Blogging: Is it in you?

July 7, 2009 in Blogging, Business Plan, Facebook, SEO, Twitter, marketing, social media by Danny Thornton

Over the last year, I immersed myself deeper and deeper in the blogging world. I sit here behind my computer and surf more than a 1,000 blogs each and every month. In so doing, I come across more blogs than I care to mention that have not been updated in weeks as well as blogs that have very little substance to begin with. Many of these blogs would be served better by being on Facebook or Twitter. The short blurbs or pictures that they post would fit in well with the style of these two social media outlets. Not to mention the lack of traffic that comes to a blog that is basically inactive.

As for the Real Estate industry, blogging can be a big part of your marketing. As I have stated several times, more than 80% of all home searches start on the internet. Bottom line is that the people with a strong web presence will be the ones that get found on the internet in these searches. I will also reference back to the conversation that I had with Sandy Noll of Keller Williams Realty Kirkland. In terms of business, she indicated that she can easily differentiate between when she blogs versus the time that she does not blog. As she told me, her phone rings off the hook when she is blogging and it is eerily quiet when she is not. With that said, let me make sure that you understand this in relation to blogging; not everyone will experience the same results. Some results may be better and some will be worse.

The problem that most people have with blogging is that they think they have nothing to write about. Well, frankly, that is a big crock. If you are in the Real Estate industry, you are typically a sales person in some sense. I have yet to meet a sales person that does not like to talk; if there is one out there, they typically are not of the more successful type. But, that is a horse of a different color. Being in this wonderful industry, there is always something to write about. I was talking to Jodi Smith of Keller Williams Realty Consultants out of Roswell, Georgia yesterday and was telling her how I thought that her article Dining Out in East Cobb was a perfect piece for her to write. I think it is perfect because there are many consumers that are searching for information about a particular area and her article provides some of that information. If consumers can find most of that information on your site, then chances are, they will think that you really know your area.

Blogging is not the wave of the future. It is the wave of now. Having a marketing plan that does not including blogging is not a wise choice. The benefits of blogging far outweigh the time and effort that go into it. As the real estate world continues to move forward, more and more people will continue to start their home searches on the internet as opposed to walking into a Real Estate office. The question that I have to ask potential clients of either R & D Art or Positive Real Estate Professionals is “Are your poised to claim your share of that market?” If you can not shout a resounding yes to that question, then contact us today.

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Tags: Blogging, Facebook, ROI, SEO, SOI, Twitter
14 Comments »

10

Jodi Smith said: On July 7, 2009

Danny…great article. I love the part where you said “I have yet to meet a sales person that does not like to talk”. That is so true. Hahaha. I didn’t use to think that blogging could do that much for my business…but I have since changed my mind…100%. I have an article coming out soon explaining this a little more. Have a great day!
Danny Thornton said: On July 7, 2009

Jodi, I am excited to see the article. I will not let the cat out of the bag since we have talked about the article.
Fred Chamberlin said: On July 7, 2009

Danny, exceptional analysis of the current technical phenomenon. As is apparent by the increasing number of visitors and comments on my PREP and blog posts, people are searching and they are searching on the internet. I have found that the more consistancy that I have, the higher level of business I receive.
Danny Thornton said: On July 7, 2009

Fred, your last sentence goes hand in hand to what Sandy Noll states to me all the time. When you look at it though, that is the same way that it goes with get readers to come to you. If you are consistent in posting content, they will be consistent in stopping by to read.
Petrit Metohu said: On July 7, 2009

I am a person ful of love for Art. Art for me is an inspiration to compose wrought iron work and mosaics compossed by stones. i am in need of ideas and a new inspiration.I have more experience for arredim for your homes.I know that distance makes it impossible to cooperation with you, but for people who want UNICE and art works hand wrought Iron & Stone mosaic, but there are always solutions.
I can repeat history by turning 200 to 300 years behind.
thank you, PEKOMERI
Danny Thornton said: On July 7, 2009

Petrit, when there is a will, there is always a way.
Rich Dansereau said: On July 7, 2009

I believe that there is a place for both blogging and micro-blogging in any business plan. I do not understand the thinking that blogging cannot attract business. I know that many people find the prospect of blogging (or doing more than having a static web page) rather intimidating. Much of this anxiety can be reduced or eliminated if one has the support and built in traffic of a network. For readers who may be intimidated by the prospect of blogging, I say give it a try and see for yourself the power and reach that is literally at your fingertips.
Danny Thornton said: On July 7, 2009

Rich, I think that I know of one particular Realtor that is sold on the idea now.
Carmel Valley Homes said: On July 7, 2009

There’s no doubt that blogging is a good use of time. It allows us to share our expertise and show that we know what is happening in our markets. I’m still stuck on the longer-is-better philosophy of blogging, but I know that Twitter has great potential. I’m just not yet sure exactly how. I’m being “Followed” by a handful of people who are interested in San Diego real estate or real estate in general, but haven’t yet had anyone contact me because the ‘read my Tweet.’
Danny Thornton said: On July 7, 2009

Geoff, what I can tell you is to check back tomorrow for a post that will be written by one of our members. I can tell you it will enlighten you on twitter. As for the “longer-is-better” I agree. Twitter and Facebook alike can be use to drive people to read those post and that is what we use both platforms for to a high success rate.