It's depressing how Real Estate agents and professionals around here (New England) know so little about the importance of social media. It was obvious today after we went door to door promoting our class on Twitter & Facebook to offices, owner brokers, and managers that something is clearly missing. I went to over 15 offices in the Andover, North Andover, MA area speaking to agents, giving hand outs, and even sent out over 500 e-mails to Realtors.
Is it only about CE Credits? (we know that answer is YES) So, what is wrong with that picture? What does CBR,CIPS,CRB,CRS,e-Pro,GRI,PMN,RECS,SRES mean to someone searching for Real Estate on-line anyways?
| Nashua Video Tours - Nashua, NH
Real Estate Video Tours for MA and NH
Like I said before... you're absolutely wasting your time. It's like talking to yourself.
Apr 21, 2009 10:21 AM
RE/MAX of Ocean City - Ocean City, NJ
CRS
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties - New Milford, CT
Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT
Hi Greg, I started on AR just over 2 months ago. I am now number 1 in my town and number 2 for my county and 23 in CT overall. How could that be? Because very few realtors are into this here. Unlike other places. I was trying to get those in my office to understand. That was a waste of my breath.
Then the light turned on... If I am the only one.... what does that mean to me?
I am probably not using twitter, facebook and linkedin to their full potential, but hey, I am working my buns off with this stuff. I have by AR blog, my outside blog with AR, I sponsor my hometown on localism, I have a blogger blog and a wordpress blog. I am getting hits on all, and getting better with every mistake, LOL.
We New Englanders are a strange bunch. No staging of homes, no hiring a professional photographer, no nothing. This puts me in a very good position.
Apr 21, 2009 10:36 AM
Realm Real Estate Professionals - Houston, TX
Not sure what the point was, but if the point was the title, I agree half-way. It's important to be familiar with and even be expert at one or two social media outlets, if only to be "out there." However, the important thing to remember is, get in front of live people. The stuff is fun but if we never get out of the office and meet people, then I think we do it to our own detriment. It is still a people business -- face to face, live, in the flesh.
Apr 21, 2009 10:36 AM
Virtual Media Realty & ZIPVO - North Andover, MA
@Andrea.... That is awesome and I am so happy to hear that it's working out for you. It's a must to be everywhere and since the cost is so affordable (FREE) and just takes effort to do, isn't it more of a risk if you're not using these awesome tools?
@Andrew.... The point is, that people search for real estate on-line and if you're not using these powerful sites, you're missing out! Also, a class that gives credits doesn't always mean it will teach you meaningful and useful tools. Yes, seeing people face to face (networking) is important however, on-line is also "real life" and if you incorporate video into that mix, you have a deadly combo...
Apr 21, 2009 10:49 AM
Eau Claire Realty, Inc. - Eau Claire, WI
Eau Claire Wisconsin, Real Estate Agent & Realtor- Buy or Sell
Greg I think one issue is that anyone can get a real estate license and thats why most dont make it because they have absolutely no background in the skills necessary to succeed. The very few tech saavy ones or at least ones with enough initiative and business sense to look around and learn do well.
I just went to our last board meeting and there were hundreds of agents there and a speaker came to talk about technology. Here are some questions he asked the audience:
How many of you are on Twitter?
I raised my hand and was the only one.
How many of you have a blog?
I raised my hand and was the only one.
This is a huge geographic area covering a very large chunk of wisconsin. I dont think we are a backward town at all. In fact the Cray supercomputer was built here. I just dont get why people are so slow to adapt. I dont know if its just real estate agents or people in general but for some reason they cant recognize how much technology can do for them.
Apr 21, 2009 11:31 AM
RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage - Brampton, ON
Our Family Wants To Help Your Family!
Hey Greg - we are out there in cyber-space and are sometimes amazed at how fast people find the new things you post, faster than speed dial.....now video we are new to but giving it a shot!
Canadian AR's
Al and Peggy
Apr 21, 2009 11:43 AM
Realty Works Temecula - Temecula, CA
Realty Works Temecula
Ha, you got me with that title. I thought you were serious! I think the younger real estate agents are all hooked up but there are so many older people in our industry that are not doing anything. Not all but most. I just don't do Facebook.....I am phobic about it for some reason.
Apr 21, 2009 01:18 PM
Virtual Media Realty & ZIPVO - North Andover, MA
@Shane... AWESOME!!!! Thanks for that input! I sometimes feel we are all in a backward world! I think you bring up some interesting points.
