social media

last 5 questions of 2010 featuring Daniel Patricio!

Today is the final day for my “5 questions” feature.  We will be back in 2011.   So keep your eyes focused here in 2011.  Happy New Year.

What motivates you to do what you do on a daily basis?

We work with companies to help them understand what makes their brands tick and work on campaigns to them reach out to those passionate communities.

There is nothing more inspiring than working with people who are passionate about their craft.

Do you have any success start-up tips for people wanting to create a name for themselves in your industry?

I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for great events like GenYTO and Sprout Up and the connections made through blogging and Twitter.

However if you really want to create a name for yourself you have stop going to events, stop reading blogs and build something, there are far too many people out there just with ideas – go build something.

Toronto has a vibrant community of people with great ideas and many out there who genuinely want to help out but you need to walk the walk before you can talk the talk.

In your opinion why is Toronto a hotbed for cool tech start-ups?

Toronto is the gateway to Canadian advertising, a hub for smart and creative people and per capita we are one of the most wired and digital cities.

I do think we still have some ways to go to cross the chasm and really help and support these creative start-ups but it is a great place to start and there are already some bright spots emerging in the mobile sector.

What’s your favorite tech toy and social media site and why?

I am split between my Kindle and my iPad these days. I am a voracious reader and nothing so far has managed to beat the reading experience of the Kindle.

That being said the iPad feels like you are holding the future in your hands and from a news consumption perspective it has amazing.

Social media site? Everyone knows I am a Facebook Fan boy and I have been really impressed with the speed by which they have grown and the velocity that their engineering team is pushing out products.

Mark my words, the new Facebook Inbox is going to cause serious problems for RIM and Blackberry. It is a BBM killer rather than an email killer. I am looking forward to it.

Who would you say is one of Toronto’s social media/tech stars and why?

First I have to give credit to Sunta Sem from our team at Orange Rhino who doesn’t always get her name in the headlines when one of our campaigns are a success but she is an integral part of everything we do. We have big plans for her next year and she has been the best investment I have made in my business.

The GenY teams of Renee Warren, Casie Stewart, Erin Bury and Dave Coleman have already made their mark on the community but there is still a lot these smart folks have in store professionally and for the global GenY community.

I also have to mention the super star teams at Jet Cooper, BNOTIONS and The Biz Media. The amount of growth I have seen from them over the last year has been astounding and I know they are going big next year. If you get the chance to sit down with Alkarim, Satish or Guy they will be able to tell you what is really going on in the city at a grassroots level.

digital media, social media

you didn’t know?

“You’re not?”

“You didn’t know? I sent an email out?”

The above was the beginning of a conversation that happened a few times last night during an event that saw some of Toronto’s newest and hottest start-ups gather to celebrate the birthday of one Alkarim Nasser of BNOTIONS fame.  

I honestly thought everyone knew.  Well, at least everyone who ought to know.  Know what?

I’m not with Techvibes anymore.  It has been a few weeks now.  I’m not their Toronto Community Manager and I’m not affiliated with them in any capacity anymore.  The reasons don’t matter.

Here is what does matter:

  1. With your help, we added more than 30,000 unique Toronto-based visitors on a monthly basis to Techvibes.com in just under one year.
  2. My passion for the Toronto tech start-up scene continues.  Which is one of the reasons why I started Social Media Show with Perpetual Radio Networks this past summer.  (There will be a slight re-branding of the show to reflect the next item below!)
  3. Together with Carolyn Van we have launched a new business called thirdocean:  thirdocean is an open & fluid space filled with currents of social interaction, digital communication & data.

That being said, I am very excited by what the New Year will bring.  I hope you will continue to read, follow and interact with me in the digital and protein spaces in 2011.  I plan on “making waves”.  Really big ones!

digital media

ibidbroker.com for real estate – post 22 of 31

marketing in a social age is devoting 31 posts this month to social and digital media and the real estate industry.

iBidBroker.com just might be the website that current and future homeowners use to source out a potential real estate agent.  I would suggest learning as much as you can about their services as possible.

