Top 3 Reasons to Engage With Social Media for Property Management Companies

Social Media is so important for your apartment communities. The bottom line is that you don't want to be left out. 93% of businesses are using social because of the benefits listed above. Ignoring social media will make your brand appear outdated and irrelevant, so adopt these tips to maintain a current social media presence! I recommend to at least use the following two Social Media outlets: Facebook and Twitter. 

Facebook is great to connect with current residents, future residents and employees. Sharing photos and information about your community is the best use and creates an opent channel for communication. Aim for posting twice or three times a day.
Tweeting constantly is socially acceptable! Take advantage of this. Tweet 4-6 times per day with articles, photos, announcements, and retweets of others. Below are my top three reasons to use Social Media for your properties.

1. Brand Awareness-This is an opportunity to showcase the personality of your brand and highlight your property. First, decide what you want that to be, and then, decide what persona fits your brand best and show it off in your posts. Aside from your website and marketing collateral, this is the impression your brand is making to the outside world, so use it!

2. Engagement-From like to lease! This is your chance to engage with your future and current residents. Social sharing is a way of communicating information and letting people know about vacancies,community gatherings, referral programs and property updates - it's a free and easy way to spread the word! Connect to your residents on Twitter! Announce fun activities like "Mimosa Monday" during the summer, or free hot dogs in the lobby during the 4th of July. Additionally, to email residents and put some posters up near the elevators announcing a Twitter contest (i.e. "the best '#LoveMyABCProperty' tweet gets a Starbucks gift card!"). Social-only incentives for your community will increase excitement around your presence online, and it takes very little effort for your residents to get involved.

3. Resident Retention-Social media is it's own large community and is becoming a very important part of the valuation of the property. It allows your residential community to interact with you and with each other on the web in a way that is safe, efficient, and productive. Reach out and build relationship with your residents and employees while advocating for your properties! It is very important to listen and respond when something is not working at the property, and this is an effective channel to hear directly form those that live at your community.


By: 
SOCi is the new standard in social media management. With its award-winning comprehensive enterprise tools platform, proprietary Content Recommendation Engine and Instant Insight scoring algorithms, SOCi is revolutionizing the multi-family industry one like at a time!

Seja interviews rider Feri Linage - shredin' from up high!

Name: Feri Linage

Hometown: Mérida, México

Age: 23

Sport: Kitesurfing

We had a great opportunity to interview rider Feri Linage this past week. Some of you might not be as familiar with the sport Kitesurfing, so I wanted to take a minute to explain what this sport is all about.

Basically, in a nutshell, Kitesurfing or Kiteboarding is an adventure surface water sport that has been described as combining wakeboarding, windsurfing, surfing and paragliding into one extreme sport. Kitesurfing harnesses the power of the wind to propel a rider across the water on a small surfboard or a kiteboard (similar to a wakeboard). The terms kiteboarding and kitesurfing are interchangeable. There are a number of different styles of kiteboarding, including freestyle (most common and utilizes standard kite and board) or wake-style (flatter water using board with bindings) and wave-riding which is focused on big waves using a board designed for wave riding.

Born and raised in the Yucatán Peninsula, Feri has always been surrounded by water. Her favorite beach is Progresso which is about 20 minutes from her home. Since Progresso is a port city and located on the Gulf of Mexico, it quite rare that you will find any waves or swell at this beach. But there is one thing that you are sure to find, that is, "heaps of wind!" And wind is all you need to set sail in sport of kitesurfing.

Feri tells me that from a young age and through her various travels, she was always been intrigued by the sport of surfing. She loves to just sit and watch the surfers shred and more than anything, she loves the art of surfing as each rider paints the wave differently. Although she never had the opportunity to learn how to surf, (mainly due the lack of waves in her hometown beach), she caught wind of a new extreme sport starting to get some momentum in Mexico. Since the first time she tried kitesurfing, she smiles and said, " I was addicted. I was hooked. I wanted to go faster, jump higher and fly away!"

