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The Epicenter of Real Estate Blogging

A light rain couldn't spoil the excitement and enthusiasm I felt this morning as I drove into the heart of the City of Phoenix. Papa Joe Brady, my able seminar assistant, retired sales executive for First American Real Estate Solutions, and proud Luddite negotiated the streets of the boom town as we headed to the first Arizona Real Estate Bloggers Roundtable.

The Roundtable was a trial balloon post here at Active Rain. I had planned to be in Phoenix this first week of the new year to write some loan applications and visit my family. I had hoped I might convince a few AZ Realtors from Active Rain to allow me to buy them some donuts and have a collaborative discussion. Yes, boys and girls, you heard that correctly, America's Most Opinionated Mortgage Broker broke marketing to Realtors rule #1; I bought them donuts.

Many things contributed to the excitement I felt. Nostalgia was one of them because I spent 12 years in Phoenix. The compelling reason for my excitement was the Roundtable, an historic event. Today reinforced my earlier declaration that Phoenix is the epicenter of real estate blogging.

The huge draw was the presence of three accomplished webloggers: Greg Swann of BloodhoundBlog (accompanied by the lovely and articulate Cathleen Collins) . Jonathan Dalton of Phoenix Arizona Real Estate Blog, and Jay Thompson of The Phoenix Real Estate Guy.

READ: The Bloodhound's post about this event complete with a picture and follow-up action item (BLOGINAR)

The excitement was further driven by budding blogging superstars, Tony And Suzanne Marriott, Adam Tarr and Sharon Kotula, Ken Spencer, Mario Romero, and "Doctor" (check his profile) Kaushik Sirkar. The enthusiasm was apparent in newer entries to the Real Estate 2.0 world, Lorine Lovett, Brian Cross, Rich Pieropan, Nicole Whitman, Sandra Heredia, and Blake Mata.

I tried to gently moderate the Roundtable by asking three questions:
1- How did you get here?
2- Why are you writing?
3- Where do you see the future of Real Estate 2.0?

This prompted two hours of lively discussion which is not limited to but highlighted in these points:

1- Transparency is clearly working. Consumers love to "get to know" a future real estate professional by reading about them online. Jay Thompson shared the story of the Vanilla Pepsi buyer, I related how quickly I've built relationships with Realtors, and Greg Swann cautioned us that transparency is a double-edged sword; lie and you die.

2- Real estate bloggers blog to find business, Adam Tarr was unabashed in his declaration of this goal as was Tony Marriott (I stipulated), The "Old Guard" of the epicenter Greg, Jay, and Jonathan were somewhat circumspect in the desired results of that goal but were quick to offer practical solutions to those who felt it possible. That discussion led to...

3- The Solution; linking to local blogs for your "farm" area. Note that we concluded you should link to local blogs, NOT local real estate blogs. An example might be for Kaushik Sikhar to find a city council race in Chandler, AZ and link to the candidates weblogs as a mode of setting himself up as the expert in Chandler, AZ. Rich Pieropan proudly claimed the title of #1 for Luke AFB, AZ. When the group chuckle died down, Greg Swann ebulliently offered a detailed plan for taking advantage of the long tail by writing about topics relevant to the communities surrounding Luke Air Force Base and thereby establishing yourself as the expert.

4- The Long Tail versus SEO rankings. Fancy words for getting ranked high on Google search versus establishing yourself as an expert online for a specific community or market. I attempt to do this with my articles about hard money. Thoughts steered to the conclusion that The Long Tail might indeed be the future versus SEO rankings. One only has to look at the creation of Localism.com and MyHouseKey.org as examples of how some of the big thinkers in Real Estate 2.0 believe this war can be won.

5- Active Rain is the absolute best place to learn how to become a real estate weblogger. The environment is friendly, supportive, and very instructive. Newer or hesitant authors should attempt and hone the craft here. I will personally reinforce this thought by stating that the Active Rain community doesn't care if you suck. The members want to give constructive advice because we are grateful to have a forum to explain our views and improve our writing skills. Newer authors MUST take the leap here and MUST do it today.

