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Don't Bother To Create A Blog...

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Education & Training with Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals.


"If you're going to do something, then do it right or don't do it at all."

Yesterday I published a post titled "Don't Bother To Create A Website...".  Today's post is about blogs.

A blog is an extraordinary and effective way to establish yourself as an authority (even THE authority) in your marketplace. This makes you the only logical choice for prospects to call.  If you aren't doing it for that purpose, why are you wasting your time doing it at all?  Having a blog for the sake of having a blog is worthless if it doesn't reach your intended audience.  Real estate is a tough business, with long hours.   Time management is very important.

I see so many blogs here on ActiveRain that do nothing to enhance the authority of the author.  If you're going to create a blog for your real estate related business, it needs to be about real estate.  It needs to be specifically about your niche(s) and for your target audience(s).  

When I was actively working, I had several blogs.  I had a personal blog where I wrote all about the fun stuff my husband and I did.  It was a fun way to have family and friends keep up with our life. 

I also had several real estate related blogs.  I had my primary blog plus several niche blogs.   I did NOT put any non-real estate stuff on any of those blogs. They were only about real estate. These were all linked back and forth to each other through various posts and with my website.  It worked marvelously.  I had amazing rankings and garnered a lot of business from them.

People are busy.  They want to come to your blog to learn about real estate.  Make it easy for them to get what they want.

I get it that some of you are retired and don't care much about the "authority" issue.  You're here for fun and that's just fine.  But IF you are still actively working to make money in your profession, then may I suggest you create and nurture a blog that will reach and inform your target audience, turning your words into dollars?

Posted by

Carol Williams

"Information is FREE.
Knowledge, Experience & Integrity Are Priceless."
- Carol Williams

Retired: Real Estate Broker/Owner, Property Manager 
Coaching, goal setting, and marketing consultant

Active: Golf & Travel Blogger
"Golf isn't a sport. It's a lifestyle."
SeniorWomenGolfers.com
TopTeamCarol@gmail.com 

Happy March !




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Susan Haughton
Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 - Alexandria, VA
Susan & Mindy Team...Honesty. Integrity. Results.

You are so right on target with this post, something I need to think about.  

Feb 22, 2018 07:36 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Carol spot on!  Make your blogging efforts relevant to your clients wants and needs if you're still working seriously in the business. That just makes good ole plain sense to me.

Feb 22, 2018 08:47 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Carol,

Excellently put.  And some of the ones who claim authority have blogs that are unattractive and hard to read.  And I am not even going to comment on the websites.  Even when someone gets a referral from a trusted friend, that person will ALWAYS look at the website.  

After one of our clients premiered her new website, one of the referrals from her best friend told her, that she was given several names.  Her website won her a $2 Million listing.  A

Feb 22, 2018 08:50 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Alexandra,
Now that's a website that is working!  And, you're right that people almost always check the website, even from a referral.  I know I do. 

Ron and Alexandra Seigel 

Feb 22, 2018 09:01 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Susan Haughton .
One of the things I like about AR is the option to publish for Members Only or the Public.  But, still, it isn't controlled by you.  What if AR for some weird reason goes away or stops functioning?  You really should have an independent blog, as well.  Thanks for stopping by, Susan.

Feb 22, 2018 09:06 AM
Susan Haughton

Carol Williams  I have a WordPress blog, it has just been a bit neglected recently.  You have motivated me to get back to it, though. 

Feb 22, 2018 12:43 PM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Anna Banana Kruchten CRS,CRB
Yep. Yep. Yep.
Make your blogging efforts relevant to your clients wants and needs if you're still working seriously in the business.  
Anyone who is serious about the future of their business will be focusing on relevant content for their target audience, won't they?

Feb 22, 2018 09:08 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

"If you're going to do something, then do it right or don't do it at all." 

 

I agree with that sentence 100%.  I often think folks who do things half-assed do themselves more harm than good.

