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Social Media - Sinkhole, Magic Bullet, or Just the Best Bang for the Buck You Can Get?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Cardinal Realty ~ 319-400-0268

I have seen 2 posts recently sharing Mike Parker's (negative) view on social media. Here's a link to an article of his on the BrokerAgentSocial network. (Note the irony of posting this article on a social networking site - Hmm??)

Let's check out whether he is qualified to state his opinions as facts on the subject of social media: First of all, Mike Parker is the Principal for Compass Internet Systems, an SEO Company that charges mega bucks to optimize agents websites and get them on the first page of Google. Part of Compasses pitch is to assure you that you will get leads from your optimized website. I'd suggest he has zero interest in you getting your leads for FREE on twitter or Facebook - Reason enough to slam the "competition" I'd say...

Okay, so now lets look at the attack itself: Does Mr Parker know what he's talking about? Probably not. As far as I can tell he has no actual proof that social media doesn't work, he's just stating an opinion. Has he tried using either Facebook or twitter for business purposes? I think not. I'd say what he's basically doing is telling us that the Chinese restaurant down the street sucks, although he's never actually been to that restaurant... A reliable source? Again, I think not!

Let me just say that SEO, (search engine optimization) and social media are BOTH important when it comes to creating a strong online presence. I believe we need to embrace the different technologies and platforms to achieve our goals.

What I think is the strength of social media is that we have an opportunity to show our authentic selves. People can "get to know us" before they call or email. You need to "get" social media to know what I'm talking about here. If you do get it you'll know that twitter and Facebook offer the perfect opportunity to "connect" with the buying and selling public in a way that was not possible before these platforms came to be.

Having said that, SEO has not become redundant through the arrival of social media. We still need to optimize our websites and our blogs. They work in tandem with one another. Anyone who can't see that is short sighted and missing out on the huge opportunities the different technologies and platforms give us.

Now in case you're wondering, I have no first hand proof that social media works yet. I have been an ActiveRain member for just over 4 months. A couple of weeks later I started a Facebook Fan Page and became active on twitter. AR is a great community where you learn A LOT. Through professionals I have come to trust on this network I know that blogging and social media is a marathon not a sprint. Just like any other form of marketing, this will take time too.


And by the way, getting back to Mr Parker at Compass. That's what they told me too. SEO is not an overnight sensation, it takes time to optimize a website, that's why they only do annual subscriptions (!) One year later I was $3500 lighter and NOT on the front page of Google... I think I'll take my chances with social media.... It's not a sinkhole, or a magic bullet - And it may be time consuming, but it is FREE.

 

Peggy Chirico wrote one of the posts I mention in the first paragraph. It's a members only post, which is why I haven't linked to it directly.

Posted by

Denise Hamlin, Realtor®

Broker/Owner

CARDINAL Realty, Coralville IA 

Licensed to Sell Real Estate in the State of Iowa

 

Helping Happy Clients Make Smart Choices 

Iowa City Area Real Estate Services

 

Please remember that opinions expressed in my blog are just that - opinions - not fact
For legal or accounting advice please consult with a professional
Although the information provided is deemed reliable, it's not guaranteed

 

Comments (16)

Tony Hager
United Realty Texas - Denton, TX
Broker

These were my exact thoughts as I was reading his article.  He tried to use the scenario of using Social Media alone and never once used the scenario that they all have to work in conjunction with one another to actually work.  Good post and exposure to who he actually is.

Dec 09, 2009 03:49 AM
Elizabeth Bolton
RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA - Cambridge, MA
Cambridge MA Realtor

Hi Denise ~ Thanks for the link to the article. I had come across mentions of it but hadn't read it. I think he's making some good points though he lost points with me when he disses blogging in passing. Blogging is such a good route to great SE placement that I'm not sure why he's not in favor - I'll have to look for that article!

Ok -  now I get it (have to read for content!!) - because it circumvents paid SEO.

Liz

Dec 09, 2009 08:16 AM
Denise Hamlin, Broker/Owner
Cardinal Realty ~ 319-400-0268 - Iowa City, IA
Helping Happy Clients Make Smart Choices

Hi Liz, Hi Tony, This is not the first article I've read from Mike Parker speaking out against social media and blogging. I ignored it first time round, but this time decided I couldn't let it go. On top of everything else, as I said, I think social media and SEO go hand in hand, I think he's shooting himself in the foot with his short sighted attitude to social media.

Thank you both for stopping by and for the feedback.

Denise

 

Dec 09, 2009 09:31 AM
Denise Hamlin, Broker/Owner
Cardinal Realty ~ 319-400-0268 - Iowa City, IA
Helping Happy Clients Make Smart Choices

Hi Mike ~ Thank you for taking the time to comment. I agree, differing opinions are fine. We'll see over time if yours holds water.

As to my poor experience with Compass. I sent several emails to your company around the time I cancelled service. There was a misunderstanding about my contract that you got involved with. I was told you were involved in the decision at that time, so I'm not sure about you "doing all you could do to make it right."

