Home > Blogs > Ken Tracy > KEN'S STORY-Realtor, Father, Coach, Writer, Friend

"HI KEN, I FOUND YOU ON THE INTERNET..."

By Ken Tracy

Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Residential

September 30, 2008 08:02 AM

It was music to my ears.

Probably the goal of anyone using blogging to enhance their online presence.

And I have heard it 3 times in the last week. Pretty incredible for me.

I have always had my website. Static. A necessity for a Realtor, for sure. But not interactive at all.

It never really answered the question, "Who is Ken Tracy?"

That's where my blog came in.

I committed myself to active participation on the real estate network Active Rain back in February of this year. I have always enjoyed the experience, exchanging ideas and challenges with Realtors across the country. But I never truly believed it would help me generate business...

Until now.

It started last week. A seller who has had his home on the market called me and utterred those beautiful words...

"Hi Ken, I found you on the internet."

Huh?

And then again yesterday, a reporter for the Naperville Sun called and asked me for my thoughts on the economic issues facing the country. The article turned out to be the cover story. (It was also worth a 1000 bonus points here on Active Rain. Who knew?).

Pretty cool.

This afternoon, my phone rang again. This time, a buyer in nearby Downers Grove wanted to talk about some opportunities in her community.

Three calls generated in less than a week? From blogging? Who would have thought?

And I am just getting started.

In the last two weeks, I have joined Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and MyBlogLog. All trying to enhance my online presence.

How much business will this generate? How many leads?

Who knows. But like I said...

I am just getting started.

Ken

To buy or sell a home, call me anytime at 630-697-0536.

Re-Blog

Featured

Comments(71)

Comment

Show All Comments

Sort:

Harold "Hal" Place

A1 Connection Realty, Inc. - Sun City Center, FL

Hi again Ken,

I just read the article. Great content and exposure. Be sure to have it framed and post it in your office.

Sep 30, 2008 11:00 PM

Don Rogers

Keller Williams Realty Chesterfield - O'Fallon, MO

Realtor, Broker, CDPE, GRI, OnullFallon MO & St Charles County MO homes

Ken,

Congrats on the feature sir. I have had two phone call in the last month off of my AR blog so I would say that folks are on the web looking.

Oct 01, 2008 12:40 AM

Ed Vogt

Midwest Properties of Michigan - Grandville, MI

Grandville, MI Midwest Properties

I was astounded, too, when I had my first leads come in from AR. It's a wonderful feeling, isn't it?

Oct 01, 2008 03:05 AM

Ken Tracy

Coldwell Banker Residential - Naperville, IL

Helping clients buy and sell since 2005

Hi Ed, Don, Hal, Jackie, Jason, Christine, Jesse, Harrison, Alleyn, Matt, Roland, John, Charles, Caren, Esko, Judy, Russ, Castellum and Christine. Holy smokes!!

Jason, how do you keep up with all your comments?:)

Thanks again everyone.

I have emailed the link to the article to my database. 700 names or so. Lot's of great feedback.

Thanks again everyone for reading.

Ken

Oct 01, 2008 03:43 AM

Sonja Adams

Keller Williams Realty - Purcellville, VA

Congrats on your blogging and your leads! That is a great inspiration for me to get my next post out there...and my next post, and my next post and so on!

Oct 01, 2008 04:13 AM

Venancio Gonzalez

Windermere Kelso/Longview - Longview, WA

Longview WA Real Estate Broker - 360-751-4001

Ken - congratulations on your soccess and thank you for such a great post, it gives hope to many of us trying to make it work.

Oct 01, 2008 05:14 AM

Scott Cowan

RE/MAX Professionals - Olympia, WA

Ken- Good to see that your hard work and commitment has lead you to experience success. I'm sure if you keep at it you will continue to experience good fortune.

Best,

Scott

Oct 01, 2008 05:33 AM

Ken Tracy

Coldwell Banker Residential - Naperville, IL

Helping clients buy and sell since 2005

Hi Scott, Venancio, and Sonja.

Thanks so much and good luck to each of you.

I have been getting calls of congrats this morning.

Thanks again,

Ken

Oct 01, 2008 05:48 AM

TIM MONCRIEF

Tim Monciref - Austin, TX

Over 2,000 homes sold…..

I wished I knew why this works so well on the internet....or maybe I don't care...but I do care that it works astonishingly well. This is the greatest branding mechanism I have experienced in years....and it is free, save my time. Great blog..

Oct 01, 2008 03:04 PM

Anonymous

Not Yet Licensed

And then again yesterday, a reporter for the Naperville Sun called and asked me for my thoughts on the economic issues facing the country.

Hey Ken,

Keep up the great work! Did the Sun reporter realize that he found you on Active Rain? :)

Oct 01, 2008 03:28 PM

#61

Ken Tracy

Coldwell Banker Residential - Naperville, IL

Helping clients buy and sell since 2005

Hi Bruce and Tim. Thanks for stopping by.

Tim, it has been great. I am still doing traditional marketing as well. I want as many oars in the water as possible.

Hey Bruce. Long time no see. He said he found my blog. I did not as about AR.

Thanks guys,

Ken

Oct 02, 2008 12:24 AM

Joseph D. Federico

MVP Realty - Naples, FL

Southwest Florida Homes with Joe Federico

Ken-Congratulations!, Keep up the good work and keep blogging.

Joe

Oct 02, 2008 01:19 AM

Anonymous

Bob Dobbs

I'd say that the chances of getting rich blogging are the same as getting rich selling a commodity that's lost 30% of its value.

Oct 05, 2008 11:45 AM

#64

Ken Tracy

Coldwell Banker Residential - Naperville, IL

Helping clients buy and sell since 2005

Hi Joe. I will. Very fun and productive. Always a good combo.

Hi Bob. Certainly a long shot. If it was easy, everyone could do it.

Thanks for reading,

Ken

Oct 05, 2008 12:49 PM

Nannette Turner

eXp Realty LLC - Lynchburg, VA

Online Marketing Home Ownership Advocate Specialis

Hey Ken follow me on Twitter @brokersaunders I'd love to follow you back! This is awesome! I am so glad to hear your dedication is paying off!

Oct 05, 2008 01:01 PM

Ken Tracy

Coldwell Banker Residential - Naperville, IL

Helping clients buy and sell since 2005

Thanks Nannette. I will. I don't understand Twitter yet, but it puts my blog on facebook, so that's cool. We can follow each other (I will have to figure it out).

Ken

Oct 06, 2008 01:39 AM

Nannette Turner

eXp Realty LLC - Lynchburg, VA

Online Marketing Home Ownership Advocate Specialis

Ken you can always call me if you have questions! I'd be happy to help.

Oct 06, 2008 10:11 PM

Ken Tracy

Coldwell Banker Residential - Naperville, IL

Helping clients buy and sell since 2005

Thanks Nannette.

Ken

Oct 06, 2008 11:33 PM

asd asdasd

asdasd - Albany, NY

Great info, sounds like the internet is helping your business out...which is always good right.

Oct 31, 2008 08:14 AM

Sharon Lancaster

Sage Executive Group Real Estate - Kelowna, BC

SRES, Realty Executives Okanagan

I am a vewbie on Active Rain - just started blogging this week... it is Friday night Haloween to be exact... and I am reading your material.... and overwhelmed, excited and thankful !!! Trick or Treat .... whoops gotta go answer the door.....

Oct 31, 2008 03:07 PM