Inspired Real Estate For Today

They say, that we are all separated by just six degrees from every single person in the entire world.  This theory about the Human Web is a powerful reminder of the fact that we're all connected...and that connections and relationships matter!

Last week, I was in Ann Arbor, MI to teach a series of two Real Estate Continuing Education Classes, Blogging Basics for Real Estate Professionals (K1061) and Blogging Basics for Real Estate Professionals K(1062).

Prior to my experiences on the blogosphere, I would have walked into a room of complete strangers.  But, the blogosphere has a way of making strangers into friends.

Karen Moorhead was the first person I met, or should I say hugged. I had never met Karen or Marian Gregor who introduced herself next, but meeting both of these ladies felt like greeting a friend.

When Missy Caulk walked in, it was great to see her again after our first meeting in Grand Rapids last year. There were several agents from Missy's Keller Williams office and I had the opportunity to meet Chet Hill, the Broker and office manager.

One of the benefits of having fellow bloggers in the class was in the way in which their presence expanded the discussion.  Missy, Karen & Marian were generous in sharing their insights with the class in a way in which really enriched the experience for everyone. 

This is one of the most impressive contributions of the blogosphere to our profession; the sharing of ideas and the power of the synergy which this generates.  The picture above illustrates in a way, one of the ways this has impacted my learning curve.  Everyone in the flower circle is a person who I've talked with because of my blogging...an individual who I might never have met or learned from apart from this remarkable medium.

I'd have missed getting to know Jeff & Racquel Turner who are extraordinary people in so many ways, nor would I have known about Real Estate Shows, a service which has generated thousands of hits to my listings and website.  Talking with Jeff Dowler and the subsequent introduction to Amber Riviere would never have happened.  Jeff Dowler is also a trainer at heart and Amber, an innovative writer and entrepreneur.  And then last but, not least...I wouldn't have been embraced by a warm circle while visiting another city for a presentation.

 This experience has given me the privilege of a less than six degree connection through which I've talked with or met the Broker & the Lovely Wife from Florida, Midori Miller my friend and fellow trainer, Sally Cheesman in Hawaii, Jesse Clinton in Alaska, Colleen Kulikowski in upstate New York, Sara Bonert and Craig Schiller in Chicago, Lydia & Matt Heaton from Washington, Maureen Francis, Kris Wales, Russ Ravery, Sonya Loose & Gary Smith from Michigan, Carol Smith in Ohio or Steve Volkers and Michelle Gordon in Grand Rapids, MI amongst others. 

Has your world been shrinking since you started blogging?  Mine has...and I think that's a wonderful thing!

Related Articles:

Blogging Wiz, If Ever a Wiz There was! by Marian Gregor

Real Estate Blog - The BEST con-ed class I've ever attended and it ... by Kris Wales

Making the Change We Need Happen...Active Rain's Michigan Agents Lead the Way! by Lola Audu

Ann Arbor Area Board of Realtors hosts Lola Audu for Blogging Con Ed by Missy Caulk

Blogging Class Taught By the Wonderful Missy Caulk by Lisa Bender * Coming up in March!

 real estate shows: The Smartest $10.42 Investment I've Ever Made! by Lola Audu

Sometimes, a conversation with someone outside the 'industry' can put a fresh perspective on things.  This week, I had one such encounter.  In talking with some longtime clients, I had a discussion about the history of the Grand Rapids real estate market and one mans' experiences as one of the first minority agents in the area.  It was fascinating and educational.

During the conversation, I remarked about how much I would have loved to talk with some of the pioneers of that era who were now gone.  It struck me that this history might likely be lost forever, because it is largely oral history, consigned to the memories of those who were there at the time.

Having grown up in the African continent, I'm very familiar with oral history.  This is the method by which the tradition of African culture has been passed down for hundreds of generations.  And although oral history has its own richness and cadence, one of the challenges that oral historians face is that their stories are always in danger of dying with them if they are not embraced and retold by the next generation.

Written history does not come without its own issues, namely the tendency for it to be re-written and falsified, but it has proved to be more endearing.  And although it might not be as interesting in the re-telling, written history has the advantage of being able to be cataloged and preserved.

Have you ever considered that those of us who are in the real estate and financial sector right now are bearing witness to significant events that have never occurred before?  Never in the history of our nation has so much happened so quickly with such destructive force.  Never before has so little been done with so much and so many acquiesced to avoid glaring realities with stubborn ignorance. 

Will the bloggers of today be considered the written historians of tomorrow?  In a sense, aren't we the ones who were there, documenting everyday life in everyday terms as the real life crisis unfolded?  Have you considered the fact that through our blogs, we are piecing together a broad mosaic which details how the events of our times unfolded in our local areas?  Kinda puts things in a different perspective doesn't it? 

But our history will be so much richer in the telling.  For in addition to computers, real estate agents are documenting the local market scene with pictures, videos and podcasts.  The tools of analysis which are available today make it possible for us to give a detailed overview of different segments of our industry. 

For the first time, at least on a wide scale, the public has the chance to gain perspective into the personal life and challenges that agents face everyday.  This history will include professional connections and social connections as more professionals interact online.

That being the case, what would you want the next generation to know about what happened during our watch? 

Up to this time, there has never been a forum in which information that was so specific to the real estate industry was being created and deciminated to the extent that it is today.  Active Rain has been a big part of making this possible.  Now, it's our job to make sure that we tell the stories as only those of us who are here today can! 

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