Managing Expanding Social Networks While Retaining Community
I think I'm in the extreme minority about the concept of consistently following or friending strangers in the social networks. It seems most people don't like the idea of embracing strangers until relationships are established. I've always thought it better to accept the invitation of a stranger to connect and then figure out what the connection is instead of blanket rejecting the relationship request (unless of course the request is unsavory).
I've found out it's pretty controversial to state I'll simply follow/friend a stranger if they follow me. Critics are saying only spammers and self promoters do this. They say a large following makes it impossible for conversation. In theory, it's true. But frankly, I'm developing more quality relationships from Twitter and Facebook despite having a large following because new opportunities come in from my new networks daily. And of course, many of the ideas and relationships are coming from strangers, who then become acquaintances.
For real estate professionals building a community network, it seems natural to follow strangers who may be interested in watching or getting more information about you. After all, you never know whether there is a professional relationship in the future.
I discuss this at Media Transparent. Any thoughts about this?
Hey Pat...
Interesting thoughts since you pretty much are the reason I got more involved in Facebook.
At first.. I was looking at it for business reasons and accepted anybody.. then I ended up connecting with plenty of old friends who I lost contact with and started being selective as my network of people I really knew expanded.
Some of the first "friends" turned out to be online pushers of products, etc.. that I ended up cutting off due to online spam. As my Real Network expanded I've come to use Facebook as a rebirth of connecting/catching up with old friends and ignoring random requests who are just looking to add anybody they can without any similar connections.
For me.. if I don't know the actual person making the request but they know somebody I know or are on a similar network.. (such as CRS -- Remember that post??) I'll accept the request.
But.. I certainly put much more thought into the acceptance button then before.
More importantly... I now use Facebook more for personal reasons then business reasons. Using Facebook for business reasons reminds me of that insurance guy from GroundHog Day whose only interest was for your business.
I don't know.. maybe because we've been so busy down here in Las Vegas that I prefer to use Facebook to escape business and connect with friends then using it for business...
Just my thoughts but my Facebook account is much more personal then just accepting anybody into the network nowadays.
In other words... I'm really not on Facebook for business. For me.. handing somebody my card and personally talking to somebody in person is far more effective for business in my opinion.
Reply to this
Paul, thanks, your comments are elucidating...
Although I advocate Twitter and Facebook for developing social networks, I also hasten to add that any social media application NOT be used as a product pushing pulpit ( a lot of real estate professionals unfortunately still do this because they were trained to advertise). Matt Waite writes a good article today about using Twitter/FB for "business purposes" by being "personal", just like you are doing.
Reply to this
"a lot of real estate professionals unfortunately still do this because they were trained to advertise"
My point exactly... As you may know my long time partner is the Educational Instructor for Prudential down here in Las Vegas and she can't stand the old days of real estate training.
Her dad is a legend in the car business and much of what she now teaches actually goes back to the "old" days.
It's all about relationships and you just inspired me to write a post about it...
Reply to this
Every new person to your business relationships are strangers at first regardless of where you first make the contact. In this climate the more the better.
Reply to this
I agree with your perspective Pat. I think that being inclusive and open to new relationships expands opportunities on many levels; social, entertainment, networking, sharing, education, etc. I do a bit of promoting on both twitter and Facebook, but mostly it's social interaction. Business opportunity is a natural development if the people you friend like you and trust you. It's the same in the offline world.
Plus, as you've shared, how can you get to know someone or they know you, if you don't include everyone who wants to be included?
Cheers.
Reply to this
I've been struggling with this as well. Thanks for the insights!
Reply to this
Hi Pat, this is the first article I have read of yours, and I'm a 90 day newbie in the social networking arena. I am a real estate agent in the Seattle/Tacoma area. So far I like Twitter for business,and I usually am following strangers and letting them follow me, Facebook is more personal than business and I'm rather picky about who is a friend, Active Rain is totally real estate business and LinkedIn is totally business but mixed businesses. Phew! I've started a blog, but don't have many viewers on that yet. Something to work on. And I think it needs a new local name versus my name.com to be effective. Just some thoughts. Any thing you'd like to coach me on?
Reply to this
Hi Di, thanks for introducing! I saw your twitter threads with Gretchen Merrick this morning (and tx Gretchen for pointing us out!). You sure have dived in, nice blog. Let's talk a bit on the phone, I'll call you up...
Reply to this
Pat, I completely agree with you. Following someone or sending a friend request is simply like extending a hand shake. Although many times these will not flourish in to lifelong relationships, you have to give it a shot because you never know where it will lead. Every so often I'll go through my Twitter followers and get rid of people with whom I've established I have no common interests. Thanks for all the great posts.
http://twitter.com/JoeStampone1
Reply to this