Bloggers often universally praise their craft and encourage others to do so with evangelical zeal.
Is blogging a good thing? I’d say it depends on why you blog. There are a lot of good reasons to blog. For example, Mitch Ribak advocates blogging as a means of staying in touch with existing customers.
There are many reasons, however, NOT to blog.
This is the case against blogging for business:
I know that blogging against blogging is a bit like dancing against architecture but here are some questions to ask before you start blogging:
1. Are you a Realtor or a writer?
The concept of Realtors as bloggers reminds me of the cliché of waiters as actors. “I don’t really sell houses; I am working on my screen play.” Unless you like writing, don’t bother.
2. Who cares?
Potential customers want to see listings, find out what their homes are worth, know how many houses you sold in the last year and what your commission rate might be. Of less interest to consumers when selecting a Realtor probably is your point of view on interest rates or whether you know how to avoid split infinitives and to use gerunds properly. Some consumers and potential customers may have specific questions. Reaching them could be useful. If you are interested in answering some questions, try Trulia Voices. However, this isn’t really blogging, but more like Jeopardy for Realtors. “I’ll take Texas Real Estate for $200.” Click here for an actual question on Trulia Voices.
3. Is blogging a cost effective use of time?
Ask yourself, why spend time blogging (unless you like to) when you can spend time engaged in other activities that help you sell real estate? Indeed, blogging will probably cut into your leisure activity time too.
4. Are you blogging for business to prove your independence or to make money?
Self reliance is an admirable thing and something that most Realtors have. However, just because you can do something by yourself, doesn’t mean you should. We let other people prepare our meals for us when we could cook them ourselves, we buy butter even though if we really wanted to, we could churn it ourselves and we buy electricity when we could set up our own generators in our basements to keep the lights on. As the world becomes more interdependent, maybe it might make sense to pay others to do the things you can’t do efficiently (like lead generation) so you can focus on those things that you can (like selling real estate). I’ll take profitable interdependence vs. independent poverty any day.
5. Does the world need another 1.5 million real estate blogs?
There’s barely room for 1.5 million Realtors.
6. What type of visitors do you expect your blog to attract?
If you are good, your readers may love your content, but not be interested in buying or selling homes. Readers of real estate blogs are mostly industry types. For proof, go to ActiveRain. There you will find 66,000+ Realtors talking to each other. It’s a great forum but nary a potential customer to be found. Chances are your devoted reader is a fellow blogger or Realtor. You can all meet at Inman Connect and share blogging war stories. But you may not sell many homes.
7. Could your blog lose you business?
Something you might not have considered – You might not be good at blogging. You might scare off potential customers while “finding your voice” with inane insights (like the ones in this post) and clumsy means of expression. Please take a look at Eric Pakulla’s fine blog post, “Is your personality costing you business?”
8. Are you currently sleeping well?
Blogging is time consuming and you might lose sleep. Any blogger with a regular readership can attest they often blog late into the night. They suffer from self doubt and fear of failure. Remember you are only as good as your last blog post.
9. Are you really up for it?
Blogging is highly competitive. Blogging requires constant effort to provide your readers with interesting and fresh content. This is a lot to ask of one person who already has a full time job and the demands of family and personal relationships. In this market you probably have enough trouble competing selling real estate; do you really need to compete on blogging too?
We want our customers to be successful. We think you should use ALL available means to get leads (including blogging, SEO, HomeGain, etc.) and to build relationships with your prospects so you may grow your business.
Even considering the above case against blogging, I would advise trying blogging.
Feel free to submit a guest blog post here on the HomeGain Real Estate Blog.
But as Jay Thompson wrote yesterday, “Be forewarned, though, I firmly believe that if the only reason you blog is to “get leads” then you will likely fail miserably”.
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Louis,
You make some very valid points about blogging. However, done well and consistently blogging can and will bring in business. If you have any doubt about that, check out the group I’ve started on Active Rain called Active Rain Block Party where members write about the successes they’ve had closing deals and getting referrals because of blogging I’ve personally found a few clients through my blogging efforts and connected personally with many more future clients because of my blog.
February 7th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Brian
I agree a blog can be useful for getting a few customers and even more useful to connect with existing ones.
I’ll check out the active rain block party.
I think Realtors should have as many oars in the water as possible. Its not really a choice of Use HomeGain or blog as you pointed out in one of your comments
February 7th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Louis,
Thanks for your response. I agree that using a blog is especially useful for connecting with existing clients. I often print out or e-mail relevant posts to my clients that answer questions that they may have. Through the blog, I’ve essentially built a treasure trove of well-thought out frequently asked questions that can be sent to clients with a keystroke. I agree about having as many oars in the water as possible. One of the agents in my office is one of the top HomeGain producers in the country. I also use HomeGain but haven’t been as successful as him with it.
