Yesterday, I finally got around to editing the kickoff presentation I did at REBarcamp Denver.
This morning I received this message in tweet from Jeremy Blanton: "Can you do me a fav & put that video up on AR?" I asked him to tell me why and the following was his response.
Jeff, I would like you to post your video for the members because this is something they need to hear & understand. Especially those that are just starting down the social media road.
Many hear about the new technologies & think that they have to learn & understand each & every one of them. When in all reality, they could be 100 times more effective if they just found one or two ways to effectively market themself in the social media realm and become masters of those.
Like you mentioned in the video, not everything that you or I do will work the same for that member. Each market has it's own specific niche that the each & every person needs to learn. While twitter might work well for an agent in California, it may not do a thing for an agent in Idaho.
This simple principle applied to social media stands true for any type of marketing someone does. Example:
In my area, open houses are extremely ineffective. Agents that do an open house here only hold them to pick up that one or two buyer leads that come in, or the agent does the open house to please the seller.
Just because open houses do not work for here, does not mean that they are a complete waste of time. I have spoken with several people from around the US that use an open house as their main form of marketing & it has been super effective for them.
I guess the main reason I would love this video share is this: Each market & each person have their own individual uniqueness. The key isn't trying to learn how to do EVERYTHING, but to learn what will work & become a master of those.
Jeff this is fantastic! I love it. It's what I've been saying to my agnents lately - I wil have to use the cut my own grass analogy. You are a master my friend! And you make it so so so OK - for newbies to jump in and play.
Jeff - You are a consummate speaker. I could listen to you speak all day. It's amazing just how many different sized yards there are. Years ago I learned to set my expectations at a moderate level with a percentage of growth built in. I'm not sure that is taught much anymore.
Thanks for such a wonderful presentation! I'm glad Jeremy convinced you to share!
That's a pretty extensive metaphor for social networking. As a side bar, I only know one person in SoCal who actually cuts his own grass (and that's because his wife always nags him).
Jeff I know your talk was not about cutting grass but I loved the illustration; you see I like to cut my own grass. The difference is I have a lot of grass.
That was a great way to motivate the attendees and I am glad you shared the video. The truth is, each person has to decide what tools work best for them, there is just too much out there. Your market is certainly a deciding factor in your choice in tools.
I so appreciate all the ideas being shared but I know how important it is to be myself.
I was fortunate to be there for this one Jeff, and I wasn't on grass! lol~ Thanks for posting this, there are a few folks I've already directed this way. Can you put the powerpoint or slide show up on Box.net or slide.com to be shared? Would love to have access to that for some upcoming Social Media events and trainings. LMK. Thanks. :-)
Awesomeness as usual Jeff. The tools that we have at our disposal are just that tools..its what we do with them that matters, and that has to reflect what it is we want to achieve. Everyone will have a different market, a different message, and a different goal. But none of these tools are worth much without the value of real relationships behind them..otherwise its just another LOUD LAWNMOWER!
Great video! I completely agree not all forms of marketing work for everyone. First, you need to find your marketing niche, and then figure out which avenue(s) is best for you depending on demographics and your talents. The best way I have found in doing this is by having a meeting of the minds with collegues, doing marketing research, and deciding how best to reach your results. Pick two to three different arenas and go for it. There are many different social networks, marketing techniques, and groups to choice. If one doesn't work don't get discouraged re-group, and go again.
I'm going to make today about my grass. I live in Texas and we are having a drought. My grass is kind of dry. I'm going out to water it tonight. Very powerful message!! Thank you.
Great analogy! A great reminder for new users of social media, as well as those who've been involved for awhile. We're always hearing about the latest & greatest strategy or site but it's important to determine whether or not that strategy or site is right for you, your marketing plan, and your personality.
