The highway informational system gone wrong again? There has been talk of blogging dying in the last year and now even so much as being dead now. Is this true? How can this be? The internet is full of blog sites, people blogging left and right.
Teresa Boardman wrote this post the other day which was posted on Inman News : Agents killed the real estate blog - Now, I have met Teresa a few times, respect her, her opinions, and that she is a great blogger. But what she has stated, is this true? An opinion that looks at a glass half empty? Or a post that she actually disagrees about, but picked a topic because it's controversial, and that she just wanted to stir the hornet's nest some. Not sure... but let's look at it from her perspective on what she had mentioned.
Here are two strong comments that Teresa stated that I disagree with.
"The real estate blog is largely dead." and "It had to die."
Here are some things that Teresa listed to why blogging has died. :
"The blog-type sites that have headlines from sites like this and others, and a lot of advertising, have been dead for years but they take almost no effort to maintain so their owners keep them going." - I agree, these sites take little or no effort.
"Many of the real estate blogs that are all about local events died before they were born." - I am semi confused. As a local expert, wouldn't you want to inform your local readers of the local activities and events in your area?
"The typical real estate blog has been dead for some time, but few are willing to make the proclamation. The Internet is littered with real estate blogs that get little traffic or that were abandoned years ago -- often within three or four months of their launch." - So what, be different than these other sites. Focus about quality content.
"Those agents who post every listing they have, and nothing else, helped kill the real estate blog." - Okay, so this is the bloggers fault. Will a consumer follow them further? Probably not, because they lack new stimulating content or post worthy information about a local area that is not talked about much. Ask Erica Ramus about this. Schuylkill area - She lives and works in an unique area and has blogged about some specialties and some issues, that aren't found any where else on the net. She has garnered some excellent business because of this. Overall, these agents think this will make them money. But does it kill blogging? Not in my opinion. And Renee Burrows gets some very good business from her marketing reports. This might not work for all, but it works for her and because she does an excellent job with this.
Teresa did mention these things that I truly agree about. :
"Agents read a success story about a blog and try to replicate it, failing to realize that each area has its own culture, and that Realtors have their own personality and voice." - Amen... your blogging voice. You need to be original, yourself, and post quality content. Not hundred's of posts in a short time with bland information.
"Some real estate blogs are written for Realtors. I don't think those blogs will die." - I know many realtors that follow each other. Sometimes it's just a popularity thing and in many cases, these people are just that good with very good content and who supply interesting topics or thoughts.
"They are looking for information they can trust, in a sea of generic information." - Isn't this one of the main reasons to why we should blog? I am passionate in what I do and I want to get the best possible information into the hands of borrowers and other like-minded professionals, but info that is not biased.
"The idea that a Realtor should be a local real estate market expert died in favor of the idea that a Realtor should make friends on the Internet and those friends will become clients." - I do think social marketing has it's place, but is over used and abused in the sense that the blog in some sense has died. To many people focus on short tweets that is based on fluff marketing of their name and or product, that they sell sell sell, yet they don't offer up useful information that is real. It's more of a numbers game to them.
"Some blogs died because their owners spent more time building and tweaking the blog than they did generating content. It is easier to build a blog than it is to write one." - This kind of goes back to social marketing and not true content or original content. I know some people that buy their material, yet they act like an expert. All they are doing is marketing someone elses material as their own, and as an expert. And some do it very well.
Conclusion : I could easily add another 500 words to this topic. But I look at this glass as half full and not half empty. Keep this in mind, about 80 to 85% of the borrowers search online first. I think that the internet is way to powerful when it comes to it's searching power. Are more than 50% of the blogs and posts out there crap, misleading, false, or just fluff? Yes, I would say so. Does this mean that blogging is dead? No. Or is it dead because of how some use their blog? Or that social media has taken over now. Such applications as Facebook, Twitter, Yelp, Foursquare, and a few others to name? No.. I think these applications are just quick fill-ins for those that want quick updates. But in my opinion, you can't get realistic information and or opinions by a quick post, a tweet, or because someone is a Mayor of a specific place.
BLOGGING is not DEAD - (my opinion) - It's how you get your information out there, the quality of your content and... I think if you come across very passionate and knowledgeable, that this is the key.
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Copyright © 2010 by Jeff Belonger of Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc
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FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK
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- FHA Home Loans - Mortgages -
Experience & Knowledge at its BEST !!!
Follow me on:
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
For more information on FHA loans, please go to this link. The FHA Expert
For important mortgage insight to watch for, please read : Consumers need to be aware of these Red Flags!
For information about FHA myths & FHA rumors, please read : FHA Myths & Rumors
Copyright © 2011 by Jeff Belonger of Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc
I agree with you- blogging is not dead but the author of the article does have some good points about the use of blogs simply for promoting listings. I think there's alot to be set of hyper-local blogging and becoming the area expert.
Belonger - "BLOGGING is not DEAD - (my opinion) - It's how you get your information out there, the quality of your content and... I think if you come across very passionate and knowledgeable, that this is the key." I concur. Especially as far as how you get the information out there and the very content of that information. Now I do think that someone with nothing but endless listings and reblogs (you know what I'm talking about, right;) probably won't garner a large following, inside or outside of the forum. I'm not sure I'd consider blogging dead, far from it. With the internet being the tool du jour of consumers & professionals shopping for various services, I think that its importance has never been greater and will only get greater.
I firmly believe (while I was in the biz and even still) that folks actively blogging with good content will be ahead of the game. Maybe not now, perhaps not tomorrow, but they will be sooner rather than later. Mortgage Bloggers come to mind because their influence is far less at this point than Realtors. You, for example, have the edge over most Lenders on search engines for terms such as VA Financing, FHA Financing, USDA Financing, etc.
In essence, I agree with you. I should probably check out Teresa's post none the less.
Jeff, it's clear that you have carefully reviewed the post and have done such a great job of sharing your thoughts. It's a great compliment to Teresa Boardman that you follow her writing and personally agree with most of what she has to say.
Jeff, I agree with you. I too respect Teresa's work and photography, but believe that there is a place for bloggers who write quality posts, provide hyper-local information and vary their work with both real estate related and informational material. As with anything, there will be people who "jump on the bandwagon" and then abandon it when they realize it takes motivation, dedication and hard work to be successful. We are building our businesses and as such we won't always see instant results, but there will come a time when we will be recognized as the local experts in our areas. Thanks for the insightful post. ~ Susan
JENNY... . yes, Teresa makes some very good points. Still not sure if she actually believes in her title/subject line, or if it was to spark conversation. Those that are lazy about blogging, copy, or just post crap.. yes, their blog will die.
