Why do I blog? Here is one good reason why.
Many non-believers of Active Rain still ask me why do I blog? People think blogging especially on Active Rain is a waste of time of time. Why will I want to blog on Active Rain when I can be out prospecting trying to generate some Real Estate Business instead of staring in front of a computer all day. Its true.
But (I got to stick my big ol butt in this one)HOWEVER has it dawned on you that doing Real Estate in 2010 is totally different than how things were done prior to the Internet and Social Media. Blogging online is the new Prospecting Web 2.0. Besides how do you think those heartless ruthless no good bastards called Lead Generation companies get the leads that they have sold or try to sell to you or me? (Okay! It is not all of you guys-JUST 95% OF YOU-IT'S TRUE. YES IT'S TRUE).
We all know that now 90% of potential home buyers start their home buying search online. So if you do not have a presence ONLINE,your line of communication with home buyers and sellers is OFF. So you want to know why I blog? Here is one good reason why.
- I'd rather be No.one and be found by someone than be found by No one-Blogging can get you found by a potential home buyers and sellers very quick. Especially now that people are on the Internet and Social Media around 32.7% of the time a day,you can't afford not to be on the Internet. If potential home buyers and sellers type in long tail keywords in search engines such as Tantallon on the potomac Fort Washington MD Homes for sale , ,Single Family Oxon Hill Md Homes for sale and P.G County MD Homes for sale,since I came up first page on Google and other major search engines,I have a better chance of being the chosen one picked over a Real Estate Professional who only does not blog and have a Internet presence,but doesn't blog at all.
Having a strong Internet presence can show potential home buyers and sellers that you are very familiar and knowledgeable of the local community or neighborhood where they plan on buying their next house or sell their current home. And don't forget about Generation Y either. Another good reason why you should be online.
So why do I blog? I just gave you a good reason. Now why are you still standing there. Get blogging right now. Why are you trying to make things complicated? It's so easy. Gees.
You said it all, and very well, too!
I agree! Great post.
Well said Lanre.....blogging and internet presence is where you will be seen today and tomorrow....I use it to generate my own leads without paying a lead generation company...is it always easy....NO....will it pay off...YES.
Do you want to receive, or do you want to dictate in tour maket area.?
Lanre, Thanks for the post. This is so on the money! We are lead generators, armed with prospecting web 2.0.
Lanre, Well spoken and so very true! And congrats on coming up on the first page on Google! It works!
Lanre, Is this like the saying, "you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make them drink,"? I have been blogging since the day I started in this industry. I have oodles of content that is all archived and when a client or prospects asks a a question I can deliver them an answer based on some archived material. It is great. Thanks for your post Lanre
Lanre probably the biggest hurdle for many people when it comes to blogging are the folllowing:
We probably felt the same way. The difference is that we did not let fear stop us and now we are unstoppable.
Charita Cadenhead, Bham Broker/Property Manager (Bham WIiRE Realty, LLC (Sales & Property Management))-Charita you are soo right. Sometimes I still don't know what to say. But I try to make it a point to write something at least twice a week. You never know what you might say will be just what somebody is looking to hear. And that can lead to a lead and possible client. Thanks for your comments.
Larry Lawfer- Larry you have left Exit. Say it ain't so? So sad to hear that you left. But are so right. Oodles of content will be archived and you never know when someone will come in contact with your content and be just exactly what they will need. Thanks for your comments.
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin (Prado & Kramer Real Estate, St. George, UT 435.632.9374)-Thanks Wanda. Now if I can get on First page with other major key terms in my farming areas.
William Collins- We are definitely lead generators armed with prospecting web 2.0- I feel another blog coming on here-LOL. Thanks for your comment.
David Spencer & Assoc., Broker & Lic. Instr. CE and Pre-Lic.-Love what you just said David. I want to dictate in my market area. Thanks for yoru comment.
Dennis Duvernay/ Broker Owner/Realtor (Hillview Realty)-I have stopped paying for internet leads. Why pay for something that you can generate yourself for free? Thanks for your comments. Great post.
Denise Dutson, Real Estate Broker, Cape Cod (Real Estate Associates)-Thank you very much. Please suggest it if you want to.
Sea to Sky Premier Properties-Thank you very much. I really appreciate that especially coming from one of Active Rain many superstars. Thanks for your comment.
Lanre, Amen my friend. You get it..many don't. I get SO frustrated with the agents in my office because they DON'T get it. I still shake my head, lol.
