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I Don't Need a Blog...Period!

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Second Self Virtual Assistance

I don't need a blog...period!"I don't need a blog...period!"  These are the actual words spoken by one of our clients as she was being informed that, while SEO is great for working her site, social networking was an even better tool with even bigger results.  She wasn't buying it.  (Notice the "period", just in case we didn't understand how much she meant it.)  No matter how many times or how many ways we told her how important social networking is in a Web 2.0 world, she didn't budge.  If Google, Microsoft and Yahoo! understand the importance of social networking (as seen with their agreements with Twitter to begin providing status updates in real-time on their search engines), then why can't I make a Realtor® in the Midwest understand that her blog posts are an excellent way to get her name out to hundreds of thousands of potential clients in just a few minutes a day?  How many thousands of dollars have been spent in the past with postcard mailings, open houses and those notepads that EVERYONE has lying around with a photo and contact info on them that are only used for scrap paper?  Social networking is only a fraction of the cost of these things and takes just minutes a day.  It seems that some people get stuck on the "social" part and forget completely that, what it really comes down to is "networking".

"But everyone knows who I am.  Why do I need to waste my time with a blog?"  Sure, you may be a big star in your neck of the woods.  But, why limit yourself to ONLY your neck of the woods?  It's called the "World Wide Web", not "Joe Shmoe's Neighborhood".  Think about the fact that more and more people are using the internet to purchase a home, whether in their own city, across the country or even internationally.  If you only set your sights on the local market, you're short-changing your potential.  And a blog is an excellent way to let people from all over the web know that you are the expert in what you do.  It opens the door for potential clients to get to know you a bit before they decide if you are the right representative for them.  And it only takes a few minutes a day.  The same people who say "I don't need a blog...period" are the same ones that will be running to catch up with the rest of the industry when their competitors take all the action from them.  Don't let that be you!

Heather Chavez, Real Estate Virtual Assistant - Second Self Virtual Assistance: When There Isn't Enough of You to Go Around!

 

Comments (21)

Heather Chavez
Second Self Virtual Assistance - Caldwell, ID
Real Estate Virtual, Assistant (928) 692-3235

Exactly, Vickie.  I know I'm preaching to the choir here on Active Rain.  I just don't know how to make a Realtor understand the benefits of blogging when they say something like "I don't need a blog...period!"  It makes me a little crazy!

Oct 26, 2009 05:21 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

I think it depends on where they are in the country....and their market.  There was a day when I understood this way of thinking - of course that was awhile ago.  There are stilll some markets out there that could be really dedicated to a small sector - and that might work for them and their clients.  It would be a good thing if these agents and brokers could slowly bring their cliental and communities into web 2.o.

Oct 26, 2009 05:39 PM
Ed Newman
Alamo Infrared, LLC - Midvale, UT

Blogging works, it took me a while to get on board, but it really does. It will move your site up the google list fairly quickly. After accepting that, Tweeting has been a breeze.

Oct 26, 2009 07:16 PM
Sara Woolford & Steve Golson, ALHS
iTexas Realty Co. - San Antonio, TX

Hi Heather- In general, perhaps everyone knows who we are, but blogging gives us a forum to tell other people what we think, how we work, how we work and what we treasure.  Aren't we lucky that others are interested in what we have to say.  What a compliment.  --Sara

Oct 26, 2009 08:25 PM
Julia Odom
Select Realty Professionals - Chattanooga, TN
Chattanooga Homes for Sale

You are preaching to the choir but I actually don't think blogging is for everyone. It's a TON of work (or at least mine is) and lots of people just don't have writing ability.

No one could ever convince me that going door to door or cold calling is the way to go. To each his own.

Oct 26, 2009 09:11 PM
Brian Madigan
RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage (Toronto) - Toronto, ON
LL.B., Broker

Heather,

 

I guess I should host my blog as well on my website. At the moment I don't do that, but I should change.

