Blogging - one of the most powerful internet tools available today, some would even say THE Most. What started as a simple means of journaling or making social commentary has become a major workhorse when it comes to generating traffic and business. But, as with most workhorses, this particular Clydesdale requires a lot of care and attention: grooming (need to stay on top of moderating those comments, archiving old items, etc.), exercise (you need to have fresh angles and approaches on a variety of topics to keep ‘em coming back), feeding (you must continually post new material)… We won’t get into mucking out the stall right now.
However, the rewards you can reap from a properly run blog are bountiful indeed! Especially when you consider that you don’t necessarily have to do it all yourself - simply find a virtual assistant who knows all the tricks to train your blog and keep it running in the right direction.
For your consideration, read the following blog posted by Kevin Tomlinson:
Catch 22: One Year Later–Does Blogging Really Work?
I completely do not have time to be writing this post. I don’t even know where to start, but my idea is for this post to somewhat chronicle my last year of blogging and try to answer the REAL questions that most agents have with regard to blogging and how it has fit into my business; and how I am moving forward.
When I started with this whole blogging endeavor last March, I had NO idea that it would lead me to where I am now. So let me tell you EXACTLY where I am (btw this is not a post to pat myself on the back–because I abhor those types of posts). Where I am:
I have more business than I can handle. The reality is I believe that it is because I had a totally hot Web site PRIOR to becoming a blogger. I know the synergy of the two sites (blog and kevintomlinson.com) has propelled (great word, huh?) me much further than the normal trajectory of a beginner blogger.
I think that some of my success has to do with my ability to keep my trap shut and learn when people are trying to teach (ARDELL, Marc). I didn’t know it all, AND I still don’t. I call ARDELL all the time for advice, and, Laurie Manny and I have had MANY 4 am “chit-chats.” I have great resources and friendships to go to when I need advice.
I’m so busy that I haven’t had time to post since May 15th. Yup, that’s right. MAY 15th. I’m outing myself. I plan to post by this week and I have a plan to unbury myself within the next two weeks.
Ironically, about two weeks ago, I had a mental meltdown from my growing and oppressive list of to-do’s. I saw my Web/blog guru online and asked him if I could fly to Raleigh, NC to bang out my to-do list in-person. He said “when do you want to come?” I said “Thursday;” this was TUESDAY night. We had an incredibly productive 1.5 day “intensive.” In hindsight, I should have done it sooner. It was a much more efficient use of my time.
During my time there, I MARVELED at Brad’s office. Not one piece of paper; not one! Then I needed to WRITE something down—NO pens! Shocked? I was. I realized how inefficient I was being. I asked Brad how he manages HIS business. Virtual assistants. It was like I had seen the light. All the mundane, incredibly tedious tasks that keep me from blogging (I continue to out myself) can be handled by someone who specializes in EXACTLY those tasks:
1. Database management
2. Lead management
3. Transaction management
4. Listing management
Moving on. I know that some of you may say that you don’t have money for all of this kinda stuff. I understand, but if you keep on blogging, you will.
The fact is, I need more time to blog. In my 15 years in real estate, the only other thing that has garnered results was direct mail.
I carry about 12-20 listings at any one time. Most agents in my office (who do comparable business) have ad bills of $300 to $12,000 per month. My ad bill was $75 last month. Seventy-five.
Most of my seller-clients are “new school.” They get it. They want what I offer. I offer them 24/7 exposure on the Web, which no agent in the Miami area can match. I get 80% of my clients from Google.
I refer 80% of my buyer-clients out. I take a delicious 50% of “da commish.” Do I feel bad? Nope! The agents that I refer business to are all in the “Top 10″ agents in my office; not a bad place to be in a real estate market like this.
Speaking of the real estate market, has anyone read or heard about the state of the condo market in Miami? All I do is sell condos in Miami. My company has about 750 agents and, I believe, that I am #1 in my office AND #1 in the company–I don’t really follow the numbers but, I could be #2 or #3 (right now)—-still not bad.
So, in closing, I say read other bloggers, become a better blogger, WORRY about SEO (I don’t care what ANYONE says), and blog, blog, blog—and soon, you will have so much business you won’t have time to blog—The Catch 22.
PS…the only time you DO NOT need to worry about SEO is when you are blogging on a highly-read blog already. My motto is—”If Google won’t find it….then I ain’t writing it.”
I hope a lot of people give me backlinks. I am known around the blogosphere as the “Google backlink whore.” I am #1 for the term “Google backlink whore.” More “whore” here.
Oh, btw…it really works.
Great tips! Im workin on it!