Everyone’s a Critic!
Jan. 04. 2011
If there was one thing I remember from all my advertising classes it was: The best form of Advertising is word of mouth advertising.
These days, with social media being as prevalent as it is, websites like Yelp!, City Search, and Angie’s List, help all of us rate a particular experience we had at a restaurant or salon, a particular product we swear by, and refer some of the people that have helped better our lives, hair, living situation, etc. The reviews that some leave for particular businesses, neighborhoods and areas also dictate future investments, neighborhoods that are transforming, and where certain types of people want to be in a particular city. A prime example of this in Austin, in my opinion is the East Side, as well as the Rainey Street District. First to go up in the area was a beautiful condo project (the Milago), followed by The Shore Condominiums, a high rise apartment building, the Mexican American Cultural Center was built right next to the highly desired Lady Bird Lake hike and bike trails, and recently more businesses have been blossoming around that area, one that I recenly wrote a review on. Most of the bars are just what Austin needs-renovated from an old house, fresh, and slightly different than the run of the mill bars we have grown accustomed to. But there can never be too many bars in this city, right?!
One thing I was surprised to read about when I searched the Real Estate services reviews on Yelp! is that there weren’t that many. Seems like someone would want to have as good of an experience with a Realtor and buying their first home, or finding an apartment they love as they would as having a fantastic dish at a new restaurant. So, with this being the New Year and all, my goal or "resolution" is to have a positive review or two written about me helping someone. I want to know that I did such a good job selling a home, helping someone buy a home, or finding my friend an apartment they love that they not only refer me to friends, but also go to the extent of writing a review online.
Now, go out there and write a review, it is ok to be a critic!