"Hello......... Hello........... Is this thing on"? 

Adjusting the Microphone............... (testing, testing - 1 -2 -3...)

Today I read the BloodHound's interview and then Norm did a recap on it today.  I also wrote an article back in September, "Why Do YOU Blog?" and I was new to blogging and I honestly was not sure why I started to blog at the time I think I found it intriguing.  Now, more than eight months later I have different reasons.  So why this post?

Ok - Hi, I am here to tell you that Blogging WORKS.  This is a bona fide testimonial and I gain nothing from speaking the words that I do.  I will not get a percent of the platform that you chose to blog on, I will not get a percent of the leads that generate money - I have not ONE valid reason as to why I KNOW that blogging works for leads. 

Back in April when I started blogging, my broker had different Ideas on how or what content I should be putting on my blog.  We had more than one heated debate.  My broker has a website, a blog (actually more than one) and a listing site.  He has all areas covered.  HE is ranking a 6 on Google page rank.  He has been doing his SEO on his own for more than 3 years and he is gaining rank.  But, his blog is merely a listing site.  The agents in my office have blogs that are listing sites - no one has a voice - but me. 

Now recently I have been doing my own searching and I notice that I am coming up either right below or above his sites - all his sites.  For the same searching terms for our area and I  have been doing this since April as opposed to his 3 years.  I have gained customers and I have alot of people who have emailed me to ask me questions about one thing or another.  I have people email me about an article that I wrote and add the line - "I have been reading your blog..."   Now, can I say that actual money has come of this - Not yet.  No closed sales to date.  BUT...... Listen - I do not get "up" time in my office.  That is part of my agreement with my broker.  I manage the office and I have to strum up my own customers and clients.  That has not been easy because I am always doing it for him.  But, in the past 6-8 weeks I have made some contacts. 

*One Contact - They are getting married, want to buy a house and are qualified to buy a house.  I have not yet found the house that they are ready to make an offer on just yet.  We are in close contact and THEY will buy (currently, one of the homes I showed them is on the back burner) honestly, I think they are afraid to buy.  So I am working with them. 

*Second Contact - Bought a home three years ago, they are not married and they split up.  There are three kids involved and the man is planning on getting custody.  He is in the home currently with the kids while she moved out.  A true horror story.  He is contemplating on selling - I fear that what he owes and what he wants to get are almost not feasible - so we are talking right now.  I hope for his case things pan out, he is really a nice guy.

*Third Contact - The mother is ill and the son lives far away.  He is fighting with the rest of his family.  He wants to sell and the rest of the family finds it inhumane.  They are all fighting and he is confused. 

*Fourth Contact - Heading right into foreclosure.  Missed the last 4 mortgage payments, she has a disabled son and can not move for the fear he will not be permitted to remain in the school she is zoned for.  Her credit is shot and I am currently looking for an apartment within the area she has to stay.  Things are rough for her and she is losing control.  I am working with her so she understands that before it is too late she can sell and have some money in her pocket instead of losing everything.  Tough one.

*Fifth Contact - Wants foreclosure properties.  Looking and working for him. 

So - will any of these pan out?  Dunno.  I do know that I will help each one of them to make the RIGHT choice.  Blogging is a tool - it is your voice on a loud speaker and at any moment someone can come into your blog and start to watch you.  It can help and you might make money.  I want to do both - but my main priority is to help and keep my good reputation and sleep at night. 

So I guess the question to "WHY DO YOU BLOG?" Would be TO BE HEARD!!