Good morning to you –

It's interesting – I really believe that we are in the first inning of a nine inning ball game and furthermore I think we are staring the first batter in the eye about to throw the first pitch. That is to suggest there is little to draw from in terms of real examples in our space. That is not to suggest that writing conceptually is not valuable. It is most of what I do here. And, nothing jazzes me more than to see people run off with concepts from time to time and turn them into real burning examples. If nothing else – my hope is that people get entertained and or have a a-ha moments. It's counter to your results driven manta and in the same respect has tremendous value.

In the context of LTs ending questions, yes I am taking the counterpoint and drawing it out over four concepts that I think lead up to what we are all ultimately after – whether we know it or not [I look forward to your thoughts as the series unfolds]. Again, all prognosticating but on the premise of tons of reading, writing and participating in the social space for a long bit of time.

With regard to reviews – it's the eight hundred pound gorilla in the room that no one wants to take on – as you imply, it's not an option anymore. I think operators are mindful of it and unfortunately we will likely see some catastrophes before people take it seriously. I think the point here is to be the lead influencer with regard to what shows up on your front door. And to speak to the Google Juice point in LTs post – it's that [dare I use the word] paradigm shift that will have to take place in this industry before people see it for what it is. That is to suggest we have to turn it upside down and understand that the GJ is a result of the what some consider the BS and the results will come in the 9th inning when the Cubs finally win….[maybe a bad example but I think you get the point.

Have a smashing – sir and thank you, as always for moving the conversation along.

Your post, or at least where I think you are headed with the series is at a complete opposite end of LT's recent post “Is Engaging Your Residents with Social Media a Bunch of BS” More examples of why this works and that the buyer/renters habits have changed will help folks.

With things like Yelp's recent app where you can point your iPhone at any business you are walking past and see all of the Yelp reviews show up is akin to pasting the reviews to your front door.

Ratings and Reviews management and strategy will soon become part of every businesses DNA

In many ways it reminds me of Bonnie Raitt's old song: Let's give them something to talk about. I agree wholeheartedly that its a bit more rare to see a positive comment than it is to see the negative feedback.

I think the solution to that is two fold, 1. Give them a compelling reason. 2. Give them [Twitter, FourSquare or the like] a very simple and quick way to share. And, most importantly – be ready to market that piece of marketing –

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts -