When I joined Active Rain a few months ago and started blogging, I didn't know what it really was about.  I thought of it as another business development idea and a method of communication.  What I didn't realize is that it would make me a better real estate agent (and I already thought I was pretty good!)

After I started my other blog on Marin Real Estate, I needed blog topics.  Market trends and statistics are helpful, but lots of people are doing that.  A blog on just numbers and stats wouldn't be very interesting.  So I started researching, and reading.  I have a trip planned to the local library today to get some background on some of my local subdivisions.  I was born in Arizona, not in Marin County, so that Arizona history class I took in college isn't helping me!

Each day, I am finding that I am learning something new about the communities I work in.  My clients are getting the benefit of all kinds of new found knowledge- the history behind that local school,  why some people call the neighborhood Sunnyside and others call it Seminary, etc.  I am sharing this new information on my blog, but also in my everyday conversations.

When I meet with people in a social setting, I am starting to be able to say, "you know, I just posted something on my blog about that.  If you want to read about it, my blog address is blogbythebay.com."  This starts an entire other conversation about why I have a blog, how I am a real estate agent, etc.  It is one of the most comfortable ways I have found to let people know I am in real estate.  It is nonthreatening and not pushy and it demonstrates my competence and knowledge of my local area.  My blog address is catchy and easy for people to remember, so they do go check it out.  

My blog is making me a true neighborhood expert

So, start researching.  Head to the library and check out a book on your local history, sit in on a planning meeting for your local community.  Explore your community, talk to people who have lived there for a long, long time.  It doesn't matter how long you have lived there, there is always something you can learn to share with other people!

Do you have ideas or comments on hot topics people are telling you they like on your blog?  I would love to hear how your blog has made networking easier and helped you learn more about where you live and work!