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Blogging, What is the Point?

What is the point! That is the question I was asked by a guy in my office, after I told him how great this website is.

This question shocked me because this person is guy who I have considered internet savvy. I mean have been up late reading blogs and spending hours on this website. I could'nt be wasting my time. Could I?

Now, I am new to this whole blogging thing but I told him that from my understanding blogging helps your business tremendously. Most people start thier search online and by blogging you have more of a presence. Your potential buyer/sellers get to see a more personal side of you. It is also good for SEO.

He then asked: How is being on AR good for SEO? I told him that if you write about a topic for example like; Why are homes in Bedford Stuyvesant so expensive? when someone types in bedstuy your article might come up and it can lead to your site, thus blogging is the great for your business.

Neadless to say he was'nt convinced. He said: "I have a guy who I can pay to make my website on on the first page of google, So again, I dont see the point.

Maybe you guys can help me convince him.

Posted by Malika Cumbie Brooklyn NY Realtor on 08/15/2007 06:36 PM

Comments (40)

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40 Comments on Blogging, What is the Point?

AUG

2007

Just let him pay to be on the first page. You just keep doing it for free! :-)

Shhhhh!...Keep it quiet! Don't tell ANYONE about the value and benefits of blogging. It gives all of us the jump!

Malika - you gave him some good points; don't be concern about what he is doing you just keep blogging.

I have to agree with the above advice... keep it up and wait a month or so and let him know how much $$ you have generated from it.... money talks

Malika, once you're on Google's page 1, he'll be convinced. If not, what does it matter? Less competition for you LOL.

AUG

2007

Malika, you are doing the best thing you can for free (internet-wise, that is)

Put my name or my company's name in Google and Voila! There I am, front, top and center.

Now for someone just looking for a Home Inspection, I'm a long ways from the top, because the larger HI franchises tend to get all the page space, but one day my name will pop up on top! (maybe when I pay this other guy's buddy!)

Blogging does more than just SEO. It gives you credibility, cultivates dialect with customers and can help establish yourself as a true area expert.

Gee, Thank you guys for the comments. I knew I was'nt wasting my time. I just needed to hear it from you. :)

In my opinion blogging creates relationships, and can foster word of mouth marketing. Word of mouth marketing can do more for you than almost all other forms of marketing, check out these stats on word of mouth marketing here. In the end blogging is about relationships to better yourself and your business, if he doesn't get that than he's missing out on a lot.

Malika

Active Rain Blogging can be explained as an entrance pass to the knowledge gained from the vast amount of knowledgeable people in this community. You share your experiences and thus you take from it to.

I don't pay anyone to put me on the top page of Google but I am there anyway, I might not be the first listed always but I am on the first page. All it costs me is the willingness to teach and be taught.

Knowledge is not something you can put a price tag on. If this guy is a so called expert, I am sure he is a legend in his own mind.

As the old saying goes, You can lead a horse to the water but, you cannot make him drink it. (or something like that) have a great day!

I have only been blogging for a few weeks. Just for fun, I typed in a phrase in Google for Farmington Hills real estate expert. Woo hoo! My blog was on the first page. It has only cost me my time. Rather than watch t.v. in the evening, I blog.

I agree that not enough Realtors have caught on, yet. I don't mind. I'm trying to find something that every other agent isn't doing.

Deborah Johnson is your Farmington Hills, MI real estate expert.

SEO? Means what? You know, in school I was all internet and technology savvy. I worked in TV, so I was up to date on all that stuff. A few years out and I suddenly feel very clueless! I know what a blog is, but I can't tell you how often I hear of something else I don't know.

How does your blog become a keyword search item? I guess I've read about agents blogging (I've only had my license just over a month), but I have to admit that I hadn't seen the advantage. I guess at this point that I don't feel as though I have enough wisdom to share with anybody. I am still trying to get it all figured out myself...

Blogging is a way for you to share your knowledge with potential clients who being their home search on the web.

One of the very important aspects of blogging is that it keeps you on top of your game. Make a goof in here and you will hear about it! A great if indirect way to help you close the leads you get.

I like blogging because it is a fun and creative way to talk about what is happening in my business.

Malika,

ActiveRain can do wonders for your career in real estate. Where do I start? You'll be able to market yourself, as you said, learn about the business, do SEO for better rankings, create relationships. But it requires a fair amount of work, meaning blogging and participation. Let your co-worker believe what he believes.

blogging creates phrases and keywords that search engines love. when people use Google and other search engines they type in keywords looking to find information about a subject. (hopefully a house I have listed) They may be searching for home sales in say Stonegate Estates in Mesa Az. Well, I have a listing in Stonegate estates in Mesa Az. if I advertise my my listing on the AR blogs and groups, Google will identify the keywords in the blogs and therefore come up on that persons search. Most importantly, blogs are updated and changed daily, so the search engines update this type of site more often. So Putting your listings on your own website is important, BUT you will not get the amount of traffic this site can generate.

My best example would be I have written two contracts in the last two weeks with buyers that found my listings online. more importantly on localism & active rain courtesy of Google.

Now tell me that blogging is a waste of time

AUG

2007

Sometimes knowledge is power.......use it wisely.

He'll get it when he can see your success from it, then he'll be one of those that will say "I thought of this a long time ago, just had so many leads from my website and I didn't have time to blog".

DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE: SEO DOESN'T MATTER

My view is that maybe I'll get enough "google juice" to get to page one but I'm definitely not counting on it. Instead, I'm counting on putting out regular posts on topics that interest me in real estate and then publicizing the blog to my sphere of infulence. It becomes just one more arrow in my quiver to keep my core client and prospect base aware of me; to be at top of mind.

Malika, pick a subject that defines your practice and write about that. That is what gets the highest value google results. It's one thing to "see" your name but what's really great is when someone is searching for something "you" pop up.

Bill Roberts

I have met people as a result of my blogs. I think people get to know us before they meet us, and feel comfortable dealing with someone they know.

I just discovered blogging about 2 months ago and am addicted. Last week a friend was searching for something lending related and called to tell me that she saw my name...I just need to get better at it but am hooked and have learned so much and met so many nice people. Over time this will be great for business no doubt! Angelica Blatt

AUG

2007

I just started blogging and I am already seeing the benefit.

Teresa Johnson

AUG

2007

I agree with Teresa...just started blogging and I am already seeing the results! Tell him to give it a try...he has nothing to lose!

Malika,

This is my second week bogging. I can't even begin to tell you how much I learned. I wrote a post about searching for a new web-site and got so many responces describing different experinces. I would've never been able to get so much useful information without AR. I can't comment on SEO results, but there are many other benefits of AR. I guess one has to try to see if it benefits them.

AUG

2007

He must still be in the horse and buggy era which is good for you and your marketing efforts. Let him remain their and dont try to convince him any longer. Your success will make him take a closer look.

AUG

2007

I know where he is coming from as I am new to this as well and I remember people talking about blogging 2 years ago. I only recently started getting into it.......where have I been?!!! The internet is amazing and there are so many creative ways to get yourself out there. He may have to realize it on his own.

AUG

2007

Yes, he can pay to be ranked but his site is still static and unlikely to enable prospects to get to know YOU and choose YOU to be their Realtor because they like you. And, his ranking may be high for real estate but will people find him when the search for specific news on the topics you blog about? I get input from so many different people who have found my blog while searching for a restaurant or a new development. In the long run you have the potential to get all of your business from blogging. Can a static website owner say that?

I am new to blogging...What is the best thing to do first and where do you go to ask specific questions about real estate?

AUG

2007

I agree. Keep it up. I was searching for something local and my blog came up (since it was a local activity). It's all about getting those "touches" people need to see your name. If they see that you know about local events and your name comes up under searches, it just starts that branding process. With advertising costing so much, why not do something to increase you presence while costing you 1/2 hour of your time daily.

SEP

2007

Simple question: How much REALLY you benefit from blooging? REALLY. I post my listings everywhere on AR, I post blogs and comment regularly, I have good ranking on my State Real Estate Agents here on AR... But I still did not get any leads, I did not sell anything from AR... I have also other 2 sites and 1 more blog. Don't tell me that is something wrong with me.

All I get from AR is to stay in touch with the community, learn from others experience and exchange ideas.

Let these people spin their wheels and spend their money paying for google.

I get a call daily from a company claiming to own the spots.

SEP

2007

I too was a skeptic...mostly I thought...what do I have to say....how stupid! I have been in RE for over 6 years...I have lots of things to say..experiences to share...and jokes to tell. AND I want better position for my website. I have been on AR for only a week...the only warning I would give to other newbies is managing your time...it seems like hours go by while I am reading other blogs, writing my own, or watching my score....like there is some big prize out there waiting for me when I hit some magic score!!!!

From what I have experienced so far, there is a prize....meeting new people, gaining new information, and hopefully pushing my website closer to the top of the heap!!!

FYI Did you know "blogs" os not in the blog spell check!!!! That is funny!

SEP

2007

Some people just don't get it. I was approached by an agent the other day who said, I didn't know you were still in the business because I haven't seen your ads. She must not have electricity because since I've been on Active Rain, I have taken over her favorite market on the search engines. Hey sweet heart...notice your internet traffic is a little light? YAHOO!

I love it when people don't get it! I think the point of a blog is to connect with like mined people and share ideas. That should be enough for anyone. So many people like your friend ask me why I blog. The short answer is because it is fun. I just started on Active Rain but I am no stranger to blogging. I find it helps my business and it has nothing to do with SEO ranking. It has to do with getting to know people and letting everyone know who you really are and what you really know. Great post Malika. It sure got us talking!

I think just the wealth of knowledge here is worth it, when you add the added benefit of internet presence...It's a no-brainer!!!

SEP

2007

Have him google you and when he see your ranking is higher than his, enough said. Plus look at all the shared information on Active rain.

SEP

2007

IMHO blogging is a way for us to show the human side of our business and ourselves. One of the challenges with the Internet is the lack of "touch" factor. So maybe he can pay to be at the top of Google but if someone sees your blog and his ad, chances are they will choose to do business with you because they already have a sense of who they are dealing with. Being at the top of the search results doesn't mean you get the business, you still have to earn it!

I am new to active rain but it seems very interesting! Can't wait to see what happens..

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Malika Cumbie Brooklyn NY Realtor

Brooklyn, NY

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EXIT Realty Professionals

Address: 1443 Flatbush Avenue , Brooklyn , NY, 11210

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