Denise

 

Dec 10, 2009 08:25 AM
Jill Ford
Keller Williams Realty of Pinehurst - Pinehurst, NC

Denise,

I'm not sure about mike parker doing all he could either.  I spent a year and $3500 with Mr. Parker's firm, and was pretty regular in my communication about nothing happening throughout the year.  My rep was quick to take credit for leads that I had first generated through pay-per-click who also happened to fill out the compass internet form on my website, and "derivative" search terms that included Keller Williams and other things that were hardly "derivative" of my key phrases.

Additionally-I just discovered they still have their registration form on my website but no leads flow to me from it.  I am sending them a nasty gram today to get that off my site.

In my experience--this was $3500 I wish I had spent on chocolate or something!

Dec 28, 2009 02:40 AM
Denise Hamlin, Broker/Owner
Cardinal Realty ~ 319-400-0268 - Iowa City, IA
Helping Happy Clients Make Smart Choices

Hi Jill ~ Thanks for adding your comments to this post. It adds value for readers to know that there are others who have had a poor experience with Compass. My experience actually pretty much mirrors yours as far as consistent communication from my end that nothing was happening, a rep quick to take credit for leads generated through pay-per-click...

Yes, definitely, chocolate would have been a better investment!

Denise

ps. Since joining ActiveRain I've also stopped pay-per-click. The blog brings traffic to my website, no need to pay for that now!

Dec 30, 2009 05:21 AM
Wayne Golliday
Mobile Home Sales of Florida LLC - Jacksonville, FL

Hi Denise.  That was a very well thought out piece you did. It should be obvious to all that you put some thought in to what you were to write.

I have to agree with you that Social Media is necessary as is great SEO.  I harp on my clients all the time about this.  The ones doing that do the best are the ones who blog on a regular basis.

Despite what some people would have you think blogging is not on some great decline in to oblivion.   It is in fact still an important part of any SEO toolbox.

Feb 09, 2010 05:59 AM
Denise Hamlin, Broker/Owner
Cardinal Realty ~ 319-400-0268 - Iowa City, IA
Helping Happy Clients Make Smart Choices

Wayne ~ This is a subject I feel strongly about, as you correctly observed. And yes, good SEO and social media work best in tandem. Anyone who can't see that is totally missing the point. To truly cover our bases and create a broad internet presence we need to diversify and embrace new ideas and technology as it comes along. 

Hi Nancy ~ I am one of those agents who's having a hard time keeping up with social media. So much to do and only so many hours in a day... I stick at it though. It just happens to be the best way to establish an online presence. There's just no getting past that!

Thank you both for stopping by!

Denise

Feb 09, 2010 09:36 AM
Barb Szabo, CRS
RE/MAX Above & Beyond - Cleveland, OH
E-pro Realtor, Cleveland Ohio Homes

I don't have any experience with Mike Parker. I can only say that since Nancy Golliday designed my website about 18 months AND I started blogging REGULARLY I have seen a tremendous jump in my business.

Feb 09, 2010 10:52 AM
Anonymous
Anonymous

Lets see, 24 leads generated by Compass Internet Systems no sales to help pay the 3800.  If you go by his rule of thumb you need 5 to 15 percent to convert.  Just for fun lets say I closed 10 %  that would be 2.4 deals.  less 28% in cost of business, and 28% to marketing.  I think I am losing ground quickly.

I would prefer to take my chances with my own website, and Craigslist.  10-15 leads per month closing 1-2 deals a month.  For Free.  Interesting concept.

Feb 10, 2010 01:06 PM
#11
Bill Gassett
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Hopkinton, MA
Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate

While I respect Mike Parker I completely disagree with his assertions that blogging and social media do not work. I will add though that having a good understanding of SEO can dramatically improve your blogging and social media results.

Feb 14, 2010 06:28 AM
Kathy Schowe
California Lifestyle Realty - La Quinta, CA
La Quinta, California 760-333-8886

Thanks for a great post--- I was contacted by a Z57 rep. and promised alot-- I am with Point 2 for my RE site, and have a Wordpress lifestyle blog- I think there are lots of ways to connect.  Blogging has many more benefits than SEO... I don't even worry about that.  If I get good juice.... I count it as a bonus!  Kathy

Feb 14, 2010 02:44 PM
Denise Hamlin, Broker/Owner
Cardinal Realty ~ 319-400-0268 - Iowa City, IA
Helping Happy Clients Make Smart Choices

Thank you all for continuing to contribute your thoughts to this post. Absolutely right Bill - A good understanding of SEO will improve your blogging and social media results. I think that those who fail to recognize that are missing out on a huge opportunity to grow their online business. Social media alone won't cut it. It needs to be a comprehensive plan including good SEO.

Denise

Mar 07, 2010 04:45 AM
Denise Hamlin, Broker/Owner
Cardinal Realty ~ 319-400-0268 - Iowa City, IA
Helping Happy Clients Make Smart Choices

Hi Corinne ~ Enjoyed chatting with you too. Haven't visited this post in a while. I guess I posted this around the time I discovered Scribefire. All the color is a bit overwhelming now many months later.;-)

Aah... Compass. This post had a healing effect for me. It was a lousy experience and this post got it out there. I'm over it now. Great learning experience. As I commented just recently... "You pay for your education!"

Denise

Aug 13, 2010 06:14 AM