Category Archives: social media

social media

social media for real estate

I have never used my blog to solicit business.  However, I understand that there are professionals who read this that might want some help.  So read on if you like.  Ignore if you want, too.

This past Friday I had the opportunity to speak and present at the first REBarcampTO (Real Estate Barcamp Toronto).  There were hundreds of people in attendance who were hungry to learn and were humble enough to admit it. 

My journey in social media has been a natural one because of my work as a marketer.  I understand that real estate agents may not “get” the social media world.

So, I’m excited to offer my services to the real estate industry.

Here’s what I can offer:

  • how to properly use Twitter to increase your circle of influence and prospects.
  • how to use YouTube to showcase yourself, neighbourhood, and listings.
  • how to make blogging work for you.
  • what Facebook can do for you.
  • why you should use LinkedIn.

I can do a one-on-one session or a team session.  We can sit down for an hour or do 4 one hour sessions.

If you’re interested in talking, send me an email to karim at techvibes dot com.  I’ll be glad to help you out.

blog, social media, twitter

quiet noise

I remember when I used to work at one of Canada’s big banks.  During my last year there the tellers (of which I was one) finally received internet access on our terminals.

I used this “privilege” as much as I could.  Especially emails.  My siblings and cousins would exchange dozens of emails a day.  We would be discussing irrelevant things like why this hockey team sucks or why that business venture was a scam.

Today, we still communicate online via email.  the discussion have changed little.  However, sometimes we wish “such and such a company” would change the way they do things.  And this gets me thinking:

The company or brand we are talking about can’t read our emails.  We are having a private and closed conversation.  Not only can the brand not participate but maybe there are customers or fans that want to chime in.  They can’t because they don’t even know there is a conversation happening.

Unless we take these conversation public or open.

And this is where blogs, Twitter and Facebook groups come into play.  Using these tools to have conversations allows a few things to happen when we’re talking about brands:

  1. We open up the conversation to people with similar or differing views.  This is a good thing because at times we think the way we’re seeing things is the only way to see things.
  2. We open up the debate to the brands.  Now this is interesting.  What the brand does is up to them.

As a fan and consumer of brands here’s what I’m hoping:

That they’re “listening”.  Companies should be using these listening tools to listen to what is being said about them so that they can improve their product or even their messaging.

Whether or not a company decides to jump into the conversation is up for debate.  Listening is the start.

Now, getting back to these conversations…

If you’ve got something to say, here is what I would suggest:  say it loud.  Use a public forum so that as least something has the chance of being done about it.

Otherwise consider the email you sent to your cousin griping about “such and such a company” to be nothing but quiet noise.

crowdsourcing, social media

Let’s play ball fans

I don’t pretend to have all the answers. Nor do I look at everything as “the glass is half full.” However, I must say that the current attendance numbers for our Toronto Blue Jays is a little concerning. Ok, very concerning.

The Jays, again, are off to a hot start. There is no competition from the Maple Leafs or the Raptors and Toronto FC are off to a horrible start again.

10,610 paying customers walked into the Rogers Centre last night. This was only two days after selling out the place during Opening Day.

This is the problem.

As a baseball fan and as a fan of the Blue Jays I want to help. And I’m hoping you want to help too.

So, for the next 7 days please leave a comment. Really, leave a suggestion or two. (If you’re reading this on Facebook, please take the time to come on over to www.KarimKanji.com and fill out the comments section)  And invite your friends and fellow fans to come hear and voice their opinion.

Here’s the question I’m asking:

What should the Toronto Blue Jays do to increase the average attendance to games to 30,000 this year?

Why?

I’m going to set up a meeting with the person in charge of marketing and social media and share with him our thoughts and suggestion. (He is starting to listen and has agreed to meet with me and a colleague to hear our thoughts.)

Thank you for reading.

Let’s play ball!

blog, social media, sports

Mainstream Media vs Bloggers – Part 2

You can find Part One here.  It was written by Eric Smith.

Some of you may know Eric.  He’s on The FAN590 here in Toronto.  He’s also the voice of the Toronto Raptors basketball team.  He also blogs, tweets, does video blogs and makes himself available to the fans, public and to bloggers like me.

So, after Eric posted his article he got attacked.  Viciously it seems.  Unfairly as well.