The second thing I would do is, if you’re a Realtor, register on their website. Allow yourself to be searchable on this site.  And allow others to bid on your services.

Here’s a short video explaining a little bit about iBidBroker.com and their founder, Ajay Jain.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5XeOVp7FtI]

blog, digital media, social media, twitter

pulse for real estate – post 21 of 31

marketing in a social age is devoting 31 posts this month to social and digital media and the real estate industry.

Their product used to be called Radar at one point in time.  That was I first met the nice guys from big time design and communication inc.

That was back in the spring of this year.  I went on to write about them in both Techvibes and the RealCashCanada blog.

Now their product is called Pulse.  But it’s still as innovative and useful as it was the day I met them.

So here’s an edited version of what I wrote earlier this year:

As a consumer you’ve been inundated with a barrage of emails from your favourite retailers.  How would you like to pick and choose how and when you receive these messages?

As a Realtor  you’ve been wondering how to use technology to effectively engage with your consumers.

Enter big time design and communication inc. and their product called Pulse.

According to their website, Pulse “improves message effectiveness by adapting content for a customer’s preferred communication method.”

For their clients, “Pulse empowers companies with the ability to segment information, promotions and messaging so that customers can choose what is relevant to them, and only receive that information.”

“Before Pulse, social media marketing was handled much like traditional advertising; getting exposure anywhere and anytime without being concerned with relevance of message or brand.” says Karim Awad, Director at big time.

“Customers were saddled with the burden of seeking out the information that mattered to them in the sea of social media chatter.  Now, they can ask for that information and receive it outside of that chatter.”

digital media, social media

facebook places for real estate – post 20 of 31

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marketing in a social age is devoting 31 posts this month to social and digital media and the real estate industry.

This past summer I wrote a blog post on RealCashCanada.com about Facebook Places from a real estate perspective.  It might be a little dated but the information it contains is still valuable for real estate agents.

Facebook Places has arrived.  What is Facebook Places?  Well, many of you probably have heard of Yelp, Gowalla and/or Foursquare.

These are what are known as location-based social networking apps.

You may have heard about these types of apps.  However, most Canadian real estate agents don’t seem to be using them.  However, almost all real estate agents have heard of Facebook and almost all of them (you) actively use Facebook.  Which is why you’ll come to know and learn about Facebook Places.

And I suggest learning about it ASAP.  It is true that Places has yet to arrive in Canada (although it is available in the U.S.) but the time to learn about the marketing and business implications of Places is now.  Why?  Because most Canadian real estate professionals won’t bother learning about Places until it arrives in Canada.  Get a leg up on the competition now.

Marketing:

Here are some things to consider on how to use Places:

  • Open House announcements.  Tell your network of friends, co-workers, associates, clients and prospects about the properties you are selling.
  • Listings.  Many real estate agents have put links to their listings on Facebook.  Now you’ll be able to let all your Facebook friends – via Places – about the homes you are selling.
  • Tagging prospects/clients.  Do you know the type of property your client is seeking?  Put it on Places and tag your friend/client so that they can take a look at it.
  • Tagging other agents.  Let other agents know about your inventory by tagging them.

These are just some preliminary tips and suggestions.

Another thing I would highly recommend is getting on Foursquare (or another location-based app) and learning how to use it and figuring out some business applications.  That way, when Places comes to Canada you’ll be ready to learn and adapt it to your marketing plan.

Do you have any suggestions on how to use Facebook Places or Foursquare for marketing your real estate business?


digital media

homes on mobile phones for real estate – post 19 of 31

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marketing in a social age is devoting 31 posts this month to social and digital media and the real estate industry.

I first wrote the following post for Techvibes on November 20, 2009.

