Category Archives: blog

blog, digital media, social media, Toronto, twitter

my top seven #followfriday

Old and new Diet Coke cans.
Image via Wikipedia

In what may turn out to be a regular weekly installment, here are my top seven recommendations for people to follow on Twitter. In no particular order I present to you…

  1. @TantienHime – no other person RT’s me more than her. No other person supports everything that is Toronto more than her.
  2. @mhp – many people know that I don’t indulge in wobbly pops.  Mark knows that.  It doesn’t stop Mark, though, from buying me a Diet Coke every time he sees me.  And if I don’t say it enough: Thank You Mark.
  3. @salimavalji – Salima is one of the early pioneers of Toronto’s digital industry  as the former head of Edelman‘s digital division. And I was fortunate enough to spend some quality time with her at Canada 3.0 this week. (Thanks for the ride!)
  4. @vasta – I once asked him, “How do I use Twitter?” He answered, “Just get on it and register.” Hey Sameer, I’ve registered. Now what?
  5. @amirad – Community Manager for My City Lives is also a popular writer now. She was featured this past week in Metro. Congrats Amira!
  6. @ceben – Thanks for taking the lead in Toronto’s StartUp Weekend Chris.
  7. @Ldillonschalk – For inviting me for a Monday morning coffee and helping me start the week off right. Thanks so much for everything.
Start following these folks on Twitter. Your life will be much brighter!
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blog, crowdsourcing, social media, twitter

creating community: part 1

the GREENtuity chapter

There’s always a beginning to a story.  And so there is with my story.  It all began with an initiative I headed up called GREENtuity.org.

The purpose of GREENtuity was to help raise money and awareness for a local non-profit called Toronto Green Community.  TGC, as it is fondly known as, is a grassroots community organization in Toronto which focuses on teaching and empowering people to make positive environmental choices.

The GREENtuity concept was to have patrons at selected vendor partners donate their gratuities (hence the term GREENtuity) to TGC. The concept was powered by our blog as well as by Twitter.  I thought that because we were using social media we would get massive support from the Toronto Twitter community.  And why wouldn’t we? We were raising money for a good cause and I was a cool person.

And thus my lesson on creating community began.

Our goal was to raise $5000 for TGC as well as generate some media mentions.  We succeeded on the media side by getting coverage from blogTO. The financial side? Not so much. $500 raised. In my eyes a failure. But a lesson learned.

Why did I fail?  Because I didn’t understand the importance of being part of a community, building a community and, finally, mobilizing a community.

community membership:

Being part of an online community is more than just taking out a membership.  It is all about being a productive member of that community. And being productive means giving. And by giving you accumulate social capital.

building community:

Once you’ve identified yourself as a member of the online community you are now able to build your own community. The key here is to not forget what brought you here in the first place: provide compelling content that spurs discussion amongst the community. At this “stage” you’ve identified yourself as a “trust agent”.

mobilizing community:

Once you’ve become a “trust agent” you are now ready (as far as the community is concerned) to mobilize the community. You can ask for comments, “likes”, RT’s or even time and money.

So where did I fail?

All of the above is the correct answer.

I wasn’t a contributing member of the online community. As such, when I asked for support I did not receive it to the extent that I hoped.

The great thing about the online community is that it is very forgiving and it is also a great place to learn. And since then I have learned a great deal.  But that story will have to wait for another chapter.

to be continued…

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blog, social media, twitter

my top seven #followfriday

The Pulsefront light show seen from Toronto Is...
Image via Wikipedia

In no particular order here are some cool people I interacted with this week on Twitter.  These are not just “avatars” to me.  They have added and continue to add value to my life: personally and/or professionally.  If you’re on Twitter, I suggest you follow them too!

