by danmccarthy on November 20, 2009
Tell someone that you have a blog, or that you think they should have a blog, and you’ll get met more often than not by blank stares.
What’s a blog? Too often, we describe it as a place where people are able to publish whatever they want on the web.
From Wikipedia:
The term “weblog” was coined by Jorn Barger on 17 December 1997. The short form, “blog,” was coined by Peter Merholz, who jokingly broke the word weblog into the phrase we blog in the sidebar of his blog Peterme.com in April or May 1999. Shortly thereafter, Evan Williams at Pyra Labs used “blog” as both a noun and verb (”to blog,” meaning “to edit one’s weblog or to post to one’s weblog”) and devised the term “blogger” in connection with Pyra Labs’ Blogger product, leading to the popularization of the terms.
In talking with local businesses about their web strategy, I’ve stumbled on a much simpler way to explain blogs.
A blog is a web site that you can build quickly and can change as frequently as you want at virtually no cost.
That gets peoples’ attention: You mean I can update my web site whenever I want?
Yes.
That’s the underpinning of Web 2.0, social media and community: the ability to change frequently and at minimal cost.
Blogs are not just publishing platforms; they are application platforms for activating social connections.
by danmccarthy on November 19, 2009
eMarketer reported this week on a Razorfish study that looked at how digital engagement with brands effected consumer behavior.
In total, 40% of the Internet users Razorfish surveyed had “friended” a brand on Facebook or MySpace.
Friending inevitably led to increased activity in the marketing channel, fueled by this brand engagement. More than 60% of the respondents said that they usually or always recommended the brand to other people.
The reasons for following were straight-forward: they liked the brand and responded to it.
The main reason to follow or friend a brand was to get exclusive deals or offers, followed by general fandom—because the user was a current customer, or because of interesting or entertaining content.
The survey shows how important it is for marketers not to underestimate the power of creating social connections with brand advocates. The number does not have to be high: these advocates will have a disproportionate impact on your community’s success.
by mildredthompson on November 19, 2009
The Greystar and Apartment Finder teams enjoyed a great dinner at Brainstorming in Houston. Lots of fun, good food, and lots of laughs – - definitely a great evening. Go Orange.
The Greystar Team: Central Senior Vice President Debbie Webre, Supervisors Darla Finol, Natalie Santibanez, Lisa Vercher from Houston. Marketing – Kim Carter, Misti Morales, Carina Bryars and Joanna Romero. Marketing from Atlanta – Cari Braun, Sam Posin Austin Marketing, Stephanie Puryear Helling, Vice President of Education & Marketing based in Austin. - And the Apartment Finder team: Marcia Bollinger, Mally Cook, Anita Alberger, Katie Hite, Carol Andrews and Krista Castillo.
and check out the slide show for more photos.
by ApartmentFinder on November 18, 2009
Marcia Bollinger, AF President and Michelle Childers, Regional Director, Midsouth
Apartment Finder was a proud sponsor of the NAA 2009 Assembly of Delegates held in Tampa Florida November 12-14. Marcia B enjoys her time at the events very much. “Sponsoring NAA events are one part of our ongoing effort to help support the apartment industry. We are happy to commit our time, our knowledge and our dollars to the betterment of multi-family.” Judy Bellack, Patty Blum and Michelle Childers also represented Finder at the event.
The Assembly of Delegates elected its 2010 officers: Marc Rosenwasser, Edward Rose Companies. was inducted as 2010 Chairman of the Board; Jerry Wilkinson, Wilkinson Real Estate Advisors is Vice Chairman; Alexandra Jackiw, Buckingham Companies is Treasurer; and Brad Williams, Lincoln Property Company is Secretary.
The NAA PAC fundraiser at the AOD meeting was lots of fun . . . Ahoy Maties! The Pirate is Marc Rossenwasser, our NAA Chairman for 2010 and Ellen Maxime, President of the Alabama Apartment Association was caught trying to open the treasure box!
Instant gratification – isn’t that what we all want, I know I do! Geting what we want quickly comes in many forms - going online to see our children’s latest test scores, Googling to find the coolest gadget at the best price, reading blogs to find the lastest trends and tweeting a thought and expecting an answer. Picking up the phone and making a call just takes too long in this new wave of social media. Blogging and even Twitter have become the source for many. 
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