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How Does Real Estate Blogging Actually Generate Leads?

By Real Estate Tomato

Real Estate Technology with Real Estate Tomato

August 01, 2007 04:31 AM

Bloggers_connect1 I am here in San Francisco at the Inman Bloggers Connect Conference, about to go on stage to discuss the topic of lead generation through real estate blogging. The most important question, that I know we are about to be asked is: What makes a real estate blog generated lead different from a website generated lead?

This article, which was written weeks ago, was saved specifically for today.

How Does Real Estate Blogging Actually Generate Leads?

Handshake Here on the Tomato, we've already pointed out a few times how ensuring that you have a clearly visible call to action (read: Home Search, Home Value Report) is a necessary element to acquiring leads through your real estate blogsite.

1. How To Generate Leads Through Real Estate Blogging
2. Your Real Estate Blog Is Bait
3. The Starbucks Mistake

All this is emarketing 101, and something that I have been helping agents understand about their internet presence since my earliest training events back in 2000.

What really has to come to set the real estate blog apart as a lead generating tool has nothing to do with web 1.0 tactics.

The real estate blog is the Realtors' introduction to the Age of Participation: Web 2.0.

Developing a relationship with your audience and peers is the foundation of leveraging the Web 2.0 model to build your business as a real estate blogger. By simply embracing the relationship you are able to build with your audience, you will gain their trust. This trust, once earned, will have you earning a client; for all sales are based on this most important element: Trust.

The convenient placement of a home value report form, or the soft barrier to a home search is a ubiquitous effort. Everyone is doing it. There is no element of distinction if your site offers something that can be found on any capable real estate template website.

To Continue Reading " How Does Real Estate Blogging Actually Generate Leads?" Please follow our link to the Real Estate Tomato

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Cyndee Haydon

Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL

727-710-8035 Clearwater, Beach Short Sales Luxury Condos &Homes

Jim,

Great post - like Rich I wish I was there - I know you'll have a great time. Thanks for sharing

Aug 01, 2007 05:48 AM

Joeann Fossland

Advantage Solutions Group - Tucson, AZ

Master Certified Coach to Motivated Agents

thanks Jim. good topic. I'm sitting in the audience soaking this in.

Aug 01, 2007 06:01 AM

Sandi Bauman

Chico Homes Real Estate - Chico, CA

Chico CA Realtor

We ALL wish we could be there!! LOL. Thanks for sharing with all of us at home :)

Aug 01, 2007 06:03 AM

Cindy Lin

Staged4more School of Home Staging - South San Francisco, CA

Host, The Home Staging Show podcast

No it's very true. I love the developed relationships that I have on AR. Not only I got friends out of AR, I also gotten referrals that led to paying jobs. That makes blogging very rewarding.

Cheers,

Cindy

Aug 01, 2007 06:10 AM

Axel Weiss

Bradenton Realtor and Sarasota Homes for Sale - Bradenton, FL

Sea to Sky Realty

Great post, thank you!

Aug 01, 2007 06:44 AM

Brian Block

RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA

Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate

Jim, hope you're enjoying your time at the conference in San Francisco. I think developing an audience of loyal readers is key, and I've been excited to see a growing amount of return visitors on my blog stats. Once they develop that "I feel like I know you" feeling, I'm hoping to hear from many of them.

Aug 01, 2007 06:47 AM

Tracey Thomas

BrokerInTrust Real Estate - Calabasas, CA

CA Real Estate Broker

"What makes the real estate blog stand out,.... is the regular effort of the Realtor to educate, enlighten, entertain and engage each visitor. It is this distinction that not only generates leads for their traffic, but clients by means of a relationship."

It's all about the relationship.

More than any other medium, blogging builds a relationship because it's interactive. It's so much more than just one sided information. The enlightenment and entertainment part of the blog can't be overlooked because people buy with emotion and then rationalize later with facts. You can have designations galore and be a "gazillion dollar producer" all you want, but that's not what people are looking for. They want the connection, the relationship. Blogging provokes an emotion, good, bad or indifferent. We do not sell houses, we sell service, we sell us!

Great post, you have hit the tomato on the head 10 different ways in this post. =)

Aug 01, 2007 06:57 AM

Beth An Schulz

MadisonRealEstateToday.com and Bunbury & Associates Realtors - Madison, WI

I am new to blogging, and have to be honest, not that new to AR. Just never realized it's usefulness. I would love to hear from others that have actually realized successful leads from their blogging. I have a nay-sayer husband who thinks I am just "playing on the computer"! :)

Thanks for offering your insights.