JASON... . you also make some excellent points. As I stated to Jenny above, does Teresa truly believe this or is it to stimulate conversation? Overall, I find it very hard to believe when soooo many use the internet when searching. Only the blind will follow the blind... meaning, if someone is just searching for best rate, in many cases, the end result might be negative. You need to search for substance also... reality... someone that will educate you and hold your hand. Ah, wait, that's called service,. lol Overall, I like when we agree... and thanks for your input.
VICKIE... . it's what I try to do with most things before I write about something... is to dissect the subject, from both sides, the good and the bad. Just as Teresa did in her post. I see so many talk about one side of things, either it's good or bad, but not both.. from both sides of the fence. Thanks for observing this.
MARTI... . hey stranger.. it's been a while and thanks for featuring this in your group.
SUSAN aka Laxon Realty.... . exactly, I think there is a huge place still for bloggers that put out quality information and such. And I think you hit a nail on the head... so many start a blog and then abandon it to soon. Thanks for your insight and feedback..
I follow Teresa Boardman, and she is doing what so many others do, and in, what she recommends: new information = content, and credible content is king! Listings can pollute the quality of the site and dilute the opportunity to communicate with an audience. Listings are advertising, and advertising is mistrusted by virtually all consumers. Editorial content, opinion, personality trips, data and research....if you can provide interesting stuff, and a constant stream of it, your site will be attractive and useful.
A blog site that simply is a vehicle for presenting listings is a necessary for our sellers and useful for SEO, but does not fill the need of providing useful differentiation of a brokerage or agent to the consumer.
She is surprisingly right in saying that the real estate blog site as we know it is dead. Just like with websites (and in fact any new technology), the first few years of blog sites were about the mechanics, the technology, keeping the darn thing up and running.
But then when that is worked out, content provides differentiation. The real estate blog as we know it is now simply a matter of parity..The next steps are compelling content and social interaction. Social interaction creates a compelling reason for a consumer to visit and return.
My next blogging venture is a wp site that will have community information, editorial and listing stuff separated. Others are already doing this, and some of them look great.
Jeff...
The data only, listing only blog does not offer the one thing most readers are looking for ... an expert's insight. People want to read a personal slant on the issues, it's what makes blogging unique and special!
LESLIE... . I am not going to disagree with those statements. And that is my whole point, does that mean you call blogging dead? I disagree... maybe one could say this instead, that the number of quality blog sites and posts are horrible or information overload... or are just put out there to sell, to make money.. from such things as google adwords and or advertising on your site.. I can usually tell the difference.. but can the general consumer?
Again, I am trying to look at this as the glass is half full, from a positive angle. Okay, so what that many blog sites follow suite in what Teresa has described... this is better for me, if I do it correctly. That's how I look at it. I will agree that web sites are dead for the most part.. Why? When using a blog site properly, you are churning out new content daily or weekly, and that is what Google looks for. I try and follow what Google looks for and I write quality, up-to-date mortgage information, and some other things... that many sites don't offer or do a half ass at... or that it's misleading. Please read this post - Rumors must stop - FHA loans in New Jersey will be increasing their mortgage insurance plans by October 4th, 2010 I think this is when blogging can be very powerful, correcting the misinformation out there.
In any case, thanks for your detailed comment, feedback, and insight.
MIKE... . that is a good point, article overload. And not just on AR, but all over the internet, we see a lot of the same info. The only good thing about some of this sometimes is that here on AR, you can get a different perspective from another author... or that if one agrees, you can write about it yourself, as I did here. But I will agree, that those that just reblog and nothing else... or those that just do listing after listing, so they can show their seller, "hey, I have ways of marketing your property", won't be as successful or good... but then again, sometimes luck can change some of that. But yes, I agree... if you work it correctly, it will usually work for you. thanks
RICHARD... . I agree... just as I stated to Mike about those posts that just repeat listing after listing. That blog in general won't get searched well... maybe that property will get some searches, but nothing else.. I know many are looking for an expert's insight, but I have a problem with this though. So many call themselves an expert or sound like one, when in reality, they aren't. So then what? lol I did write about this... To be an expert or not, that is the question - And thanks for featuring this in the group "whacked".
If blogging is dead, why am I getting many hundreds of hits and click-throughs to my posts? I hope it's because I'm providing something that readers are looking for: local info, listings, reports, and my opinion about the real estate market today.
I agree that if you are posting your unique view on your part of the world you will have a following. Original content is king. On average I have 3 new clients per week due to my blog here on AR. It definitely generates interest on the part of REA and sellers.
HA! I buried the real estate blog before it got off the ground. See Re-Blog.
I don't believe that real estate blogging ever became what most thought it would be.
For me, the real estate blog is superbly successful. However, I merely integrate real estate blogging into my marketing plan and execute it unfailingly every single day.
Real estate blogging is just one feature in my Internet network.
I applaud Teresa for sticking her neck out and calling out agents for blogging crap. I wrote something about this recently and caught some flack from agents that just post listings.
Hi Jeff. Nice post.
Of course it is not dead.
My local market reports get read every day by potential customers, not to mention tons of interaction with other professionals...
Thanks for writing,
Ken
i just hope everyone in my area thinks blogs are dead and stops...
more leads for me!
Jeff,
I liked the way you tear it all to pieces in your post :) - I mean it in a good way!
What everybody needs is not just "information" - we can get that from regular sites - we need "personal opinion", that is unbiased by advertising, and will tell us like it is - even if the author is mistaken, we want to hear HIS /HER VOICE.
Here, unrelated example. A friend of mine was looking for a stroller, that is quite new to US market. She wanted to read reviews of actual users, to see if this is worth considering. She found a dozen of blogs on the subject, all of them touting what a great "bang for your buck" this stroller is, but all these authors admitted, they were sent the stroller by the company, for a review. And what will you write about a free expensive toy? Usually just the good things...
Now, when I'm personally shopping for something, I rely heavily on epinions, amazon reviews, as well as yelp reviews. They've been to the point most of the time, and helped me steer clear form some businesses/products, yet consider others I had no idea they existed.
So, if blogs are less commercial - they will live. But - who has the time to write them if this doesn't bring any money? ActiveRain is a great platform in that sense. Let's see what happens in a few years.
Terrifc subject matter, Jeff! We, here on AR, need to see what really is going on out there on other blogs....I don't blog elsewhere---tried and it didn't seem right somehow. That means to me that unless you target the right blogging audience and do not just "scatter-shoot" information about an area or your opinion on something important to people like you, you are wasting your time! I don't mind knowing that---sure you don't mind either! Thanks for the post!
MARGARET... . I do get what Teresa is trying to say, but I think the title itself is misleading... and that it all comes down to how you look at it.. just as you stated. I know that Renee Burrows gets a good amount of business from her market reports... they work. Thanks for the feedback.
MICHELLE.... . Not only original content, but quality content. I think this is where many fail.. some may try to hard, but others just put the basics out there without elbow grease.. Sorry, but it can take me 2 hours at times to write a post, but it's accurate, detailed, easy to understand most times, and with passion... We all have our own ways, but some either are lazy at it or give up to quickly.
LENN.... . I know this is part of your daily business plan. And you write about 3 different types of posts throughout the week... you know how to work it for the most part. And in all honesty, I am glad that real estate blogging didn't take off. Okay, so I am greedy... I am glad Brian Brady finally got me to AR, because 4 years ago I didn't even know what blogging was all about. And it's been a good part of my business in the last 3 years, about 80% of my business... either from the blog posts themselves, or from networking with others because of the posts or because of what I write.. thanks for your feedback.
DREW.... . so do I.. and again, knowing a little about Teresa, does she truly believe in this or was it just to stir the pot? Good writers do this... Ever hear of Howard Eskin? A sports writer and radio guy, and on TV... who is hated by many in Philadelphia regarding sports, because he is sometimes harsh about the Philadelphia teams, players, and or fans... but I asked him personally once, why did he have so much hatred... and it was the opposite... just stirring the pot... he loves Philadelphia sports.. and the guy is very smart about sports in general. Anyhoo... I think I remember your post and need to go back and look at it. thanks
KEN.... . just as I mentioned that Renee Burrows does well with market reports, I am sure many things work. It sometimes comes down to how you report it, the display, the key words, and so much more. Thanks and thanks for the compliment.
VINCE... . bingo.. I agree... I was one that never ran out and told the lending world about blogging... lol I sometimes laughed at those agents that would hold classes for other agents to teach them about blogging. To me, it's money that they couldn't earn in making real estate work for them. Now, some have been able to do both, but I see most that have failed at one or the other, hence why they do the other more.. thanks
ANNA.... . thank you very much for that polite compliment... and no need to explain, I knew what you meant. ;o) Yes, information overload. But I don't worry about that stuff anymore... if 10 other loan officers want to write about a specific FHA change that just took place, go for it... not everyone can do a good job about the topic, some won't get searched as well as others, and sometimes some will post wrong or misleading information. Which gives me another post idea.. which I just did the other day.
Rumors must stop - FHA loans in New Jersey will be increasing their mortgage insurance plans by October 4th, 2010
The example that you gave is an excellent example of what to be aware of... Overall thanks for your input and feedback. Because you make one excellent point.. TIME... thanks
Blogging is dead, huh? Well, does that mean I shouldn't start blogging? I've been procrastinating for a few months now and recently signed up with AR to start mine. I'll have it up (and running?) by the end of the weekend, unless I run into a problem that I can't find an answer to.
That being said, I guess the people that start them, and let them die, and those that write crap, have killed them for themselves. Hmmm Blogging dead. I guess if the readers of those dead blogs didn't read anything else, anything with legit content, then they're probably turned off by "blogging". Maybe that's why it dies? Like when people have horrible experiences with agents, and their opinion is we all suck. If all you know is one thing, and that thing sucks, everything else like it sucks, too? Maybe, but I don't think blogging is dead.
Jeff: I answered too quickly and so ended up unclear. What I took from her post was that the real estate blog as we know it is evolving to a new place in the marketing communications mix. She is using a standard set up for writing anything from a high school research paper to a WSJ op ed piece to a real estate blog post: make a controversial statement, discuss it, then either stay out there on the edge or retreat to a reasonable middle ground. Sometime a message track will occur over several articles or posts. Having killed off the real estate blog, she can now resurrect it and shape it to her liking. If you have a regular readership in a place with as big an audience as Inman, this is a fine approach. In fact she can write blogs about the blogs about her blogs: material for days or to resurrect from time to time.
And besides, Lenn is of course spot on. The blogging effort is a component of a marketing plan. It has a job to do, and it needs to show up to work everyday and cooperate with the other marketing communication programs.
Jeff,
"Conclusion : I could easily add another 500 words to this topic"
I thought I'd take care of that for you, but on second though you covered the subject well.
I would haved mentioned that at least one community is demanding a business licensee for any one publishing any thing more than a strictly personal blog.
Bill
Jeff, I'd have to say that my posts are alive and well by providing a variety of information and insights to potential clients and fellow peers. Sure people want more information than just a listing so dress them up and present them in a hyper-local post. I enjoyed your post thanks to Lenn's re-blog!
If Teresa stirs the post so be it.. She was/is one of my blogging heroes and she knows what of she speaks. Interesting discussion though.
MB
Great post for sure, thanks for getting it out to us today.
Patricia/Seacoast NH
Jeff - blogging is here to stay! Those who blog effectively and consistently will realize top rankings in Google for their relevant keywords. Real estate blogs should be about hyper-local content. Hyper-local blogs should not try and compete on the national level - afterall, how many times have we heard that all real estate is local?
ActiveRain is a very effective paltform for real estate blogs. And, Google puts much more emphasis on recognizing blogs that are formatted with relevant keywords conservatively posted throughout the post, on a blog that is updated on a regular and frequent basis than on stagnant websites. In fact, I'd say websites are about to die.
If you're an ActiveRainer and not experiencing the results you want, get on the phone to Steven Graham and learn how to blog effectvely, or attend one of the ActiveRain training sessions.
Jeff, blogging is not only alive and well, but agents have to ralize it is part of the overall pie.
Blogging is alive and well. It's a major portion of my marketing plan.
It might be that people who blog on sites that require some sort of premium registration just aren't going to get many readers to do that. Who pays to read stuff like that? Even if it were free, I wouldn't waste my time to fill out any kind of registration profile and then have to remember another user name and password. If she's primarily blogging on Inman, I would think that she is slowly becoming invisible to many who used to read her ActiveRain posts. I liked her stuff but I'm not going to pay or register to read it.
Blogs ARE dead... at least most of them are. And so it the prospect of being a professional athlete... There are tens of thousands of good high school athletes, but only a handful get into the pros in any given year...
It is over before it starts... For 99.9%.
I'm trying to be in that other 0.1%... It is the alive and well portion.
Jeff - Thanks so much for calling to discuss this and much much more! Wonderful post, and we will definitely be in touch much more and continue where the beer took over (Jeff's, not mine - I already had my wine ...)
I'm tired of the same "blogs" about listings that usually have the same items, "2,000 sqft 3bd/2bth, lovely home in wonderful neighborhood", let's really get more creative about the listings... Sell to the senses, "luscious cherry flooring, with calming earth tone walls throughout this elaborate home on the edge of a cliff off the blue waves of the Atlantic Ocean." Why can't we be much more original and less "sterile" about how we describe a property listing.
We as professionals, should always do everything with 150%, whether blogging, selling or buying a home for a client... We need to get out of our comfort zones and challenge our brains to keep creativity up and keep our clients coming back and referring us...
Blogging is only dead, if it lacks originality & creativity!
