Is there only one, or more than one solution?

This latest news from Market Leader speaks of linking Internet Data Exchange (IDX) feeds that list some 1.6 million properties with selected agents within the company’s matrix (network) to take advantage of exclusive leads and customer relationship features. At least this is the report from Inman News we read. That article goes on to reflect however, a much bigger story, one of territorial end-fighting and splitting of hairs even.

The company that bought RealEstate.com versus the other side of the Internet sales aisle, and all those accustomed to MLS listings and the current online listing model on the other. At issue is basically the what the National Association of Realtors allows as far as these feeds are concerned. RealEstate.com basically forces the issue of “how” IDX listings get listed, with ads or without, with lead generation forms or without, and so on. More critically though, the fact that brokers cannot “opt out” of being listed on RealEstate.com as is the case with Trulia and Zillow, this is the real rub.

To break this all down, an agency that has listings in a particular MLS, Multiple Listing Service Property Information Network Inc. (MLSPIN) is the Inman use case, is forced to show their listing via RealEstate.com by virtue of being in the MLS basically. In a very real way what Market Leader accomplishes here is a sort of game changing control dynamic, one that actually polarizes the real estate pro market too.

It all boils down to a somewhat controversial bout between real estate franchisers, who won a bid to the NAR to display the IDX listings of affiliated brokerages that was later rescinded when complaints flourished, and brokerages like HomeServices of America Inc.  When all is said and done Market Leader, or any online real estate player, is in the game to push product. In the case of Market Leader, services like their websites for brokers, positioning and feedback from and on key sites like RealEstate.com, PPC campaigns, and other marketing offerings. Ian Morris’s (video above) company has just about every end covered when it comes to sales leads.

Whether or not agents, buyers, and sellers find Market Leader’s tactics with favor or not is not at issue for the moment, what seems more important is the pulling at straws that takes place within the industry. A technicality here, an uncrossed “t” there, when the housing market is still suffering its most crippling blow ever. One has to marvel at the big game being played for position. But then, that’s what business is about, right? One thing you have to give Market Leader a lot of credit for is bringing RealEstate.com down to the local level. Not many big time players have done this well.

More on real visibility as the story grows. Oh, and Market Leader, if you really want more solutions for leads… mail me.

RealEstate.com Atlanta site – Market Leader has done this right

Oh. One hint too, don’t profess Pinterest, G+, Twitter, Facebook or any expertise you are not entrenched in. Now Inman News? They have Pinterest down.

Throughout history, from pre-language communications to the new social media, connection has been the catalyst for cultural evolution.  Connection is about sharing ideas, but in 2011, when advertisers entice us to “like” them on FaceBook, and marketers measure their effectiveness by how many Twitter followers they can acquire, the quality of  the connection has been eroded.

It seems to this writer that a little clarity is in order where our so called “conversation” is concerned here on the web. I don’t think it is uncommon to acquire thousands of friends, followers, and fans without knowing who they are and without establishing connection, other than names appearing on the same list.

Eric Qualman says ‘Facebook me” is the new “can I get your phone number”.  There  just seems to be some comfort in those online friends, so many more that we could manage, or even hope to connect with in real life.  Facebook is becoming the new Rolodex.

Less is more

Todd Carpenter, social media manager for the National Association of REALTORS® has been trimming his Facebook friends for the past year:

“Why? I feel that when it comes to Facebook, or any social network for that matter, having a friend shouldn’t be taken too lightly. Today, after months of quietly deleting “friends,” I can say with confidence that the 400 who remain truly are my friends—online and in the real world.”

Todd’s article Less is Definitely more, is well thought out and definitely worth a read.

You are my best Facebook AND Twitter friend Jiminy!

How many of those friends do we really know?  How many of them would you be willing to have dinner with, or invite over to meet your spouse? I have implemented the Birthday Test for trimming my Facebook friends.   On your Facebook home page, in the right column, there is a list of your friends who have birthdays that day.  Click a profile; think about why you “friended” this person; then look for the friendship link on the top right.

If there is no commonality or no record of previous interactions, go back to their profile and unfriend them.  Chances are you will never hear  from them, but if you do, you can always refriend them if there is good reason.  Also, if you get friend requests, you don’t HAVE to  friend them.  If  you don’t feel there is a relationship, or potential relationship there, there is no need to accept.

Okay, but one of my bestest friends, honest!

Do you friend your clients and customers?

I  “friend” my customers and clients on Facebook whenever  I can.  The openness of the medium enhances business relationships too.  Yet  Inman News writer, Bernice Ross, suggested last week that real estate professionals  “unfriend” their clients for confidentiality reasons,  implying there might be some liability if one of your friends’ personal information is shared with a third party.  Social media is about interaction and engagement, and it is the responsibility of individuals to protect their own privacy within their own comfort level.  This not only applies to Facebook, but to all the social platforms.  Remember, what you put on the internet is available to everyone – The World is Watching.

Joe Spake is a Consultant and Real Estate Broker in Memphis, Tennessee.  His blogs are Joe Spake’s Weblog and Memphis Real Estate Buzz.