I recently wrote a post called "Preach, Preacher!"  In the post, listed an action plan for my blog, my goals, and how I intended to reach them.  Plus, I added a little rhetoric, just for fun.  But now, the more I think about it, the more I feel like I can expand upon that theme.  Here's my second offering.

Missionary: (Wikipedia)traditionally defined as a propagator of religion (or blogging in this case) who works to convert those outside that community; someone who proselytizes. 

I submit that each and every one of us is called to expand the Real Estate blogging network and to proselytize the unbelievers who would say that blogging is a waste of time.  But why?

Why should I care if others blog?  Well, first of all it would expand the popularity of your blog.  The new folks, not knowing many people, would probably link to you.  That might not make a difference at first, but after a while they will gain in popularity and their links will gain in value.  Secondly, since blogging is a relatively new phenomenon in Real Estate, you will shortly enjoy the benefits of being a "blogging elder."  Out of the millions of Realtors in this country, there are just under 18,000 signed up for this site.  We think that's a pretty accurate representation of how many Realtors are blogging.  So, building the medium of blogging builds your authority on the subject, something that could fairly easily be commercialized by a savvy entrepreneur.  Finally, if your broker is writing a blog, he'll get off of your back about writing blogs by default.  

So, Reverend Greene, how do I win blogging converts?

1) Lead by example: Make blogging an essential part of your business plan.  Do it every day.  Write interesting articles and pass them around the office.  The "heathens" (those who don't blog) will read and be interested.  

2) Ask and ye shall receive. Ask a knowledgeable agent to sit for an interview to be posted on your blog.  Then, when they ask curiously about who will read it, tell them about the thousands of people who read you on a regular basis.  Try to stay away from the technical mumbo jumbo about SEO and keywords for now.  We don't want to short circuit their brains. We're just luring them in here. 

3) Turn water into wine.  The "heathens" will see your blogging efforts as a waste of time until you start posting escrow checks on the bulletin boards.  Seriously, next time you score a deal from blogging, photocopy the check and pin it to the board.  In bright red marker, write "Blogging pays the bills" across the top.  You'll sign up five new converts before lunch.

4) Raise the dead.  Your broker will be skeptical, until you single-handedly pull your company to the top of the search engines in a relatively short period of time.  You see, the broker has been wasting a fortune on adwords trying to keep his site on top, and you just blew him away with organic search engine placement as a result of a free blog from wordpress.  One look at your success and he'll be on active rain in no time.  

5) Walk on water.  Have you clients write testimonials about how great you are, and about how they trusted you so much more as a result of your blog.  Have them explain how they felt like they've known you for years as a result of the information that you post every day online, and keep track of the referrals that they send you.  As this number grows, so will the number of bloggers in your office.  I promise.