I think having a blog and cultivating a blog are two different things....although some of her points may be perceived as true....I do think that the development of hyper-local content is important and respected...Thanks for sharing Jen
I've got to weigh in on this. I have read Teresa Boardmanfor a long time, and noted that the reasons for her SUCCESS IN BLOGGING may be linked to her balanced daily posts, the authority with which she wrotes, her skill and creativity. She presents useful information regularly - community interest posts abound. Heavily salted with her love of photography and her Friday Fun posts, she keeps it interesting. There are even monthly sales stats and Absorption rate inventory numbers. She is a serious Realtor(R) fully involved in her community. She is transparent.
My observation is that she is NOT ABOUT 1.) hard selling, 2.) using the blog as a substitute for the ML:S or IDX Feed and 3.) I have never seen her use the blog for a rant or soapbox full of rancor.
I agree that the blog just offering listings, endless statistics and containing little or no useful information for the reader is dead or dying. However, good writers with interesting material will always be read. If blogging is the choice of media to distribute good stuff, then some blogs will live on. Some blogs SHOULD die, just as some books go out of print and some are perpetually read.
To paraphrase Mark Twain, "....the reports of blogging's death has been greatly exaggerated..."
Amazing... For blogging to be dead, we sure are doing a great job keeping it alive. It's far from being dead.
A better web site in any area will out perform blogs ???to? and SE's dont need to show blogs if an area's web presence is commanded by a few well designed "smart and optimized" Web Sites. Info flows fast in a blog with it's content while trying to keep dead links out of older posts doesn't bode well. Reblogging (un checked structure) and over syndication is a no no google has warned about.
Blogging is not dead in my world, but it does have to take a break once in a while. Maintaining a consistent blogging schedule is hard work and some posts are better than others. BUT... blogging is not dead. I agree with you, Jeff.
PAULA... . I had become very loyal to AR my first year or so... and dabbled on Type Pad, and then finally started my own outside blog until it got hijacked.. long story and working on that now. But I do realize the value in AR for many reasons... good juice, networking with realtors, that I started my own group of loan officers from AR which we started our own site.. www.mortgagemythbusters.com , and a few other reasons. But I do believe that you should have your voice on a few different platforms and or sites. Just my opinion... but this is a great place for the new, old, the average, the excellent, etc, etc. But the biggest point that you made, knowing your audience and how to target them... this is huge. Thanks for the input and for the compliment.
ERIC... . well, welcome to AR and to blogging. Give me a call, seriously. I will give you my honest opinion on the good and bad of AR, in regards to blogging, and so much more. I am not a tech geek, but blogging alone has made me some decent extra money. And I don't even consider myself a blogging expert. Some think so... but it comes back to what I blog about, the basics, being passionate in what I do which I think shows in my posts, and just using basic fundamentals. If I knew more, I think I would be very dangerous. lol But the basics in my opinion have worked.. Seriously, give me a call tomorrow or in the next few days and blog away. Don't listen to anything else... it works and is alive.
LESLIE... . I am so glad that you came back and clarified that. You are one of the few and like myself.. if you make a comment that you think is part of the conversation, you either click the notify you of new comments or check for a response to your comment. This is a pet peeve of mine and when I engage someone else on another post and don't get a reply, you will hardly ever see me leave them a comment again.. so I thank you for this. But in regards to your new comment.. yes, it's more clear now and now I understand what you are talking about... and your points. I guess what you are saying in regards to Teresa's post is that it's what you call it... she calls blogging dead based on what she sees. I can understand that point... yes, blogging is ever evolving, but so is the internet. My main point, blogging is still there though... and so is the internet. Just because one doesn't use it correctly or effectively doesn't mean that it's dead. I just think she used those terms because it catches people's attention, just as I did in my title. Thanks for the updated feedback.
WILLIAM... . please, add more. But you lost me when you stated this... "I would haved mentioned that at least one community is demanding a business licensee for any one publishing any thing more than a strictly personal blog." - I might be able to take that in several directions... so I hope you could add more to this or explain it a tad more... or maybe I am just tired... lol thanks
WANDA... . the power of reblogging, you have to love it.. and yes, thanks to Lenn. In regards to what you stated... yes, then dress up the market report. Just in regards to blogs in general, that is why many tell you to add a picture or two... it helps for several reasons... thanks
MICHAEL... . I guess you misunderstood my message. I have nothing against Teresa... and still wonder what her true intentions were in regards to the title of her post. If you read her whole post, for the most part, it sounds like she agrees with blogging. Hell, that is a big part of her income... I just think her title was to start controversy... I stated that above. And yes, I like her to... In any case, thanks for your comment and for stopping by.
PATRICIA.... . my pleasure and thanks for that compliment...
LEW.... . I have no doubt that it's here to stay... in my opinion, as long as the internet is here to stay, and that you can google search anything... it's not going any where... not until you can use some sort of tool or such that you say... give me a mortgage or a house and in 60 seconds, it spits out exactly what you need. Some companies tried that with mortgages... I just never seeing that working because of how complex mortgages are than just interest rate. In regards to Steven Graham, I don't know of him... and I didn't know how to blog and still don't think I know even half of it... but I just write about what I know and that I am passionate about what I do, and that has worked good for me... thanks
TED... . exactly and if they don't realize that it's part of the pie, oh well... more business and or recognition for the rest, right? thanks
SUSAN.... . just as Ted said and I what I said to him... look at the successful people in real estate... many blog and it works... it should be a part of your business plan. Okay, some successful agents don't blog.... at least what I have been told... and I know before 2003 this would have been true... but show me them now? I am still waiting... thanks
... funny, I had 3 people this year open a phone conversation with "Hi Sheldon, I read some of your blogs and I'd like to talk to you about being our agent in Bergen County"...
Seems to me that my blog is alive and kicking ?!?!?!
... I believe I shall continue blogging, as my blog is far from dead ;o)
Jeff, Great take on Teresa's article. I tend to agree with you. Many who do have a blog, don't want to take the time and commitment involved in keeping them alive AND relevant. It takes determination and a whole lot of time, as we both know.
For those agents that don't feel it necessary to be the market expert and to focus on social marketing instead: Good luck with that one. Buyers and sellers, now more than ever, NEED and demand local experts. For those of us in it for the long haul, we get it and it shows. For those too lazy to become the experts, it shows in their production and will only fall more in the future.
I may not keep my AR blog as updated as I would like, but my personal blog is updated and fed almost daily with content my readers need and have grown to count on :)
Blogging is not dead, but it does require constant energy and creativity to breathe new life into a daily blog.