 

Brian

Oct 27, 2009 12:05 AM
Zane Coffin
Century-21 Homestar - Geneva, OH
(Geneva Ohio Real Estate Agent)

Great post Heather ....some things work for some people and some don't ..... I wish I could work the computer better to my advantage I will just keep going till I get there.....peace zane

Oct 27, 2009 04:34 AM
Carra Riley & Declan Kenyon
Brokers Guild Cherry Creek Ltd - Westminster, CO
Helping people Transition at all ages!

Heather,

I couldn't agree with you more. Everyone needs a blog! Yes, it's quite a bit of work, but it gets your name and services out there like nothing else. Great advice and info about getting your blog out there.

Oct 27, 2009 04:58 AM
Mary Yonkers
Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA
Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Hello Heather,

Someone who has a blog in her area, 'Will eat her lunch."  Can take a horse to water, but can't make them drink.

Mary  And yes, they do take work and some people can't write, but hire someone to do the things you can't, won't do or just plain hate to do. 

Good post.

Mary

Oct 27, 2009 08:12 AM
Douglas Fischer
East Oahu Realty - Selling Honolulu, Hawaii Condos - Honolulu, HI

It's not just about blogging and SEO.  I can't tell you how much I learn visiting AR every day.  And, I meet some great folks and get a chuckle or too out of it as well.

Oct 27, 2009 08:49 AM
Heather Chavez
Second Self Virtual Assistance - Caldwell, ID
Real Estate Virtual, Assistant (928) 692-3235

Good point, Anna.  Love the new blog photo, by the way.

Oct 27, 2009 03:50 PM
Heather Chavez
Second Self Virtual Assistance - Caldwell, ID
Real Estate Virtual, Assistant (928) 692-3235

Good for you, Ed.  Blogging seems scary at first.  But, the only way to get used to it is to just do it.

Oct 27, 2009 03:50 PM
Heather Chavez
Second Self Virtual Assistance - Caldwell, ID
Real Estate Virtual, Assistant (928) 692-3235

So true, Sara.

Oct 27, 2009 03:51 PM
Heather Chavez
Second Self Virtual Assistance - Caldwell, ID
Real Estate Virtual, Assistant (928) 692-3235

It can be alot of work or a little bit, Julia.  The point is to be yourself and give out a piece of you as well as be informative.  Like Nike says, "Just Do It!"

Oct 27, 2009 03:52 PM
Heather Chavez
Second Self Virtual Assistance - Caldwell, ID
Real Estate Virtual, Assistant (928) 692-3235

Definitely add a link to your blog on your website, Brian.  There are many other places you could "advertise" your blog for free on the internet as well.  If you're interested in doing this, give me a call.

Oct 27, 2009 03:52 PM
Heather Chavez
Second Self Virtual Assistance - Caldwell, ID
Real Estate Virtual, Assistant (928) 692-3235

Let me know if there is anything I can help you out with, Zane.

Oct 27, 2009 03:53 PM
Heather Chavez
Second Self Virtual Assistance - Caldwell, ID
Real Estate Virtual, Assistant (928) 692-3235

Thanks, Carra.  You know about as well as everyone else how important it is to get name recognition where you can.  And you've utilized social networking to great advantage, too.  Way to go!

Oct 27, 2009 03:54 PM
Heather Chavez
Second Self Virtual Assistance - Caldwell, ID
Real Estate Virtual, Assistant (928) 692-3235

Alot of people seem to knock the "ghostwriter" thing, Mary.  But, I do it for several clients.  I like them to interact with others themselves.  However, having Second Self write the original blog post is not a bad thing.

Oct 27, 2009 03:55 PM
Heather Chavez
Second Self Virtual Assistance - Caldwell, ID
Real Estate Virtual, Assistant (928) 692-3235

That's for sure, Douglas.  I love Active Rain more than any other blogging platform I belong to.  I love the interaction as well as the information.  And we definitely have some interesting characters here.

Oct 27, 2009 03:55 PM
Mary Yonkers
Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA
Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Heather--You did a grea tjob for me!  As a manager/trainer I became a believer in the statement "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make them drink."  Find other clients who believe in the power of blogging.  They will conquer the real estate world.

Oct 28, 2009 12:24 PM