I am a Realtor in Boise, Idaho and a Certified EPRO Trainer. I love using technology in my real estate business that benefits both me and my clients. One tool I spend a lot of time on is Blogging. However, blogging is unique to quantify results with since it is a combination of:
- research time (not a direct reimbursable expense;
- education (pays dividends but not until some unpredictable time in the future if you apply what you learn);
- networking (depends on the image you portray will impact your results)
- socializing (can lead to networking but it is a stretch);
- SEO optimization (you can pay for ad words or use key words in your blog);
- Refining your skills (get your thoughts together and edit them before you just blurt them out in front of a potential client);
The best advice I can share with someone is to think of blogging using a business plan approach.
- Establish short term, medium term and long term goals of your blog;
- No one had the time to blog laying on their desk, so determine something you do for 15 minutes to an hour a day that offers no return on your time and substitute that wasted time with time blogging!
- Think of measurable outcomes for your blog. If it is for education, why are you reading and commenting on recipes and jokes?
- If you watch TV, buy a laptop and blog during commercials (that is pretty much "free time" out of currently "wasted time". For example, if you watch "The Biggest Looser" how does that help your real estate career? If you watch the same show and read blogs and post comments about your community - you might become the Biggest Gainer.
- Think of the time reading blogs like you would reading business development books and read the right books, not romance novels or travel books unless that too is for research.
We have to enjoy life while trying to waste as little of it as possible. However, it isn't all about maximizing every thing we do 24/7/365. Otherwise, we would end up considering the following:
- wearing Depends so we only had to go to the bathroom once a day (maybe when we shower);
- we would pour coffee straight into the toilet since it is a diuretic;
- we would quit making our beds since we will just mess them up again tonight;
- we could have the dentist extract all or teeth and give us dentures so we could save time flossing and brushing three times a day;
- Quit playing Farmville or MafiaWars on Facebook and spend that time wisely blogging;
- We would quite hunting and fishing since it is generally cheaper to buy your meat at the store;
- We would quit buying diamonds and start buying Cubics since people can't see the difference;
- We would quite investing for our future since we wouldn't have one!
In summary, blogging is an exercise. With any exercise program, you don't do it once and expect to see measurable results. Many people get excited about the possibility, sign up for a health club plan, and don't stick to their plan. If you can hold yourself accountable, you will succeed!
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