By the way, you mentioned submitting a guest post to the HomeGain blog — how would I go about doing that? Also, I noticed you are a graduate of Fordham Law School. I almost went there, but ended up studying at George Mason Law School in Virginia and practicing law in D.C. for 3 years before entering real estate.
February 7th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Ah, Louis, trying to generate some controversy, are we?
Not gonna rise to the bait…at least not yet. I will say this, however:
Blogging ain’t for every Realtor.
Open houses ain’t for every Realtor.
Door knocking ain’t for every Realtor.
And, yes, Homegain ain’t for every Realtor either.
February 7th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
Kevin,
You just did.
Welcome to the HomeGain blog.
Louis
February 7th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
I’d have to 2nd Kevin…blogging (an obviously effective business tool) is just not for everyone.
My Louis….you are far too sweet to argue but I considered each of your questions deeply, and after a long 5 seconds I came up with these thought provoking answers:
1. I’m a writer & RE business owner
2. I care
3. Yes, I’m “effektive” all the time.
4. Neither
5. Sure, why not…we all have something to say.
6. Real Estate Professionals
7. Hope not.
8. No, but I have a 2 and 4 year old.
9. Oh, I’m up for it. Are you?
February 7th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
You know, I agree. One of the first things I say to a Realtor is “your blog is there to support your business, not the other way around.” A Realtor that can devote all day to blogging and shooting the breeze with other Realtors, isn’t a very good Realtor. My advice is… Blog smart. Use it as a tool to build your business, but once it starts robbing your business of time, join a 12 step program.
February 7th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Nicole
With respect to your business, it makes sense for you to blog to communicate with real estate agents, especially those that are blogging. Your business is based on helping real estate agents attain success and you need a platform to communicate with them and exchage ideas.
My questions were posed to real estate agents who are thinking of blogging to get homebuyers and sellers.
I hope with that response we’ve avoided a battle.
February 7th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Mary welcome to the HomeGain blog.
I think you are on to something for addicted bloggers – Bloggers Anonymous
First there was Beer for Bloggers….
http://www.zillowblog.com/beer-for-bloggers-event-in-new-york-city/2008/01/
February 7th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
I doubt you are going to get too much resistance about blogging from the bunch of bloggers that have commented so far. I guess if you don’t believe in the power of blogging, you aren’t even going to be reading this post. Sort of like defending why people should go FSBO on ActiveRain, not gonna happen.
In all honesty, these are points to consider before starting a blog. If you do a blog halfa**, then people may get the impression that how you run your blog is how you run your business. As Heidi Klum says on Project Runaway “Either you’re in or you’re out”. Ok, bad reference, but it is late.
February 7th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
Who cares?
“Potential customers want to see listings”
They can see every home listed in our MLS, right on the blog. It’s the second most popular page I have (after the “home page” — which changes daily).
“know how many houses you sold in the last year and what your commission rate might be.”
While I don’t discuss actual commission rates (because they are always negotiable) someone can certainly find my “commission philosophy” on my blog. As well as my customer service philosophy. And much much more. I find it remarkable how often people have already decided to use us as their agent before that even contact us.
“Of less interest to consumers when selecting a Realtor probably is your point of view on interest rates”
Maybe, but demonstrating that you have a clue about the market, including indirectly related things like interest rates, can go a long way toward demonstrating your expertise to a potential client.
“Is blogging a cost effective use of time?”
Is door knocking? Sitting in open houses? Sitting on desk/floor time? Stuffing envelopes? Going to the printers? Writing checks to HomeGain? Standing in the bulk mail line in the post office? Cold calling?
Blogging is a form of prospecting. Any form of prospecting works for some, and not others.
“Readers of real estate blogs are mostly industry types. For proof, go to Active Rain.”
Active Rain is built for and populated by real estate professionals. Comparing it to an individuals blog isn’t comparing apples to apples. It’s not even comparing fruits to vegetables. I had over 25,000 unique visitors in the last month. 77% of them came from search engines. The industry types that read my blog don’t use search engines (most use a feed reader). Industry types don’t generally use search terms like, “Phoenix real estate”, “Val Vista Lakes realtor”, “Phoenix MLS search”, etc. (all of which the blog is on page 1 in Google).
“Blogging requires constant effort to provide your readers with interesting and fresh content.”
True. And prospecting requires constant effort too. I can blog in my underwear while I drink beer and watch football. Try doing that with traditional prospecting. (note I’m not saying I DO blog in my underwear. But I could.)
I had to look up “gerund”. My advanced writing professor would be sad about that. But then again, she’s the one that taught me that split infinitives aren’t always a bad thing…
You don’t have to be a Faulkner or Hemingway to write blogs. It helps if you can put sentences together. Writing comes fairly easy for some, and it’s torturous for others. Blogging is definitely not for everyone. But it clearly can work.
February 7th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
Jay you are unique.
Your post and your success are testaments to that.
“I had over 25,000 unique visitors in the last month. 77% of them came from search engines”
The reason we invited you to blog here is that you have had phenonomial success with blogging for business; I dare say where most haven’t.