Blogging is more diluted than it was when Teresa and you were pioneers, and there are competing social media elements like Twitter and Facebook and now Foursquare that suit some people better. I don't think blogging will ever take off with everyone because - everyone doesn't have the discipline or inclination to research and write! Let's face it, if you do it right, there is a lot of blood, sweat and tears over the long haul. Sure, some posts just roll off our fingertips, but others take much more time. But dead? Not for the forseeable future. Not as long as consumers want to research on the internet and we have written pieces worthy of their read and response.
Jeff: One thing that Teresa said... is true. There are many, many real estate agents who apparently have "LOOKED" at other agent's blogs, and, in wanting to put together their own great-looking blog to launch, spent lots of money with some of the excellent profession blogging consultants... then launched their blogs.
Unfortunately, with many of them... once they were launched... they didn't really know what to do with them, and quit after four months or so... sometimes even sooner.
A blog looks like fun. And, an excellent blog looks... well, it LOOKS... excellent. But, it's often like a kid with a new toy at Christmas. You know how it works, Mom and Dad. Your youngster opens up the present, says WOW... plays with it for awhile, then goes on to the next one. And... there you are... looking at that toy... wondering what happened.
NO... I do not think blogging is "dead." But, I DO think that a great many agents started blogs when they had no clue what they were getting in to, then found out it was very different from what they imagined... and was really a lot more WORK than they thought, and soon just got either bored, or tired, or both.
As Lenn like to say HA!
The open house is dead (so i heard all week) Now the blog is dead! whats' next the Just Sold card? the internet?
Of course Teresa makes some good points. There are many copy cat blogs. Many blogs with bells and whistles that lack quality content. Now there are seminars and training on blogs. It has become a cottage industry! Blogging Gurus, blogging for dollars, blog to become a millionaire. Soon there will be infomercials at 3 AM for that secret blogging system that overnight will make you the top agent in your market.
HA! I've never read any of the "how to Blog" books or seminars. I only attended rain camp to network and meet my blogging buddies.
Jeff - blogging is not dead but some blog content leaves one wishing it were for some bloggers
Hi Jeff -- I think the issues, outcomes, etc., are way too broad to reach any general conclusions. All of it is tru and none of it is true. You can find one agent doing abc and it fails, another agent does abc and it works great. I just closed a transaction this week from AR. I don't think it's dead at all.
Very few people understand how time consuming a blog can be. You need to establish links, promote the blog use your SEO correctly and NONE of this matters unless there rich content.
Jeff - there may be some truth in Teresa's inclination of her statement and I do agree partly with her. I do think it's the blogger's responsibility and lack thereof and that is the part I agree with.
I don't think that Teresa is stopping now to blog and looking at blogs because there are just listings, just solds, open house announcements and nothing else that to me absolutely kills the blog and that is where I agree that blog sites like these will kill real estate blogs.
Real Estate is local and if a blogger mixes up their blogs with neighborhood, neighborhood market specific reports, local happenings in the community, a listing or two and some personal blogs, this is what readers will read and come back and makes the phone ring and this type of blogging will not die.
Jeff - a blanket statement that blogging is dead is absured. Has it undergone transformation? Absolutely. Can you provide a blog that is little more than a static website with a search function? Definitely not. Blogging continues to evolve, as does the consumers use of the Internet and what they need and want. What is dead is failure to change with the times and understand the Internet world adn the market.
Jeff
Its alive and well here in our office, and in our home, and in our relatives homes, and friends, and colleagues, etc....
It's just another part of what you can do with what's out there . . . on the Internet. When someone calls my office and says "I found you on the web," I know it's either my website, or my blog.
Jeff, I, too, like Teresa. But, I find myself firmly on your side. Realtors who blog are perceived by the public as more "active and involved" . My clients mention the local events that I blog about. I think everyone else has summed up more of my thoughts so I won't reiterate the points.
TIM....comment # 30 ... . I would agree with you for the most part and I don't subscribe to Inman or did I fill anything out. I can't remember how I came across this post now.. lol I think I saw a link to it on Facebook, clicked on it, and I was able to read it. And I do know some that follow her and do subscribe to Inman..but again, I truly understand what you are saying and would agree about the readership. thanks for your input.
LANE.... . yea, I get it and understand what she said in her article, I think I would have agreed with her article if she would have added stats like you did.... and stated that the average realtor hardly blogs, that it does die off, but that it's not dead. If something were dead per se, people wouldn't be doing it at all, right? thanks
DAGNY... . it was my pleasure and I am glad that we got to talk some... as you can see, I can babble some.. lol And thanks for the compliment and yes, I had a good time last night. thanks
ANN-MARIE.... . I couldn't agree with you more... be creative. But I think some don't know how to or are just lazy and write it quickly... so I agree and I try to do everything 110%.. ;o) . thanks
JENNIFER.. comment # 34 ... . I would agree that there is a difference having a blog and cultivating it.. thanks
BRAD... . from reading your comment, one would think that I attacked Tersesa. I thought I gave her good kudos... My overall point was that blogging is not dead.. you stated in your comment that it has died for many, but that doesn't mean that it's dead, right? So, you gave me a long bio of Teresa Boardman, but never said if you agreed with her title or not. Is blogging dead or not? thanks
PAT & WAYNE... . lol.. did Mark Twain say that back then also? ;o) Thanks for the laugh and for stopping by.
ROLAND... . I agree 100%, hence why I wrote this.... thanks
CRAIG...comment # 38 .. . I am trying to follow your first 2 sentences... but I would say web sites are dead, but not blog sites. And in regards to syndicating and such... I am not 100% sure of that and what Google thinks... thanks
Jeff:
I am a fan of Teresa's work and hers is what I would call a true "blog" in the sense of what one is supposed to be. When you think in terms of a pure blog that has character, personality an insight she makes a good point. There are many real estate blogs now that dilute the meaning of what a blog was originally intended to be.
The fact is, however, that these blogs are working to bring business to their authors. And, isn't that what it is about? I initially scoffed at the idea of including marketing reports but, guess what? They have brought me clients. So, while I prefer to keep most of my writing as original, informative and with some character, the local write-ups and reports will also be important.
But, in the purest sense of it, Teresa actually has some valid points.
MARGARET...comment # 39.. . well said and yes, you need a break at times and it is hard work, hence why so many stop a few months into... thanks
SHELDON.... . and I thought I would have gotten 3 phone calls from you then... lol Yes, I agree that if your phone rings, blogging is not dead. I think it will be around a lot longer than some have predicted that it won't... and I think many of those that made such predictions that blogging will die or is dead are those that sell the social media marketing classes and material... thanks
ELIZABETH aka Coop... . it certainly takes time and commitment..and it shouldn't matter if it's down on AR or your outside blog.. you put the time in and post. I need to think of my blog post for today.. lol Thanks for your input and feedback.
