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Real Estate 2.0 - Does Blogging Really Work - Letter To The Skeptics

If you are in the Real Estate Industry, and still a "Skeptic" about Blogging, and whether it really works or not, you need get and read a copy of this months (March) edition of REALTOR® Magazine. In it, there are a couple worth while articles that you don't want to miss. The National Magazine for REALTOR® Members, features a story on one of our very own Active Rain Bloggers, Teresa Boardman. See Details >>>

Active Rain is mentioned many times in the publication along with other members Jeff Turner, Dustin Luther, and Ardell DellaLoggia. Matt Heaton's quote caught my attention and inspired this post. "Active Rain was conceived as a way for Real Estate Pros to connect with consumers, but it quickly became a place for Real Estate Pros to talk and refer business to each other. One associate said he got seven listings in two days off his Blog."

I started to search the Active Rain archives for "Success Stories" and found that many of them were just too good not to share, especially with those who might be "Skeptical" about Blogging!

Here's to The Skeptics and Nay Sayers:

Activerain brings Business Success but you do have to work at it! As a Blogging "Skeptic" you might be asking yourself the question, "Does this Active Rain thing really do any good....??? I think you'll be surprised by some of these stories and Blog posts here. I recall a recent post that stated I received FOUR new clients this week from ActiveRain! This stuff works!

Here's the "Blogging Success" process: Relationships to Referrals to Closings to Relationships. If you are skeptical about Blogging, the question then really is Do you Flourish in ActiveRain or do you just get by? I recall one member said, "I have had to get help with all my leads thanks to Active Rain. This might and should make you start researching Why You Need to Blog About Neighborhoods. I'll tell you why, Localism Works! Time spent Blogging on Active Rain is time well spent. Another Week in ActiveRain...And Another Listing.

When I started Blogging here, I struck AR gold! If you're not convinced yet, Holy Mackerel -- more SUCCESS stories from Active Rain and blogging !!!!!! You really should try it, even experiment with it, My blog experiment is over and the results may surprise you! It happens all the time here. You better get on the 2.0 wagon. FOUR referrals from My Active Rain Friends? I guess I must be doing something right! Often times, your Blogging will get you business in other ways too. Opportunities like How My ActiveRain Points Earned Me a Call Today from the New York Times! You should also read ActiveRain Success Story: Blogging for Business.

I'm not the only one that "knows" Blogging will generate business and referrals, in fact Active Rain does work & not only for me -- Success Stories!!!! Just a few weeks ago, someone here got A Double Hit with AR! It's true, Blogging for Business: ActiveRain Produces Results! Even if you just Blog about Listings, Active|Rain listing finds Active|Rain Buyer! WOO HOO!! I know you'll always remember My first blogging-only deal, and MY FIRST ACTIVE RAIN CLIENT...see IT DOES WORK!!!.

In closing, I'd like to propose A Toast to Success! Does Blogging really work? Yes! It works! In my personal opinion, "Activerain ROCKS !!"

Disclaimer: This post was compiled and created using the "title's" of other Active Rain Members posts and their Blogging success stories here on Active Rain. I can not assume any responsibility for all the successes they have achieved from their Blogs. I can however share in the excitement that is generated by them.

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Posted by Brad Andersohn ~ Community Manager on 03/09/2008 07:17 PM

Comments (59)

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Originally posted at: The Official ActiveRain Guide: Real Estate 2.0 - Does Blogging Really Work - Letter To The Skeptics

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59 Comments on Real Estate 2.0 - Does Blogging Really Work - Letter To The Skeptics

MAR

2008

I have to admit, I was a "Skeptic" when I first started here a year ago! Not Anymore!! :-)

I know it works on the marketing side as I have already been contacted for transactions because of my blogs. The biggest thing that I have learned from Active Rain: Simplify! I've learned this is important but am still far from learning how. At least my latest posts don't look like a massive block of text. Thanks for the success story! I am definetely a believer.

Brad, this should convince many of the skeptics out there. Thanks for including so many wonderful success stories. I've enjoyed reading more and more success stories as people's blogging efforts continue to get the clients rolling in.

Thanks for the mention Brad. The rain continues to pour down on me this past week - all from neighborhood posts! I can't stress enough to new members how this really DOES work. It may not work immediately, but it does work and you will be amazed that once the raindrops start falling they don't stop :)

I invited an agent here this past week on AR and I used her name as a keyword. My post is number one on google for her name.

The power of the Rain.

Hi Brad,

Thanks for all the great info. It is nice to see all of the success stories happening.

Have a great week.

Michael A. Caruso

Brad...Once again, an upbeat, information packed post. I've got a new mantra: WWBD...What Would Brad Do...

Brad - Great Info....I too am shouting it from the roof tops!! Blogging = Business. YES !!! I really like seeing all the "press coverage" about all of this (and our addiction).

