Stephanie Jacques

If you haven't already watched this video on the impact of Social Media on our world, it's one to watch. Having gone viral long ago, I heard about this video time and time again as it got posted onto Facebook, distributed on Twitter, and received tons of comments on Youtube.

The use of video like this one always intrigues me as I watch and wonder what it is about this one in particular that really gets my adrenaline rushing. I watch this one and get "hyper" about social media, was it the music, the speed of delivery, the numbers, or more likely the combination of all the above.

I can flip through Youtube looking for something that grabs me and usually within 5-10 seconds I've made my decision on whether or not I will continue to watch it or not. What is it in a video that grabs your attention? What videos have grabbed your attention the most?

(Remember to turn up the volume if you follow the link to the video.)

11/7/2009

28 Owens Drive, Swanzey 10:00-12:00

9 Prospect Street, Hinsdale 10:30-12:00

46 Arlington Ave, Keene 11:00-1:00

61 Hilltop Drive, Keene 1:00-3:00

206 Pako Avenue, Keene 12:30-2:00

26 Colby Street, Keene 11:00-12:30

3 Earl Avenue, Winchester 11:30-1:00

33 Richmond Rd, Troy 11:00-1:00

103 Rte 119 West, Fitzwilliam 10:00-11:30

34 Robbins Rd, Fitzwilliam 10:00-11:30

135 Number #4 Rd, Fitzwilliam 2:00-4:00- NEW PRICE!

84 Kendall Rd, Keene 3:00-4:30

19 Iceland Circle, Keene 1:00-2:30

39 Prescott St, Keene 11:00-12:30

11/8/2009

28 Owens Drive, Swanzey 11:00-1:00 (also on Weds 4: 00-6:00- process starting at $147,000)

38 Skyline Drive, Keene 2:00-3:30

76 Howard Street, Keene 12:00-1:30

270 Wentworth Rd, Walpole 12:00-2:00

441 Rte 63, Westmoreland 10:30-12:30

51 Summit Ridge Drive, Keene 1:00-3:00

806 Rte 63, Westmoreland 2:30-4:00

I just got off teleconference with the NHAR Social Media task force team: Shannon Aldrich, Ansel Crombleholme, Jay McGillicuddy (chair), Dan O'Halloran and myself, Stephanie Jacques. The task force was set up to help NHAR and it's members implement the use of social media tools for communication.

Because social media users are already aware of the power of being involved with social media (i.e., the speed and the amazing ability to tap into the knowledge of thousands in record time), we are discussing ways to help reach members who may be hesitant to reach out and try social media. For many of those members, it's:

1) a matter of being shown how to use it

2) explaining more about social media

3)addressing any fears that they have...before they adopt the practice.

For others, it may never be adopted (I still know many agents who do not use cell phones.)

The NHAR has already begun blogging (NHARPulse) and using Twitter (@NHAR). Soon we will be implementing podcasts and webinars and we'll be needing more agents on board.

How has social media crept into my workdays?

Going about my day without learning about the happenings in my industry is a day from the past. I'm in tune, through Twitter especially, with information about the tax credit rulings, health care reform, and breaking news. Social media, though intimidating and overwhelming until it is well disseminated, is an avenue for receiving this news and being engaged. Consumers are engaged. It would be embarrassing to be told something by a consumer about my industry that I haven't learned about.

#1. I'm boarding my horse indoors so I can ride all winter and keep my sanity. I'm putting all my cards on this one because riding is my passion. This winter I'm NOT going 6 months without it!

2. Social Media NETWORKING! You never know what's coming around the corner when you're embarked in the social media journey. Keeping ahead with social media and getting continuous training to advance my knowledge has become my mission- why? It's fun and it's opened new doors for me!

3. Staying away from any negative in office conversations. Everything's goin' all right, as far as I'm concerned as long as I've got my family and my health, complimented by an exciting career and surrounded by friends.

4. Go snowtubing at Granite Gorge with my daughter now that she's old enough! This I'm looking forward to.

5. I'm going on a VACATION this winter!

Every once in a while I revert back to my children in a blog because of something that's happened that's truly warmed my heart. This occassion is one of them!

Last night I was a bit harsh and snappy with my daughter whose chatterbox mouth was steering me away from my search for quiet (...and my need to complete a thought without constant interruption.) Because we've raised our children with very little TV, I have an automatic guilt trip for turning it on, but maybe I should have because Mommy wasn't being a good playmate!

I felt bad about being unfairly snappy and, in trying to teach a good lesson, I spoke to my daughter about it this morning as she was getting ready for school. "That's right, Mom, and I'm sorry too for being crabby when you didn't sing to me before bed." And so we continued with our morning and I added that this morning, I was going to let her get ready on her own without nagging about getting dressed, brushing teeth, and hurrying up to eat (something we go through daily and it wears on me as well as her I'm sure!)

After a successful morning without nagging and getting out the door ahead of time for once (which I still can't figure out how it happened without my nagging) she went on..."because I will be able to teach my children how to prepare themselves for school without all that 'do this, do that, blah blah blah' and they won't have to hear me nagging at them because my children won't like it when I nag." I wondered where she got off talking about having children of her own and thinking about how they would feel if she, as a mother, talked to them a certain way. SHE'S 5 and she's talking about how she'll teach her children!

Lesson learned from a 5 year old this morning is, they're brilliantly smart and incredibly capable and willing. Using the right approach and communicating a sense of trust in them is something I'll need to work on because my goal as a parent is to raise my children so that they are capable of being independent when they leave the nest. Treating my daughter as such will help their self esteem greatly as well as make my morning more stressfree!