In 13 years of lending and 22 years of financial services, I have NEVER seen a cause more exciting, a group of people more supportive, or a time more relevant.

Today was the epitome of that conclusion. Thank you to everyone working in the epicenter.

Related posts include:

Jonathan Dalton's Meeting at the Epicenter of Phoenix Real Estate

Jay Thompson's The Power of the Long Tail and Local Content Blogging

Suzanne Marriott's A Bloggers Blowout Blast!

Adam Tarr and Sharon Kotula's GREAT BIG THANKS to Brian Brady - ARIZONA'S FIRST BLOGGERS ROUND TABLE

Posted by Brian Brady- America's VA Home Loan Broker on 01/06/2007 01:55 AM

Comments (47)

arizona, phoenix, arizona real estate, hard money

Originally posted at: America's #1 Mortgage Broker: The Epicenter of Real Estate Blogging

This post has been included in Arizona Information Maricopa County, AZ Information

47 Comments on The Epicenter of Real Estate Blogging

JAN

2007

This stuff is excellent! I am creating a blogging class curriculum for our company and state association. Much of what you guys discussed will no doubt be tossed around in our classes. I totally agree with Point 5. This platform is an excellent breeding ground for blogging!

Here I came to agree with number 5 and Rich beat me to it...

Go Jonathan!! "The "Old Guard" of the epicenter Greg, Jay, and Jonathan"

I have blogged locally on my other blog and I have a local blog roll. It is working...

You are a featured entry now on the "My other blog is...." group. Good info on Active Rainers blogging elsewhere, thanks BB.

Sound advice all around. And just when will you be bringing your show on the East Coast?

I have been trying to develop the local blog roll for 2 years... It's not working for me. I am not finding the other blogs.

I continue to remain jealous that I don't live in Phoenix.

More good stuff Brian. I like the link to local blogs part. Make a lot of sense. I would be surprised if I find a local blog in Poinciana though. Maybe I need to start one:)

Local blogs.. Toby Boyce had a Carnival of Ohio Blogs in December. Look at the carnival site for anything in your state... still going to be state, not local but it is a start. One blogger from my Columbus blogroll entered Toby's Carnival... I forgot about the Carnival even though I had blogged about it on my other blog... whatever that blog is named... I got a blogger for my local blogroll from the Carnival. I had read him before, recognized his dog but had never added him to my list.

There is a Columbus Blogs site... last I looked it was over run with porn..and I could not find a way to remove my link or get a response to my emails. Some local geeks (and I mean that in the nicest way) started the site and that was where I started getting Columbus blogs, for my list of blogs, blogging about blogs. I have had one blogger ask to be on my list of best Columbus blogs... and tell me one I had there was not really a Columbus blog but a big national concern trying to masquerade as a Buckeye blog.

Hmmm. A Blog for Poinciana...Excellent idea. Let's Do it. :)

That would be some serious FORWARD MOTION...Wink. Wink.

TLW...ROAR!

We get more prospect calls from the long tail than we do from the SEO rankings. Naturally, it's great to have both.

Brian - It was a great meeting - happy to have been part of it - and thanks again for putting it all together!

Great post, Brian! (Wait, is it too early in the morning for that???)

Maureen F. - if you'd like to move to Phoenix, I know a great Realtor who can assist you!

It was a pretty interesting meeting. I started searching for some local blogs but the supply is limited, aside from my 14-year-old daughter's friends and their myspace pages.

IMHO looking for local blogs look for sports blogs, food blogs, political blogs. 'Ida' sworn there were no more Columbus blogs time and again ... I think that I knew them all and then I trip over them in the oddest places. Or maybe you all are more discerning about local blogs and want big local blogs or important local blogs.

Thanks again Brian for setting it all up! It was very enjoyable meeting everyone and the discussion was great! Note - I actually read your post in its entirety before commenting :)

A Standing ovation for you Brian!!! What a wonderful way to connect! I am taking your advice in the last comment to heart. Thank you so much for sharing

Nice post. :)

It was great to meet everyone. Nice to put a face to a picture and prose.

