Prior to starting the blogging process, I had heard quite a few disparaging remarks about it. People said things like, "If you blog, you must not have anything better to do" and "blogging is for people who need the business." I'm not gonna lie, I too was somewhat in agreement and skeptical because 1) I was misinformed 2) who the heck had time to write a well thought out article day-to-day or week-to-week? But then duh, it dawned on me that it wasn't about the who that blogged, but the why they blogged.
Once you fully grasp the why, nothing else matters and you make the time! You farm because you want to market yourself to potential clients for business. You place expensive ads in local media because you want to market yourself to potential clients for business. You perform open houses because you want to market yourself to potential clients for business. So why in this instance wouldn't you not want to market yourself, your services, your listings to potential clients for business in far greater numbers by blogging? Why wouldn't you want to reach your targeted market with little to no cost to you by positioning yourself where they are hanging out, on the internet?
In the blog I recently posted "The SEO Rapture - Will the Reluctant Agent Be Left Behind" I also mentioned how for some people it simply was a matter of being overwhelmed with the enormity of social marketing, blogging and SEO as a new form of marketing. They are hoping it is a fad that will go away.
I seriously don't envy brokers who have new or veteran agents on their hands that rebel or refuse to see the why they should blog in terms of where effective marketing and self-promotion is headed. For some of you who've been in the business awhile, you probably had to wrestle thick listing books out of the hands of some when the computer age hit.
I know it sounds as if I'm beating a dead horse, but I hate to see those that TRULY love the business fade into the background because of fear or misinformation.
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I think you can learn alot about blogs. Such as in the Activerain how other areas are doing, market ideas or tools, networking with others..................... the list goes on.
My thoughts exactly! Being on the West Coast I see where we are behind in terms of marketing and other real estate centered services i.e. blogging, CSS, etc. In Active Rain alone it appears to be far more east coast, midwest agents blogging than here. At least thats the way it appears.
Andi, as the market slowed for me a couple of years ago...I undertook this new-fangled blogging thing, I am busier now than ever. Yet I find time to check in,network and lay-down a blog a few times a week. Has it helped my business?, you bet it has...will I stop blogging when I get too busy?, no because it got me here and you have to keep adding the the pipeline for future deals to find you.
Wow - Steve you bet you've been blogging - 300K points later. I'm just glad that I'm on board now and this thing hasn't even begun to peak yet.
Hi Andi . . . seeing the light. I have a blog on "draft" touching on a different reason. I may finish that up now, since reading yiur post puts it more in perspective. And look at you! Heading up the mile marker 20,000!
Hi Andi-
We try to post every day,although we are really busy at this time. It all about putting ourselves out to the public and networking with other professionals. It's well-worth the time!
--Sara in San Antonio
I will let you in on a secret...DO NOT let anyone convince you that blogging and a powerfully optimized website can not make you a lot of $$$. In fact I looked over my commissions from this year and made over 250k from my website and blog.
Carla - I can't wait to read it! Re the near 20K points. I know, I know I thought it would take much longer to get here!
Sara - you post a blog everyday or comment every day? WOW! I am so not there yet. Google must love you guys!
Bill - That is A-W-E--S-O-M-E! Especially with last year supposedly being such a rough year in terms of housing. GREAT JOB!
Andi - I have nothing better to do than:
1) Get free placement on page 1 of Google for my target areas
2) Have the most up to date real estate and mortgage news
3) Make long lasting friendships throughout the United States
4) See my business increase due to referrals from blogging
5) Have an outlet to share with agents and customers about my knowledge
Yep...I have nothing better to do.
Haha! I love that Nevin!! I'll have to print that one out!