I am socially irrelevant. I've become the dinosaur that I once thought my parents were when I discovered that they frequently failed at programming the VCR, let alone knew what or how to use an ATM machine. I must now admit that I barely understand how to use a Blackberry or even begin to know where to start with social media.
In the November 2009 issue of Maryland Realtor there was a Snippets published that caught my attention. John Mims, Vice President of public relations at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, shares ten PR lessons that teens can teach us about using social media sites.
After watching and listening I realized that I've become socially irrelevant. Why? Because I'm not funny and not weird when I blog. I would rather call and not text. Microblogging? Is that like Microbrewing? I like advertising and have no clue how to provide an experience to my customers and clients. Catchy tunes with emotional impact - well I believe that sometimes silence is golden. I'm a pitchman and have no idea how to have conversations with customers and clients. Virtual social worlds may be cool, but, I'd rather socialize in person. Anonymity? I once heard that if you're proud of your work, sign it. Photos speak volumes. Well isn't that spin for "a photo is worth a thousand words" except now everything is about photos and video clips.
He sums up his short 8:45 minute video by saying that we can understand social media when we become part of the conversation. But to become part of the conversation we must stop and listen to how the "adults of tomorrow" are communicating with each other today before we can effectively join in the conversation. Maybe then I can become more socially relevant!
To watch this video yourself, see ... click here ... of click on the video below
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Stephen Howell came to Annapolis to sail the Bay in 1994. What he discovered was a whole new lifestyle. Ever since Stephen Howell has been successfully helping others make the most of Annapolis. You'll find that with the right professional by your side, you can Live the Lifestyle and Live in Annapolis.
Stephen Howell and Rocky (his lab-mix from the SPCA of Anne Arundel County in Annapolis) live on the Chesapeake Bay near Annapolis, Maryland. He works in the Annapolis real estate market. His website lets people search the Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area MLS. Buyers can also search for waterfront homes along the Chesapeake Bay. His website has current real estate data on Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, and Maryland.
Know your nautical etiquette?
Then click the correct flag to connect with me socially!
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This is amazing, what a great video, he obvioulsy "gets It" and there are good lessons in it for us.
I watched the whole thing it was so engaging.
Personally, I think you became a dinosaur the moment you wrote "ATM machine" -- a redundancy, since the "M" in ATM stands for "Machine." Just saying.
And by the way, Happy Thanksgiving!
AEV...BURP!
We can only do our best and I too am a dinosaur. My kids are a natural with all the technology.
I'm still trying to figure out how to use an MP3 player. If what you are doing now works, don't sweat it that you aren't savvy to the new stuff. No harm in learning it at your own pace.
It is a challenge to learn the new technology, but if my mother could figure out the internet at 72 years old, anyone can do it if you have the desire.
Don't kick yourself too hard -- things change at the speed of lightening and once you think you know something there is then something new.
Eventually I might learn to master a new Blackberry Storm 2. But the PR lessons John Mims shares with us are important now. Today's kids are tomorrow's buyers. Electronic delivery of all kinds of imformation is already here. Newspapers and magazines are vanishing while iphones and ipods are nearly everywhere. As we embrace a new technological order we'll have to learn new ways to communicate using that technology. Stuffy and boring is out, quick and hip are in. I may be an old dog and perhaps I can learn a few new tricks!!!
I'd say you're no dinosaur. Why, only a few short years ago, we were all learning the internet. As Arlo Guthrie put it many Thanksgivings ago, "photos with circles and arrows, and a paragraph on the back of each one". I'd say look what you have just accomplished with this blog - Alice's Restaurant...AR style!
Stephen:
The points that the video makes are interesting, particuarly when dealing with younger people.
You will get it - all at you own pace.
The value proposition you bring using your current methods remains your competitive advantage even when you "get with the program" and start using the new tools. That's all they are... tools. And yes, you NEED to use these tools to communicate with some market segments. A growing segment. Only you can do the math - how much of that growing segment you need to serve. I also have fought some technology - which is pretty funny for a guy with a Computer Science degree. Still don't have a smart phone. But every tool I've picked up has made me more efficient.
All the best!
