This past week I attended my very first Real Estate Bar (Re Bar) Camp in Seattle. Re Bar Camp is designed for real estate professionals to network and collaborate in marketing, social networking, and cutting edge tools that enable each of us to further our marketing and technology skills. I knew that by attending it would give me an opportunity to not only network with other members within my professional community, but also assist in adding to my own technology toolbox.
It was a GREAT turn out, and what I found most interesting was to witness how many of us are still resistant to change. During one of the sessions, instructor Natalie Danielson was sharing the importance of having a Facebook page and a participant expressed their desire to cancel their Facebook account due to the fact that her friend's updates ranged from what one person was having for dinner, or how another was watching the news, or going for a walk and she just didn't care.
Let me be the first to tell you - the industry is not the same - and it is my job and mission to adapt to what the consumers want. I pride myself on building relationships with my consumers and Facebook gives me an opportunity to share how I spend my time, both personally and professionally, without having to individually contact each person I befriend. While they may not always read what I update my status with, I would hope that my customers derive some sense of relationship with me in the fact that I'm willing to openly share how I spend all aspects of my day.
As Real Estate professionals we need to adapt to a different style of communication and change is good! Consumers are looking for information and want to research their options BEFORE making a decision on a Real Estate Agent or Lender.
Could this be a generational thing? I think so...
Those born between the years of 1980 - 2002 have become to be known as the "Millenials". This generational group has grown up and matured through mass communication and internet. It is not uncommon for my 17 year old son to show his displeasure with my desire to have long drawn out conversations, when he could fire off a quick text. Additionally, this group is able to easily navigate through websites, online games, and computer programs that the older generations find difficult.
Make it a goal to use a social networking tool part of your every day routine. There are an abundance of free sites at our disposal - Facebook, Twitter, Trulia, Zillow, Google, LinkedIn and Yelp - and for some of you, a Millennial at home to can help you navigate through them.
Remember, if you are going to be adapting to new communication, the key is consistency. If you plan to join Twitter, aim to "tweet" once or two times daily, and if you decide to blog, set a standard in which you blog daily, weekly, or monthly.
For more information regarding the Real Estate Bar Camp, please visit: http://rebarcamp.com/seattle.
Heather Burns
Home Mortgage Consultant
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
10900 NE 8th St Suite 1430
Bellevue, WA 98004
(425) 468-8645 Tel
(206) 714-3522 Cell
(866) 496-5671 Fax
Heather.S.Burns@wellsfargo.com
Website: www.wfhm.com/heather-burns2
Follow me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/urownlo
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