Home : Blogs : Georgina M. Hunter R(S) e-Pro Maui Real Estate Sales : The Maui Hunter Real Estate Blog

Social Networking the Old Fashioned Way - Get out and walk around your town!

walking up Baldwin Ave in Paia Maui Hawaii

Social Networking at Street Level - Paia Maui HI

Sometimes it's good to get out and walk about your town. Yesterday I was in our Paia Maui office and decided to walk up to the Post Office to check the mail, even though it was hot and sunny and I could have cruised up in air conditioned comfort (but how lazy is that?).

I'm glad I did. I ran into a friend who is a property manager and learned of a cute home coming up for rent in the North Shore Village subdivision - at a good price too. I'll keep that in mind for any clients who are looking for a nice 3 bedroom home to rent in Paia, for $1,900/month.

I noticed a new coffee shop has opened, actually HAZ BEANZ relocated from a few doors down. They have a much bigger space now, and will soon be offering free wi-fi internet access. This is always popular in Paia. I had a chance to schmooze with the counter person and give her my card and let her know I'll be blogging about their new location soon. "Brilliant" she said!

On my way back I popped into Mana Foods for a couple of spring rolls and bumped into another Realtor I know. She told me about her upcoming price reduction on a really sweet house and ohana in Makawao - only $599,000! I had shown it to a client and I'll pass it on that the seller is more motivated... keep her updated. I informed her of my fresh new listing, before it was even entered into our Maui MLS system. We both benefit from the chance encounter.

I noticed plenty of smiling tourists walking about town, and could have started a conversation with any one of them, inquiring about their melting gelatos, or where they might have had their lunch. Today I chose not to, but what a good opportunity to meet people who are visiting and will possibly end up here when they retire.

So take a break from the keyboard, get out there and mingle - you'll get some hot tips about other properties for sale or rent, see some things to blog about, and get some exercise too. What's wrong with that?

the Hunter

When buying a home on Maui, please contact a North Shore Maui Realtor - Georgina M. Hunter R(S)

SEARCH MAUI LISTINGS ~ EMAIL ~ http://www.eastmaui.com/ ~ 808 283-0635

PAIA MAUI homes for sale ~ OCEANFRONT for sale ~ sign up for the Paia NEWSLETTER

Posted by Georgina M. Hunter R(S) e-Pro Maui Real Estate Sales on 04/18/2008 11:03 AM

Comments (64)

paia maui hi, social networking, maui mls system, walk about your town, properties for sale or rent, blog about buying a home on maui hawaii

Originally posted at: Maui Blog - Georgina M. Hunter R(S): Social Networking the Old Fashioned Way - Get out and walk around your town!

This post has been included in Hawaii Information Maui County, HI Information Paia, HI Information
Post is included in group: Posts to Localism
Post is included in group: Active Rain Fit Club
Post is included in group: Dedicated Bloggers
Post is included in group: Things to Do/Places to Visit
Post is included in group: Localism Success and Accountability Group

64 Comments on Social Networking the Old Fashioned Way - Get out and walk around your town!

APR

2008

I take a lot of walks, and I have to say I know all of my neighbors and they all know I am a Realtor. I take walks through our local shopping area and pass out my card, best way to promote myself.

Great Post,.

I agree with you Georgina. Sometimes we get so tied up in Virtual Reality, we forget about some ACTUAL Reality! It's amazing after sitting in front of a screen for hours, how CLEAR the outside world is.... And... it's in 3-D !

Kim - You're right, talking to people you know is the best way to promote yourself.

Brian - that's so true - 3-D hahaha, and interactive too!

Do what you enjoy and in the process talk to people that might be interesting in using your service. Sounds like fun to me.

Great Comments! Meet the people. It is still the best way to sell real estate. People like to have a relationship with their realtor. They want to make sure they trust the person they list or buy their house from.

Terry - I need to do it more often. So many days I stay home on the farm and work from my home office.

Maria - It's all about the relationships.

What a concept! You mean we should get out and actually talk to other people? Why can't we just blog them? Just kidding! Great blog and it really works.

