When I got into the mortgage business, I was fresh out of college. I had a music degree, but since I was a substitute teacher for the last 2 years of college, I had "my fill" of students and teaching. I was 21 and not exactly ready to dig in and have that type of foundation.
After looking for jobs for a few weeks, my wife and I stumbled upon a company hiring loan officers with no experience. I should have translated that phrase "No Experience Necessary" as, "You only get a phone and a desk, EVERYTHING else is up to you". I can't tell you how many times when I finally got someone on the phone, that they knew more than I did.
After about a year or so of struggling and making about $6,000 that first full year, I started devoting my time to studying the industry and investing time and what very little money I had on my education. It only took about 3 weeks and I knew more than most of my coworkers. Shortly after that, I knew more than most, including my managers and the owners (Trust me, it wasn't that hard).
So finally to the point of this post: Blogging is the avenue by which I am starting to really get paid for all of my hard work. I had personal websites throughout the years, varying from small to information overload. But in 5 years I am not sure I ever received a lead from it. It was just there for credibility.
Until blogging came along.
By sharing my education with the public, things are finally starting to pay off. The first 4 years of my career I spent relying on purchased leads. For the next 3 years I relied almost exclusively on Realtors. So when the market turned so did the majority of my leads and Realtor partners. I went from barely squeeking by to considering another full-time career.
One night I sat on my computer and started Googling mortgage and real estate terms. I noticed a fairly common theme: ActiveRain. Upon inspection, I found out I could sign up for free.
Oh ActiveRain, where were you all these years!!
After blogging for about 3 weeks, I received my first "random" phone call. I closed that lead about 2 months ago. Now with about 9 months under my belt I often have trouble keeping up with the leads. I haven't been closing many refinances, and I only get a few Realtor leads per month. Yet I no longer have to panic. I am relying on MYSELF for lead generation. I can't tell you the feeling of being the gate-keeper; the guy that talks to clients before everyone else.
Blogging isn't for everyone. My self education has positioned me well to write blog posts, and that coupled with my eagerness to read the many sensational blogs on ActiveRain has helped me set myself up well for my area. But hear me out: I got "C's" in college for composition. I am by no means a great writer. I just try to think about what I would like to read and how my articles should flow. I use the KISS method, throw in a relevant pic or two, and I'm done.
The Ball is in Your Court
I've taught about a dozen people, one-on-one, how to blog. To date, I know nobody that took up blogging after that day I spent with them. I still get agents that hound me to follow-up with the lead that wasn't ready 12 months ago - as if that is still their only lead. I stay in touch with past leads, but frankly I'm getting almost as much leads today as when I was working Lending Tree leads. And these leads are much better positioned than any other lead that me and 5 other loan officers are calling.
If you want to really take a step up in business, than blog. If you don't know what to write about here are some ideas to get you started:
- Become an expert at a niche in your business. Study it like crazy than start blogging about it.
- If you are a Realtor, use one of your listings or ask to use a coworkers listing to advertise properties in your own blog for practice and for leads. (Check out Vflyer or Postlets).
- Blog your experiences. The first house you bought, your first day on the job, your kids baseball team.
- Read Blogs on ActiveRain.com, Trulia.com, and the local newspaper's blog site.
- Don't be afraid. Your first post can be all about you. Certainly you know about that topic!
- Sit down and consider keywords for your blog topics and titles. Google the words you would type to find information about something important to you, and see where it leads you. Why do you end up on a particular site? Just duplicate that system.
- Model 2 or 3 different bloggers that you enjoy. Model the blog format, the paragraph styles, the types of pictures they use.
It's All Over Now
Blogging is like skydiving; Some people freak out and run the other way, and others never turn back. When you start blogging and you get leads in return, it is exciting, encouraging, and best of all, IT PAYS THE BILLS!!! You can't make any excuses about not having enough business if you haven't seriously attempted to blog. Good luck - now that you know the facts, its up to you to make it happen.
As always, e-mail me for more information. Best wishes.
|
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
|
Comments(18)