For those folks who don't know me personally I tend to come across as "direct", that's a mild way of saying "in your face" I suppose. Sure I'm an aggressive Type A. And, my wife as well as many others consider me to be a really giving person, which I demonstrate daily. So when I continue to (what I'm sure must seem to many) as "pound away" at the subject of social networking, I'm truly doing this help people.
Sure I'm a capitalist and as such I'm looking to generate revenue but who in business isn't? That said, I prefer to do business honorably, respectfully and from a place of helping my fellow human being whenever and wherever I can...
Now before everyone gets all soggy eyed on me or starts throwing their popcorn (more likely) let me get to the point regarding the seriousness of social networking as a business tool. Not only for real estate but for all business. IF there was one skill that you mastered in the near term, it's learning how to operate within a Web 2.0 environment.
In fact, many in the Web 2.0 community (industry) would consider all of you to be too late in many ways. You see the Web 2.0 market is going through yet another evolution, many more companies are going to be absorbed in the near future. What we've seen over the past year and a bit with Google buying youtube and other acquisitions is just the beginning. They're after the audience ladies and gentlemen, it's that simple. The more people who join Active Rain the more valuable it becomes. Want to make some relatively quick and massive money? Hire some outsourced programmers and start tackling how a site like Active Rain displays it's network like the next generation social networking site will function and beat everyone to the punch. That is, the next gen will be much more like a visual representation of the "web", way more interactivity, more media cross over as well. A "web"of your connections that will also include the relevance of each person in relation to others. In other words, still more information will be available, more effective targeting, less time wasted just surfing and praying for leads in return. It's only a matter of time folks before someone figures out the technological combination or the "how to" better attract, display and sell houses...
So while many folks are struggling to figure out what I'm talking about regarding the "shift" in real estate marketing, others still are mastering today's and tomorrow's techniques...Competition in business is a fact, any edge that can be gained to get to that client first is of paramount importance. Technology today is arming more and more people with powerful capabilities that just a few short years ago was a dream and an expensive venture. Not any more. For a few thousand dollars one can now hire the right guns located all over the world to recreate you as a Global Micro-National. I should know because it's in part what we do. Want to venture beyond the 3bdrm, 2 bath bread and butter? Maybe take a shot at changing things like the $20M revamp of Century 21's next-gen real estate web portal and at less cost but with better functionality? It can be done. Of course it can be done. That said, I think Century 21's site is an entire universe ahead of the competition. Congratulations to that company for their bold vision and for embracing life as an early adopter...I guarantee the competition immediately started similar projects trying to catch up and if not fire the CEO and especially CTO. Hopefully, they won't continue to be behind as is often the case in Internet technology terms...you can't think -"me too" or "what's next". In today's day and age you've got to futurecast to what's next 10 years from now to be truly innovative.
Will people still be searching for homes the same way 10 years from now? How about 5 years from now? I guarantee they won't be. Thus I guarantee Realtors won't be operating the same way either. Or is that statement reversed? Yes it is. I know this because that case is currently being made. We are living in the greatest opportunity rich environment in human history for those who are keeping score and wanting to participate. So with that in mind I say let the games begin...and good luck to us all.
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Walter: I must say that during the first few minutes of reading your post... your talk about being an "in your face" person, and then your attitude showing it... I almost deleted this post. In general... I do not like "type A" personalities. But... I continued, and found that in spite of my initial reaction... going forward was worth it. You seem to know your stuff.
I will take a look at the Century 21 website, and sample their massive makeover that you speak of.
But... how much more technical can or must a single Realtor get in order to be successful. Rea Estate is all about people. The houses are simply the product, and cannot be bought or delivered by email. Personal interaction is required, and how many of those who own homes, or want to... are as technically oriented as you claim the need will require ? Take care... thanks for knowing your stuff !