Stephanie's Blog

Interactive websites would look like Stonewall Farm, I've decided. The other day I brought my children to Stonewall Farm.  Stonewall Farm is set on a beautiful open country road on outskirts of Keene, NH.  Their mission is to connect people to the land and do so through their organic garden (CSA) and their working farm where numerous educational programs and events take place.

It was a bright sunny day as I drove outside of city limits and arrived at Stonewall Farm. There were wide open fields and a windy dirt road that crosses over a babbling brook.  It curves around sheep paddock on the left and follows a large lush green field with a single strand electric fence on the right.

About 700 yards down this windy road I arrive at an opening, the main parking lot. This is where all the crossroads meet, taking you to different places around this working farm. There is even a sign like the one on the Wizard of Oz, pointing you to several directions announcing popular destinations on the farm.

I park my car here and get out, wondering where we should go first. The kids know exactly which way to go, out of memory, and head for the bridge over the babbling brook that led to the playground. I think, couldn't we just use the playground at home, let's go see the animals, then I begin to think about Stonewall Farm as a perfect analogy to use when designing an interactive website using social media.

You see, the parking lot in the center symbolizes your home page on a website.  But there's more to it than this, and I began to get excited as I swatted away at those obnoxious gnats sucking blood from my childrens' necks.

Interactive websites would look like Stonewall Farm, I thought, and this is why we all love Stonewall Farm. There is something for everyone who comes, every age. They have found a way to make this place appealing to all of their stakeholders (everyone you hope will see your website).

The bulletin board is like an online events/calendar/announcement page. Someone would want to go there frequently to see what new postings have been made as they are changed and updated often.

The babbling brook, bridge and windy path appeal to those whose attention is most drawn from using all of the senses. On a website, this would resemble your TouTube video or an audio component drawing you in and grabbing at your emotions with memories of when you were a child and thoughts of playing in the brook with your sneakers on. I almost let my one year old go right in but was whisked away by those obnoxious gnats again...pop up ads...those don't belong in the social media culture. They're not welcomed yet they occasionally find their way in anyway.

The educational center is a large, 3 levels, restored barn. This is ideal for those coming to your site to get information. Learning the answers to questions you never even thought to ask. That is your information page on a website. It's why people come. If they knew it all, they wouldn't be here, and because it's interesting and easy to understand, they keep coming back for more. You have something they need or want. Maybe, like SF, it's something they want their children to experience. They are the stakeholders you want to reach and their children are the way to grab their attention.

What is it your stakeholders are most interested in, what are their hobbies, what do they do in their spare time? What do they love most? Can you use that to grab their attention too? Do you share similar passions as they do and can you use that as a way for them to relate to you online?

The Facebook of Stonewall Farm is their annual maple syrup gathering event, or their monthly contra dance events where like minded people come together to socialize, be entertained and to relax. 

The crossroads at Stonewall Farm symbolize all of the tabs on your home page. Because SF is looking for feedback, they offer a suggestion box. This is your blog/ ratings/reviews. It links consumers from your home page to the head of the business or organization directly, only it promotes more discussion from all parties rather than a monologue suggestion box.

It's so important to convey personality and culture through your website, and to be consistent no matter where you post your presence online.  Just remember, keep those obnoxious gnats out of the picture!

Stephanie Jacques

Used at the MicroCreditNH presentation of Social Media Marketing on May 28, 2009

After almost one year of blogging about local community and supporting small business, it's about time I spend some time promoting my own husband, Kris Kleine and his band,Category 4.  Playing locally at the EF Lane Hotel in Keene, NH as well as at some home parties and The Woodmore Campground in Rindge, NH, their band was given the "best band around" by someone who is frequently in the presence of local bands.

After trying out for American Idol and learning all about how their system works, Kris decided forming his own band and playing locally was "good enough to start" for a family guy! Their band is available to play at graduation parties, rehearsal dinner parties, large cookouts, town celebrations and weddings. They play a good mix of originals and cover 5 decades of cover songs.