Feb 22, 2018 01:06 PM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Myrl Jeffcoat .  That is so true.  Those who post off topic trivia do not present themselve as professionals in their industry.  

Feb 22, 2018 01:17 PM
Hannah Williams
HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA
Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

Well sister  Carol I like to mix thinks up a bit . I think there is a time we like to just about think  something other things  then Real Estate  . You will know it it my title . I think some folks want to know what is happening in their area . Like things to do and places to go .  What movies to see and what good places to eat or a perhaps a good recipe .  Just my humble opinion

Feb 22, 2018 03:57 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Carol Williams 

Oh darn and I was planning to write about my newest  latest and greatest recipe followed by a couple of raunchy jokes. That for sure will help sell my unique and unusual properties. 

Feb 22, 2018 04:13 PM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi sista Hannah Williams,
Oh, I don't think there is anything wrong with mixing it up a bit. Posting about stuff going on in the area fits into the real estate category as far as I am concerned.  I just see so many blogs that post almost nothing about real estate and a bunch of nonsense. Perhaps it is the quest for points here on AR??? Hope you're feeling better now!!!

Feb 22, 2018 04:20 PM
Hannah Williams

you are so polite --You mean the point mongers sister carol  see I have been away - be back soon 

Feb 22, 2018 09:56 PM
Carol Williams

Guilty, as charged Hannah Williams . 

Feb 23, 2018 07:07 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Awesome, Margaret Rome, Baltimore Maryland .  Be sure to do that and let me know how it works out for you.  LOL

Feb 22, 2018 04:29 PM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Hi Carol, I agree with this post. I do localism and real estate and every once in a while a fun one.

Feb 22, 2018 06:52 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Carol, I blog about many subjects:wine, books, travel, cooking, animals as well as real estate, you would not believe this but the least amount is what I write about is Real Estate... ironically I have clients that I have picked up because of my love for rescue animals, my love for gourmet food and the list goes on an on... the proof is in my sales just sayin, Endre

Feb 22, 2018 10:36 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Margaret Rome, Baltimore Maryland  my support for Gourmet Restaurants and Michelin rated chefs has gotten me listings and buyers so it is not just about Real Estate....it is making a connection with like minded people.... just another perspective, Endre

Feb 22, 2018 10:38 PM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Rebecca Gaujot ,
I think it's great to mix it up a bit. I just see some bloggers here write about a bunch of nonsense that does nothing (and I mean nothing) to create credibility in their marketplace.  I think localism posts are great.  Perhaps it is the quest for points here on AR.  I don't see that happening on outside real estate blogs. 

Feb 23, 2018 06:57 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Endre Barath, Jr. .  Thank you for your comments.  Your blog IS a mix and I think that's just fine.  I just see a lot of postings on AR that do nothing to establish the agent as a competent professional.   Your second comment about  making a connection with like minded people is right on.  That's why I spent a lot of time at the golf course and got a lot of business.    Thanks again for your comments.

Feb 23, 2018 07:05 AM
Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor®
Carmel by the Sea, CA
Rothwell Realty Inc. CA#01968433 Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carol Williams I'm on board with Endre Barath, Jr. that I want to connect with like minded people when I blog. I want them to get to know me so that they feel comfortable calling me. Had one buyer call whose first words were, "I've been reading your blogs and now I want to hire you to..." What she was doing was combining a blog I had done totally about a condo complex that she was interested in, plus, I presume, personal ones. I did not have to tell her anything at all about me. She made an offer on a condo that I previewed for her. She had faith in me.

Feb 23, 2018 09:12 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Endre Barath, Jr. Agreed.  I have done many many blogs on restaurants with food pictures. I would not do recipes because I do not cook if at all possible!

Feb 23, 2018 09:13 PM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

I heard a distinction once that you either have an online DIARY or you have a professional BLOG. Which one will bring you business? Of course, mix it up but never be rude or crass.

Feb 26, 2018 03:48 PM
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