Over the years my tool bag has grown, and also changed.
Instead of being limited by an extension cord, now I can throw a drill, a circular saw, a reciprocating saw and a multi-tool into my bag with a few charged battery packs and I'm more flexible in where I can work on a project.
I've added newer hand tools, and I've got my eye on a couple of other things to add to my workbench...that table saw looks nice and shiny and I wonder how much trouble I could get into with a router?? :)
And while I have the tools to do most any fundamental project (replace the spring on the dishwasher soap dispenser...easy peasy...replace the control box on an old washing machine (the hardest part was finding the right part)...less than half an hour of disassembly, reassembly and testing and our friend's machine was back in operation)., some projects I do LOOK like an amateur did them. My carpentry skills are not the best, so if something needs to look good, I'm hiring a pro.
As real estate agents and bloggers, we're faced with the same decision:
Add to the toolbag and do it yourself, or hire a pro?
When we first started in real estate, we tended to do everything ourselves. We had the digital camera, Liz had some training in staging, we'd prep our listings and take the pictures. We still advise our sellers on how to best prepare the home for sale, but when it comes to taking the pictures, we have several pros to pick from. We needed our hours elsewhere.
While I'm still hands on with blogging, that's a combination of experience and enjoyment. Blogging is a good change of pace and exercises some different brain cells than my engineering work, and after writing post after post for years, once the right idea and mindset are established, the words flow relatively easily. And frankly I like knowing that if someone calls me about a blog post, I SHOULD know what they're talking about because I created the content.
But the same basic question could be asked, about blogging, add to your toolbag or hire a pro? You can hone your skills and sources for picking blog post topics, find a site such as pixabay to make your photo selection easier, and invest the time week after week to create content.
Or maybe it makes more sense for you to hire a pro. Here's what I need for my local market, exchange some dollars and you have more time to generate new business, spend with your family, etc.
I would caveat that if you're hiring a pro to blog for you, having ORIGINAL content is crucial if you want to be found by internet searches. There's a time and a place for canned content if you choose that option, but it's the original stuff that is going to help you stand out.
Determine what is the best option for you.
If blogging is a good fit, you'll just keeping getting better with practice. Identifying what works best for YOUR local market is the key to gaining business.
Until next Tuesday, just Ask An Ambassador if you need help,
Bill & Liz aka BLiz
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