With the advent of Web 2.0, there's been a literal explosion of 'Social Networks,' with many of them finding a specific applications for cultivating potential business.
What do you think of when you here the term "Social Network?"
Wikipedia defines them as follows:
A social network service uses software to build online social networks for communities of people who share interests and activities or who are interested in exploring the interests and activities of others.
Most services are primarily web based and provide a collection of various ways for users to interact, such as chat, messaging, email, video, voice chat, file sharing, blogging, discussion groups, and so on. Social networking has revolutionized the way we communicate and share information with one another in today's society. Various social networking websites are being used by millions of people everyday on a regular basis and it now seems that social networking is a part of everyday life (to access a current list of the most notable & popular social networks, go HERE).
Most of us are familiar with the highly popular network, MySpace. I joined at the prompting of my kids, and have used it mainly to discover new bands and musicians. In spite of the incessant invites by scantily clad bimbos and web-cam hotties, I know of many people who use it to make legitimate contacts for business, and to gain added Internet exposure.
There's been an ongoing debate here as to whether or not ActiveRain should be considered as a 'social' network. For many of the hardcore real estate purists, I know they would like nothing more than this platform to contain real estate 'only' related articles and information. No recipes. No jokes. No human interest stories. No pet pictures.
"All Real Estate. All the Time!"
I think for some people, there is a negative connotation or misunderstanding associated with social networks in general, and a fear that ActiveRain will eventually regress into some form of a real estate "MySpace."
Well, like it or not, ActiveRain IS a social network. We don't operate in a vacuum. We don't live in some remote monastic cave retreat. We are, after all, by nature, social beings. We are wired to interact with other humans - to communicate, and develop interpersonal relationships.
Yes, ActiveRain is a social network. But it's much, much more. In addition to developing meaningful friendships here, there are obvious opportunities for us to increase/improve both our business and our level of professional knowledge/expertise. Thus, ActiveRain clearly distinguishes itself from many of the other social networks by not only offering us a place to enjoy meaningful relationships, but to also experience the value of enhanced business that positively impacts our bottom line.
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I don't know about you, but I find it increasingly more and more difficult to weed through all the social networking platforms that seem to pop up everyday. It seems like my mailbox is constantly filled with invites to join some new start-up. I typically end up joining most of them, if for no other purpose than to fill out a basic profile. But I sometimes wonder, what's the value? Seriously, who has the time to invest in participating in every network that comes along? Which ones truly offer value to my life and business?
ANNOUNCING - "SOCIAL NETWORK REVIEW"
Well, in an effort to help other members save a little time from having to navigate the endless array of networks, I thought it would be beneficial to begin posting a series of reviews/critiques on many of the popular and emerging social networks across the Internet. And in particular, to determine whether these networks are worth our time investment, and can bring value to our business.
Have a social network you've encountered recently? Send me a link and I'll add it to my list. Whenever I publish a review/critique, I will post it to a newly formed group, Social Networks.
Hi Rich, why not start a group and put them all in one place. I just joined Zing.com last night. I do set up profiles when someone mentions them here. But, so far AR is the best, because it is both social and business.
Second favorite is Twitter because so many from AR are there and you get to know people faster. I could give you a list but will let others name more. If I see some being missed I will jump back in.
Good Morning Rich,
I believe YouTube is a social network..............I have joined Facebook, Twitter and MySpace......
Rich: As I began reading your post, I thought "Oh, no, this IS a social network and he's going to tell me that's not what it's meant to be!!" I do enjoy this forum as a business tool and part of that is learning about the agents whom I would refer my clients to in a relocation situation. This offers the best of both worlds--I can see how others operate their businesses as well as getting a good feel as to whether or not they have the same ethics and standards as I. Thanks for not saying that is not what AR is for!
As for the other networks--Qassia is another site; Zing.com and RealTown. I have found, though, that I don't have the time to invest in anything other than profiling on other networks as I focus my time on AR and don't have time to spend elsewhere! Thanks for the post!
Rich,
When anyone ...including myself joins the network most are going to think it's a strictly RE network...thats what I joined for. If it's both ...that is fine but I have too many social networks and barley have time for the RE end of it. I have no problem giving my time to the social end but generally I do it for RE. As long as the name is Activerain Real Estate network then how can you call it only social unless the name is changed.
I wrote "hard core real estate talk". No secret about that. As for business generation, what the members want ActiveRain to be is what it will be to each of us individually. The structure will enhance our business if we use it property.
In the end, it really doesn't matter in terms of business enhancement because it is the SEO friendly posts that produce in Google SERP. I can have a very good hard core real estate series like the one I just finished about Buyers Agents selling FSBOs, none of which got featured, but will be in Google SERP,
as soon as I can get the title right.
It's entirely possible that I misunderstood the intent of ActiveRain when they identify the network as a real estate network, they may have meant the "social side of real estate industry members". Who knows. Fact is, Google doesn't care. ActiveRain has so much more going for it than the labeling of the theme.
