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What I learned at RE BarCamp: DC

By Derek Massey

Title Insurance with Mid-Atlantic Settlement Services

October 28, 2009 07:53 AM

RE BarCamp

I attended my 5th Real Estate BarCamp (RE BarCamp: DC) yesterday in Herndon, DC VA. Each one has offered something a little different. The first one, RE BarCamp: Virginia, was mind-blowing in that I got to meet - for the first time - a bunch of folks I had otherwise only known through social media. Since then, each brought a new flavor or gave me a new takeaway.

As it may net me a free trip to InmanConnect in January, I'm being cliche and penning a "What I learned at RE BarCamp: DC" post. So with that, here are the......well you know:

Bill Lublin rocks. Yeah, maybe I should have known it before now, but this was the most time I've been able to spend with Bill. It's rare to see a combination of smarts, wit, confidence and affability, but Bill's disco ball has all of those parts and more.

REBC is still evolving. I was talking about this with a BarCamp veteran last night, and I think there is a balancing act for some attendees that involves deciding "what's in it for me" v. "paying it forward." I really admire the folks like Daniel Rothamel, Bill Lublin, Heather Elias, and Jim Duncan who likely gave more than they took, and worry about whether they'll continue to attend RE BarCamps without walking away with something new. Maybe advanced sessions are the answer?

Thorax. I'm still waiting for my Thorax invite, but believe it got lost in my spam folder. Tomorrow maybe?

Session presenters should introduce themselves. This tip came from one of my team players who attended her first RE BarCamp. She sat in on a number of sessions but didn't know who was presenting. Because of the "unconference-y" feel RE BarCamps try to exude, presenters likely don't think of themselves as personalities, but for newbies they are. Embrace it.

Lunch should be served on time. ::stomach growling::

Presenting is fun. This was the first time I've presented (without the aid of rum). It was a blast. The best part is when others join in and it becomes a collaborative effort. This experience definitely gave me the confidence to do it again.

I look forward to seeing you all at Inman!

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Ken Montville

RE/MAX United Real Estate - College Park, MD

The MD Suburbs of DC

Indeed. REBCDC rocked. I especially liked the Posterous presentation at the end. Even though I was half zoned on Halloween candy, chocolate chip cookies delievered by the DC Central Kitchen (our charity of the day) your presentation actaully woke me up and made me take notice.

I love these things. It's always amazong what I pick up. More important, to me, is actaully meeting people I only knew through AR, Twitter, or the blogosphere.

Oct 28, 2009 08:31 AM

Derek Massey

Mid-Atlantic Settlement Services - Hunt Valley, MD

Hey thanks, Ken! Really appreciate your questions during the session - makes it a whole lot easier. I've had some fun with Posterous, and see you have as well. Subscribing to your Posterous blog now!

Oct 28, 2009 09:00 AM

Kathy Sperl-Bell

Active Adults Realty - Lewes, DE

Derek, good point about the need to offer some more advanced classes mixed in with the ones for BARCamp virgins! For example, blogging - the writing part - is easy, but Word Press as an online tool with all its capabilities is NOT. Combination of best practices and how tos would be good for some of us. Don't know what we could teach Heather or Bill or Daniel or even you for that matter.

Oct 30, 2009 12:08 AM

Bobby Carroll

Jaclyn Smith Properties - Clayton, NC

Clayton NC New Home Happiness Coordinator

Great post Derek! Dude, you rocked the Posterous session!

I think the #1 element any real estate bar camp, or traditional conference has to overcome is the need to have subject matter that speaks to all levels and abilities whether the sessions deal with blogging, social media, managing time or whatever. From my perspective, Heather, Bill, Daniel, yourself and many others by their giving spirit will continue to go to REBCs because it is their nature to give without concern for getting. They (and you) epitomize the essence of real estate bar camps!

Oct 30, 2009 12:21 AM

Marney Kirk

Cummings & Co. Realtors - Towson, MD

Towson, Maryland Real Estate

Derek, great post. I agree. Bill still does, and will always ROCK. He got things started with his session on a fantastic note!

I wish I had felt better so I could have participated more.

I do agree that having people introduce themselves to the people who haven't attended before would be very helpful.

I was sorry to miss your section because I would have liked to have been there to support you. I hear you were a great presenter and posterous had a bunch of new people signing up -- now that's influence! :-)

Oct 30, 2009 12:28 AM

Nannette Turner

eXp Realty LLC - Lynchburg, VA

Online Marketing Home Ownership Advocate Specialis

I have been to a few RE BarCamps and I walk away each time amazed at the people even more than the topics.

Oct 30, 2009 12:30 AM

Derek Massey

Mid-Atlantic Settlement Services - Hunt Valley, MD

Kathy, thank you! I still learn much at everyone one of these.

Bobby, those are very high compliments coming from a guy like you. We agree completely on where we need to focus some energy on REBCs.

Marney, I missed one very important takeaway from #REBCDC in this post. I LOVED having locals such as yourself there. Discussing "hyper-local blogging" means so much more when the "locale" is your backyard. Great "hallway discussions" as well.

Nannette, absolutely...it is about the people.

Oct 30, 2009 12:55 AM

Anonymous

Jennifer Rathbun

But what new things are you going to implement??? Give me just one! For me, I have a new friends I can trust with referrals. And I have the reminder to back up my blog every day.

Hope to see you again soon!

Oct 30, 2009 01:50 AM

Daniel Rothamel

Strong Team REALTORS - Lake Monticello, VA

Daniel Rothamel

The takeaways are entirely up to the attitude of the attendees, in my experience.

I learn something every single time i attend an RE Barcamp. Every time. I learn as much from the presentations/discussion I lead as the sessions I attend.

I go to RE Barcamps because I want to be inspired by the people in our industry who are willing to step out on that limb, share what they know, and make things better. I go because I have a passion for learning, sharing, and making our idustry a little better any chance I get.

i go to RE Barcamp prepared to learn something, not expecting that I need an advanced session. I spend all the time I can looking to learn something wherever I can. I seek out that learning experience, I don't wait for it to be provided. I think that makes all the difference in the world.

One of the things that I learned right away at the very first Barcamp in SF in '08, was that it can be a humbling experience. You need to give in to the humbling nature of it. Only when you realize that you don't as much as you think you do, can there be room for learning.

It was really great to see you F2F again, Derek. You are way ahead of your competition. Keep the faith, and keep up the good work!

Oct 30, 2009 03:35 AM

Derek Massey

Mid-Atlantic Settlement Services - Hunt Valley, MD

Jennifer, it was great seeing you again. My takeaway is weird. I know I need to be in this space, and I really enjoy it. At the same time, I need to get some of my team onboard with social media and up and running soon, so I can focus on the business of settling real estate transactions. More than anything, the REALTORS in this space (who are the future of this industry, in my opinion) demand excellence from everyone, including title companies. It's great that I am "connecting" well with them all, but I am wholly committed to making our title process the absolute best. In short, I've listened for a while now... I really need to start implementing.

Daniel, thanks for commenting, and for running this contest. Great motivation. I'm glad you for one are not "getting bored" with REBC's. As I mentioned in the post, you are certainly one of the givers, and it's great to hear that you continue to feel like you are getting something out of it as well. Keep it up, many are inspired by you.

Oct 30, 2009 07:47 AM

Anonymous

dave

I really wanted to know this.

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May 19, 2011 12:48 AM

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