Can you build "real" relationships through social media?
Absolutely you can build "real" relationships through social media. The whole point of it is to engage people, build trust, show that you have a personality,, so that THEY WILL WANT to meet you face to face.
Years ago, pen pals were considered friends. They were not people you were ever likely to meet face to face but you did share a great deal & we called them "pals". The internet simply allows us to achieve this in a way where the response is fast, may involve chatting via skype, attach video etc...
Caution though! These relationships can be built & torn appart with one post or comment. Always reread before you hit Enter. Its always much harder to "re"build relationships than it is to build them.
Mona Gersky wrote a great featured post yesterday titled, "Are We Losing Something "Real" With Our Obsession With Social Media?".
It's an interesting question, and one that comes up frequently in discussions about social media.
I don't think there is any question that real estate is ultimately a face-to-face, "belly to belly" business.
But, social media platforms can and do provide some amazing tools to facilitate making those face to face relationships happen.
And there is zero question in my mind that very real, very powerful, relationships CAN be established through social media channels.
Below is a short video I made yesterday for my friend (and friend of many on AR), Clint Miller. I'd like you to watch this video. And while you are watching, keep in mind that I have never met Clint "In Real Life". Not once have we shaken hands. Or hugged. But we have talked a LOT via Twitter, Facebook, blog comments and email.
Think about that and watch this video.
When it is over, you tell me -- can you build a "real" relationship through social media?
I think you know my answer...
Warning, contains some "adult language"...
If you're interested in another example of the power of social media that's related to Clint's situation, take a look at this post, Think Twitter is Stupid? This 24 second video may change your mind.
I'm not trying to tell you that social media can replace face to face interaction. It can't.
But don't tell me you can't build real relationships through social media...
Here are some other AR posts on relationships in social media:
Mimi Foster - "Faux or real relationships"
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