Marketing: In the days of telegrams, text messaging was a fictional technology

In our short but accelerated--indeed, exponentially accelerated--technological growth, forms of communication are constantly evolving and changing, and for the most part, its wise to change with them, to adapt or be left behind with the relics. When the telegram was invented, I imagine that there were many who renounced anything to do with it and instead remained loyal to their post. When the telephone was introduced, I'm sure those who were used to the telegram had a hard time accepting this new form of communication. And when emailing and text messaging was introduced, I'm sure--actually, I know from experience--that there were many who refused to learn these witcheries and held on tight to their telephones and mail. What am saying? 

In time, people eventually adapt. Today's Grama knows how to email; tomorrows Grama will probably have a Facebook and twitter account, and eventually will be savvy enough to communicate with friends and family via her own videos. 

Today we are seeing the internet and a form of indirect mass communication--networking, advertising, blogging--that relies on these new technologies. And I think that we are still behind. We have access to technologies such as audio and video, but many still rely solely on text. Why? Because it hasn't caught on yet. Well, at least not in the wider market. iTunes podcasts are huge and there are many people now airing their shows online. Video podcasts are growing too, and will continue to. And those who catch this wave early on will be at the forefront of technology, ahead of everyone. 

When the telegram was being threatened by the telephone, text communication remained in other forms: mail, then email, text messaging, and so on. Today, while video/visual/audio forms of communication are threatening text based forms online, they will remain. Email is not going anywhere soon; neither is text messaging. But you can bet that video and audio will augment these text based forms and video will become a huge player in the very near future as technology becomes faster, cheaper, and more accessible. 

And this very much applies to real estate agents who, as you know, rely on many forms of communication. Most homebuyers begin their research online. And as I've said in my previous posts, they are more likely to stop and look at a property if it appeals to them. Why? Because they bombarded with rubbish, and guess what? A jewel stands out in a heap of garbage. That is, a good photo, and nice video, nice marketing, will make a listing stand out, get noticed, and, as a result, will sell faster and potentially for a better price than other listings. 

So, are you adapting?

I'm Peter from Stone Home Photo & Video, and I provide photo and video services for real estate agents in and around Toronto. Call me at 416-488-3295.