Seth Godin, in a recent interview, gave his opinion on the validity of the size of your social media network. In his opinion, it's pretty meaningless if all you do is get friends/followers/associates/links or whatever.
A friend of mine, Ed Bisquera, who seems to be doing the Social Media thing right, posted the above link. While I don't respond to all links, this one caught my eye.
- It was from Ed, (a friend)
- It was about Seth Godin (an expert) and
- The Title was controversial. (There's a marketing lesson for you right there.)
In the video, Seth likens Social Media to a giant cocktail party. There's a lot of people who are in the same place, who have a few things in common, but only a few would really go to bat for you. In his opinion, and I would have to agree, it's not about how many friends you have on FaceBook or twitter, or associates on LinkedIn or ActiveRain, but about the relationships that you have with those people.
So how do you make it work?
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Larry Morris is a Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist in Portland, Oregon. He specializes in USDA Guaranteed Rural Home Loans, FHA Purchase and Refinance, FHA 203k Rehab loans, FannieMae HomePath loans, Oregon VA Loans and conforming purchase and refinances in the states of Oregon, Washington and Idaho.
He can be reached at 503-421-0096.
Who cares what Seth "says". This nothing against him, it is merely a statement that it is what the "market says" that is the key. If the market does not work with social networking, then it becomes reality. Social networking is what it is......just another avenue to touch your sphere and to educate yourself and others. I am in another league because of social networking. But, who am I to say it works..........
Did you watch the video? Or read the rest of teh story?
Seth would agree with you. Most people do Social Media wrong. They talk but don't listen. They sit in their chair and build a large sphere but provide no value or connections.
Tim, it sounds like you do. Good for you. Part of it is the Keller Williams way.
Larry,
(Nice name by the way) I'm currently reading a great book by Jeffery Gitomer called "The Little Red Book of Selling" I highly recommend it. He makes the point that preparation is a key to increased sales. Find out as much about your customers as possible. A number of my past clients are on facebook and are my friends. I'm finding out things about them I would never have known in the course of our normal dealings. This helps me relate better when I contact them. I would say a word of caution though. Facebook, in particular is full of those little quizzes on just about everything. I never take them or post very personal info. I post enough to be friendly but I don't "let my hair down" Like anything social networking can be used as a tool or an excuse. It's up to the individual. As for Seth Godin, I've read some of his stuff and liked it. Just keep in mind, just because a person is right on some things doesn't mean he's right on all things.
It all comes down to real relationships...not how many friends you collect. Thanks for the link.
I would have to agree with tim, who cares, respectively. Social networking is for the how and why you use it. Maybe Seth's being using it too much..
Larry - thanks for the comments. There was an old book you migt remeber by Harvey McKay. "Learn to Swim with the Sharks" (sic). I think that Harvey would have loved Social Media as he was all about getting to know who people are and what makes them tick. Thanks for the book reference. Seth was answering a question that was posed in a symposium. He makes a great point. But he also isn't saying not to use Social Media...
Gary - Thanks for the comments. You are correct.
Diana - Seth's comments weren't directed as much at not using Social Media, but in how it's used. It's a tool and nothing more. Lasting business is and always will be built on relationships.
Another Larry here. Seth's point about real networking versus fake networking is bang on. By the way Larry you are correct about grabbing attention. The title drew me to this post, for which I thank you.
Larry - Thanks for the confirmation.You win a FREE CARD!!
Too many people really are doing the whole "social media marketing" thing wrong. They are doing just as you said - trying to see just how many people they can link up with when that isn't the point at all, is it? It's all about making relationships with folks!
Kathy
Kathy - I couldn't agree more. Thanks for the comment.
This professions and professions like it have always been about networking. Soical media is just networking (like you said, giant cocktail party), so how could that be a waste of time? I know I've gotten clients that way.
Tony and Libby - Thanks for the comment. Social media isn't in and of itself a waste of time, just like a giant cocktail party. It's how you approach it and what you do with it. If you go to the cocktail party to eat, drink and be merry, you will succeed. If you go to network, but all you do is collect business cards and talk about yourself, you will find limited success. You'll get a few deals. But if you collect cards, ask relevant questions and listen to what the answers are you will develope relationships and long term clients.
Social media is the same. AR and twitter, especially twitter, are filled with people who collect "busines cards" and talk about themselves and never really listen. You can see it in the stats. How many posts to reply's. twittwer is harder to track, but reply to tweets and see how few responses you actually get back.
Most Realtors are good all around networkers. You use the tools available and tie it all together with multiple touches.
Hey, I live right around the corner from one of your Sherwood listings.
I agree Larry. Social media is a waste of time unless a person goes the extra step and establishes a 'real world' relationship. This is coming from a person with several hundred followers! :
Larry - Much of the social media is superficial. Like others have said, you are just collecting business cards, and really have no relationship with these people. I prefer to get to know people first, then add them to my social media site. Then I know these are people I already know and like, and wouldn't mind doing business with, and I hope they feel the same about me.
Just like anything in life, it is what you make of it. I enjoy Seth, read his books and for the most part agree with much of what he says. This just happens to not be the case as far as we're concerned, but for the majority - there could be some validity. Each social network media outlet needs to be managed different and serve a different purpose. That can take some getting used to. This brings to mind the 80/20 rule in real estate and once again confirms that we should never overlook the basics. When used correctly, social networking simply works, but I'd never advocate anyone to put all their eggs in one basket.
Troy - Good advice. I also believe that we can develope relationships with the people we meet on the social media sites. ActiveRain is a good example of that. It's all in what you do with the contact.
Amber - excellent response. Seth cannot be ignored. He pretty much wrote the book on what we do in social media. But it is a means to an end, and not the end. Most of us don't get paid to blog, tweet.... Even affiliate marketers only get paid if they have a relevant product/service and a large enough market. Enjoy this beautiful Oregon day.