5 signs you are out of touch with technology
From Future of Real Estate Marketing
By Katie Lance, Wednesday, June 16, 2010.Do you feel out of the loop of technology? You may not be alone. Here are the top five signs you are out of touch with technology.
1. You have an AOL account and you use it for business. Same applies to Yahoo and Hotmail. Time to stop using these e-mail services (which can be perceived as unprofessional) and convert over to a business e-mail like name@yourname.com.
You can even have your old e-mail forward to your new e-mail so you aren't missing anyone. Not sure how to do that? Ask the most techie person you know or your information technology guru at your brokerage, who will point you in the right direction.
2. You are still calling the Internet the "information superhighway" or the "World Wide Web." In addition, you are still saying things like "surf the Web" or "look something up on the 'Net.'" Nowadays, people "go online" or "Google it."
3. You have a desktop computer and not a laptop. The need for real estate agents to be portable and mobile is greater than ever! More and more people are dumping their desktops altogether and using a laptop as their primary computer.
4. You have a flip phone and not a smart phone. Time to upgrade. I really believe that all real estate agents need a smart phone. Your clients expect you to return e-mails faster than ever and be more accessible than ever, and a smart phone can do just that.
My favorite is the iPhone, but there are so many options. Call your carrier and see what your options are to upgrade. Remember, everything is negotiable!
5. You say things like, "I have to get on THE Facebook" or "on THE Twitter." You can say, "I need to set up a Facebook page" or "Facebook account," or "get started with Twitter" or "start tweeting."
If you see yourself smiling and nodding and agreeing to any of the above, you are not alone!
Do you have anything else to add to this list? I would love your feedback! Leave a comment below!
Click here to view the original blog post.
Katie Lance is the marketing manager for Inman News. Future of Real Estate Marketing is a part of Inman News.
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Submitted by Holly Schwartz on June 16, 2010 - 11:43am.
I love this - it makes me laugh out loud! I remember being a child and looking at real estate in binders and newspapers - thank goodness for "the information superhighway."
Torelli Realty
Costa Mesa, CA
www.torellirealty.wordpress.com
www.facebook.com/torellirealty
Submitted by Barrett Powell on June 16, 2010 - 1:49pm.
I think when it comes to e-mail services like GMail, it really doesn't matter. GMail is far superior to any domain e-mail address you can get. Sure you can forward barrett@barrettpowell.com to my GMail account, but why? People today are savvy enough to know you can go out and get a fake e-mail account and spoof it. Having your Gmail accounts all tied together with your Voice account and Wave account mean far more and say you ARE using the best technology to keep in touch and serving your clients.
Barrett Powell, Broker/Consultant
Southern Advantage Team
WBP Software & Consulting
288 East Street, PO Box 1427
Pittsboro, North Carolina 27312
http://www.ChathamCountyLand.com
http://BarrettPowell.com
wbarrettpowell@gmail.com
Submitted by Linda Davis on June 16, 2010 - 3:15pm.
Totally disagree with #3. I'm already passed that. I went back to a desktop with a netbook to access it with Logmein when I'm on the road. Now with my IPAD, I need a laptop even less.
Submitted by Jean Powers CRS on June 17, 2010 - 1:49pm.
I agree with all the 5 points.
My email is my domain hosted through GoDaddy and is very good. This is for marketing purposes and looks more professional plus work with Outlook.
I also have a gmail account because I can attach and send large files. I have a Droid too which is Google based. I forward my 2 email addresses to gmail. I can then pick up my emails from any computer. Sometimes viewing on my cell is tedious because my vision is not as it use to be.
If an agent wants a desktop that is great but they should also have a laptop. The iPad is just a bridge between your computer and smartphone.
I find that most agents in my city including my office are not advanced with knowledge in technology. They do not understand the importance of being progressive. It gets very frustrating when I still have to accept other agent's paperwork and faxes during a transaction.
Jean Powers CRS, e-PRO, SFR
Broker Associate
Kane & Associates
Alameda, CA.
510 908.9002
Homes@JeanPowers.com
http://www.JeanPowers.com
Submitted by Chris Somers on June 28, 2010 - 4:39am.
Is a great list ! I still have an "aol" account but finally have the emails fowarded to my gmail account. And did set up our own emails ... chris@thesomersteam.com which I agree looks much more professional. All RE/MAX professionals get a remax.net email as well. This is a great read !
Submitted by Michael D Harris Jr on July 13, 2010 - 3:04pm.
I would add "PR is for the Big Boys" to this list. With the swift and decisive evolution of the internet in the past 2 years, we have seen traditional PR become Social PR. Technology is your best friend and it is waiting right out side your office door. You wouldn't leave a buyer outside, so why the shying away from technology. It not only makes your job EASIER, it decreases your marketing budget and puts you in front of your targed consumer in a way that we have never experienced. They find you and once they do, they pay attention.
On a side note, Jean Powers is correct in in the way she handles email. By having multiple accoutns (even a Yahoo) there are still ways to hide the fact or redirect to a more professional, branded account.
Michael D Harris Jr
President
Ardynn PR
mharris@ardynnmedia.com
717.592.0106