World’s First Rhyming Social Media Blog Post

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Today, to celebrate my first post in quite a while, I want to write something fun about social media.

There are already plenty of blog posts about the topic (including some excellent posts on Business2). And, there are already plenty of rhymes. But, until now, there has never been a rhyming social media blog post. (as far as I know)

It is, therefore, my distinct pleasure to introduce to you this world’s first–in its global premiere.

World’s First Rhyming Social Media Blog Post

“Social media, should I use you?”
That is my query.
Tumblr. Twitter. Facebook.
“YES!” is my theory. (1)

On this climb start many.
Many give up.
If I paid you a penny,
would you Tweet me to the top? (2)

They say to study others,
Learn from the barely surviving.
So your tail is well covered,
Put in toe before diving. (3)

You must talk, talk, talk, talk.
It’s 24/7.
Cluetrains don’t stop,
Even if a rest would be heaven. (4)

What’s cheap is expensive,
When you’re paying in blood.
Not to cause apprehension,
Customers can now make your name mud. (5)

Follow the lessons Gary has given.
Go online with compassion,
And up, up, up sales will be driven. (6)

This is really just for fun, and I’m no poet. It does, however, point to some truths. Below, I give a little more information about each verse.

Verse (1)
For 100 years or more, traditional media let businesses broadcast messages in one direction. Social media let us start two-way conversations.

Many people in real estate already understand how this will change their business. For example, I am doing some consulting work with LJ Hooker, and I have been impressed by the excellent social media training they offer their network. I’d be interested to hear what other agencies are doing, as well.

Verse (2)

Lots of people have tried social media marketing. A Burson-Marstellar study of 20 excellent corporate brands found this:

“A large number of companies have dipped a toe in the social media arena without following through. The study revealed a lot of inactive accounts, which could suggest ad-hoc efforts with no clear strategy for online stakeholder engagement.”

Many people who try and then give up blame the medium, and say social media is too immature to be useful. That’s like saying a trumpet is broken because the first 100 people who pick it up suck, as Gary Vaynerchuck wrote in The Thank You Economy.

Luckily for you, you have the world’s first ever rhyming social media blog post and Business2, the world’s best real estate blog, to help you figure it out. Nothing can stop you now!

Verse (3)

It pays to learn from the mistakes of those who have blown it. Take the same precaution with your social media strategy that you would before jumping into a swimming pool: dip your toe in first.

Start small, test the waters, and learn to swim. Then begin to take on bigger challenges.

Verse (4)
Social media look cheap, but they take their payment in blood.

Opening a Twitter account is as easy as checking your email. But, it’s a bit like hiding inside of a refrigerator. It’s easy to get in, but once the door closes, you can’t get back out.

To use social media productively takes a lot of time and dedication. It will probably also require some changes to your business that go beyond adding your Twitter account to your business card.

But, yes. It will be worth it.
Verses (5) and (6)
Word of mouth today has much more power than before social media. Tools like Facebook and Twitter give your customers the ability to say things about your brand persuasively and to a huge audience. Before, it was limited to the people they could conceivably talk to, email or call on the phone in a day.

Overwhelm them with kindness and excellent customer service, and they will become loyal fans and customers. Give them crap service, and they will make your name mud.

The Gary I mention in verse (6) is Gary Vaynerchuck, founder of tv.winelibrary.com and author of the The Thank You Economy. You could write a book about this topic, but he’s much smarter than I and has already done it. It’s the book about social media I have liked best.

For now, I hope you enjoyed this rhyming blog post as a bit of fun.

PS: Some real experts regularly read and contribute to this blog. If you have any social media questions, I’m sure they or I would be happy to respond below in the comments field.

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10 Comments

  • Peter Ricci
    Posted November 9, 2011 at 5:25 pm 0Likes

    Welcome back Mr Dave Platter
    Great to see you havent lost your sense of humour 🙂

  • Arthur
    Posted November 9, 2011 at 5:42 pm 0Likes

    There is certainly a need for investment but it doesn’t need to be hours,per day. Just remember that it is social media not PR media. Engage and interact so that people get to know you and what you have to offer.

  • Charlie
    Posted November 9, 2011 at 5:51 pm 0Likes

    Brilliant!

  • Dave Platter
    Posted November 9, 2011 at 6:39 pm 0Likes

    Thanks, Charlie and Peter! I appreciate the kind words.

    Arthur, you are 100% right about engaging and interacting. It’s just that all that interacting takes a lot of time.

    For example, sometimes, I just leave a note for my wife about something, because having a discussion about it could go on forever.

    (Just kidding, honey.)

  • David
    Posted November 10, 2011 at 12:27 am 0Likes

    Wow. this is nice rhyming. I have not seen anything like this before.

  • Trish van Tussenbroek
    Posted November 10, 2011 at 11:00 am 0Likes

    Welcome back Dave!

    This is so very true, one point that I would add is that with social media, it’s meant to be social. There is no yelling and selling “I have one do you want it” doesn’t matter if it’s an ipad or a property. Engagement is the key. like Arthur said.

    The other point is that just like email and phone calls, people get very annoyed, if they communicate with you and you don’t respond. Just like Gary Vaynerchuck talks about the Thank You Economy, just remember the “you are rude, don’t respond so now I am going to tell everyone about it” downside!

    I find it can be as simple as:

    1. When you realise that social media is for you, ask yourself what you want to get out of it, what you have to share and how much time you have to invest in it.
    2. If you find that the answer to those questions is “I don’t know”, “Not much” and “Not a lot”, wait till you have some of those answers, or talk with someone who has some experience in that area.

    And as someone involved in social media and has an interest in the real estate industry I have to ask…. guys please don’t add your properties into your CRM, export them to Facebook and Twitter and then tell people you are into social media. It takes more than that and if you are not checking, engaging or adding more to the conversation than “Just Listed” people will judge you, stop listening and probably report you as spam! (Sorry I had to add it as this one drives me crazy!) 🙂

  • Dave Platter
    Posted November 10, 2011 at 9:05 pm 0Likes

    Thanks, Dave. Thanks, Trish. Trish you make some great points. Thanks for sharing!

    I always wince when I see a Facebook account that just consists of property listings!

  • Trish van Tussenbroek
    Posted November 11, 2011 at 10:48 am 0Likes

    Yep me too!

    The other bad one is when you send a mention to a twitter @ name like “hey @agent what time is the open home on Saturday for that home in x suburb” and there is no reply as it is all automated and no human checks it!

  • pre purchase property inspections
    Posted November 30, 2011 at 5:25 pm 0Likes

    Simply Awesome !!!
    Great sense of humor.It’s my first experience never before seen anything like this.
    Thanks for sharing !!!!

  • Dave Platter
    Posted November 30, 2011 at 6:31 pm 0Likes

    Thanks, pre purchase property inspections. I appreciate it.

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