I'm really not
Lately there have been a lot of discussions about Social Media Gurus, Real Estate Mavens and other assorted Influential People. I have seen lists and lists, and while there is some agreement in who should be included, it appears there is more discord when it actually comes to the choice.
I was speaking with @joespake, and we decided that the word Guru is hugely overused. We propose that these people be called Real Estate Jedi, since they are really leading the vanguard of change in a firmly established Empire.
Now- how to choose this list of Jedi? I suggested on twitter that a small fee would weed out the riff-raff and less serious, and maybe buy me a Big Mac meal as side benefit. We had a few takers:
• @andykaufman wants his money in escrow until he sees his name in print
• @tomallen1965 is willing to extend me $2 credit to his Cort stores
• @billlublin wants to be in the top 5- will pay cash. Cash is good.
• @rerockstar thought $5 would get him the Number One spot- think again. This isn’t REO.
• @mattdollinger confused the hell out of me by talking about financing the $2 over 30 years
And @jsheehan200, @propertynut, @CatherineGrison, @agent21 and @aPlaceOnTheLake weighed in on the discussion. @mayaREguru took exception to the dismissal of the word guru, and offered me $10 by DM to be left off. They win spots (except Maya- I bought pizza with the payoff) just because they engaged me and each other. Actually, “just” isn’t a good modifier. Engagement is what it is all about- in real estate, in social media and in life.
I think the big #fail of the other lists is that no one was asked if they wanted to be included. Being included means mentoring a bunch of neophytes whose stats aren’t great, who may pull you down in the rankings of some programs, and who likely will pester you with questions like, “What does RT mean?” “I need to spend HOW much time blogging?” and “Hashtag?”
So- this is what I am suggesting. I already have the first few for my list. Who else wants to be included?
Criteria:
• You have time to help new users
• You believe that various avenues of social media are actually valuable to Real Estate and business as part of a complete marketing program
• You are online and you tweet more than 20 times a week outside of DM (that’s only 4 a day, for crying out loud, with weekends off- correct me if I am wrong, @mattdollinger)
• You don’t score more than 30 on TwitBlock (www.twitblock.org) or you have a good reason for it, Britney
• You promise to not refer to yourself as a visionary, guru, illuminati, or demigod, recognizing that Jedi will do.
Add your name below and let’s see what we come up with.
This post may be reposted.
September 29th, 2009 on 4:21 pm
Put me down for the first round of TwitterQueen cocktails the next we meet IRL. @joespake
September 29th, 2009 on 4:31 pm
You’re on!
September 29th, 2009 on 5:20 pm
Don’t count on me! Oh wait ummm… Great post Di, thanks for sharing. And outing my DM, duh… really made me laugh, while consuming milk, you follow the logic. I will read that list and enjoy it.
September 29th, 2009 on 5:49 pm
Hoho! love your name!
September 29th, 2009 on 6:36 pm
So I can’t be twitterati? Leave me off the list please.
September 29th, 2009 on 6:44 pm
They spell it twittorati on Technorati. Sheesh, bunch of list snobs.
September 29th, 2009 on 7:23 pm
it’s illuminati that is prohibited. I think Twitterati may be ok, but Diane should have the final say.
September 29th, 2009 on 8:01 pm
Wait a second – correct me if I’m wrong, but there’s a little bit at the end of the post that grabs me. A serious list of people who want to help others? A list of people who are not hung up on themselves? I’m in.
… I’m in just as long as you don’t call me Jedi.
Deal?
September 30th, 2009 on 4:23 am
Deal. But correct me if I am wrong. Last night’s twitter conversation: “@MikeMueller: @HeyAmaretto Nope, Kilts, Jedi Robes, Hockey Sweaters, and Man Jammies. I’m all packed! [for #rebclbg]” – with link: http://is.gd/3NKLz :)
September 30th, 2009 on 9:25 am
Dude…I would totally rock a Jedi robe! #justsayin
Im no expert. Heck, I dont even know what Im doing half the time. But, if anyone needs help, hit me up on Twitter @TheRealClint.
Diane — A Jedi robe and a pair of Estrada sunglasses…Im the coolest Twitterati on the planet. :-)
September 30th, 2009 on 9:45 am
You have used twitter to your financial benefit this year to a pretty sweet tune, as I recall, without spamming. Your overall social media strategy (which- yes- includes humor, entertainment and openness) WORKS. Look at your business structure this year, compared to two years ago. How different are the two?
If someone said that all Internet contact (read social/new media) was to be removed from the office where you work, would you raise holy hell?
That’s worth sharing.
September 30th, 2009 on 9:50 am
MUAH! :-)
September 30th, 2009 on 3:04 pm
Jedi huh. I could adopt the term if I get to carry a light sabre to use as I see fit. *evil grin* “I am not your father”
September 30th, 2009 on 6:38 pm
I say the list is a treasure….it’s the social media equivalent of “virtual booty”…..now we’re talking one-eyed pirates, YES! (sorry,.. just imagining a few Jedi’s in pirate tights.) Personally.. I would share my virtual booty with anyone who needed it.. I’d like to nominate a few who came to my rescue…can I do that?
September 30th, 2009 on 8:00 pm
Jedi was more tongue-in-cheek than anything else. Debbie had suggested teachers; guide would also be appropriate, I think.
We all have people who have helped us get our footing. I mentioned one of mine here: http://twitterqueens.ning.com/profiles/blogs/what-do-i-do-once-i-am-on-here and, really, wouldn’t be as immersed in this had I not met him. So, yes, Debbie- ask the ones that you have in mind if it would be okay, then post their names and twitter handles.
LOL! And Pat, use that light sabre as you see fit :)