Admin

Speaking of buzzwords -- there's none more popular today than Web 2.0

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with MyST Technology Partners

Some time ago I made a few references to emerging terminology and even defended a reference to Real Estate 2.0. Today I happened to see this rather dated article (June 2006) - Web 2.0 Has Corporate America Spinning. My favorite quote from the article --

"If these Web 2.0 folks weren't so geeky, they might call it the Live Web."

It's a good observation - as technical people figure out how to adopt these new ideas, they rarely try to change the terminology - they just ride it and of course, you know ... no one has clue what they're saying. But it doesn't invalidate the surge of new capabilities and business requirements that must be addressed. Look at what Microsoft has done -

  1. Renamed RSS to Web Feeds (it's fun to look back at the tipping point)
  2. Launched Windows Live Messenger (I swear by it and at it occasionally)
  3. Launched Windows Live (cool stuff - intended to compete with Google)
  4. Integrated RSS (web feeds) into every aspect of their desktop and operating systems applications

Ah, I'd say Web 2.0 is here and now everywhere.

My second favorite quote --

"CORPORATE BLOGGERS.  For all its appeal to the young and the wired, Web 2.0 may end up making its greatest impact in business."

May make it's greatest impact? It already has. If you're in business and you don't presently have a blog within your own domain, I recommend you get one. In the near future, if you aren't business blogging and providing web site and blogsite content via syndication (such as RSS) you will soon become invisible. Making a decision to change your web strategy concerning Web 2.0 is similar to the day you decided you must be on the Internet to remain competitive in your market segment. Web 2.0 adoption is no different - companies that put off steps toward blogging, syndication, and the conversational web will feel void left behind when the semantic web is a foregone conclusion.

Participation in ActiveRain is a great place to start, but it's not going to provide you with feeds and content that are brand-greedy (i.e., only about your business and focused on content only about your area of expertise). For that you need to consider your own web strategy. Companies like Zillow, Google Real Estate, MyWeb, Edgeio, and Real Estate Blogsites are reinventing what it means to participate in the web of conversation and dialog.

Show All Comments Sort:
Teri Isner
Keller Williams Realty at the Lakes - Orlando, FL
GRI, CRS, CIPS
Bill,  Can't wait to hear you at our cyberpro meeting in Nov.  have already had some great results with leads off the blog.orlandoavnue site and Kristen is a gem.  Hope you also are coming to our cyberstar meeting too.  The impact for business is just the beginning.  Would love to see a post from you on video podcasting.
Aug 01, 2006 10:13 AM
Matt Heaton
Timu Corp - CEO, ActiveRain - Co-founder - Bothell, WA

I like what Brad Inman said at the term "Web 2.0" in his closing remarks at Inman Connect.  To paraphrase:  I refuse to use the term Web 2.0, because I feel that the term will jinx the concept.

Aug 01, 2006 10:20 AM
Bill French
MyST Technology Partners - Dillon, CO

>>> video podcasting <<<

Coming - patience. ;-)

>>> I refuse to use the term Web 2.0, because I feel that the term will jinx the concept. <<<

That would suggest that Brad believes Web 2.0 isn't here yet; the facts [however] indicate the topology of the web has already made the transformation.

Aug 01, 2006 11:53 AM
Bill French
MyST Technology Partners - Dillon, CO

"CyberStar summit in January..."

I can be compelled to join almost any meeting where there's a good debate or free food. ;-)

Aug 03, 2006 12:25 AM
Brian Nelso
Thneed, LLC - Aliso Viejo, CA
Brian Nelso

Web 2.0 is the first step.  Now thanks to virtual social networks, PodCasts, blogs and new communication tools, the ability to gain notoriety on the net has increased exponentially.

BN

4MySales.com Agent Success Tools

Aug 14, 2006 06:25 PM