Home > Blogs > Gary Woltal > Gary Woltal's Blog

Virtual or Real, It's All Good

By Gary Woltal

Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty 0575737

November 29, 2009 09:21 AM

I've seen banter back and forth between those that thrive in the online world of Twitter, Facebook, email, blogging, and browsing the web saying they enjoy that communication and it is better or preferred over face to face. Who can deal with some of those annoying local people anyway?

Then there is the other camp that wouldn't want to Twitter if you put a gun to their head and prefer meeting people at the local diner. The Moose Lodge. Going bowling. A civic function, soccer game, or on the adjacent treadmill at the YMCA.

OK, if I may settle the score.

Virtual or Real, It's All Good.

Why must one be better than the other? Isn't life more complex than to be one dimensional?

There is a great advantage of the online connection and that is geographically separate people can make connections very efficiently. Couple that with short emails, texts or microblogs, you can get the information fast and in your fingertips rather easily and reply back

Online 2

However, never discount the power of face to face communication either. The fact of the matter is online complements offline.

Online can "lead to" offline. I think where we are in today's communication is we are sifting. Sifting these online "engagements" over and over again and seeing which ones are worthy of going to the next two steps. A phone call and then face to face. Obviously with the geographic distant relationships, the phone call is not that big a step, and the face to face might have to be put off till another time, travel wise.

But this sifting goes on and on, based on what you are seeing and replying to with the online version of the communication.

It goes for both personal and business relationships obviously. Do I want to "connect" with this person? Will they "connect" with me first? How? Text? Email? Microblog? Facebook? Other web site in common?

THEN, will I call them up? Use the U.S. mail? THEN, meet them. Online communities are truly a gift given to us in the broader world. They are diverse and large. We are not stuck in some valley in the hills of West Virginia where we don't know who lies over the next hill. Now we may find a soulmate in Israel or a fun loving chess partner in the UK. A south Florida Realtor may know the perfect inspector in Seattle.

Above all we must remember it is all about people. They choose you. You choose them. And you go from there. And one thing for the obsessive types, whatever you do, remember the online and the offline are complementary. You never want your whole life to be online.

Online 3

Re-Blog

Comments(17)

Comment

Show All Comments

Sort:

Sharon Lee

Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN

Retired and loving life

Hello my friend-The way I look at it if it wasn't for the virtual I wouldn't ever have found YOU and all the wonderful REAL people behind these computer screens and I will do my best to meet as many of my virtual friends cause in my heart they are most definitely REAL. <SMILE>

Nov 29, 2009 09:26 AM

Connie Harvey

Pilkerton Realtors - Brentwood, TN

Realtor - Nashville TN Real Estate

Gary, I met several AR members back in March in Atlanta. Then many of us got together again in Raleigh for the REBarCamp. When everyone arrived Thursday evening, many of them spent the first few minutes on their Blackberries. I was like "guys, I drove 8 hours to see you!"

On the other hand. Riding home from dinner out last Wednesday, I was sitting in the back and texted as many people in my phone as I had time, to wish them Happy Thanksgiving. Definitely need the balance!

Nov 29, 2009 09:27 AM

Robert McArtor

RE/MAX Components - Fallston Maryland - Bel Air, MD

Top Listing Agent for Baltimore and Harford County

One thing does not replace the other...just add it to your arsenal of marketing exposure.

Nov 29, 2009 09:28 AM

Susan Mangigian

RE/MAX Preferred - West Chester, PA

Chester & Delaware County Homes, Delaware and Ches

I find myself leaving a real live conversation to check in on my facebook friends. They are funny!

Love the jokes at the end.

I met a man the other day who was engaged to be married to a women he has seen twice but he says they have a deep connection via telephone and the internet. Met on the internet. Call me crazy. But I think that's crazy.

Nov 29, 2009 09:37 AM

Charles Buell

Charles Buell Inspections Inc. - Seattle, WA

Seattle Home Inspector

Gary it really does come down to doing both these days doesn't it? When we show up at the local diner we better be the same person that shows up blogging or tweeting:)

Nov 29, 2009 09:37 AM

Richard Weisser

Richard Weisser Realty - Newnan, GA

Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional

Gary...

