Here a Comp, There a Camp, Everywhere a Camp Camp
October 11th, 2009Posted by Jim Reppond
Seems like Barcamps, REBarcamps, Wordcamps, RainCamps, and WhateverCamps are spouting up all over the place! Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s great! Lots of information is being exchanged and given by the very people who create and use it, not the marketing talking-heads who are just trying to sell us stuff. It seems to be an information explosion of sorts. I never really expected to see many real estate agents chatting about widgets on their blogs or SEO strategies at cocktail parties. But that’s what’s happening.
I think we are witnessing a shift in how companies reach out to consumers to educate us on their products and services. There is definitely still a need for face-to-face meetups and get togethers. But in these days of downsizing and cost-cutting, traveling to Vegas or New York to attend an expo or convention is quickly being supplanted by local low-or-no cost xxxxCamps. I can learn as much or more by attending these local events and get to meet and network with the people who are at the heart of the process and technology at a fraction of the cost or time commitment.
Add to that the ability to view of many events live via video on LiveStream or UStream, and I feel like I’m not missing much and being much more efficient with my time and resources.
More power to the Campers!
3 Comments Add your own
1. Debra Sinick | October 14th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
Hi Jim,
I agree with you completely! I’ve been saying for several years that I am learning more from online resources, Inman News Conferences, and RE Bar Camps than from the traditional real estate courses. I’ve been to all three of the Seattle area bar camps and each time I came away with useful information.
People like you, Rhonda Porter and Ardell are great to take the time to share. Oh, also Drew Meyers and David Gibbons have done a lot for local bar camps.
It’s unfortunate more agents are not aware of these opportunities.
Thanks
Thanks!
2. Jim Reppond | October 15th, 2009 at 7:11 am
Thanks, Debra. It seems like those who are already well-connected are the ones who show up the most. Maybe if managing brokers and brokerage owners were to get more involved they would promote it more.
It just seems like the people in top management at most real estate companies are the least aware of these opportunities. I agree it’s a shame.
3. Rhonda Porter | October 21st, 2009 at 9:46 am
I was at BlogWorld in Vegas last week and listened to Technorati’s State of the Blogosphere 2009–it’s really interesting. Blogging and social media is nowhere near being “dead” or a phase. Companies are “getting it” (or at least most are)… and another message that struck me is that blogging/social media a few years ago was more “innocent”…now it’s becoming all business.
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