Kris also runs a DJ and Karaoke business on the side, what a busy Dad he is! "On-tap DJ and Karaoke Entertainment" travels within one hour or so from Keene, NH. He's DJ's weddings and held Karaoke Christmas parties. Kris knows how to entertain and loves the spotlight! He engages the audience and teaches them line dances.  He's able to read the crowd and keep them movin'!

If you're looking for a great entertainer to compliment any event, contact Kris Kleine at kriskleine@yahoo.com . His schedule typically books several months in advanced so call early!

www.stephaniejacques.com

I've been selling real estate for 8 years in the Monadnock Region, NH and this past year I actually didn't do so bad at all, but I've never worked so hard and so smart in my life.

Transactions are so complicated that, unless you can coach people through and help them see the final outcome is still attainable, it is easy for buyers and sellers to want to quit when it just gets too tough to handle.

To help buyers and sellers deal with the impact of a potential roller coaster ride they are sometimes on, my main focus is on keeping people engaged by providing them (all stakeholders involved) necessary information in a timely manner.

Who hasn't seen a client become worried and upset because of assumptions they'd made along the way? This can easily escalate if not addressed early on. To avoid fires from starting and to create a system which keeps everyone from getting edgy, the lines of communication must be open.

One benefit I've found in using social media is it enables clients to find me and to communicate with me where they are comfortable. I have one transaction that takes place mostly over a social network site (privately) and through texting, because this is where that client "hangs out" and spends their time online.

Our clients will be defining and shaping how we do business in the future. Keeping up with communication trends is key to sustaining our own business in the future.

www.stephaniejacques.com

I recently changed my Twitter name to something more relavant, now that I'm getting the hang of it. As KeeneNHRealtor (follow me if you'd like) I am now followed by MortgageMan.

His most recent post was titled "Do First Time Buyers Need Realtors?"  and, because I work mostly with first time buyers and sellers, it peaked my interest.

At first I thought this was going to be every reason in the book why they should not hire an agent, though I could not come up with any reasons myself. As a first time buyer, it seems most crucial to have a hired expert working for you, counseling you through the process. And so I read on...

He wrote a very good blog and it is evident he can attest to the value of working on a team, a team that includes the first time home buyer, the Realtor, and himself as the lender.

Unless the first time buyer is an agent, themselves, it is in their best interest to work with someone who works in the real estate industry on a daily basis. There are so many complex issues that arise along the way, especially in this market. In the past 6 months, there has been only one transaction I can remember closing that has run into few issues before its closing.

www.stephaniejacques.com

I just realized the connection between buying/selling a house and playing a game of field hockey.

I think anyone who's played in sports games before can understand this, but it's not until you're actually buying (or selling) a home in this complicated market that you truly appreciate their interconnectedness.

As your agent, I am your coach. 

Like a field hockey coach I must keep an eye on the goal, to help you as my client succeed with your move so that you can move on with your lives.

In this game are real people, real lives. These people have hopes and aspirations. These people play hard to score so they can move forward with their lives. These people trust me as their coach and, as a result, these people often find themselves taking risks that must be taken in order to achieve a final outcome, one that is attainable and achievable through persistance, trust, perseverance and YES, some dose of stress and fear.

I hope that my clients can trust I am going to coach them to that goal. With every hurdle we've gotten closer, yet with every hurdle they feel fear and have to remind themselves of their goal.

With every hurdle, however, I see more clarity that we will get there. A real estate transaction, just like a field hockey game, is not always so challenging. Sometimes the opponent's team is uncomplicated and it takes very little to score. Othertimes we are challenged and have to reposition our players, develop new strategies to win, and celebrate our successes as small increments as we approach  our goal.

I'm asking you, my clients, to trust me as your agent. I have your goal in mind, you've shared so many of your dreams with me and I'm asking you trust me to take you through this process. You have played this right in so many ways and now the ball is in someone else's court. You'll see it go back and forth. You'll see it come back in your court.

Remember what your goals are are know that you have already played your part in all the right ways. We will get there in a very organic way, but we will get there!