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MEDIA UNMUZZLED - Notes from the Social Media WEBINAR, Session 1

By
Real Estate Agent with First Realty Auburn

Today was the first of 12 SESSIONS produced by the DOMUS CONSULTING GROUP's Social Media Webinar Series for ACTIVE RAINERS (and others, but very specially priced for us!) Practically a giveaway! Thanks to BRAD ANDERSOHN for the blog-rally about this (see Social Media & Marketing Webinars). He was in attendance, along with DOMUS co-founders, KEVIN BOER and PAT KITANO. I knew I couldn't afford to miss it, especially since I only pick up on these technological advances after lots of absorbing and practicing. My brain was wired from a different generation---and then some--- and so I usually seem to have a lot of re-wiring and unscrambling to do. While the brain doesn't necessarily improve with age, the good thing about it, I'm told, is that it can improve with use. This fact alone is what motivates me. Once I grow accustomed to a new way, more efficient, faster, better, bigger method or technique (& seemingly smaller technology), it's just the joy of playing with new toys and having a lot more friends over ---aka social networking!

One thing I gathered from today's broadcast is that it is A LOT about perspective... to be able to grasp what is happening, it is essential to have an understanding of your place in time, not just as a point in history, but as a medium through which we have transported stories and ideas. For the first time since time management became a task, our placement in space brings us into a new work/business arena... in other words, your placement and presence in a cyber-world is critical. In a business nutshell, you can not only manage your time without being online/connected, or YOU WILL BE virtually lost in space.

While a short amount of time was spent on identifying a punchlist for this newly-constructed forum, the significant length of the presentation illustrated the muzzling of mainstream media that was (and much of it still is), historically, owned and controlled by a few. Now, since about 2001, especially heightened after 911, we have the masses (the many) going mainstream as an organic whole. The social media is converging with the mass media, and beginning to replace a lot of it. This is a huge change in journalism and how we receive information. Kevin and Pat talked about how the whole blogging phenomenon took off around this time, and, with the introduction of MySpace, became mainstream. Then YouTube began generating video. These were the seeds for social transparency, which translates to the astounding revelation that you/your business really can't be anything but authentically YOU! Kevin and Pat put forth what I thought was a powerful statement: "The key to creating successful philosophies and businesses is to be socially transparent." (This, by the way, is the main work of DOMUS CONSULTING, setting this up for companies). I picture the mix as striving for A CONTINUUM--- a coherent whole, methodically harmonizing what is sound, and hammering out what is discordant or non-synchronous. The speed at which you can develop a network and build a business is rapidly increased, because information travels at high speed and "everyone knows everyone else in a transparent society, and you'll form these serendipitous relationships."  (I can personally vouch for this already!) Kevin and Pat continued to embellish this concept by suggesting that this is "the next generation of a Brian Buffini, a referral-based marketing style with a lot of personal, face-to-face going on." It is noteworthy here that there isn't an online emphasis [yet] with this marketing style. "Communication is being broadcast now and is much more efficient" This doesn't mean that the personal touch is outdated. Not at all. As long as we're human, that just can't happen. It merely informs us of the new phenomenon of "intimacy" being created through social networking, often well ahead of the formal handshake and face-to-face meeting of a new client, colleague, employer, partner, etc..(Before you are HERE, in real time, you are THERE in real space.)

Related Activity Suggestionwatch Real Estate Coaching 2.0

Final Note & Action Plan: BE A TRANSPARENCY FOR THE TRUTH AND INTEGRITY OF YOUR WORDS and your WORK. WE ARE AMPLIFICATION SYSTEMS IN A UNIVERSE OF SOUNDness.

© Copyright 2008 - This posting and the contents written here, except where noted, are the property of Mara Hawks, All Rights Reserved

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Comments(23)

Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Mara, I like the thoughts about speed and that relative intimacy can be developed over great distances prior to a handshake with Social Networking. How would I have ever met wonderful you without Social Networking? I would have had to be local to you. Now you are dear to me.

Sep 05, 2008 03:33 PM
Roland Woodworth
Blue Cord Realty - Clarksville, TN
Blue Cord Realty

Sounds interesting... Looking forward to the updates on the other 11 parts

Sep 05, 2008 04:06 PM
Peter Thompson
Downers Grove, IL
Chicago Mortgage Insight

Hi Mara, I was on the seminar with you today, and like you I need some rewiring, too. I see an enormous amount of potential with this, but without the seminar I would be stumbling in the dark. I'm sure I will get to know you anfd the others over the next weeks.

Sep 05, 2008 04:30 PM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

Mara,

This sound intriguing.  I like the idea of transparency, and I hadn't thought much before about how much blogging and social media has come about since 9/11.

