Let's go for (a) Ryde - Floating on Air - Our Journey so far...

Pre-2018 - I was not on Social Media.

I know, I can hear the gasps of surprise and the jaws hitting the floor. Hello, I'm Sau-Wan Lai, I'm here, there, and everywhere now. And it's been an amazing journey so far, and it is only the beginning.

So what's the point of this article? Well I wanted to share my experience so far, which has been very positive and my world has opened up so much since I realised Social Media wasn't about invasion of your privacy, or being nosey for the sake of seeing who is doing what and OMG they went where now?1?! It can be. But it can also be whatever you want it to be, and use it however you want to use it.

I've completely embraced Social Media, but for myself - as a person, as a business. Not necessarily about sharing my personal life, and showcasing my dog, plastering my family everywhere. It is MY profile after all. I have been interested in Property for a while, became a Chartered Surveyor 11 years ago, and a BUSINESS owner only 10 months ago. So using Social Media has been a whole new learning experience, bringing our business into the digital world and being on platforms where people can find us, engage with us and where we can build connections and networks. Both to support independent businesses, but also where we can find contacts we know and trust, to refer to our clients and networks.

I'm also meeting people in the real world, through networking and one to one meetings, building real rapport with people I am meeting, at least I feel I am on my side. I am enjoying having good conversation, feeling immense support and providing some good ears to listen to other people. It's a small world, people I have met I didn't realised knew each other. The world is small, but also so vast. My Social Media world is not merely limited to Hampshire, our business includes the Isle of Wight, but also we have connections across the UK.

So what do I do? Apart from networking, I actually have a day-job - I'm a Commercial Property Advisor, I'm a Valuer - I can write some very good Valuation Reports, I'm good at giving clear and concise information to Landlords or Tenants, regarding their Lease Renewals or Rent Reviews. I'm a dab hand at photography and can compile detailed Photographic Schedules of Condition, or produce eye-catching marketing photos for our Agency work - lettings and sales. I'm a facilitator, I enjoy connecting people with services or people they require, I like to help people and I like to support people, so that they can thrive and their businesses can thrive.

Just like travelling on the Hovercraft, it feels like our firm is floating on air (or the sea) at the moment and we are enjoying the Ryde. I hope you continue to join us in our journey. Thanks for reading my article.