Hashtags – Not Hashbrowns

Country Gravy, fried eggs, bacon and hashbrowns.   Now I’m starving…. but what does this have to do with and what the heck is a hashtag for? More importantly – does it have anything to do with Real Estate in Kansas City?

Absolutely.  The term and use of the hashtag is imperative for realtors who want to get involved in their local community and  get the most out of twitter.

The term is only a few years old and is associated with Twitter – so don’t feel bad if you don’t fully get it.

When preceding a word, The Pound or Number sign “#” combined with the word is refereed to as a hashtag.  Early adopters of twitter wanted a way to lump together like minded people and conversations and created the easy to use hashtag. For example, The cholesterol packed  plate I mentioned above would be summed up with the hashtag #breakfast….. or perhaps #healthfood.  The twitter language has a hefty dose of sarcasm and irony when hashtags are concerned.  Also – notice there is no space between health & food – #’s only work when combined without a space.

BBQ hashtags & Hashtag Bingo

Hashtags can help you organize and connect with like minded potential buyers or sellers and allow you to interact. If you are a local BBQ fan, perhaps its your niche or identity – then you would want to connect with other locals that crave the Q.  (Why am I so food focused?)

In twitter (or in my case Hoot Suite) I searched for #KCBBQ and got the results to the left.  At any moment there are conversations going on about what you are interested in on twitter.  People are social – and people who post to twitter frequently crave feedback and interaction (& in this case, smokey sauce covered ribs).

There is a WRONG way to use hashtags, and it is lovingly called Hashtag Bingo  or Hashtag overkill.  Today, the best practice and conventional wisdom and says 0-2 max per tweet.  Its #irritating to #read a #hashtag on #every #word of a #sentence.  (note example on left)

How can you use hashtags more effectively today? The # for the Real Estate Barcamp Kansas City is #REBCKC Its nice and short and is easily typed on a mobile device rather than the events whole name.  If you have a question about #REBCKC, just use the hastag and ask the question on twitter – that way anyone following the hashtag can answer the question for you.  The day of our event Sept 29th 2011, people will post photos, comments and feedback to the hashtag.  In hootsuite you can even save them as columns of content for easy reference.

Now that that is straightened out, Please pass the Hashtags.

Hey – you can also opt to follow @REBCKC on Twitter for event info and or Come to Real Estate Bar Camp KC to chat IRL about what works!

Get Your Geek On In KC Sept 29

The 2011 ReBarCamp Kansas City Team at lunch Wed.

Last years REBarCampKC attendees were treated to a fantastic event in an amazing space in the heart of downtown Kansas City Mo.  The space worked so well and was such a hit, we’re going to do it again!  The Second Real Estate Bar Camp Kansas City will be held at the Town Pavilion Building.  Its a great location in Downtown’s Power and Light District where you can get your inner geek in gear.

This years event is on Thursday September 29th 2011 .

Charge your mobile device batteries for a fun day of technology & marketing, sharing and listening about what works in today’s real estate market.  The event is Free, but you must RSVP! ….You can’t just walk in – In fact we ran out of space weeks prior to the event last year.

RSVP now and mark your calender!

FYI: A Pre event night out (beercamp) and a post event happy hour are in the works. TBD.

Kansas City REBarCamp 2.0

The REBCKC Registration Team

The Snow is Melting, lakes are thawing AND There will be a Real Estate Bar Camp Kansas City 2.0!

The REBCKC team is looking for Sponsors that want to help make REBCKC 2.0 Rock.

The 2010 REBCKC sold out 3 weeks prior to the event and hundreds of people were overflowing from sponsored session rooms in downtown KC.  2011 will raise the bar.

2011 Sponsorships start at only $500.  (web link/logo and branding at event)

Sponsorship opportunities are limited -  your team / company / bank / vendor can help fund the best Real Estate Technology and Marketing event in our market.

Stay in the loop with our Facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/REBCKC

TODAY ONLY

The day is here!

At 8am doors open and Kansas City will host its first Real Estate Bar Camp. 

If you were lucky / fast enough to get on the RSVP list we will see you Downtown.  We sold out of space 3 weeks ago! There is more demand in KC for these type of events than I imagined!

Because we sold out, we are pleased to announce a limited edition DVD featuring some popular sessions today will be avaliable.

Thanks to our Sponsors for making this day possible!  Now its up to everyone in attendance to make it a success.  This event is/was created, staffed and attended by volunteers just like you.

RE BarCamp Tips

These few tips could make your day fun and easy! Not reading them will lead to disappointment and frustration. So you, dear reader – are on the path to a more fulfilling and happy day!

Kansas City as seen from Google Earth

Event Address:The Town Pavilion Building 1111 Main Kansas City Mo.

Located in the heart of Downtown Kansas City – 1 block from the Power and Light district
Between 11th and 12th – Main and Walnut

Parking- In the multi level Town Pavilion garage between Walnut and Grand – 12th and 13th. The First 100 attendees who donate $5 to Harvesters at the event will get a free parking pass.

3 Key Times to keep in mind:
8am
Doors and Registration open. Early birds get a short registration line!
Networking, Coffee and breakfast treats are provided by our sponsors in the Realty Executives Room.

9:15 am
REBarCamp Rookie Orientation in the Prudential Kansas City Room

4pm The crowd moves down the road two blocks to Jonnys Tavern for “Beer Camp”.

