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Become an Expert by Building the Relationship..Realty Blogging Review # 5

Differentiate yourself...and Become an Expert by building the RELATIONSHIP...that's what Blogging does for you...Yippee sounds Awesome!! (Realty Blogging Review # 5) written by a blogging newbie!

I am a little...well more like a lot... nervous about writing this review!!!

I'm still trying to find my blogging voice and the ladies who wrote the previous reviews all have such lovely voices. But you know what...one very important thing that I have learned from this book is that you can speak from the Your Heart and use Your Inner voice as Mariana Wagner so eloquently wrote about in her review.

So while I'm still working on finding that inner voice...I'm going to try shooting straight from the heart...and hope you all can feel my words...and keep reading! Ahhh the fear of failure...such a strong emotion one that we all suffer from....like writing your first blog ..writing this review! Writing this review is a gift that Realty Blogging has given me...because I realized while writing it that I am starting to get it!!

First, I'd like you all to understand just how excited I was about getting this book and the only way for me to do that is by cutting and pasting my own words...describing the the day before I got my book...LOL!

*****

UPS...came today. I was on my dreadmill finishing up a quick 40 when I saw them pull up.

My heart already beating quite rapidly started to race with anticipation...I quickly jumped off the dreadmill and ran to the bathroom to wipe the sweat off my brow and do a quick touch up on my face and then ran...I do mean ran to my front door.

The UPS dude..get this was wearing shorts...YES shorts and I live in NH and it is near the end of November. I don't think he was used to being greeted quite so excitingly..I mean the poor guy backed up when I near jumped him to get my book.

At the same time I'm thinking... jeez that box looks a little funny...not really book shaped at all...but it was too late to stop the momentum of my body as I frantically grabbed at the box!!! Yikes!

*****

The next day my book did come and I can't tell you how thrilled I was...nor can I tell you much I've learned since I opened the first page and started reading!

Understand that I am a True Newbie...so while there is a lot I still don't understand...I mean I truly have no idea how to set up an e-mail account...that's what husbands or good friends are for, once set up though... I'm okay with it...I can send attachments, upload my digital pics and maneuver around the Internet just fine.

But things like back links..tags, meta tags, html, track backing, pinging...just plain OVERWHELM me...I simply did not know what they were...what they meant and why I needed to know them or how to do them. LOL...Like I said I am a TRUE NEWBIE!!!

I am learning so much and if you're like me you definitely need to get this book and wrap yourself around it.

What really impressed me and jumped out at me was the fact that "blogs enable you to tell the story of your business over and over again" and not just the story of your business but the story of you and that can set you apart from your competition...I like that because not only do I like to talk but this made me realize that I shouldn't talk at my potential customers but with them..."an engaging ongoing dialog"...Wow, how very powerful.

A personal touch ...a smile in words...so you can actually feel that smile when reading! Yes...I like that...This just makes me feel so good because that is so much "me" it's scary.

I think the fact that as Ines said "people don't want to do business with business but with an individual" is so true and REALTY Blogging made me see and understand that what Jay and I had been using as a phrase in our marketing and in my profile can be a perfect base for my blogging... actually it can define my blogging message..."We know that you don't care what we know ....Until you know that we care!"...isn't that sweet, we didn't make that up but heard it somewhere a long time ago and have been using it ever since.

Blogging is about building relationships...building an online community and establishing yourself as an expert!!! Wow!

Chapter 6 Page 83 talks about "Positioning yourself as the expert" and how as stated by Wayne Hurlbert/Blog Business world "Maintaining a blog can transform an ordinary, everyday person into a local, national, or even international expert in their field."...Personally I'd be pretty happy with being known as local expert...it will take work and time but with the tips listed on pages 88-90 it will also be Fun and easy...Thank You Realty blogging!!!

Chapter 7... I want o say is my favorite but truthfully every chapter is my favorite while reading it...because they are all so jam packed full of great ideas and tips..but chapter 7 is all about Relationship Marketing and as far as I'm concerned the price of the book alone is worth it if you just read Chapter 7!

It talks about Blogs as a Framing Tool...Informational versus Promotional blogging. Did you know that the more informal your blog is the better it is. Blogs are about "honest communication..authentic and personal transmission of information...not sales talk not marketingese" .

That means... I can be me...not some perfect person but simply me and write from my heart. Chapter 7 defines community blogging...using your blog as a tool and wraps it all up in a pretty bow so that even a Blogging Newbie like me can understand it and get excited about it but most importantly Do It and know that someday you too will find that lovely inner voice...

If you didn't get to read the rest of the reviews take some time and check them out...you won't be disappointed.

