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Arwen-and-TR-some-of-my-great-clientsOkay, so you've heard all the hype about the ActiveRain Network and blogging. Someone you know and trust is an ActiveRain member and has challenged you to become involved in using Social Media/Networking on the Internet to promote/grow your business.

And so here you are, skeptically navigating through the maze of features, lurking around various conversations, and wondering:

What is the Value/Benefit of My Time spent here?

The overwhelming majority of people in our business are still relatively clueless as to the value proposition offered by implementing an effective Internet Social Media strategy as part of their overall marketing plan. The viable 'bottom-line' benefits of Blogging in particular remain shrouded in mystery to the masses who have never posted. And so you ask yourself"

Why Should I begin Blogging?

Time is Money, they say, and perhaps you're one of those types that needs to see a demonstrable return on your investment. Just remember that using Social Media/Networking to grow your business is simply one more weapon that can be added to your marketing arsenal. It should not replace, but augment those methods that have been successful for thus far. With that said, allow me to share one of the primary advantages/benefits of conversational blogging that I have found exceptionally helpful to building my real estate business:

Great Blogging Attracts Great Clients

As I have shared in previous articles, posting articles to your blog allows you to convey to your readers one or more of the 3 P's of Conversational Blogging - Your Passions, Your Personality, and Your Experienced/Knowledgeable Perspective.

As potential clients access the Internet, and read through various blogs and articles, they are often quite naturally attracted to, and connect with, writers who reflect/resonate their own similar passions, personalities, and perspectives. As a result of digesting what you've written, a certain level of comfort and trust is cultivated with the reader. Your Blog serves to establish a virtual rapport with them. Then, at the point when they finally make contact with you, or meet face-to-face, it's as though they've known you for a long time. In addition, they're more likely to have a sense of commitment to you as well.

In my experience, blogging generates more highly qualified client leads. I don't have to 'chase' them down, they come to me! And they're typically some of the most fun and enjoyable people that I have had the privilege of working with.

How to Create an 'Attractive' Blog

Okay, so now the obvious question is "How do I publish content to my Blog that will effectively 'attract' potential clients?" I could spend a dozen or so articles on just that topic alone, but permit me to offer just a few basic and simple guidelines:

1.   Be Yourself:   Don't try to the be the next Chris Brogan or Guy Kawasaki. Just be yourself. Write the way you normally converse. Imagine yourself at your favorite coffee shop, enjoying a relaxing Cup '0' Joe, and having an informal conversation with one of your favorite clients. What you write and who your clients end up meeting needs to be the same thing.

2.   Be Informative and Engaging:   Don't use your blog to plaster blatant self-serving, self-promoting noise. The majority of your content should be helpful, practical information about your local market and professional, experienced insights on real estate related issues. Always write with the consumer in mind. What information would they find most interesting and meaningful? Don't simply publish market statistics and listings. While that kind of information is important, it does very little to reveal who you are and how you run your business.

3.   Be Consistent:   Today's Net-Savvy consumers are fickle and demanding. They want to be served up 'fresh' content regularly. If they access your blog and don't find something relatively current, they'll click right on thru until they find someone else who more actively maintains their blog. Consistency in your publishing will also help improve your ranking/find-ability with the search engines, thereby increasing your chances of being found by potential clients.

To discover more helpful information, go to "Blog Tips for Rain Drips"

~     o     ~     o     ~     o     ~     o     ~     o     ~

Rich Jacobson is a licensed real estate professional providing knowledgeable empowerment and relentless representation for his clients of residential properties and vacant land throughout all of Kitsap County WA and portions of Pierce, Mason, and Jefferson Counties. You can also find him at KitsapLife.com, SOUNDBITEBLOG, and Crabbing in the Hood.