I agree with you on this one ... the reality is you must connect in a way that is suited to both parties. Very good post, and very insightful!

Nov 29, 2009 09:39 AM

Ryan Shaughnessy

PREA Signature Realty - www.preasignaturerealty.com - Saint Louis, MO

Broker/Attorney - Your Lafayette Square Real Estate Partner

Gary - I view social networks as just another networking tool. The goal is to create relationships that generate real business offline. I don't sell line. I manage the SOI. I expand the reach of my SOI. I make new introductions. However, in the end, I sell real estate to people in the real world, not the virtual world.

Nov 29, 2009 09:43 AM

Lise Howe

Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC

Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

Gary - I definately agree with you - it is never one size fits all, and it is never all right on one side and all wrong on the other - we need to be flexible enough to accept everyone else's realities - and I confess that I find it amazing on ActiveRain when people get so self righteous about their positions - there are very few absolute wrongs in life.

Nov 29, 2009 09:45 AM

Valerie Osterhoudt

Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT

ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Gary, Both have their purpose and one without the other this day and age is not practical. Being a *people* person... I still enjoy the face to face contact.

valerie osterhoudt

Nov 29, 2009 10:16 AM

Kate Elim

Dockside Realty - Spotsylvania, VA

Realtor 540-226-1964, Selling Homes & Land a

Hi Gary...I like a little of one (virtual) and a lot of the other (real life person to person good time talking and having fun).

Kate

Nov 29, 2009 10:20 AM

Gary Woltal

Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX

Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Hi Sharon: I am so pleased with your online connection to know you offline as well. Blessed is what I am. Hope you keep meeting by phone, email, or in person more of your circle as time goes on. They need to meet wonderful you.

Connie: Funny observation after your long drive. Many are Crackberry addicted.

Robert: Just multiple ways we have to connect.

Hello Susan: Funny stories. The online people must be more funny for you than the live crowd LOL. That engagement from a distance is tricky. Hope they get closer together for real prior to getting married or like you said, that's crazy!

Charles: Authenticity of who we are in person or online is paramount.

Richard: The connections must be of mutual chemistry and benefit.

Hey Ryan: The connections expand your SOI and lead to more ultimate business.

Lise: So true what you said about absolute wrongs in life, and some being judgmental.

Hello Valerie: You are like me slanted toward the people side.

Hi Kate: I tend to be weighted on the real side as well. But meeting so many virtual people (who are real) here has been a splendid treat.

Nov 29, 2009 11:31 AM

Gabe Sanders

Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL

Stuart Florida Real Estate

Gary, I think this is right on. I do believe that face to face and phone are the best for the initial meetings, but after that try to use the method that the customer prefers.

Nov 29, 2009 10:37 PM

Susie Blackmon

Ocala, FL

Ocala, Horses, Western Wear, Horse Farms, Marketing

Face to face is certainly good but at this point, for me it is whatever works best for the person I am communicating with. I'd have to admit I think it would be fun to have a virtual Cowboy!!

Nov 30, 2009 12:52 AM

Cherise Selley

Selley Group Real Estate, LLC - Colorado Springs, CO

Colorado Springs Realtor

Technology affords me the opportunity to have more face-to-face communication with clientele...As for my husband, I know he gets frustrated when I'm incessantly pecking the keys on my iphone...Gary, love the innovation of your blogs.

Nov 30, 2009 02:44 AM

JL Boney, III

Coldwell Banker - Columbia, SC

Columbia, SC Real Estate

I try to have a good balance of online presence and real life appearance. But whatever works for someone is what they should do.

Nov 30, 2009 11:45 AM

_ _

Gary - Great post. I'm working on solving this problem myself.

Dec 01, 2009 03:35 AM

Sharon Tara

Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH

Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Wait a minute...are you trying to tell me that my ActiveRain friends aren't real? LOL! I agree that one compliments the other and you should make the best of both worlds!

Dec 01, 2009 12:22 PM