Comments on: Starbucks vs. Twitter http://www.notorious-rob.com/2008/11/24/starbucks-vs-twitter/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss Conversations about the real estate industry, marketing, technology, and public policy Sat, 11 Feb 2012 02:48:33 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: kirstenmohan http://www.notorious-rob.com/2008/11/24/starbucks-vs-twitter/#comment-645 kirstenmohan Thu, 15 Jan 2009 22:56:13 +0000 http://robhahn.wordpress.com/?p=453#comment-645 my take: If I'm spending 10 hours a week on twitter as part of a multi-pronged approach using social media marketing to build my business (including sites like Biznik.com that get me a lot of face-to-face interaction), it's a lot better in my view than sitting in a starbucks. (although you're quite likely to find me in a starbucks at my computer... or having coffee with someone I met via Biznik.com) To me, no one social media tool is the solution. Using them together as part of an overall strategy can be HUGELY effective in building the credibility I've already established via IRL connections, my blog, facebook, etc. Big picture, I think social media is tremendous, but each site taken in isolation can easily look more like a way to waste time... my take: If I’m spending 10 hours a week on twitter as part of a multi-pronged approach using social media marketing to build my business (including sites like Biznik.com that get me a lot of face-to-face interaction), it’s a lot better in my view than sitting in a starbucks. (although you’re quite likely to find me in a starbucks at my computer… or having coffee with someone I met via Biznik.com)

To me, no one social media tool is the solution. Using them together as part of an overall strategy can be HUGELY effective in building the credibility I’ve already established via IRL connections, my blog, facebook, etc. Big picture, I think social media is tremendous, but each site taken in isolation can easily look more like a way to waste time…

]]> By: kirstenmohan http://www.notorious-rob.com/2008/11/24/starbucks-vs-twitter/#comment-3900 kirstenmohan Thu, 15 Jan 2009 22:56:00 +0000 http://robhahn.wordpress.com/?p=453#comment-3900 my take: If I'm spending 10 hours a week on twitter as part of a multi-pronged approach using social media marketing to build my business (including sites like Biznik.com that get me a lot of face-to-face interaction), it's a lot better in my view than sitting in a starbucks. (although you're quite likely to find me in a starbucks at my computer... or having coffee with someone I met via Biznik.com) To me, no one social media tool is the solution. Using them together as part of an overall strategy can be HUGELY effective in building the credibility I've already established via IRL connections, my blog, facebook, etc. Big picture, I think social media is tremendous, but each site taken in isolation can easily look more like a way to waste time... my take: If I’m spending 10 hours a week on twitter as part of a multi-pronged approach using social media marketing to build my business (including sites like Biznik.com that get me a lot of face-to-face interaction), it’s a lot better in my view than sitting in a starbucks. (although you’re quite likely to find me in a starbucks at my computer… or having coffee with someone I met via Biznik.com)

To me, no one social media tool is the solution. Using them together as part of an overall strategy can be HUGELY effective in building the credibility I’ve already established via IRL connections, my blog, facebook, etc. Big picture, I think social media is tremendous, but each site taken in isolation can easily look more like a way to waste time…

]]> By: Stacey Harmon http://www.notorious-rob.com/2008/11/24/starbucks-vs-twitter/#comment-636 Stacey Harmon Sat, 29 Nov 2008 23:07:23 +0000 http://robhahn.wordpress.com/?p=453#comment-636 The question almost seems ridiculous to me. It is a no brainer that the time at Starbucks will be more effective for Realtors than spending their time twittering (although I agree that the best scenario is to twitter at Starbucks…but for arguments sake, I’ll assume your question holds them mutually exclusive). A human connection made face to face is far more effective than a purely digital one. I’m a huge fan of twitter, but twitter didn’t really become relevant to me until I met in person the faces behind some of the people I was following. It takes MUCH more time to build up credibility and trust via twitter than it does in person. Some studies find that communication is something like 93% non-verbal…twitter takes the non-verbal cues out of the communication…makes prospecting more challenging. Starbucks gives you the non-verbal. Real estate is a relationship business. It is way easier to create a relationship in person. Clearly, a Starbucks strategy would be more effective. The question almost seems ridiculous to me. It is a no brainer that the time at Starbucks will be more effective for Realtors than spending their time twittering (although I agree that the best scenario is to twitter at Starbucks…but for arguments sake, I’ll assume your question holds them mutually exclusive). A human connection made face to face is far more effective than a purely digital one. I’m a huge fan of twitter, but twitter didn’t really become relevant to me until I met in person the faces behind some of the people I was following. It takes MUCH more time to build up credibility and trust via twitter than it does in person. Some studies find that communication is something like 93% non-verbal…twitter takes the non-verbal cues out of the communication…makes prospecting more challenging. Starbucks gives you the non-verbal. Real estate is a relationship business. It is way easier to create a relationship in person. Clearly, a Starbucks strategy would be more effective.