I’ve had the opportunity to interview Eric for Techvibes.  Back last December, this is a bit of what I wrote:

The ability for people to self-publish blogs creates the perception that all authours are experts which is far from true.  Eric feels the ability to be properly accredited and cultivate important contacts is a privilege that most independent bloggers don’t have.  Traditional sports media are still able to access player and coach interviews as well as seek sources that the average Joe probably can’t. 

I’m not an expert in media or blogging.  Although I report for Techvibes, I don’t consider myself a reporter.  I’ve even done presentations where I admit that I don’t even consider myself “media”.  And I don’t even think I can hold a keyboard to some of the more prolific bloggers out there.

But what really upsets me about this situation is that various sports blogs seem to have bashed on Eric’s opinion.  It’s one thing to have an opinion.  It’s quite another to think that just because someone is a blogger this means that they are more objective or have more to offer. 

As bloggers, here is what we have to offer.  Our unbiased opinion.  And really, that’s all.  What Eric Smith provides is opinion as well.  However, he has the ability to access people, events and information that we can’t.  The only way we get information is from people like Eric.

There is a place for both bloggers and msm.  To take the low road and bash someone because of their job is classless.

That’s just my opinion.  What’s your’s?

social media, twitter

Why I started @karimsreplies

It’s been a while wince I’ve blogged here.  If you’re wondering why I’ve been so quiet, I haven’t really.  I just need to focus on when I’m going to write or video blog here.  I have, however, been writing up a storm over at Techvibes.  There’s a link over to the right of this post to some of my stuff.

But before I go I have to tell you about @karimsreplies.

Many of you may know that I tweet.  Alot.  Not that much.  Guess it depends who you ask.  One of the things I found was that I was responding to alot of tweets.  And that’s a good thing.  The problem was that everyone would receive these tweets.  And sometimes this is not a good thing.  There is something called “noise”.  Noise is the stuff on Twitter and other social media platforms that doesn’t add any value. 

The question about value is relative.  If you don’t like the comment then it’s noise.  And then there’s the issue with Facebook.  All of my tweets end up on Facebook.  Some people think I’m the only one alive when they visit their Facebook pages.

So I have decided to fix it.  Partially. 

I’m still tweeting from @karimkanji.  And I encourage you to follow me.  Your IQ will actually increase as will your coolness factor. 

However, I will respond to tweets via @karimsreplies to help keep the noise down.  People can still follow me at @karimsreplies but now you know my purpose in tweeting from @karimsreplies.

I’ve been asked, “Why not just DM?”  Two reasons:  One, not everyone follows everyone.  And to DM someone on Twitter we need to be following each other.  Two, some people actually are interested in following the conversations happening over at @karimsreplies. 

So, if I’m your friend on Facebook you can thank me for the noticeable decline in tweets.  Also, if you’re a heavy tweeter, think about opening another Twitter account just to reply to people.  You’re still engaging but you’ll be a little less annoying.  And my sister says that’s a good thing.

social media

Podcasts

I enjoy podcasts.  Listening to them.  I’m trying to figure out how to podcast but until then I’ll be satisfied with listening to them.

Most of you know what a podcast is so I won’t bore you with an explanation. 

What I want to do today is tell you why I enjoy podcasts (the audio version for now).  Then I’ll tell you some of the one’s I subscribe to. 

So, why listen to podcasts?  Here’s my explanation:  Most of them you can’t get on the radio.  There are alot of really smart people who just happen to podcast.  For example, maybe you like archeology.  Not many radio stations offer such programming.  But maybe there’s a guy or gal who podcasts about this subject.  If you’re interested, you’ll listen.  And, at a time when you want to.

And that’s a great second reason.  Maybe there’s a radio program you do enjoy but don’t have the time to listen when it’s aired.  Well, with technology being so user friendly, you can enjoy your favourite program when you have the time to listen to it.

Finally, podcasting gives me an opportunity to learn about things that interest and intrigue me from people who are experts.  And that’s priceless!