You remember the last time you were scouting a neighbourhood looking for your home?  There it was! It looked, from the outside, to be the perfect place. However, there was a slight problem. The Open House was tomorrow and you were not going to be able to make it.

So you drove away sad in the knowledge that this one wasn’t THE one.

What about the agent and family selling the house?  Maybe they found a buyer.  Maybe they didn’t.  If you were added to the equation maybe they would have sold to you.

Enter Homes on Mobile Phones and the equation totally changes.  These days everyone has a cellphone. The scenario now changes.  This time you notice that the For Sale sign has a text number on it. You send a text and in seconds you receive a detailed description of the house including photos and specs.  Within minutes you’ve called your realtor and booked a viewing at your convenience.

Two things make this service relevant and important today.  Firstly, everyone is busy.  This service allows people to get the information they need when they want it.  Second, consumers today want the people and companies they do business with to use the same technologies they do.  Montrealbased Homes on Mobile Phones allows the realtor and consumer to touch base through the simple use of a mobile device.

Founder Andy Nulman says, “Real estate agents need to look towards new technologies that will put them ahead of the competition, and Homes on Mobile Phones has proven results in helping agents sell homes faster and winning them new clients. Mobile is a straightforward and foolproof way to share information, and mobile phones are practically an extra appendage these days, so agents who make use of the power of mobile are guaranteed incredible results, especially with the X and Y Generations.”

Mr. Nulman is the former creator of the very popular Just For Laughs comedy festival.  How does a guy go from the comedy scene to the tech industry?  “One of the achievements I was most proud of at Just For Laughs was incorporating technology into the business, so the transition was more natural than it may appear on the surface. These days, the two are intertwined, but not back then.”

What was the impetus behind leaving entertainment for technology?  “Why did I do it? Because I had done all I really wanted to after 15 years running a festival and producing its TV shows.”

Like and tech start-up (and comedy festival) things are never easy.  However, they are challenging.  “The stumbling blocks were exactly what I loved about it–the challenge of a complete career change and the gasps and snickers from those who said I couldn’t pull it off (Just For Laughs).  By the way, they’re the same gasps and snickers I hear now about Homes on Mobile Phones…”

And it seems that if real estate agents in Canada adopt this new tech tool, Homes on Mobile Phones and Mr. Nulman will be the one’s laughing last.

digital media

BlackTrack for real estate – post 18 of 31

marketing in a social age is devoting 31 posts this month to social and digital media and the real estate industry.

BlackTrack provides real estate professionals with a complete log of   phone/email activity with durations. These secure & private reports help you automatically keep track of all your communications. You can add notes or delete log items if you need to.  Reports of a days or weeks activity are automatically emailed to one or two addresses of your choice.

The key is that everything is completely automatic.  Use your phone/email/SMS as usual, and the activity log automatically arrives every day to help you or your assistant keep you on track.

Security and privacy are also issues for professional users. With BlackTrack your BlackBerry compiles and delivers your information, not a third-party. Your report is as private and secure as your BlackBerry. There is NO Website, NO Server and NO Log-in – Just your BlackBerry.

 

digital media, social media

Another 5 Questions with StickerYou.com

Joseph Puopolo is the Head of Marketing and Business Development for Toronto-based start-up StickerYou.  A couple of weeks ago I featured StickerYou President Andrew Witkin.  Today its Joseph’s turn!

What motivates you to do what you do on a daily basis?

I am motivated by connecting cool companies with people who need their services. There are so many great ideas and issues out there that sometimes it takes a good facilitator to connect the two.

I am just a nerd by trade.  I got my first computer when I was 5 and haven’t looked back. I get so excited by new technology and what it can do to enhance the world and connect people.  I am also motivated by getting a good reaction to ideas or concepts. When it comes down to it, it is all about coming up with new and innovative ideas. I am always motivated by innovation.

Do you have any success start-up tips for people wanting to create a name for themselves in your industry?

