One of my favorite people and mentor (Paul Chaney) was being interviewed last week about Real Estate Blogging by non other than MarketingSherpa and dropped a line at Facebook asking some questions to a few blogging Realtors.
Keep in mind that Paul was co-author of Realty Blogging and not only is a social networking guru, but a super nice guy. (Sorry Richard for always leaving you out)
Little did I know that my very impromptu answers would turn into rocking link love (thank you Paul). But most importantly it shows how the ball rolls in this intertwining web point something world.
We blog, we share, we pay attention, we reciprocate, we have a little fun (please don’t be so serious) and things turn out beautifully!
A perfect example is RealSeekr.com – Lani introduced us to RealSeekr a couple of weeks ago and I will admit I was hesitant of yet another real estate listing site. I could not have been more wrong. As soon as I visited I got a personal e-mail from the founders (Gia and Grant Freer), then a phone call, soon we were chatting and laughing in Twitter and then I was fortunate enough to spend some time this past weekend with them on our boat making fun of Grant’s English accent (squall and all). 🙂
So what am I talking about here?
Go out of your way to welcome somebody, to help out in any way you can. Open your mind to the possibilities that this Internet World is opening to us – connect with old friends. Don’t be so methodical and don’t strategize your every move. By joining the conversation you are opening up to a world that is so powerful that it will make your head spin!…….just wait.
BawldGuy Talking
June 19, 2008 at 10:36 pm
Amen and Happy Anniversary. 🙂
ines
June 19, 2008 at 10:40 pm
Awww! Thanks Jeff….that’s exactly what I’m talking about.
Lani Anglin-Rosales
June 19, 2008 at 10:52 pm
I couldn’t have said it better!!! By being a connector, your own network gets bigger with each relationship either you engage in or you help others to. It’s a lot of fun personally but has turned out to be tremendously beneficial in business!
It’s fun to play-fight on Twitter, to teach each other inappropriate emoticons on skype (thanks Gia & Grant) and to learn more about each other through blogs. Social media is great for the social minded AND for those who are *learning* to be social minded. 🙂
ines
June 19, 2008 at 11:05 pm
Lani – sometimes I wonder if those friends in my computer are real, can’t wait to meet you in person and btw….you are “THE” connector.
now off to teach some unsocials some twitter moves 😉
Chris Shouse
June 19, 2008 at 11:38 pm
Love this post I feel so close to some of the people I meet on line and if I could help in any way I would. But people help me all the time and I am so grateful for the help I get. I learn so much from this group and I love ya all. Happy Anniversary Ines:)
ines
June 20, 2008 at 12:12 am
Hi Chris – thank you! I think it will be an awesome day, already feel it.
I think you have captured the spirit of what I’m talking about – the fact that we can post a question on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pownce or where ever and get immediate answers – people jumping in and sharing – it’s truly amazing. I don’t know if you read but today I video talked to an old friend I had not heard from in over 10 years through skype (she’s in Spain and was right in front of me within reaching distance!)…….I never knew I would love technology so much.
Jamie Geiger
June 20, 2008 at 12:16 am
What a great post and really hits home, as a newer blogger- I am trying to come out of my “lurking” shell- I learn so much from everyone everyday and hope that I can help others in the future. This community is so unselfish and always willing to teach and share. Thank you Ines for the encouraging words and I will continue to work on my social ways. Happy Anniversary to you and Rick.
Jeff Turner Says Amen
June 20, 2008 at 12:27 am
And again I say, Amen.
Gia & Grant Freer
June 20, 2008 at 4:31 am
Ines,
Through tweeting, skyping and overall connecting, we have made some wonderful friendships that we know will last. It is all about connecting with others, learning from them, hearing their suggestions, teaching them new things on skype (Lani…LOL) and overall having fun.
Grant and I hope you and Rick have a wonderful anniversary! Besos a los ninos!
Gia
Bill Lublin
June 20, 2008 at 5:14 am
Ines – Interesting post – It did however make me feel stupid (an easy task) – after following Paul on twitter ,friending him in some other venues , and “speaking” with him, I hadn’t connected him with “Realty Blogging” – I just knew him as a bright and pleasant guy who knew stuff.
I do wonder though, are the people we hang with in these venues so pleasant on so many levels because we were lucky, or are really social pleasant people attracted to the “mean streets” of twitter and facebook etc? Surely there are other people there besides the brunette queen of all media , the Tan Princess of Miamism, the Photo Queen of St Paul or the Barefoot Countessa of WV? Do they just hang in different neghborhoods then we do?
A question for the ages…
Mack in Atlanta
June 20, 2008 at 6:46 am
Ines, If I ever get to south Florida or if you ever get to Atlanta I want to buy you a drink. You along with so many others here are an inspiration.
ines
June 20, 2008 at 7:43 am
Jaime – Lurking Shell? no way! you are doing a great job and you are definitely connecting – it obviously comes easy to you – thanks for the anniversary wishes!
Jeff – “poke”
Bill – YESSSSsssss! (I made you feel stupid – do I get a prize or at least a side of something with that?)
You are a trip my friend and have the ability to make people laugh and enjoy the conversation. As for Luck……it seems to me that all the people you mentioned have good social skills….in twitterland and beyond (I think) 😉
Mack – if would be a pleasure to hang out with you! I will expect that drink if I’m ever in Atlanta.
Paul Chaney
June 20, 2008 at 8:03 am
Ines, you’re a dear. Thanks for those kind words. And, btw, it’s ok to leave Richard’s name out. 🙂
Ines
June 20, 2008 at 8:38 am
Gia & Grant – you were stuck in spam! na na na na na! 🙂 …and seriously, you are doing a great job of adding personal service to a market that really needs it – Kudos to you both!
Paul – LOL! Just talked to Natalie from MarketingSherpa (thank you) – you are a great guy with untouchable ethics and a glowing spirit, thanks for everything you’ve done for me.
Paula Henry
June 20, 2008 at 11:43 pm
I welcome the opportunity to someday meet many of the faces I see through my computer screen. I feel as if I know many of you already. It truly is a powerful connection!
Jennifer in Louisville
June 21, 2008 at 6:05 am
The short sighted people are all about “spammin’ and jammin'” for short terms gains (through links, publicity, etc). And while that may have its place and usefulness, people with a bigger picture in mind realize that its really all about creating relationships with others – and it goes beyond just hitting up potential customers. Relationships are where its at.
ines
June 21, 2008 at 9:32 am
Paula – I totally agree
Jennifer – sometimes I wonder if those spammers are just new to the medium and need to be taught manners or if they just have poor people skills. Sometimes we forget that although we may be doing business through a computer, those people skills are very important and sometimes more difficult to put across because or writing can be misinterpreted.
I recently found a local woman and blogger write a statement in a forum about one of our listings and mentioned it in twitter – she later found the twitter stream and got offended and felt we were talking about here behind her back. It’s not an easy one, that’s for sure.