Special offer

Step Out of Your Comfort Zone and Blog Already!

By
Real Estate Agent with KW Hometown 1756879

Step Out of Your Comfort Zone and Blog Already!

Nervous Nellie?Ten months ago I stepped into the blogging world, somewhat by accident. I was a bit nervous about putting my own words and thoughts out there for everyone to read (and criticize). I was even more afraid of stating something unfactual.

After several agonizing hours of putting my thoughts down and what felt like the ultimate baring of my soul, I finally hit the "Public" button and shot it off into cyberspace. Here it is - Orphaned Realtors - Who do I go to now?

When I initially posted it, I watched in fear as it went from the top of the "Blogs" page allllllllllll the way to the bottom. It was slow and somewhat painful. Alas, NO COMMENTS. "This is good stuff people," I thought. 

Now if you went through my blog roll, you would see that this "Orphaned Realtors" post appears to be my third post. Well it is. But first it was my first post. I thought I wrote a FANTASTIC piece. So I re-posted it. "And what to my wondering eyes did appear?" Well certainly no reindeer, and no comments either!

"DANG" I thought, "These bloggers must be tough to crack!"

I kept at it though, and some time later I was blessed with my first featured blog (My Blog Post on another website?? Should I be concerned? ). Nothing special. I was almost embarrased it was so simple, until the comments rolled in and it started to seem like everyone was in the same boat as me. I was starting to learn how to be comfortable being me.

NOW on to YOU!

Ok, so maybe you are new to this or haven't blogged yet. You are just hanging around to learn. That's cool. Learn everything you can. But lets talk about some reasons to consider blogging:

  • Use blogging as an avenue to get your thoughts out. You will quickly find many people just like yourself. And likely make some great friends.
  • Network with like minds and businesses that compliment yours
  • Share current or industry news. You work hard to be knowledgable. Let others know it!
  • Obtain prospects and business. I promise you it is easier than you think.
  • Stay in-touch with the times - don't be left behind by not blogging.
  • Reach a broader audience by blogging and redirecting that information to other websites.
  • Use your blog to educate and keep in touch with your current friends/clients.

Here are some reasons NOT to blog

  • You don't have the time. If most of us are realistic, we have time for the things we want to have time for.
  • You are nervous. This lasts only a short time as you will soon find many like minds.
  • You know people that blog, and it is just a waste of time: Well maybe for them, but for many that currently blog, it is a vital and dynamic part of their business.

Let's all blog together

 

There are many wonderful voices and minds here on ActiveRain, and hopefully they will add their thoughts and experiences to help the new comers (and veterans) better understand this great system.

I'M HERE FOR YOU TOO.  If you or someone you know needs help blogging, just let me know. I would love to help you out. Really! Just call, e-mail, or text. I would LOVE to be your first subscriber! Let's get it rolling for you!

JUMP IN WITH BOTH FEET!!

 

Home Buyer Links

Understanding and Using All of Your First Time Home Buyer Options

Understanding Seller Concessions | Seller Paid Closing Costs | Seller Contributions | Seller Assist

Financing and Mortgages with a Credit Score Below 620

Why I'm Stressing Over Someone Else's Credit


Subscribe to Steve's Blog via Email

Active Rain Blog Subscribe

Steve Kappre is a Mortgage Planner with Treasury Mortgage. Steve specializes in;

• All areas concerning First-Time Home Buyer Mortgages, grants, down payment assistance, police and fire loans, rehab loans, and more.

Reverse Mortgages

• Equity Management strategies for high-end homes and high net worth individuals.

Contact Steve Kappre directly at 856-419-3561 or at www.stevekappre.com

Comments(45)

Russ Ravary ~ Metro Detroit Realtor call (248) 310-6239
Real Estate One - Commerce, MI
Michigan homes for sale ~ yesmyrealtor@gmail.com

Steve you are so right.  I went with blind faith when I started  I think you have to

Jul 30, 2009 10:19 PM
Paddy (Patricia) Pizappi
Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty - Pine Bush, NY
Real Estate Associate Broker Hudson Valley NY

Great stuff Steve.  And I love the turtle!  You are right Just Do It as Niki would say

Jul 30, 2009 11:55 PM
William James Walton Sr.
WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Briotti Group - Waterbury, CT
Greater Waterbury Real Estate

Steve, blogging for me was doing something different than just cold calling to get business. It needs a LOT of patience to see the results materialize, but I'm committed now, and very glad that I did jump in when I did...I just wish that I had sooner.

Jul 30, 2009 11:58 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Great post Steve.  And great sense of humor too!  I think just about everybody feels that way at first.  It is like a whole new land - or opportunity of course!

Jump in the blogging pool.  Get all wet!  Have fun with it!