I was constructing a comment here about the long tail. But it turned into a blog post.

Brian.... glad to see that it went well. As Rich & Maureen established, I agree with # 5, even though this is all new to me still, blogging. But the relationships here on active, growing with each other, learning from so many professionals and their insight, stories, and what they look for... has opened the door for me. It's given me a greater sense in what I am doing and how to take it to the next level.

And if I had to pick out another one, it would be #1.... I think this is an awesome way for clients to get to know you, enabling them in making better decisions...not just based on the best promise. I just wrote a blog on this, talking about people skills.

It also sounds like you had a great mix of bloggers from different sites. Overall, this sounded very exciting and I am semi jealous. Great job and thanks for sharing.

I would love to attend the next if it isn't BIO or Phoenix only. Please keep me on your list for a heads up. I will make the drive or hop a plane!

I think we'll have the first follow up in March in the form of a bloginar. Greg Swann is working on this as we speak ( so I'm confident the format will be nothing short of amazing)

Absolutely one hundred percent agree on the 'link to local blogs not real estate blogs' - I am awaiting with as much patience as I can muster for my new blog to be up and running; in the meantime, I am like a fly to your soda can in summer to local blogs, and have been courteously commenting as the mood strikes and I find ones I really want to frequent.

Judging from the cast of characters at this event (including you), lively discussion probably just tips the iceberg. LOL Donuts would not work on me babe. I would come for the intellectual stimulation without food....but 'hair on your chest' coffee would be a must Just some tips for when this dog and pony show moves to the East Coast :-)

Here's another related post, Brian's Props for Pops. Loosely related, but a damn fine read.

Brian, you are absolutely gushing. This post was very uncontroversial though and I expect a return to your usual soon. Next time you have a bloginar let me know....I'm going to fly out...unless you have it somewhere cold.

I second that link...I saw that post first and was pushing a gold star not realizing he already had a feature today...BUT two is appropriate :-)

PS - Most of the AZ Rainers need to put new pictures up. These folks look sharp in person! :)

Thanks for adding the links again one on the tails was very timely. Glad the meeting was a success.

Wow that sounds like a lot of fun and very informative...east coast soon???

One thing about Brian, since DAY 1 on AR he has proved to be an outstanding, proactive blogger, who adds value. Any blogger, whether they be a Realtor or LO can learn how to add value just by reading Brians blogs and comments. He is consistent in his effort to HELP others learn and be their best.

He gives to get. But the get is earned by the value he gives.

Very eloquent and true KK.

Brian,

Once again thanks for organizing a great meeting. Exchanging ideas is always a good thing. I learned quite a bit from this and think that everyone else got something too. Now if I could only learn to write as well as you, Johnathan,and Jay(no slight intended to anyone else) then we Sharon & I could start kicking some blog butt!

Kaushik, regarding the pix, I think most people thought Jonathan was the Beagle up to this point ;-)

Brian, and what kind of donuts did you provide? All joking aside...we are all evolving and I must say that I am a little apprehensive about our new split to localism...hoping that it doesn't take away from the participation that we have on AR as well as MyHouseKey. Sometimes, when things grow out it is hard to get back what was so great...

I am open to change but skeptical...since I do love it on AR and it works so beautifully.

I think that there are those that blog for business and then those that have other agenda items. Nice that you could share and exchange ideas and philosophys. Hope to hear more about it as time goes on.

I am new to this atmosphere and am learning so much I appreciate that you do not have to be a blogging "expert" to participate.

There are no experts as of yet, Kevin. Just lots of people a few months ahead of everyone else. Get engaged, get the expertise...help lead the pack.

Gena: I understand the apprehension. In the interest of transparency, Localism holds little for me. Active Rain is the perfect forum for me as it puts me in front of thousands of full-time Realtors; what better comminity for a mortgage broker who lends in 50 states? However, I will attempt to corner the "expert title" of hard money lender on Localism and MyHouseKey.org. I have no problem sharing ideas with mortgage brokers but hard money is my niche; I will do everything humanly possible to retain a "top rank" in that niche in the online world.