I Think Therefore I Blog: Realty Blogging Says Be a Groundbreaker...Blog Now!....Review #1 by Carole Cohen

Your Blogging Voice... Where is it? (Realty Blogging Review #2) by Mariana Wagner

So Far to Go, So Much to Learn........ (Realty Blogging Review #3) by Ann Cummings

Branding through Blogging (Realty Blogging Review #4) by Ines

Become an Expert by Building the Relationship..Realty Blogging Review # 5 by Monika McGillicuddy

Have a Niche? ... Scratch it! (Realty Blogging Review #6) by Mariana Wagner

Bloggers are The New Woodward and Bernstein: Realty Blogging Book Ch. 9 #7 by Carole Cohen

Turn Your Blog Into A Lead Generating Machine - Realty Blogging Review #8 (Chap. 10) by Ann Cummings

Jay and Monika McGillicuddy

Jay and Monika McGillicuddy

Serving Southern New Hampshire and Rockingham County

Monika McGillicuddy Real Estate Training Website

NH Real Estate Blogs

Prudential Verani Realty

Hampstead NH Real Estate

603-548-7728

Posted by Monika McGillicuddy~REALTOR®~ N.H. Real Estate Broker & Trainer on 12/09/2006 07:12 PM

Comments (33)

monika mcgillicuddy real estate training, nh real estate blogs, hampstead nh real estate, prudential verani realty

This post has been included in New Hampshire Information Rockingham County, NH Information
Post is included in group: Realty Blogging Book Club

33 Comments on Become an Expert by Building the Relationship..Realty Blogging Review # 5

DEC

2006

TY SO MUCH Moni and great feeling for the chapters; I loved the three bloggers they featured, successful ones who really just all had different styles but were successful and now seen as experts in one area or another. And I love your phrase We know that you don't care what we know ....Until you know that we care!"...

You and Jay are both authentic people so I am not surprised that you guys knew this to be the heart of what you wanted to represent. That's finding your voice too, no? You rock, thank you again for the review!~ C2

Moni - great job and it's obvious to all that you always speak from your heart. You have a GREAT heart and I'm glad to be your friend!

The chapters you've written about give permission for bloggers to make their blog whatever they want it to be. I haven't read these chapters yet, still behind you guys at this point, but that's what I got from your post. Permission to blog!!

And I'd say, i believe you have "found your voice"!!

Ann

Monika...YOU found your voice. I found your post.

You're featured dear. Give me one minute to take care of that.

As always, I thank you for taking the time to contribute to this Group. :)

TLW "The Lovely Wife"...You Did A Great Job On It...ROAR!

Excellent job! You did good. I had to laugh at your comment about the UPS dude. My UPS driver, Bill, often wears shorts in the cold of Connecticut. He's the best!

And I really am enjoying the book and the reviews.

Monika - I agree with Ann - you have FOUND YOUR VOICE. You wrote from your heart and it shows through. Why were you nervous? It is awesome! I have not finished Chapter6 yet, so I am a little behind but the community blog idea is incredible. The fact that there are not many people in our own community blogging is a huge advantage. We are the experts, let's write from the heart and engage our customers in conversation.

One thing that stood out for me in Chapter 5 is one guy that created a community blog and did not have the time to write, so included 10 different real estate vendors to post blogs regularly for the community, with him as the host. Although not the way I would handle it, I could see how it would be successful.

Thanks again.....and great job!

Monika, Great job with the review. I still have not been able to get the book from TLW but do hope I will get a chance to read it some day.

I do think being yourself is the key to blogging. Keep it simple and write about what you know and your everyday experiences. People need to be able to "know" you by what you write. People do business with people they like. Keep up the good job.

Darlin' (Broker Bryant) if I give you the Book I can't keep up with the reviews. :) You can have it when we move on to the next book. No I am not going to...Never mind. Public Post. LOL...TLW...ROAR!

Monika- Wow! I could HEAR you in your writing ... could that be ... your ... voice??? Yes! Such passion. What a great review!

My favorite ... "That means... I can be me...not some perfect person but simply me and write from my heart." :)

LOL...guys are all so cute :)

Carole.... Those 3 bloggers were awesome. I had such a hard time picking what to write about because there is just so much good stuff in that book! Plus..following all of you...I didn't think I could ever write anything that flows as well as what you all wrote!!

Thanks so much for the very kind words.

Ann...Thanks so much..I feel better NOW!!!! Permission to blog is right on... but I'm not sure about finding my voice yet. I do know I'll keep trying!

TLW...Thanks so much for the kind words and for reading it...it is rather long now that I look at it...Yikes...LOL! I have to learn to format the text so that it is easer to read.

Linda...I was pretty embarrassed about the UPS dude...poor guy...but he did have cute legs <gg> How far into the book are you? Mine is so full of yellow high lites! Thanks

Ines...My goodness how can you ask why I was nervous?? You all write so beautifully!!! Thank you for the compliment Ines...it means a lot to me. I like the community idea and am trying to see if it could work here and how it could work.

Bryant...Thank you so much fo rthe kind words..I think you figured out the key without even reading the book. Be yourself as is so evident in all your posts!!!

Wow Mariana...you made me smile!! thank you so much for your very sweet words!!!

Big hugs to you all!!!