  1. @soniyamonga.  Soniya is Toronto’s digital girl. She has written for Techvibes and TheMark.  She was also a co-host with me on Social Media Show last year.  Currently you can find her repping LinkedIn Canada and speaking at gigs all over North America.
  2. @ManalSiddiqui. People squirm when she tells them she works for the government.  But more than that she is passionate about social finance initiatives.  Very passionate.  And she loves heels.
  3. @karimawad. Karim has more than just a  cool name. He also has a big heart and loves to share it with people.  He’s my inspiration for getting up at 5am to work for a couple of hours. So you can also blame him if I get cranky in the evening.
  4. @alisaan.  Aleksandra always has a smile on her face and a good word for everyone she meets.  And her exercise regiment is inspiring.
  5. @verynichey. Mandy is the founder of Creative Niche here in Toronto. And she is a HUGE supporter of anyone and everyone who is starting their own business. Thanks for the support Mandy!
  6. @clickflickca. Everyone’s favourite guy. A good lunch mate and a good friend.
  7. @greggtilston. One of the few people I can credit for helping me find my voice in this space. Gregg and a few other people are responsible for helping me become who I am.  So if you think I tweet a lot, blame Gregg.
By the way, there is something else all these “Tweeple” have in common.  I met them in real life first.  And I continue to see them on a regular basis.
Have a great weekend!
(PSA: If you’re in Canada please don’t forget to vote on Monday.)
blog, digital media, social media, twitter

back to basics

I know what you’re thinking:  

Its about time Karim blogs about something other than “5 Questions”.  And you’re right. It is about time.

As many of you know, I’ve recently started a business called thirdocean with the talented Carolyn Van.  And I never realized how busy it is to own and operate a business.  Especially in the ecosystem we play in.  Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m enjoying the energy, drive and passion that it takes to build a business.

Yet something was missing.

You.

Now I know this blog is not the most popular in the world.  And neither is my podcast. But I can promise you this:

I’m getting back to basics: Creating content that is interesting  and creates conversation.

Why?

Because “creating content” is what enabled me to get to the point where I could even fathom starting a business with a partner.

The work that I do is interesting to me. Probably not too important to you though.  But the conversations that we were having on my podcast and blog were interesting to you.

So I’ve decided to dedicate time 2-3 times a week to share with you my thoughts on the marketing industry in today’s social world.

And before the end of the month I’ll be podcasting again.  With the podcast (which is presently undergoing a rebranding and refocus) I’ll be bringing to you some of the most interesting personalities from a variety of industries:  Sports, Music, Fashion and much more!

I’m looking forward to this new “chapter” in my journey and I hope you’ll stay for the ride and even invite a few of your friends to join us.

I already have my next blog idea too! Which Toronto sports team is #winning in the social media game? I’ll release it Monday. I think you’ll be surprised at who the winner is.

blog, crowdsourcing

Toronto’s Independent Free Wifi Coffee Shops

If you’re a start-up or a freelancer you will want to contribute to this post, share it and save it for future use.  Honest.  And here’s why:  

After starting thirdocean with Carolyn Van a few months ago we’ve spent most of our “office time” in our local Starbucks.  We have not yet reached the point of wanting to spend financial resources on an office yet so we appreciate that our local coffee shop let’s us hang there for hours and hours on end.

But there comes a time when a change is called for.  I’ve had enough of Starbucks and Second Cup.  Now, don’t get me wrong.  I’m not anti “big coffee”.  I continue to spend time and money in these places.  And I plan to continue this.

Recently, I’ve been introduced to a couple of neighbourhood gems:  The independent coffee shop that also has free wifi and amazing staff.

Following underneath will be a working and incomplete list of all the independent free wifi coffee shops in Toronto.  If you see that your favourite spot is not included please feel free to add them (with a link) in the comments section below.

Redline Coffee and Espresso – Queen and Parliament

saving gigi – Bloor and Ossington

Aroma Espresso – Yonge and Eglinton, Bloor and Bathurst, King and York

Cloud Espresso Bar – Queen and Ossington

Te Aro Roasted – in Leslieville on Ossington

Sense Appeal – Spadina and Adelaide

Manic Coffee – College and Bathurst

Little Nicky’s – Queen and Peter

Dark Horse – Queen West, Riverside, Chinatown

Quaff Cafe – Queen West and Palmerston

Urbana Coffee – Yonge and Church, Bay and Irwin

La Merceria – Adelaide West and Portland

The Mascot – Queen West and Elm Grove

What am I missing?  What’s your favourite independent coffee shop in Toronto?

