This is the Transcript of the #WeddingMarket Chat on October 28, 2015 with Robert C. Stern the founder of The Social Leader. The answers were made on Twitter so responses will appear different.

Robert is a Social Media Strategist and the founder of The Social Leader. A Social Media consulting company focused on helping you build your business. He works one-on-one with people in business to help them better compete for brand awareness, improve the growth and retention of their clients and help them understand and profit from social media and content marketing.

 

Q1: How did you get involved with social media?

Answer

Robert C Stern: I was a realtor for 13 years and my business grew on social media for many years. I used social media, to grow my contact list, gain exposure, and make new contacts for my business.

 

Q2: What is Blab?

Answer

Robert C Stern: Blab is a tool of Social Media that gives you the opportunity to meet, and stay in touch with. Blab gives you the ability to talk with people in real time. Having four live streams available and the live chat room gives opportunity to collaborate and show everything about you.

 

Q3: How is Blab different from other live video streaming platforms?

Answer

Robert C Stern: Blab gives you the opportunity to talk live with many people at one time. Blab also has the ability to have different people jump in to the conversation live at any time.

 

Q4: Why would Blab be good for wedding pros to join?

Answer

Robert C Stern: Wedding pros have the ability to talk about their companies and industry news. With people all over the world. By being able to schedule the blabs in advance you can make it a hyperlocal event for people in your own area also.  Imagine having your contact list being told that you would be on blab a certain time and they could come listen.

 

Q5: Does Blab work with a laptop or mobile devices?

Answer

Robert C Stern: Blab works with both. Regular computers and Mobile. on Computer just open you browser and go to blab.im It works better on the Chrome browser. On mobile there is an app for IOS (iphone). On Android you need to use your browser to get on it. Again Chrome works best for the browser.

 

Q6: How can someone join a Blab?

Answer

Robert C Stern: When you get to the blab home page, blab.im, you need to sign in with a Twitter account. You must have a twitter account to use Blab at this time. After signing in it is all right there for you. The home page shows all the live blabs on #weddingmarket . 

 

Q7: How does Twitter integrate with #Blab?

Answer

Robert C Stern: Twitter is the way you sign in and show everyone you are on Blab. GREAT connecting tool with twitter, you have the people you are talking with, contact info so you can talk to them thru twitter also now.

 

Q8: How can wedding pros take part in a Blab conversation?

Answer

Robert C Stern: Wedding pros should be doing both hosting Blabs and being in other blabs.  By being involved you are making connections. Think of Blab as a live trade show and your hosted Blab is your booth. As people come in you can talk with them. You have the ability to do these shows anytime of the day and night. It is up to you when you want to be on.

 

Q9: How can Blab be good for business?

Answer

Robert C Stern: The real question should be WHY WOULDN’T YOU DO IT? A free service that gives you the opportunity to network and talk about your industry. Win/Win. Making connections is the first step in any business.

 

Q10: Why are video platforms like Periscope and Blab more engaging than other social media?

Answer

Robert C Stern: The ability to see a person live is 10x more engaging then reading a blog or post on the other platforms. Seeing someone’s face, hearing their voice, and seeing their realness, is what helps build a relationship.

 

Q11: How should a wedding professional use the platform?

Answer

Robert C Stern: First go in and lurk for a little bit, by watching you will learn. Second, go for the gold, get in the “hot seat” a blab window and talk. People will ask you questions.  Third host a blab. Talk like you are doing a seminar, title it and hit start. By hosting it you have control, and can focus the conversation on a certain topic in your industry. Most of all have fun and meet new people.

 

Q12: What are Blab feels and how does someone give a feel?

Answer

Robert C Stern: Blab props (used to be feels) are the two little hands under a person in the window.  These are an area people tap to give props., meaning that you like what they are saying.  Think of Props like applause to the person speaking.

 

@DreamyWeddingSK  If the “feels” disappear how do you track your interaction with followers? Does Blab provide analytics?

Answer
Robert C Stern: No the Props are just per Blab show. You can track by your room viewers and also the following you create.

 

Q13: How can Blab be used in other social media?

 

Answer

Robert C Stern: The great thing about Blab is the Blabs can be recorded and then re-purpose to another social media platform. Also when you have a blab scheduled you can market it to all your other channels and your email list. By marketing it, you can grow your audience even bigger about what you do.

 

Q14: What would you like everyone to take away from this #weddingmarket chat?

 

Answer

Robert C Stern: That live streaming is an amazing way to connect with clients old and new. That Blab is a way to connect, build and retain your business message with people.  Being human on Blab is the greatest achievement.

 

 

#WeddingMarket Questions:

 

@danieladegrassi Is Blab more a B2B tool then?

Answer

Robert C Stern: Is Human to Human great for every kind of business.

 

@DreamyWeddingSK How often should one do a #blab for the week?

Answer

Robert C Stern: That is up to you. I host a blab every day but some do once or twice a week. What you put in matters.

 

@DreamyWeddingSK Does the videos/chats on Blab have an expiry time like those on Periscope?

Answer

Robert C Stern: No if you choose to record them they stay there. You also get an email after to download for your own use.

 

@danieladegrassi How do people find your feed? do you have an hashtag search per subject of interest?

Answer

Robert C Stern: That is what is great about scheduling. It gives you a link to send to everyone straight to your blab.

 

@danieladegrassi Can one join with video only?

Answer

Robert C Stern: Why just video? You have the four talking in the boxes and everyone else in the chatroom on the side. You can just be in the chatroom area watching and typing too.