I should feel like a movie star because Google today rolled out the red carpet treatment to me and invited me to be a part of Google Wave

Google only invited 100,000 people to test it. Apparently I was important enough. An honor to be sure -- but I'm already on information overload already. I've barely mastered how to Chirp on Twitter, how to get fans coming to my FaceBook page and while I'm good at this... I by no means consider myself a Social Media Jedi Master yet.

I will play with Google Wave later in the week, and just this morning I already came up with a few ideas on how REALTORS can make use of Wave. 

Before I go further, you should know that Google's Wave is open source and allows you to create an open source, collaborative media bomblet container.  

What does that mean?

It means you have a product (that being Software as a Service) that allows you to communicate with prospects, friends, customers or family without the user having to understand much of many separate programs and services.

Google Wave is one part email, one part Twitter, one part Video (YouTube), one part Flickr, one Instant Messenger (like AOL or MSN) one part FaceBook and one part catapult. 

Catapult?  Yes, catapult. 

Remember the old Greek or Roman catapults?  Well, this is a lot like that. But instead of lobbing a huge rock at your opponent, you have a container that lets you lob a container of email, video, text, links, and whatever you want to drag and drop into it.

This container sits on the Internet somewhere (hosted by Google of course) and your friends, prospects of family can open up your media bomblet "container" and edit this (where you allow them with preferences) and you can forward part of my container (message or photos and attachments) and forward this onto another friend. 

As more friends or customers and prospects work with your Wave container, it adds your comments to it. And it can be instantly shared with others once you click save, so is sort of like Email, but more like Twitter micro-blog broadcasting like functionality.  Anybody can collaborate with you using your Wave container. 

If you're the owner of the Wave Container, you can add more people to it. You can add people in branches by adding people to your Wave container. If you have these people already saved in your Google address book, you just DRAG and drop this person into the WAVE container. 

I'm not really sure of how many gazillions of uses Wave will turn out to be, but one use I can see is for a LIVE Open House.

You have an open house. So you create a Wave container for the address and you can drag a few photos, videos, covenants and links to the local shopping malls, banks or schools and you can lob the Wave media container to your prospect. All of the people who wanted to SEE the open house can now see this Wave container. You can even save links to your Open House Containers to your REALTOR website (eventually). 

Open source and drag and drop functionality mean that you do not have to GO to your Blog, your email, your video website, etc.  You just drag these snippets and content into your Wave container and you refresh your Wave client. It looks good. Now you drag your recipients into the Wave Container and it auto sends them the links to your Wave container. 

What's most interesting about this technology is that it isn't new. More than 12 years ago, Apple Developed a drag and drop container like educational software called CyberDog.  The technology was very cool but Steve Jobs killed it when he returned to Apple as CEO in 1997.  OpenDoc technology was way ahead of its time and despite the fact that it attracted a few hundred developers (including me) Apple just didn't have enough money to keep OpenDoc alive.

The idea of open source collaboration is not new and it's nice seeing Google picking up CyberDog where Apple left off. 

Now the only question here is this:  IS Google's Wave going to infringe on any of Apple Computer's old patents on OpenDoc or CyberDog? 

We'll see. Stay tuned for more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bart Wilson | Chief Marketing Officer | SEO Rockstar

Voyager International. The Real Estate Marketing Company

Tel: (505) 466-2483  iPhone: (505) 204-8097

 
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62 Comments on Google Wave. A cool, new idea for Open Houses or Hot Sheets?

SEP
30
287,229 Points Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Interesting. I love all these new tools that Realtors can use. But this sounds comprehensive, I think I would need a tutorial in it. Thans for the heads up.

2:48pm • #1
204,163 Points 5 Featured Posts

Bart,

I was reading about this yesterday and wishing I was one of the 100,000.  I guess I'll have to wait until it comes out of testing before I get a look.

2:51pm • #2
336,304 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Bart - I do believe that I will stay tuned. I haven't even been able to face facebook or tweet twitter yet. And I used to be so tech savvy!

5:16pm • #3

I'm so jealous. I ahve been watching my email all day waiting for my invite to arrive and still nothing yet. I think that once Wave is full implemented it could fundamentally change communication online. The collaboration possibilities are staggiering and with real-time language translation it makes international collaboration possible in ways that we can't even imagine today.

