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Am I in the wrong line of work?

By
Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty LLC 200311024

I have made money in real estate and my posts have been getting me lots of business lately, but I don’t get that money until a property closes. But, it seems there is another way to make money in real estate and that is from blogging directly.

The only problem is the people making money from my posts don’t put food on my table. These people are skimmers and they wait for me to post, they skim my content, and then slap Google ads all around it.

Here is an example of some of that skimmed information:

 

Stolen Content


Now, I was told that because I post so much content, that there is a good possibility someone could be making upwards of $10,000 - $15,000 a year off my content… WHAT? HOW MUCH? I would spend 8 hours on a computer a day if I could make that much from just blogging.

Let me do the math…

Today, if I post for 1 hour a day and that equals $10,000 a year for these skimmers?

If I switch professions and write for 8 hours a day, if my math is correct that would be $80,000 a year or more. Now, that is just with my content!

But,what if I can convince 200 of you to let me take your content and put Google ads around it? I could be making more than 2 million dollars a year and I wouldn't have to work at all! It would all be donewith RSS feeds and Paypal.

So, would you lend me your content so I could make $10,000 a year off of you or is that asking to much? Would it help if I sent you pictures from all the islands I would be visiting? (I promise not to wear a Speedo.)

Comments(20)

Rosemary Brooks
BMC Real Estate - 209-910-3706 - Stockton, CA
The Mother & Daughter Realty Team

OMG - Todd can this be true and if anything I'd rather make money on my own stuff rather than someone else getting it. There are so many scams and steelers out there it is not funny. Thanks for the tip.

May 23, 2009 07:55 PM
Marilyn Harrell
Better Homes and Acres - Beaverton, MI
Wixom Lake - Beaverton MI

Received an email that said " how to make money blogging" but didn't open it!!!

May 23, 2009 08:34 PM
Chanda Barrick
Keller Williams Indy Metro Northeast - Indianapolis, IN
in referral

Todd are they stealing your comment or is this a place where you are actually posting your blogs but to keep your membership free they have all types of ads they run?  Just curious as to how that works.

Chanda panda

May 23, 2009 10:48 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Interesting post. Thanks for your perspective.

Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/roykelley

May 23, 2009 11:18 PM
Don Rogers
Keller Williams Realty Chesterfield - O'Fallon, MO
Realtor, Broker, CDPE, GRI, OnullFallon MO & St Charles County MO homes

Todd,

I am getting a contract ready and will have it to you in about a week.  Just have to run it by the attorney first to make sure I have all the I's crossed and T's dotted or is it the other way around?

May 23, 2009 11:21 PM
Julie Chapman
Julie Chapman Broker - Ormond Beach, FL
Daytona Beach Shores, Florida

Todd,

The speedo thing was part of the deal....no speedo no deal.......another great post......

May 24, 2009 12:00 AM
Chip Jefferson
Gibbs Realty and Auction Company - Columbia, SC

I have been thinking of selling ads on my website. I had it appraised at 18K and ad revenue of 700-800 per month. My wordpress blogs had value as well. 200-300 each per month.

May 24, 2009 12:07 AM
Laura Gray
RE/MAX Realty Group - Gaithersburg, MD

Todd - It seems that where there is a will ,there is a way to eran money in this economy.

May 24, 2009 12:09 AM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Now that is one way to make money...interesting post.

May 24, 2009 12:12 AM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Gee, Todd!  I, too, am looking for a way I can play computer games all day and still earn a living.  This could be it!

May 24, 2009 12:17 AM
Richard Weisser
Richard Weisser Realty - Newnan, GA
Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional

Todd...

The truth is, Google Adsense revenues are about 25% of what they used to be ... there was a time when aggregators could make decent money, but those days are pretty much gone.

Featured in the Group "Whacked!!!"

May 24, 2009 12:35 AM
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Todd, welcome to the world of the Internet.  It's one of the ways almost all the major sites make money.  Including ActiveRain!

May 24, 2009 01:02 AM
Marney Kirk
Cummings & Co. Realtors - Towson, MD
Towson, Maryland Real Estate

Todd, this is craziness! Is this truly possible? Reading Richard's post, I am not sure that is the case anymore...I hope not. That's terrible!

May 24, 2009 01:03 AM
Irene Kennedy Realtor® in Northwestern NJ
Weichert - Lopatcong, NJ

Todd,

Are you going to start charging us for a re-blog? :-)

May 24, 2009 01:52 AM
Sally Dunbar
Lyon Real Estate, Fair Oaks CA (Sacramento Area) - Fair Oaks, CA
Fair Oaks Realtor - Fair Oaks Homes for Sale

Just points out the unpredictable directions technology can take us.  Who could ever imagine our kids saying, "I want to be a steal-others-content-and-make-money-on-the-internet expert when I grow up."

May 24, 2009 02:22 AM
Jim Valentine
RE/MAX Realty Affiliates - Gardnerville, NV

Todd,  When I started my first business I was told, "You can't copy success".  Of course we know you can get good ideas from successful people, but to actually copy, or in this case steal, is not the path to success.  They most likely don't have the knowledge to back it up hence the need to steal the bait.  Keep up the good work.

May 24, 2009 04:07 AM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

Todd - As long as you will send me photos from exotic locations, allowing me to live vicariously through your adventures, I suppose it would be okay.  :)

May 24, 2009 04:17 AM
Liz Loadholt
Liz Loadholt- AgentOwned Realty- Covering SC - Mount Pleasant, SC
Realtor--Broker-in-charge - Trainer--Relocation Director Covering SC

Todd ---did this really happen to you?  WOW ---- I would never have thought of doing something like this. I couldn't tell if Laura was being serious with her comment.

Mama Liz's Signature

May 24, 2009 08:03 AM
Ginger Walker
Keller Williams Realty - Stafford, VA
Realtor e-PRO,CSP

Hi Todd,  Wow I am suprised and cannot understand how this can be?  I guess if it is possible to be lazy and make money off of someone elses work someone out there will find a way to do it...and ps: no speedos please! ha ha ha

May 25, 2009 01:34 PM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

I'm meeting a lawyer tomorrow (Finally) and hopefully we can get on top of this. One of my teachers in real estate school specialized in real estate and copywrite law and we just happen to talk about this two days after I wrote this post.

Jun 21, 2009 04:43 PM