Aug 01, 2007 09:27 AM

George W. Miller

Keller Williams Realty - Naugatuck, CT

Naugatuck and Beacon Falls Real Estate

Thank you for the tips. I clicked on several of the highlighted items and got some good info. Its difficult sometimes to know how and where to begin, I've read a lot of people on this subject and most say "Just do it".

Aug 01, 2007 10:33 AM

Lola Audu

Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI

Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Jim, this post is right on the money! I am stunned by the difference I experience in meeting with clients who have read my blog. This process is powerful beyond belief! ...when consistently done correctly.

Aug 01, 2007 10:37 AM

Chris Lengquist

Ad Astra Realty - Olathe, KS

Kansas City Real Estate Investing

In my mind I'm a little weak in my call to actions. But I seem to be great at building the relationships which have them call me. My blog creates leads. I like that. Now I just want more!

Aug 01, 2007 01:58 PM

Sharon Simms

Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International - Saint Petersburg, FL

St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS

Jim, I enjoyed meeting to you and listening to you and your panel. The quality of blog leads is great - and generally lead to a lasting relationship after the closing.

Aug 01, 2007 02:39 PM

Dan Carraher

Keller Williams Realty Platinum - Phoenix, AZ

I still haven't got my hand around the whole web 2.0 concept, I guess I have some reading to do. I suppose I am also going to need to upgrade my website membership so I can utilize the RSS feeds. Any suggestions?

Aug 01, 2007 02:40 PM

Diane Bell, Hilton Head Real Estate, Bluffton

Charter 1 Real Estate, Hilton Head, Bluffton, SC - Hilton Head Island, SC

What an awesome opportunity--I only wish I could be there.

Aug 01, 2007 03:08 PM

Kevin Tomlinson

One Sotheby's International Realty- Miami Beach Real Estate - Miami Beach, FL

Miami Beach Real Estate

Jim

Great to meet you today. Excited about your new adventure in Miami!

Aug 01, 2007 03:39 PM

Bob & Carolin Benjamin

Benjamin Realty LLC - Gold Canyon, AZ

East Phoenix Arizona Homes

Interesting post. Thanks for sharing the info.

Aug 01, 2007 04:41 PM

Todd and Danielle Millar

Glenn Simon Inc. - Edmonton, AB

Nineteen years of excellence!

Hi Jim,

You are right if your blog is like everyone else's then why should anyone read it. The blog is a good way to express your personality and start building a relationship with your clients. Cheers Danielle

Aug 02, 2007 12:57 AM

Harold Watts

Teles Properties - Palm Springs, CA

Palm Springs Real Estate Blog

Jim,

Thank you for your article. When I started blogging 3 months ago, I never realized the impact blogging can have on my business. I have picked up 2 new clients this week who are writing offers to purchase property, and 1 closing escrow next week due to my blogging efforts. I will keep reading, writing, & learning!!!

Aug 02, 2007 03:11 AM

Real Estate Tomato

Real Estate Tomato - Cottonwood, CA

Real Estate Website Design Done Beautifully

Hi All!

Responding from my phone here, so forgive my brevity.

I am thrilled by how well received this post was. It has been sitting in my queue since I first found out that I was to be on the Lead Generation panel here at Bloggers Connect.

To me, this is one of the most important aspects to embrace about the blog: It is a place for Relationships. I see the visitors that make contact through the blog as future clients, not so much as leads. The difference is that I see the name that comes through as someone who has taken the time to get to know me as much as the services that I offer and embrace. That name is not just a person I'm contacting back to convince that I offer what they need... they have already gained that understanding. They are looking forward to working with me.

RE: The Tomato Name - it was inspired by the nickname of the closest big city to me: Sacramento - a.k.a. Sac-O-Tomato

Caroline- I am so looking forward to meeting you and the entire EWM crew later this month in Miami. Say hi to Beth for me.

Thumbs tired... gtg

Aug 02, 2007 09:05 AM

Jeff Belonger

Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc - Cherry Hill, NJ

The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans

Jim.... this is so true and most that call me or e-mail say this..."you sound very trusting and seem to know what you are talking about". Pretty basic and it doesn't take rocket science to figure out that this is what people are looking for. Great short reminder...

jeff belonger