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A single blog translates to $2M in Sales!

Every Tuesday morning the agents in our office get together for a powwow with our Broker in Charge for our weekly sales meetings as much of the other Realtors® around the Triangle do. After the meetings we go on Tour - yes, we still have Tour in Cary, NC. We visit all of the new listings in the office. Then we get together for a weekly builders luncheon. Since we have had so much new construction going on this side of Cary the agents are not lacking for a nicely catered luncheon.

Several months back I decided to start taking my camera with me to the luncheons - which have now Blogging for Business evolved to me taking my camera and my Flip Video when I have a chance. I carry them both everywhere I go. Most agents say "Why do you go to such an effort to bring your "techy toys" with you everywhere I go?" You can't possibly generate any business with those gadgets. Although most agents are bewildered at the response the proof is in the results.

I wrote one blog this year after attending a lucheon at one of the new communities that has yielded over $2M in sales and listings since April of this year. The community that fed me gave me lots of great details on the homes, amenities, etc. I wrote a really action packed blog with links, photos, links to things going on in the community, builders, quality of construction, you name it. It's not just the blogging that makes the difference - it's the quality of the blog. Prospective buyers that read through your blog want to know that you really understand the area, know the builders, and know the community. If you truly know your "stuff" it will come through in your blogs. If you are a "rookie" and haven't quite got the hang of it yet that will shine through. Successful blogs and localism posts comes with time, experience, and a great sense of humor(I'm working on that).

Localism Posts I'd say the hour or so that I spent that night after the luncheon writing about the community paid off in spades. I've received two lead calls on the community. One ended up buying my listing in another community and another is listing their home with me and buying in the community.

There are a lot of skeptics out there that don't believe it can be done but it's the brave warriors willing to take the risk that are reaping the rewards!

Fonville Morisey Buyers Agent >> "Sealing the Deal" one house at a time

Fonville Morisey Buyers Agent >> Attention Buyers - Show your agent you're ready, willing, and able to BUY now

Cary NC Real Estate>>1st Time Homebuyer's Online Toolkit

Old World + New World = My World of Real Estate

Why choose Fonville Morisey for your next Realtor® in the Triangle Area?

Posted by Tracy Santrock-Cary NC Real Estate Realtor on 08/23/2008 09:52 PM

Comments (28)

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28 Comments on A single blog translates to $2M in Sales!

AUG

2008

Congratulations for that success. My guess is that you could provide other success stories in addition to this.

Is there a chance that you could link to the post. BTW, I am giving a training session this Tuesday to some real estate agents on internet marketing. They think I am covering blogging, but I think I am going to give a broader coverage.

I plan to show some of your listings in the presentation, as examples of what can be done well.

You gave a training session some weeks ago. How did that go? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Richard

Congratulations! Gives hope to the us who have not yet fulfilled our ambitions on this site.

I hope to learn from those of you who are enjoying success.

Tracy... this is an excellent story for several reasons.... the gadgets and such, but more so, the details in your blog, about the community and such. And yes, showing personality, humor, and expertise with knowledge.... overall, the quality will shine through. And this is a great testament for the newbies....which is why I am flagging this. Great job and congrats...

jeff belonger

AUG

2008

Tracy - you certainly have some incredible blogging skills. The extra research and the time spent formatting and making it all look great pay off!

Hi Tracy. Loved hearing about your success story. I totally agree with you, and have seen several good quality leads come about because of my blogging over the past few months. Also, i finally got a flip video. Take care.

Richard - sometimes Members Only posts are seen in public and clients can be sensitive so shoot me a PM and I'll send you the link. It was a good post but I've think I've done better since then. However, I was the first and did a really thorough job and that's why I generated the business.

Linda - Hope is critical in business and life.

Jeff - Appreciate the kudos! It's all good

Penny - Wow! I appreciate that comment coming from you!

Michael - Get busy w/the flip. I have faith in you!

Tracy,

Great Job! In reading your posts about the communities, I really feel your knowledge, passion, and expertise....just what you want to convey!

Dick Beals

Aw - thanks Dick! It's been a long road out here in AR land for the past couple of years. However, I feel that taking the Road Less Traveled has helped me grow/develop as an agent too!

Tracy, you are such the local expert for Cary and surrounding area and I am so happy for you that it is paying off for you.

AUG

2008

Tracy - your glass is brimming over with optimism and now your success Rains onto us all! Thanks for sharing the possibilities.

That's awesome! I know, I haven't done 2Mil, but I have gotten business from as far away as England, and have made business partners because of AR that should produce money for some time!

AUG

2008

Tracy - Some are just never going to get it. There will be a few that come up to you and ask what it is exactly you are doing. But the rest never will.

SEP

2008

Congrats Tracy. Are you using your Flip Video a lot?

Congratulations that's an impressive story. Gotta pack up that camera tomorrow :-)

Good for you! Use of the technical gadgets puts you a tier up in my mind. Keep going and we will keep an eye on your posts to see what we can apply to our own business models.

Wow!

What a great idea----eat free and make it pay off for you two-three fold. This idea will even make those usual broker luncheons given by someone else more beneficial.

Talk about thinking outside the box, you win the prize.

SEP

2008

Thank for sharing.

Congratulations on your business....thank you for sharing and motivating all of us out there..

Tracy - What a great way to capture community news and information to share with potential clients! I bought a Flip video camera about 2 months agao. I've used it to send house video shots to out of town clients. I've had some tech difficulties since then which need to be resolved (haven't had the time) but will soon. I'm so glad to hear that you've experienced such success. I've always enjoyed your blog content and I can tell that it's paid off for you.

Thanks for the post, and congrats, Tracy. I hope to work towards achieving the success you have. I have a few leads from AR that may translate soon. I do like your idea of taking the camera around. I have been thinking about it, but haven't gotten around to it. Thanks for the inspiration. As for video, I will have to learn how to use my video-camera first.

Congratulations, Tracy. I, too, have found that blogging about a community has paid me back in spades.

SEP

2008

Sherry - It takes a while to focus on a niche and work it. That's where I see the biggest transformation.

Sharon - You're one of the best. Keep up the great work.

Thank you Tracy, this posts have given us all ideas as to what we can do to generate more business based on what we are already doing, all we have to do is put the pen to it and tell others about it. I am new at this, but I am getting the hang of it, your post is encouraging, thank you again.

Antonio & Alexia Cardenas "The Realtors In Motion" www.ListedbyAntonio.com

SEP

2008

Great idea for a builder's open house. I carry my camera most places now, too....I like the idea of blogging about the new community...congrats, Tracy!!!

SEP

2008

Tracy,

The more fresh useful information we get before prospective buyers the more likely they are to hire the "expert" who did all the writing. Congrats and keep up the good work.