Special offer

Do you feel like a ping pong ball and the mouse is your paddle..internet hostage?

By
Real Estate Agent with 3 Creeks Real Estate

I'm guilty of it and it's frustrating..you're hoping all the Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Google plus, Stumble Upon, Digg, Plaxo, Follr, Klout, Agent Social, Social Bio, Thumtack and of course Activerain will ultimantly produce leads that turn into business and closings.

The list goes on and on and on and on..link after link after link after link...and although it's necessary to stay on the cutting edge, it can and will handicap your income producing activities (But hey wait a minute - isn't all this stuff supposed to be income producing activity?) I sure hope so, but the problem is it can suck you in big time! I say enter Google at your own risk, you may not return for half a day or more. I'm curious, is it just me or do others get caught up in this trap. You never leave your desk going from this page to that page and back to that page only to end up on another page, oh wait that looks interesting, click here click there, close this close that, open this open that, share this share that next thing you know you're booking a trip to Cancun, or checking out your family tree on ancestry.com, buy a massage on living social, bookmarking this bookmarking that...oh wow look at that site...$30 here, $200 there. Spending money instead of making money.

I've heard the illness referred to as "Hiding behind the Technology" 

Bottom Line:

Easier said than done, but if we are to reach people, we have to use techniques that bring us closer to the subtle complexities of human behavior. We need to hear that catch in the voice, see the way the eyes glitter, and let them see and hear us. If you want to be more effective, stop hiding behind technology. Get out there and see someone. Pick up the phone. Have a real conversation. Stop pretending to take action.

Indeed, E-mail has become of the most commonly used action/people avoidance techniques. We shoot out flurries of E-mails when we should be sitting down with someone or, at the very least, picking up the phone and directly furthering a personal, as opposed to a paper, relationship.

Short of taking Adderall, Strattera :-) I'm curious what do you do to stay on track while browsing google? 

BTW..My parents have been in business for 35 plus years, no computer, just got touch tone phones and a credit card machine...they do quite financially just keeping it simple "Old School" You got to have the technology in the real estate business, but man when does it end?

Ok got to get out and talk to some people.

 

 

Posted by

Curtis Dulansky

Realtor/Dash Realty LLC

Austin, TX

512-784-2756

Adam Todd
LeadTrader PRO - Miami Beach, FL

that's the problem with social media lead generation, when you factor in your time it's far from free, it's actually very expensive, way more so than Pay Per Click lead generation. And I've yet to see any hard proof from anyone that it actually works and the leads are any good, whereas PPC leads are very high quality.

And on top of that, spending time on social media platforms "engaging" people seems like such a waste of time to me, I'd rather just spend $200 a month on PPC and get 60 leads who I know are interested in real estate because they were searching on Google, not because they were hanging out on facebook.

Nov 30, 2011 11:58 AM
Linda Metallo DiBenardo
RE/MAX Impact, Lockport, Illinois - Lockport, IL

Face to face, toe to toe.  Nothing beats that in my book. 

Nov 30, 2011 12:59 PM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

It can be a challenge not to be controlled by the technology we enlist to make us more successful.  I do like the face to face stuff, but sometimes it's my technology that brings those people into my office.  It's a tough thing to balance. 

Nov 30, 2011 01:06 PM
Eric Michael
Remerica Integrity, Realtors®, Northville, MI - Livonia, MI
Metro Detroit Real Estate Professional 734.564.1519

Curtis, technology is good, too much might not be?                                            

Nov 30, 2011 01:33 PM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Curtis,  My time on the Internet is spent very purposefully.  Get in - Get off.  It is so easy to waste hours online.  I'm not big on FB ... for the same reason. I don't feel FB is work productive.  I know it is for some, however it is not for me.

Nov 30, 2011 02:12 PM
Lisa Wetzel
RE/MAX Realty Affiliates - Carson City, NV
CDPE, SFR carsonvalleyland.com

Belly to Belly ... that was the old saying!  I agree, personal time is very important.  On the other hand, many of these avenues are wonderful tools!  I guess the great key here ... as it always is ... is balance!

