When #followfriday started, it was really a way to do a few things:
- recognize your friends
- suggest that other people follow people you admire
- explain why those people are good to follow.
Unfortunately, it’s become a self proclaimed “love fest” of crap thanking those that have followed you and making yourself known to the most influential of connectors around you. In short, it’s really not helpful at all.
And where there are beta sites out there like followfridays.com that are allowing you to do some neat things in 140 characters, I wanted to try something different.
Below you will find a list of the top 5 people that I would suggest you follow and why (not limited to 140 characters). This will include great blog posts, what they tend to talk about, why I would follow them, etc.
I promise to be completely HONEST about my “why to follow” criteria and encourage all of you to leave your #followfriday suggestions (and why!) in the comments below. Thanks ~ @mattdollinger
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6/12/2009
@cyberhomes – So this is Reggie Nicolay and he’s married to nik_nik. Great guy, super engaging, and probably the BEST provider of How-To videos on the PROPER utlilization of Social Media available on his blog.
@jfsellsius – Joseph is opinionated, engaging and one of the most influential of the RE.net out there. He’s got good shares on Twitter, but most importantly his blog is excellent for insight.
@jackiehuba – The minister of The Church of the Customer website, she’s got it going on… she knows the customer, relates, understands and shares excellent info on how to implement into your business.
@tmccarey – My brother from another mother here at @properties, Tom is one of the smartest guys I know. You will improve your Vocab by 10 fold by reading his posts, and incredible share-er of information. His blog is www.TheRealEstateLoungeChicago.com
@the_gman – So Gerald is a self proclaimed SEO Jedi and overall excellent share-er of all things tech. Great follow to see what someone on the tech side is reading, discovering and sharing. Check his site here.
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5/29/2009
@davidsandusky – He’s a personal branding guru that really knows his stuff. Great share(er) of information, very relevant and writes a great blog at www.PersonalBoardofAdvisors.com
@gregverdino – Creative brain at Crayon LLC and insightful lovecat spewing great insight and thoughts about marketing, branding and all things good. Writes a blog at www.gregverdino.com
@jaffejuice – Another “color” in the Crayon LLC arsenal bringing forward thoughts, opinion, and killer blogger. Check out his stuff here at www.jaffejuice.com and become inspired.
@kvbuckley – A great “Real Estate Advisor” from the East Coast that focuses on educating her clients. GREAT person to follow and excellent contributor. See her site and company at www.kathleenbuckley.com
@glink – One of the smartest folks out there on real estate, finance, mortgages and more. Follow her for knowledge-brain-fodder and other great stuff to know. Also check her site www.thinkglink.com
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5/15/09
- SPECIAL FOLLOW – @pattidenucci – So she’s from the iron range of Minnesota, she’s super smart, runs a cool company, and has a great looking headshot. Need I say more? Nope… follow her. (again)
@leftthebox – He’s smart. REALLY smart and writes an unbelievable blog called Left The Box on innovation, blogging, and overall smart stuff. Provides good references on tech and is great at engaging others.
@swanepoel - The real estate Godfather of statistics, trends and the future of the business. An outstanding analytical brain that helps agents and brokers alike to prepare for upcoming trends. Outstanding blog too.
@bnmeeks – So he’s the Dir. of Communications for Ctr. for Democracy and Technology and he’s an even cooler guy than his title leads you to believe. Follow him for true insight into the changing world of tech and read his outstanding blog here too.
@glennm – The second part of the Ying/Yang of technology, Glenn’s been playing with this stuff since I was a kid. Part extreme skier Part tech lawyer, his views on Twitter and his blog here are not to be missed.
@davidalston – Social Media maven from North of the border, David’s a wealth of information from “outside the RE.net Matrix“ Share’s alot of great references and writes a killer blog here as well.
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5/08/09
@ericbryn – This guy is smart. Not just smart, but really freaking smart. Runs a blog called Real Estate Relativity and obsessed with all things Technology.
@jowyang – Works at Forrester Research (but these opinions are his own!) he’s an awesome source for business news. Writes his blog on Web Strategy that is filled with more of the same great info.
@ryanwynia - Local Chicagoan who has amazed me with his Twitter value. Attended an event I spoke at and has been providing value ever since. Writes a really good blog focused on branding at BeYOB.com
@pattidenucci – All around good egg that owns an outsourcing referral company – i.e. Patti’s so smart she matches people and positions in a killer way. Patti’s an A+ in pay-it-forward Twitterlove and great person.
@scottmonty – So, if you’re at all curious how a huge company like FORD could use Social Media… Check it. Soctt is the head of social media there, and is always dishing great ideas on how companys could use SM differently. Writes The Social Media Marketing Blog as well.
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4/30/09 – #followfriday
@homepartner – ok, so she’s my fiancee and I love her, BUT she’s also one of the best real estate agents in the Nation. Great information sharing, RT’s, and very engaging in her tweets.
@1000wattmarc – one of the smartest minds in business. He knows real estate but from an outside level, and focuses on the “human element”. Also writes a great blog at 1000wattblog.com and is a close friend.
@robhahn – don’t let the avatar fool you… he knows his shiznit. Part lawyer, part RE guy, all marketer, Rob does a great job of providing deep insight into the RE world. Writes a killer blog too at NotoriousROB
@armano – so he’s one of the killer voices that needs to be listened to in marketing and writes a great blog at Logic+Emotion as well. Always droppin knowledge and someone to listen to.
@aleciahuck – she’s got a one track mind and it’s focused on getting you out of that rut you call a marketing plan. Listen to what she says, read her blog at Maverick & Company and play nicely – she bites.
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