Social media and networks are constantly in our face, in the media, and their very presence is pervasive in the daily lives of hundreds of millions of people around the world. From Facebook to LinkedIn to Twitter, you can't go a day without someone you know, somewhere doing something online. At what point is it all just...too much?
Along comes Pinterest...the latest in a long line of novel social media outlets. This one offers the ability to "pin" photos and engage in dialog about them. If that photo is copyrighted, you might actually see a lawsuit (or so I've heard). I've taken a look at Pinterest and to me it just seems like another way to spend more time online. Don't we already tagged photos on Facebook? Do we really need Pinterest or is this just "the next big thing" and a momentary novelty to waste our time?
Real estate is a contact sport
That means real-world, in-person contact, not online. You can start building relationships online but eventually they MUST move into the real world. More real world time means more business. Sure, having your name or business smeared all over another social network increases your chances of being found. How how much is enough? Is it enough to be on Facebook and other existing sites? We don't need another social network.
Real estate is about people and relationships
Social media, like texting, tends to make contact less personal - in my opinion - and more like soundbites. You can't have a meaningful conversation on Twitter. Looking at Pinterest, it looks similar in that long dialogs aren't likely. There are conversations but they appear to be "fluffy". Do we need more fluff or more substantial? We don't need another social network focused on "fluff".
I have nothing against social media. I like it and spend time online every day networking with friends, family, and colleagues. My networks of choice are Facebook and LinkedIn but I also use Plaxo and Twitter. They all have their place but do we really need another one that simply wastes our time? I'm not just talking about Pinterest. Any other novel way of social networking seems to me, at this point, to be a feature of what already exists. For me, I'll stay focused on what works and will watch to see where this one goes.
I'm posting this on my blog so my clients can know that while I see the professional need to be on social networks, that's not where I spend all my time. You can find me in the real world, buying and selling homes.
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Bryan Robertson, Broker Associate | T: 650.799.9951 | Email: bryan@serenogroup.com | Website: http://www.BryanRobertsonHomes.com |CA License: 01191946 | Sereno Group - Los Altos branch | 369 S. San Antonio Road | Los Altos, CA 94022
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Good evening Bryan,
You have a point! I think Social Media is great and there is no question it has helped me improve my market share! However there is only so much time to devote to social media especially when you are busy listing and selling which is what I do best!
Hi Bryan - I agree with you. And with Dorie above. There are only 24 hours in a day. I use Social Media for networking and promoting my business. There are some things I enjoy ONLINE that are NOT for my business....like Texas Holdem Poker. Pinterest has been around a couple of months, and I like it for personal time. I sure won't be using it as a network for business. Then again...I don't have much free time either.
Well...... as far as do we need another Social Media network. I think the answer is MAYBE! After all a few short years ago we didnt even know how much we needed Facebook and looka at it today. Pinterest may be a flash in the pan but it wouldn't be wise to ignore it until we see if it's gonna go!
Bryan....lots of chatter recently about Pinterest. I'm not sure I can take it on. I'm not so sure that social media makes us less social....I interact with a lot more people per day on social media than just sitting here in my office by mysefl.
Slow down, I'm still trying to figure out MySpace.
Bryan, I'm personally tapped out. It's enough to keep up with what I NEED to be doing....oh wait, I'm NOT even keeping up with that. Our WP blog is blank...... Pinterest and others will just have to wait.
Bryan - I know Pinterest is the new shiny object and I haven't even had time to explore it, not sure if I ever will.
I haven't even figured out why I need Facebook and LinkedIn - and don't have time to spend exploring how to use them well.
Seriously, when someone tells me a company has a "fantastic" page on Facebook and I go there - I can't figure out what is supposed to be so fantastic.
Hi Bryan, it seems like we drop and run to every new social media site that comes along. I have Pinterest but have lost interest with it. If I try to keep up, I won't make a living, lol.
Gotta tell ya, Bryan...outside of my blog, Facebook is about all I can handle (as far as taking quality time to manage and enjoy). Otherwise, my butt would never leave my desk. In fact, when I'm checking FB or AR, more often than not I'm doing it from my phone. (except for right now...lol).
Bryan,
Good reminder as we all need to spend more time in the real world of meeting and talking with folks instead of just on the internet. Too much social media leads I think to no viable clients.
And every new platform is THE platform to be on. I really can't keep up. I still have not wrapped my head around how to handle Twitter.
You've really touched on an important point about the real world and that being where business is conducted. Even though, partially through social media, we have a very strong Internet presence in our market, the majority of our referrals come from word of mouth from prior clients. You just can't replace the human touch.
One of my agents started Pinterest about a month ago, and she claims it is fairly addicting. She said that while it is fun, it takes away from her real work. So, I think I would have to pass.
I can't do it. I just can't. I already feel like I don't make good use of Facebook, Twitter and even Active Rain. There is a point where it just because a waste of time if it isn't being used properly and I think at this point I need to focus on what I've already got. Yikes. -Kasey