Either I’m not following, or we are talking about different things?

Are you saying that it’s difficult to walk into a coffee shop and get to know one person on some level- to find one thing in common with another person? I think that’s very easy. Most people long for connection in one way or another, and will easily open up with a minimal amount of encouragement- a smile, a compliment, a comment about the beautiful weather.

Ever sat on a public bench in a strange city with an open map on your lap? Being geographically challenged, I have a lot of experience with this. How many people will walk right up to you and say “Need some help?” Lots of people will go out of their way to help- try it on your next lunch hour. Sit outside with a map and a dumb look on your face (might be more difficult for you than me ). People want to be of service. It’s the most natural thing in the world to reach out to another. If you are friendly, open, you can quickly find out all kinds of stuff about people in a very short time.

If we are talking about contacts for RE purposes only, however, that’s more difficult, and takes cultivation, same as online. That cultivation is what I’m referring to. We don’t go running through the mall screaming about the great home we just listed. I hope. Why would we use our online space to scream at people? But that’s a typical thing in real estate sites. To my eyes, anyway.

Have I completely missed your point?!?!

Either I’m not following, or we are talking about different things?

Are you saying that it’s difficult to walk into a coffee shop and get to know one person on some level- to find one thing in common with another person? I think that’s very easy. Most people long for connection in one way or another, and will easily open up with a minimal amount of encouragement- a smile, a compliment, a comment about the beautiful weather.

Ever sat on a public bench in a strange city with an open map on your lap? Being geographically challenged, I have a lot of experience with this. How many people will walk right up to you and say “Need some help?” Lots of people will go out of their way to help- try it on your next lunch hour. Sit outside with a map and a dumb look on your face (might be more difficult for you than me ). People want to be of service. It’s the most natural thing in the world to reach out to another. If you are friendly, open, you can quickly find out all kinds of stuff about people in a very short time.

If we are talking about contacts for RE purposes only, however, that’s more difficult, and takes cultivation, same as online. That cultivation is what I’m referring to. We don’t go running through the mall screaming about the great home we just listed. I hope. Why would we use our online space to scream at people? But that’s a typical thing in real estate sites. To my eyes, anyway.

Have I completely missed your point?!?!

I suppose my only question is… Is it actually that easy to make a human connection in the offline world?

Not sure that’s true, actually.

-rsh

I suppose my only question is… Is it actually that easy to make a human connection in the offline world?

Not sure that’s true, actually.

-rsh

Thanks again,
@GreenSpacesRE

Thanks again,
@GreenSpacesRE

>if an agent has to be taught to care about the consumer, to connect with consumers

I see and absolutely agree with what you are saying here.

My point was more that I believe it’s not always easy to emote across the internet. Not to point out any one particular agent’s site, OTOH, I think if you poked around, say, oh, a large real estate network, you might find lots of agents using technology, but not making strong connections to consumers. Some are, of course, and that’s great, but some are simply putting up a resume, posting their listings, same offline stuff in a different medium.

I don’t think that flies in a 2.0 world.

I still maintain that the ability to create a human connection online is not easy and certainly not a given. To take the information- 1.0, and create a bond with the reader-2.0, is what separates 1.0 from 2.0 and beyond.

I don’t have a clue what to do w/ facebook. It doesn’t fit me. You can tell me the mechanics, but it’s dumb to me, so I’m not likely to make a viable connection there? Am I wrong about that? flickr? naw. Not something I’m feeling either. Twitter? I’m all over that. LI? meh. It’s not a step-by-step, it’s finding the comfort zone- the place where you can best share your personality, and find like-minded folks? No? I might be wrong…

>This “Newbie Academy” track would eschew broad statements and grand gestures and focus on action items with specific things they can do.

I completely agree that the mechanics are missing from a lot of conferences. If I may be so bold- BloodhoundUnchained was designed exactly for this reason. And has Experienced tracks… And that’s all I’ll say about that.

As always, great topic Rob. Food for thought.

(PS. Thanks for fixing my goof.)

>if an agent has to be taught to care about the consumer, to connect with consumers

I see and absolutely agree with what you are saying here.

My point was more that I believe it’s not always easy to emote across the internet. Not to point out any one particular agent’s site, OTOH, I think if you poked around, say, oh, a large real estate network, you might find lots of agents using technology, but not making strong connections to consumers. Some are, of course, and that’s great, but some are simply putting up a resume, posting their listings, same offline stuff in a different medium.

I don’t think that flies in a 2.0 world.

I still maintain that the ability to create a human connection online is not easy and certainly not a given. To take the information- 1.0, and create a bond with the reader-2.0, is what separates 1.0 from 2.0 and beyond.

I don’t have a clue what to do w/ facebook. It doesn’t fit me. You can tell me the mechanics, but it’s dumb to me, so I’m not likely to make a viable connection there? Am I wrong about that? flickr? naw. Not something I’m feeling either. Twitter? I’m all over that. LI? meh. It’s not a step-by-step, it’s finding the comfort zone- the place where you can best share your personality, and find like-minded folks? No? I might be wrong…

>This “Newbie Academy” track would eschew broad statements and grand gestures and focus on action items with specific things they can do.

I completely agree that the mechanics are missing from a lot of conferences. If I may be so bold- BloodhoundUnchained was designed exactly for this reason. And has Experienced tracks… And that’s all I’ll say about that.

As always, great topic Rob. Food for thought.

(PS. Thanks for fixing my goof.)