What are your predictions for commercial real estate in 2017? - Diana Podaski of Linear Retail

Diana Podaski, Linear Retail Properties

I think that video will be the number one piece of content shared on social media in 2017; it’s the most engaging and fun, and you can tell a story in a few seconds. Video snip-its or “sneak peeks” helps make people feel like they are part of the experience as it unfolds. vs. one video at the end of the experience.

Better customer experience via Chatbots

The Chatbot – this is AI that can answer common questions people have and provide better customer experience – leaving the tougher, longer answers to leasing reps. 

More Social Media Education

There really aren’t too many social media “experts” in our industry; therefore there has been a lack of education on the subject. However, as Gary Vaynerchuk put it, “Social media is an equal playing field, you don’t have to have grown up with it; you just have to learn it.” If you don’t have the discipline next year to spend a weekend learning the ins-and-outs of Facebook, I think you’ll be able to find more social media education next year. ICSC MOCIAL alone is on its sixth year so that is definitely telling you something.