Last week a Facebook friend of mine posted a big dramatic commentary on how she was going to delete her FB account because she didn't like how 'impersonal' communication had gotten. What?!

I think we have all heard this and I think it is largely an excuse used by people who don't want to take the time to learn it and use it effectively. We are past the point of social media being 'optional'. ESPECIALLY if you are in a people business like real estate. 

I know some people will read this and say "It's just not my thing. I prefer to talk face to face or use the phone." And that's fine. But the poplulation of buyers and sellers who want to (or have time to) meet face to face or talk on the phone is getting smaller every day. 

Now to address the 'impersonalization' of communication. I'm not buying it at all. I can log onto Facebook right now and see what my niece in South Carolina is doing this week at college, what my best friend in Texas is doing today, and I get to see pictures of my cousin's daughter's new baby! I would not know about any of that if I wasn't plugged in to Facebook. My friend in Texas homeschools her 5 kids so does not have time to call me every day and tell me what they are up to. And my niece in College in SC probably wouldn't call me to talk about how the cute guy in the cafeteria saw her shove a whole piece of pizza in her mouth to make her friends laugh, but I read it on FB. I admit, I would probably find out about the new baby. In December, when I get their Christmas card. 

I have never been so connected to so many people as I am right now on Facebook. (And that's just one platform!) If anything, I think communication has become more personal because of social media. A quick status update about with a picture of my 12yr old daughter in her school play reaches ALL of our friends and family. It keeps us connected. It makes everyday life a conversation. 

 

 

My response to the friend leaving FB?

"Remember a few years ago, when our parent's weren't convinced they needed email? That's you now."

 

 

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Posted by Mary Borth on 04/18/2012 09:29 AM   Comments (6)   Social Media in the ActiveRain Channel   social media  
Short URL: http://actvra.in/yWY
Post is included in group: Diary of a Realtor
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6 Comments on We Are Past the Point of Social Media Being Optional

APR
18
2012
447,685 Points 11 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Mary, it makes me laugh sometimes. Some agents are talking about getting their FB business page up and running so they can get "ahead" of the curve. They don't realize that this is now the norm and they are catching up. I have come to realize that the majority of people who say social media just "isn't their thing" are just simply too lazy to learn how to use it properly(the majority - not all).
9:34am • #1
2 Featured Posts Outside Blog

I agree Malcolm. I just heard someone say the other day "If you are trying to get your social media accounts set up, you are already too late."  Harsh, but true.
9:39am • #2
511,595 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Mary, I agree. And as future gen X, gen Y or whatever they are called move into prime homebuying age it will be even more important.
9:44am • #3
195,710 Points 2 Featured Posts Outside Blog

We have to be plugged in to what the trend is otherwise we will be missing out on a large portion of the market.
4:57pm • #4
313,813 Points 33 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Mary, Facebook has been such a blessing for my family. Being thousands of miles away from them allows us to stay in touch more easily. It used to be such a pain to have to email new pictures of the girls to everyone but now I just upload them to FB and everyone is happy. In my world FB does not replace phone calls. I still talk to my mom every week.

As far as business is concerned, you simply gotta do it. There's no way around it. Although I'm not seeing as much interaction (maybe that's what she meant?), I know people are reading! It's about being found and reminding people that you are in Real Estate and you are active and know what you are doing!
5:17pm • #5
JUL
27
Outside Blog

Hello Mary, I agree with you but I have found that if I am not careful I spend to much time online and not enough working. How do you keep this from happening?
11:01am • #6


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Mary Borth (Keller Williams Realty) Rainmaker_large

Mary Borth

Bloomington-Normal, IL

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Leveraging technology to change the way people buy and sell real estate in Bloomington Normal Illinois. Homes for Heroes Affiliate. I am the only Certified Internet Marketing Specialist in Bloomington Normal. www.imsd.net/grad/maryborth


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