will bring their laptop, plugin, and get to work. There are two crescent shaped tables, like at a library, where the agent will work, print, create, write, market, and do everything else they would do in a traditional office setting. The only difference is there is no assigned seating and it has tremendous style! This is for the mobile professional who comes, does their business, and leaves.
The lounge section is the other part of the large room. Like a Starbucks, it encourages people to hang out, share, and do work in a much more casual setting. The space is strewn with comfortable furniture, soft lighting, and even a wii. The point is, if you are the type that enjoys sitting on the couch, with your laptop and a cup of coffee, Chevy Chase's Idea Central lounge will allow you to do that. Idea Central will be completed in Phase 1.
2) Agent Alley:This is where the best may still have a place to call their own. Though you must earn your way to a spot that is dedicated to you, production is not the only prerequisite. An agent must also USE the space.
3) Home Rooms: The home room is the answer to unused space! There is nothing more frustrating than staring at an empty conference room, or seeing two agents want the same conference room when one can easily see only 1/3 of the space used. The homeroom is the answer to that. Small, private, and comfortable, these rooms will emphasize the intimacy one must have when they are speaking with their clients. It's not about old antique furniture, it's about privacy. The home room will provide that. Unfortunately, the home room build out will be a year or so away :( but I'm working on it.
So, there's the idea. Construction should begin on Wednesday, and at this point I feel like I'm giving birth. What do you think? I have some drawings but I'll have to add those later. So patience my friends!
By the way, I actually came up with those names so if you steal them, send me royalties! LOL
The following video is a class I gave at my office on how to do a Listing Presentation. It is a 3 parter so ya'll don't get bored! In any event, the first part which is embedded below is only a couple minutes and leads you up til the actual sit down and formal presentation.
So here’s what happened. I had an idea, a concept really. I wanted to create the most innovative office anywhere - and though the office has made huge strides over the last couple years, I never felt like I would achieve the full potential of what we wanted to become until the physical space matched the philosophical ideal.
So, like Jerry McGuire, I put the idea to paper in an official presentation called, “The Chevy Chase office build out - building the office of the now!”
I sent it everywhere, talked it up and sold it hard because I really believed in it.
That was seven months ago. What happened? They said yes! And for a while I was actually feeling pretty good about it to. That was until this morning.
Since then, I am on the verge of a panic attack without any Xanax anywhere! Why, you ask? Why have my innards gone all mushy with chaotic disorder?
Because it was not until this morning, where we sit on the verge of the construction that I realize there is so much riding on me being right. I work for a large company, and that company likes making sure bets. Is this a sure bet? Probably not, but, they're letting me do it anyway.
Why? Because they have faith in me; because I have sold them on the idea that we MUST do this; we HAVE TO do this. I just know it! I haven't been this passionate about anything since like ever!
But, of course, the thought has occurred to me that I might be wrong. Then what! All I know is I will not only look very stupid but have spent someone else's money while doing it.
So there, that's why I’m stressin...that's why my stomach is doing that whole turn on it’s side thing, and why I want to cry my little eyes out like my six year old daughter after I turned off Hannah Montana before the end of the show.
However, I was reminded about something else today...that anything worth doing should scare the Beatlejuice out of you. That if you're going to create something the word SAFE should be stricken from your mindset completely.
So, safe I am not, nor will I ever be. I guess that's why I'm me.
About an hour ago I found out that I was a finalist for the 2009 REALTOR(R) Technology Spotlight Award - "Visionary" category. How? I have no idea. Seriously, it's just weird.
Why?
Because when it comes down to it, there are like a gazzilion people out there that blow my mind on a daily basis. These people are the ones I think of when I think of visionary real estate people. Here are just a few that continually blow my mind:
1) Jonathan Washburn (ActiveRain): the smartest guy I have ever met, though I do have more hair than he does.
2) Derek Massey (Mid-Atlantic Settlement Services): the smartest man on Twitter, who, as a leader, is one of my idols.
3) Jeff Turner (Mr. Everywhere - meaning there isn't a business this man isn't doing): okay...it's a tie. Jeff is also the smartest person I have ever met. The fact that both he and Jonathan have no hair is something I must look into!
Anyway, those are 3 of my visionary idols and wanted to mention it here first.
It's my first post at the YPN Lounge. It the Young Professionals' Network blog on the Realtor® Magazine online edition.
It was fun to be included in this impressive bunch of bloggers (I'm sure that Darrin Friedman - the Blogging Broker himself - had something to do with this)
So please, please feel free to drop by and leave a comment.
And please, don't anyone tell them I'm on Medicare!
Unless you have been living under a rock for the last 20 hours, President Obama gave his State of Health Care speech last night, and unless you are a corpse you most likely have an opinion about the subject, and the opinion surrounding the heckle from a congressman from South Carloina.
It seems people, regardless of background and profession, seem are all heated up and any criticism of public apathy in regard to politics seems like the long forgotten distant past. So, when I turned off the TV last night and checked Facebook and Twitter for the last time before bed, I was amazed at the very honest and raw feelings of my friends that make up real estate community in which we participate.
It's not that I was surtprised tht pepple were pissed. I expected it. I mean regardless of sides, people are hot. On the other hand my surprise was that people were be so "raw", so angry, in such a public forum; a forum we all use for personal marketing and sphere outreach.
It just shocked me.
Now, maybe I'm being too cautious, but when I use these platforms I try to remember that what I say is out there for ever. I try to remember that being in sales is about being a chameleon and that alienating anyone is at best unwise.
I know what you're thinking..."Darrin, how can you be so cold?" "Don't you care?"
Sure. I care like everyone else cares. I'm passionate about my beliefs just as you. The point is I don't tell half the online world what they are.
Why? Because someone out there is going to want to buy a house and maybe he doesn't think the way I think - and you know what? I still want to sell that guy a house! What it comes down to is socail media is a wonderful vehicle to meet people you otherwise would not have met, and to develop relationships that matter - but until you know each other better, sometimes, you just need to shut up!
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
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It's finally up: 
;)
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