REBarCamp Lives On!

This post is long overdue considering the gentleman that sent me these praises, did so WAY back in August.  At any rate it seems like a year has past since then and the wheels keep turning.  Mike Price had initiated the next REBarCamp in Houston and it happens just next Wednesday, Oct. 22nd.  From what I understand in talking to Mike, they are expecting this to be another stellar event of countless possibilities.

Here’s what a few happy campers had to say about San Francisco’s inaugural event back in July:

Jacob Morgan – I found out about the event through being involved in the social media space and knowing folks like you and Andy Kaufman (which by the way is a great enough case study, without social media, I would have never known about the event). If came to the event for several reasons.  First of all I am launching a company in the social media and real estate space and I wanted to see what challenges real estate professionals are facing and what tools they are using.  Social media has a lot of applications in virtually any industry, the challenge seems to be finding out how social media can be applied to YOUR particular industry.  In the case of real estate, which is an extremely relationship based field, social media, when used properly, can definitely help build relationships and leads.

I learned a few things, first of all there is no substituted for quality relationships, sure social media can help build those relationships but face time is also crucial, especially in real estate.  I also learned about how some of the real estate folks are (or aren’t) using social media.  It seems that the real estate industry, which has a very traditional approach, is changing.  Real Estate professionals are going to have to learn how to use the various social media tools out there, or they are going to have a very difficult time succeeding in the competitive landscape.  As I have said and continue to believe, social media is a way of life, it should not be treated as solely a marketing medium.  You have to be honest, original, transparent, and above all authentic, meaning be yourself.  There is no point in building a solid online relationship with someone with a fake persona, because once you meet in real life, the relationship will be shattered. Look forward to the next event Brad!

Andrew M. Isreal – I run a successful web-zine in Aspen, Colorado: www.AspenSpin.com as well as a niche Real Estate brokerage, www.AjaxRE.com .  I’m in SF for the summer to “tech up”.  I’m a little older (in fact I’m considered–the “world’s oldest intern”) than most of the tech geeks in town, and therefore i still like old fashioned face-to-face networking. REBarCamp confirmed for me that to succeed in a very crowded on-line market place—one STILL needs to employ fundamental business principals.  There is no “secret code” for success on-line.  Listening to my colleagues helped me clarify that tech–is just another tool–albeit a powerful one. The three most salient points that i took home from RE Bar Camp:

1. Content is King.  If it’s boring or uninformative—they will not come.

2. Be authentic.  If your content is real–people will relate to it and  hopefully engage you.

3. K.I.S.S.  Keep it simple stupid.  You don’t need to be the super-duper tech wiz to make the intenet work for you.  Provide ”value added content” for your customers and prospective customers and you’ll be successful.  But don’t only do tech—get out there and make some deals the old fashioned way, market knowledge, contacts and hard work.

Payam Soleymani – I found REBarCamp through facebook’s news feeds.  I checked out the official site, and I saw the number of real estate rock stars attending.  I knew this “unconference” was going to make history, and I had to be part of it.  Presentations were conversations, speakers were your new friends, and the audience were the panelists.  The side chats in the halls will produce some amazing mash-ups.  REBarCamp is like a hot start-up… it’s biggest hurdle will be how to scale its growth.