Karim’s Favourite Podcasts:

  1.  Between The Ropes.  I’m a mark for professional wrestling.  Don’t ask me why.  It’s the same reason some of you watch The Hills, Young and the Restless or even Poker.  You just do.  The show is based out of Orlando, Florida and the hosts are amazing.  Brian, Vito and D’Lo offer their community amazing insight and commentary while interviewing some of wrestling’s past and current stars.
  2. Spark.  Hosted by the amazing Nora Young, “Spark is a weekly audio blog of smart and unexpected trendwatching. It’s not just technology for gearheads, it’s about the way technology affects our lives, and the world around us.” 
  3. The Moth.  True stories told on stage without notes in front of crowds.  That’s the concept of this great podcast.  This not-for-profit storytelling organization features unknown as well as popular speakers from various backgrounds and industries.  Prepare to laugh and sometimes cry.   
  4. Media Hacks (Six Pixels of Separation – Twist Image).  This is my newest find.  And it’s a gem.  Media Hacks features Canada’s and America’s top marketing and social media personalities.  Media Hacks (found on the SPOS-TI podcast) discusses “media, technology, publishing, culture and how we all interact with it and build community”.

There’s a few other I listen to on occasion and a few other I’m checking out.  And maybe one day, I’ll do my own podcast.

Do you podcast or listen to podcasts?  What are your favourites?  Have you listened to the one’s listed above?  As always, I look forward to the conversation…

reading, social media

Trust Agents

I’ve completed my first book of 2010 even thought I started in 2009. 

Trust Agents – Using the Web to Build Influence, Improve Reputation, and Earn Trust was written by Chris Brogan and Julien Smith.  Click on the names to follow these trend setters on Twitter as well as on their own personal blogs.

So what is this book about?  

Trust Agents, in my opinion, is the authours attempt to outline how to properly use the Web.  You see, many people think that just by blogging, being on Facebook and tweeting is enough.  The first thing I thought was that I will get on these tools and people will want to know what I know.  They will want to buy what I’m selling.  I’ll be rich in no time flat.  How wrong was I.

Over time I have figured out that it is very important to create something of value and to engage in the various communities.  Trust Agents makes the case for this using examples and the authour’s own personal experiences.

What’s next.

Here’s what I’ve done.  First, I’ve renamed the title and focus of this blog.  “Being helpful” is a simple yet very powerful statement.  It means that I will attempt to be helpful in the blog posts here.

Second, on Twitter I aim to re-tweet (RT) interesting and informative tweets from other people.  I do this because there are other people who have lots to offer.  And I’m smart enough to know that I don’t know everything.

Third, get involved.  Join and attend a MeetUp.  It can be formal or informal.  But engage in and with the community you want to influence.  Whether you are looking for a job, career change or want to sell your wares to.  The technology may have changed but the rules of personal engagement have not.  It is still important to place value on people and to treat them as human beings rather than just faceless consumers.

There will still be posts that I blog about that are personal to me.  I might have another suggestion for the Blue Jays or maybe even a guest post or two.  You’ll also get an update on the books I have completed reading.  And on Twitter, you’ll also come across tweets on articles that I write for other sites.  You may even notice that I also tweet about stuff I like.  In 140 characters one can only be so helpful.  Being human also means having a personality.

As Mike Wilner and the fine folks at Drunk Jays Fans says, 
Reasonable and Rational comments are welcome!
social media

Family & Social Media

I’m in England for 2 more days. It’s partly thanks to the good folks at Flight Centre.

(Follow some of the links below to see some of the places I’ve visited on my trip “back home”.)

I’m a big fan of social media and am presently studying it to better understand it’s implications on business, the charity/non-profit world, and work. Many people use tools like Facebook and Flickr to also keep in touch with friends and family from around the world.

What do these two separate, but related, topics have in common?

Because of, in my case, Facebook, Twitter, email and YouTube, I’ve been able to “document” my life for everyone to see. And I’m not vain enough to hope that millions of people will follow me. Only those interested will – family and friends.

And as a result, I’ve also been able to keep track of the lives of my family and friends. So what do we do when we finally meet at a family wedding after years of being apart? We laugh, tell jokes, and enjoy each other’s company without having to resort to the always polite, but sometimes boring, “How are you?”, “What have you been up to?”, “My your kids have grown!”

Conversations tend to be more in depth. We don’t feel like we’ve wasted time visiting a museum , shopping or getting toys for kids. We enjoy the time while it lasts.

For example, my sister and I may see our brother once a year or maybe once every two years. However, because of the relative low cost of long-distance calls, email, Facebook, Twitter, blogs and our yearly hockey playoff pool we feel like we are in constant touch. So when it’s time to say goodbye, well, it’s not really goodbye.

It’s more of, “Talk to you later!”