I have seen 2 posts recently sharing Mike Parker's (negative) view on social media. Here's a link to an article of his on the BrokerAgentSocial network. (Note the irony of posting this article on a social networking site - Hmm??)
Let's check out whether he is qualified to state his opinions as facts on the subject of social media: First of all, Mike Parker is the Principal for Compass Internet Systems, an SEO Company that charges mega bucks to optimize agents websites and get them on the first page of Google. Part of Compasses pitch is to assure you that you will get leads from your optimized website. I'd suggest he has zero interest in you getting your leads for FREE on twitter or Facebook - Reason enough to slam the "competition" I'd say...
Okay, so now lets look at the attack itself: Does Mr Parker know what he's talking about? Probably not. As far as I can tell he has no actual proof that social media doesn't work, he's just stating an opinion. Has he tried using either Facebook or twitter for business purposes? I think not. I'd say what he's basically doing is telling us that the Chinese restaurant down the street sucks, although he's never actually been to that restaurant... A reliable source? Again, I think not!
Let me just say that SEO, (search engine optimization) and social media are BOTH important when it comes to creating a strong online presence. I believe we need to embrace the different technologies and platforms to achieve our goals.
What I think is the strength of social media is that we have an opportunity to show our authentic selves. People can "get to know us" before they call or email. You need to "get" social media to know what I'm talking about here. If you do get it you'll know that twitter and Facebook offer the perfect opportunity to "connect" with the buying and selling public in a way that was not possible before these platforms came to be.
Having said that, SEO has not become redundant through the arrival of social media. We still need to optimize our websites and our blogs. They work in tandem with one another. Anyone who can't see that is short sighted and missing out on the huge opportunities the different technologies and platforms give us.
Now in case you're wondering, I have no first hand proof that social media works yet. I have been an ActiveRain member for just over 4 months. A couple of weeks later I started a Facebook Fan Page and became active on twitter. AR is a great community where you learn A LOT. Through professionals I have come to trust on this network I know that blogging and social media is a marathon not a sprint. Just like any other form of marketing, this will take time too.
And by the way, getting back to Mr Parker at Compass. That's what they told me too. SEO is not an overnight sensation, it takes time to optimize a website, that's why they only do annual subscriptions (!) One year later I was $3500 lighter and NOT on the front page of Google... I think I'll take my chances with social media.... It's not a sinkhole, or a magic bullet - And it may be time consuming, but it is FREE.
Peggy Chirico wrote one of the posts I mention in the first paragraph. It's a members only post, which is why I haven't linked to it directly.
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These were my exact thoughts as I was reading his article. He tried to use the scenario of using Social Media alone and never once used the scenario that they all have to work in conjunction with one another to actually work. Good post and exposure to who he actually is.
Hi Denise ~ Thanks for the link to the article. I had come across mentions of it but hadn't read it. I think he's making some good points though he lost points with me when he disses blogging in passing. Blogging is such a good route to great SE placement that I'm not sure why he's not in favor - I'll have to look for that article!
Ok - now I get it (have to read for content!!) - because it circumvents paid SEO.
Liz
Hi Liz, Hi Tony, This is not the first article I've read from Mike Parker speaking out against social media and blogging. I ignored it first time round, but this time decided I couldn't let it go. On top of everything else, as I said, I think social media and SEO go hand in hand, I think he's shooting himself in the foot with his short sighted attitude to social media.
Thank you both for stopping by and for the feedback.
Denise
Hi, Denise;
Differing opinions make the world go round. It might interest you to know tht reader reaction has favored my point of view by over 2.5 to 1. It's been published in numerous publications.
With regard to a negative experience you have, all I can do is apologize and say that I wish I had known. Had I known, I would have intervened and dne all I could to make it right.
Last: two things. 1) Our subscription price is not as imposing when sales are created, and we have hundreds of client smaking dozens of sales from our work, a few selling hundreds. 2) After being an authoirty on online marketing services for realtors for the past five+ years, as much as it may puzzle anyone, I have definite experience-based opinioins of what best serves agents. Blogging has declined from its peak and it will continue to do so as human nature asserts itself; i.e., people start out intending to blog regularly, then stop doing it, in the majority. Likewise, research shows 90% of subscribers to Twitter make ONE post, ever.
Sometimes people think I have an axe to grind. Well, that isn't fair. If we thought these options would help our clients, we'd be right there championing them. It's precisely because there arre so many opportunities to waste time and effort in real estate today that we ty to keep people focused on what works. I have written MANY articles on these subjects, they are posted on my site and I invite anyone to read them, perhaps then the context would be better understood and more clear.
