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Most Blog Posts I've Written in the Past 34 Months

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Austin Texas Homes, LLC 453249

Almost four weeks ago, I decided to return to blogging here on ActiveRain. Well, to be fair, I decided to return to blogging in general, and this is my platform of choice. This is my 26th post since then (if I'm wrong, I'm sure someone will be kind enough to point it out - I counted quickly). Frankly, I needed a break, but then I just fell out of the habit for a long time.

I joined this community seven years ago this month, and I think there were roughly 12,000 members, which actually seemed like a lot back then. AR is about 30 times larger now, as you may already know. 

I remember when I secured my first business website domain name in 1998 (it's still our site today - www.austintexashomes.com). People reacted like we were crazy. "What are you going to do with a  website?" Obviously, I was hoping someone might actually find it and want to call or email us to buy or sell a home. My business partner and I even came up with a crude but effective version of the IDX, although it was hard to keep it updated.

I was originally thinking of going with austinhomes.com, but after asking around, it seemed prudent to include "texas" so that people moving from other states would find it. If I were smarter or if I understood the importance and value better back then, I would have just bought both of them. Regardless, it turned out to be one of the most lucrative decisions I ever made. We have closed tens of millions of dollars in sales from that site.

When I started blogging for business, I pretty much got the same reaction: "Why would you want to spend time doing that?" Needless to say, I had similar goals in mind. I wanted to see if I could attract some business. As it turns out, I have closed millions of dollars in sales from this blog as well, including a ton of referral business from agents around the country. In fact, I closed one yesterday.  :)

I had similar reactions about Facebook, Twitter, and my podcast. All of them brought results at varying levels. Last month, I got FOUR referrals from Facebook friends.

Next on my agenda are two items:

1. Grow my company with more high-quality agents, with a stronger focus on systems.

2. Lots of video marketing/blogging. I have put this off for too long. This is still largely untapped, and I think there's a big opportunity. Much like with blog posts, if done correctly, this is "evergreen" (i.e. valid and timely) content for years to come.

I have a gut feeling that someone will probably ask me one of the following questions about video:

"How will you get business from that?" and/or "Is that a good use of your time?"

To answer both, I have a method to garner business, and yes, I'm relatively certain that it is a good use of time. 

Thanks for reading!

Posted by

 

If you're looking for a home in the Austin area, you can also visit my primary website at www.austintexashomes.com.  Thanks!

Comments (48)

Connie Harvey
Pilkerton Realtors - Brentwood, TN
Realtor - Nashville TN Real Estate

Jason, Video is on mylist for this year too. Yes. It will generate business!

Jan 01, 2014 08:33 AM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Jason, you made a lot of great decisions there, and the results speak for themselves. Have a great 2014!

Jan 01, 2014 10:35 AM
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Jason, people are always afraid of cutting-edge or bleeding-edge technology and have always questioned innovativeness! Well, eventually, one who goes out of comfort zone is a WINNER!

(And should I mention that I bought it and still have a domain name iPraful.com and ePraful.com for more than a decade, even before Apple came out with all 'i'menia like iPad, iPhone, iPod etc! I did not use it effectively is another story, though....)

Jan 01, 2014 10:44 AM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

I'm glad to see you back here blogging and inspiring others to do so.  Best wishes for 2014.

Jan 01, 2014 10:50 AM
Geoff ONeill
John L. Scott Medford - Medford, OR

Looks like your plan is already set for 2014, and you're off to a running start.  It's fantastic to see success through internet marketing.

 

Jan 01, 2014 11:42 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher
It's just like anything, the more you do it, the more you do it naturally. Best wishes in 2014, Laura
Jan 01, 2014 12:34 PM
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

Well, I read a lot of success stories other agents shared about having great business from blogging, skilled networking, etc. Who cares what others think? If you think you can ~ you'll succeed.

