By Karen Dumond

In a recent meeting with one of the magazine’s valued advertisers, our
client couldn’t contain her excitement when talking about social media
and the value of it. Now, I’m not tech-illiterate, but excitement about a tech tool? I admit I’m not easily jazzed and excited about stuff—maybe my son’s basketball playoff game, maybe a live musical event, or an engaging professional seminar, but technology?

I’m one of those people who welcomes technology—I love making my work life and home life easier by using it, but that is where it ends for me. But should it? This advertiser, whom I’ve worked with for years, raved about the value of Twitter and elaborated on her argument with a story.

While attending a conference for her company, she tweeted that she was there and how much she was enjoying it. She explained to me that within moments,she was tweeted by valuable contacts of hers whom she didn’t know were at the same conference. She felt that she made great connections because of social media and specifi cally Twitter. Moreover, she was excited about it.

As well she should be. REALTORS® who use similar social media tactics earn property sales. We all know that communication is NOW due to today’s technology advances,and the products that get results are those we all seek.

In this issue’s feature, “Think Before You Buy” on page 16, fellow members share which tech products have worked for them, and how many believe that carefully researching before selecting products saves time and money. The feature gives great suggestions on products and services, but also take a look at a great article in the Technology section of BayStateRealtor.com that lists the top reasons why you need a Facebook Business Page. Social media provides yet another powerful opportunity to connect with your customers and prospects.

I took some great ideas away from that piece. We need to examine how social media and all technology products can benefit our businesses and us personally. We need to intermix it with person-to-person communications, but just think of how many more people we can touch and influence through social media. There is no sitting on the fence with this one. The fence is down and we are in the back yard. Let’s get jazzed and join the party.