Jul 31, 2009 12:24 AM
Home Loan Search.Online
Home Loan Search Online - Newnan, GA

Congrats on your feature. You've just got to keep pluggin away and the results will come.

Jul 31, 2009 12:44 AM
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

The people I try to help get into blogging I tell that if it isn't fun along with the work you won't do it. The lack of a comfort zone is in the learning, so successful blogging should be a new and enjoyable comfort zone. Sure beats cold calling as a way to find clients.

Jul 31, 2009 01:00 AM
Anonymous
Fred Schiessl

Bravo Steve,

It truly is about getting out of your comfort zone. I'm finding that with each and every entry it gets easier and easier. It's kind of like singing or giving a speech in public. As long as you give your best effort, people will appreciate what you have done no matter what, and who can we trust if not our own peers?

Jul 31, 2009 01:05 AM
#34
Stephen Kappre
KW Hometown - Mantua, NJ
Helping You Home

Terry - Thanks - I'll try and check that out

Missy - Time flies, and you are right, the business and connections are awesome

Russ - There is a certain gut check that has to take place. The confidence that comes from it is very beneficial as well

Paddy - "Just Do It" would be an excellent summary

William - I agree 1000%. I thought of blogging years ago but thought nobody would ever care what I had to say. Stupid me!

Anna - It usually is really fun isn't it?

Integrity - And the education is so great here that you could literally get business from your first post. One doesn't really have to go through a trial period - maybe just a learning curve to know how to write.

Jul 31, 2009 01:07 AM
Stephen Kappre
KW Hometown - Mantua, NJ
Helping You Home

Joe - SO true. I haven't cold calle din years, and surprise, I don't miss it.

Jul 31, 2009 01:08 AM
Stephen Kappre
KW Hometown - Mantua, NJ
Helping You Home

Fred - Good point. Try hard and do your best, people will notice. Good advice.

Jul 31, 2009 01:09 AM
Patricia Aulson
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOME SERVICES Verani Realty NH Real Estate - Exeter, NH
Realtor - Portsmouth NH Homes-Hampton NH Homes

Hey Steve,   

Nice post today. Always doing the best you can is the way to go....

  I L O V E  the picture......

 

Patricia AulsonPortsmouth nh

Jul 31, 2009 01:17 AM
Bob Haywood
McGraw Realtors - Owasso, OK
BobHaywood.com

Steve, congrats on the featured post!  You obviously have a knack for blogging.  I've tried and tried to get a few of my other business associates into this with no luck.  Either you get it or you don't!

Jul 31, 2009 01:22 AM
Stephen Kappre
KW Hometown - Mantua, NJ
Helping You Home

Patricia - Thanks

Bob - True. I sat one-on-one with about a dozen Realtors. NONE have touched blogging after that day. But they still want to know how to get more business.

Jul 31, 2009 01:38 AM
Sharon Senger
tcDocs - Seattle, WA
Licensed Transaction Coordinator

Steve,

Congratulations on the featured post and you are now definitely in the groove with your blog.  I was the same when I posted my first blog, nervous and wondering if anyone would comment.  I always look forward to logging onto AR and reading everyone's post and finding out what is happening in the Rain today :)

Best wishes

Sharon

Jul 31, 2009 03:36 AM
Sheldon Neal
Bergen County, NJ - RE/MAX Real Estate Limited - Maywood, NJ
That British Agent Bergen County NJ

Steve ! Excellent post ! This answers a lot of questions for those on the blogging fence !

Well done mate !

Cheers !

Sheldon

Jul 31, 2009 03:38 AM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Steve, as Nike would say even relating to blogging, JUST DO IT. The more you do it you just get more practice.

Jul 31, 2009 03:54 AM
Stephen Kappre
KW Hometown - Mantua, NJ
Helping You Home

Sharon - There is so much great stuff. It is sometimes stressful when you don't  have the time!

Sheldon - I hope so!

Gary - That's right. A journey starts with one step.

Jul 31, 2009 04:59 AM
"The Lovely Wife" The One And Only TLW.
President-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Kissimmee, FL

Steve...

What comfort zone? You mean to tell me there's a comfort zone? I didn't know there was such a thing :)

P.S. Yup. I read the post. That's my comment and I'm sticking to it :)

TLW...ROAR!

Jul 31, 2009 06:22 AM
Dave Roberts
Healdsburg Sotheby's International Realty - Healdsburg, CA

Good advice Steve. I go in spurts, but I can always see increased traffic to my outisde websites when I have gotten busy blogging. There's no substitute for blogging, blogging some more, and then blogging some more. Thanks for posting this.

Jul 31, 2009 09:09 AM
Stephen Kappre
KW Hometown - Mantua, NJ
Helping You Home

TLW - That is because you are comfortable everywhere :P

Dave - Good thoughts. To stay there in the search engines takes effort!

Aug 01, 2009 12:24 AM