This is a two part presentation my portion of this class is here and Joe Bartos portion is located at his BLOG at: http://activerain.com/blogs/jbartos .
Definition of Blogging
The term is a contraction, coming from weblog. A blog is actually a website where the entries are made in reverse chronological order. Blogs elicit comments from readers, sometimes spurring conversations and additional ideas. Bloggers "link" their blogs to other blogs, depending upon topic, friendship and interest.
What is a Blog
Blogging is a buzz word that is not always understood. Learning how to blog has benefits beyond just having a website. Blogging tends to be more current and topical. In today's world the speed of news and knowledge is a critical component in being relevant to consumer needs. Those that do it have learned the ropes and you can too.
Why Blog?
- generate leads and referrals
- drive traffic to your website
- improve website ranking
- social networking - know your audience(s)
- Blogs vs. newsletters
- Are interactive and build trust
- Have interested readers and a larger audience
- Give you future growth potential
- Are feed to Google
- More innovative as you are working with warms leads and BLOGGING is free
- Provides speed and relevance to a constantly changing marketplace
What's the point?
As a vehicle for social networking, blogging is a wonderful way to learn how others solve the same problems you come up against. Publishing your thoughts to the world, empowers others insight to you and how you do business, bringing a new level of intimacy to the realm of the business world. People like to do business with people they like, who have helped them with support, concern and knowledge.
Additional benefits involve the backbone of the Internet, search engines. As you blog about your business, the search engines index (catalog like an invisible librarian) your words. As a consumer keys into the their computer a query, you and your business will come up. That is the ultimate marketing result you want...and it's free.
Push vs. Pull Marketing
Blogs are pull marketing. And should be used as part of your Agent Marketing. The difference being best illustrated by analogy, "">When you are sick, you go to the Doctor, the doctor doesn't come to you." Consumers do not enjoy or want advertising pushed in their faces, until they need what it is you are marketing. By blogging you can be present and available for those consumers when it's time for them to find you. And it's free.
Is Blogging Difficult?
Absolutely not! Today's blog platforms (tools to blog) make blogging as easy as sending an email. You log on to your blog, write some thoughts and push a button to publish to the world. You can include photos and link to other sites, check your spelling, any number of things, it's very simple.
Where can I find a Blogging Tools?
There are a variety of programs available for blogging. Beginners can get their feet wet using a Free Blog. As one becomes more dedicated and serious about blogging, other blogging programs are available for a small fee. Some choices are
Real Estate Industry BLOGS
Is a combination of blogging tool and social networking group. Probably the easiest to use and get you started.
The members share information and exchange information freely. This relatively new phenomenon started this past summer (2006) and through viral marketing alone has over 7000 members. It's free, fun and incorporates the benefits of blogging into a responsive and supportive real estate community where you can learn new skills and share your expertise. Blogging on Active Rain can be directed to consumers, on a local or national level and/or to the industry users.
It has also impacted the ranking of many of the members on Google in ways that you cannot imagine. Here are some of the many faces that you will see at Active Rain!
BLOG examples
This social pheonomenon is taking website publishing to a whole new level. Content tends to be be more opinion rather than fact. Your imagination is your only limitation. Other places to check out BLOGGING:
The other part of this presentation is located at http://marco-island-real-estate.blogspot.com/. I have to thank the many members of the Active Rain community, especially Kristal Kraft for allowing me to take portions of her BLOGS and work them into this presentation. Many of the members of Active Rain have also placed links to their favorite BLOGS for beginners in my Announcement BLOG.
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CK,
Tremendous Due Diligence in your post! I think you nailed the reasons why people blog!
I hope you don`t mind if I email this to a few of my friends.....
Job well done.