Georgina - Your local posts are the best... and your right, some time you have to get out and walk the streets and talk to folks.

I agree with you, and its so surprising the business you can pick up just around the corner.

Great post! So true, getting out and meeting people face to face makes a big difference :)

APR

2008

Sara - thanks for stopping in

Debbie - at least once in a while - get out and stretch the legs

Elaine - right under our own noses

Maria - relationships are imortant are't' they?

Now that is the way to network! More fun too!

Your Friend in Charlottesville Virginia!

Absolutely great advice--plus your downtown looks so inviting and pretty.

Georgina, you have similar thoughts to me about networking. Don't farm your sphere but get out and meet people. It is much more natural. Thanks for the reminder and the stroll through your backyard. I feel like I live there because of what you wrote.

Nice post. I agree this is the best way to network. Thanks for the post.

Georgina the "Hunter"- now that is cute! You are so correct about getting out there and meeting and greeting people. There is nothing quite as good as human contact.....

Georgina, great post and very true. Or you could always drive around like the video that Broker Bryant posted yesterday.

Georgina, You hit it right! When I am out taking pictures or researching for Localism posts I carry lots of cards with me and I hand them out. People always want to know what I am doing and so I explain my real estate blogging. My cards have my blog addresses on them :). I just wish right now I had Hawaii weather to walk in!!

Georgina,

I love your island, I would walk to town every day! We spent a week there one Thanksgiving, I loved it. Whaler's Village was a neat place and I loved Black Rock for snorkeling! I para sailed there for the first time. You are a lucky girl to live there.

The things you see, smell and taste along the journey of life. I'm so glad the winter is done here. time to get out and see the world.

You are right. The weather is beautiful here in Upstate New York! Walking around in the community is a great way to "network". Thanks for bringing it up!

What a great way to do networking while enjoying where you live, and you never know who you may run to. We love Maui, what a wonderful place to call home!

Georgina,

So many benefits to what you are describing. I often walk quite a bit in the summer time and take a break just to admire and meet and greet. Like you say,"you could ride in an air conditioned car", but there are so many things that can be missed on your drive than on foot.

So very true! I find my community activities, volunteer work, networking groups and even taking photos and interviewing local businesses all have a positive impact on my business and my attitude!

Your walks sound like a lot of fun! Great way to exercise and meet people at the same time!

real ingenuity. thanks for sharing. nobody thinks these days.

Hi - It is really fun and important to walk about your town. You learn so much about your neighborhood on foot. When you are driving, you miss a lot of things. And on foot, you can talk to a lot of people.

Georgina - great idea, and thanks for taking us along on a wonderful walk. If you haven't put that into localism, you should. It's a great way to introduce both shops and lifestyle.

Charles - I'm off to do some more today

Diane - it's a shame the downtown isn't a little bigger, but it's always nice to see a new shop.

Gary - Glad you can get a good feel for the place, that's the whole idea.

Gotta get out and meet people face to face. The virtual world is great, but connecting with real people in the real world is critical.

Hi Georgina,

Sounds like you made some great connections, that coffee shop a great spot to hang out and write your blogs....after you finish your exercise of course! :)

I totally agree with you! Real Estate is a lifestyle - getting out and talking to people, just being yourself, this is how you get to know what is really going on around you!

Way to keep on top of the market. Our business is all about talking to people and staying in front of them.

You are so right. To be successful in this business, you need to get infront of as many people as possible.

That's a brilliant point. Sometimes I think why I love social marketing so much it's because it's so much easier to do it sitting at home instead out there walking the pavement ;)

Cheers,

Cindy

Now that I think about it, Georgina, no one has ever knocked on my door while I've been online and asked me about real estate or my blog. Great reminder for us to get out and really be a part of our communities.

Thanks for reminding us of the simplicity of real life--you can "network" officially all around the place and not get as far as just being a part of the area around you!

APR

2008

Georgina- Where is your town in relation to Lahaina and Kihei? I just read in the Maui News that in your town your elementary school is getting a new cafeteria. I love that photo you took and the old town look of your town.

Great post, I try to do the same thing in my town and take a lot of photos of events, people and nature to incorporate and keep my websites fresh and updated about where I live. It really does help professionally and personally!