What's actually is really funny to me is how some Associations and Chapters don't help spread the word to their Realtors. I was at a trade show last year and I was speaking to someone heavily involved with a MAJOR association. I was speaking to him about the importance of social media for his agents and the added value to them. He gave me a weird look and told me "you know what, I don't care if the Realtors learn or adapt".... I was shocked... It's amazing, it should start from the top down and the real estate community really should be looking at the leaders to help incorporate these helpful / useful ways to network and communicate with peers and customers.
@Al & Peggy.... It is fast... and what's even quicker is how fast you're content is picked up by a spider.... It's great stuff and should be incentive for all!!!! Good luck with the video, we are launching Canada on June 12th. Let me know if you need any help! Good Luck...
Apr 21, 2009 01:19 PM
Virtual Media Realty & ZIPVO - North Andover, MA
@Jane.... If you put your cell phone or e-mail address on you're business card or your phone number in the phone book, then why wouldn't you want to be on the LARGEST directory / networking site in the world. People do business with someone they like, know, and trust.... Facebook does a great job with all 3. When someone is on the computer at 2am viewing their videos / content it's that person that will get the e-mail, DM, phone call in the morning to see a listing...
Here is a success story (3rd part) of a Realtor friend I have about Facebook.....
Apr 21, 2009 01:41 PM
Lake Burton Club Realty-Clayton Ga - Clayton, GA
Property Specialist - Lake Burton Club, Rabun County
I'am on most of those sites, but it can be a little overwhelming. I try to use the slower time to get ahead with the technology. Thanks.
Apr 21, 2009 02:11 PM
Virtual Media Realty & ZIPVO - North Andover, MA
@Shelly..... It's okay to be a little overwhelmed, it's not recognizing the importance of of change which is the problem....
Apr 21, 2009 02:17 PM
Ocala, FL
Ocala, Horses, Western Wear, Horse Farms, Marketing
I've taught (2) classes at my office to ... to no avail. Done with that as I have too much to do to waste any more time. You may have noticed how much I love your rant and video. ;-)
Apr 22, 2009 01:18 AM
Virtual Media Realty & ZIPVO - North Andover, MA
Thanks Susie, My frustration is with these people in control with offices, associations, chapters, etc that don't want what's best for "their" Realtors.... It's mind boggling when people have a difficult time viewing the Internet as not "REAL LIFE".
Apr 22, 2009 03:21 AM
Desert Sky Real Estate, LLC - Redmond, OR
Down to Earth Service; Out of this World Results!
Greg, I share your pain. I am hosting a class on social media tomorrow on behalf of our local Women's Council Chapter and CRS. We even flew in a fairly articulate and fun speaker from NAR's CRT to give us some credibility with the nay sayers.... So far only 58 brokers/agents have signed up.
Apr 22, 2009 03:44 AM
| Real Estate Radio USA - Fort Lauderdale, FL
Aaahh..another who feels the pain. Greg, we spent nearly a year showing real estate agents the way...then finally decided it was a lost cause. To heck with the lot of them. We just set up shop doing what we told them and now they wonder why they didn't do it. It's a shame..but don't let it eat you up.
Apr 22, 2009 04:02 PM
Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage~ Ginger Harper Real Estate Team - Southport, NC
Your Southport~Oak Island Agent~Brunswick County!
Tomson Burnham, llc Licensed in the State of Oregon - Salem, OR
Principal Broker/Owner, M.S.
Agents are slow to adapt for two reasons, in my opinion, and that is that social networking does not offer immediate gratification. If you participate in social networking for business, the "lead" time is significantly longer. Most people don't have the patience for internet relationships.
Secondly, the average age of a real estate agent is 50 something. There are many tech savvy older agents, but many consumers don't use social media the way that Gen X and Gen Y do. I have had many older clients who search online and use email, but don't participate on other sites.
I have a hard time explaining to older folks that open houses and print media are essentially dead in real estate. I show them the great survey from the NAR and they STILL don't agree with the numbers. It's just hard for people to change.
Apr 28, 2009 07:42 AM
Delete this account.com - Amelia City, FL
Most people dont have the time or knowledge to learn how to market themselves on social media sites... The smart one's turn to social media marketing firms like www.SocialSweetSpot.com
May 21, 2009 11:47 AM
Russell Realty Group - Boston, MA
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