Nov 30, 2011 02:46 PM
Fulton Gaylord
Keller Williams Realty - Charlottesville, VA
1st-Time Home Buyer Realtor - Charlottesville, VA
I use the Internet to gain access to people--my future buyers and sellers, and eventually, my referral base. Business plan and web interconnectivity map help keep me on course and without the constant dips and draws on my bank account. I live in a high-tech area, so vital to not only have a web presence, but keep it current, relevant, and know how to respond with the appropriate social mediums, et al.
Nov 30, 2011 02:59 PM
John Novak
Keller Williams Realty The Marketplace - Las Vegas, NV
Henderson, Las Vegas and Summerlin Real Estate

Online marketing is just one way of attracting business. I can think of several agents who do very little with technology and are still quite successful. The key is to hold our chosen marketing methods accountable to produce an acceptable level of business.

Nov 30, 2011 03:32 PM
Janet Jones
Just Your Style Interiors, LLC - Kihei, HI
Home Staging, Interior Redesign Kihei, Maui, Hawaii

Hi Curtis--I have just started setting limits to how much time I spend on anything Internet related.  Here, local is still great and person-to-person still means more than a Facebook account.  Meeting people in person is what really brings me business so I concentrate on what works and limit my "distractions". 

Nov 30, 2011 04:28 PM
Curtis Dulansky
3 Creeks Real Estate - Austin, TX

Ok so thanks everyone for your comments! I want to respond to everyone and I will. Normally i get email alerts on my phone, but I just switched from long time blackberry user to the Droid (wow what a difference) and everything needs to be reconfigured. Anyway it's late now and tomorrow I'm attending all day MCE class, but I promise to respond to everyone afterwards.

Speaking of face time, toe to toe, shoe leather express I call it. My first broker 6 years ago suggested I attend a one on one with a gentleman who's been in the business for over 40 years...close to 90 years old now and still at the office by 6:00 AM everyday suit in tie ready to go. Anyway he made a statement that stuck with me.

"you can't see what jim jones buys, unless you see jim jones though jim jones eyes"

Thanks!

Nov 30, 2011 04:35 PM
Rosalie Evans
Meritus Group Real Estate - Sioux Falls, SD
The Evans Group, Sioux Falls, SD Homes For Sale

Sometimes I feel married to my computer! Since I have an apple I call him Mac! Hey we spend so much time together that we should be on a first name basis! I know all about what you are saying thought! Do you really have that many accounts?? I have several but you listed off several that I don't know about! 

Nov 30, 2011 04:56 PM
Maria Morton
Platinum Realty - Kansas City, MO
Kansas City Real Estate 816-560-3758

Curtis, I know what you mean! There's too many places to go on the internet. I am registered on 10 out of 12 of the sites (plus a few more) you mentioned in your first sentence but only use a few regularly. Life needs to be balanced. Writing blog posts here is important. Tweeting and checking in on foursquare is important. Checking facebook every day is important. I missed a few days last month and heard about it from people IRL. Some people I know are avid fb users while others have closed their fb accounts. I need to be there for those who are so when I see them IRL, I'm up with what's going on. Emails are very handy for getting contracts back and forth. Talking to people via email until they are ready to speak on the phone or meet in person is necessary and I'm okay with it up to a point. The good thing about the iPhone (and other Smart Phones) is that it allows me to check emails and texts from anywhere and also to foursquare and tweet. It does require discipline to keep on track when one is on the computer though. No clicking on all those interesting links! It's 1am and I just finished answering emails for the day and will have to read more AR posts tomorrow. G'nite!

Nov 30, 2011 06:00 PM
Cheryl Ritchie
RE/MAX Leading Edge www.GoldenResults.com - Huntingtown, MD
Southern Maryland 301-980-7566

I do that stuff early or late or my day off so there is a natural limit of some sort. 

Nov 30, 2011 09:47 PM
Fernando Herboso - Associate Broker MD, & VA
Maxus Realty Group of Samson Properties - Clarksburg, MD
301-246-0001 Serving Maryland, DC and Northern VA

Only one person determines the quality of results participating in any social media forum. .  .you

Nov 30, 2011 10:01 PM
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Chris, great questions and I came hear to read some of the answers.  Something that I'm struggling with regularly at this point.

Nov 30, 2011 11:36 PM
Amanda Christiansen
Christiansen Group Realty (260)704-0843 - Fort Wayne, IN
Christiansen Group Realty

Agreed curtis.  While I absolutely LOVE social media, it is only a tool to get myself in front of people.  Good stuff.  

Dec 01, 2011 12:21 AM
FN LN
Toronto, ON

Curtis - There are far too many social media platforms to keep track of and to participate in for busy professionals.

