I've moved.

I have a new home. This blog has been moved to carlieflossberg.com. Please come over and visit - housewarming gifts are accepted and appreciated.

on rss: reset to new feed http://christinagreene.com/?feed=rss2

See ya soon.

Top 5 tweets I wish I tweeted this week

I'm really not cranking these posts out fast enough huh? It's been busy on the Flossberg farm. So let's catch up with what I missed - updates I should have posted to twitter. twitter.com/carlieflossberg

Top 5 tweets I wish I tweeted - 9/30/07

5. Home from work to roomie special of crab & corn chowder. This roommate gig might not suck after all.

4. i'm so sad i missed all the fun at pme - can someone please send a tp

3. created slnn group on facebook - you must join or die *cackles*

2. it's scandalous ppl in sl like this that make us all look bad. http://www.slnn.com/article/allen-comes-clean/

1. Great Conversation - fantastic chat w/ @tdefren re: the effects of new media & social networking on the pr industry.

The Conversation

I was recently asked "how do you explain the value of blogging to a company and get them away from the traditional methods"?

Good Question.

My answer. The art of conversation.

"But how do you explain the lack of control for the message"? Hmmm....

THE OLD WAY - Let's call this the press release














Here you have a music company putting out the "message" via a traditional route (tv, print, radio). Maybe they reach a musician or someone interested in music, maybe they don't. Once the message is out maybe it's understood, maybe it's not. These "consumers" (maybe they are maybe they aren't) then converse on the topic. Does the music company care to know what they're saying? Can they hear them? If mud gets slung around, how long will it take to repair?
This is controlled?

The two-way conversation - Blogging














Here we have a progressive music company who blogs. They have a constant following of interested musicians and music lovers who network with each other via their site. The company can then put out messages and news to a captive interested audience at any given time. The message is then spread through the audience, while the company has the chance to not only hear the feedback but quickly respond if need be.
All is well on the farm here.

Funny how tradition is comfortable even when it doesn't make sense.

The key to making it work is paying attention to your audience. It may be via your blog it may not. Don't you want to control the message? You'll have to find it first.

Be pro-active, involved, and responsive.

Do you get it?

So few understand new media. Even though companies and people claim they get it, how do you know if they really do? Before you invest your money in a company or take the advice of a friend what proof do you have that they themselves get it?

Every new media company out there big or small has a portfolio of wins and loses, which is to be expected. But how do you safe guard your brand from being the ugly kid in the new media playground.

Let me fill you in on the secret of getting it. There is no secret. You get it by understanding that whatever it is you just got will change in less time then it took you to get it. Keep your mind, body, soul, and most importantly ears open to everything. Be a blog and podcast junky - the fastest way to know what's going on. Don't wait for someone (even your staff and/or marketing company) to tell you what's going on - be a part of the conversation yourself. GET INVOLVED!! That's it - that's the big secret. The more knowledge you carry - the better chance you have of getting it and keeping it - even when everything changes around you tomorrow.

So when it comes to taking the aid of a friend or company - first question is do they walk the walk and not just talk the talk. It's funny how many claim to be experts and they aren't even immersed in the space their selling.

Forgive me father for I have sinned....

Forgive me father for I have sinned, it has been 16 days since my last post. A lot has been going on in the house of Carlie - well I sold my house, moved into an apartment, with a roommate. So now it's the flat of Carlie & roomie?

Now that I'm settled it's time to get back to my regular ranting. Updates ......

Coming soon to a itunes near you will be a podcast I'm starting with Mrs. Rhiannon Chatnoir - which will be hosted by SLNN. Between her brain power and my stupid humor, it's going to be so much fun.

Getting ready for my possible trip to London for IQPC's conference on Marketing in Second Life. I say possible because my renewed passport has yet to come in the mail.

After such success (and downright fun) at SLCC in Chicago - SLNN will be giving out NEXT magazine at IQPC's London event then VW - San Jose (then some others). Advertising is now on sale for San Jose but space is tight - as we're doing a special edition insert.

That about fills in the last 16 days. I'm off to do some hail Mary's?

SLCC Bussiness Track - Coke Talks!!

