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Egos and the Group Real Estate Blog

By Danilo Bogdanovic

Real Estate Agent with Market Advantage Real Estate

January 23, 2007 04:04 AM

The crew over at Sellsius had an excellent post entitled "The Lights Of Blogway: Deconstructing the Group Blog" regarding the seldom discussed topic of group blogs and their internal dynamics. (For a definition of a "group blog", please check out the Sellsius blog.) They discussed the pros and cons of group blogs, but one issue that wasn't really touched upon was egos and how they may effect the group blog.

As with any team or group in business, there will always be one person who ends up being the "rain maker". The same is true of a group real estate blog. One person will get more hits or comments on their posts than others. That person will in turn receive more inquiries and "leads" and ultimately make more commissions than the others. Even if the "rain maker's" ego does not become inflated, the egos of others may become effected.

So what does the inflated ego of the rain maker and/or the bruised egos of the others do the internal dynamics of a group blog? And how does that effect readers?

Here are some of our thoughts:

the non-"rain makers" will start to become disheartened by their "lowered success"
animosity will start to run rampant - the greater the ego of the rain maker and the more bruised the egos of others are, the worst it will be
the quality and quantity of posts by the other bloggers will decrease
the benefits of having different points of view through a variety of bloggers will decrease
the overall quality of the blog will start to diminish
readers will notice the decrease in quantity and quality of posts and the number of readers will start to dwindle
readers will look elsewhere for information and discussion and may question as to whether any good blogs can last
hits, comments and search engine placement will decrease
the number of inquires and "leads" that the blog produces will decrease
due to the lower number of inquires and leads, production and income will decrease for everyone
the rain maker may blame the others for the decrease in exposure, leads and ultimately, income
the once team oriented and high spirited group of bloggers will grow apart
if the bloggers are all on the same real estate team or work in the same office, the negativity will effect the entire company or office

With all these possible pitfalls, is a successful group blog sustainable? Is it such a detrimment to the team and office that it actually decreases overall production? Will the other agents/bloggers on the team become so negative that it shows through in their dealings with their clients?

With blogs on the rise, but time and enegery remaining constant, group blogs may be the only viable option for some. But, if they're anything like us, they'll want to have at least a basic idea of what they're getting themselves into before they jump in.

We posted this blog on real/diaBlog, but we're curious to hear from those on AR directly especially those who have experience with group blogs reagardless of which industry they may be in.

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Brian Brady

Matthews Capital Markets - Tampa, FL

858-699-4590

I think it depends on what you're trying to achieve, Danilio. If you're a real estate agent blogging for leads, a group blog may not be optimum. If you are a service provider to the industry, like me, it does make sense.

However, I have referred business to agents on BHB and AR and received reciprocal business from them.

I'm not smart enough figure out what all the experts say (they have conflicting opinions) . I just write, and write, and write...anywhere I can!

Jan 22, 2007 06:27 PM

Anonymous

Tim

I assume you are speaking from personal experience here--and I am sorry for your misfortune. What would be helpful is if you could offer more suggestions on how this might be avoided for those of us who have or plan on having a group blog. Your expereince sounds dire, but are you suggestiong that all real estate specific group blogs are doomed? Is there, in your opinion, a way to succeed in this arena? Is there anyone out there who might propose a different result than the one posted here?

Jan 23, 2007 12:16 AM

Danilo Bogdanovic

Market Advantage Real Estate - Ashburn, VA

Real Estate Consultant - Loudoun and Fairfax County

I'm actually not speaking from personal experience. I am the co-author of several blogs with my friend and associate Tony Arko and we've never had any issues between us ever. I am speaking partially from comments made by people I've run across as well as from a worst-case-scenario point of view.

In no way am I saying the real estate blogs are doomed. I believe that any type of blog can be successful if the execution is correct and there are hundreds of blogs out there that are doing very well. I was speaking specifically of a group blog and in general, not just real estate.

There's always two sides to every story and I'm not trying to take one side or the other. With all the positive feedback on group blogs, I figured I'd bring up some of the negatives and see what other people's experiences were.

And there is a way to succeed with anything in life - focus, execute well and leave your ego at the front door.

Jan 23, 2007 02:56 AM

Craig Schiller

Trempealeau, WI

Danilo,

Hmmm... I think this is a VERY interesting blog, and it has some (not exactly the same, but some) parallel relevance to what I see and have seen go on here (in a much larger context) on Active Rain.

Thanks for sharing this insight.

Jan 23, 2007 04:43 AM

Kaushik Sirkar

Call Realty, Inc. - Chandler, AZ

I think we should understand that there are several 'types' of group blogs. 2 person. 5 person. 10 person. And its all about the goal of that blog and role(s) of the bloggers. In some cases, various parties will be underexposed. But is that expected and understood?

Jan 23, 2007 06:38 AM

Anonymous

Netta Blackwood

Danilo, these are some interested points that you bring to our attention. Naturally, we should not look at it as something negative, however as a way in which we could better improve ourselves. Fortunately, I'm not one that envy others, I like to see when others succeed.

Jan 23, 2007 07:07 AM

Allison Stewart

St.Cloud Homes - Saint Cloud, FL

St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904

Danilo

Understanding group dynamics and presenting them as well as you have is a very interesting read. Yes, there are always gorwing pain as a project evolves. We have a diverse extended group within this community. And as long as they continue to stretch, explore, and create we will always have interesting content. Blogging afterall is interactive. And as such, it requirements movement. Creative challenge. Creative people are often sensitive people as well. It is the pursuit of excellence which drives us in our chosen professions as well as in our desire to blog.