I love you open house idea. Imagine streaming live video from an open house and then having a Wave chatroom for the people watching. Could be pretty cool.

 

5:21pm • #4
Outside Blog

A virtual open house. That's a great idea!

6:42pm • #5
123,711 Points

Hi Bart - That's interesting.  I'll have to wait for them to roll it out; I wasn't one of those invited to test drive it either.  Once it's out I'll have to give it a look and see how it will work for me.

8:48pm • #6
1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Can't wait - - - I love new toys (I mean tools)

11:27pm • #7
1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Thanks for that "I think".  I am already on overload trying to catch up with many of the members of AR who have more links to social media sites than I do. Seriously, I will bookmark this blog and hope to learn more about Google Wave in the future.

11:46pm • #9
382,909 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog

OK.. please keep us posted. This sounds very interesting. Congratulations on your invite

11:50pm • #10
106,929 Points 1 Featured Post Localism Sponsor

This is gonna be cool, only time will tell how much use it gets.  I dont see much use for twitter to be honest with you. IMHO

11:56pm • #11
OCT
01
419,673 Points 2 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

There just aren't enough hours in the day. Agents now need social media publicists, and this sounds like we also now need a full-time technology person.

12:25am • #12

This is mindboggling!

When is it scheduled to roll out?

I may not use this to have a streaming open house all the time. Defeats the purpose of finding the prospects.

1:01am • #13
1 Featured Post Outside Blog

I am glad they didnt invite me... I am dizzy trying to keep up..congratulations for being a frontrunner and on top of the google wave juice era!

1:13am • #14

Bart, did Google give you "Invitations" that you could pass on to others? If so, and you don't already have them already designated for others, could I have one? That's how they're testing out their GMail, and how I got my Gmail account. TIA

Phyllis Moore
4:39am • #15
115,284 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Wow! Google just keeps rolling out newer, bigger, better! Always something new to try! Keep us posted on how this works in depth!
4:58am • #16
327,831 Points 5 Featured Posts Outside Blog

I saw a presentation of Google Wave. .I can't wait for it. . . the possibilities are endless.

5:40am • #17
187,164 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Congratulations, Bart.  You always make it so easy to understand things. Given the fact that you'll be one of the 100,000 invited to test is exciting. Congrats again!

Kathy

6:04am • #18
173,389 Points 14 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

This does sound promising and I hope that you or one of the people at AR will follow up with a tutorial!

7:11am • #19
128,602 Points 24 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Apparently I wasnt important enough to get one....but Ive been salivating about this since I saw the video explaining it a while back.

7:16am • #20
Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Demonstration looks like an ideal collaborative system.  Could be great platform particularily for working with buyers to plan showings, discuss offers, share pictures, "involve" other family members, etc.  Thanks for the heads up.

7:23am • #21
186,181 Points 7 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

This sounds very cool.  I've been seeing promotional stuff on it, but I appreciate the detail you've given here!

7:44am • #22
1 Featured Post

Woo!  Cool!  I'm watching the video now!  It's a long one, though.  Can't wait to get more info!  Thanks for sharing!  ~Nyssa

7:49am • #23
195,196 Points 2 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Intriguing words like 'bomblet container' and info 'catapult'.  Nice they have chosen you to give it a test drive.  Think of something else to use it for besides an open house.  Lame example.  'Listing container' 'Info catapult', ?????

 

8:25am • #24
Outside Blog

I can't wait for this to be released so I can spend an unGodly amount of time playing with it.  Thanks for the great info!

8:40am • #25
117,017 Points 1 Featured Post

I'm checking out the video. It looks like it could be a huge benefit for our industry.

9:20am • #26
105,039 Points Outside Blog

So we've gone from Fax Blasting to Google wave bombing?  Sounds quite violent, if you ask me.  However, I will probably take a stab at it when the time comes.  I know some people on this blog would probably kill to get at it today.  Shoot, I guess I'll hang around until I figure out how to execute my new game plan using these bombs.  As it is, I'm suffocating from all the different social media incarnations, drowning in voice and emaiils.  I guess this will eventually get on board with this until the next drop dead technology comes along.

