Blogging Works, Even When They Can't Tell You It Was Active Rain!
Last night we received an email from a buyer prospect. They're flexible, know about where they want to be, about what they want to get. They responded to our first email back to them (always a good sign). We'll continue working with them to make sure financially they're good to go and that we match them up with the right home.
And of course one of the things we always want to know is how they found us? Referral, mailer, etc.? And usually they'll respond on the Internet. Now of course that leaves it wide open. What Google terms, which website, we'll almost always never know EXACTLY how it happened.
But last night's lead was an exception. And no, they didn't say they found us on our blog, or mention Active Rain, but their answer made it clear. They searched for foreclosures in our area. The only place we put out content on area foreclosures is a monthly post we include as part of our Active Rain market reports. It's detailed, includes a link to search for homes and a "contact us for latest information". (And they did!)
And it's not because we're Google page 1, spot 1. No, we're almost at the bottom of page 2. But when you check the search results, it's all corporate sponsored. Realtytrac, Homes, RE/MAX, etc. Not a real human with DETAILED LOCAL CONTENT AND ANALYSIS on the other side of that click.
That detail and analysis is why we got the contact. It's the Holy Grail of the real estate consumer. Specific, usable information that gives them the answers to the questions they have. Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, etc., might provide information, but they don't provide the 2nd half of the deal. WHAT DOES IT MEAN??
This is where all of us as bloggers and agents have the chance to shine and make our phone ring. We may write about lots of other things that don't make the phone ring, but it's the usable, specific local home data and market information that has caused every real estate related contact we've had that is directly attributable to our two years of blogging. Community posts about our niche, market reports, general community posts, THOSE are what gets us legitimate buyer and seller calls. From there it's our job to convert them to actual clients.
So keep filling your blog with what the consumers want and make your phone ring! And be patient, it's the rare blogger that is going to get that call in the first few weeks!
Keep on Blogging!
Liz and Bill aka BLiz
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