I'm 50 and still not great at programming the vcr. I was new to blogging a few years ago. I am just a dinosaur that is evolving. Like the tortoise and lizards I think I am going to be the new dinosaur.
I'm one of the dinosaurs as well. Still learning how to use the various social media. Like Russ and some others. I'm evolving and learning how to use these tools.
Stephen - Being a real dinosaur has it's advantages when the new technology does not work (like AR today) we still remember how to use the old technology to stay in touch with what is happening
There is a learning curve to all technology and the older we are the more of a dinosaur we are.
Steven, I loved the video. Thank you so much for sharing! It's funny how much technology changes. My kids (early teens), consider it wierd tht I am blogging. It's really freaking them out, now I'll explain it as my desire to be able to talk to them in a few years:-) Michelle
Great post and great video with lots of useful information for us. Thanks for sharing it. Happy Thanksgiving!
Steven,
It's just tough learning new programs in the middle of your normal daily business.
I've referred business on Twitter. I am working on my first sale for $300K that came directly from Twitter, it's a GO.
I tweet content and listings that link to Postlets, craigslist and others. It bangs my SEO rankings up, too.
http://twitter.com/ScottSellsFL
Scott Miller, Realty Associates, Boca Raton, FL
Steven the good news is you got it now! Start the conversation - that's what this is all about. I'll have to bookmark this and watch later as the turkey is about to come out.
Happy Thanksgiving!
So...let me see if I understand...
You are protesting that you are "socially irrelevant". You are complaining about blogging, microblogging, texting, and social media.
...and you are doing this via a blog on an internet social media site!!!
"...doth protest too much, me thinks" comes to mind.
John Juarez, REALTOR
Windermere Properties of the East Bay
John@CarlMedford.com
510-673-0686
Only a few short years ago it was all about the ATM and VCR. Then came DVDs, MP3s and JPGs. Now we're got Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Where to next? Maybe I'm not a dinosaur. Maybe I'll evolve as the landscape of the real estate marketplace continues to change. Maybe I'll just continue doing the things I know. Or maybe I will make an year-end resolution to purchase a Blackberry and use Top Producer's mobility product to instantly stay in touch with all my prospects, customers and clients. Thanks for the absolutely amazing responses!!!
Steven great video, it is always good to keep in mind how best to relate to the younger generation. They are our future clients.
I was at the RDU ReBarCamp a few weeks ago and the opening speaker said Social Media is like a speeding train. Either get on the train or get run over by it. He also compared Social Media to the biggest social change since the Industrial Revolution. He gave me lots to think about. BTW: I decided to grab hold of the train!
Stephen, we must be about the same age. I sometimes get so frustrated with technology, I just want to toss it all, get out my legal pad and pencil and stop trying to catch up. But I know that won't work in the world we live in.
Oh, well, fellow dinosaur, hang in there, we're obviously ahead of many. After all, we're in Active Rain! (:
Well listening always was super important no? :) Good post.
Hi fellow dinosaur!
You are on a learning curve as we all are! Stay strong, keep learning and know you are in the right place! Love the video!!
This is why I feel lucky having 4 children ages 20, 17, 14, and 12. LIve in market research.
I have had texting for a year now and have found that I need it. I tried to avoid it but it was inevitable. I am still using an old phone and am avoiding the smart phones b/c I don't want to have a holster for my phone and my "old" phone slips into my pocket easily.
Dinosaurs unite!
What I notice about the younger generation is that they embrace the many wonderful things, that has a technology base.
Stephen -
Thanks for the post. I am going to check out the video -- but not on my VCR. : )
I LOVE all the new technology and love being a part of it. This past year has been an incredible year of learning for me. I know you will embrace what comes your way!
I liked the video. I must be an older dinosaur than you because I have never used an ATM.
It is hard to keep up with all the new technology, everyday something comes along and sometimes the new sites are really great. If you go on vacation for a week you miss a multitude of new sites and catching up is hard. I have learned all of the sites because it is a necessity for real estate in this day and age but you can learn at your own pace or you can decide to have a niche that is not computer savvy as well
I'm still relatively young but I still feel like a dinosaur when trying to deal with some of this stuff. Don't sweat it, take your time.
