I recently read an article indicating that Blogging = Marketing. The article was included in the Florida Association of Realtors EarlyBird News. It featured a handful of excellent points about the positive aspects of blogging. It inspired me to combine my thoughts with the points in the article.
I BELIEVE THAT A SUCCESSFUL BLOG CAN BE THE VERY BEST BUSINESS CARD THAT WE CAN HAND OUT....
A successful blog gives credibility to an agent.
A successful blog can showcase an agent's expertise in a local real estate market.
A successful blog can reflect many different sides of agent, humorous, business, personal side, etc.
A successful blog can be warmer and friendlier than a cold, sterile agent website. However, it can be an extension of that website.
For an agent, a successful blog can provide a "welcome mat" or "breaking of the ice" to people that come into our lives. I can't tell you how many times I have been involved in a conversation with someone, that relates to something I have just recently written about in my blog or that I have just recently read in another blog. I mention, "I just wrote an article on my blog about that." of "I just read an interesting blog about that very thing." It allows that person to go back and read further. And, if they need you in the future for a real estate transaction they may call you.
A successful blog gives readers the ability of getting "to know" an agent online. Readers are able to read an agent's opinions and perspectives to see if they have an interest in working with them before contact. For the potential client, there is no initial contact from the agent until they are ready for it!
A successful blog can give readers the ability of interacting with the agent by making comments and receiving feedback.
A successful blog allows readers to subscribe to an RSS feed, so they are notified each time the author writes a new article.
A successful blog can provide EXCELLENT, up to date, information to other realtors, lenders, buyers, sellers and everyday consumers.
A successful blog can give agents buyers, sellers and can generate listings.
A successful blog can allow an agent to showcase listings of the homes he/she has for sale to buyers across the world.
A successful blog can help one realtor connect with another, across the country to get a home sold or bought.
A successful blog gives an agent the ability of meeting, interacting and networking with other like minded agents across the country. The networking possibilities are limitless!
An active, successful blog typically boasts high search engine rankings, because of regular, fresh content.
A blog can cost an agent little or NO money at all, just their time and dedication.
I BELIEVE THAT A SUCCESSFUL BLOG CAN BE ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL TOOLS AN AGENT HAS TODAY IN HIS/HER MARKETING TOOLBOX.
NOTE: You noticed that I wrote the word "successful" blog before each of these points listed. I have read some incredible blogs in which it is obvious those agents that truly put their heart and soul and expertise into their blogs.
This article is authored by Sandy Shores, Melbourne FL REALTOR.
South Brevard County, Florida Space Coast.
I like your points and I think that blogging combines so many differnet parks of marketing. It is TV, radio, and print all in one simple box.
Hi David, Beautifully said -you pretty well summed it! Thanks for the input!
Great points, I just like to blog, and every once in a while I need a chance to vent and blogging is a great outlet, (I keep those in the members only category.) Nice perspective and attitude, thank you for sharing this blog with us!
Hi Tony and Darcy, Wow, I guess I missed that one - blogging is great because we just like to do it - so simple but soooo true. Thanks! I think it does give us a chance to get things off of our chest also. I agree. You're welcome for the post and thanks for stopping by!
Well said! You're a good writer, and I agree with your points.
While I must say that time is money, it is money well spent when spent on a blog... and I too, by the way, find blogging to be fun, and perhaps even therapeutic, in helping organize thoughts, deal with issues, and just practice in writing...
Nice post.
Hi Li, Thanks for the compliment. I hope that you are well!
Hi Paul, You are correct - time is in fact money. Blogging is fun, and I neglected to mention that in my post. I think I could have gone on and on about the benefits of blogging. I also agree that it is 'therapeutic, helps organize thoughts, deals with issues and just practice in writing' - all excellent points. Thanks for your input and adding to my list and and I hope that things are going well for you!
Sandy ~ So true! I am glad your association recognizes the importance of blogging and listed many of the reasons in the article they posted! It is great to read about the reasons that are important to keep your blogs full of great information!
Hi Terrie, How are you today? I was a little to find an article on Association website relating to blogging. My interest would be in the actual number of agents that are active bloggers. Thanks for stopping by today. Talk to you soon!
Sandy,
Blogging with solid content can do wonders for a real estate agent's or mortgage consultant's career. Content that helps a prospect solve a problem or answer a question or two. Give them needed info and show them that you, the blogger, are on it.
Esko, I completely agree! Blogging is excellent for solving a problem and answering a question - all excellent points! Thanks for your input! And take care!
Good points! This is like a 'why to have a good blog' article for all those nay-sayers who still aren't on the blogging bandwagon!
Hi Ilyce, I just found a blurb in Florida Realtor magazine that less than 8% of real estate agents have blogs! Very surprising! It indicated that by next year there will be about 13%. There are so many positives to blogging. Can't understand why more aren't blogging! I have read one of the columns that you write that is published in the Florida Today Newspaper here in Brevard County Florida. Keep up the good work and keep us informed! Thanks!