I think Kristal and Carole (as well as many others) understand my openly transparent motive. Greg Swann started off the meeting yesterday with an excellent question..."Brian...what is your interest here today? You're a California lender who flew to Phoenix?" (Thanks for the tee up, Greg)

The response was simple and straightforward. "I lend in Arizona. I hope 2-3 of you discover I know more about lending than some of the vendors you use now"

Adam: Thanks for coming...keep writing. Your local stuff is brilliant and you'll own a long tail somewhere in the Valley.

great post as usual brian

Okay, well - then what's rule number two?

Excellent post, now I'll spend the rest of the evening digesting 'Long Tail' theories. :)

Ooh, wow - Passion, haven't seen that one in a while. :)

Happy New Year Brian

I have enjoyed active Rain and have learned a lot about myself. It is cool to know that we all have the same basic problems and there are different ways to solve them. I also think it is neat when I get an email saying. Hey I saw you the other day in Star Bucks with a client, and I've seen you on Active Rain.

Doesn't that beat all, Rob?

The question of 2005 was "Haven't I seen you on Myspace?" . The question of 2007 will nbe "Aren't you that Realtor on that Rain site?"

JAN

2007

Brian:

I thoroughly enjoyed our get together. Thanks a bunch. Looking forward to our next meeting but most of all to touching base with everyone online. The face to face was and is a great idea. Learned a lot in the span of two hours which seemed to pass at lightening speed.

Ken

Brian - You've got to stop by Las Vegas in February for Family Reunion. There will be about 15,000 of us here, and you're already familiar with the business model. Also, I have inside info that Rich Pieropan will solidify his #1 position at Luke AFB in the near future. There's an exciting project in the works!

Brian,

Thanks for the post. The idea of linkage to local blogs is a great one. Thanks again for another gem.

I agree with Krystal on this one! Excellent and mindful post-we have so much to share and need good people to take the lead! Well done!

John - I'm happy to hear that Rich will be working on a few blog posts here on Active Rain - today Luke AFB - tomorrow - the world!

Yep. This stuff sinks in slowly but surely. It's one thing to know real estate brokerage (or mortgage lending). It's quite another to WORK the Internet for business. I've been doing it for 11 years now and I believe that I have just scratched the surface.

Active Rain and all of the blogs I read are very helpful. And fun.

Thanks.

Lenn

John: When is the KW Family Reunion? We all chuckled at Rich and his Luke comment but Greg showed him immediately how valuable an expert in Luke AFB real estate really is.

William and Allison: The idea came from a collaborative effort; I was merely the facilitator. I appreciate it when you read and comment, though.

Lenn: A post is never successful until the Godmother of Online Real Estate Marketing checks in with her opinion. I'm continually grateful for your comments.

I think it is great that you greats all got together. The internet is the center of the real estate universe, you won't be able to move it all to AZ. :)

Why not, Teresa?

Just kidding. I was trying for the sensationalist title. Certainly, some Seattle or San Fran folks could argue that their cities are the epicenter .

I thought NYC was the epicenter of the World.

JAN

2007

Being new to blogging and real estate, I love logging on as much as my eyes can take the strain of reading all the posts. I like AR for the friendliness of everyone, and the willingness to teach us newbies. I learn every time I log on, and it's much better time spent then watching TV. Brian, we need to have a meeting close to San Diego for all us Southern Californians, or maybe we could all meet at my favorite destination, DISNEYLAND!

"Certainly, some Seattle or San Fran folks could argue that their cities are the epicenter." San Francisco never crossed my mind but I was surprised that you did not hear from Seattle people over your title... in fun of course. I think New York could certainly be considered a center for blogging... Curbed, Sellsius, lots of good real estate blogs from NYC.

JAN

2007

I apreciate bieng mentioned in such a widely read blog and hope i can live up to the term "budding blogger", ive only written three blogs so far but hopefully there will be much more to come. With any luck i can make it to your next roundtable, even though i was late to this last one i gained a lot from it; with what i learned i was able to get 1200 more points on active rain in just 2 or 3 days, i was very happy with those results.

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