I was a loyal Fox & Friends fan for years when they regularly reported "hard core political news". In the past 6 months or so, they have become less serious and more frivilous. So, I've switched to Morning Joe which as terrific hard core political reporting.
AR is the only one I use for both social and knowledge. I've added profiles to LinkedIN, Naymz, Spock, Plaxo, Konnect, and Real Estate World. I DO like the look of REW and wish we could make our profiles "pretty" on AR the way we can on REW. As for Google Juice, so far only AR, LinkedIN and Naymz is generating it ... and that's my goal.
I don't understand how some AR members keep up with so many social networks...they are way ahead of me. It's all I can do to keep up with AR. I'll be interested in this Review to see what I might be missing.
Missy - I did! Social Networks
I think you hit the ones that I use...
ActiveRain - Real Estate information, work related although some personal, social, my "nest", where it all began.
Twitter - Formed friendships in 140 characters. I don't know that I would have met Crabby Rich if it weren't for twittering :)
MySpace - Personal/Social, keeping up with the kids.
Facebook - Personal. Hoping to reconnect with my DoDDS school friends from around the world
LinkedIn - work in progress. Will be for work related.
SKYPE - really more of a 'chat' program, but hooked up for long conversations there.
Those are my "main" ones. Although I've pittered around in some of the others mentioned. Some of my personal networks include work connections of course, cause we've become friends. There you have a day in the life of Kim Wood's networking.
Rich,
The perception of the public to real estate agents has taken a nose dive! If that reputation is to be rehabilitated, the public must see the social side of agents, merely to prove that even real estate agents are human, have families, care about others, etc!!! Where better than Active Rain to do this??? JMHO, Thanks, Fran
I'm in. I have a list on my office wall of all the networks I have joined so that I can remember to check them and refine them. I spend most of my time here and on my blogs. Zillow and Trulia can be. I think that Squidoo is. I don't have a MySpace page and I haven't done the "twitter" yet - that one scares me and I don't know why. So I am excited to learn all of the info the group will post.
Rich - As far as building your credentials online there is nothing better than AR. There are a few sites that I would whole heardly recommend to anyone here who is interested in growing their internet presence.
The 1st is squidoo.com At squidoo you are able to create a "lense" specific to your business. If your create a good lense it will rank highly in the serps just like your AR blog. Here is an example of a squidoo site I created for my home town of Hopkinton MA.
The other is NAYMZ.com This site is in some ways similiar to linkedin but has much more presence in the serps if you do a good job with tagging.
There are literally hundreds of sites but these have Google power behind them.
Gracious Rich...
I have checked out numerous networks as they spring up. I have to say AR is different...
It is different in that we encounter less "Ick". I know you of all people know what I'm talking about.
When the "Ick" finds it way in here you Guys (The AR Dons) handle it. You do a great job btw :)
P.S. I am familiar with the conversation that Hubba (Jeff Turner) is referring to. I will also look around and see if I can find it. I think it was on Ardell's Blog...Which means it may or may not still be there :)
TLW...ROAR!
Rich,
Calling ActiveRain a social network seems to be too "soft". It could be called a professional network with a social side, or section, to it. Many mortgage originators, real estate agents and other members are mostly focused on the business aspect and wish it remains our primary mission.
Rich - I am not really that familiar with other networks, although I am on Twitter sometimes and a member at Linkedin and Facebook. I have heard good things about Zolve, but I haven't explored it at all. I agree that AR is a social network, at least in my experience. I have made tons of good friends here during my time. I guess I think of it as a social network that pays dividends by way of Google juice and referrals from other agents.
By the way, I saw a commercial that indicated that "The Office" is returning with new episodes in about two weeks. Dwight will be back soon!
the problem is finding the time.....social goes with blogging....I thought. No matter what...online is not the same as face to face.... but it's each individual preference what they like/don't like. Bottom line...it's what I make of it....I personally like the BALANCE with blogging and socializing with peers. Socializing for me is not the same as the next person either.....hmm... a little out there...not much....but enough to keep myself amused. :)
Rich, when I think of social networks, I look at platforms like yuwie, myspace, facebook, yahoo, msn IM, AIM, AOL, and twietter because it is not really information based, but more of a chat platform. With ActiveRain, they seem to take it to another level.
I also joined your group. I can name more sites if you like.
I found this site recently....I don't like the name as it will turn some away, but it does have promise for social media...
http://www.profilactic.com/
Hi Rich...You lead and I shall follow.
Once you give a site the thumbs up I will check it out. Thank you for doing another good thing for all the rest of us.
Kathleen
Hi Rich! Over two years later, I am still being notified of comments from this post! I saw the spam comment come over and thought I'd pop in to re-read the post! Isn't it amazing how things change--in just over two years?! Pretty shocking how this SM thing has grown and I'm curious where you're putting your focus these days. I always learn so much from you and do what I can to follow! Sometimes, I just can't keep up with it all though!
Hope you and yours have a safe and fabulous Fourth...