 

Follow KitsapAgent on TwitterFriend Rich Jacobson on FacebookJoin Rich Jacobson's LinkedIn NetworkSubcribe to Rich Jacobson's YouTube ChannelListen to My Sweet Tunes on Last.fm

 
Post is included in group: Active Rain Newbies
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72 Comments on "Attracting Great Clients Thru Blogging" - Blog Tips for Rain Drips

AUG
13
2009
443,605 Points 19 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I have such a great time here, reading posts and writing posts.  It's one of the first places I stop each morning and usually the last place I stop in the evening, before going to bed. 

3:53pm • #1
1,049,854 Points 178 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Saw this wonderful post through my Facebook alert. How true it is....

I have so much to agree with you. I found my perfect clients through blogging!!! They call me instead of me hunting them down. Does life get much easier than that?

3:57pm • #2
837,468 Points 163 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Rich - Your face looks familiar.  Have we met by chance?  :)

4:01pm • #3
782,169 Points 71 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Some of the best clients I have ever worked with have been generated by my blog. You are right on the money Rich!

4:02pm • #4
493,748 Points 222 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Jason:  Yes, I attended one of your many book signings, and tried desperately to get your autograph, but the crowd of fans was so huge, I couldn't get through....

4:04pm • #5
Outside Blog

Hi Rich,

I am new to the AR community and really appreciate the tips and helpful info! Have a great day, Sandy

4:18pm • #6
376,907 Points 85 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Rich, great stuff...as always.  I love the tips I pick up here!

4:19pm • #7
552,679 Points 78 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Rich, I heard some hype about a website called ActiveRain.  Can it help me and my business?

Great tips!

4:20pm • #8
881,493 Points 210 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I love the way you describe writing.......

.......Imagine yourself at your favorite coffee shop, enjoying a relaxing Cup '0' Joe, and having an informal conversation with one of your favorite clients. What you write and who your clients end up meeting needs to be the same thing......

And that's just how...we do it ...do it. :)

4:21pm • #9
548,980 Points 110 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Gracious Rich...

It's about time you popped in and gave us drips a few of your 'precious' tips :)

TLW...ROAR!

4:26pm • #10
707,648 Points 36 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Rich, the big 3 are pretty easy to follow and understand...Be yourself be engaging and be consistent. I find clients are interested in what I know, What I think and what I can offer them. It really is pretty simple and blogging is an added resource not a magic bullet, you still have to do the tried and true marketing that has worked in the past, but new avenues will open for Real estate professionals that also blog. great post.

4:29pm • #11
1,114,840 Points 71 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

People who haven't figured out the blogging world yet really need to get on the ball!

5:15pm • #12
121,935 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Rich - that's such a timely post for me! I've just had a conversation /argument with the colleagues about what the social networking / blogging can be for Real estate business. Right blogging means right clients. Period.

Your post says it all. Thank you.

5:18pm • #13
220,836 Points Hit Router Attended Rain Camp

Hello Rich, thanks for the great tips.  The Rain is a great place to be (next to out crabbing of course! -- caught any lately?)  John

5:33pm • #14
687,910 Points 83 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I've met the nicest people through Active Rain, and my blog!

But say . . . are Active Rainer "drips?"

;-)

5:34pm • #15
Attended Rain Camp

Hi Rich!  I may be in the Rain, but I hope I'm not a 'drip'!  Here in the NW we may be 'dripping' alot, however. 

Good tips.  Not everyone learned to write with a speaking style.  They struggle with the process and your comments are timely. 

I think on #3, the goal would be at least weekly.  Keeping it current is the way to go! 

5:50pm • #17
830,093 Points 156 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Rich, That was a great post and one whose content really is the Key to unlocking our future relationship with consumers. As more and more people come to rely on these social networks they are proving their value even as we discuss and encourage SEO for Google Juice.

I think more people see the advantages of the networks that are based more on substance ( relative term) than on ones ability to buy placement with Google. No one is replacing Google but for many that just can't seem to get into position, the social networks are there for those that work them. They can and do provide new levels of relationships that will have a positive affect on our real estate business ( probably sooner than later).

So it seems that participating in the networks ( ActiveRain, Facebook and Twitter) at least will help insure that we are there when the door is opened to client opportunities that will come through these channels. Meanwhile, we also need to pay attention to Google and keep those crawlers busy.