Sep 05, 2008 06:31 PM
Mara Hawks
First Realty Auburn - Auburn, AL
Inactive-2012 REALTOR - Homes for Sale Auburn Real Estate, AL

Kathy - oh yeah, I embrace technology much the same way that I grab my Rubbermaid box of electrical stuff, sifting through all the items that I don't know if I'll ever use or even figure out how a lot of the cords & wires were supposed to be hooked up. But every now & then, a light bulb begins to flicker or actually goes on. So I keep the collection. :-)   You are #1 in more ways than one...

Carole - Like I said, this stuff does not come easily... one step, one day at a time. Think about it like music...keep listening, exploring different sounds, styles, hear some live & some recorded and then listen to the natural world... eventually, things begin syncing... I think it's a natural phenomenon. PROGRESS is a Principle that inherently reveals us... I cling to this image!

Chuck - I do appreciate the opportunities for learning--- and leaping. At the point where I am in business, I know I really need to be doing this. It seems to take me longer than most to assimilate technology, so I can't afford to not be doing "homework". So ask away... just no questions about big investments or mortgages (unless you'd like a referral ;-)

Gary - you recapped that very essential point so succinctly. Isn't it amazing? How far we've come?? You are such a love!! I value your presence so very much. People like you were created when God said 'Let there be Light'...

Roland - I, too am looking forward :-)

Peter - I feel the same way... you say 'without the seminar, I'd be stumbling in the dark'... I think we agree that WITH the seminar, we can now stumble in the light--- such an improvement, heh? :-) "See" you in Session 2.

Christine - I hadn't thought about it either, at least not with the perspective of historical AND realtime placement. That was one of the big revelations for me at Session I... SYNERGY! It was like a view from outside of the fishbowl. Thanks for stopping by.

 

Sep 05, 2008 11:28 PM
Mara Hawks
First Realty Auburn - Auburn, AL
Inactive-2012 REALTOR - Homes for Sale Auburn Real Estate, AL

P.S. - Gary - I just had another thought about your comment & the phenomenon of meeting in space (social media networking) before meeting in time (aka handshake/hug). My recent attendance at INMAN Connect 2008 in SF was the first time I'd EVER experienced recognizing/knowing so many of the people without having ever received their business cards. Usually, you'd meet these folks at a conference with a first introduction & business card exchange (if you can even get near them!) Of course, I didn't hesitate one bit to approach some of them, because I already felt so connected with their work. This TWIST just occurred to me. I hadn't realized how significant this was at the time of the conference... I guess I was too busy taking it all in & having a great time!

Sep 06, 2008 12:11 AM
Janet Guilbault
Platinum Home Mortgage Company - Walnut Creek, CA
San Francisco Bay Area Direct Mortgage Lender

Mara: Thank you so much for this report. As someone who was always a journalist style writer (never by profession....) blogging was something that I naturally took to like a duck to water.

It opened up a whole wonderful world to me, and to watch how blogging is changed the way information is absorbed is truly amazing.

Sep 06, 2008 02:32 AM
Bill Gassett
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Hopkinton, MA
Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate

Hi Mara - The social networking gets better and better everyday. I know I have become an addict:)

Sep 06, 2008 03:01 AM
Vicki Lloyd
The Lloyd Realty Group - San Diego, CA
(619)452-9798, Real Estate San Diego California

Thanks for filling us in on the webinar.  Kevin and Pat are great, and I regularly read their blogs.  There is no doubt that the whole web 2.0 and social media are becoming more important to everyone in business.  I especially like the slideshows that they have put together.

Sep 06, 2008 03:56 PM
Everard Korthals
---Preferred Lifestyle Advisors--- - Lancaster, PA
Mountain Realty

Sounds like it was a very philosophical Webinar.  I agree with what was said and it should also be mentioned that your web presence may not be necessary (if worried about competition) in certain areas of the country nor may it be an effective means to garner leads, but all in all as we know the future of Real Estate is on the internet and it simply comes down to how each individual decides to market themselves.

Sep 06, 2008 07:37 PM
Mara Hawks
First Realty Auburn - Auburn, AL
Inactive-2012 REALTOR - Homes for Sale Auburn Real Estate, AL

Janet - I think you and I are on the same page :-) Thanks for sharing your experience.

Bill - You say 'you know you've become an addict'... that is ONEderful because this is STEP 1-- and often the biggest... now... if someone could come up with just 11 more steps for blogging addiction please... 

Vicki - Thanks for taking the time to stop here & read my post. I also enjoy their blogs and slideshows. SO very helpful! Thanks for stopping by.