Please comment below!

blog, digital media, podcast, social media, twitter, youtube

top 9 social media tips for real estate – post 23-31 of 31

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

Who would have thought banging out 31 posts in 31 days devoted specifically to social media and the real estate industry?  I sure didn’t.  And I guess I learned my lesson.  I’ve completed 22 of 31.  And today is the 31st.  That’s 9 short of 31 for those of you who are keeping score.

So, instead of writing out 9 potentially poor blog posts I thought I’d encapsulate my 9 top social media tips for those of you in the real estate industry.

  1. Blog.  If you haven’t figured it out by now, blogging should be an important part of your marketing strategy.  Your blog should be the space online where people can find out how much of an expert you are on  your industry and on your neighbourhood.  The ability of your blog to also help you in your search rankings should also not be ignored.
  2. Podcast.  Although podcasting has been around for a while it is still a tactic that is seldom used.  As with your blog, use the power of the spoken word to help craft your personal brand.
  3. Twitter.  Remember not to use this as just a push marketing medium.  Use Twitter to create a following and embrace the power of conversation.
  4. Video.  The amount of time people spend online watching videos continues to grow.  We watch videos not just on our desktop.  We also use our netbooks, iPads and smartphones to consume video.  Invest a bit into a Flip video camera and open up a YouTube account.  Just like blogging and podcasting, the ability to share your thoughts on video should also not be pushed aside.  Be creative and original and don’t worry about creating something that’s viral. Just be yourself.
  5. Facebook.  Whether its Places, the Marketplace, Fan Pages or Groups.  The person or brand who figures out how to properly use Facebook in the real estate industry will win.  You don’t have to be first.  You just have to try to see what does work.  There are over 500 million users here.  People are using Facebook more and more.  More so than even Google. So take the time and figure this beast out.
  6. Location-based marketing apps.  There’s Foursquare and Gowalla.  And there are others.  I’ve seen many real estate professionals use Foursquare as an online billboard.  Other realtors use Foursquare (my LBMA of choice by the way) to highlight interesting places around their neighbourhood.  I would suggest using it to show you know your neighbourhood and your expertise in real estate.  Just try your best not to be too pushy.
  7. QR codes.  This funny looking cousin of the barcode has been around longer than the term social media.  But many businesses (real estate included) are still not using them.  Here’s the thing:  More and more people are using smartphones.  And these same people also want information as fast as possible.  Here’s a simple idea:  Use a QR code on your business card and for sale signs to drive immediate traffic to your website and listings.  Now your business is truly open 24/7 even if you’re not.
  8. Attend or Organize a MeetUp.  The power of physically meeting potential partners, leads, and clients is powerful.  In my business, lots of relationships have been strengthened as a result of meeting face to face.
  9. Try.  Things in social media and even in real estate have the ability to change at a blink of an eye.  That being said be open to trying new things often.  Try a new app. Try the new social media site.  Try it. You just might like it!

Happy New Year everyone!  All the best in 2011.

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.”

blog, social media

5 blogging for real estate points – post 7 of 31

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

Blogging may be the simplest thing you ever do to market yourself and your business.  You can write almost from anywhere and at anytime.

Here are 5 points about blogging for real estate:

  1. Make sure you have a website that you can blog on.  Personally, I would stay away from company’s that offer templated and boring realtor sites.  Try WordPress or even the Blogger platforms.  There are amazing realtor-focused templated sites out there.  I just have a hard time finding them.
  2. Blog consistently.  You don’t have to do it everyday. I advise against it (even though I’m doing it this month) and suggest something more manageable.  Maybe 1-2 times per week.
  3. Variety is the spice of life. Feel free to post your latest listings.  Also feel free to post neighbourhood news, interesting recipes, real estate trends and even stuff that’s happening in your personal or professional life.  You want to be able to relate to your potential audience.
  4. Encourage comments and questions.  Don’t be afraid if people disagree with you.  Having conversations is what you want.  It will give you an opportunity to shine.  So please don’t disable your comments section.
  5. Don’t stop.  I’m not promising a get rich quick scheme.  Building readership and a community of readers takes time and effort: just like a real relationship

Bonus:

Have a catchy title to get people to read your blog post.

blog, digital media, social media, youtube

youtube and real estate – post 6 of 31

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

My last post on digital marketing and real estate was about podcasting.  This one will be about YouTube and how you could potentially use this tool to market your real estate business.