Brad, it is so true, this will be a good post to email to people who are still skeptical. Very exciting year, huh for many of us.

Blogging does work everyone goes to the internet first nowadays. Good job with all of the business you have generated through AR!!

Thanks for mentioning the ActiveRain Success Story: Blogging for Business. It is super special because the folks I mentioned in the story are here, just got into contract on a beautiful home and are planning their wedding :) I love happy stories!

This was a wonderful compilation of all the success stories. Though many in Hawaii are not doing a bunch for blogging...I just figure I'm way ahead of the game now.....and they can keep relying on their ....websites only :)

I just ran Google for "Corporate Blog Success Stories" and found these... very good stuff

NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY AND BACKBONE MEDIA BLOGGING SUCCESS STUDY

SRB Marketing | CONSCIOUS CLICKS - The Blog: Corporate Blog ...

Lessons in Corporate Blogging

Online Extra: Six Tips for Corporate Bloggers

Then I ran just "Blog Success Stories" and loved this one!!

SEO & Blogging Success Story : Blog Earns $40K per Year

Thank you Brad, I obviously need all the help I can get.

Brad,

Blogging "works" for those who work it. Posting routinely, and keeping fresh material available.

There is an audience, and a hunger for contact without pressure. What better way than a blog to achieve that?

I see so many folks do one or two blogs, and substitute that for a static page, and wonder why their phone isn't ringing off the hook...

Hi Brad...this is a great post to keep us all believing! Thanks!

Brad, Thank you for the feel good story. For every post that talks about success, I bet there are hundreds of stories not told. AJ

Holy Cow Brad, How long did all of those links take you? Folks that are skeptical - for Brad to put that much time into this to show you show says something right there!

Brad-You have such great info on your blog, I cant thank you enough! Yet another great post, thank you for all you do!

I learned about AR from an agent in Tampa, who was calling to refer a buyer to me. As it turns out, at that time, there were no agents on AR, in Port Orange, FL, so she told me about it. But as soon as I started poking around, I realized what a great networking opportunity this was. And I have learned so much here, from other bloggers!

MAR

2008

Here's another I just found by Suzanne Sands (Featured Today), I'm sure there are thousands more here, but this should get some people off the fence if their skeptical...

One Thing "LEADS" to Another!

This is great news~ especially to a new AR addict like me. Thanks for the inspiration!

Brad,

AR does work for those who are willing to work. That means steady blogging, participation and commenting and then you'll see results. Some members probably mistake the network for some type of a directory where you just need to sign up, sit back and voila.

Here was a nice little personal success story for me today. I went to read some of the featured posts today, and there I saw our AR Video Interview at TBWS from a couple weeks ago. I have already received 3 calls! Thanks Video team at AR. :-)

Brad, thanks for sharing these success stories.

So much to read! I love to hear positive stories. Thanks for reminding us how much blogging helps. I could sit around and read blogs for days and never leave my computer.

We need the encouragement we have been at it for 6 or 7 months and have limited results. We also think it will produce results.

Brad - I have in the last two weeks gotten 3 listings due to my blog. I am waiting to hear on two other appointment to see if they will be choosing me. Yesterday I got a call from a buyer telling me she read my blog and wants me to represent her as a buyers agent. She had gone to an open house yesterday and really liked the place....so much so that she asked if she could meet me tonight to write an offer on it! I have never met her and did not show her the property! Talk about unbelievable!!

Brad, good ThemThem to the Active Rain Group, and yes they do rock! Maybe this will help make it a bit easier in explaining to non-members of Active Rain the importance of The Rain and blogging.

Brad - AR definitely produces exposure for us, and can be an incredible tool. I didn't think my area here in Southern Oregon had the Internet presence some other areas may have, but people have definitely been finding me on the Rain! How long DID it take you to post all those links? :->

Brad: There will always be Nay sayers but maybe a few less after the Realtor.com article. Thanks for the collection of links. I previously read most of them and I am firm believer in the power of a blog.

Dan - I'm happy to do it. I often get the question, "So does this stuff really work?" I thought this would be a good post to email to those in doubt. There are too many that even sign up here and just don't get it....yet! :-)

I wish nonmembers could see this post to. They might not feel it is such a "leap of faith" this "blogging thing".

MAR

2008

Brad,

Thank you for all the info you keep sharing with others. This post is so inspiring, especially to a Newbie like me.

Very nice Brad-I love your posts! I am ok with the naysayers I just do my thing and reap the benefits! :)

Brad, I just want you to know, I want to blog like you someday! YOU ROCK!! Thanks for referencing on of my very first blogs. I am just taking baby steps right now, but hopefully taking big steps in the future! Vickie

MAR

2008

Brad, thanks for the help today that was great!