Gita - thanks for stopping by and commenting.

Vickie - glad you like my "tag"

Brian - when I get a chance I'll check that out - Broker Bryant's blog

Jo - Have you tried the MOO cards yet? I heard about them from Sarah Cooper and I love them!

Mary - snorkeling and parasailing - sounds like fun alright!

Robert - you can miss so much if you don't get out once in a while

Sarah - Just do it!

Patty and Scott - Glad you love Maui - me too.

Rebecca - meet and greet - that's the key

Diane - sounds like you're keeping busy - glad to hear it pay off

Ryan - try it, you'll like it

Michael - well some of us are thinking it's a great way to spend some time

Ellie - You got it, thanks for coming by.

Sharon - I almost always post to Localism, thanks!

Georgina,

You couldn't be more correct! Get to know your neighborhood and the people in it. Funny story, I listed and sold a neighbors home in just 20 days because of my contact with my neighborhood A neighbor across the street and two houses down from me has lived there for 5 years and I never got to know them, put there home up FSBO and then listed with a competitor. My fault for never getting to know them and they were right aross the street!

Georgina - Fresh air, exercise, human interaction? What's not to love about the "real" social networking. Great post!

I agree, sometimes the fingers need to stop doing the walking! hehe. It's a nice refreshing break to get out into the land of the living and not electronic.

I can't keep up with the responses - THANKS EVERYONE for coming by and commenting! I had no idea this would connect with so many of you. (I'm trying to get some work done today)

APR

2008

Katerina - Paia is north of Kihei and east of Lahaina - it's just about 10 miles east of the main airport and town, along the Hana Highway. It is a historic town that is experiencing a revival.

Even though Houston is not a friendly city for walking, I do walk quite a bit around my neighborhood. I do not know why, but my son was inspired to create a survey at school with another friend. At dinner, he told us with stark amazement that most people do not know their neighbors. My wife told him that he should feel lucky.

Georgina, it is amazing how much you see when you are not driving a car! Hot and sunny weather sure sounds great!

I like it. Now that weather is better, I'll be doing some walking myself.

Frank - wow that's a sad result... that's what happens when you put high walls around the yard of your air conditioned homes. We have become isolated inside, with all the conveniences of "modern" life. On the other hand, I wish I didn't know some of my neighbors.... hahaha.

Debra - Hot and sunny is wonderful

Larry - Don't forget to take your camera with you.

And here I always walk in the forest - no people just trees and the dogs. A Haz Beanz at about the half way point would be nice, tho.

APR

2008

It IS great to get out and just walk an area. You never know who you'll meet or what you'll see and you can refresh those brain cells with a break from the virtual world we tend to get lost in!

Kathleen - I like to walk in the country too, but don't meet many people on the way.

Lisa - I have been taking a break, now that spring is here and we have a garden started.

APR

2008

Hi Georgina,

This is definitely good advice..! Not only is it the easiest way to get eye to eye, face to face contact, but it also gets you out and about and feeling apart of the community. thanks for the post.

I love to walk my neighborhood, and meet lots of people. I walk with my dog, and we are quite a sight- I am on the petite side, and Gus is a huge, 120 pound rottweiler- we make quite a sight! And he is very friendly, and always wants to say hello to eveyone!

APR

2008

Alex - You're welcome - I hope it will inspire you to get out into the fresh air too.

Carol - I bet you can meet some buyers and sellers that way... especially other dog lovers.

APR

2008

Georgina, It sounds like you had a wonderful walking tour. That is hard to do where we live as everything is spread out. One thing we have a lot of is land.

APR

2008

Couldn' agree more. Most of us probably don't just get out wander enough. The author Kurt Vonnegut used to type his manuscripts and hand deliver them to the post office, he could e-mail or have them picked up but said standing in line helped him find things to write about.

There is a nice book title Hello, My Name is Scott. The short version is Scott wears a simple name tag the kind you will see at social gatherings. The author claims to meet 3 new people a day this way. I have done this and he is correct, excuse me I must go put on my tag and go out for a while.