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The Facebook Zone

By Maria Morton

Real Estate Agent with Platinum Realty SP00229578 2007027091

March 31, 2011 03:45 PM

In this Information Age in which we live, how effective is it to spend an hour a day on facebook? How about checking emails? fb logo snippet Do you count the time you spend on facebook as "personal interaction" with clients and friends? Does sending your friend a Birthday greeting on facebook, or in an e-card, carry the same weight as that of an old fashioned Birthday card delivered by the USPS or in person?

How much time elapses between the moment you awaken to the moment you jump on the computer to check emails? Have you ever intended to spend 5 minutes checking your emails and ended up being stuck on the computer for an hour?

Have you ever signed in to facebook "just to check" and ended up being on the computer for 2 hours? You may have entered into the Facebook Zone. Kind of like the Twilitght Zone but with a 21st Century twist. You know how it is. You watch your friends' video of her dog in the snow, make a comment; watch another friends' video of her toddler going down the playground slide for the first time, make a comment; then there's the video of your cousin's band making their first paid appearance last night... The jokes, the photos, the news, the causes - they go on forever!

Sure, email, twitter, foursquare and the facebook zone are all ways to 'connect' with people we know (and don't know) but are we really connecting the way we do in Real Life? I have several real-life friends who have cancelled their facebook accounts because it ate into their time. When they want to go to a movie or meet for a beer, they call me. Simple, yet effective.

Facebook is a great way to share photos with friends and family - especially people who are out-of-town. Sending contracts via email instead of faxing keeps things moving clearly. Twitter can give us real-time reports from people at ground zero in far-away lands. We truly do live in an age of miracles and wonder. Here's the thing: the facebook zone is NOT the same as real life interaction with people. I don't believe you can build a relationship on facebook the way you can in real life (IRL).

Do you? . . .

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*All rights reserved. Information from Heartland MLS is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. This blog is for informational purposes only; please consult a licensed professional before making life altering decisions. Maria Morton, Realtor©, ABR, SRES, WHS, is a Kansas City Real Estate Agent licensed in MO & KS and affiliated with Prudential Kansas City Realty 816.410.5499.o Maria Morton Copyright © 2011 *The Facebook Zone*

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1~Judi Barrett

Integrity Real Estate Services 116 SE AVE N, Idabel, OK 74745 - Idabel, OK

BS Ed, Integrity Real Estate Services -IDABEL OK

Maria,

I do believe it's not quite the same as a face to face relationship but it has its advantages...allowing relationships to be maintained more easily.

I can sure lose a couple of hours in the wee hours of the morning with my coffee, between AR and FB.

Mar 31, 2011 03:55 PM

Gwynn Carpenter

Gwynn Teal Carpenter-Broker: Home and Hearth Realty (Austin) - Austin, TX

: Broker, Home & Hearth Realty (512)467-6191

Maria: I agree with you when it comes to losing time when all you wanted was to "simply check your email" and 2 hours later you still haven't finished your email check or FB or Twitter or just about any other social media that exist today.

I'm not on FB or Twitter but can say that I sometimes DON'T PURCHASE a birthday card and just pick up the phone to "sing Happy Birthday" to friends so I can have a more personal relationship.

I suggested as I think you have a different outlook on this subject.

Mar 31, 2011 04:04 PM

Gina Chirico

Lattimer Realty - Fairfield, NJ

Real Estate Agent - Essex County, New Jersey

Maria, I'm addicted to Facebook I must admit. I have closed transactions because of Facebook though so I cannot complain. Rekindled old friendships, reconnected with people I haven't seen in years has brought me business so yes, I do admit on a Facebook junkie most of the time but no, it does not replace face to face contact and interaction with people whether it be old friends or new prospects.

Mar 31, 2011 04:19 PM

Lynda White

Bluegrass Homes & Farms Realty, Agent Know How - Louisville, KY

Admin. Mgr., Keller Williams Realty

I've built some pretty terrific relationships on Facebook, but I would like to meet them IRL. One of them actually called me and that was a pleasant surprise!

Caroline DeVore, Stowe Vermont Lodging, VT Bed and Breakfast Inn, Vacation Homes

Stowe Meadows Lodge, Stowe VT Romantic and Luxurious Inn - Stowe, VT

Caroline DeVore | Stowe Meadows Lodge, Stowe VT

Hum...I wouldn't have thought that I could actually meet new friends and even colleagues through social media, but I have. I hear you on FB, but I do think that social media has a place in real estate and is a terrific linking point to start conversations and, in my case, even meet terrific new friends I would not ordinarily know. Balance.....that's the key. Thanks!

Mar 31, 2011 05:29 PM

Debbie Gartner

The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY

The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

I agree it's not the same thing, but I do think a combo of intereaction can work. To me, FB ia a way to supplement your actions (but not substitute for them).

Mar 31, 2011 09:24 PM

Jim Frimmer

HomeSmart Realty West - San Diego, CA

Realtor & CDPE, Mission Valley specialist

I’m not a big fan of Facebook even though I have a profile there. And Twitter! I’m not a twit! Just too much personal information out there. Some things are best left unsaid, like the guy who was texting from the stall in the men's room at Domino's Pizza. Get a life. J♪♫♫♪

Apr 01, 2011 01:26 PM

Mary Yonkers

Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA

Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Maria--occasionally I can get lost almost anywhere including ActiveRain, FB and Twitter. Put me in front of a computer and I can occupy myself for quite a while.

No, it's not the same as in your face in person with your friends, but it's better than nothing.

Still it is fun to disconnect from all things tech and just enjoy being by myself or with a friend aka my husband, Dave.

Thanks for posing the question tonight.

Apr 02, 2011 02:05 PM

Karol Yeager

REALTY FIVE of Defiance - Defiance, OH

"We choose to give"

Maria, can you point me in the right direction? I like your "Let me Google one for you" at the end of your blog!!! How can I do that?

Our brokerage does allot of business on Facebook it has worked wonderfullyfor us! Nothing better than one of our buyers or sellers telling us along with their families and friends on Facebook how great it is to work with Realty Five of Defiance...Feel free to join our fan page :)

Karol

"We chose to give"

Apr 03, 2011 04:41 AM

The Facebook Zone

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