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Local Blog Traffic, The Old Fashioned Way

I didn't coin it (Burke Smith did), but I love to use it:
Technology won't replace agents; agents with technology will replace agents.

There's a ton of talk about the next generation of Realtors and their unique approach to the business. The most common theme is that their use of technology and embrace of the collaborative culture will change the landscape of the industry so drastically that it will effectively bury the Old Guard. This prediction is most likely true; it's hard to turn back the clock when a tidal wave of change is bearing down.

Don't be so quick to embrace what's new without taking along what's tried and true. Learning from what worked well for the Baby Boomers will help you best understand how to not only reach them but also how to improve on these new tools. Your local audience responds to your local effort.

The farm you have carved out for yourself and the neighborhood you live in may not be responding to the traditional post cards, notepads and 'items of value' as much as you like. You would gladly trade all that printing and paper and pavement pounding for a few hours a week of blogging. Don't be so quick to completely jump ship. There still may be some success in your efforts.

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Posted by Real Estate Tomato on 02/19/2007 05:19 PM

Comments (18)

real estate blogging, localism

18 Comments on Local Blog Traffic, The Old Fashioned Way

Nice topic and very well put! An old Army saying applies here. "Be prepared to overcome, maintain and adapt".

Don

02/19/2007 05:29 PM

by Don Rich (West USA Realty)

This relates well to a post I just made about blogging is not just for the internet. There are still plenty of people that read the local rag.

02/19/2007 05:34 PM

by Century 21 Showcase

This is a great post with great points. As we adapt, we still must maintain.

02/19/2007 05:40 PM

by Ryan Hukill - Edmond Realtor® (Hukill Group - Paradigm Realty)

The key is really understanding both 'ways'. Blogging and the internet are definitely the wave of the future. But lots and lots of potential clients will still better understand the tried and trued methods of yesterday (which really isn't that far back!)

02/19/2007 06:17 PM

by Kaushik Sirkar (Call Realty, Inc.)

I agree, hybridizing marketing to bridge the communication between traditonal marketing and innovative marketing is important, and is how I see Localism working with my marketing. Good points in the article.

02/19/2007 06:29 PM

by Deborah Burns ~ Seattle Real Estate Agent (BRIO Realty)

Thanks for the post. I wrote Baby Boomers Meet Generation X. Clearly there is great interest on the part of the not so old guard, in making sure they can still meet the needs of their younger clientele.

02/19/2007 06:35 PM

by William Collins, Broker Associate (ERA Queen City Realty)

I've gotta steal that statement as well! Thanks! And i have never done doorhangers but that one, I might just copy. =)

02/19/2007 07:18 PM

by Leigh Brown Charlotte NC Broker/Owner (RE/MAX Signature Properties)

Some good info and a great idea for a door hanger. Have never done that but it might be worth a try. Off to read the rest, now.

Thanks

JEff

02/19/2007 07:26 PM

by Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Real Estate (RE/MAX Associates)

yeah! The door hanger is sweeeeet especially if you deliver them on a day when people are out -- you can also connect with them the old fashion way(talking in person)!

02/19/2007 07:44 PM

by Aziz Abdur-Raoof,Howard Co. Real Estate Scoop (RE/MAX Rewards)

You can't make a cake with only one ingredient.. the same is true for real estate.. we have seen major changes in just the last 5 years and I expect to see more in the future. As young and savvy as many of my clients are.. most of them still want to see their property in the local papers.. with lots of pictures. They use the internet but they also want traditional marketing when it comes to their property.

02/19/2007 09:37 PM

by Manhattan Beach CA/ e-PRO..... Kaye Thomas... (Real Estate West)

Thanks so much for this pearl! I think the door hanger to encourage blog activity will work very well in my market.

02/19/2007 09:53 PM

by Team Carroll, Cranford,Westfield NJ Area Real Estate Professionals (Team Carroll - RE/MAX Classic Group)

being dynamic is paramount in a constantly fickle industry

02/19/2007 10:07 PM

by Boca Raton & Lake Worth Florida Real Estate Broker

You are so right. I once asked a national sales manager if our company had ever tried a certain marketing idea. He responded, "You know, we just quit doing that cause it worked." I've never forgotten that. It's so important to constantly analyze what works and keep updating it to keep up with the times. Thanks for a great post and a good reminder.

02/19/2007 10:40 PM

by Laguna Homes|Laguna Condos| Laguna Real Estate|Marlene Bridges (Sherman Smith & Associates)

Technology in the hands of a good agent is a great tool. In the hands of a techie is a toy.

02/20/2007 01:41 AM

by Randy L. Prothero - Hawaii REALTOR® (Century 21 Liberty Homes)

Once again, you're one of the best at getting us to follow the Tomato links to get ... the rest of the story. (a la Tomato Harvey)

02/20/2007 03:20 AM

by Sharon Simms St Pete Florida CRS CIPS CLHMS (RE/MAX Metro)

Great post, will be passing this one on to my better half, thanks for sharing.

02/20/2007 07:59 AM

by Bob Sloop, Consultant, Indianapolis, IN (RS Mortgage Consulting)

Embrace new exciting ways to reinvent the craft of peddling property! The horse and buggy trips to the city to wine and dine city folks into buying unseen inexpensive rural property have changed. The buyer wants it now, wants it done for them...like cutting their steak into easy, bite size pieces...and this service needs to happen smoothly. You need the toys they have to "see" property...it may be time to trade in the Commodore 64.v Stay ahead of the learning curve and network with other doing the same things ni other parts of the country. Anything you are struggling with...there are a slug of brokers in the same boat a few states over. Ask....people want to help and will tell you what they did right...but also what they would have done differently second time around!

02/21/2007 07:08 AM

by Andrew Mooers | Northern Maine Real Estate / Aroostook County Broker (MOOERS REALTY)

Very interesting also saw you on Inman Wiki today..

02/22/2007 11:58 AM

by Teri Isner GRI, CRS, CIPS (Keller Williams Celebration)