Here are a few questions I asked her and her responses:
**(this interview was done in Spanish, and then I translated it into English)**

1) What do you love about kitesurfing?
(or for her it's " kitear" in spanish)

First off, I love the beach. It's my sanctuary. It is my perfect "get-away" from the daily grunt and grind that life dishes out. I love the simple fact of just sitting on the beach if for some reason the conditions don't allow for a session to kitesurf. I love all aspects of the beach, the sand, the water, the sunsets, sunrise, and the ocean breeze. The beach offers me total peace to my soul and puts a permanent smile on my face.

2) Do you remember the first time you tried to kitesurf?

Yes. I will not lie. It wasn't just a piece of cake for me. It took me a lot of determination, focus and desire. I remember the first time, just how tired my body was but I learned to love that feeling. I love this sport because like many other sports, it is based on progression. Even to this day, I feel that each time I am out on my board and with a kite in my hand, I feel that I am always learning something new. New ways to move, new ways to ride and always thinking of new tricks. It'a awesome!

3) Any plans for the future with the sport? Contests?

Yes, of course! The sport is just now getting some attention and obviously, it doesn't have the same amount of attention as surfing. But I would love to continue to train, and maybe down the road I will start to compete in some contests!

4) How far is your commute to the beach from your hometown?

Well, I live just about 20 minutes to the beach. I have many friends that are addicted like me and we usually gather together at my friend's beach house and then all get out there and kitesurf!

5) What is your favorite part about kitesurfing?

I love to jump and just glide the air. It is so hard to describe this feeling of just hanging in the air. I guess you could describe it as "a state of
total free fall". Maybe it is just a like a mild version of the feeling you would get while skydiving or bungee jumping, but overall, the feeling is a total adrenalin rush. When I jump and hang in the air, I feel that I disconnect with the real world, and you feel that you are totally free and can't help but smile. :)

Feri has recently joined us at sEja as a team rider. She displays great potential and continues to excel in kitesurfing. We wish her the best of luck in the near future and contests. Feri’s commitment, passion and desire for Kitesurfing is rather astonishing. She is filled with unbridled determination which is born from within. Her daily goal to press forward and explore new limits is exactly what is Seja is all about.

Seja: ['say-jah']- the inner element that controls our motivational drive to move forward. The Seja movement encompasses the collective reawakening of consciousness and brings people together in the water, on the bike, on the trails, on the board, or anything that propels us forward.

Seja would like to thank Feri for her time and we hope you keep shredding from up high!


Warm Regards,
Editor

Never stop exploring.. always on the move! This pit-stop.. Paris.. oh la la!

It has been a while since my last post. For those who know me quite well, can testify that I am always exploring and never seem to stay put. However, over the past 7 months I have been living in Paris, France. I came with the intention of staying for just a few months, but I guess I fell in love with the city. Despite the eradicate weather, I can proudly say that I survived the dreadful Paris winter:!) I wanted to take a few minutes to share with you why I chose Paris. For those who have never been here, this city is a "must" place to visit! It is magical, rich in culture and full of mind-blogging buildings, museums, parks, churches, and draw-dropping bridges.

This place is just so dense of life, art, music, and history, it's hard to go a today without learning something new or just being in awe when you stop and examine the amazing details of the elaborate buildings peppered all throughout the city.

Paris will win your heart. So don't try to fight it! The cobbled-stone streets, the rustic lamps, amazing architecture, the street vendors along the Seine, and the delicious brasseries, cafes in each quarter paint just a small portrait of the Parisian life. The boulangeries (french for bakeries) aromatize the city each morning with the smell of fresh croissants, baguettes and delicious french pastries. With all the rich delicacies and decadent french recipes, you would think that French people would be obese and overweight. But to the contrary, people here are slim and rather fit. It seemed to just not add up. Well, that's what I thought.... how come people are so slim? Where are these people working out? There aren't any gyms around the city, so what do people do? I recall one day, on my way home in the metro, I saw a bunch of runners heading in my direction. I asked them in french, " Where you guys headed? They all answered, almost in unison, "Bois de Boulogne!" I remember getting back home that night, jumping on the internet and low and behold, I found exactly what I was looking for. A forest just right here in the backyard of Paris. I couldn't have been more excited!

