Social Media

Over the last day or so, I’ve read a ton about Google+ and figured it was another sorry attempt for Google attempting to break into the social media realm. After all, Google Wave was a flop, and I don’t know anyone using Google Buzz on any regular sort of basis. However, I’ve done my research on the Google+ Project, and consider me “SOLD”!

So you’re probably saying to yourself: “What is Google+ and why do I need to be part of another social network?”

Answer: It’s not another social network, it’s the internet becoming social. Everything you search on Google, use your Google account (e.g. YouTube, Gmail, Picasa, etc.) for, or do on your Android phone will be connected with your “social network”. You’ll no longer need to log in to Facebook or Twitter. You’ll have instant sharing, instant advice, instant everything, and your privacy settings look ridiculously easy.

So let’s dive in and see what this means for the real estate industry!

Google Circles:

You share different things with different people. But sharing the right stuff with the right people shouldn’t be a hassle. Circles makes it easy to put your friends from Saturday night in one circle, your parents in another, and your boss in a circle by himself, just like real life.

Real Estate Translation: Google Circles makes it easy to share only the stuff you want with your “Circle” of clients and colleagues, while you can keep your crazy bachelor party pics to your college friends.

Google Sparks:

Remember when your Grandpa used to cut articles out of the paper and send them to you? That was nice. That’s kind of what Sparks does: looks for videos and articles it thinks you’ll like, so when you’re free, there’s always something to watch, read, and share. Grandpa would approve.

Real Estate Translation: Share real estate news with your clients and all of your circles. Anything you +1 (which is the same thing as “like” on Facebook) will show up like an interactive newspaper for people within your network. This can make you seem like the local expert and remind that long lost cousin that you’re in real estate, and not to call the agent on the sign.

Google Hangouts:

Bumping into friends while you’re out and about is one of the best parts of going out and about. With Hangouts, the unplanned meet-up comes to the web for the first time. Let buddies know you’re hanging out and see who drops by for a face-to-face-to-face chat. Until we perfect teleportation, it’s the next best thing.

Real Estate Translation: BE ACCESSIBLE! I’m sure that Google will have an embed option or widget that you can place on your website, allowing your crazy Aunt Helen to “Hangout” with you for a minute, and ask you if it’s the right time to sell.

Instant Upload:

Taking photos is fun. Sharing photos is fun. Getting photos off your phone and on to the web is pretty much the opposite of fun. That’s why we created Instant Upload: so that from now on, your photos upload themselves. You don’t even have to say ‘cheese’.

Real Estate Translation: Can you imagine having a real estate photo gallery shared with everyone you know? = SWEET! The possibilities are endless here…Guess That Price, Before And After Pics, Client Sold Photos, etc…Use It!

Google Huddle:

Texting is great, but not when you’re trying get six different people to decide on a movie. Huddle takes care of it by turning all those different conversations into one simple group chat, so everyone gets on the same page long before thumbs get sore.

Real Estate Translation: This one is actually my favorite for Brokers like myself. Group text to all agents…FINALLY! For agents, how about coordinating a closing with the LO, other agent, both sets of clients, and the title company. Imagine when they add the document signing & share capability…MUHAHA!

Right now this whole thing is a beta/invite only service, but make sure you visit www.google.com/+ to get on the waitlist!