The real estate industry knows a thing or two about change, for better or for worse.
Access to data and property information is as easy as pulling out my iPhone. It seems like every week we hear about a new app, platform or social network that’s “indispensable” for leveling up lead generation or building brand awareness — all the while creating a digital dizziness that can make your head spin.
During Inman Connect San Francisco last week, some big news dropped — Instagram Stories killed Snapchat!
As an avid snapper, a little piece of my social media-loving heart dropped at the thought of being pushed out of the cool kids’ club. Now that Instagram offers ephemeral messaging also called “Stories,” but with an easier-to-navigate format and way more users, what does it mean for all of us who grew our audiences and connected with fellow chatmasters?
How could they clone something so unique and so untouchable?
[Tweet “How could Instagram clone something so unique, so untouchable?”]
Simple — it’s called innovation, and we just learned that no one is immune.
In the last year, we’ve seen massively disruptive product debuts, from Facebook Live to Instagram Stories, and it all leads to one thing and one thing only: Change is constant.
Change is good. Complacency is bad.
It doesn’t matter if you love the new Instagram Stories more than Snapchat or if you believe that Snapchat will stand the test of time. What does matter is the very crucial concept that times are a-changin’ and successful people love change.
Platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat are undergoing a social “alignment” of sorts with one singular focus: authentic communication with the end user.
Regardless of the infinite technology shifts we will encounter, the human connection is still the most important component. As humans, we have an innate ability to adapt when faced with change and while change can be accompanied by fear and anxiety, it can also exist alongside excitement.
For everyone who wonders if Snapchat is on the way out, I say — who cares?
The best part about trying new things is the feedback the experience gives you. Shift happens, and burying our heads in the sand when it comes to innovation in social media, technology or marketing in general isn’t going to help you build more business.
Creating success requires both wins and losses, and we can’t possibly grow as a business professional or a human being without navigating through a little bit of chaos.
Every successful businessperson will share stories about triumphs and tragedies, and nearly all of them will tell you that what they learned in the tragedies was the most important!
The lesson here is to consider the possibilities of adapting, testing and embracing unexpected change, regardless of how inconvenient you may think it is.
The next 24 months should be a wild ride in social media — or “the internet,” as dubbed by Gary Vee himself.
I’m still doubtful that we’re seeing the end days of Snap. Perhaps it’s wishful thinking.
But what I am thrilled to see is that innovation isn’t slowing down, and that means you can’t, either.
Chelsea Peitz is the AVP, director of marketing of Fidelity National Title. Follow her on Twitter or Facebook.
