It all starts with a consumer... a consumer that needs to know the answer to a question.  Maybe they have emailed... or asked during a listing presentation... maybe even just mentioned it at a party. 

But at the heart there is a question... and a consumer. 

Lane, shouldn't we list with the agent that gives us the highest price?  We don't want to "give away" our house, we want to get what it is worth... 

I was asked that question during a listing presentation... and we had a conversation.  After that, I was asked the question a few times in emails.  By that time I had written a post.  of course, before blogging I just answered the question... over and over... 

The answer grows.  It goes from a quick conversation or dashed off email to being a full fledged blog post... or even a series of blog posts.  The idea is fleshed out... tweaked... tuned.  We can't spend an hour or two responding to every email question we get from anyone that is remotely interested in using our services... someday... maybe. 

But all of those consumers deserve more than a dashed off email... 

If one consumer has a subject on their mind... others are likely to have the same question.  Some might not even know that they really want the answer to that question... 

Circle of Life for a Blog Post...

Consumer Question > Response > Idea for a Blog Post > Complete Answer > Consumer Question

Of course, one great thing about a blog post is that it can be updated and tuned even more.  As the question changes due to market conditions, the answer can be updated.  If the law changes or new programs become available, the answer can be updated... 

And the Afterlife...

But there is another stage in the life of a Consumer Question Blog Post...  It can be pushed out to clients that might not know that they really need the answer to that question.  Popular consumer questions make EXCELLENT newsletter articles.  You already know that consumers are interested in the answers... 

I also get a lot of questions on some of the car forums I participate in.  It is great to be able to come back quickly with a fully sorted answer from the library of questions.  Half of my business comes from those forums.  And the final step is that some of my past clients actually give out my blog links to answer questions that their freinds ask them about buying a home... 

Build a library of answers...  Let clients and consumers browse the stacks for free...