Have you ever been in a conversation with someone at a networking event and been struck by the fact that they seemed taut and alert to everything...but you! Fidgeting half-smiles and darting eyes belie the fact that they're they're eager to make a connection with....the NEXT person, more important than you are. And as soon as they think they've spotted them...OFF they go.
People like this are actually involved with three conversations. The FIRST with themselves...omnipresent and all important in their own minds. The SECOND being the current half engagement within the conversation at hand, and the THIRD conversation, well it's the one they intend to have as soon as they're finished with you.
There's a part of me that has to give grudging admiration to these network operators. They get it. A networking event is not about communing on deep, intimate levels, it's about making the largest number of connections within a short period of time. Some of which may eventually pan out to significant contacts in the future. I personally dislike networking events because I prefer deeply engaging conversation. But a networking event is not a success if you deeply connect with the 3 people you already knew before you arrived!
It occurs to me that there are some similarities with the world of the blogosphere. Millions of blogs published everyday prove that many of us have absolutely no problem having extensive cconversations within our OWN minds. We're all eager to share our mental machinations through our blogs. Hopefully, someone stops by or sticks around long enough to engage us for a bit. But, that's over usually within 24 hours. In-fact the conversation on the blogosphere is now stripping to it's most minimal reality in the twitter.
As the conversation within a blog eeks out it's last splutters of comments, we jump click...anxious to engage the next thought flitting through the cyber universe. The flirtation with the next newest idea or barely re-worked old one is picked up until something just a tad more titillating comes along. And what ultimately comes of this? Usually, not too much.
But, with the thousands of hits and views, a third level of conversation somehow manages to nab even the networkers. Unexpectedly, a chance encounter resonates at a core level of engagement. Sometimes the spark is instant, sometimes culled over several encounters. This is where magic appears. And it's often unanticipated.
Magic is conversations with people which seem strangely effortless. Magic is shared understanding and respect and admiration. Magic is when a chance encounter meets an irresistible force called Connection. This is the Third Conversation...and perhaps, the only that really matters. It stands to reason that in the world of real estate blogging, those who create Magic will ultimately make Money.
Understanding this frees me to appreciate the fact that all three levels of conversation have their place and I can enjoy them at the level which they are without expecting them to deliver something which they cannot.
*Originally published in December of 2007 with the title: "So Which Conversation on Your Blog Really Matters."
Copyright 2007 Audu Real Estate All Rights Reserved
The "Oldies But Goodies" Series re-examines thought provoking topics that have been shared on the All About Grand Rapids Real Estate Blog over the past two years. Some of the posts were Featured Posts on the Active Rain Network, and some are not. When appropriate, additional commentary will be added to provide relevance and insight.
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