(pictures above were taken at Le Bois de Boulogne ) photo credit- Editor

While making my weekly Saturday morning long runs at Bois de Boulougne,
I came across several marathon training groups. I had the great opportunity to tag along with many groups on different occasions. As the weather got colder, and my marathon training runs got longer, I found it much more fun to run with other people. That is when I came across a group that I met, The Paris Fit marathon-half marathon training group. The group is comprised of people from all over Paris, UK, the states and several other places. Rain or shine, this faithful group meets at 9:00 am. Saturday morning and embarks off in different pace groups at 9:15 am.

Join Paris fit running group... click here

For anyone that is out there with the goal of running either a half or full marathon, I would totally recommend finding a similar group of runners to get out there and put in the training miles. It has been a wonderful pleasure to meet such a dynamic group of individuals who gather together with the same love for running. This group couldn't portray a better example of what " SEJA" is all about. To refresh your memory or for those new to this concept, it is best described as:
Seja: ['say-jah']- the inner element that controls our motivational drive to move forward. The Seja movement encompasses the collective reawakening of consciousness and brings people together in the water, on the bike, on the trails, on the board, or anything that propels us forward.

HERE IS SOME USEFUL INFORMATION FOR THOSE COMING OUT TO PARIS OR JUST LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO RUN, HIKE, JOG, WALK IN PARIS.....


I love nature and really can't live without it. If you live in Paris and wonder.. where do I go in Paris to run, walk, or hike to enjoy some trees, lakes and the sound of animals. The answer is either the Le Bois de Boulougne or Le Bois de Vincennes.
Despite being in the city, with the two large forests, all the beautiful parks and gardens in Paris, you can still enjoy the country side. :)

So where are some of the best places to run in Paris? Where can I do long, short, moderate length runs in Paris instead of running around dodging taxis, buses and annoying tourists??

Here is a list of best places to run in Paris in my personal ranking from 1-6


1) Le Bois de Boulogne- access metro 2 line- Port Dauphine or Rer C- Ave Foch


2) Le Bois de Vincennes- www.boisvincennes.com - Metro acess : Yellow one line


3) Domaine National de St.-Cloud- http://saint-cloud.monuments-nationaux.fr/


4) Le Luxembourg- access via RER luxembourg ( Boulevard St. Michel 6th arrond)


5) Le Jardin de Tuileries- access Metro Yellow line 1 - Exit concorde or Tuileries


6) Le Parc de Bercy- www.paris.fr


Get out there and keep running! I am off to go run myself!

Til next time....

Au revoir,

-Editor

What do you do during your lunch break?

It’s 11:45 am. Lunch is just around the corner. Several people hop into their cars from all over town and race down to the field. They reach the field and get dressed in their cleats, shin guards, and socks. The players quickly divide up by t-shirt colors and then the game kicks off. If there is a delay for any reason, and the guys don’t start playing at 12:00pm sharp, you will hear the legendary Joe scream, in his New Yorker accent, “ Come on guys, it's ten after! ” Several years back, my University schedule afforded me the opportunity to frequently play pick-up soccer during the lunch hour about three to four times a week. Since then, I have made an earnest attempt to play as many times a week as my schedule permits. Pick-up soccer is no more organized then a game of kickball or four-square that you can find on elementary school blacktops. The same principles of the game remain constant; you arrive, you divide up and you play. It’s as simple as that. I have met hundreds of players along the way. I have always been impressed by the player’s dedication to the sport. Our ages range from about 18 to 77 years old. But we all show up and lace up our cleats and hit the field running with a smile. “ It doesn’t matter how good you are, or how old you are, we are all here to play soccer. To run around during our lunch break and have fun,” explained Mike of age 40.
A lot of the players that come out to play have the typical 9-5 job schedule. This type of schedule deprives people daylight and sunshine. It’s unfortunate but there are millions of employees that are in the same boat. But one thing has always impressed me about these pick-up soccer guys and I keep asking myself the same question, why do they come during their lunch break? Why aren’t they like the rest of their other co-workers and go grab a bite to eat at some fast food restaurant? I have posed this question over and over to many of the players that I have met along the way and I hear the same response: “ We love soccer, we love running around and it keeps us healthy and young,” chuckled Paul of age 77. I am not saying that these are the only people exercising during their lunch break. I, personally, know heaps of people who go on runs, swims, surfs, or hit up the gym during their lunch breaks. But these guys love to be out in the sun and fulfill their passion for soccer. The Seja movement encompasses the collective reawakening of consciousness and brings people together in the water, on the bike, on the trails, on the board, or anything that propels us forward. I feel that these pick-up soccer guys have that same “SEJA” connection. I have coined the term Seja in the following way. “Seja: ['say-jah']- the inner element that controls our motivational drive to move forward.

