Archive for category Marketing
The Airport is a Person.
Posted by admin in Marketing, Social Media on August 3, 2010
I shouldn’t have done it, but did.
Twice.
Kansas City has a very easy to use medium sized Airport that is in the middle of nowhere. Like many, I get to spend lots of quality time at this modern transportation hub. While waiting on a flight to Atlanta for ReTechSouth, The Public Address system was droning on… “Please Report unattended bags”. “Amanda Hugandkiss to the White courtesy phone”. You know,the normal background noise. But then I was caught off guard. The Flat PA system voice said “Follow KCI on Twitter, @KCIairport and friend us on Facebook”.
The airport is @KCIairport on Twitter.
So that’s essentially what I tweeted.
That was a Mistake.
Twitter is a type of PA – My semi rude tweet was blasted out there. Just as the captive audience had been told to follow KCI on Twitter over the PA – in the same way I publicly addressed my dislike for their method. Then it got personal. The airport – it / he/ she / they / @KCIairport started following me. They engaged me. They were nice.
It was an ah-ha moment for me. A Place, is now a person…wow. It may be easy for you to grasp, but that’s hard for me to get my head around. Do we have to treat every THING like a PERSON?
The Empty Delta Flight.
Two weeks ago I was with the family and delayed and frustrated while transferring planes in Detroit. The Delta Airlines flight crew was not around. While entertaining my daughter we looked out the airport window at our Delta plane sitting in the sun with no crew. The empty Plane was older, and missing some paint on the nose cone. In fact, it looked the opposite of “Shiny and new”. I photographed the plane. The tweet with the photo said: “Dear Delta, Our Plane needs a crew and a paint job.” I uploaded the remark and pic to twitter and facebook too.
I shouldn’t have.
When on Twitter, should we all talk nice from our work related accounts? Frequently that means puppy dogs and rainbows, not religion or politics. But now it may also mean don’t call out corporations or things or places thinking inanimate objects – such as corporations or airports are immune. They are people doing their jobs. My negative opinions are not said and forgotten – they stick around, and reflect back upon me.
On the flip side – if your business is not listening to or participating in social media you are ignoring the conversation. You have decided to turn your back on those customers.
But even as a satisfied customer - not one who complains often and knows better, I was willing to open up with my displeasure on twitter. Your happy clients are providing you valuable live testimonials about your service and products. What could you do with live testimonials? What could you do to help resolve an issue to prevent a boil over?
For the record – Delta sent me an apology letter with free miles. KCI no longer broadcasts “follow KCI on Twitter” via the PA, and I have learned first hand that places and corporations are people.
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Star Power: The Top Tier Realtor Conference Review
This was my first time at a Star Power Conference and my first time in Nashville TN. What a cool (Read HOT) town!
Thanks to Nashville expert and National TV personality Brian Copeland (@nashvillebrian) I had the hot tips on where to eat via Twitter. The best was Mad Donnas. I give it 4.5 stars – the same number of stars you could see at any given moment at the Star Power Convention.
A “Star” is selected and crowned each month. Next months Star is FloorPlanOnline customer Sue Adler (@sueadler) I believe there are around 200 current stars, with most of them at the event. Typically Stars are the top 1/2 of 1% of agents nationwide. They sell tons of listings, make tons of money and in my experience are very approachable, humble and willing to share information with their competition. How cool is that? Also willing to share and help people was former real estate agent and the events Headliner Dave Ramsey Dave’s talk was inspirational, helpful and entertaining.
The Event, classes and hallway conversations included talk about Marketing, technology and how to grow business in today’s social online market. There were cool people to chat with around every corner. Ive long admired Chris Smith (@techsavvyagent) who walked up to our booth and was so impressed with FPO 2.0 he recorded an interview with me on the spot!
Below, check out my brief review of the event that includes photos and video. The video was created on my iphone using the cool ReelDirector app.
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Elementary My Dear Agent
This seems to be a sign of the times.
Ive seen many agents that are not embracing technology with open arms who believe that they are so far behind there is no way to catch up. Its simply an overwhelming task.
This might be true for a few – But not you. You after all, are already reading a blog. (and a cool one I might add)
For the majority, there is hope. They can improve and grow using new tools and methods. Those in the middle of the road can climb higher with even one new trick or tool.
Here are a few Tips to help the Technology Timid Real Estate Agent Gain Altitude
a) Dont do it all. Do one Marketing / technology / web 2.0 thing well, master it, then add more.
b) Read and Listen. Before you jump into blogging, read several blogs each day – for a month or two.
c) Rely on more than one source. Google it, ask people, start conversations online and in person.
