I Feel Like that Guy!

If you’ve been paying attention to the TV recently, you’ve probably seen the AT&T ad for their alliance with Acer and their Netbooks. Because I was lugging around a humongous 17″ HP laptop, I felt like that dude in the window seat of the AT&T commercial with his big honkin laptop “all up in his grill” struggling to type. ENOUGH of the MADNESS! I broke bad and purchased a little 11″ Acer Netbook and love it especially for working on the plane.

Now all I need is a Dakno skin on my Netbook to match its big brother. Hey Ursula (the amazing Dakno graphic artist), can you hook a guy up with a new Dakno custom designed laptop skin for my new Netbook?

Do you have a Netbook and if so, give me your take on your experience with it.

Bobby

The “Connectivity” Gets Deeper!

What you may not know is the fact that I’m a retired (2002) sales and marketing rep for Delta Airlines. Obviously, all this technology and the air lines hits very close to home for me. Another interesting piece to this puzzle is that Brad’s brother-in-law is an employee with Plexus. This company is one of the major technology players who developed the infrastructure to make Wi-Fi a reality on air planes today.

My Perspective from Up There!

All that being said, here is my take on whether or not paid Wi-Fi will fly. Do I pay for Wi-Fi when I fly? Heck yeah, especially if the flight is a couple of hours in length. Remaining productive even while jetting across the fruited plain is a priority for me. I expect others feel the same way. Then again, if the flight is an hour or less, by the time you drag out the laptop, and boot it up (Vista machines can take forever), the flight attendant is announcing we have been cleared to land.

Need a Discount Code For Go-Go Wi-Fi on DL?

If you have air travel plans that include flights on Delta Airlines, be sure to jot this discount code down for a 50% Go-Go Wi-Fi discount. 158FLF7365

Do You Purchase Wi-Fi When It’s Available on Your Flight?

I’m interested in knowing.

Safe travels,

Bobby

Are You Ready for It?

An agent attending RE Bar Camp SFO said she gives her buyer clients Flip video cameras. I wish had gotten her name as I would love to give her credit for such an awesome idea! (SEE UPDATE BELOW!)

I Told You It Was a Great Idea!

WOW! There it is…I told you it was simple! Think about that act of generosity and all its many implications.

Giving a Gift That Will Create Lasting Memories

Video images taken by a buyer have the opportunity to create so many emotions!

Giving Generates Tons of Good Will!

Think about it. How would you react to receiving a FREE cool device like a Flip? Imagine how your clients will feel? What a great bond builder!

Give a Flip to Your Sellers Too!

When I heard this great idea I suggested she also give her sellers a Flip video camera too.

Extend Your Brand with Your Gift!

I also recommended that each camera you give to your buyers and sellers have a “skin” of your brand on each camera. What a strong way to extend your brand. Plus, long after the transaction has been consummated, your client will continue using your Flip and they will be reminded who gave it to them each time they use it! Now that’s staying “top of mind”.

Keep the Creative Real Estate Marketing Ideas Coming!

The creative ways buyers and sellers can use these “free” video cameras is unlimited. Think about the emotion sellers and buyers will be able to convey about their experience of finding a home and selling a property. I believe it will make for some compelling content generation.

Try these video ideas on for size for your buyers and sellers:

• Conduct video contests among your buyers and sellers… best neighborhood video, best testimonial video, or maybe best personal home tour
• Ask permission to host these videos on your blog/website
• Share those videos on YouTube (with permission)
• Share the videos on the buyers and sellers Facebook profile (with permission)
• Tweet the links to the videos for exposure
• Syndicate your buyers and sellers videos on Tubemogul (with permission)
• Offer to help with editing your clients videos
• Let the children of buyers and sellers create their own videos (with the parents permission)

More Traffic to Your blog/Website!

If you can gain permission to use these videos on your website or blog, you will see significant traffic growth from all the  friends and family eager to see these videos.

Did You Attend RE BarCamp San Francisco?

If you did, what other creative real estate marketing ideas did you learn. Don’t forget to take action on your epiphanies and do it soon!

To your success!

Bobby

P.S. Special thanks to John Glynn for his Tweet advising me that the awesome idea of giving Flip video cameras to buyers was created by Shannon King, San Diego Realtor with  Schoolhouse Realty. Girl, you rock!

Hop Scotching the Real Estate Universe!

Because of the incredible response we received from those who watched that first live stream of #REBCNY, @dakno and I now travel the real estate universe live streaming as many RE BarCamps as we can! Whether we share information about our passions on driving more traffic and SEO for your blog/website, guide discussions on ways to take advantage of social media tools like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn or dive headlong into all things about real estate websites, RE BarCamps are incredible opportunities for all of us to learn, share and grow!

What’s On Tap? RE BarCamp San Francisco, Beer for Bloggers & RE BarCamp Ohio

So what’s on the immediate horizon for the dakno.tv dudes? Brad and I will be headed to San Francisco for the RE BarCamp San Francisco, Beer with Bloggers, Bloggers Connect and Inman Connect. Special thanks to the Real Estate Zebra – Palmyra real estate agent Daniel Rothamel for his invitation to live stream Bloggers Connect.

On the heels of #REBCSF comes RE BarCamp Ohio! Taking place Thursday, August 20 in Columbus, Ohio, REBCOHIO organizer and Marion, Ohio Realtor Danielle Daniels has asked the lovely and talented Ms. Sarah Cooper and myself to guide a discussion on a topic that is near and dear to my heart – Photo Blogging!

