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How To Get Business From Localism, Even If No One EVER Reads Your Blog!

By
Mortgage and Lending with Platinum Home Mortgage Company NMLS #238304

When we post to Localism, we are the neighborhood reporter covering a beat.  In exchange, we get to cast our line out to the Internet in hopes our blog will attract those that are interested in buying real estate LOCALLY.

But I say, why wait for Google to get business? You can be out and about LOCALLY, making connections with LOCALS, all in the name of your LOCALISM post.

Sure beats cold calling.

As a hopeless Barbara Walters wannabe and journalist, I have worked on various newspapers and newsletters my entire life in the role of reporter. And here is something you may not know: Calling up prominent members of the community to ask for their opinions for your blog is a very FAST and POWERFUL way to get business, get noticed, and become connected (even if NO ONE EVER READS YOUR BLOG!)

As you may know, human nature dictates that whenever someone asks us for our opinion, we are FLATTERED and have no problem spewing it out. We are, celebrities of the moment, and we get to talk with someone who is actually listening and (gasp) even taking notes. Is there anything better for your ego than that?

Getting interviews is the easiest thing in the world for all of these reasons. It is also probably the easiest way in the world to prospect for new business AMONG THE LOCALS.

Think about this: would you rather call up the Parks Commissioner to ask him to consider you for his next real estate transaction???  Or would you rather call to ask for a few minutes to discuss the new City Park expansion so you can write about it on your local blog, Seattleinsider.com?

The Parks Commissioner will not realize he has connected with a local real estate specialist who cares about the community, and cares about him. He is in the ego zone, still flattered that someone has interviewed him.

Oh, but he will.

Do not be surprised if he brings up the subject of real estate (placing you in the role of expert). Do not be surprised if he mentions you by name (when he tells everyone about the interview). Do not be surprised if he keeps your card, and thinks about you far more than that other person that sold him the last house (who has stopped marketing or who is out of the business.)

And although he probably WILL sign up to read your blog, what if he never does? His ego will associate YOU as someone who cared about HIM. He will naturally think of you as someone who cares about the community. How could you be anything but the LOCAL EXPERT?

 Being a reporter gives you A HUGE COMPETITIVE ADAVANTAGE, not to mention an opportunity to know people you would probably NEVER meet otherwise. Embrace this role, become the celebrity expert yourself, and oh yes, sell some real estate while you're at it. 

 

 

Congratulations, ActiveRain, on the launch of the new Localism. 

 

Written by Janet Guibault, Mortgage Lending Expert Based Out of the San Francisco Bay Area

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments (93)

Robert Machado
HomePointe Property Management, CRMC - Sacramento, CA
CPM MPM - Property Manager and Property Management

I like your idea and perspective.  Taking the less obvious approach certainly sounds like the best approach.

Jul 10, 2008 05:26 PM
Christine L
Property Cupid, LLC - Chandler, AZ
Broker

Thanks for the post.  It seems we are becoming cub reporters for our areas.

Jul 10, 2008 05:27 PM
Lanre-"THE REAL ESTATE FARMER" Folayan
Samson Properties - Bowie, MD
I don't make promises.I deliver results.SOLD HOMES

I am really need to start doing that. This is a great way to generate leads. Thanks for sharing. This is a well written post. Great post.

Jul 10, 2008 08:05 PM
Antoinette Murphy
RE/MAX Atlantic - Absecon, NJ
GRI

Janet, thanks for sharing this great idea.

Jul 10, 2008 11:33 PM
Andrew Kyle
Royal LePage Foothills - Calgary, AB
Calgary Condo Realtor

I think the advice in this post fits really well with a lot of what Buffini teaches - make connections in your community and keep in contact with them.  Talking to, say the Parks Commissioner, gives the agent the chance to add the person to one's database, build a relationship with them over time and ask them for referrals.

Jul 10, 2008 11:40 PM
Kathy Anderson
Arizona Luxury & Lifestyle Living - Cave Creek, AZ
Arizona Homes For Sale

Hmmm!  The wheels are turning.  Great post!

Jul 11, 2008 04:04 AM
Janet Guilbault
Platinum Home Mortgage Company - Walnut Creek, CA
San Francisco Bay Area Direct Mortgage Lender

Rainers: Thank you so much for your overwhelming response to this post. I hope all of you will forgive me just this once for not answering all of you individually like I normally do.

The enthusiasm and excitement that shows through in your many comments is a testament to the future success of Localism. It is nothing short of thrilling to be a part of ActiveRain at this stage in its life, where change is coming rapidly on the wings of innovation and brilliance.

Someday we will all look back and be amazed that we were a part of a revolutionary marketing concept. All of us are on the cutting edge of something very big, and very special, that promises to change the entire real estate industry. 

