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Tweeting or Blogging or Meeting Face-to-Face? Baltimore,Maryland

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Real Estate Broker/Owner with HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 311291

Tweeting or Blogging or Meeting Face-to-Face? Baltimore,Maryland

BEA LogoIn the last week I've spent a lunch meeting learning about Twitter, I've been online for hours reading and communicating, and I've visited the annual publishing show in New York to find that most of the buzz was about the growth in ebooks and the influence of the Kindle on the world of books. Everywhere you go, people are texting and tweeting and blogging, often all sitting together and not actually talking to each other! Is this the future?

NAWBO TwitterNAWBO Twitter PresentationI don't believe so. Personal connections still make a difference whether you're talking about real estate or any other profession. During that Twitter class, everyone was focused on learning how to make the best use of this 140-character message tool. It was a lunch-and-learn session, but I got so into it that I forgot to eat my lunch.

Sponsored by our local NAWBO  (National Association of Women Business Owners) chapter, there was a good crowd. And because I was there in person, and could talk face-to-face with people, one of them also bought a copy of my book.

Book on Kindle And again a couple of days ago I was in my broker's class and met Anna Privalova. She told me that she had been in one of Anne Hruby's GRI classes  and heard me speak.  One of my favorite things is talking with new agents.... Speaking, Networking, Making Connections!!  

 Anna  said that she has been following me on Active Rain and knew about the book. When she asked how to get a copy, I mentioned all the usual options – Barnes & Noble, Amazon, my site, the publisher's site, and the Kindle version. Her eyes lit up, and she said that if it's about real estate she owns it, but not all books are available on Kindle.

Right there in class she pulled up the Kindle site and ordered the book. Would she have done that if we hadn't met and talked in person? I doubt it.

The world of communication is changing. We can reach many more people faster than ever before. But for true communication I still believe that we need the human element for our complete message to get through. I love the way technology makes my business work better and smarter, but I will NOT stop answering my phone , making my own appointments Yes, I DO! , showing my properties(when necessary) and meeting appraisers and inspectors.

Because that's where the best communication takes place.

Tweeting or Blogging or Meeting Face-to-Face? Baltimore,Maryland

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www.HomeRome.com

410-530-2400

Posted by

Margaret Rome
HomeRome Realty
Broker/Owner/RealtorĀ®

Baltimore, Maryland


Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

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Comments (68)

Petra Norris
Lakeland Real Estate Group, Inc. - Lakeland, FL
Realtor, Lakeland FL Homes for Sale

Margaret - you are so right! I'm forever grateful because you are the first person to call - I'll never forget that. I love social networking, I answer phones, make appointments, be there for showings, inspections and closings. Face-to-face contact is truly the best connection one can have, it is full-filling.

Jun 05, 2009 10:55 AM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

In the end Margaret whether face to face, phone, or email we have to talk with REAL people. Twitter can only carry one so far.

Jun 05, 2009 11:10 AM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

What a great idea, Margaret. Of course, Kindle. Thank you for that. I'm gonna call my publisher now. :)

sacramento short sale agent

Jun 05, 2009 01:35 PM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

Margaret - I would say Tweeting AND Blogging AND Meeting Face-to-Face, actually.  I have leveraged my social media efforts into a lot of face-to-face time with friends and clients.  Keep up the good work!

Jun 05, 2009 01:52 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Norma, I so agree!

 

Neal, You have so many ways of communicating and glad we met.

 

Sally, Thanks for remembering. We do have a connection.

 

Marney, Sorry I missed your session at GBBR.

 

Christopher, Well said. Social media is just one of the ways to meet F2F. Our blogging, tweeting, AR and FB just open more doors.

 

Jackie, You do understand . The real connection came with the F2F meeting.

 

Connie, They seem to be getting younger and younger...but we are doing our best to keep up.

 

Anna, Love all the belly button connections.

 

Dean, Loved your last post  for all of us who are "42 much".  I will be sure to bring my book to Detroit for you.

 

Dave, Thank you.

 

Bill, Would love to meet you one day.

 

Carol, Wonderful meeting those who live in my computer.

 

Paul, I think we need both...there is just not enough time to meet everyone.

 Wendy, Your really understand ....find the right mix that makes sense for you.

Joe, I need to learn how to set my AR blog to automatically to the other site. Have time to teach me?

 

Integrity, Thanks for stopping by.

 

Donna, Like the way you work. Keep it up.

 

Rebecca, F2F is the best.

 

Patricia, Again I say..F2F is the best.

 

 

Afansad, I repeat, F2F is the best.

 

Carla, I too, enjoy company, conversation and social interaction.....when there is time.

 

Beverly, We do learn a lot from our kids.

 

Vickie, The blogging etc. allows us the opportunity to meet so many more and create relationships.