I don't call myself a dinosaur. I call myself a technodummy.
Stephen
Dinosaurs became extinct because they preyed on each other, therefore, if you and I are willing to learn and get along, we will do just fine!
Ty
Occasionally I'll get my 17 year old son to open up about all the places he and his friends go on line. When I watched the video, I heard many of the same themes. There's an entire world out there that kids live in - and it isn't the world of social media that we discuss here in Activerain.
I never did learn to program the VCR, just let my hubby do it. Now the VCR is gone the way of the dinosaur, and I'm a whiz at Tivo. Pace yourself, learn the stuff you like. You wrote a blog post, and put in a video link. You're ahead of about 95% of people your age!
I have a slightly different take on the message in your post and in the video.
You are completely correct that we must keep pace with our prospective customer's wants and needs in terms of how they want to communicate. In fact, I posted something in this vein not too long ago.
My position is though, that this is not new, nor is strictly limited to the technology. I've only been in this business for about 3 years but I've been in sales management and sales training for about 30 years. The single most important message I've imparted to the folks who worked for me or those that I am training is this: KNOW WHO YOUR CLIENT IS AND WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO THEM.
When I sold automobiles in the 1970s, fuel efficiency was a big thing (as it has become again). The standard sales pitch was to start touting the gas mileage of our product. Fact is though that if you start touting gas mileage before you understood what the customer wanted you often blew it. Ask what is important before pitching.
When I sold for AT&T in the 80s an 90s, the big thing was reducing the long distance rates. Well saving a fee cents per minute might not have been the most important thing to a client.
How you pitched to them was always vital. Some business clients only liked to talk on the golf course - some only wanted to talk on the phone. Some wanted detailed proposals with months of call analysis. Some wanted the bottom line. It was always dependent on the individual.
People who buy things - anything - are all individuals. They all have different ideas about how to communicate. So tuning in to what GEN Y wants is very important - but don't assume that they are the only ones. I have a client who is about 60. I've sold her two homes and now have the listing on one of them. She loves to text. I picked up a rental lead from a woman in her 30s the other day - I only know her from TWITTER.
Keeping pace is very important - but listening to what they want vital. I know that this was one of the points in the video - but to me - it's the most important. Communicate the way they want - not the way you think they want - and certainly not the way you want.
Great video - it is especially interesting that MySpace and FaceBook are seeing declines as conventional commercial marketing encroaches - that is a powerful statement about reaching the younger generation. There is no doubt that social media are essential to reaching much of that age group. However, there is no doubt that there are millions of dinosaurs out there (you are not one!) who don't use computers, much less smartphones, video and social media. So while the new technology and conversation may be necessary for some, there are still many millions of buyers and sellers out there that must be reached with more antediluvian methods - we're not nearing extinction yet!
Great video.....I too watched the whole thing!
I don't consider myself a dinosaur, but there are certainly plenty of techy things I have yet to grasp. I don't have an MP3 playery, but have music loaded on my Blackberry....does that count?
Social media IS important, and like Linda Lohman said above, at the REBar Camp in Raleigh, which was about social media, it is a fast moving train. I'd perfer to think I'm not going to get run over....I think I managed to jump on board. But if you are not careful, it certainly WILL leave you standing on the platform wondering, "Where is everyone?"
Just bought a new digital wide angle camera. It is smarter than I am.
From what I know in life Stephen you are only as old as you feel. I don't quote birth years anymore I just say that I am ageless. Why would you call yourself a dinosaur when clearly you are a modern mid-life man who is aware of what is going on in the world. The mere fact that you took the time to write this article, and check out the video speaks volumes about you. Being aware of what the next generation is doing is important. Michael Bernard Beckwith calls us the 'high tech, low touch' world right now!!! Let's keep on connecting!
Believe me, if it wasn't for blog tutorials, video tutorials, and webinars, I wouldn't get very far ;-)
Thanks for all the great comments and feedback on what I thought would be a simple, quick blog post that might even go unnoticed. Apparenly I've struck an ActiveRain nerve. I've read everyone's response. And, they've been great. From words of wisdom to words of encouragement.