SEO was almost where the emphasis was totally focused for a while and now it seems the social networks are expanding at lighting paces.

The coolest part of all this is that chances are good that if we didn't belong to ActiveRain, most of us would know what we know as fast as we come to  know it.

5:52pm • #18
298,513 Points 5 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I've only been blogging for a few weeks, so haven't seen what I would call a ROI yet. I like reading these kinds of posts to keep me motivated and on track with what I'm sure will ultimately lead to success. Thanks Rich!

5:56pm • #19
164,063 Points 7 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor

The whole "be consistent" thing is probably the hardest part of blogging.  But the rewards far outweigh the somewhat inconvenience of finding time to sit down and write!  It's so true though...once you start, you'll see!

~Renae

6:04pm • #20
865,599 Points 50 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp

Good stuff.  It is challenging for a lot of us to not make a series of commercials... 

6:55pm • #21
1,009,897 Points 36 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Great tips for people.  What's amazing is that if they'll consistently follow them, they might actually see business come from it. ; )

7:12pm • #22
425,489 Points 2 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Rich~ I just hope those drips never dry up!  Activerain has been the best find I have ever come across!  I come here every single day.  But, my weakness is that I do not write as often as I should....

7:24pm • #23
1 Featured Post Outside Blog

I love the fact that you included Passion in the 3 P's.

7:36pm • #24
577,905 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Coming up with fresh content taht shows your personality more and more is my most difficult challenge, but with so many topics to write about now, I don't think that it will be a problem anymore. Thanks for the excellent advice, as always, Rich!

8:59pm • #25
151,495 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Rich,

I love it.

I too have seen the POWER of the blog.

Thanks for sharing!

9:16pm • #26
121,551 Points 18 Featured Posts

Hi Rich~ I had a client consultation with an agent today and we talked about the importance of blogging as being the voice that attracts the clients you really want to work with. When you are genuine and sincere, people will know it, and not move one to the next choice. For intance..if I was going to Kitsap County.....;-)

9:51pm • #27
608,871 Points 26 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Rich, other benefits of blogging/social networking is how it develops your writing style and picking up creative low cost marketing tips along the way. Thanks for sharing!

Sharon

10:15pm • #28
892,385 Points 20 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Rich great tips.  Blogging is well worth the time; and AR has been the training grown for many.

10:22pm • #29
749,379 Points 72 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Rich.....38th referral last night off of the rain.....ENOUGH SAID!

10:45pm • #31
177,495 Points 6 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Hit Router

Number 1 is very important.  Keeping this in mind me overcome writer's block on occasion.  (Although, I admit to throwing keywords into the blog that I wouldn't mention in converation).

10:47pm • #32
531,237 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Rich: Great information for people new to Active Rain or exploring the newtwork...

11:00pm • #33
2 Featured Posts

Great advise!  I have picked up a few buyers because of my membership to Active Rain, and am looking to many more in the future! 

It's important to blog about things are are interesting to your community.

 

11:08pm • #34
1,157,703 Points 117 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I've lost count of my leads from AR this year.  However there has been one common thread. When we meet in person and we spend a little time together everyone says "we feel as if we know you from reading your blog."  Guess that's a good thing?

11:20pm • #35

Rich, thanks for sharing. I signed up for google analytics and am able to track the traffic generated from activerain. It motivates me to keep blogging.

11:28pm • #36
129,974 Points 5 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Rich:

Cute title and great post.  Thanks for sharing. 

11:32pm • #37
AUG
14
2009
754,282 Points 7 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Rich, great tips for all.  I have had two referrals so far, and looking for more.

2:22am • #38
130,187 Points 1 Featured Post

Rich - Another bookmarked blog post from an AR star.  As I try to introduce agents to AR and blogging, these sorts of posts are invaluable! 

9:16am • #39
402,750 Points 4 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Rich - Yeah you do look familiar like Jason said..... ha haaa..... Good advice now if I could only write as good as you... Good to see you around again Rich..

