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IRL = In Real Life

By
Real Estate Agent with EXP Realty LLC PA# AB068929

What's it like to meet your Peeps & Followers IRL (In Real Life)?   Well a picture says a thousand words:

All the Peeps were already so comfy with each other!  :-)

@LisaSanderson, @DerekOverbey, @SarahWV, @PhoenixREGuy, me (@BeeRealty), @KimWood & @TheLynn

This one simply says "comfortable." 

That's what it's like.  Ok, at first, I will admit to being a little star struck by a few big names that I met at Inman Global Connect New York last week. Especially Jay Thompson (@PhoenixREGuy ) whom I've known in cyberspace for 5 years or so now (& can't bee-lieve I had not met yet!).  But then, when we started talking, it was like homecoming. These aren't JUST personalities or personas, they are real!  Even better than online. It was so easy to be "at ease" with them - they are my friends. They know me already.

So I just wanted to write a brief blog that if you EVER get the chance to meet your followers or those you follow: Go for it! Be yourself, and be amazed at how comfortable you can get and the AMAZING friendships that develop. You'll never understand unless you get out from behind the computer and meet them!

GRATUITIOUS SHOUT OUT:  I LOVE & MISS YA #INCY Peeps!  EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YA'S!

Katerina Gasset
The Gasset Group & Get It Done For Me Virtual Services - Provo, UT
Amplify Your Real Estate & Life Dreams!

Lori-COOOOL!Deserves a gold star!!!!!!! Love your photo and it is so true about meeting fellow Active Rainers and Twitterers!

Jan 16, 2009 06:25 AM
Kathy Toth
Ann Arbor Market Center Keller Williams - Ann Arbor, MI
Ann Arbor Real Estate Experts - Kathy Toth Team

How awesome for you to have been able to meet!  Looks like you guys all settled into a nice little friendship taken offline!  Nice!

Kathy 

Jan 16, 2009 06:26 AM
Carol Smith
Casmi Photography - Mebane, NC

Lori - I have been lucky enough to be able to meet several Rainers offline.  And, believe it or not, they have been just who and what I expected.  No fluff, no disguise - just wonderful folks with hearts to match the online persona. 

One of these days I hope to take a run down your way and meet you and Debe Maxwell for lunch!  I think we would have a ball!

Jan 16, 2009 06:32 AM
Chris Olsen
Olsen Ziegler Realty - Cleveland, OH
Broker Owner Cleveland Ohio Real Estate

Wow...this is the first post I've seen of a real-life encounter, so that is incredible.

On a side note, I'm curious: How did you like the Inman conference?  Was it practical enough that you can apply and road-test ideas, strategies?

Jan 16, 2009 04:23 PM
Lori Baden
EXP Realty LLC - Pgh International Airport, PA
Broker in the Burgh!

Inman was a great experience. Dare I say SO much better than NAR.   So much to learn.  Especially about technology and using that to make yourself stand out from the rest.  So many brilliant minds. AND WONDERFUL hearts too!  Just totally awesome.   I would definitely recommend it from it's educational prospective and it's networking potential.  But again, the most valuable thing is the relationships you make there. 

Jan 16, 2009 05:28 PM
Jay Thompson
Zillow - Seattle, WA

Dearest Lori -

Meeting you "IRL" was the highlight of my trip! You are a genuine, smart, funny and very caring person (and let's face it - you're easy on the eyes too!).

I miss my Inman friends!

Let's make sure it's not five stinkin years until we meet IRL again!!

Hugs,
Jay

Jan 17, 2009 04:24 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Hi Lori!  WHAT FUN!  That is one thing that I SO wish I had been able to attend lately!  If for nothing else but, to meet the amazing folks here in the Rain.  Like Carol, I think that we have a pretty good grasp of who is real and who is not and I would love to meet up with you and Carol as well as my Sis, Elizabeth Neives!  I think we need about a week to get all of the talking in though!!

Debe in Charlotte

Jan 18, 2009 04:22 AM