Hi Jeff. I am so glad I DON'T cut my own grass anymore. Been there done that. My tool is the yard crew. BETTER than a lawn mower...I always try to find the right tool. Tools are specific you are right and whatever works for you is the best. It is annoying how some say Twitter brings in all their business and others have NEVER found a client from that medium. Great video. Too much brain power in figuring out the EXACT tool for cutting your grass. Delegating it with some cash takes like only 5 seconds. I'll be your consultant at the next level when you are ready LOL. I am raising my hand with an even better idea.
Hey Jeff, Great advice! We don't have to use every single social media tool out there to be effective...I agree that we should just pick a couple of social media tools and learn them well.
Jeff - your analogy is a Wow factor for me. This video is definitely a big help for someone who is thinking about getting involved in social networking and for someone like me want to take it to the next level.
Dang, Jeff, I wish you could show a little energy and passion:) Great analogy. Oh, and just so you know, we here in Lake Norman all have John Deere riding mowers and cut our own acre of grass....it is what people do, no matter how big their home is!
Jeff - well that may have been one of the best take-a-ways from REBarCampDenver for some folks. Wish i had been there. So glad that Jeremy was a nag and you listened.
Jeff - I really enjoyed your presentation and analogy. Wish you had made it to the east coast for ReBar Boston. If you are ever in New England for a speaking engagement, please let me know. I would love to attend. Thanks for the post.
Jeff, really enjoyed the presentation. I can see why Jeremy wanted you to post it for all of us. Going to my first REBar in Raleigh in November. Very excited about the learning opportunity.
I love the analogy, and it's perfect for everyone in social media. At first I thought I had to do what everyone else was doing, but I soon realized, I was just going to do what I wanted to and see how it all worked out. It's paying off, and I am excited for the future. :)
BTW - You are excellent in the video, very comfortable, and very engaging. Kudos~
Well done Jeff. Social Media can become confusing and it can become a big waste of time IF we don't adapt it to OUR needs, And more specifically...adapt it to our target market' needs. If the folks you are trying to attract are not on Twitter then for Pete's sake why are you? We have to use common sense when it comes to this stuff.
Hi Jeff - I just watched your video over on David Childress' blog, where he reblogged it. Thought I'd drop by here and tell you "first-hand" that I thought it was a great analogy and great presentation.
I know agents who can't figure out how I get so many first time homebuyers, but they aren't on the social media sites where the first time homebuyers are, and they won't believe me that they need to focus their marketing where the buyers they want can be found! Oh, well! All the more for me.
Jeff.You were great..wish you would have presented in Philly..would have loved to have heard you speak..this is second best..hope we get another bar camp together here soon...Thank you I enjoyed it
Now that I've seen the video, I honestly wish that I could have been there. I'd love to figure out a strategy for my social media time...blogging, twitter and facebook. Maybe I should...
Jeff, Thank God we can pick and choose what works for us. I'm always willing to try new things and did try Twitter for several months and I HATED IT!! I love linked in, facebook and AR but for the life of me I could not follow those little blips of messages on Twitter. I still have the accounts but rarely open them and I'm perfectly okay with mowing my grass my own way.
I don't usually sit still that long to listen to a video presentation... but I did on this one. The grass analogy is an excellent one. We do need to know what our grass looks like first before we can choose the tools.. Thanks for posting. And Thanks to Jeremy for asking you to.
This is a great video full of great advice and insight. It is so important to understand your market, your objective and purpose. As usual, nicely done and I am glad that you shared this video. This is so important for everyone to understand.
Hey Jeff, this is exactly one of my beefs with Social Media actually. There are articles, discussions, videos - you name it on Social Media, how to blog...how to do everything.
But rarely do they even remotely touch on my real estate business. With such a narrow and defined market that I pursue what most everyone says we 'should be doing' does not benefit my niche.
Combining what you said here in this video and what you discussed at HAR Summer Camp a couple weeks ago is what I have to try and do. Look at the tools and see which ones I could possibly tweak and creatively use to promote what I personally do.
And honestly, it's kind of tough. :) This was a great video. Thanks Jeremy for asking him to share it. Jeff, Thanks for sharing it.