NORMA.... . that is so true, that it takes energy and creativity... I see so many that lack creativity. thanks
FRANK & SHARON... . thanks but I wouldn't consider myself a pioneer as Teresa .. I only started in late 2006. I think Teresa and some others have been doing it since the late 90's... and that was my point at the end, that such social sites as Facebook, Twitter, etc, etc have taken over... because it is easier and more fun... and yes, many don't have the discipline to blog. And I agree, as long as consumers are searching, it will never die, just not many will be blogging... which I am very okay with. ;o) Just means I get searched more. ;o)
KAREN.... . I also agreed with that statement also and wanted to add it into my post, but my post was already becoming to long. But yes, I agreed with that one also. It is easy to build one, even if you have an expert to do it for you... but to maintain one is not as simple. And I loved your Christmas analogy... ;o) thanks for your feedback.
MITCHELL... . you crack me up... I read your comment on Lenn's post and she got a chuckle, but this one is even funnier. Blogging infomercials at 3 am... lol I have done well with blogging, but I basically learned her on AR and from such gatherings as you mentioned... but the biggest reason why I attend those are to also hang out with my blogging buddies such as yourself. I am glad that I ran into you this year and that we had lunch together... Again, thanks for the laugh..
KATHY...comment # 47.. . lol.. I can definitely agree with that... some that blog should be dead, because it's bad... thanks
NOT DEAD - And the fastest way to get a Google ranking if you were like me and had almost zero internet presence.
It's like any investment -- people jump on board because of the hype, but never put a strategy or execute a smart plan. So that its a quick blast of excitement for millions, then the novelty wears off when they don't see massive results.
But the ones who stick with it and implement a smart plan based on what the winners are doing (see Lisa from Utah's blog!) will get results!
I can't wait for the day when I post my first AR success story!
I could have written a lot more on the topic too but I work within a certian format and I know what size is right size for Inman. You may notice that I still have a real estate blog and don't plan to quit any time soon. It has worked well for me. Yet I will stand behind the idea that most real estate blogs get little or no traffic and there is a lot of crap out there that passes for a real estate blog. I will add something that I left out of my Inman article and that is the idea that those folks that make money by selling us stuff helped kill the real estate blog. They give a lot of advice that will lead to blog failure. The vast majority of people who start blogs fail. I have read numbers up around 96% of these blogs fail. I also use a lot of social media and will continue but I use it differently than most. In fact I do it all wrong but it works so I won't mess with it.
I have five years of real estate blogging experience and have watched many come and go here on active rain and all over the internet,
Thanks for reading my article on Inman. I appreciate it and I appreciate the discussion you started here with it. To me a big part of blogging is about conversation and a big part of writing is about promting someone else to write or giving them an idea.
CHRIS.. comment # 48.. . I would agree with your statement.. and gee, if it was that easy when someone did it right .. that it would worked for all of us then and we all would be rich .. lol And that's great that you got a lead this week.
RUTHMARIE.... . bingo.. you could do all of the above, but unless you have rich content that is of quality, it will fail.. Blogging is a huge commitment and takes time.. thanks
PETRA... . as I mentioned, I agree with several things that Teresa mentioned.... and I agree that if you mix it up, especially if it works, such as market reports.. that you keep doing it. But back to Teresa's title.. is blogging actually dead? Just because it's a small percentage of us, in my opinion, doesn't mean that it's dead.. thanks for your input.
JEFF.... . a very spot on comment... yes, blogging has undergone a transformation and continues to evolve. I think whjy blogging has seemed more lost and less of is because of social networking on sites such as facebook, twitter, foursquare, etc... it's more fun, easier, and quicker.. All things that everyone loves... Blogging takes more work, is more to read.. and can be a little more boring and or hold less attention. thanks
TODD & DEVONA... . I would agree with all of that. basically... if people search online, blogging will provide a benefit to so many others, that's if it's good and quality. thanks
CARLA.... . exactly, it's what you make of it and should be a part of your arsenal, that it should be a part of your business plan... but you have to work it. thanks
DON... .I don't really blog about local events, but I know it works for several realtors... basically, if it works for you, you keep doing it. It won't work for everyone... thanks for your input.
CLAUDETTE... . you stated... " When you think in terms of a pure blog that has character, personality an insight she makes a good point." I couldn't agree more with that statement and your next statement.. yes, many blogs are diluted and just basic or bland... and I agree, Teresa does have some very valid points... but do you still call blogging dead? Maybe a better choice or words would be .. "scarce"... but not a dinosaur or such. thanks
KEITH... comment # 58... . I totally agree... blogging is an investment and not just from the sense of starting a blog sight. I think some fail to break it down in terms of an investment... yes, it costs money, hence the investment.. but time is also money, and if you plan your time well and blog, it will bring you money. And I look forward in hearing about your first AR success story.. good luck and keep me posted.. thanks
"The real estate blog is largely dead." and "It had to die."
Not a chance. In fact, the real estate blog is alive and well and GROWING.
As Mark Twain once said, "The rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated".
TERESA... comment # 59... ah, so I had to mention your name to finally comment on one of my posts.. lol <TEASING> First off, I thought you had been blogging longer than 5 years... I know Kristal Kraft had started in the late 90's...
In any case... I definitely understand about size and such... so many, even the so-called experts say that blog posts should be between 300 to 500 words... I agree at times, but disagree... Many of mine fall around 700 or such and I know this one was about 1,000 words.. I know that yours was around 900 +. My thought on that is if it's that good, of quality, good topic, that it will keep your interest and engage others... so I don't get all bent out of shape when my post is 800+... I am writing to put good info out there and not for those realtors on AR that want to read nothing more than 300 words so they can leave a comment to get their 25 pts.. lol
But overall, I agree with many of your thoughts and to why blogging dies for many. And I wouldn't argue with those stats in regards to how many fail after starting a blog. AR is an excellent example. There are 190,000 members who started a profile of which probably 20% of them never even blogged once.. and that another 60% of them stopped in the first to six months of blogging. But you know how I look at that? Hey, more searches for my stuff... ;o) I really could care less if blogging didn't catch on, and that social networking has taken over, and that many have lost sight of what a great blog could do for you. You are an excellent example of a great blog and that it works... and I know that you have been an inspiration to so many others.. some of whom commented in this post for your defense... which I didn't think that you needed... because I agreed with a lot of what you stated.. just not the title of your post.. Maybe that blogging is dying or has died with many or most, but not dead. But then again, there are different terminologies for that word that could be interpreted differently.
Overall... I am glad that I first got to meet you in NYC several years ago at one of these blogging functions and then again in Philly... but next time I need to pull you aside and actually talk some and pick your brain. I consider myself to be a better than good blogger and that I have gotten my name out there... but not like someone as yourself or like Jay Thompson or Missy Caulk, etc, etc... but I did just start to write for Agent Genius and some of us just launched this new site.... Mortgage Myth Busters -
Anyhoo.... thanks for stopping by and it was my pleasure mentioning you and your post. I think both of us did spark a good conversation and it shows when two people and two blog posts come together, on how it can work. And because of some of the comments, I learned a little bit more about you and how you blog... and how I need to add a little more to my blog and what to change up some. It all comes down to what kinds of audience that we want. Again, thanks...
