I just got back from Las Vegas, where I attended the 2008 BlogWorld and New Media Expo. All I can say is WOW!!
It's all about building community.
Being a Realtor, a good one, requires that I keep up on the latest trends, not only in the real estate market, but also in business. These days, businesses are discovering the value of connecting to their clients through blogs and other social media tools, like Twitter and Flicker. It’s a way of communicating that is changing in our society.
You will find that when you work with me, that much of our communication is by email (or texting, if you choose). I am a very early riser, and try to get my blogging and email completed then, before I head out for the day.
For example, this morning, I emailed a client in Europe to discuss her inspection report and the repairs that she wants the seller to perform. Another local buyer emailed me with an addendum that needed to be signed and returned to meet her lender’s requirements. I responded to another inquiry from a buyer on the East Coast and was able to quickly answer her question before she headed to the office. I still phone my clients, when it’s appropriate. However, many of my clients prefer using email also, as it allows them to control their time better.
Now for the next evolution.
Blogging and new media are the reasons I went to BlogWorld. I like to write, it something I’ve done for years, and with blogging, I finally have a venue to share. I also like to take photos, and now with a digital camera, I can take lots of photos, so that I have better pictures to share. And, I guess I really do love to communicate, because twittering suits me just fine.
So, what did I learn in Vegas, that you might really care about?
I learned about running my business better:
- by creating systems to manage my Internet-based work flow more effectively
- by renaming and tagging my photos consistently so you can find them easier
- and by writing with passion and transparancy, so that you can get to know a little bit about me before we decide to work together.
I connected with a whole new level of communicators from many other fields of business, and from around the world.
And what does that mean to you, as a potential buyer or seller of real estate?
It means that you are working with a Realtor who likes to stay on top of the real estate market, and incorporate time-saving and forward looking business practices. I like to sell real estate and love to do it well. My job is much more than listing or showing homes, and more than writing contracts. It’s really about connecting with my clients, the buyers and sellers of homes, so that I can give you correct, current information about the real estate market in a manner that you understand, so you can make smart choices in this sometimes, complicated world.
I like to share and interact, so if you’d like to contact me for more information about real estate, or blogging, or something about Scottsdale, in general, just do it. Drop me a line via the contact form in the right hand column, or come see me at Twitter, Flickr, or Linked In.
Finally, I’d like to give credit to some of the presentors that graciously shared knowledge and expertise this past weekend.
Thank you to Mariana Wagner, Teresa Boardman, Pat Kitano, Todd Carpenter, Jeff Turner, and Kelly Kohler - I was so jazzed that I wrote this note on the flight back to Phoenix.
Thank you for RE BlogWorld
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I missed a great event. I won’t next year.
Thank you Dru for coming. You were among the first to sign up for our event. I appreciate the early confidence you placed in us to deliver, and I’m glad we did. Your clients are lucky to have such a forward thinker as their agent.
Linda, we’ll be seeing you then.
Todd, you know I’ll be there next year, and planning to stay through Sunday. It was very hard to leave early, as the momentum was still moving forward.
Dru, what a post! These gatherings always make me feel like we’ve known each other for a long time, despite the fact we’ve never met each other in weather below 90 degrees.
Dru – it was a fabulous event, wasn’t it? I’m ready to go next year already!
Dru, I LOVE that you included your hand written note. I think it captures the spirit of the event. It was personal, it was about community. And I’m looking forward to next year’s event as well!
Dru, I hope to pick your brain a bit soon, as I’m kicking myself for not attending.
Pat – It does seem that we’ve know each other longer, and you know, our weather is starting to cool off, so we hope to see you in town again soon.
Kelley – Thanks for sharing all your great insights in your presentation. I’m STILL digesting!
Jeff – The cool part about the handwritten parts of my post is that I was taking my notes on my tablet computer, so it was a simple cut and past to include them. Many of my notes are often in graphic format, so the tablet has been a great tool. I recommend.
Steve -Yes, you should have been there. Next time, OK?