]]> By: Stacey Harmon http://www.notorious-rob.com/2008/11/24/starbucks-vs-twitter/#comment-3891 Stacey Harmon Sat, 29 Nov 2008 23:07:00 +0000 http://robhahn.wordpress.com/?p=453#comment-3891 The question almost seems ridiculous to me. It is a no brainer that the time at Starbucks will be more effective for Realtors than spending their time twittering (although I agree that the best scenario is to twitter at Starbucks…but for arguments sake, I’ll assume your question holds them mutually exclusive). A human connection made face to face is far more effective than a purely digital one. I’m a huge fan of twitter, but twitter didn’t really become relevant to me until I met in person the faces behind some of the people I was following. It takes MUCH more time to build up credibility and trust via twitter than it does in person. Some studies find that communication is something like 93% non-verbal…twitter takes the non-verbal cues out of the communication…makes prospecting more challenging. Starbucks gives you the non-verbal. Real estate is a relationship business. It is way easier to create a relationship in person. Clearly, a Starbucks strategy would be more effective. The question almost seems ridiculous to me. It is a no brainer that the time at Starbucks will be more effective for Realtors than spending their time twittering (although I agree that the best scenario is to twitter at Starbucks…but for arguments sake, I’ll assume your question holds them mutually exclusive). A human connection made face to face is far more effective than a purely digital one. I’m a huge fan of twitter, but twitter didn’t really become relevant to me until I met in person the faces behind some of the people I was following. It takes MUCH more time to build up credibility and trust via twitter than it does in person. Some studies find that communication is something like 93% non-verbal…twitter takes the non-verbal cues out of the communication…makes prospecting more challenging. Starbucks gives you the non-verbal. Real estate is a relationship business. It is way easier to create a relationship in person. Clearly, a Starbucks strategy would be more effective.

]]> By: -Rob http://www.notorious-rob.com/2008/11/24/starbucks-vs-twitter/#comment-637 -Rob Wed, 26 Nov 2008 17:01:06 +0000 http://robhahn.wordpress.com/?p=453#comment-637 @David - <i>The Realtor who sits in Starbucks with a sign is sending a not-so subtle message that they have nothing better to do. Once I’ve seen that same Realtor twice at my favorite Starbucks I will have concluded that they have no clients i.e. their marketing is telling me that they don’t know their job.</i> This is a real question, because I'm somewhat curious. Would you rather work with someone who has nothing better to do, or with someone whose calendar is absolutely jammed? I find this an interesting side question for service providers. Is it better to be seen as always busy (indicating a level of success) or to be seen as not busy (indicating a higher likelihood of service)? Would you rather work with an attorney, or accountant, or realtor for whom you are one of a hundred clients? Or one for whom you are the one and only client? Sort of the whole Jerry Maguire scenario, I guess. :) -rsh @David -

The Realtor who sits in Starbucks with a sign is sending a not-so subtle message that they have nothing better to do. Once I’ve seen that same Realtor twice at my favorite Starbucks I will have concluded that they have no clients i.e. their marketing is telling me that they don’t know their job.

This is a real question, because I’m somewhat curious.

Would you rather work with someone who has nothing better to do, or with someone whose calendar is absolutely jammed?

I find this an interesting side question for service providers. Is it better to be seen as always busy (indicating a level of success) or to be seen as not busy (indicating a higher likelihood of service)?