Some just don't get it. Lucky for us that we do! Happy blogging!
Hi Lanre -- You are preaching to the choir! :) I used to live in PG (Temple Hills) and Charles (Waldorf) for a stint when I got out of the military and used to race my street bike with a fellow biker friend all over the backgrounds of Maryland in that area. Oh...the good old days when I was young and foolish. Now...I'm just foolish! LOL
It is definitely a new world and those who are blogging today have a great head-start over those who have not yet begun and may never begin as they wait for their dinosaur mentality to refill the BP wells.
Besides how do you think those heartless ruthless no good bastards called Lead Generation companies get the leads that they have sold or try to sell to you or me?
I have a post coming out on this.
Well said and by the looks of the comments many agree! I am still adapting to Activerain and have not given up but, I am a little reserved about how well it works! Thanks for the post...
Cheers
Hi Larne, very good post! You are right on the money.
Good word, Lanre. Thanks for your post.
Wow! Am I seeing what I think I am seeing? A featured blog by yours truly. Shocked and very grateful. Thank you for everyone who suggested my blog for a feature and Thank you Active Rain. You are the best. Still shocked-Seriously!
Lanre,
You should not be surprised! Straight talkin gets you there. I esp. liked the part about the lead generation parasites!!! For your next post don't be so shy, say what you think! lol Great post!
Lanre, I totally agree with you on this one, blogging is essential to our business.
Blog it Lanre ! Congratulations on your FEATURE too. Keep up the great work
Thanks for all the good ideas. Writing is getting easier although I have to figure out how to do it more.
Alright, so you convinced me. It's time to start blogging. Oh wait, I already do that ; )
Love that line, "I'd rather be No.one and be found by someone than be found by No one." Thanks for re-blogging. I've been focusing on the "long tail" myself.
To blog or to not blog. Is that the question?
I couldn't give a fig whether or not my competition blogs. In fact, I prefer that they not.
Lanre-
Let your competition lick stamps and knock on doors. They are your competition. Laugh on the way to the bank.
Lanre,
If nothing else, getting the listings posted on Active Rain and getting the Google placement makes it worthwhile! We love posting our listings, and a few minutes later seeing them #1 or 2 on page 1 Google.
I'm with Lenn - suits me just fine that my competition does not. On the other hand, we ALL have something to add to our collective knowledge and wisdom...so not blogging robs us of your withheld contribution. My joy of blogging is what I learn every day. That there is a montetary reward for doing so is the icing.
Lanre - well I could have gone out knocking on doors begging for listings instead of blogging. Of course, the guy who found me online and called me to list his 4 million 16 acre corner wouldn't have found me would he???
Lanre, the old way of prospecting just doesn't work anymore. We have to have an Internet presence and what better way than blogging. Thanks.
Nice post. I think that blogging is an excellent way to add exposure and let people know that you are serious about using the internet as a tool to market properties.
I agree with you, you need a strong internet presents. Good blog!
It's all about being nimble. Nimble with the times, nimble blogging fingers. Indeed.
I think it is like being at the water cooler with all the people who have ever been in your life. That says it all on why you should invest this time.
I'm getting better at it...I haven't blogged a whole lot but I've seen my numbers on my site come up just from being here...
As McCloud would say, (I'm dating myself), "There ya go!"
Great post and great points!!!
Thanks for sharing.
Mario
There is no referral fee charged for the blogging leads that make your phone ring Lanre :)
great post!
sincerely,
grace
I agree, and the more you blog the easier it gets and the more ideas you get.
Lanre,
Clearly, 95% of my clients find me on the internet. Without that presence, I suppose I would be going door to door delivering flyers.
Brian
Well said. The internet is the fastest and most cost effective way to reach the most people. Better than door knocking (and safer too)
Lanre--Lots of those who told me they didn't have the time to blog three years ago when I started my blog, are no longer selling real estate. Yes it takes time but it does work...and the networking is awesome!
Lanre - Good points and you made them well. More and more clients are researching the new agent on the web first...
Lanre congratulations on the feature. I can't see why anyone would be still standing around after such great advice.
Congrats on the feature, Lanre. Great advice. I haven't yet posted my first blog, but I'm working on it!
nice points and info
the web is the new promotion area for us to become hyper local celebrities with the right tools
cheers
Lanre Congratulations on the feature - it is a well done post and you earned it - your points are all very valid
In today’s Internet-savvy world, you just can’t beat being number one in Google’s search results, Lanre. Congratulations!