How am I using my ActiveRain blog to enhance existing relationships? (A blog inspired by Bob "the Builder" Stewart!)

When I created my ActiveRain account way back when the wheel was still square and sliced bread was just a dream, I originally thought AR was just going to be a social networking atmosphere where I could expand my referral base.

But nearly 2 years into my existence here, I’ve come to discover that it’s so much more than that!

 

Ahh, what a long strange trip it's been!

 

There’s so much to learn everyday here in the Rain; and after reading blogs from some of the best in the business, I’ve realized that ActiveRain is a very powerful marketing tool.

As ActiveRain has evolved, so have my reasons for being here. I still use my blogs to generate referrals and learn from other agents, but now I also use my blogs to enhance existing relationships and create new ones in the process.

 

How have I done that?

Well, I’m glad you asked!

 

1. All of my Localism themed posts are emailed to everyone in my database. After all, if they’re thinking of moving here, or they already live here, shouldn’t I inform them of what’s happening in the area?

 

2. New listings are also emailed to my database. The sellers love it because they get to see the comments other Rainers have left about their home; and prospective buyer clients can get a feel for what’s available to them when they’re ready to make the move.

3. I've been lucky enough to achieve a certain level of success here in the Rain and I have incorporated that into my listing presentations. When a seller client sees how I can reach over 160,000 agents across the country to market their home to, that goes a lot further than you might think. I work in an area with a lot of relocating buyers. So being able to reach out to agents in other parts of the country increases my chances of getting the home noticed....and eventually sold!

4. My irreverent posts, and there are many of them, are sent to my crazy clients and friends! Not only do they seem to love them, it’s a great way to “touch” them so they don’t forget me when they’re ready to buy or sell. They also won’t forget me when they know of someone who needs the help of a Realtor.

5. I've become a much better blogger and marketer since joining ActiveRain. I've been able to enhance relationships by sending "reminders" to my clients, friends and family that I'm here ready to help you with all your Real Estate needs.

6. Lastly, and this is possibly one of the biggest ways I’ve used my blogs and ActiveRain to enhance my relationships, is the fact that anyone who comments on my blog gets a response. I also try to “payback” those folks by commenting on their posts.  If that sounds silly, just keep in mind that one Rainer loved some of my Photoshop enhanced posts so much, she called me and asked me to create a logo for her. Naturally I obliged and a few weeks later she called me again. But this time it was a referral to an REO company. That company has given me three listings with the promise of many more coming up soon!

Not only have I utilized ActiveRain to enhance my existing relationships, I’ve been fortunate enough to meet some wonderful people along the way, generate more business, and, most of all, have some fun in the process!

Thank you ActiveRain!

 

 

 

 

 

About The Author

Craig Rutman is a North Carolina Residential Real Estate Specialist that can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in the Raleigh - Cary – Apex metro areas; or any place else in the country by connecting you with a relocation professional in your destination of choice.

 

 

To find all available homes for sale in the Triangle area of North Carolina, please visit www.justnchomes.com

 

Call me TODAY at 919-349-9530

 

Email me with your Raleigh - Cary – Apex area questions

Are Realtors the Rodney Dangerfield

of the business world?

 

The other day I took one of my heavy hitter buyers out to look at some homes. They’re looking for a home in the $600-$750,000 price range in Cary and Apex, North Carolina.

Now I don’t know about your market, but here in the Cary/ Apex area, that buys quite a bit of home. These folks are very serious, very qualified, and looking to be in before the year’s end. Naturally I’m excited to finish off the year with a sale of this magnitude.

We look at a few homes on Saturday, and then a few more on Sunday. But none of them had the “Wow” factor that they were seeking. They’re very particular buyers and they realize that there is no such thing as a perfect home. But, for that kind of money, they should, at a minimum, be wowed to some extent.

Now, just to make it very clear, I love these people. We have a great time going out together. We laugh, we get serious, and we have a fun time. We just haven’t found that just right home yet.

So the search goes on…

But the point of this post reflects on something they said to me during the day.

After admitting that they were nuts and were probably going to make me crazy in the process, they said,

“I could never do what you do for a living”.

And they’re right! Most people can’t do what we do for a living. It’s not an easy job, and it seems that more and more along the way, my buyers come to realize this. They see how hard we work. They see how difficult it is to find the homes that meet their criteria, schedule the appointments, map out the day, only to have to re-adjust everything when a seller calls to cancel the showing.

They see that you can’t buy a home on the internet. The pictures look great, but when we arrive, there are power lines running through the backyard or there is some other deal killing encumbrance that couldn’t be discovered from the MLS listing sheet.

They also see that our day does not begin at 9AM and end at 5PM with an hour in the middle for lunch. They see that we pay for all our own business expenses and are only compensated if we actually make it to the closing table.

Now don’t get me wrong here. I am NOT complaining, I’m curious. I love most of my clients. We end up maintaining friendships. We end up socializing, going to each other’s homes and, well, just being friends!

But, to finally get to the real point of my post today, why is it that we, as Realtors, don’t get the level of respect that some other professions get, especially since more and more of them keep saying to me…

“I could never do what you do for a living.”

I have my theories. I even know some solid reasons why this is an issue. But I'd love to hear from you, my dear readers, why are Realtors sometimes treated like the Rodney Dangerfield's of the business world?

 

By the way, if you've not seen the ActiveRain video of the day, this one sheds some light on one of my theories...

This Guy Is Not a Good Realtor!

 

 

About The Author

Craig Rutman is a North Carolina Residential Real Estate Specialist that can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in the Raleigh - Cary – Apex metro areas; or any place else in the country by connecting you with a relocation professional in your destination of choice.

To find all available homes for sale in the Triangle area of North Carolina, please visit www.justnchomes.com

Call me TODAY at 919-349-9530

Email me with your Raleigh - Cary – Apex area questions