9:46am • #40

Rich, a wealth of knowledge here!  I will glean from this for awhile.  It's understandable, and presented "social media" friendly :)  Thanks so much, Karen

9:54am • #41
815,684 Points 7 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Blogging is the favorite part of my job and I am getting better at it all the time.  It is also starting to draw customers.

10:24am • #42
5 Featured Posts

Hey Rich, Blogging certainly is a fun way to attract new clients; I'm finding that I really enjoy writing! Lately though I haven't been able to update as often as I would like, which I know could hurt my readership. Being consistent like you said is a key to using your blog for marketing.

Have a great weekend!

--Anne Rains

10:59am • #43
145,572 Points 5 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I really liked your ideas on developing a distinctive style in blogging that allows people to feel they know you.  I've found that my favorite posts on AR are the ones where the writer's personality shines through. 

12:12pm • #44
133,639 Points 2 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp

Thanks for the tips and the link to Blog Tips for Rain Drips.  I am new to Active Rain and so this is my first look at that blog.  Of course I bookmarked it.

12:43pm • #45
313,393 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Rich,

To make blogging work requires a long-term commitment and many real estate agents and mortgage pros etc. fail to follow through as they should. They expect instant results and usually that's not the way it works.

1:22pm • #46
837,468 Points 163 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Rich - My apologies.  If you send me your address, I will have one of my assistants sign a book for you.  :)

2:13pm • #47
1,256,943 Points 242 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Rich- Great tips. My favorite one is always be yourself! That goes far in life and business! Don't be someone you are not because no one want to work with a phoney:)

2:30pm • #48

Great post.... But.... if I can't be myself....can I be Donald Trump instead?? (Just kidding.)

Jeff Burnham- The WIZARD, Rosen & CO. West, Las Vegas, NV

4:01pm • #49
2 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Rich,

You never know what you can do until you try.  Well I am still a newbie at blogging and I have surprised myself at how much I enjoy blogging.  No I am not a great writer but here on ActiveRain everyone is so supportive and that has given me the confidence to blog.

Thank you for the great advice.

Sharon

4:34pm • #50
Outside Blog

Rich... Great information, and so true.  I'm going to provide a link to it to a couple of people I'm inviting to join the Rain.  Think it will really help to get them off on the right foot.

4:47pm • #51
350,647 Points 2 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Rich - I have just started getting clients off of my blog.  I think you have to look at blogging with a long term perspective.  It may take a while to find your voice and to get enough good content.  Then you seem to reach critical mass and the clients start to come.

9:52pm • #52
AUG
15
2009
429,369 Points 57 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Rich- Loved the post.  One of the hardest things to do when blogging regularly is to stay consistent. But, Real Estate is one profession where no days are exactly alike and certainly no two customers are exactly alike- they are an endless source of material.  What we do with it, and how we convey it is where each of us as indivuals has some creative license.

I always enjoy reading your posts...pass the sugar please.

5:43am • #53
429,369 Points 57 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Rich- Loved the post.  One of the hardest things to do when blogging regularly is to stay consistent. But, Real Estate is one profession where no days are exactly alike and certainly no two customers are exactly alike- they are an endless source of material.  What we do with it, and how we convey it is where each of us as indivuals has some creative license.

I always enjoy reading your posts...pass the sugar please.

5:44am • #54
168,217 Points 2 Featured Posts

Rich - I believe in what you say about being yourself, informative, engaging, and consistent.  Hopefully you can also be entertaining once in a while.

12:56pm • #55
AUG
16
2009
550,941 Points 22 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Rich, great post with great advice.  Be yourself and show your unique expertise.

4:01pm • #56
AUG
17
2009
1,103,903 Points 45 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Rich,

My blogging here give me a competitive edge that keeps the phone ringing.

9:44am • #57
1,601,843 Points 154 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

For those who don't think blogging works, then they need to talk to those of us who have been on here for more than a year, I will bet everyone will has stayed will sing its praises!