My challenge to you is to ask yourself the same question. “ What do you do during your lunch break?

-EDITOR-

photos by: Adam Stephenson

www.thesejamovement.com

SEJA TEAM RIDER ROBIN BALOOCHI TELLS HIS STORY

--> Since this is my first post I'm going start out with a brief introduction of myself. My name is Robin Baloochi, I was born and raised in San Diego, CA. When I was 5 years old I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, I was on insulin injections for 22 years up until about 6 months ago when I decided to switch to an insulin pump (much more on that on posts to come). For the past 2 years I’ve called Oregon home while pursuing my bachelors degree in Journalism at the University of Oregon. Prior to starting school in 2006 I raced mountain bikes downhill professionally for 6 years. Racing bikes has always been a passion of mine but for the last 3 years I had to put it on hold in order to get back into school. Now into my junior year I’ve embarked on a mission to return to racing in 2010 while finishing up my degree.

It has been a long and adventurous road so far; I’ve traveled 4 continent’s, seen more than 20 countries, and have engulfed myself into various cultures, all because of my bike. When I started thinking of places I wanted to attend University, quality of education was first on my list, followed by location as a close second. While training as an athlete I always remembered how beautiful and fun the bike trails were in northwest, and the University of Oregon just happened to be one of the few top schools in the country for Journalism. So once again there I was, being taken by my bike to one of the most beautiful states in the country to study for a few years. I'm tempted to call my journey thus far luck, and although I have luck on my side at times, the truth is it's hard work. It's sleepless nights working on my race bike, countless hours studying for exams, hundreds of doctor visits battling diabetes, indefatigable patience of my wife, and a constant drive to keep pushing forward with my goals. This is what Seja is all about, “the inner element that controls our motivational drive to move forward. The Seja movement encompasses the collective reawakening of consciousness and brings people together in the water, on the bike, on the trails, on the board, or anything that propels us forward.” I hope this is a good example for the type of movement we are trying to spread. Ride-on

Take Care,

Robin Baloochi
Seja Team Rider
www.thesejamovement.com

SEJA T-SHIRTS NOW FOR SALE. SUPPORT SEJA AND SPREAD THE MOVEMENT!

THE SEJA MOVEMENT: the movement has begun

Printed on American Apparel 2001- FINE JERSEY TEE

4.3 oz. 100% combed ring spun cotton fine jersey. Taped shoulder to shoulder. Double-needle sleeves and bottom hems.The softest, smoothest, best-looking T-shirt available anywhere.

All Shirts are screen-printed with eco-friendly, water-base paint which is soft and light.

SIZE CHART FOR MEN

SIZE CHART FOR WOMEN

We are still working on the shopping cart but if you cant wait, email me for a size and color. Please refer to the size chart before placing an order.

Email: jacob@thesejamovement.com

Cash, Paypal, or Check.

Shirts are 20.00 bucks with free domestic shipping.

Sizes: S, M, L , XL

Colors: White/blue, White/Black.



Take care and stay healthy,

Editor
San Diego, CA

www.thesejamovement.com

The Seja Movement: What is it all about?

What is The Seja Movement?
- November 12, 2009

First off, I want to thank all the support from our close friends and for those who support Seja. I would like to take a few moments to share with everyone what this movement is all about. Many of you have asked what the word Seja means and this is great place to share some of our thoughts about the movement.

Seja: ['say-jah']- the inner element that controls our motivational drive to move forward. The Seja movement encompasses the collective reawakening of consciousness and brings people together in the water, on the bike, on the trails, on the board, or anything that propels us forward.
Our goal is to inspire people of all ages to stay happy and active. We realize that life can bring about a lot of responsibilities and stressful situations, but we promote and encourage everyone to allocate time for exercise. We are dedicated to spreading our movement to the world but for the meantime, we will focus locally in on our community of San Diego, CA. Check back again for new posts!!

Take care and stay healthy,

Editor
San Diego, CA

www.thesejamovement.com