Baaaad Jennifer.
A few weeks ago, I threatened to write a series of blogs entitled "Pipeline 2010" where I'd share some thoughts on what you could (and should) be doing today to ensure a Happy Next Year. And then I totally dropped the ball. I got distracted and left y'all hanging. I hope you weren't holding your breath.
Anyway, the first topic I'd like to discuss is blogging. Since you're HERE, on real estate's greatest blogging site, I'll assume that you know what blogging is and why you might want to do it. If it's working for you, then you probably don't need my encouragement to keep up the good work. But if you're not blogging, you're probably at least mildly annoyed with yourself that you aren't.
In July, I hosted a private teleseminar within the Summer of Soul (shameless plug - buy the whole series before September 15 and save $50) where we discussed Blogging for Business.
Frankly, I didn't think I'd learn much from the seminar; after all, I'M in the Top Ten Most Subscribed-To Bloggers here on the Rain! What could blogging experts like Renee Burrows, Janie Coffey and Karen Rice possibly teach ME about effective blogging techniques?
*Gulp*
A lot, it turns out.
While I can't summarize the entire 90-minute show in a 500-word blog post, let me share the most eye-opening concept I got from the show. Hopefully it will inspire you the way it inspired me.
I've always treated blogging as a popularity contest. The more comments I get, the happier I am. Period. I considered the number of comments I receive to be the only relevant evaluation on the effectiveness of my post. Lotsa comments - GREAT blog. No or few comments - SUCKY blog.
Oooh, I was wrong. And this is GOOD news for the new blogger!
Turns out that the most effective blogs (that is, blogs that attract buyers and sellers of real estate) very likely won't generate many comments at all! After all, it's not as if the general home-buying and selling public is hanging out at Active Rain - no, they're doing their own thing until one day - BAM! They want information on local real estate, they head to google and voila! There you are!
Well, there you are if you're there. With keywords and tags and decent content and a strong title and all that. Which isn't nearly as complicated as I once imagined it to be.
So, I decided to put my newfound knowledge to the test. I fired up a blog I'd abandoned over a year before that focused on my favorite neighborhood in Denver. I started posting frequently, using keywords and tags and categories.
And guess what? I've received exactly three comments on my blog; all three from other real estate agents.
But if you search "Northwest Denver Real Estate" or "Northwest Denver homes for sale" guess who comes up first (or second)? ME! (I'm the one at www.northwestdenverundressed.com).
I've only had a few leads so far, but they've been strong leads and will probably result in some closings down the road sometime. So, I'm tickled with my results so far and I'll bet ya my blogging efforts of the last two months will make my 2010 just a little bit sweeeeter. Or a whole lot.
NEXT UP in the Pipeline 2010 Series - "How Mastering Your Market Can Attract Business Your Way"
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