Whatever; differing opinions are ok. This is the USA. No one expects everyone to agree.
Best regards,
MParker@theblackwatercg.com
Hi Mike ~ Thank you for taking the time to comment. I agree, differing opinions are fine. We'll see over time if yours holds water.
As to my poor experience with Compass. I sent several emails to your company around the time I cancelled service. There was a misunderstanding about my contract that you got involved with. I was told you were involved in the decision at that time, so I'm not sure about you "doing all you could do to make it right."
Denise
Denise,
I'm not sure about mike parker doing all he could either. I spent a year and $3500 with Mr. Parker's firm, and was pretty regular in my communication about nothing happening throughout the year. My rep was quick to take credit for leads that I had first generated through pay-per-click who also happened to fill out the compass internet form on my website, and "derivative" search terms that included Keller Williams and other things that were hardly "derivative" of my key phrases.
Additionally-I just discovered they still have their registration form on my website but no leads flow to me from it. I am sending them a nasty gram today to get that off my site.
In my experience--this was $3500 I wish I had spent on chocolate or something!
Hi Jill ~ Thanks for adding your comments to this post. It adds value for readers to know that there are others who have had a poor experience with Compass. My experience actually pretty much mirrors yours as far as consistent communication from my end that nothing was happening, a rep quick to take credit for leads generated through pay-per-click...
Yes, definitely, chocolate would have been a better investment!
Denise
ps. Since joining ActiveRain I've also stopped pay-per-click. The blog brings traffic to my website, no need to pay for that now!
Hi Denise. That was a very well thought out piece you did. It should be obvious to all that you put some thought in to what you were to write.
I have to agree with you that Social Media is necessary as is great SEO. I harp on my clients all the time about this. The ones doing that do the best are the ones who blog on a regular basis.
Despite what some people would have you think blogging is not on some great decline in to oblivion. It is in fact still an important part of any SEO toolbox.
Denise, I couldn't agree more that social networking is as important as the SEO fundamentals. I try to get clients enthusiastic about blogging, but it's still 50/50 I'd guess between those that take off with it vs those that I see my original set-up "stuff" as the last post ever done months later.
One of the things I strive to do is "feed" into Twitter from Active Rain and WordPress blogs, as well as Facebook. I'm just not a tweetin' kinda gal but everything feeds into it and I have followers even though I never get into it!
Clients complain that it's too much to handle...having to post here and there and everywhere, but when set up correctly, it can be one or two blogs at most that just feed into everything else for you.
GREAT POST!!!!!
Wayne ~ This is a subject I feel strongly about, as you correctly observed. And yes, good SEO and social media work best in tandem. Anyone who can't see that is totally missing the point. To truly cover our bases and create a broad internet presence we need to diversify and embrace new ideas and technology as it comes along.
Hi Nancy ~ I am one of those agents who's having a hard time keeping up with social media. So much to do and only so many hours in a day... I stick at it though. It just happens to be the best way to establish an online presence. There's just no getting past that!
Thank you both for stopping by!
Denise
I don't have any experience with Mike Parker. I can only say that since Nancy Golliday designed my website about 18 months AND I started blogging REGULARLY I have seen a tremendous jump in my business.
Lets see, 24 leads generated by Compass Internet Systems no sales to help pay the 3800. If you go by his rule of thumb you need 5 to 15 percent to convert. Just for fun lets say I closed 10 % that would be 2.4 deals. less 28% in cost of business, and 28% to marketing. I think I am losing ground quickly.
I would prefer to take my chances with my own website, and Craigslist. 10-15 leads per month closing 1-2 deals a month. For Free. Interesting concept.
While I respect Mike Parker I completely disagree with his assertions that blogging and social media do not work. I will add though that having a good understanding of SEO can dramatically improve your blogging and social media results.
Thanks for a great post--- I was contacted by a Z57 rep. and promised alot-- I am with Point 2 for my RE site, and have a Wordpress lifestyle blog- I think there are lots of ways to connect. Blogging has many more benefits than SEO... I don't even worry about that. If I get good juice.... I count it as a bonus! Kathy
Thank you all for continuing to contribute your thoughts to this post. Absolutely right Bill - A good understanding of SEO will improve your blogging and social media results. I think that those who fail to recognize that are missing out on a huge opportunity to grow their online business. Social media alone won't cut it. It needs to be a comprehensive plan including good SEO.
Denise