 

Good info.

9:26am • #27
141,767 Points 29 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Hi Bart,

Yes Google Wave is actually an application that I see can be of direct applicable use to the real estate industry.  Like so many other tools, networks, etc. out there r.e. professionals need to be involved in the ones that are a direct benefit to their industry. 

This is a tool I would advocate adoption of....anything that allows more effective communication with your r.e consumers is a no brainer. 

Can't wait to dig in this and see exactly what it can be used for by real estate professionals.  Cheers.

9:48am • #28
3 Featured Posts

Congrats on the invite!  Yet another amazing Google tool to add to the arsonal!

10:19am • #29

Amazing new concept.. glad you got in on the 1st wave and shared it with us....

10:43am • #30
Outside Blog

that is very interesting.   I hope it becomes a reality I would definitely be interested.

11:13am • #31

It looks great. Thanks to your post I watched the video. More and more people are using gmail as their primary email. iGoogle is great.

I think Wave is going to be huge. 

11:24am • #32
Outside Blog

Sounds like alot of fun!

I had never heard anything about this google wave. Thanks for the heads up!

11:53am • #33

Hmmm....sounds like an all inclusive vacation for people burned out on social media marketing. Can't wait to see the potential. Thanks for sharing.

12:10pm • #35
147,626 Points

Thanks for the interesting post. I watched a video this morning from the Google developers. Of course, they made it look easy. We will see if it catches on and thanks to innovators like you, it just might. Here is a link to the video for those who are interested, with your permission, of course. Thanks again.

Google Wave

 

12:11pm • #36
Outside Blog

This sounds great. Hadn't hear of it before, but look forward to checking it out.

12:59pm • #37
217,819 Points

That sounds like it has the potential for many uses in our industry.

1:20pm • #38
4 Featured Posts Outside Blog

OMG Im jst lrning to txt & now I hav to mastr another gr8 tech tool...Seriously, what I love about AR is that we get introduced to so many new tools to put into our marketing arsenal.  I hope you do an update after you've used it for awhile so we can hear more.

2:09pm • #39

Bart,

Interesting. I'll see how this new service goes over.

2:28pm • #40
130,381 Points 2 Featured Posts

Bart - Will keep an eye on this... Looking forward to your updates on the wave... good luck with it...

2:55pm • #41

Wow you're lucky! I put my invite request in as soon as they announced the product way back when and didn't get an invite... Hopefully soon!  - Jared

Jared
2:57pm • #42
Outside Blog

Hello Bart, congrats. I read some articles about the vave already. I can't wait to get more info when the testing is over. I bet this will be a great new tool. Thanks for sharing.

3:25pm • #43
Outside Blog

Everytime I think I'm getting a handle on the technology side of things something new comes out. Looks like I'd better start researching this.

3:32pm • #44
7 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Wow, everybody seems to like this idea.  Okay here is what we will do.  

We are developing an Open House Container as part of our PHOENIX upgrade to Kayyah.com (our Private International MLS system).

It will be a container that you can DRAG in your photos, docs (covenants, maps, floor plans) video from YouTube, whatever you want. You can place the link on your website in the open and only your Home Owner or Home Buyers (or both) can see what's inside the Google Wave (container).

If we did developed something like this, would you use it? Or would it need a few more features than what I described? 

Let me know. I am collecting ideas on how we can create a Google Wave expressly for a real estate use and I want this to solve a real problem or need you all have.  Let me know what features are important and we'll build it. 

-- bart

3:37pm • #45
7 Featured Posts

Congrats on invite.  I really don't think Google would make the mistake of infringing anybody else's work.  

I like to think of WAVE as a kind of facebook for all... with rewind and document sharing - but a version that let's us all have our own flavor and become developers (in a manner of speaking).

In other words, instead of creating a lame message board or slightly interactive blog, you can create a facebook type of space on your own web site that includes document sharing, and fun widgets and applets that are specific to your company, industry or personality...  

For real estate, for instance, some lucky thought leader and tech maven could start a WAVE for real estate in their city.  That wave could actually contain an unbelievable level of news, resources, documents, and professional collaboration as well as after hours fun for buyers, sellers, and Realtors.  