 

Petra, Picking up the phone is so rewarding and the next best thing to F2F.

 

Gary, But I never would have "met" you and enjoyed your wisdom without AR.

 

Elizabeth, Great idea, I agree! Many people will be using Kindle. Look how many trees will be saved..not to mention postage savings. Lol

 

Jason, You are a true master .... leveraging your social media into F2F.

 

Jun 05, 2009 02:52 PM
Jamie Dumaine-Russell
RE/MAX Alliance - Branford, CT

Margaret - While all of these new social networking and technology tools are an added benefit to our business, they will never replace getting face to face with people.  Agents shouldn't use is as a crutch to hide behind but rather as an opportunity to engage with people that we can hopefully turn into a face to face meeting.

Jun 05, 2009 03:47 PM
Regina P. Brown
MBA Broker Consultants - Carlsbad, CA
M.B.A., Broker, Instructor

Margaret, I hope this is NOT the future of all communication, but you forgot one little tiny fact:  You and I are not the future.  Our kids & grandkids are!

Your blog is now featured at http://activerain.com/groups/virtualoffice

Jun 05, 2009 03:55 PM
Jeff Turner
RealSatisfied - Santa Clarita, CA

Nothing is EVER going to replace face-to-face. Ever.

Jun 05, 2009 06:20 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Regina, Thanks for the Feature in your group...http://activerain.com/groups/virtualoffice

Donna,  You said it so well...an added benefit not a replacement.

Jeff, Absolutely loved  your radio interview. You are a star but we all knew that. YEO...really like this term. You always engage others!

Jun 05, 2009 11:07 PM
Elizabeth Benefield
Montana Country Real Estate - Libby, MT

I think with textingand twitter the message can get misconstrued sometimes its best to just pick up the phone.

Liz

Jun 06, 2009 03:46 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Liz,

Texting and Twittering are some great ways to get started in making connections. There is nothing like the actual contact with a phone...hearing the voice...getting to know the person who lives in your computer.

Jun 07, 2009 02:46 AM
Sharon Alters
Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty - 904-673-2308 - Fleming Island, FL
Realtor - Homes for Sale Fleming Island FL

Margaret, YEO is just another way of networking and connecting - it's fun and efficient, but actually meeting people is where the business comes together. I am energized when I meet people. It makes me happy and feel like I've accomplished something.

Sharon

Jun 07, 2009 07:51 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Sharon, I have just been with buyers from out of the country who found me online. We have just met and connected like old friends and they are purchasing one of my properties. This all seemed to happen in one day...but we have been emailing for weeks.

Jun 07, 2009 09:23 AM
Carl Stars
Sutton Group About Town Realty - Burlington, ON

Meet 20 people face to face and tweet 20 times see what will be the results. We all know the right answer

Jun 08, 2009 02:28 AM
Mike Jones
SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ
Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Margaret,

The belly to belly graphic is the best comment! "Personal connections still make a difference"  AMEN!!

Mike in Tucson

Jun 08, 2009 07:58 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Mike, You are so right about that comment!

Your very thoughtful and yummy gift arrived Thank you for remembering. You are so darn special. Will touch base with you tomorrow. SOC is such a special program...I just never took the time to use it. You are the master!

Jun 09, 2009 03:19 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Carl, But how much time will it take to meet 20 vs tweeting 20? How about if you are in a group of 20 and you are all tweeting 20 more. Thanks for stopping by

Jun 09, 2009 03:23 PM
Alan Gross
PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company, Equal Housing Lender - Bethesda, MD
Loan Consultant

Technology is great. It allows you to keep in touch with a lot of people easily. But some of those old means of communication are also great. Notes, cards, phone calls and seeing someone in person are still effective ways to keep in touch and build your business and relationships. If fact, I feel the more we use technology the more effective "the old ways" are because so many people stop using them and people still appreciate the personal touch.

Jun 11, 2009 08:22 AM
Diane Aurit
LKN Realty, LLC - Mooresville, NC
Lake Norman Real Estate

Oh Margaret, it is so nice to read about the importance of face-to-face not to mention customer service.  I have given several referrals out lately to technology pros on AR and in two cases the clients were not happy with their service.  It is so important for all of us to remember how to set priorities.  There are times when I am so busy that I don't even write regularly on my own blog...my clients simply have to come first!  Thanks for letting me vent!

Jun 11, 2009 09:45 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Alan, The best way to stay in touch with others, is whatever  way you chose to use whether it be ..." Notes, cards, phone calls and seeing someone in person.." or the use of email, texting, blogging, tweeting. Just remember to "do it".

Diane, My post is open for your kind of venting....anytime. You make a good point. No amount of technology will take the place of good service and old fashioned F2F.

 

Jun 11, 2009 01:32 PM