Todd Clark - www.LivingBeaverton.com

11:39pm • #58
AUG
18
2009
557,279 Points 38 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I second Todd. Life is certainly very interesting in the Rain. :-)

Rich, I do love your blog. It's a fave place to lurk and peek (LOL). ;-)

8:02pm • #59
AUG
20
2009
135,001 Points 2 Featured Posts

Rich - you make great points in your blog. After trying other things, I've back to my daily Active Rain habit.

http://www.twitter.com/mortgageva

9:39am • #60

Hi Rich,

Being relatively new to Active Rain, I appreciate the kind of content your blogs deliver. My friend Tom Braatz, Waukesha County Real Estate Agent extraordinaire suggested that I follow your blog, and I am beginning to understand why he made that suggestion. Thanks,

Pat

8:10pm • #61
AUG
21
2009
146,958 Points 1 Featured Post

Great tips, some people just throw out tons of short little blogs just for the sake of doing them.  Those kinds of posting can be a big turn off.  I put a lot of thought into what I blog about.  The post that I wrote about a dung beetle I saw rolling up deer poop while hiking got me tons of responses from clients and friends.

9:15pm • #62
AUG
23
2009
146,061 Points 2 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Rich - Great tips for rain drips and non-rain drips alike. Question: How did you get that blue text for your headings?

9:34am • #63
493,748 Points 222 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Coleen:   It's simply a matter of knowing a little bit about HTML code. You have two options when you draft your blog articles - using the WYSWYG editor or switching to HTML.

In this instance, the HTML code is as follows:

<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: #0000cd;">Why Should I begin Blogging?<br /></span></span></p>

Or you can do it the easier way - just copy the font size and color you like from someone eles's post, paste it to your blog, then change the words/letters to what you want your titles to say....

12:30pm • #64
548,980 Points 110 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Gracious...

Loading FireFox and using the ScribeFire plug in also works. I've been having a blast turning all my blogs and comments into the color of Crap :)

TLW...ROAR!

4:53pm • #65
AUG
31
2009
279,138 Points 1 Featured Post Localism Sponsor Hit Router Attended Rain Camp

Hi Rich,

The rain is beginning to fall for me. It takes time and I am receiving compliments and calls from the outside world.

8:39pm • #67
SEP
01
2009
214,365 Points

Hi Rich,

Terrific tips and post!  I have received 4 referrals from AR so far.  Blogging has also given me a competitive edge in my local market.  Have a great week!

Rita

 

8:36am • #68
SEP
04
2009
180,646 Points 6 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Called Shot Master

Very cool! This evening I met with prospects I have been corresponding with via email. The husband mentioned that he still has to check out that hardware store I wrote about! Yup, they've been reading my blog!  I guess if you get leads via the Internet it's not a huge jump that these same individual wiill Google you and see what you have to say. These buyers were looking for a local agent- now they know they have one!

12:09am • #69
SEP
08
2009
Outside Blog

Hey Rich...love this post. Yesterday I outlines 3 blogs to get me started--today took over with other pressing issues (prepping a home for the new owner), so I'll get to them. Just reading some of the responses here is revving me up. It was fun meeting you at the Silverdale Mall several months ago.

2:46am • #70
493,748 Points 222 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Sherry:   Ditto! I enjoyed meeting you as well. Please let me know if I can ever be of help to you!...

12:14pm • #71
SEP
25
2009
Outside Blog

One day--I too will be a blogger.

4:41am • #72

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Rich Jacobson Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker

Silverdale, WA

More about me…

Keller Williams West Sound Realty

Address: Silverdale, WA, 98383

Office Phone: (360) 499-6367

Cell Phone: (360) 440-4758

Email Me

Providing Knowledgeable Empowerment and Relentless Representation of Real Estate Clients throughtout the Western Puget Sound, including all of Kitsap County WA, and portions of Mason, Pierce, and Jefferson Counties.

"Helping You to Successfully Achieve Your Next Adventure in Life!"

Rich Jacobson
Rich Jacobson
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