Being Found on the Internet Keeps the Phone Ringing
But, what about those calls that are not directly related to your business? I started blogging on Active Rain about seventeen months ago, and I can honestly say, that I have built an internet presence that makes the phone lines ring. Today, I received one such call from someone who was looking for directions to get to Hill Country Retreat in Alamo Ranch Subdivision. I have previously written community posts and market reports on Alamo Ranch, and Hill Country Retreat, which is our Active Adult Community in Northwest San Antonio.
Now, I clearly understood the situation because her Garmin GPS device failed to get her where she needed to go, since many of the streets in that community are so new, and they are still building and expanding in that area, that it didn’t surprise me when she told me that her Garmin could not find the address. She had Googled the Alamo Ranch subdivision, and guess who was on page one? Yes, yours truly. “Being Found on the internet does keep those phone lines ringing”, whether it’s business related or not.
Naturally, I was able to give her directions from the Airport to get to Alamo Ranch, since I was very familiar with that community. I suggested that she use her Smartphone’s GPS system, since it will automatically keep updating new addresses. I know I retired my Tom Tom GPS device last year when it couldn’t get me to any of those new streets in Alamo Ranch too.
Yesterday, I had another call from someone looking for commercial lease information on another subdivision in Northwest San Antonio. Now, I knew that I was not promoting or advertising commercial real estate in that particular area he had called about, so I asked him how he found me, and what lead him to believe that I could assist him with commercial leasing. He quickly stated that I had a link for residential real estate on Bella Vista Subdivision on page one of Google. Now, that impressed me, and I knew it was from my blogging efforts again. Keep on writing those Hyper Local community posts in your area. Your phone lines will ring for business or non-business related calls too.
Perfect timing!! Just had a call from someone moving who wanted to know something or the other. Didn't bother me they weren't going to become a client -- just that I'm found! Love it (so do you!!)
Jerry - The blog posts do make the phone ring even if it's sometimes with unexpected questions.
Congratulations to you! I am just getting started with real estate and while I have a great internet presence for home staging, I will need to develop all of the hyper local posts. Thank you for reminding me the importance of it!
Jerry, if you blog it they will come, and they won't all be asking for directions. There will be those that want an agent to sell their home or to help them buy. Well done
I get the same thing from time to time. I wrote about a new indoor race track opening up in Frisco TX a few months back and recently got a call from a lady asking what our prices were. At first I thought she had just dialed the wrong number until it dawned on me that she had saved my blog post.
Hi Jerry,
Now thats a heart of service. Just helping people out can generate business and make your day. I have done similar things, always cracks me up when people asking for help finally figure out I am actually a real estate agent. I had one lady exclaim, 'but your so nice...'. Oh well...
-Brent
Hi Jerry,
What a very informative post. Thank you for sharing this! Now we all know how important a hyper local post is. I will keep on posting hyper-local in my area. Take care!
Best of luck,
Jerry--kudos/congrats. Hooray for blogging. Best of all thanks for being a caring human being. It definitely shows all over your posts here in the Rain and Facebook and I am sure else where, too. Jerry, you are the person to call in San Antonio.
Hi Pamela. Not sure if I am an expert, but I do like keeping everyone in the Loop about things going on in San Antonio, TX.
Thanks, Robert. I love it when I am in the right place at the right time. Have a Blessed Week!
Yes, Cindy. You are right, The higher percentage are those wanting information on Buying or Selling a Home in my area.
Hi Marcus. Hyper Local Posts will get you noticed faster than most folks think.
Betsy, I know it works from my own personal experiences, and from hearing it from other Rain Members too.
Thanks, Brenda. I am sure you will notice that I am always filling up those hyper local slots in San Antonio most of the time.
Hi Elyse, Funny, You should mention that since I had a very similar call from someone wanting HOA contact information about a community that I had posted about previously.
Yes, Susie. I believe the more you blog, the more those phone lines will ring.
Hi Dana. I know you can do it too. It actually took one of those 30 day contests to get me to blog everyday.
Way to Go, Kevin. That's an excellent closing technique to get them to purchase or to sell real estate.
Thanks, Pat. It always an Honor to be mentioned in your Weekly Favorites.
Hi Donna. I certainly know the feeling, since I need to knock out a couple more of them today, but I need to finish working on a new listing first.
Thanks, Maureen. I am actually getting calls about the real estate business, and non-real estate calls too.
Yes, Carla. You are so right. Being Found is the most important thing right now. The business will Follow.
Hi Christine. One never knows what that call is going to be about until you answer the phone. But, I am always glad to hear it ringing. It just confirms that I need to continue doing what I am doing.
Hi Mark, Sometimes, I only wish I had started this blogging thing earlier in Active Rain. I wander where my business would be if I had started earlier.
Yes, Melissa. I can tell you understand the importance of having an online presence. Best Wishes in your new career.
Thanks, Ed. That's the whole idea. I know many of those calls will be about real estate for buying or selling.
Yes, Nick. Those posts stay out there forever, or until we take them down. We can all expect those type of calls.
Yes, Michael. I know it works! I couldn't even complete Bob's last contest because of the business generated from my blogging efforts.
Hi Brent. That's a great testimony. Perhaps, she will call again for your real estate services soon.
Hi Juniper, I believe you are doing an awesome job for a new member in the Rain. Keep up the Good Work!
Thanks, Mary. I certainly appreciate your visits to all my AR and Facebook pages. I see you are getting ready to start up your Real Estate Classes soon. Have a Blessed Week!
Hi Jerry,
Thanks for sharing your experience.
It’s truly a motivation to keep on blogging.
Congrats on the feature!
Great story Jerry, it is nice to be at the top of the list with the phone ringing, Keep up the great work, you are clearly on the right track.
Yes, Wandanna. My blogging experience is certainly paying off these days. Have a Wonderful Week!
Thanks Bob. I plan to keep on doing those things, like blogging to keep me visible on Google's front pages.
Have a Great Week!
Hi Jerry - Isn't it funny some of the calls we get? I wrote a post about a farm I like to visit for their apple pie, and someone called me from out of state who wanted to go there. He wanted to surprise his wife who had read my post, and he wanted to know if I could recommend a place for them to stay and good restaurants in the area. I got his email address and sent him a bunch of info. He said they may be moving here within the next few years and he would never forget my help. Who knows? I might get a call from them some day.
I cannot resist posting for the second time on this interesting post. Jerry, I've known you and start your subscription for a Very short time. You are a kind of person that I trust like my brother without meeting you. I congratulate you again, your hard work and informative posts are paying off now and for the long time in the future. You are an amazing person that could be a role model to all the people.
WOW Susan. What an amazing experience! Yes, you may get a call from him one day in the near future. You were very helpful by making some nice recommendations on hotels and where to eat. Our posts will get various kinds of calls, and it just nice to be able to meet their needs.
Hi Aklile, You are very kind to visit my post for a second time. You may want to stop by in the morning to check out my Facebook Fridays post. I am just completing it tonight. Thanks for following my posts and your continued support too. Wishing you a Great Week!
Comments(87)