Dec 01, 2011 12:28 AM
Jim Miner
Miner Noh & Associates - Phoenix, AZ
Loan Modfication & Short Sale Specialist

That dog-gone telephone is still a wonderful tool!

Dec 01, 2011 03:17 AM
Cheryl Dukes . . . . . Intown Atlanta
Guaranteed Offer for your Home - eXp realty - Atlanta, GA

How did we ever function before the arrival of the Internet, iphone, ipad, apps, QR codes, text messages ...? it's only going to get worse before it gets better. Very humorous post, Curtis.

Dec 01, 2011 05:56 AM
Curtis Dulansky
3 Creeks Real Estate - Austin, TX

Bud and Beth--you're right, take a break and quit hanging out at the space bar..get out and meet people!

Bill- You hit the nail on the head! Human interaction is key, thanks for the reinforcement!

Katrina- Thanks for your comment..especially your sentence "The more people try to show me how much better it is to get in the face of prospects the more "I can prove that I get way more listings blogging on line in less time", saving the money on gas and the time getting dressed and putting my makeup on and then driving places. :) That's the goal I'm after, Just learning though so I hope to learn more from you, thanks!

Tammie-I'm trying to do the same thing, get away from the keyboard, but I'm still determine to leverage SM :-)

Luis-good advice thanks! Baby steps.

Julia- That's the ticket, hire someone to do it for you. Glad to know others are struggling with me.

Gene - I agree the human distraction get's me too, double whammy...I wish I had a door to close!

Team Honeycutt- That about sums it up "nothing beats relationships and face to face interaction" Thanks

Charles-Blogging seems to be a common thread, honestly this is my second blog post so I'm sort of flipping out how many have responded...this is kind of cool so thanks!

Mary- Exhausting is right..glad you I'm not alone, thanks.

Kathy-Sounds like you got it down..lol...face time is key, you're dead on.

Joy-You're welcome and Hhappy medium is what I'm striving for.

Ciara-I'm testing the waters,..trying to narrow it down to what works, but like you said you can be a good agent with or with out, thanks for your input.

Millie- I like it "Maybe we should all make a New Year's resolution to go out for coffee with clients and prospects and get away from the computers for a little while" I think I will make that a goal in 2012...and yes I believe it will come full circle...what a relief that would be.

Barb- Old fashion and a little technology. KISS "Keep it simple stupid" So true!

Donald-I say enough, it's time to get back on the street.

Doug thanks. Well said and straight to the point.

Eric thanks! To much of anything is bad, including technology..cool porfile pic.

Linda-I'm hitting the streets...shoe leather express! Thanks.

Adam- PPC is something I'm looking into, it's good to know that works for you.

Mike- You said like others have said "balance is KEY"

Kathleen- Get in Get Off is easier said than done..sounds like you got a handle on it. Thanks!

Lisa- Belly to Belly and balance "like it"..can't get any easier than that.

Fulton- Excellent advice "Business plan and web interconnectivity map help keep me on course" Sound advice, thanks.

John-I agree technology is not needed to build a great business! A year ago all I had was email and a website, worked just fine for me.

Aloha Janet-Once again, like many others human interation is key., thanks so much.

Rosalie- I hate to say but those I mentioned are just a few, google my name, create your accounts and connect with me.. and hello to Mac for me:-)

Maria-The way you're doing things sounds very similar to what I'm doing. After all the comments I think i got a plan. and YES the main thems of my post was to stop clicking on the interesting links...I'm taking your advise, believe me. @cdulansky

Cheryl-Good plan! Keep it simple.

Fernando-Sounds like you got it down, thanks for the comment.

Gabe-Glad to know I'm not alone, the comments have helped me re-think my strategy, hopefully it they will help you too. Keep me posted.

Christianson Team- I love it too, actually more like love/hate relationship and like you I'm trying get my name out there with SM. Thank you.

Marc- You're so right.

Jim- You strike me as an old pro...i like it, wise man, old school...before I got into real estate I cold called on the phone for 20 plus years. I know it works.

 

Cheryl- I don't know how we did it but we did and we got by just fine didn't we? You're right it will get worse before it gets better.

 

Well I promised to respond to everyone and I did, thanks for all the inout, advice and opinions! good night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dec 01, 2011 04:51 PM