Personally, I get the real estate social media part where it is really about business to business networking and building a client base for future sales. It really isn't as much about socializing as many in our industry think. That is just the 'fad' part of social media. I prefer to talk about the productivity part of it.
I view real estate whether it is in a bricks and mortar or a virtual setting as a profession and a career. It is also my livelihood! All efforts Blogging at some point should be a productive exercise and have a purpose, otherwise what is the point? In my opinion, there has to be a purpose to a posting other than "I just walked my dog," or "I'm so sleepy!" As much as many defend this, I do not see how that enhances a professional career or image. What would much more appealing to me... as result of my online efforts - that I were viewed as a source of information, or advice. If we can demonstrate our knowledge and real estate experience - that alone should raise the bar on why clients need to seek us out for our superior service. On the other hand, if my online image is so poor, mundane or so colloquial, I'd assume that the reader or viewer will just move on very quickly! "Next!"
In our real estate industry it has been accepted a fact that even in good times we have an 80% turnover of real estate agents every two years. So here's my question... "Is real estate social media the new "Gathering around the coffee pot crowd at the office?" The reason that I say this is that most people in our industry will not make it. They have always been time wasters and complainers. This large industry turnover really magnifies the 80/20 rule or the 93/7% rule in our business. What is is really saying is that although many persons are licensed in real estate, but very few actually produce. The sad reality is that a few people in real estate produce while others talk about production, and then they move on. So how does this apply online where the conversations, comments and opinions are now online? Is real estate social media the new office hangout around a virtual coffee pot for senseless conversations, bad jokes, political rants and more?
In the past, those that produced were seldom seen around the office or office meetings. They were too busy working. For them, there is no time for idle chatter if your production was up and you were busy closing real deals in real estate and making good money. If you asked a high producing agent (making over 6 figures /year) why they never come into the office, they would have a list of items they would routinely answer:
- I can't sell homes to other agents.
- Doesn't pay the bills.
- Too many interruptions - can't get my work finished.
- Too much negativity and speculation around the water cooler or coffee pot!
- Idle gossip.
- Too much socializing - lunch, jokes, shopping, and attempts of fraternization.
- Just a waste of time!
Now I take a different view. In a brick and mortar real estate office I've had my mentor that were well versed highly productive brokers and lawyers that I could ask real estate legal questions or seek advice. I also had access to loan officers, inspectors, builders, and other high producers that occasionally I would pick their brains or share some referrals. For me it was a productive exercise. It does not matter who produces around me, what matters is that I produce. So I make a personal choice to avoid the unproductive items, luncheons, the caravans, the gossip and the time wasters.
If we do that in the office, how do you do that online?
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