There are some things that are worse than copying and pasting jokes from chain letters into your real estate blog. One of them is devoting precious consumer facing blog space to writing for and about your real estate blogging buddies, otherwise known as "the blogosphere", especially when they are fighting.

When you see a pie fight forming, don't reach for a pie.

Earlier today, a conflagration sprung up when an agent made fun of Redfin and a Redfin agent responded. Naturally most in the industry sided against Redfin. That's all well and good on peer-to-peer blogs, though most of the participants who thought they were covering themselves in glory were actually covering themselves in pie. Is this any way for professionals to behave?

There is no "right side" for a professional in a pie fight.

What's worse is the spillover effect where many agents began commenting on this pie fight in their consumer facing blogs. Before someone responds to accuse me of hypocrisy, this blog is written for the benefit of brokers and agents, not to attract buyers and sellers. That said, I'm not going to waste your time trying to enhance my reputation with the blogosphere, the group of "celebrity" bloggers whose names you've probably seen on flyers for seminars you haven't attended. The people I respect are focused on their clients, not their internet clubhouse.

I point out this incident to remind my readers to focus on what is really important.

Once again, here is my golden rule for determining if a post is worthy of space in my blog.

Would I pay to print this post and mail it to my clients and prospects or proudly hand it to them at a meeting?

Would you proudly hand out a blog post ridiculing your competion to your clients and prospects? Of course not.  You'd look unprofessional.

Would you proudly hand out a blog post discussing how stupid other people's blogs are to your clients and prospects? Of course not.  You'd look unprofessional.

Don't write your blog for your real estate blogging buddies. Write your blog for your clients and prospects by focusing on topics that matter to them.  They are the community you should be trying to build through blogging.

Thanks!

Frank Jewett

 
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12 Comments on Strategy: Are You Still Blogging For Other Agents?

APR
22
2008
Frank- I agree. I am trying to write my new blog with the consumer in mind. Build it right and they will come.
5:57pm • #1
1 Featured Post
Dan, feel free to post a direct link to your blog right here in my comments.  I'm looking forward to reading it.  Thanks!
6:01pm • #2
I hadn't heard it put quite so clearly "Would I pay to print this post and mail it to my clients and prospects or proudly hand it to them at a meeting?"  Thanks for the post, Frank.  I appreciate the reminder.
6:54pm • #3
1 Featured Post
Christopher, you are welcome.  Thanks for reading!
7:56pm • #4
I have a rule.  Never denigrate your competition to clients or potential clients no matter what you think or what you know.  It only makes you look small and petty and doesn't go a long way to impressing the consumer.  Impress them with your knowledge of the market, your past record, your enthusiasm and the ease they have in working with and talking to you.
9:23pm • #5
249,018 Points

Frank:

You are so right.  What goes around comes around, do unto others as you would want others to do unto you.  There are so many ways of saying.

Build yourself on the backs of others and your house too will fall.
9:23pm • #6
APR
23
2008
240,205 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog

I'm one that joined in the "pie fight"

I think you are partly right. Often it's best avoided.

But sometimes things have to be said.

"Naturally most in the industry sided against Redfin."

It had absolutely zero to do with Redfin. This was not a "Redfin is evil" discussion. It was one blogger attacking and name calling, and making ridiculous statements about a food drive, A FOOD DRIVE, that one blogger championed.

Yes, I blog for consumers, and to attract business. Part of that is being completely transparent as to my opinions and beliefs. I can't just stand by and watch a peer and a friend be attacked. If I lost a prospect because of it, oh well. Some things in life are more important than prospects.

Here is but one of several emails I received after I posted what I did:

"Hi Jay - I read you blog often as my husband and I are looking to buy a home in the Phoenix area. I wanted to say that the post you made defending your friend was great. It's nice to see someone step up and say what needs to be said."

There were several others of similar sentiment.

Jay
12:19am • #7
1 Featured Post

Jay, this had everything to do with Redfin because Berg's bad comedy club routine at Redfin's expense started the pie fight.  "Redfin, those freakishly hip fellows?"  "Rent a bigger bus?"  If Berg took potshots like that at you it would have been war, but because it's Redfin, you and others act like Berg was an innocent bystander.  She threw the first pie.

Most of the agents in my area think real estate blogging is a joke because they see agents patting each other on the back over pie fights like this when they should be marketing to clients and prospects.  As for your post being inappropriate, don't take my word for it.  Watch Brian Buffini's 100 Days to Greatness.  He specifically warns against venting in public.

I'm not going to argue with Buffini on that.

Thanks!

Frank Jewett
12:52am • #8
303,602 Points 9 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

When the comments begin to resemble a lynch mob, no matter what the subject may be, it's not an attractive image to put before the public.
1:00am • #9
240,205 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Well, the CEO of Redfin often refers to himself, the company and it's employees as "freaks".

And they sometimes use vans for home tours.

"Attacking" a business model is one thing. Making very personal attacks on an individual, and insulting everyone that contributes to and works on a charity food drive of all things is another.

Just my opinion.

Given the positive direct feedback I got today, I'm not particularly worried about what Brian Buffini thinks. One post out almost 1,000 hardly indicates I have a habit of this.

"She threw the first pie"

Hardly. Redfin has been lobbing far more than pies for quite some time. But I've said several times that Redfin doesn't concern me. They aren't even in my market, and I suspect they never will be. Our market is not a good fit for Redfin's current model. And Glenn Kelman is wicked smart and understands that. However, if they should show up in Phoenix, more power to them and I wish them success. Competition breeds better agents all around -- I welcome it.

I've applauded Kelman and Redfin publicly on more than one occasion. So please don't tell me that I did this because it was Redfin. That is simply an incorrect assumption on your part.

1:45am • #10
1 Featured Post

One post out almost 1,000 hardly indicates I have a habit of this.

Jay, I've read plenty of quality posts on your blog.  Today's rant really doesn't belong among them.

Frank Jewett
1:59am • #11
1 Featured Post
Hmm. Frank, you have some great points for all of us to remember. You and Buffini are right. I wish I hadn't even gone back on the links to look at the pie fight. It took up too much of my time.
12:24pm • #12

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Frank Jewett

San Jose, CA

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