Make sure that whatever idea you choose, you are 100% behind it. The road of a start-up is long and winding, you need to have the conviction and belief in your idea to help get you through low points and persevere.

The other component I would say is that you need to continually network. You may get stuck being very inward looking or product focused, and networking and making new connections can provide invaluable insights at key junctures. I would encourage entrepreneurs to spend a lot of time making the connections and going out to events to make a difference.

In your opinion why is Toronto a hotbed for cool tech start-ups?

Toronto, and by extension Waterloo, are excellent places for start-ups. I think it brings the best and brightest from around the world into a small area and focuses their skills. We have a growing tech journalism group that is amplifying the volume of activities similar to what happens in Silicon Valley. Obviously, it is not there yet, but I truly believe we have a solid trajectory to grow as a tech centre.

What’s your favourite tech toy and social media site and why?

While I own a cadre of tech toys, I think my iPhone 4G is my go to device. It is always there by my side with a bunch of apps ready help me remain productive wherever I go.

My favourite social media sites are Twitter and LinkedIn. I have slowly grown my following on Twitter to the point where it is an effective tool and via LinkedIn I am now connected to over 7 million plus people. Both are very handy tools.

Who would you say is one of Toronto’s social media/tech stars and why?

I always follow Soniya Monga of LinkedIn and Karim Kanji of Social Media Show. I keep  running into them at nearly every event I go to and they both seem to have their finger on the pulse on what is going on within the Toronto tech scene.

If you know someone who you think deserves to be profiled in my 5 Questions, feel free to leave me a note below.

digital media, social media

facebook marketplace for real estate – post 17 of 31

marketing in a social age is devoting 31 posts this month to social and digital media and the real estate industry.

Head on over to the Marketplace App on Facebook.  “Like” it and you’re   basically ready to use it to market the properties you have listed for sale.

You are able to post pictures and details about the property.  People who are your Facebook friends and others searching the Marketplace will be able to see what you have listed.

However, it is still not the MLS.  The MLS website is known by almost everyone in the market for real estate.  Facebook Marketplace is not.

The effectiveness, therefore, is dependent more on the relationships you have developed online.  MLS works because of its ubiquitous nature.

The key to remember then is that your business is all about relationships.  The way to succeed in real estate with these online tools such as Facebook Marketplace is to put this Teddy Roosevelt quote in practise:

People won’t know how much you know until they know how much you care.

digital media, social media, twitter

tweeting for real estate – post 16 of 31

marketing in a social age is devoting 31 posts this month to social and digital media and the real estate industry.

Should you post all your listings on Twitter?  How about only posting listings on Twitter?  Maybe no listings is the answer.  There is no right or wrong way to use Twitter in your real estate business.

Twitter is a communications tool.  The effectiveness of the tool is dependent on the user of that tool.

I’m going to assume that if you’re taking the time to read this that you are interested in growing your real estate business in 2011.  You want to sell more homes.  You want to sell properties that have a higher value.  You want to be able to acquire clients at a lower cost.  You want your clients to refer business to you and come back to you on their next purchase.

A little more conversation

Can you sell more homes and properties because of Twitter?  Anything is possible.  The key I believe is knowing how to use this tool.  Like I said above, Twitter, like other tools, is about communication.  So communicate.

Talk about what you are doing and working on.  Going to watch your kid play in a hockey playoff game?  Tweet this.  Going to a listing appointment. Tweetable.  Having dinner at a new establishment. Tweet it.

Have conversations with people.  If someone you follow says something that you want to comment on then comment. Talk/tweet with people. It’s normal and its human.  Like a link that someone has shared?  ReTweet it.

Community counts

The point is to be part of the community.  And a community member is someone who gives more than she takes.

As you develop into a trusted member of the community, you will notice that people will start coming to you.  They will ask your advice on real estate matters.  They will refer you business.  And they will start to do business with you.

I know this because it worked for me.