I'm blogging this from the Hilton in Chicago while sitting in the Business Track session with panel speaker Michael Donnelly, Marketing Director of The Coca-Cola Company.

My first comment on this is THANK YOU!!!!

Finally a company who gets it. And not only do they get it - they are acting on it. This will hopefully smash the rumor mills and give a big middle finger to the speculators. I'm so glad someone has finally stepped up and said "are experience in Second Lfe was a complete success, we had a clear short term plan and it did not include the purchase of a sim".

Some of the key points in the presentation

1. Community Involvement - Michael literally goes out himself and attends meetups, second life events like slcc, this going over the top and beyond just being involved with social networking etc.

2. The importance of an Integrated Marketing Plan - All I have to say is WooT - this so nicely complements my blog post ranting Chris Anderson's pulling out of SL. As I've said time and time again, and was even taken by Mark from Sentient, "If you can't drive a stick don't blame the car".

3. Long Term Plan - if you don't have one don't buy a sim. Come on folks the "build it and they will come" day is over. It's more then a great build - of course that may help the aesthetics but it can't be your sole project or even the highest on the list.

4. Listen and Communicate with the community, not at them. - This is just great. Getting in and being involved in the discussions. Coke came in and has encouraged the pre-existing merchandise and branding that the community has already brought in. That's viral in the works - don't go in and stop it. Yes I know there are some legal implications to this - but thank you for getting it and letting us continue our creativity and seeing it as a benefit.

5. Strike a balance between Art & Science - Again just great. I've seen amazing work directed from one or the other but the importance of incorporating both is so seeing the bigger picture.

Overall having the largest worldwide brand "get it" is what we need. Thank you Coke for taking the time to step up and say it loud and proud. This may just be the turn around of the Second Life negativity bus. Although in the elevator on my way to the panel I ran into a hotel guest asking me "what is second life"? Before I had a chance to answer her husband spits out "you know the virtual world with the falling economy that's getting all the bad press". Not exactly what you want to hear in the elevator, but I guess it's better then cheesy music. All in bad press is still press.

Sales vs Authenticity??

I've preached the importance of corporate authenticity before but do as I say - not as I do? I think as a sales professional it's hard to have true authenticity. The title of "sales" is holding us back as an industry - it has such a sour connotation. Time for a change - Christina L. Greene - Real Estate Investment Concierge, Purchase Assistant or maybe Home Shopping Expert.

As I get deeper into the new media world I find myself shedding some old habits. Before sales professionals were cheered for having the ability to hold the "game face" throughout a transaction. But now it's more about being authentic, being true to ones self, being comfortable with transparency, presenting the information with facts rather then the 100% opinion (although having an opinion is important - but support it with facts).

It's funny my first line when I take out a new client is "a. I will always be honest and tell you what I think of a property, even if it's bad and b. I drive like a bat out of hell - put on your seat belt". Agents in my office thought I was shooting myself in the foot by being so forward and honest with my clients. But that's just me - I'm forward, funny and even a little bitchy at times.

Secret - *whispers* "try being yourself, it might actually work for you".

About 5 years ago I had a chat with a fellow agent in the office who said my honest approach with buyers was a breach of contract (Massachusetts state law) to the opposing seller and what was the purpose of disclosing so much information if it was going to hinder the transaction and therefore my paycheck.

Are you kidding? Sorry to break the news - but yes many agents think this way.

If I as much as buy a pair of shoes that are defective I want my money back. Hell if I'm going to be liable for the sale of a defective house. It's "disclosure" if I tell you it's broken and you buy it anyway then hey I said my peace - and can get to sleep tonight.

Since buyer agency has become all the rage giving full disclosure to buyers is "sometimes" mandatory now. My approach is catching on, but with horrible discomfort. Brokers are waiting until the end of the transaction to slip a disclosure sheet across the table with a grin "oh by the way" kind of attitude. Then a sheet with $$$$ slips back across the table with the buyer demanding the price be dropped. Consumers are getting smarter folks - it would be good for us to as well.

I have countless letters from clients sent into my corporate office cheering my personality, attitude, and fun nature. How spending time buying or selling their home was fun rather then a chore. Shouldn't it be? Why would anyone want it to be any less?

If you love what you sell this shouldn't be so hard.