I predict some of your blogs will become amazingly popular, with Realtors and other advertisers begging to take advantage of your many readers, and paying you for the privilege of appearing in your blog.

I beg of you to keep your blogs journalistic in nature instead of promotional. Once someone percieves your blog to be a thinnly disguised advertisement, you are toast. Your readers MUST percieve that you are GIVING information, not SELLING something.

Best of luck and thank you for all of these comments. Have a wonderful weekend.

 

Jul 11, 2008 04:13 AM
Karen Cooper
Karen Cooper | Sr Mortgage Loan Originator ! NMLS # 223305 | First Federal Bank of Florida, Ocala, FL - The Villages, FL
Helping Homeowners w/Home Loans in 27 US States

Janet - I know how puffed up my ego became when I received calls on AR blogs from reporters researching for articles they wrote. Being the shy sort, interviewing someone for a blog is a much easier ice breaker. Great action plan you give!

Jul 11, 2008 08:25 AM
Irene Woodworth
Color and Redesign Academy & Redesign Boise - Garden City, ID
Color-Redesign-Staging, Trainer & Motivational Speaker - Idaho

Janet,

What a wonderful idea and great way to be memorable.  Thanks for your post and Congratulations for being featured! 

Have a Colorful Day! 

Jul 11, 2008 10:29 AM
Mike & Kathleen Kelly
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Foothills - Hickory, NC
Hickory NC REALTORS

I really apreciate the information as well as all the comments. It is great to have a forum like this to share our ideas.

Jul 11, 2008 02:18 PM
Margaret Mitchell
Coldwell Banker Yorke Realty - York, ME
Seacoast Maine & NH Real Estate

Duh.  Janet, your post, and subsequent detailed comment, is so correct yet something I absolutely never thought of.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Jul 12, 2008 12:51 AM
Sandy Gleason
North Pointe Realty - Buhl, ID
Realtor for Southern Idaho-Magic Valley

Thank you so much I have been working with the city officals on the water problem we

have in our communtiy. This will be just what I need to boost my presence on the issue.

 

Jul 12, 2008 03:55 AM
Amy Dawson, Vancouver, WA Realtor
Vancouver, WA

Thanks for the great blog!  This gives me great insight on the new localism.

Jul 12, 2008 02:10 PM
Mike & Kathleen Kelly
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Foothills - Hickory, NC
Hickory NC REALTORS

Hopefully the editors will pick up what I have written. Thanks

Jul 13, 2008 03:08 AM
Teresa McDonald
EME Realty - Florence, SC
ABR, Florence and Lake City SC Real Estate

Thanks Janet,

You are so true. I had thought about doing what you said but now I know I will go out an interview some locals!

Jul 13, 2008 06:33 AM
Anonymous
Peggy James

Thanks Janet,

I love your idea!

I've new to Active Rain,  am so jazzed by the people who have contacted me already just from blogging. I hate all the bad press, and I concentrate on sharing what I know, what I've done lately in real estate in our community. Showing actual photo's of homes my clients have visited in hopes of allowing other potential buyers to feel comfortable  with the process and the market conditions. I also share helpful tips for sellers letting them  know I understand the stress they're under and I am here to help if they need it.

To my surprise the other morning Channel 4 News called me just minutes after I posted a positive post about a young couple who scored big with the purchase of a Bank Owned Home. The editor already had Chirs Gordon in his the car on the way to interview me. He  did, and the great news is two first time buyers I've been working for a few months now, coaching them helping them find a home, saw me on the 6:30 news and both have put offers on homes this week!

Yesterday he called again and wanted to know if the IndyMac Crisis is impacting any of our buyers.

I am amazed at what my blogs brings to me daily. I can't wait to interview a few locals. Thanks again.

 

Jul 15, 2008 10:17 AM
#89
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

I love it - go straight for the throat  ego zone.   Full story at 11. 

Jul 16, 2008 03:07 PM
Marie Ogle
Mortgage Processing Solutions - Spokane, WA
Contract Mortgage Processor

Great idea, I am still new at this blogging stuff and desperately trying to get the hang of it and find the time to do it.  While I do not have the writing ability you have I am hoping to come up with something clever soon. 

Thanks again for your blogs I enjoy them so much.

Aug 14, 2008 05:00 PM
Bill Gassett
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Hopkinton, MA
Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate

Janet I agree with you 100%. This is really terrific. I have done a little bit of this by featuring local business but surely not enough. I need to get back to doing it on a regular basis.

Aug 15, 2008 01:28 AM
Sonja Adams
Keller Williams Realty - Purcellville, VA

great idea...I recently got a new camera and am loving strolling around the community taking pictures...never thought my new hobby could tie into reporting on the local events...

Sep 11, 2008 05:42 AM