Jan 01, 2014 03:29 PM
Peggy James
SAMSON PROPERTIES - Woodbridge, VA
Woodbridge Virginia Area Real Estate Specialist

Jason- welcome back. It has been my experience that consumers respond by calling or text ( rather than filling out a form) if they learn something about what they were searching for. Readers call when the real estate specialist in the area inspires them with informative content or asks questions or offers a solution to what they need. Sharing with the reader that you are approachable is the key to a successful blog in my opinion.

So for all those who questions if blogging and social media are a good use of your time?  I say, it sure is. My last four listing appointments came from Facebook friends of friends! And people who read my blogs and watch my video's simply call.  Like you blogging is my platform of choice. Hope you have a successful 2014!

Jan 01, 2014 08:33 PM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Whatever works for you Jason do it, and don't worry about the naysayers. Happy New Year.

Jan 01, 2014 08:44 PM
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Jason, like you I believe video is going to get very popular and useful for marketing. 2014 will be a winner.

Jan 01, 2014 10:23 PM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

You have to be in business to do business....

Jan 01, 2014 11:01 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

So glad to see you back and blogging regularly again!  You have so much to offer other real estate professionals!

Jan 01, 2014 11:06 PM
Juan Jimenez
A House on a Rock Home Inspections LLC - Richmond, VA
The Richmond Home Inspector

Jason, it is funny for me to hear that people thought you were crazy for having a website. Nowadays, people would think you were crazy for not having a website.

Jan 01, 2014 11:12 PM
Paul McFadden
Responsive Pest Control - Seattle, WA
Pest Control, Seattle, WA.

Welcome back!

Jan 01, 2014 11:18 PM
Mike McCann Nebraska Land Broker
Mike McCann - Broker, Mach1 Realty Farm & Commercial Land Broker-Auctioneer Serving Nebraska - Kearney, NE
Farm & Commercial Property For Sale 308-627-3700

Dude...I too have closed millions from my crude website and many millions more blogging.  Your word "systems" in your goals is my word for the year.

Good Luck in 2014!!

Jan 02, 2014 12:01 AM
Aaron Hofmann
Atlanta Communities - Smyrna, GA
aka Mr. Smyrna Vinings

The value of a strong Internet prescence continues to grow. Those of us who predicted the change in consumer behavior have done very well.

Jan 02, 2014 12:13 AM
Peter Pfann @ eXp Realty Pfanntastic Properties in Victoria, Since 1986.
eXp Realty, Victoria BC www.pfanntastic.com - Victoria, BC
Talk To or Text Peter 250-213-9490

HI Jason,

Having just returned to the blogging scene myself, that was a fun blog thanks for sharing and putting a smile on my face.

Have a Great Week and a Pfanntastic 2014

 

Jan 02, 2014 12:21 AM
Bruce Brockmeier
Internet Marketing Consultant to REALTORS® - Yorba Linda, CA
Coached By Crouch

I think you will be great on video!  I believe video marketing is still under-utilized by most agents.

Jan 02, 2014 05:40 AM
1~Judi Barrett
Integrity Real Estate Services 116 SE AVE N, Idabel, OK 74745 - Idabel, OK
BS Ed, Integrity Real Estate Services -IDABEL OK

Jason,

Glad you're back and going strong.  You always succeed at what you do so go for it.  

Jan 02, 2014 09:15 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Jason - Did I tell you I'm SO glad you're back!!  I too, took a bit of time off and realized that this venue really is fruitful when it comes to generating THE best leads - I love that they read our posts for a while before contacting us; they KNOW us and they're spot on that we'll work together well when they do contact us.  It's also a great place to learn; I never gave the 'reading' up but, fell to the wayside on commenting and blogging.  I still have a lot of 'catching up' to do as far as blogging (AND commenting) goes but, every day we have an opportunity to start a-new; we just have to be smart enough to take advantage of that opportunity!

Happy New Year!

Jan 02, 2014 10:27 AM