Kicking Your Butt Part Two

To the AR Community,

Yesterday, I wrote a passionate blog about social media and those who choose not to embrace the new technology.

When the blog got featured, I was excited!  I mean, who doesn't want to have a feature on AR?  That's good stuff!

I learned a couple of things from yesterday's featured post:

1. You get a lot of readers when you get featured. 

It is humbling to think a couple of thousand people would take the time to read what you write.  And, of course, you get a lot of comments.  And that brings me to the second thing I learned.

2. Not everyone will agree with you, of course.

My "Kicking Your Butt" blog was written out of a couple of years of frustration as I have watched people in a variety of industries struggle to be successful.  Time after time I will ask someone who is no longer profitable if they are bloggging or if they are on Facebook.  And time after time the answer is no, with all kinds of excuses.  And it amazes me that you simply cannot convince some of those folks that they can be profitable if they will only give it a try.  (You understand there's a whole lot more to this statement, right?)

I chose the real estate world to direct the blog towards because that is the world I know the best.  But the reality is that I've seen people in all kinds of industries who got left behind when the world changed.  And, as was pointed out several times yesterday, especially so well by Broker Bryant whom I highly respect, it isn't an age thing.  AND technology isn't a magic bullet either.  Like Broker Bryant noted, the high producer in his area does things differently...as do many of us.

Some of the comments were downright nasty.  Some people were kind in helping me to understand another point of view from that which I had expressed.  And many were in agreement.  I believe the ability to have creative discussion with differing points of view is the heart of what Active Rain is all about.

3. When you think you're making a point that everyone will understand, you can be sure you aren't!

Was the piece pointed?  Yes. 
Was it designed to be sarcastic?  Yes.
Was it bragging on my part?  It wasn't supposed to be, but I realize that it was interpreted that way by some.  I apologize to those of you who took it that way.

My Kicking Your Butt blog was written out of frustration to anyone who finds themselves wandering where all their business went and how come all those new people in the industry seem to be doing so well. 

4. One other thing I learned is that there is a point cap. 

I always figured that the folks who get featured on AR were racking in continuous points with all those comments.  Nope.  You get capped at 450.  I don't know how many comments take you to that number, but I think that's a good idea.  Because really, it isn't about the points.  It's about the dialoge.

5. And finally, I learned that you'd better have your act together!

I had lots of folks visit me over on Facebook, which I didn't have time to get to yesterday as I was out showing all afternoon. 

I also had many visits to my website which, in my opinion, isn't up to par at this time. 

And I also accidentally left Meebo turned on on my website.  It showed I was here all day when I wasn't.  Talk about feeling stupid.  Yep, technology ain't perfect.  After all, it is just a tool!

Now, how about that effective technique I told you that was my weakness
(of which I have many by the way...meaning weaknesses!)

Here it is.

Write short handwritten thank you or thinking of you notes to your top 100 clients.  And send five of these out everyday.

This is a Brian Buffini technique and it is one of the smartest things you can do.  In a world of technology this is a personal touch.  I have not been good at doing this.  My excuse is that I'm blogging or too busy or whatever.  But when I have done this, the feedback from the people who got the notes has been incredible.

This old fashioned technique buries technology in staying connected with people! 

So there you go.  If you're a techie like me, I encourage you to turn off the computer every now and then, write some handwritten notes and send them off to your people.  You'll love the feedback.  And you'll love all the invitations to come and see people in person. 

Now that's good stuff!

Tomorrow, I'll tell you about another NON Techie technique that a friend of mine has used to work wonders for his business.