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Sponsor a Commutity, Refer the Leads Out!

By Matt Yogerst

Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Realty 100

July 10, 2008 04:41 AM

Here is one way to look at it...

Business decision wise it would be a great idea to pay for the sponsored communities... It could go something like this.

First I would pay for as many as possible, from Miami to Seattle. I would then set up a system to delegate and referall of those leads out. The minimal monthly payments would be more than made up by being able to refer those leads out at 15-30% each. I could be the next HomeGain, BuyersLink, SalesGenie, or ClientsContactYou.com...

Now... that is notsomething I am really looking into doing, but what is stopping someone or some company from sponsoring a plethora of communities and doing that? I always love seeing someone from a far away area on my local Point2 area as well!

People here know that you need to make money as well, but there are ways to do that instead of just potentially selling their hard work down the river. Make us pay a monthly fee for our blog, outside blog, or what not. That actually might be a very positive move. First, those of us that really try to utilize the power of the Rain, would pony up right away. Second, those that are just posting useless dribble to gain points, would hopefully vacate.

I believe that screening the posts to localism is a GREAT IDEA. It is meant to be a site that is helpful to the community, and to make sure that it has quality info is wonderful. I am not sure what the ugly marketing material on a post is (although I have a good idea - since I have some I would consider ugly, but effective) We still need to make sure that people can easily contact us for help and assistance.

In the words of BB.... What say you Rainers?

P.S... If there is anyone that would like to team up in setting a system like that up let me know... the only thing I would really need is the upfront cash to get things going. (although a quick LOC would solve that!) Lets make some money! ROAR!

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Jo Olson

HOMEFRONT Realty - Kettle Falls, WA

Retired - HOMEFRONT Realty @ LAKE Roosevelt

This is exactly why I don't like the way the neighborhoods and cities were the target for revenue. It may not even be how you describe - the Re/Max office in my area could just buy them all up for their office lead generation - kwim?

Jul 10, 2008 05:11 AM

Matt Yogerst

RE/MAX Realty 100 - Menomonee Falls, WI

Metro Milwaukee Real Estate

That is a good idea too... Mabye I can convince our owners into sponsoring a city. They are none competeing and the commission splits they already have with their agents would more than pay for the fees!

My first thought would be that HomeGain (or someone similar) that is already big, would buy up a bunch and just refer them out.

Jul 10, 2008 05:16 AM

Bryant Tutas

Tutas Towne Realty, Inc and Garden Views Realty, LLC - Winter Garden, FL

Selling Florida one home at a time

Matt, Let's do it!!!! Seriously though, sponsoring neighborhoods, communities, etc....ONLY give that person or entity space on the side bar to post STATIC info about that particular community. The data that hey post will have to approved by the editors. Also, our posts will still show upon that page assuming it is good relevant content and makes it by the editors(which I agree is an excellent idea).

So, it's my opinion, that the sponsored portion of Localism, eventually will be one of those areas that consumers will overlook in lieu of good solid content provided by the bloggers. Sponsoring does NOT give that person sole possession of that community. In fact, their blogged content will STILL have to make it through the editor. The only advantage they will have is their picture and some static data specific to that community on the front page.

But, of course, what do I know.

Jul 10, 2008 05:38 AM

I know what you mean by the static info. But that is what alot of other sites do that get leads for people. They just have their picture and info out there and on top of popular pages and people contact them.

I think content is king, and the screening of it is a great idea too. That 'only advantage' still will generate the calls though.

Jul 10, 2008 05:45 AM

Renée Donohue~Home Photography

Savvy Home Pix - Allegan, MI

Western Michigan Real Estate Photographer

Very very interesting about lead generators snatching up neighborhoods! I see entire rooms full of cubicles where they have operators at 12:01 PM July 31 starting the game!

Anyhoo. I have been proposing a pay to play system for awhile. Keep point system the same. I first thought of it when plagiarism and spam became a major issue. You get 15-20 of your first blog posts free per month and then you pay a buck or two for each additional post from there on out. You set up a purse with let's say a minimum of $50 bucks. This will cut out the spammers and plagiarizers and junk. It will create additional revenue.

Let's say an average month has 4.3 weeks and you post 10 blogs per week. That's 43 per month. If they give us 20 for free and each additional is $1, our monthly charge is $23. You get to continue writing for localism and be a natural sponsor and AR makes money.

Jul 10, 2008 07:50 AM

Carol Clay

Looking Glass Realty - Brevard, NC

Broker/REALTOR, Brevard NC Real Estate Specialist

Interesting...right now I'm wondering how the folks at Locailsm are choosing what goes on the home page. It seems to focus on certain states. And then, within the state, I'm wondering how it will get sorted out among the cities. For instance, I'm in NC, but if you go to NC, you'd think that Charlotte was the only city that exisited. Is it going to be driven by blog activity? I'm in a very small market and beginning to feel a little overlooked.

Jul 10, 2008 08:42 AM

Vancouver Real Estate Expert

Team Quintana - MJ McAdams - Vancouver, WA

Yeah, talk about building a system ripe for the manipulation, bad move AR

Jul 10, 2008 09:04 AM

Alexander Harb

Knights Investing - Mesquite, TX

Dallas, Texas Real Estate Investing

Point2Agent did a similar thing when they were building the NLS (National Listing Service).

They told everyone what was going on from the get go and it took off..... agents set up communities and subdivisions in anticipation of being an "Expert" in that area eventually...they KNEW they would be paying for it with a sponsored system...and everyone for the most part was all for it.

I am sure Localism will do WELL in this...we WERE told something like this would happen.

=-)

Jul 11, 2008 12:51 AM

Sponsor a Commutity, Refer the Leads Out!

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