Merry Christmas hugs to all of you, from At Home with Tom and Sandy.
Sandy: Hi Tom. So, this month we should talk about how social media affects our industry. It sure has changed the landscape!
Tom: Great topic, Sandy. I am more aware of the different types of social media than I am a participant in them.
Sandy: I believe the different types, as you call them, are referred to as “platforms.” Let’s get the lingo straight, mister.
Tom: OK, you are correct. With all the posts, tweets, peeps and chirps going on, I have a hard time keeping up. I did some looking into this subject a while ago and was astounded at the proliferation of social media platforms.
Sandy: I have heard there are well over a hundred different platforms that encapsulate and capture social media. I would like our conversation to be more focused on the more common ones used in and for our industry.
Tom: Good idea. Several of these social media outlets can be a help for folks trying to decide what to do. They can also be quite confusing.
Sandy: And some are misleading as well. The “fact checkers” are out there, but they cannot catch everything and some things they do not check. I always wondered who checked them, though?
Tom: I have a Facebook account and use it to keep in touch with family and friends. We also use it to promote our business. One is free, the other charges for different posts, I think.
Tom: I am quite concerned about what I see being shared on Facebook pertaining to help for construction projects.
Sandy: I see folks posting about needing a project done. Everything from a new build to yard work. There are a lot of good companies out there and, believe me, several of the recommendations are not as genuine as they appear.
Tom: I see links to websites for companies, which are legit. It’s the Direct Message posts that are troublesome.
Sandy: I agree with the website links. That at least lets you know if they are legitimate companies. I would be scared to hire someone through any social media platform that I could not verify licensing, reputation or have any way to validate a person’s claims.
Tom: The big red flag for me is when people post that they are looking to do your work, even something simple like cleaning up your yard, and they don’t post much about themselves.
Sandy: The ROC requires advertisers to include their ROC license number in the ad. And make no mistake, the posts we are talking about are ads.
Tom: Absolutely they are. Businesses pay for every post they make. Social media is universal and it’s a freebie to tap into, which I feel generates challenges and problems with construction.
Sandy: OK, that is the downside. Tell me about the good side of all this posting, tweeting and pinning.
Tom: I like the various platforms’ ability to help me stay connected to people I am friends with. There are some platforms where information and ideas can be shared, like Pinterest.
Sandy: I like the ideas that are “pinned” on Pinterest. There are some very clever design ideas there.
Tom: There really are. I used it from time to time to check out the way various materials work together, like metal tiles used as highlights on a stucco wall.
Sandy: YouTube is considered a social media platform as well. Now, that is a helpful forum. The videos that demonstrate the process of doing something is a valuable resource.
Tom: Agreed. The DIY folks out there can learn how to do just about everything. If someone wanted to know how to install ceramic tile, there are instructional videos for that.
Sandy: One doesn’t go to YouTube for advertising, though. I see that sometimes the instructional video producers may put their businesses forward, but only after they have taught us something.
Tom: That is legit in my mind. After watching a video about installing cabinets, folks might opt to call the producer if they are local or reach out to a professional.
Sandy: Our readers need to know that these social media platforms can be helpful; however, we need to be smart in determining how we use them.
Tom: The fact checkers are notorious for checking political facts, but they don’t vet the small guy who wants to clean your yard.
Sandy: That is a good point, Tom. We need to be our own fact checkers. If something sounds too good, it is. Our readers need to know that helping them is a big part of why the YCCA is here. Remember, don’t start without us!
Tom: since this is Christmas, and I know you are like me, you look at every day of the year as an opportunity to do better than yesterday. It is hard to believe that 2023 is right around the corner.
Tom: You are right, Sandy. Let’s all look to the future. Life brings changes and we must all develop and encourage a life of gratitude. We are all partners in our community and our circumstances will change at some time or another. We live in one of the most generous communities on the planet, so let us all continue to give the “Christmas Spirit” throughout every day of 2023 and beyond.
Sandy: Blessed is the season, which engages the entire world in a conspiracy of love. And now let us all sing one of our favorite Christmas carols, “Joy to the World.”
Tom: Helen Steiner Rice said, “Peace on Earth will come to stay when we live Christmas every day.”
Merry Christmas hugs to all of you, from At Home with Tom and Sandy. QCBN
Tom Reilly, LEED Accredited Professional, Architect.
Sandy Griffis, Executive Director, Yavapai County Contractors Association. (928) 778-0040
Remember to tune in to YCCA’s Hammer Time every Saturday and Sunday morning 7:00 am on KQNA 1130 am/99.9 fm/95/5fm or the web kqna.com. Listen to Sandy and her wingman Mike talk about the construction industry and meet your local community partners. Hammer Time is a great way to start your weekend.
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