I came by the article below through another site I blog for. I posted a lengthier commentary about it over at RealBlogging (here); I think the author's choice of describing social networks, blogging and RSS as "hoopla" compelled me to expound on my thoughts a little more. Especially since these platforms were being judged on the basis of their ability to help real estate agents sell houses. (?!) (I didn't think Web 2.0 was necessarily about selling and felt the need to comment further.)
Meanwhile, the notes below are quick jots of my online notes on key items I highlighted in the author's original article. My notes appear in bulletted paragraphs beneath each main header (bolded).
---------- Notes ----------
What Every Agent Needs to Know about Blogging, Social Networking, RSS Feeds and SEO Annotated
tags: no_tag
- Perhaps. But I'd
counter by offering that it's the part where the author talks about
"great future promise" that bears some looking into TODAY.
I agree agents shouldn't spend a disproportionate amount of time away from business "...sit(ting) around and stare(ing) at your computer screen all day...," but, as in other businesses, I don't think it benefits the business' shareholders to have those running it to not invest at least a toe-hold in emerging technologies. - post by melaclaro
- All the more reason to consider where, in your business, it would be appropriate to outsource to others those tasks that you don't have time for today. - post by melaclaro
- Agreed. And while selling homes may be the bread-and-butter of real estate agents, so is the need to ensure an appropriate portion of time is allocated to customer contact activities. (Ref. study on "Teens and Social Media" by PEW/Internet & American Life Project.)... but are social networks the best forums for a consumer audience to whom agents should sell homes? - post by melaclaro
I am on record as saying that I don't believe that any significant number of home buyers will go to Facebook looking for a home. I am on record as saying that My Space (responsible for an estimated 50% of the traffic searches on Google by referral at one point) is not where real estate professional should focus their efforts to list property. This is not "Field of Dreams ('If you build it they will come'), folks; this business today is more like "No Country for Old Men."
- Actually, I think harm is imposed by advertisers upon others who use the social network platform for, well, the social aspects of networking. I agree, though, social networking and advertising bombs may not fit well together. - post by melaclaro
- ???!!! Again, speaking for myself, I can only say that I'm an avid user of RSS. When I add a feed to my newsreader, I don't give a lick about whether or not it increases the other guys search engine ranking or not. I add it because IT BENEFITS ME by managing the time it takes me to scan information I've identified as relevant for me. - post by melaclaro
- Again, the disproportionate focus on house selling. And, while I acknowledge selling houses is the agent's bread and butter, a disproportionate focus on always selling risks dooming those of us in the industry to the role of salesman and not the consultants that some of us consider ourselves to be. - post by melaclaro
- This snippet is nice to know. Could be useful... and, supports my earlier comment about the need to outsource competencies and tasks. - post by melaclaro
[Here's my full response on RealBlogging. Feel free to comment below or over there.]