I loved It...I read the Chapter and feel you did great. You have a bad guess of "did I do it right"? I came by to assure you that you did. :) TLW...ROAR!

Moni, having lived with you for over 16 years and watching you grow in leaps and bounds you truly have created your own "voice".

A key example is in the way you teach your real estate classes and how other agents react to you when they see you at REALTOR functions. They flock around you trying to soak up the knowledge you possess.

More importantly the way you treat other agents is truly heart felt and most REALTORS definitley know that you do care..

Keep up the good work and I do love you.

Your Hubbin,

LOL...Thank you TLW ...I appreciate it! It is one heck of a great book! Your HHBB is complaining that you're hoarding the book <gg> poor guy!

Jay...honey that is so sweet..I'm crying here!!! I'm going to print out that comment and save it forever!!!

I love you too ...I can't believe you said in public here...

DEC

2006

Wow Monika, great post. I saw the review by Ines a few days ago and after all I've seen about this book here on AR, this is now on my to read list during the holidays.

Morning Marti.

Thanks so much for reading my review. I hope you do pick it up because even if you know a lot about blogging it will still be a great resource.

Thanks

Monika

Is a True Newbie the same thing as a Truebie? If so - I am one as well. It's fun - isn't it?

Wow! you must be a good newbie to be on the blog dash board already. When can we expect to read your book?

You know, re reading all of your post made me think; when I hear agents pontificating (and I don't mean on their blogs, I mean in person) I am sure I will be thinking to myself now that they need to read this book even if they are not going to blog. Because I bet there are agents who lecture and don't listen and engage in meaningful dialogue when they are out with clients.....

that's interesting Carole - you can sure apply everything in this book to the way we handle business, even without blogging, I totally agree.

Suzanne...I like truebie...so yeah we'll make it mean a true newbie..why not. Thanks for reading.

Teresa...LOL that is sweet of you. I'm not sure how that happens...the dashboard that is. I was pretty shocked when I saw myself there.

Speaking of the dashboard what are those big question marks on peoples faces for???

Carole...I know what you mean...The book can relate to so many things we do in our day to day business. It told me that it's okay to be me and most importantly remove the pretense...that being real is something special and people can feel it...sense it especially when you talk WITH them and not AT them...am I making any sense??

Ines...Absolutely, I think you and Carole hit it right on the money...Blogging or no...this is a very relevant book.

Thanks :)

Monika

DEC

2006

Wow Monika,

Sorry I am so late here. What a great review. You have definitely "found your voice". It's very simple, its simply you!

I wish I had gotten this book when everyone else did, but I will eventually get it. Meanwhile I am trying to keep up with the reviews and maybe pick up a few tips.

I think you and Jay are so cute! Telling each other you love each other on this post!

Both your personalities shine through and I am glad to have met you online:)

Hi Karen, we enjoy you too, a true New Englander at heart I'm sure.

Thanks for the sweet words.

Jay

Monika-That was a pretty powerful review of the book. It sounds like a real winner. What do you think about this: There are many good books, videos, classes etc....out there for me to utilize to make myself better. If I was to implement ALL of those things wouldn't I be spending the rest of my life trying to achieve the goal of all of them? What I mean is that there is so much out there that would be beneficial to use but do I really have the time (or want to take the time) to try all of it? As an example, I took a 3 day ABR course that was filled with fantastic material. I could spend the rest of my life executing just the things from that one class. So where do you draw the line? Maybe I should just read chapter 7 and stick to that one chapter! Aloha and happy holidays.

DEC

2006

David and Tonya...Thank you and a very good point. I too find myself spending so much time taking classes, reading and researching. Unfortunately unless you actually try and live some of what you read/learn it will be wasted. I truly feel that if I get to implement at least one thing that I've picked up in a class or a book then the time spent is well worth it. So you might need to pick and choose...LOL. I'd personally read the whole book...from a blogging newbies perspective it really helped me to understand, I reviewed 5,6 and 7 but some how 7 brought it together for me. Need more time in day!!

Hey stay warm..it's cold up here!

Monika

Hi Karen...Thank you so much! You always write so well , I just love reading your blogs!!!

Definitely pick up the book, you won't be sorry.

Thanks again for your kind words and reading my review :)

Monika

JAN

2007

Great review, Monika. Since I finally bought the book and started reading it, I decided to go back to read each post and comment. It really is a tremendous book - far more powerful than I expected. The reviews are a great summary, for reading both before AND after reading each chapter. I can understand how excited you were...and I admit I felt the same anticipation after I started reading this series. But the real deal...something beyond words.

Jeff

Hi Jeff,

Thanks so much. I feel like I've learned so much since I wrote this review...I've read the book twice now and probably will continue to re-read certain chapters. Thanks so much for your comments!

APR

2007

Thanks for the post. I also enjoyed this book.

I bookmarked your post, so I can come back and read all the links you posted. Very nicely done, by the way.

Thanks so much Rich for commenting. I appreciate it very much.

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