I especially liked Rick Schwartz's closing paragarph ...
"Keeping pace is very important - but listening to what [our clients] want [is] vital. I know that this was one of the points in the video - but to me - it's the most important. Communicate the way they want - not the way you think they want - and certainly not the way you want."
... his last sentence is the essential for us to grasp. I'll probably still call my traditional clients who only have a phone, no e-mail, and may not even have a computer. I'll probably message (i.e., text) my new economic order clients who have PDA's and Smartphones. As real estate professionals, we have to work not only when our clients want to work but how our clients want to work.
I'll close by telling you that I when I first started working I used carbon paper and a Mimeograph machine. That seems so very, very long ago now.
Dinosaurs Unite!!!
Stephen, you wrote a very interesting Post and thank you for showing the video. A very good point was made here that our business being one of "service" we have to not only embrace the new way we are communicating but have to make sure we adapt our use of the technology to whatever our clients use. If we refuse to jump on the new technology train... we'll be left standing & wondering what happened to our business.
Interesting post. Don't see that you are a dinosaur as yet. You seem to get the gist of what is happening and keeping up. Our board often has classes to get us up to date with new technology.
Stephen...
I resisted social media at first. Then I found that I was a social butterfly. I like it because I can do it on my terms. But that's just me. I like my terms and I'm not open to negotiating them :)
TLW...ROAR!
Don't forget, the kids sending 700 text messages a day are not homebuyers. Why do you want to cater to them? The top agents go where the money is, and that is the boomers and adults, and those agents communicate with that market segment the way they want and need to be communicated with. Sure, if you suck up to the kids, maybe 15 years from now they will use you to buy a property.... or maybe not, because they will want a person their own age to sell them a property instead of an old foggy pretending to be hip.
You think you're a dinosaur? Heck, I have never texted and I wouldn't know an MP3 player from an iphone. My music is mostly on vinyl, and plays at 33 rpm. A blackberry is something I eat for breakfast.
Didnt dinosaurs last a few million years?
I'm a bit of a dinosaur too in that I see myself becoming my mother. I see how good my young kids are at technology and I don't fight it anymore. But I have to admit that I love social media. I may not be using it to its fullest capacity but I am trying my best.
Stephen,
Very nice. Be assured you have company, at least in me. But maybe not for too long. How do you become funny and weird? Lots of work to do yet, I guess.
Good video. I watched and learned a lot. Some pretty interesting stuff.
Good, I can be funny and weird. This really makes me feel like I'll be properly heard.
Stephen,
I can definitely relate! I got drug, kicking and screamiing, iinto the "internet age" back in the mid-90s and had reasonable success. Lately though, it seems like I spend all my time trying to catch up and be "relevant".
I personally don't get it. Everyone is saying that if you are not "up to speed" you will be left behind. My answer to that is, if your clients are all caught up on technology and being a part of the "next big thing", don't they lose site of the fact that being a smart, successful buyer or seller really have nothing to do with how technologically "hip" we are?
I have a web site...I will communicate with my clients any way they are comfortable be it Twitter, Facebook, email and yes...even a TELEPHONE!!! What a concept.
I still have most of my success via word of mouth, direct mail, direct response ads and referral...
My biggest leap into technology lately has been my trip to "The Shack" to get my wife our FIRST IPOD!!!
Stay cool and keep doing the things that made you successful in the past, believe it or not, they still work just fine!
I found it interesting when the video pointed out that once a social network becomes "commericalized", it loses traction and people move on to something else. It would seem Facebook and Twitter might actually be on the way out if that is the case.
I guess Missy thought it was engaging? Hmmmm well, I thought it was interesting & I can see a few of his points already taking shape. I'm not as old as I think because, yes, I prefer to text than phone now. I've been converted. Same with pictures instead of text. Convert there. We have to focus where the masses are moving and try & stay current and relevant.
It is tough to move into the new world when the old one worked fine, however the new world is where even seniors are moving.
Everyone learns at their own pace....what works ..WORKS!!! Nothing beats personal contact.
funny and weird is just part of everyday life