There are only so many minutes in a day. And some of our precious time needs to be dedicated to online activities.
But with so many social networking opportunities available, it is easy to get overwhelmed with the enormity of it all. And to make matters worse, there are new sites starting up every day, each one trying to be the next FaceBook or MySpace.
But do you really need to be present in as many places as possible? Or is it better to concentrate on one social network and gain as much visibility as possible on that site?
My late father gave me some Internet advice in the mid-1990's that changed my online life. He suggested that my problem was that I was trying to cover too much territory with my website, and that if I wanted to increase the number of visitors, that I should focus on one subject and do it well!
The result was SmokyPhotos, which débuted in its final form in 1999, and ten years later, is still going strong. It is the dedicated result of focusing on one area of interest, and providing significant content.
So given the choice between being EVERWHERE online in some minor form or being SOMEWHERE in a complete and robust form, I'll choose the later.
After all, who wants to be watered down?
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All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate Better Homes and Gardens Metro Brokers, Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2009. Richard Weisser REOS, E-Pro. licensed Auctioneer. 770-827-6225.
Learn more about Coweta County and Fayette County Georgia Real Estate, and to search the entire Georgia MLS for free with no registration required. Visit CowetaFayetteRealEstate.com! Photos of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. North Georgia Photos.
Absolutely right. Focus, focus, focus. It's difficult when you cover as huge a territory as do I. So, I have local sites. But, the theme is still the same, buyer's agency.
Dads are smart.
Richard, What popped into my mind is that sometimes we, as agents try to cover too big a geographic area with our marketing so we find ourselves mailing out 1000 postcards or newsletters when it might be better to choose half the homes, and mail a little more often. This is not an endorsement for postcards, just an example that we all need to focus on which business we really want to capture :-)
Richard, You are right about focus. When we lose focus, things are all a blur...
Agreed, the mass of sites to join and be a part of can be overwhelming. And do I want to know who went to get a cup of coffee? or who is going to the gym? of what the dog did in the park? No, the same as I don't want the masses to know my all and everything. I do some facebook, yes, and activerain, and I work on my website.. thats about it. Otherwise I don't have time for more than a glance at anything. Chose one thing and do it well... seems to be the way to go.
Richard, I've had to give up on the ones that were fun, in order to concentrate on the ones that make money. Rich
Hi Richard. Another Great post and reminder to do what you do well. I dabble in some of the social sites but I focus on AR. It is where my business comes from now.
I too agree with your Father, concenrate on one area and blog the stew out of it.
Lenn...
Yeah, I guess that we should have listened more often! Thanks, my friend.
Barb...
I couldn't agree with you more. Focus will always get higher quality leads! THX
Michael...
They sure all! Thanks for your continued support!
I am glad you are here! AR is the most fun and informative.
Great advice Richard! Generalism is not what drives people to a site, or to make a "purchase" (or become a client as in our case). Providing specific information does!
As always, I love your photography!
I dabble a little on most of the social networking sites . I find that I am far more productive when people meet me in person. It is easy to get lost in tweets and have your messages overlooked or forgotten. I will definetely scale down and focus on the ones that are targeted and most fruitful for my business.
Gail...
That is all that I am saying here ... and you summed it up very nicely. Thank you for that!
Rich...
I was afraid that you were going to say that! lol and thanks.
Paddy...
I think that may be the best way to go for business development! Thanks for jumping in!
Richard, your Dad is a wise man. What is that old say, "Jack of all trades and master of none." Although I have profiles on some of the other sites, I seem to concentrate on ActiveRain.
Great post and Beautiful Photos!
You're Dad was right....he was definitely business saavy!!!
The question to ask is "Are you doing this to ENTERTAIN yourself...or to SUSTAIN yourself?"
In my opinion...the primary purpose of your business is to SUSTAIN you. To provide the money for everything else in your life.
I see a lot of people focused on the entertainment part, while their business is struggling.
Richard - very often Less is More. Find your niche and focus on it. Great advice.
Hi Richard,
This reminds me of the old saying 'Jack of all trades, master of none.'
Richard - what a wonderful reminder to get back to basics. Your father was a wise man.
We can be good at many things, but we excel when we narrow the field.
Thanks!
Thanks for the reminder. It's easy to get sucked into it all, because it's fun. I like to get results in life. And I like doing things where have success. You post on facebook... someone responds. I've heard you start tweeting, people start following (I still don't get why...) But it takes looking for the tangible benefit, and sticking with that. If you are too spread out, you may get benefit, but the cost will be family, friends, and the details of your business that you don't have time to do. And don't forget to hug your dog.
trying to cover too much territory with my website, and that if I wanted to increase the number of visitors, that I should focus on one subject and do it well
Wise words from your pop Richard !!!
Hope you are doing well and your year is ticking over successfully !
Cheers !
Sheldon
Rich, great advise, I've tried to get away from being everywhere with marketing and focusing on just a few things. Getting involved with Facebook and AR are the only two new things that I've done over the past few years. Focusing your marketing not only saves you time but $$$$$.
Richard, I have wondered about this and think I have attempted to be in too many places at once and yes...watering down my presence. Thanks for your post; it is an excellent reminder to F O C U S. Lately I have been so busy I barely have time to post or comment or add to my Localism info and that is a mixed blessing!
Evelyn...
I'm with you on that! Thanks for the comment.
Mel...
And I'm glad to be here too! Thanks, sweetie!
Pam...
Specific is good, especially when it comes to SEO! THX my friend.
Richard: Your father's advice is right on. The saying, "jack of all trades, master of none" is around for a reason. Better results come from focus and you are so good at that. And your photos were a great place to start the focus.
.....being SOMEWHERE in a complete and robust form, I'll choose the later.
Me too! Robusto with gusto ....woohoo!
Richard, many people don't understand focus. I think you have come to understand it well.
Richard, I do believe one can spread themselves to thin. No different than when we used to advertize in 4-6 newspapers each week!
Focus is so important Richard, your dad was right. Thank you for the reminder!
Also love the photos, as usual!
Richard...Agreed. But, you have to decide where you are in your business and business plan and then decide what will work best for you.
I'm on Facebook and Twitter. And I'm only on Twitter when at my desk. I can "tweet" FROM my PDA, but I don't receive them there. I've yet to figure out how to send a picture to Twitter! There's something to work on! I get alot out of Twitter just from the sites I pick up that people send out. I've learned things I probably never would have!
Then there's Active Rain.....a.k.a. Information Overload! But I love gettin' wet! It just takes some balance!
I agree RW. It is important not to be too general & try to put so many logs on the fire. Focus on a few & you will be successful. kM
Focusing on one area can certainly make you better in that area. I feed my blog to several other sites, that way I get the exposure, but I do not have to spend a lot of my time there.
I'm just trying to find the time for AR much less any of the others!
Richard - Not only are we in danger of watering ourselves down, but social media itself may be watering itself down. When people can't decide between which of the gajillion services, they may just opt to not participate at all. Its a good point though, where we choose to focus is important and not focusing can be devastating. I'm trying to develop more focus lately and I'm finding that the more I focus, the more I get out of any one item.
Hi Richard,
I have joined many web sites just to get my name, business, and listings out there....example- plaxo, twitter, biggerpockets. AR is the only one I blog and network on.