Dito to everything everyone said above, Jeff. I know a few other individuals who are new to Social Media (specifically AR & Twitter) who would really benefit from watching this ~ think I'll go tweet the link for them ;)
Wow! As always Jeff, you and this string are testiments to the sheer power of good content and viral video marketing on the web.
You are a credit to all of us, sir.
The entire social media push can bring on guilt because I cannot keep up with it all. I know it is vital and I need to be doing it. I have said in the past, pick what works for you and focus on it; do it right.
Jeff - I remember watching this live that day. As always a great presentation. When I first heard you mention mowing grass, I wondered how in the world you were going to relate this. Never one to disappoint, I knew exactly what you meant by the end.
Jeff - Just watched it again. My favorite part? How you tell people to come up and say "I just don't get it." The power of that statement is limitless. Not only does it help refine what is relevant to the attendees and make for a better conference, but it also allows the shy, newcomer to say "Hey Jeff, I need some help with this." My opinion? Education at its finest right there.
Thank you a million blades of grass for posting the video. Hit home for me as I've been feeling like i'm taking 1 step forward & 2 back in social media. Time to weed out what is not working for me.
Thank you SO much for sharing the video - I liked the content AND the technology. I'm forwarding this to all my team members, so they can decide the size of their grass and which mower they want to use. San Diego in November will be my first RE BarCamp and I'm looking forward to it!
It's just like the Chet Holmes commercial says, "Success comes not from doing 4000 things, but by doing 12 things 4000 times." We have to choose what works. In Social Media, right now, it's Facebook.
Jeff, this was awesome. I have been analyzing my own grass for the last 20 minutes or so and this applies to alot of other subjects, not only my grass. Thanks for the boost! I have seen rebar camps here in the rain but have not known what it was. Now I will go back and read some more.
Jeff, loved your video. Makes me want to go to a RE bar camp pronto. I've hesitated because i'd be one of those out there saying "I just don't get it" and I thought rebar camps was just for the pros. Guess it really is ok for those of us (who just don't get it) to join.
Jeff - Thanks for deciding to share this on AR, and thank you Jeremy for asking Jeff to share this. Being somewhat new to the whole SEO, blogging, and internet marketing, it does get overwhelming at times with so many different options. I am trying to stay focused on just a couple to see if they will cut my grass, but am always open to taking a new lawn mower out for a test drive. Great video!
Jeff - thanks for sharing this video. I was in our sales meeting this morning going over Twitter in an impromptu session and someone brought up this very topic - how do I find time to do this, that way isn't for me and I don't get it! I think the best part is that you gave people permission (and the responsibility) to ask questions and admit they don't get it. I will be passing this along to my office.
And Jeff, I got the metaphor thing, too. But I also saw, up in the right corner, the notice that I can subscribe to RealEstateShows.com for 99.95. so now that I've started my trial membership going--BEFORE I found this link to the lower price, what can I do to repair the situation?
Jeff ... True that kinds of social media are tools to be considered for our business. We each need to look at what's available, what we can embrace, get excited and do some planning, with the end that the tool can be part of the business and marketing bag.
Example: I for one am interested in video and YouTube as possible tool and have not yet and need to put this in my bag for active use.
Great video Jeff! I just found your site and love your point that total mastery of all social media tools is not required. It can get so overwhelming for people who are new to this form of networking! So many choices, so much to learn, can lead to analysis paralysis.
When we find one or two methods that resonate with us and focus on becoming proficient in those areas great achievement can be accomplished.
Refresher course for me. Even though I saw it live orginally.
Just an FYI. I am from WV too. I use a John Deere 950 with either the Mower Implement or the Brush Hog Implement, depending on the heighth and thickness of my grass.
Nothing runs like a Deere!
But I will say this, everyone in WV knows that the women mow the grass. Just sayin...
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REBarCamp Denver was a great success! I loved this message, and am glad to have found it and been able to review it.
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Thanks Jeff! To see my comment, read above.