First: Teresa has a solid foundation and is well respected within the real estate blogosphere and I am glad she came in here and weighed in at #59.
Second: Thanks for "pimping my ride". I want to explain that you can't just throw stuff out there and expect it to work. Blogging requires a "plan" and I just happened to fall into that plan when I found AR RIGHT at the decline. I figured out what works for me and what attracts the type of customers and clients that I WANT TO WORK WITH during many trials and tribulations of a very slow year.
Market reports don't "bring in the leads" like magic. They bring in very good quality WARM leads that I enjoy to work with and who appreciate education wrapped into a transaction sandwich. (goofy from not enough coffee!)
That being said: STATIC IS DEAD!
I believe that static (the agent centric "Look at Me I am Sandra Dee") type sites are on their way out. My static site died over a year ago as I spent @$$loads of time trying to keep my market reports updated on every page that needed market reports. I used to interlace my AR blog with my static site.
I finally found that a wordpress site is the perfect solution to what I have been looking for since I stopped updating my static site - fresh opinionated blog posts are few and far between and they get put on the first page, communities are organized in their own section along with market reports in their own section, etc.
I started this mid July and plan to rule the SEO Las Vegas Real Estate Arena by next July. So far my little experiment has proved correct. It started indexing the day I put a little content to check the framework and I felt the need to get it up to speed ever since. When I compare my AR blog analytics next to my new WP site analytics in about one month of that site being live (and still not up to 100% perfection:) I am getting more traffic than my AR outside blog, My bounce rate has improved, People are staying on this site longer and looking at more pages.
Will I turn AR outside blog off our quit here? Nope I have these two intertwined BEAUTIFULLY!
I think AR and Trulia are great blogging sites to add listings and promote market reports. I don't think my outside WP site is a great place to promote listings as it is being used as an educational tool to round me up some of the best educated consumers who choose me because they respect me for my experience. I do use an IDX tool there to keep them engaged however.
SO, in a nut shell I prefer to say: Broker Centric is long gone and no longer gets flowers on it's grave, Static is Dead, Agent Centric is dying a slow death, Blog interactive is evolving but it must be groomed constantly with a personal touch & recent material. It also must be complimented with social media.
Hope this helps :)
Renee - yes static is dead and you are a great blogger. You have that winning combintation that works with your personality and your market. Blog on!
Jeff - I don't visit AR often and yet my internet and bloggin experience goes back to the 80's and 90's but I don't consider it relevent to what I am doing now. Having volunteered for a local non profit newspaper for 15 years is probably far more relevent in understanding content and culitvating readers.
You did a great job with your post and I have a lot of respect for you as a blogger. Remember I knew you when. :) There are not many who know how to start a discussing like this without getting too personal. You kept it on topic and professional as did most of your commentors.
I don't travel as much as I did for a few years. I am finding that speaking and going to events in locally saves me a lot of money and the contacts I make are helping my business and it saves me thousands in air fare and accomdations and I actually get to spend more time in person with my on line friends.
We will see each other again and you can count on some conversation. :)
Have fun on AG. I sometimes miss writing on that site.
We can look around us every day and find nay sayers in almost every area of our lives. There is always someone shouting about the sky falling in the next little while. I think it's all relative. Is blogging dead. NO. Is crap information dead? Probably. People will always read quality information that they find useful. So, when you blog try to be thoughtful and write stuff that is educational and informative and your blogging will thrive and survive.
Jeff--thanks for the mention!
You've been reading my stuff long enough to know what I am doing WORKS FOR ME.
I blog for other realtors sometimes.
I blog hyperlocal content for local recognition/top of mind awareness.
I re-blog good posts outside my realm of expertise to get them to my outside blog for readers.
PS--I truly believe those agents who just blog over & over listings or one post after another on market stats just don't get it. They are not providing good varied content that will bring repeat readers back again and again. Market stats are great, but 10 posts in a row that are the same thing, but with a different town or neighborhood in the headline bore people and make them leave your site.
BRUCE..comment # 61... . I know it's alive, but I wouldn't really say really growing... Yes, there are new blogs, but I have seen many die or go stagnant... just my opinion. But overall, I don't care.. the less out there, the better for many of us that use this in our daily business plan.
RENEE... . I couldn't agree with you more in regards to Teresa Boardman.. both as a respected blogger and just for the fact that she took the time to add some more great insight in a few comments.
Secondly, I'll pimp your ride any day of the week... ;o) Seriously, my pleasure and you deserve it... you do a great job at it.
Overall.. I agree, with using AR and your other posts, to work together. I have seen so many arguments about AR and how people have walked away from it and such. I guess they don't know how to ignore the politics and such. AR still helps me in several ways, google juice being one thing... and keeping in front of realtors is another... and actually getting calls from some to help them with their future clients... and lastly, yes, to get clients myself. And this can also be done on an outside blog, away from AR... some just focus on their outside blog as a blogging expert to get other venues and people to pay them to teach them. We all have our own reasons and methods.. if it works and makes you money, and you can sleep at night.. why change it. You are a good example with your types of market reports.. thanks for your feedback.
TERESA.... . I thought your blogging went back as far as the mid 90's and such. Thanks for clarifying this... and I truly understand why you aren't on AR as much as in the beginning.... Just as Jay Thompson and so many others. I stay on AR for a few different reasons, while building my outside blog presence..
Overall.. thank you very much for the kind words and compliment.. and for the fact that I kept this on topic. I do see many that get to personal when writing about such stuff like this, but then attack or that it gets personal and off topic... ... and thanks in regards to AG... and yes, I do hope we run into each other sooner than later.
JEANNE and RALPH.... . yes we can.. and I love breaking this kind of stuff down from both sides. I don't Teresa was really a nay sayer though within her post and because of the title, but to get people's attention and give excellent feedback in what is good and what is not possibly good. But yes, write stuff that is educational and informative, but making sure that is quality and not just a post to put out there... and your blogging will thrive and survive.. thanks
ERICA... . my pleasure... you have certainly earned it and is a great example of what to do and how to do it. Basically, if it works and is not broken, don't fix it.. maybe tweak it, keep up with the times... experiment at times... but don't kill it...
ERICA # 2..comment # 68.... ;o) Yes, I totally agree with that. First off, it kills me in regards to those that submit like 5 posts in a row on AR... you will not get that many comments, even if the posts are good... just my opinion... and you make some very valid points to even those outside of AR that would follow them... people will lose interest. If posting all of that on one blog site, you need to break it up... do different types of posts. Thanks for this feedback.