Great blog Sandy. I would also like to add that a successful blog can be used to educate not just a buyer but a community (either real or virtual). I am sorry you don't have re-blog on this one, I think the people in my area could benefit from your wisdom on this subject.
Hi Sandy! Wow, you always come up with interesting and informative topics. I think that makes you a "successful" blogger... and will help us all to become more successful, too! Thanks for the great post!
Hi Sandy
Great insight to blogging and marketing, thanks for sharing the information.
Good luck and success
Lou Ludwig
Very thorough! It's nice to see that a realtor's association sees the power of blogging. It really is all the things you said - showing the human, personal side of realtors so that our prospective clients can see that we aren't "all business."
~Kathy
Great post as usual Sandy. I'm impressed that your local Realtor association realizes how resourceful blogs can be. Sometimes here in Kansas City I feel like I'm the only real estate blogger. At some of the local real estate functions when I bring up blogging they look at me like I'm crazy. None the less I continue blogging. When the rest of the city wakes up to this medium our company will be way ahead.
Sandy,
All are excellent points to consider and remember. I like blogging mostly for the interaction with others. It also is challenging to find things to post about... I tend to stay on the humor side of things because life is too short...not to smile!
Have a great night,
Ann
Hi Fred, Good point - a successful blog can help educate a community! So true! I have opened the reblog option on this post. Thanks for being a great friend!
Hey Miss Mary, Thank you for the kind words and thank you for always being here to visit my site. I think that we can all help each other to become more successful here on Active Rain!
Hi Lou, I think that there are so many positives to blogging. Otherwise we wouldn't all be here. Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Kathy, I think you summed it up nicely - blogging shows the human side of realtors - so that we don't appear all business. Well said. Thanks for stopping by!
Hey Justin, I was surprised that our association recognized it also, when stats show that only 8% of agents blog. So you may well be the only one in your area blogging. I think you hit the nail on the head, though - you'll be way ahead when everyone else finally wakes up to smell the coffee. Keep it up!
Hi Ann, I like the interaction with others that blogging allows also. I agree that on some days it is quite challenging to find something to blog about.
Sandy,
You are always finding something interesting to post about. And I am very glad you take the time.
Ann
Thanks Sandy, I have re-blogged away...!
Hi Ann, Thanks for the great compliment. And you are always finding ways to say something nice about me. Thanks for being my friend! I don't know what I would do without you.
Hey Fred, Thanks for letting me bend your ear yesterday. You're awesome! Thank you for the reblog!
Sandy,
I wonder if you know how often I have conversations about my new friend in Florida...??
You make compliments easy to give.
Thanks for being my friend,
Ann
Sandy,my blog has saved my business. I swear by this type of marketing. Ithas been a God sent. I'm putting your post at the top of the Optimist Board because it is right on the money!
Nice list of the qualities of successful blogs. There's no doubt a blog is marketing, but it's also a way to open the door, extend a hand, or just give others a glimpse into our daily lives.
Hi Ann, You are truly so sweet to me. Thanks, you can't know truly how much they are appreciated! It's a pleasure being your friend!
Hey Mirela, I hope that you are well today! I think blogging is such a wonderful way for REALTORS and Lenders to reach out and "touch" someone's life at the readers pace. They can observe from arm's length with no initial contact until they feel completely comfortable with making that first phone contact with us. What a wonderful way of breaking the ice for all parties! Thank you again, for the great compliment. I appreciate you putting my post on top of the Optimist Board. Keep up the great work that you're doing with the group!
Hi John, I think you really hit the nail on the head - a successful blog is a way 'to open the door, extend a hand, or just give others a glimpse into our daily lives' - so very very true. Beautifully said. Thanks for stopping by!
That's what I am doing. It is hard to get started, but I am on my way.
That's what I am doing. It is hard to get started, but I am on my way.
Hey Ryan, I agree, that in the beginning it is hard to get going, but once you do, it is so addicting and alot of fun too. Good luck to you and hope to see your face around here a lot more!
Sandy...great post...obviously we all agree with you or else we wouldn't be hanging out here in "The Rain". Great way to lay it all out there.
Hi Christine, Did you know that only 8% of agents are blogging according to Florida Realtor Magazine? I was surprised the numbers were so low.
Thanks Sandy. You have made several very good points which will help me refocus and refine my blog posts.
Hi George, You're welcome! I like to take time to refocus to make sure that I am also on task. I think it's something we need to do every so often. Happy blogging and thanks for stopping by!
I agree. The hard part is getting people to find your blog and that is where you need to do some other marketing as well.
Hi Jean, Good point -people must be able to find it, to read it! And we must do everything we can to get the word out to where it is. I have found that if I blog everyday, it ranks me pretty highly in the search engines for my county and area. Take care and best wishes to you!