Castellum - It wasn't a philosphical presentation at all. Kevin Boer and Pat Kitano are like scientists & archaeologists in their fields of research & application---but with a strong sense of community/sharing. It really was all quite FACTual in a "user friendly" format.  I tend to interpret information through a lens that sometimes frames the subject from a different angle. For me, it gets down to how I can apply this to my own life and work (ie, music is big in my world, so I often use music analogies). Thanks for stopping by.

Sep 06, 2008 11:13 PM
Chuck Willman
Chuck Willman - Alpine, UT
NewHouseUtah.com

So... are you attending all twelve session? It appears that session one was pretty chock-full of useful information. I'm assuming the rest was would also be jam-packed with additional ideas. I agree with you- it's important to get a handle on the changing direction of media, information and our ability to make use of it.

Sep 07, 2008 04:32 AM
Katerina Gasset
The Gasset Group & Get It Done For Me Virtual Services - Provo, UT
Amplify Your Real Estate & Life Dreams!

Transparency gets you everywhere online. We get at least 2 listings a week from just our AR blog. Sellers tell us all the time they chose us because of how helpful I am on our blog and also they like the way we treat others and the way we look.

It sounds like it was a very good and effective course. I am glad that you are excited about it. I can feel it through your writing.

Sep 07, 2008 08:47 AM
Petra Norris
Lakeland Real Estate Group, Inc. - Lakeland, FL
Realtor, Lakeland FL Homes for Sale

Mara - you really summed it up nicely and congratulations on your gold star. I really liked what I heard on Friday and look forward to get to know more about social transperency of social networking.

Sep 07, 2008 10:00 AM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Congratulations on another Feature Mara. I'm glad you got your Recent Posts widget set up as well. Your blog looks GREAT!!

Sep 13, 2008 04:27 PM
Thom Abbott
MyMidtownMojo.com |770.713.1505 | Intown Atlanta GA Condo Living - Atlanta, GA
Midtown Atlanta GA Condos For Sale

Mara:  Very insightful post! I think I now have another mentor to follow when it comes to blogging! I can only hope te be able to collect my thoughts and put them into the world like you have!

I missed Friday's class and I'm awaiting it's posting on the website to see what I missed! Thanks again for your insights, and hope we can help each other rise in the ranks (and Googlism!)

Sep 20, 2008 03:20 PM
Mara Hawks
First Realty Auburn - Auburn, AL
Inactive-2012 REALTOR - Homes for Sale Auburn Real Estate, AL

Chuck - we just wrapped up session 3 on Friday. I find it so useful because it makes the nebulous world of networking a lot more understandable and tanginble for me, and apparently, there are others in this world that struggle with this :-)

Nestor & Katerina - That is a fantastic "return" for your networking! I haven't seen results like that, yet, but I've had enough to know that this IS the direction to be turning. I find it a tremendous opportunity, to take advantage of these very affordable webinars, classes & even blog posts. Teachers & leaders are the best; their hearts are in their work---and a big part of that is sharing and helping others. They make themselves so available...I could go on...:-)  Thanks for commenting.

Petra - thanks for stopping by here. The gold star...it made me smile and remember a 1st grade teacher who once put one on my forehead. I kept in on the whole day! You can't earn stars---they must fall upon you. (like the grace of God - LOL)

Gary - thank you, and thanks for your inspiration and help with the world of widgetry. You must be a widgzard--- at least I KNOW you're full of magic ;-) 

Thom and Ray - Thanks for your kind comments. Homework for this week is to set up your twitter account and enter it into the class (link or AR group?)... somewhere significant... let's find out and DO IT!

Sep 20, 2008 11:15 PM
Patrick Kitano
BNN - San Francisco, CA

Hi Mara,

Pardon my reclusivity! Appreciate the comments... stay tuned for this Friday, we'll be unveiling the "Master Plan" this session and you'll see where we are headed - the Social Media System.

Sep 24, 2008 04:02 PM
Dora & Vincent Kwok
HomeSmart Real Estate - Chandler, AZ
CNE - Chandler, Arizona Real Estate

Hi Mara - A very well written and very thoughtful post.  The last couple of weeks have been fun; getting our feet wet in the social medias...I'm looking forward to the "Master Plan" tomorrow.

Sep 25, 2008 11:14 AM
Mara Hawks
First Realty Auburn - Auburn, AL
Inactive-2012 REALTOR - Homes for Sale Auburn Real Estate, AL

Pat - I appreciate your work and your words. I feel very lucky to have found this train-ing track. Full speed ahead!

Dora & Vincent - Thank you for your compliment and for stopping by. There's so much going on and it's overwhelming and exciting and this webinar is really helping me to sort out a lo of these applications.  See you in class!

Sep 27, 2008 01:45 PM