HI Jeff,
To state the obvious, 190,000 + members just in this real estate blogging community and we are all wrong........ I don't think so.
A lot of great feedback and tips from many people, and yes I recognize a bunch of things that we can and will learn from, I will bookmark and revisit to soak it all in and change our ways for the better,
Thanks and happby selling
Isn't Blogging all about the content? ... if it's not interesting or useful it is not going to get any attention.
I think there are a lot of misconceptions about blogging. I alluded to it in my first comment. A few months ago, I was asked to put together a blogging class for my brokerage. I did - but no one liked what I had to say. I was telling them that blogging was HARD - not the cop-out that many of the ASSumed. Too many felt that I was begging off the "hard work" of annoying the pubic through cold calls and door knocking. I was unwilling to get outside my "comfort zone" and just wanted to tap away at a computer. One of the trainers told me - "we just want to get them writing." don't tell them it can be hard. Well - sorry folks - it is HARD. Consistently posting relevent content is not easy. Working SEO - which is absolutely essential if you have only been blogging in the last few years is not for wimps either. For outside blogs, going with something like the Real Estate Tomato is essential. It costs money. It takes time. You have to know how to write. You have to dig deep and get out unique numbers on markets - none of that slapping what your local MLS offers up on a post. You have to know neighborhoods and provide unique content about neighborhoods. So 99% fail....because they just dabble at it.
Jeff,
My outside blog has always done better than my activerain blog but I use them for different purposes. AR for networking and learning but my AR blogs are geared more for out of town readers or people relocating to NYC. My outside blog is more for a local NY audience. I usually don't blog about my listings per se. I mention them only in directly. I'll blog about, the neighborhood, or park across the street or about a building history that I may happen to have a listing at. It more subtle. I've never written with key words in mind. In fact, I hate blogs that are all key word and SEO driven. People don't talk like that. I just write about what I know. No bells and whistles for me.
Mitchell - your blog won't die but you don't need me to tell you that.
Teresa, Thanks, I like hearing it from you.
Static site and blogs are dead for most agents. They have given up already because it did not work for them nor did they want to spend the time. My blogs are more focused than most on the New Orleans Condo niche. I even started a photo blog with neighborhoods in mind as I can almost do one per day. New Orleans Photo Blog, Its all a matter of what you like to do. 20% of agents still do most of the business.
The evolution of static site and blogs overall has been simply amazing in the quality and style over the past 4-5 years. More great ones than ever before.
I blog to be the local expert in my local real estate market. Plus, I have a weekly radio show. I would not rely on just blogging alone as a strategy. I do not see it going away. I do see the use of video blogging become more acceptable in the next couple of years. 24% content on the Internet is video.
I agree with Eric. Your blog does not have to be written. It can be photo or as Harry mentioned, video. There are several means to accomplish the same goal and to attract an audience.
PETER & LINDA... comment # 70.. . well,I wouldn't go that far by mentioning all 190,000 members.. I would only say that less than 10% of them are truly active and blog well.. In any case, a lot of good feedback.. so thanks.. I like these kinds of posts to where you can learn some things.
TROY... , I would think so... quality content should be King... thanks
RUTHMARIE... . I think you were spot on to tell everyone that it's hard work, not easy... and to point out the benefits and rewards. I think your broker was wrong to tell you what not to say... glad you were upfront about this. basically that it should be a part of your business plan.. and yes, being consistent.. thanks for this in-depth input. thanks
MITCHELL.... . everyone has different reasons for AR and outside blogs. I personally believe that you are better at working on your outside blog once you have a good idea of what you are doing... such as you mentioned... but that you should still keep AR in your sites and us it wisely and to your benefit. For me, it's easier to say this, because I could attract more realtors with my posts and knowledge than a realtor could attract a loan officer... a bigger reason why I still stick with AR for that. and that I can give back to AR and those on AR... thanks for sharing.
TERESA,,, , ;o) Nice compliment to Mitchell... and thanks for participating in this conversation.
MITCHELL... . I would to, especially from Teresa, who is well respect all over the web...
ERIC... . I definitely think static web sites are very dead.. and anyone that does web sites/blog sites and don't tell people this if they ask for a web site? rut row... and I agree, the quality of sites have gotten better in the last several years. I'll check out your site later tonight... thanks
HARRY...comment # 77.. . . I agree, I never said to just rely on blogging.. but it should be up there, especially when NAR says that 80 to 85% of the consumers first shop online... people should take that kind of stat and run with it though... but you are correct in saying that you should keep other coals in the fire... thanks
Alive and making my phone ring!
Web sites will definitely kill it when it comes to SEO and flat out traffic... run a RELEVANT short search term or phrase people actually type in and what do you see..? blogs?
Rigid Static, themed or template plug in sites are out. But easily updated Smart Designed web sites make the phone ring and email inquiry's on a daily basis.. even in this market. Being on the first Search page of the most typed in consumer terms will come from web sites, if done right.
Smart design means updates and minor tweeks every month for about 1-2 hours. Smart design is coding, external web presence and technique.
Most have given up with being the most found for key money terms and have opted for some what passive results based on a lot of work. imo
If there is a blog showing for an area with relevant high freq. ACTUALLY TYPED, short keyword money phrases a proper web site can dominate and will kill it.
Blogs can't be dead. I still have an account on Active Rain!
RENEE... comment #79... . these are excellent points and something that I will be incorporating into my blogging plan and blog posts. thanks
LINDA.... . I think many of us can agree to this... it comes down to how you work it and how dedicated that you to blogging.
CRAIG... .sure, there are ways to scam web sites that are static, getting it to the top of searches... but what they usually lack is quality and fresh content... something more than a low rate advertised and such. Sure, there will always be people that will bite on these... but the smarter ones want to read what that person has to say, and get an good idea about that person, if they want to deal with them or not. Thanks for your input.
MIKE...comment # 83... . well, having an account is one thing. Making it work for you is another.. thanks
As long as people are using the Internet to find information about products and services, blogging is not dead. As long as journalists use blogs to find sources or story ideas, blogging is not dead.
Great discussion. I for one don't believe the Real Estate Blog to be dead. A blog is just a web site and a web site is just a chassy for your content. I think some real estate professionals realize they have good ideas, intelligent content, & the ability to put it together online. For those people, blogging works.
The bottom line, the only way your online efforts will ever succeed is if you roll up your sleeves, read the FAQ's, and learn how to learn. Look at those that are having success with their blogs, they all share one common trait. No fear. They dive in. They learn. They figure it out.
To hear Teresa, Jay Thompson, Sarah Stelmok, & Rob Hahn discuss this "Is The Real Estate Blog Dead" in depth, come to REBlogWorld on October 14th, 2010. We'll be diving into the good stuff.
Jason Berman