Jan 23, 2007 07:37 AM

Danilo Bogdanovic

Market Advantage Real Estate - Ashburn, VA

Real Estate Consultant - Loudoun and Fairfax County

Just to clarify, AR is not a group blog. It's a blog community. Blogs such as Sellsius and the BloodHoundBlog are group blogs where posts are written by several different authors, but within one brand name. AR is a community of bloggers, something completely different.

Jan 23, 2007 07:59 AM

Lauren Corna

Archway Realty, LLC - Southlake, TX

Broker

Danilo- I need to check out Sellsius.... I blog, but I don't know how effective my blogs are...

Thank you for the info !!

Jan 23, 2007 08:25 AM

Danilo Bogdanovic

Market Advantage Real Estate - Ashburn, VA

Real Estate Consultant - Loudoun and Fairfax County

Lauren,

Also check out blogs such as CopyBlogger, RSS Pieces and Mary McKnight's blog for ideas on how to improve your blog in any and every which way possible (content, links, style, SEO, etc). These are just a few of the many sites available so make sure to check out their blogrolls, as well.

And feel free to stop by real/diaBlog and let me know what you think. Our blogroll is pretty extensive and has links to some excellent blogs that may be of interest to you (though I'm sure there are many others out there which we haven't come across yet).

Jan 23, 2007 09:11 AM

Rudy Bachraty

Director, Communications & Partner Strategies, WellcomeMat - Fort Collins, CO

danillo - thank you for following up on our post. you bring attention to an aspect we overlooked = egos.

just to clarify, sellsius° is a "team" blog. both joe and i brainstorm ideas off of each other and write most of our posts together. often times, one of us will have an idea that the other will build upon. this tag team effort so to speak helps us stay fresh. we have a common goal = to build our brand. no egos involved whatsoever. we try to provide useful, informative and fun real estate related content for our audience. we hope that if we like it, others will to.

the comments thus far have been great and i look forward to reading more of them.

rudy.sellsius°

Jan 23, 2007 09:24 AM

Jeff Dowler, CRS

eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA

The Southern California Relocation Dude

Great information, Danilo. I wonder if a group real estate blog where the majority of the writers are part of the team to grow the business (inspector, title, escow, mortgage, attorney if applicable, etc.) of the sponsoring REALTOR would be more successful, since the focus may be different - don't know as I haven't had that experience yet. Realty Blogging talks about a community blog such as this. Anyone doing this sort of thing? I am adding some guest bloggers but that's not quite the same.

Jeff

Jan 23, 2007 02:07 PM

Alexander Harb

Knights Investing - Mesquite, TX

Dallas, Texas Real Estate Investing

The best thing would be for the "Rain Maker" to help others in the group become successful also...not just toot his/her own horn......and I have seen a LOT of that in AR lately......

To just say...."Here is my world and you should be a part of it because I am so special".... does NOT inspire me as much as..."Here is my world...if you are inspired by what you see going on in my world...ask me and I will help you do what I am doing also..."

Arrogance is so unbecoming......

Humility is so much nicer....

=-D

Jan 23, 2007 02:18 PM

Christy Powers

Keller Williams Coastal Area Partners - Pooler, GA

Pooler, Savannah Real Estate Agent

hmmm...good post....I need to reread it again tomorrow. I think it is time for me to hit the bed. I do think it is sustainable....though

Jan 23, 2007 02:52 PM

Brian Brady

Matthews Capital Markets - Tampa, FL

858-699-4590

Alexander:

Here is my world...if you are inspired by what you see going on in my world...ask me and I will help you do what I am doing also

You understand the prosperity concept. I hope you keep making those observations; they're inspirational!

Jan 23, 2007 04:06 PM

Ray Nellum

Envision Real Estate Group, LLC. - Fort Smith, AR

Fort Smith Real Estate

Danilo,

This was a very interesting post. The brutial truth is, we are in a very "Ego" business. I have been very pleased here in AR to find so many putting that "Ego" to the side and willing to help others. On the flip side, we all have seen those post that weren't so informative and etc. There are Pros and Cons to everything though. Again, very interesting post.

Jan 23, 2007 11:12 PM

John Hruska

Homes Charlotte, LLC - Charlotte, NC

Danilo,

Thanks for the post. I've heard the term "Group Blog" but am still somewhat unfamiliar with it's definition.

Jan 24, 2007 12:54 AM

Danilo Bogdanovic

Market Advantage Real Estate - Ashburn, VA

Real Estate Consultant - Loudoun and Fairfax County

Rudy,

Thank you for clarifying Sellsius. I'm in the same boat as you guys - Tony and I work together and are co-authors on all of our outside blogs. We tend to brainstorm in person and then one of us will run with it and write a post, then the other one will proof it, add/take away from it and then we finally publish it. Like you said, it keeps it "fresh".

And, at least to me, a group blog is one in which you have one brand, but several authors (3 or more) that contribute to the blog in the form of individual posts with the authors each taking public credit for their posts rather than remaining anonymous. Would you say this is correct or am I off?

Jan 24, 2007 02:46 AM