1) Its a casual and laid back atmosphere. Dress comfortable.
2) Parking – Bring your Harvesters REBCKC donation receipt to 4th floor registration for free parking (Town Pavilion garage only) Or – you may donate at registration to get a free parking voucher.
3) The event is Free. If you RSVP’d here you can get in! (Check here) But you don’t need to bring any thing – we will find your name on the list.
4)Take the elevator to the 4th floor for registration
5) If you show up at 9 – there will be a line! (8:30 is a good bet)
6) Lunch is Free (We will have a donation basket for Harvesters)

Schedule Schemedule

Remember – this event is run by volunteers, so all times are approximate, Low emission, 100% BPA free and contain zero trans fats.

Salvador Dali will not be on time.

7am
Volunteers set up the event space

8:00 am
Doors and Registration open. The Smart kids & Early birds get a short registration line!

8:01 am
Networking, Scooters Coffee and breakfast treats are provided by our sponsors in the Realty Executives Room.

9:15 am
REBarCamp RE Bar Camp Rookie Orientation in the Prudential Kansas City Room

9:45 am
AM Session Schedule on display

10am -10:45 First Session (Realty Executives, Prudential, Pulaski and Clareity Rooms)
11am -11:45 Second Session (Realty Executives, Prudential, Pulaski and Clareity Rooms)
11:45- 1:45 Free BBQ lunch Served in Main Hall
12 Noon PM Session Schedule on Display
12-12:45 Third Session (Realty Executives, Prudential, Pulaski and Clareity Rooms)
1pm- 1:45 Fourth Session (Realty Executives, Prudential, Pulaski and Clareity Rooms)
2pm REBCKC Lab Opens
2pm – 2:45 Fifth Session (REBCKC LAB, Realty Executives, Prudential, Pulaski and Clareity Rooms)
3pm-3:45 Sixth Session (REBCKC LAB, Realty Executives, Prudential, Pulaski and Clareity Rooms)

4pm
Beer Camp – Walk 1 block east, 1 block South to Jonny’s Tavern for further conversations and discussions (next to Sprint Center)

Town Pavilion Building Downtown, 4th Floor

Tour the Real Estate BarCamp Location (1100 Walnut KC, MO) – The Town Pavilion conference center! Click on the red icons to view the photos of each room. Special Thanks to http://FloorPlanOnline.com for the cool embedded floorplan tour, and Copaken Brooks for use of the space.
View the full sized tour with video here.

We will post INFO on Monday with directions and a parking map!

BBQ for You

BYOB- Bring your own bib and your appetite to REBCKC because our Awesome Sponsors picked up the tab for lunch!

True smoked meat aficionados love the taste of the MEAT first, the sauce second…. and Kansas City folks can get pretty picky with their Barbecue. We wanted the best – And it took one visit to select the bbq for this event.

The team made special arrangements to have lunch at REBarCamp Kansas City catered by a little known bbq gem – a joint that is turning heads across town.

Brobeck’s has made a living smoking meat for years. Legend has it their meat is smoked so slowly that it may take years to complete the perfect sandwich. The care they put into each tasty morsel is evident in their technique! During our last visit we were assured that the meat served has been falling off of the bone so quickly they rush the butcher to the animal!

Don’t expect a child’s portion of haute cuisine! Show up hungry, growling, maybe even forego a meal or two in order to prepare for the rush of sensory perception.

When you make your first visit to the restaurant at 4615 Indian Creek Parkway, Overland Park, Kansas Just follow your nose. Be sure to order The “Smokey Joe” a blend of chopped pork, beef, and smoked ham, long a crowd-pleaser.

At REBCKC we will have 3 different types of Brobecks slow cooked meats, with sides, beverages and a huge salad.

Even with all that fantastic food, we hope you leave you Hungry …. for knowledge.

Written by Martin Taggart & Chris Drayer

Helping Kansas City Families & FREE Parking

Kansas City is famous for its Midwest hospitality. You can see it all around in the kindness of strangers. REBarCamp Kansas City is about helping others learn and grow their Real Estate business. The event will leverage our strong community combined with our fine hospitality in order to help others, have fun and share  ideas. 

In that Kansas City Spirit, REBCKC has teamed up with Kansas City based Harvesters Community Food Network to help with those who have to choose between food or shelter.

We are asking you to donate Five Dollars to Harvesters. Its a good Donation.  A Five dollar Donation to Harvesters will translate to Twenty Five Meals for the Hungry here in KC. Our goal is to pay for 2500 Meals.

Please make a Donation of $5 or more here:

For your Donation, You will receive good karma, AND a voucher for Free Parking at REBarCampKC.
IMPORTANT: Bring your Harvesters Printed Receipt to Registration we will give you the free parking voucher. First 100 Donation Receipts to check in get Free Parking!
Free Parking valid in the “Town Pavilion Garage” Only!

Cool Harvesters Stats:

-Harvesters’ network serves nearly 60,000 people in need in Greater Kansas City every week.

-43% of the people Harvesters’ network serves are children.

-Harvesters distributes food to a network of more than 550 charitable agencies in Greater Kansas City,
including emergency food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, day care centers and senior centers.

-Harvesters  direct service area covers 7,600 square miles 13 counties.

« Previous Page — Next Page »