Would you rather work with an attorney, or accountant, or realtor for whom you are one of a hundred clients? Or one for whom you are the one and only client?

Sort of the whole Jerry Maguire scenario, I guess. :)

-rsh

]]> By: -Rob http://www.notorious-rob.com/2008/11/24/starbucks-vs-twitter/#comment-3892 -Rob Wed, 26 Nov 2008 17:01:00 +0000 http://robhahn.wordpress.com/?p=453#comment-3892 @David - <i>The Realtor who sits in Starbucks with a sign is sending a not-so subtle message that they have nothing better to do. Once I’ve seen that same Realtor twice at my favorite Starbucks I will have concluded that they have no clients i.e. their marketing is telling me that they don’t know their job.</i> This is a real question, because I'm somewhat curious. Would you rather work with someone who has nothing better to do, or with someone whose calendar is absolutely jammed? I find this an interesting side question for service providers. Is it better to be seen as always busy (indicating a level of success) or to be seen as not busy (indicating a higher likelihood of service)? Would you rather work with an attorney, or accountant, or realtor for whom you are one of a hundred clients? Or one for whom you are the one and only client? Sort of the whole Jerry Maguire scenario, I guess. :) -rsh @David -

The Realtor who sits in Starbucks with a sign is sending a not-so subtle message that they have nothing better to do. Once I’ve seen that same Realtor twice at my favorite Starbucks I will have concluded that they have no clients i.e. their marketing is telling me that they don’t know their job.

This is a real question, because I’m somewhat curious.

Would you rather work with someone who has nothing better to do, or with someone whose calendar is absolutely jammed?

I find this an interesting side question for service providers. Is it better to be seen as always busy (indicating a level of success) or to be seen as not busy (indicating a higher likelihood of service)?

Would you rather work with an attorney, or accountant, or realtor for whom you are one of a hundred clients? Or one for whom you are the one and only client?

Sort of the whole Jerry Maguire scenario, I guess. :)

-rsh

]]> By: Matt Goyer - Redfin http://www.notorious-rob.com/2008/11/24/starbucks-vs-twitter/#comment-638 Matt Goyer - Redfin Tue, 25 Nov 2008 05:00:30 +0000 http://robhahn.wordpress.com/?p=453#comment-638 Redfin used to hold court at a Starbucks in each of our markets once or twice a month attracting a handful of folks each time. We've replaced that with a home buying class that we hold every three weeks in each of our markets either at our office (if the market has an office big enough) or a local hotel. We've had hundreds through our classes and the return has been much better than the non-existent return on our Twittering. Granted, we haven't spent nearly as much time thinking about maximizing our Twitter exposure as we have put into putting on those classes. Because it isn't simply a matter of Twittering. You need to build a following, you need to get your agents to embrace it and you need to intertwine it with your website/web presence. What I think we aspire to is a multi-prong approach where we have a Twitter approach rivaling Zappos while still maintaining a strong offline presence. Redfin used to hold court at a Starbucks in each of our markets once or twice a month attracting a handful of folks each time.

We’ve replaced that with a home buying class that we hold every three weeks in each of our markets either at our office (if the market has an office big enough) or a local hotel. We’ve had hundreds through our classes and the return has been much better than the non-existent return on our Twittering.

Granted, we haven’t spent nearly as much time thinking about maximizing our Twitter exposure as we have put into putting on those classes. Because it isn’t simply a matter of Twittering. You need to build a following, you need to get your agents to embrace it and you need to intertwine it with your website/web presence.

What I think we aspire to is a multi-prong approach where we have a Twitter approach rivaling Zappos while still maintaining a strong offline presence.