By the way – You can make your own sign just like this HERE
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Teach-Tech Trip
Posted by admin in Marketing, Social Media on June 22, 2010
Marketing Rock stars from around the Midwest and the Nation gathered in St Louis Last week. I had a great time working with colleagues covering basic marketing and branding, to advanced social media tools at ReBarCamp.
“Death of the Virtual Tour” was the title of the conversation I moderated in the first hour. The agents and brokers told me about how important it was to use a simple virtual tour that worked well and was easy to use. They also wanted clear non distorted photos. The consensus was that the term “Virtual Tour” is vague, and can be misleading – but sellers demand or request a tour 9 out of 10 times.
The Schedule for BarCamp
The Twitter 101 class is always fun to teach. Some people will defend twitter to the grave while others try to attack it and beat it down.
The fact that People get emotional about technology is just an amazing trend, and I like to embrace the excitement one way or the other. It tends to create a spirited class.
Frequently there is someone sitting to the side who says “I dont care that you just sold a house” and I respond “Thats cool, so dont use twitter”. – Its that simple, if you dont like a technology, feel its invasive or not a good fit – why use it?
Technology SHOULD help you. If you find that it is cumbersome and not helpful in any way – you should remove that technology from your day to day use.
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ReBarCamp, Real Estate Un-Confrence
Posted by admin in Marketing, Social Media on June 10, 2010
On Monday June 14th the City of St Louis is lucky to host its first ReBarCamp.
You should come – Its an Ad Hoc gathering of Real Estate professionals, Marketing and Social Media experts who help each other learn and grow their online tools and presence. Its the kind of thing that gets me giddy.
The plan is to be getting into St louis Sunday afternoon to set up the event and join other regional marketing friends for the Sunday night Tweet up at Ameristar Casino. (all are welcome) #rebcstlTU
At the event Monday, I plan to talk about Authenticity in social media, listening and engaging with good content and other cool stuff. More than anything I want to listen to peoples experiences with web 2.0 & social media marketing.
The event is Free – (including breakfast, lunch and cocktails) so if you want to make the trip or are near St Charles / St Louis area register now and join us Monday!
Ive been lucky to attend many REBAR camps including the first in San Francisco. I got my feet a bit more wet Volunteering at San Diego in November, and Soaked up the sun in Phoenix this spring. I highly recommend volunteering at one of these events. It was a great experience – but left me wanting to co host an event in the Midwest. So I did what anyone would do – dove head first with the opportunity to co host REBCSTL in St Louis.
Im a bit anxious about STL. The goal is to learn, have fun, educate and listen to the group. That much Im sure will go smoothly. Top Social Media names will be in attendance, and the venue will be packed. At this time we are only $500 short of our funding (know a sponsor that wants to help?) We cant ask for much more perfection.
If you cant make it, Follow the hash tag #rebcstl on twitter (or watch below here) . If there is interest – perhaps some day we will host a similar event in Kansas City.
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National Association of Realtors Mid Year Meeting
Posted by admin in Marketing, Social Media on May 25, 2010
NAR mid year meetings in Washington DC.
I had a great time hanging with friends, listening to speakers and enjoying the sights.
Here is a VERY short compilation video I shot with my flip video. Trying to capture the event in 30 seconds is just impossible.
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Gravity is Our Enemy
Gravity is Predictable, it is very constant and unfortunately, it limits the heights we can reach.
Your Real Estate Marketing has worked on some level -I know this because you are still in the business, you made it past 2009 and you are still making money. Perhaps you are looking to make a change. Do not abandon what has worked for you! (unless its full page color newspaper ads – then we should really talk about your long term strategy). Yet if you continue to do only what you’ve done before the results will be as predictable as Gravity.
Take Flight and gain altitude. To do so, you need to integrate a whole new dimension to your marketing strategy. Altitude is a different mindset, it uses different tools, different language and will achieve different results.
Its a matter of perspective. From up there, you can see the lay of the land, you can target a destination, and you can control your airspace. When you are above the ground, Leads turn into people – Ideas and advice is openly shared – You become a community advocate and resource, not just a realtor - and those people turn to you and your content for advice.
Gravity is holding down your marketing strategy – Take Flight with Finch Mktg and gain altitude.
Disclaimer and Plugs:
“Gravity is our Enemy” is the name of a Great bluegrass album by Cadillac Sky -Check them out! They are cool guys, and I’ve been fortunate to have played music with several former and current members of the band – and am giving them some love, and borrowing their album title for this post.
Photo Credit to graham owen gallery, Great nature photos – www.grahamowengallery.com
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Chris Drayer