If you are interested in learning why you should consider photo blogging and you are attending the Ohio RE BarCamp, I encourage you to attend this breakout session. Here are a few questions I’d ask if I attended this session:

• why do it? WIIFM?
• what kind of results can I expect from my investment of time/resources if I do it?
• is it hard?
• will it be fun?
• does it take a lot of fancy equipment to do it?

If you decide to attend this breakout session, and you already have a photo blog, and you know some of these answers, be prepared to share what you have experienced by photo blogging.

See you at the RE BarCamp!

Bobby

Helping RE BarCamps Benefit All

While each RE BarCamp is unique, there are some shared commonalities about them all. Those common values include ardent sharers and seekers of information, awesome networking opportunities coupled with pre and post RE BarCamp fun social opportunities. Here’s the thing, based on feedback voiced by attendees and read in our streaming chat room during our streams, there is a growing disappointment over the failure to deliver the kind of environment and experience some attendees were hoping for. It’s not a major problem now but, it seems to be a growing trend. I’ll identify a few of those voiced challenges momentarily.

Why Write this Post You Ask?

It’s not to “stir the pot” or “be controversial”. Frankly, I’m not crazy about controversy. Because I believe so strongly in this movement I wanted to speak out on behalf of many who have been silent to date. These trends, if not recognized, could lead to some challenging issues for the organizers and the attendees alike. The last thing I want to see happen is the RE BarCamp movement lose momentum. Hence the reason for writing this post. It’s written with the hope that each RE BarCamp will be even more beneficial to all who attend and participate. Participation by everyone is key. Offering a nonthreatening environment for learning is another key to unlocking the success of RE BarCamps.

Suggestions for Re BarCamp Organizers

Allow me to begin with the planners of RE Bar Camps. Those who help orchestra these events should be supported, thanked for their monumental efforts and appreciated for their tireless work. If you are in the midst of planning an RE bar Camp, I trust these tips will help make your job a tad bit easier. I sure hope so. Consider these suggestions.

Let’s Get Logistical!

It seems more participation is encouraged when the “main” room is organized with chairs arranged in a circular fashion or with tables and not in a “theater mode”. If tables aren’t available, no big deal. Just begin your BarCamp with your chairs situated in theater mode, then ask attendees to rearrange them in circles conducive for discussion when breakout sessions begin. If you have separate breakout rooms, have the chairs there arranged in this manner as well. It’s amazing how the logistics of a room setup impacts and encourages participation. At least give it a try. For opening and closing statements, don’t forget to secure sound reinforcement.. AKA, a PA system. Even in a small group, often it’s difficult for everyone to hear.

Stop Presenting and Start Facilitating ….

RE BarCamp planners, instead of asking thought leaders and subject matter experts to “present” on a desired topic requested by those in attendance, or prearranged in advance, maybe expectations should be set to encourage presenters to “moderate” and “facilitate” discussion on a topic. I recall with fond memories my first RE Bar Camp in NYC when the breakout sessions were small and didn’t include powerpoint presentations. Our collaborative discussions were exhilarating. From that event, things have changed. Maybe size does matter.

Stop Selling, Start Leading!

In some cases, presenters have seized the opportunity to offer products/services as solutions. Ideally, it is my humble opinion, a breakout session should about guiding thought-provoking discussions. Not to make excuses, but it’s in a vendor’s DNA to demonstrate a product’s features and benefits. I feel there has been a failure on two fronts. Number one, planners must set proper expectations with vendors/thought leaders and ensure that RE BarCamps aren’t the opportunity to demo products and services. Second, just because we sponsor these events doesn’t give us the right to expect to use precious RE BarCamp time to hawk products and services. In keeping with the principals of social media, RE BarCamps aren’t the time to hype products/services. It’s the prime time to show value and share knowledge, period. If you want to discuss your products and services do it at a more appropriate time or after the event is over.

Facilitators, Know Your Audience

If it’s your responsibility to facilitate a breakout, make sure the content being offered fits those who are in attendance. For example, if the topic is “Blogging 101″, advise attendees where they can blog and offer all the different types of blogging platforms and sites (avoid mentioning just one particular website or platform). State reasons why blogging is important. Offer creative content ideas. Gauge the group and help steer the dialog in the right direction. Avoid getting too techie. Remember, the purpose is to guide a group of blogging newbies. Stay on topic as best you can (bunny trails happen) and always solicit questions and comments to the ultimate benefit of all.

Maybe Smaller RE BarCamps & More of Them?

As word of mouth travels through RE.net (the real estate community on the web), these events will grow in popularity. I’m satisfied of that. In fact, it’s already happening. If planners wish to maintain some level of intimacy, common sense would dictate you keep the maximum number of attendees at or below 75.  Why that magic number? The Fredericksburg RE BarCamp had around 65 in attendance and to me, that was a special event. Restricting the attendance should also make the task of finding a suitable venue less difficult. Then the next logical choice would be to schedule more hyper-local events. That’s the way real estate is going anyway, hyper-local. Why not put that concept to work in the RE BarCamp realm?

Speak Out!

In conclusion, if you have organized and planned a past RE BarCamp, I solicit your feedback. If you have attended a RE BarCamp, please leave a comment as well. I’m sure your feedback will be welcomed by those who are currently planning future events. If you are currently planning an event, you chime too.

By the way, if you know me you know I wasn’t motivated to write this post to throw stones but to make observations in hopes future RE BarCamps will be even better. I’m sold on them. Todd Carpenter, Andy Kaufman, Brad Coy, and others who set the RE BarCamp wheels in motion are visionaries in my book. I guess I’m a wee bit melancholy and long for the experience like that of my first RE BarCamp I attended in NYC.

Bobby Carroll – Not an expert, just a passionate believer in RE BarCamps