Note:

Before we continue, a reminder:  These 31 blog posts are not meant to be an exhaustive list.  Nor is each post a complete post.  Digital and social media marketing changes constantly so to write everything in one post would be impossible.  What these are meant to do is act as a catalyst for you to change or adapt the way you are marketing yourself and your business.

YouTube

YouTube allows you to post videos and share these videos via comments, links, social media sharing and embedding the actual videos on your personal site or blog.  Here are two ways that videos can help promote you and your business.

Content

The obvious one is content.  Create fun and compelling content.  You can film anything from an open house, your latest listing, neighbourhood news or anything you and your clients might find interesting.  George O’Neill and David Pylyp are two Toronto-based real estate agents who really understand how to take advantage of this medium.

Both of these agents post everything from neighbourhood landmarks, client testimonials, and even humourous videos asking for your business. Their videos are almost always short and informative.

Link Building

The other thing these two agents have in common is that they understand the concept of link building and the important role this plays in building traffic and potential clients.

One of the things you will notice is how both George and David refer the viewer back to their website.  The best case scenario is that a viewer has stumbled upon their YouTube videos and finds them interesting enough to visit their website and leave a note for George or David.  We would all love this!

Here’s the worst case scenario:  Google recognizes a link between YouTube (a popular site) and their personal blog (not as popular).  In turn, Google ranks George and David’s blog a little higher.  Amazing!  Why?  Now, when you search for real estate information using terms that George and David have capitalized on, you will find them!  Brilliant!

Want to understand link building more?  Click here.

Want to understand how to make simple, easy and effective videos?  Get yourself a camera such as a Flip Mino and press the little red button. It’s that simple.

blog, digital media, podcast, social media, twitter

podcasting for real estate – post 5 of 31

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

By now you may be thinking to yourself, “I don’t think I can do this blogging or social media thing.”  Maybe it’s because you can’t figure out how to get your thoughts into the written word format.  Don’t be so hard on yourself.  It takes time.  I know. It’s taken me a long time and I don’t think I’ve arrived at all.

Maybe you like to talk though!  That’s where this post’s idea comes from.  If you like to talk, then podcasting may be for you.

Why Podcast:

Let’s first discuss what podcasting is.  Here’s a great video from friend Lee Lefever of Common Craft:

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

Do you see value in telling your story to an audience you may not have had access to?  That’s what marketing is all about.  Reaching new potential markets.

When you do start podcasting remember to share value.  Similar to your monthly newsletter it’s not always about the last listing you sold or the new property for sale. Talk about how to take care of your home, tips on saving for a down-payment and even your grandmother’s excellent pie recipe.

How to Podcast:

Here’s where it gets a little tricky.  I host a podcast called Social Media Show which is hosted by Perpetual Radio Networks (PRN).  If you were to stop me on the street and ask me “How does somebody start podcasting?” I may not be able to provide you with a proper answer.  However, if you asked me “How did you start podcasting?” then I can answer!

How I got started in podcasting:

I knew I wanted another outlet for my thoughts.  And I knew I wanted another outlet to tell the stories of people I was running into in my life.  Finally, I knew that my interest was mainly in social media.  So I did the only thing I knew how to do.  I tweeted:

I want to start a podcast. Can anyone help me?

Guess what happened?  I received a tweet back from PRN saying they were looking for someone to host a new show on their network.

Happy podcasting!

Tell us about your podcast or if you want to start and don’t know where to go leave a comment below.  Someone here may be able to help you.