Archive for the 'social media' Category
Mortgage Industry Shock and Awe
August 24th, 2008 Categories: Mortgage Advice, social media
I was on CNBC a few nights ago, slated to do a spot re: dubious mortgage professional practices. The spot was titled: Confessions of a Mortgage Industry Insider.
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The Pitch:
Part A. Talk about the nefarious ways mortgage professionals can, have and will dupe consumers.
Part B. Enlighten consumers on how to avoid such practices and give advice on how to find and align with honest, ethical and transparent mortgage professionals.
The Reality:
Throw yourself under the bus and come across as a former deceptive con artist (decepticon?)…Shock and Awe, Bombs over Baghdad…
I was supposed to have ample time to cover these issues but instead got crammed into 3 minutes of self-vilification.
For example, question 1: Whats the worst thing you’ve ever done?- Ehhhh…
‘Talk about forging documents’- Ummmm…
The Aftermath:
I received more than a few emails from mortgage professionals calling me names I haven’t heard since grammar school…including an uncomfortable call from my mom.
Nice.
Well it is TV, so the sensational story angle should’ve been expected. It just felt like ‘Inside Edition’ more than ‘Help The Consumer’.
Anyone who knows me or has read this blog for even a modicum of time knows I am one the most outspoken advocates for industry reform to restore consumer confidence. I’ve dedicated the last 18 months of my life to developing a product, service and ultimately a community of mortgage professionals who can restore said confidence to a shaken and disjointed industry.
I’m also of the mindset that (almost) any publicity is good publicity if it adds to your Brand. Too many businesses and individuals fail to recognize how important Branding is, which is highly thoughtful and concentrated marketing.
Controversial, compelling and hard hitting has always been, and always will be, part of The XBroker Brand…Dirty ex-mortgage broker looking for forgiveness for past sins?..no so much.
The spot was extra ironic since two days prior I met Dan Green in Chicago, where over a fantabulous Greek dinner we discussed how important it was to rally the messaging back towards the positive in and around the mortgage industry. Those who can differentiate themselves under this context will become this down markets shake-out winners.
There are myriad of outstanding mortgage professionals still in the industry and a ton of opportunity for those willing to adopt, adapt and integrate the ways of New Social Media (aka Web 2.0.) into their businesses. Social media is a potent yet still evolving marketing strategy for the mortgage industry, its early in the game and many traditionalists don’t (can’t) understand it…Do not let that dissuade you!…Create, focus and grow your brand…reinvent, improve yourself and your business continuously. Create the conversation and move the market.
Who else in and around the mortgage industry is executing a stellar New Media and branding startegy?
Dan Green and his Bring The Blog product and service.
Todd Carpenter, proprietor of Lenderama and pioneer of REBlogWorld
Daniel Martin of Mad Mortgage World
Do you know of any others? Let me know!
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Armageddon For Traditional Television?
February 20th, 2008 Categories: Random, social media
This is definitely off topic compared to what I typically blog about, but I can’t help sharing way-cool stuff.
I’m not a heavy frequenter of the stupid box (Television) but do enjoy the vice from time to time and Hulu is the closest product I’ve seen to taking network and cable TV from the ‘airwaves’ on to the Internet. Hulu broadcasts network in Hi-Def and offers the some of the most popular shows from major networks like NBC and FOX as well as a cornucopia of cable channells.
From their About page:
Hulu’s ambitious and never-ending mission is to help you find and enjoy the world’s premium content when, where and how you want it. We hope to provide you with the web’s most comprehensive selection of premium programming across all genres and formats – television shows, feature films, clips, and more. Additionally, we want to give you more choices of when and where you can enjoy your favorite programming, while creating innovative experiences that let you watch and participate in online video in new and exciting ways.
New shows typically appear right after their initial showing…I’m junking my ridiculous cable subscription.
With all the buzz about TV moving online, Hulu is proselytizing the conversion louder than anything else I’ve seen.
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