One of the many reasons why I blog here everyday is to learn from the great ones like you Brad -SERIOUSLY! This is another one of your endless classic blogs Brad. I haven't gotten a lead yet but Active Rain has put me on Google. Like one agent said here last week,you should tell home owners when you go on a listing presentation I mean marketing proposal -( Learned that from another great Active Rainer Neal Bloom ) tell them to type your name in Google and see how many times your name comes up.

By doing that,that's how a home owner should decide who should be their listing agent. My name comes up many times last time that I checked so I guess I am bound to receive some great listings. Thanks for including those posts of other people's success story in your post. I am going to read all of them. Great post.

Lissa - these are all positive stories and results that have brought success to these members. I love that we are all skeptics in the beginning, but the payoff is huge and in so many different ways! I too could read and share these all day long, unfortunately, I have to go to work now! :-( (LOL!~)

Terry - keep pressing on toward the goal. Try different content and topics. What you put into your Blog, you will get back out of it. The success results vary as you can tell by many of the stories in this post! :-)

Bill - did you do a post about this? I'd love to add it to mine. As you can tell, I had to work with members title's so make it a good one! :-) Great news, thanks for sharing it here! Congratulations!! :-)

Duane - I hope this post does just that. It's unfortunate that many of these posts written are members only, that's why I had to make this a members ONLY post. If I make it a public post, and someone clicks on one of the links, they won't be able to open that post. The message is the same regardless. It's a beautiful thing all the success that comes from Blogging and Active Rain!! :-)

Karen - exposure is the key to marketing yourself! Active Rain will certainly get you exposure, making it one of the best marketing tools I know of. Not to mention all the other benefits of Blogging and networking. This post took a while to create because I had to use title's (unmodified) to try and incorporate and still make sense. These posts are fun yet challenging for me, but that's why I do them. I did a similar one on "Open Houses - The Controversy" it was kinda cool too! Thanks for commenting and always being so supportive!! :-)

Hi Brad,

Thanks for taking tie time to post such an informative article. Should convert many a skeptic,

Have a great day!

Hal

Jill - the REALTOR® Magazine article was great! It was nice to see our very own Teresa Boardman featured there along with the others. I'm surprised she hasn't been here to comment yet! LOL!~ This is just the beginning of an era that I think will explode once others catch on and really see the value and testimonies! Just my prediction from when I first started here. Only 28,000 people when I first arrived at AR last year, now there's almost 80,000. That's incredible!! :-)

Rebecca - I had to make it members only because the success stories linked are members only posts. Non members can't open them. If the members here would change these posts to "Public" I'd do the same with this one! Shall we start calling them? :-)

Barbara - stay inspired! The posts prove that it works. Welcome to Active Rain, I hope you share your success stories here too. You WILL have success stories of your own, I promise!! :-)

Midori - Being a Nay Sayer is what got me to join, I just had to find the truth, and now I just want to share it with everybody! Thanks for stopping by, I love your visits and always appreciate your comments! I know you have had many successes here as well. :-)))))

Vickie - baby steps are good. Then you'll just start walking, jogging, running along, and before you know it....

YOU'RE FLYING!!!! Thanks for your kind comment and desire to grow your successes here as well! :-)

Jim - No! Thank you for having me over! You guys have a great thing going, it will be nice to witness your successes here too! Let me know if there is anything you need or any way I can help! Thanks my friend! :-)

Lanre - I said it before and I'll say it forever....Google is and can be your Best Friend in Real Estate as evidenced by your comment. You should see what comes up when you Google my name or "The Escrow Guy! Incredible! Thanks for pointing that out, your successes are on the way! :-)

Hal - I hope it does!! I want to make it a public post, but I need all the members who I linked to, to make theirs public too! Maybe I should try to contact all of them to do so. Hmmmmmm..... see what you got me thinking?! It could mean more successes for more members here!! :-)

What a great post. What a tremendous amount of work putting this together with all the links. What a special person you are for sharing and giving recognition to so many!

Hi Brad, Good Job and a great post. We all want to succeed in our process blogging/posting on AR.

Margaret - thanks! It was a bit of work but fun. When you use other members title's, it's a bit of a challenge but if forces you to write very creatively. Maybe I should do a contest....hmmm.... I better call Bob or Jonathan and see what kinda ruckus I can stir up!! LOL!~ See? Look what kind of ideas can come out of just a couple comments? :-)

I really enjoyed talking to you today, thanks again Margaret for "Making My Day!" :-))))))))))))))))

Ellie - thank you, and yes we do!! And We Will..... :-)

MAR

2008

Brad- Very useful post. Thank you

MAR

2008

Bob - this one has it all if you want to convince anyone of the successes that have taken place here on AR. In my opinion, it's one of the most successful places you can have a Blog!! :-)

MAR

2008

Brad,
Great post. I'm a believe now.

Joe - I think you were a believer before, you may have had doubt, but you were always a believer...at least a dreamer on a mission right?!?! :-) Thanks for reading and commenting Joe, I'm looking forward to your work here.

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