Move over Realtor.com...  As the economy goes macro and micro at the same time...  Nobody wants a far off national portal.  Let's have a local portal run by a collaborative group of local experts instead : )     

3:41pm • #46

Sounds a little like MS Sharepoint.    Will we be able to partition the container to allow access to specific users, say public, seller, buyer, agent, office access?

4:09pm • #47
207,764 Points 6 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor

Bart, this sounds really cool. I like the idea of being able to send lots of media all in one place. The Live Open House idea is teriffic! Yes, I would use it and I've subscribed to your blog. Want to see if the people we hired for SEO are among the bozos you write about - they sure bozoed us! But that was before Active Rain.

5:55pm • #48
318,620 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router

Interesting. This is the 2nd reference to Google Wave I've read about this week. I must check it out!

7:08pm • #49
105,363 Points 3 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Okay a live open house sounds very cool!  But honestly, I am so tired right now that I can't quite put my head around learning yet another tech gadget!  Will think about it after some sleep!

9:46pm • #50
Outside Blog

I watched 30 mins of the google wave link looks interesting

9:58pm • #51

I cannot wait for Google Wave!  It's great that you got the invitation- great job, Bart!

10:05pm • #52
256,215 Points 2 Featured Posts Hit Router

Hi Bart -- I've not heard of this, so thanks.  I wish Google would be the source for open houses, which is pretty disparate right now for buyers.

10:38pm • #53
1 Featured Post Outside Blog

This sounds very cool and a little overwhelming, but I look forward to using it someday. How long so they typically test for?

10:38pm • #54
585,247 Points 34 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

This sounds kind of cool... I'll have to check it ou.  Maybe I can swing an invite...

10:38pm • #55
104,799 Points

Bart - Google always seems to come out with great products. I can't wait to get my hands on it.

10:40pm • #56
123,411 Points 1 Featured Post

Bart - For someone who hasn't really had time to review the program yet, you sure know a lot about it.  I can't wait to ride the wave, ha, ha.

10:52pm • #57
Outside Blog Hit Router

Brad - sounds really cool.  I can't wait to eventually start using it!

11:22pm • #58
OCT
02
353,815 Points 3 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

I'm with Michael.  I think I would need a tutorial to fully understand how I could make use of this.

1:01am • #59

I actually was reading an article on Google Way from Smart Brief (Social Media), and I applied to be a tester.  So far, I have not heard back... YOU ARE LUCKY!

Anyway, I can't wait to start using the product.  Our company actually DOES all of the web 2.0 and social marketing, blogs, videos, podcasts, etc. FOR Realtors.  This will definitely generate a lot more traffic for our clients!

Keep me posted!

www.myopentoclose.com

http://activerain.com/blogs/shortsaleprocessors

Amber Gunn
1:19pm • #60
OCT
03
Outside Blog

Bart, Googe has a Wave? I thought Google was the Wave, LOL.  We are BIG fans of Open Source. 

8:41am • #61
OCT
11

After watching the video, I am also impressed with what Google has come up with in the Wave.  My mind is reeling with all the wonderful ways it can be used in the real estate business.  Very possibly the most important is the spell checker they have installed!

11:09am • #62
NOV
28
1 Featured Post

Bart~ Our MLS system is Interface from RealtyServer Systems based out of Canada (we're in the U.S.).  That MLS system has what you were describing.  There is a place to upload any docs you want to add (maps, sellers disclosure, covenants, etc.) plus links to video tours, single listing websites, etc.  It's great!  As an agent, I love it!  I love it for my listings and I love it as a buyer agent to have access to all the information (provided the listing agent provides such docs).  Hope that helps!  ~Nyssa

4:31pm • #63

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Bart Wilson

Santa Fe, NM

More about me…

Voyager International

Address: 7 Avenida Vista Grande, B-7 #428, Santa Fe, NM, 87508

Office Phone: (505) 466-2483

Cell Phone: (505) 204-8097

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Tony Robbins once said, Success and Failure leave clues. Do what successful people are doing and you'll achieve the same if not greater success. My blog is filled with actual case histories and entertaining DO's and DON'Ts that will help you climb your way to the top of the real estate food chain.


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