]]> By: Matt Goyer - Redfin http://www.notorious-rob.com/2008/11/24/starbucks-vs-twitter/#comment-3893 Matt Goyer - Redfin Tue, 25 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0000 http://robhahn.wordpress.com/?p=453#comment-3893 Redfin used to hold court at a Starbucks in each of our markets once or twice a month attracting a handful of folks each time. We've replaced that with a home buying class that we hold every three weeks in each of our markets either at our office (if the market has an office big enough) or a local hotel. We've had hundreds through our classes and the return has been much better than the non-existent return on our Twittering. Granted, we haven't spent nearly as much time thinking about maximizing our Twitter exposure as we have put into putting on those classes. Because it isn't simply a matter of Twittering. You need to build a following, you need to get your agents to embrace it and you need to intertwine it with your website/web presence. What I think we aspire to is a multi-prong approach where we have a Twitter approach rivaling Zappos while still maintaining a strong offline presence. Redfin used to hold court at a Starbucks in each of our markets once or twice a month attracting a handful of folks each time.

We’ve replaced that with a home buying class that we hold every three weeks in each of our markets either at our office (if the market has an office big enough) or a local hotel. We’ve had hundreds through our classes and the return has been much better than the non-existent return on our Twittering.

Granted, we haven’t spent nearly as much time thinking about maximizing our Twitter exposure as we have put into putting on those classes. Because it isn’t simply a matter of Twittering. You need to build a following, you need to get your agents to embrace it and you need to intertwine it with your website/web presence.

What I think we aspire to is a multi-prong approach where we have a Twitter approach rivaling Zappos while still maintaining a strong offline presence.

]]> By: Matt Goyer - Redfin http://www.notorious-rob.com/2008/11/24/starbucks-vs-twitter/#comment-3894 Matt Goyer - Redfin Tue, 25 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0000 http://robhahn.wordpress.com/?p=453#comment-3894 Redfin used to hold court at a Starbucks in each of our markets once or twice a month attracting a handful of folks each time. We've replaced that with a home buying class that we hold every three weeks in each of our markets either at our office (if the market has an office big enough) or a local hotel. We've had hundreds through our classes and the return has been much better than the non-existent return on our Twittering. Granted, we haven't spent nearly as much time thinking about maximizing our Twitter exposure as we have put into putting on those classes. Because it isn't simply a matter of Twittering. You need to build a following, you need to get your agents to embrace it and you need to intertwine it with your website/web presence. What I think we aspire to is a multi-prong approach where we have a Twitter approach rivaling Zappos while still maintaining a strong offline presence. Redfin used to hold court at a Starbucks in each of our markets once or twice a month attracting a handful of folks each time.

We’ve replaced that with a home buying class that we hold every three weeks in each of our markets either at our office (if the market has an office big enough) or a local hotel. We’ve had hundreds through our classes and the return has been much better than the non-existent return on our Twittering.

Granted, we haven’t spent nearly as much time thinking about maximizing our Twitter exposure as we have put into putting on those classes. Because it isn’t simply a matter of Twittering. You need to build a following, you need to get your agents to embrace it and you need to intertwine it with your website/web presence.

What I think we aspire to is a multi-prong approach where we have a Twitter approach rivaling Zappos while still maintaining a strong offline presence.

]]> By: Ken Brand http://www.notorious-rob.com/2008/11/24/starbucks-vs-twitter/#comment-639 Ken Brand Tue, 25 Nov 2008 02:33:47 +0000 http://robhahn.wordpress.com/?p=453#comment-639 A business Latte. I agree with Ginger, Twitter at Starbucks and get your butt out of the office for any computer work that doesn't require a printer. Searches, blogging, writing offers, email updating clients, follow-up showings, etc. Especially if you have a big sticker on your flipped open notebook, "The Real Estate Savant Is In. And the 2nd highest impact activity, sipping at Starbucks or anywhere, anytime, get on the phone and have some convo with people who like you and trust you...great things will happen. The 1st highest? Person to In-Person conversation. My 25cents. A business Latte. I agree with Ginger, Twitter at Starbucks and get your butt out of the office for any computer work that doesn’t require a printer. Searches, blogging, writing offers, email updating clients, follow-up showings, etc. Especially if you have a big sticker on your flipped open notebook, “The Real Estate Savant Is In. And the 2nd highest impact activity, sipping at Starbucks or anywhere, anytime, get on the phone and have some convo with people who like you and trust you…great things will happen. The 1st highest? Person to In-Person conversation.

My 25cents.

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