I think we refered to our guest bloggers as some of the best in the country- I believe you are one of the best.
However, your success with blogging notwithstanding, have there been a dozen real estate bloggers with your success? A hundred? A few hundred? anywhere near a thousand?
The nature of the Internet has shown while there is a long tail of interested parties, consumers tend to congregate around just a few sites in large numbers (e.g. Yahoo, Google, MSN).
As far as real estate blogs go The Phoenix Real Estate Guy is one of the top rated in my opinion in terms of content and certainly in visitors.
We all seem to be fond of analogies so here’s one. Jay saying that blogging works and can be done at home with beer in your underwear (if you so chose)is like Google Founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin saying you can start a successful search engine company in your basement.
They are proof that you can, but how many actually will?
February 8th, 2008 at 12:33 am
“Is blogging a cost effective use of time?”
“Is writing checks to homegain?”
That activity doesn’t take much time at all.
and we take all major credit cards.
February 8th, 2008 at 12:39 am
Louis,
Blogging is a marketing communication, just like a newsletter. The difference is that it’s more personal.
Jay cites that you will fail if you blog for leads, I disagree. I think if leads are the objective, a weblog can succeed by using three things:
1- A strong PPC campaign
2- blog posts with good, market-focused content
3- a customer conversion tool (MLS feed, home valuation tool, rate quote, etc.)
Most of us opt for blogging as pull marketing rather than really trying to drive traffic and convert customers; that may be the problem
February 8th, 2008 at 7:19 am
Thanks for your kind words Louis.
How many have had success blogging? Great question that we may never know the answer to. Partly depends on ones definition of “success” I suppose. It is difficult to quantify an ROI on blogging.
For a marketing tool like HomeGain, one can say, “I spent X dollars on Y leads and got Z sales”. Doing the math to determine the ROI is easy.
How many hard dollars do I spend on blogging? Not many. $10/year for the domain name. $170/year for hosting (it’s possible to get cheaper, particularly in the beginning. Heck, completely free is possible — though I don’t recommend it). The software I use is Open Source (free).
But what is my time worth? What is the Opportunity Cost? Those are tough questions to answer. The blurring between the “static” web site and the blog adds to the difficulty as well.
Great analogy with my pals Lar and Serge. I’ve spoken at several blogging seminars, freely providing tips and techniques to be “successful” in blogging. The (sad) fact is, the vast majority of folks out there do little to nothing with the information. I don’t think it is because they *can’t*. It’s because they chose not to (for a wide variety of reasons).
February 8th, 2008 at 10:15 am
I completely agree with your take on this issue. About a year ago I attended a Top Producer class that convinced me I should start blogging. I jumped right in and started my own blog. After writing real estate related stories everyday for a month I finally realized that the only visits I was getting to my blog were from search engine web crawlers. My current thinking is that writing a blog is not a good use of my valuable time. A far more productive used is to talk to prospective buyers and or sellers. I get paid when I write offers not blog articles that no one reads or cares about.
February 10th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Steve – like any form of prospecting, blogging takes more than a month. Ever done postcards, or mailing to a farm area? Do you try one mailing and then stop due to no results? Most “experts” will tell you that you need to farm an area consistently for a year.
Blogging is much the same way. As has been discussed here on the HomeGain blog and across dozens of other sites, blogging is not some miracle system. It takes work, and time.
I assure you that consistent blogging over time can lead to people reading you, and caring what you write. And picking up the phone to contact you.
That said, blogging is certainly not for everyone.
February 11th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Hi Louis.
“If you are interested in answering some questions, try Trulia Voices. However, this isn’t really blogging, but more like Jeopardy for Realtors. “I’ll take Texas Real Estate for $200.”
Now that’s classic….
Everybody’s Voice Counts.
Rudy
February 11th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
Hi Rudy and welcome to the HomeGain Real Estate blog.
I guess I was saying I like Trulia voices and prefer it to blogging.
I also prefer Jeopardy to blogging.
I guess Trulia has hit on something informative and entertaining…
February 11th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
You are cracking me up. Here you are shamelessly blogging for Realtor business and making a case against Realtors doing the same.
Duh. So, why are you wasting your precious time?
February 12th, 2008 at 12:22 am
Laurie
this blog is accomplishing exactly what we want it to – to expose our readers and me to alternative points of view.
We may not get your business,but I love your web site and the Roy Orbison video-something I would never seen if I hadn’t made this blog post.
Thanks for stoppping by and please continue to do so as the content, I promise, will not all be against blogging.
February 12th, 2008 at 6:52 am
Blogging accomplishes several things which can be leveraged for business. They include citations/interviews by mainstream media (TV, newspaper), speaking invitations to industry conferences, teaching gigs, a practical education on new online tools, apps and technology (meebo), networking with other professionals and even a job that pays you to blog — right Rudy
And you can also use IDX, various API & whitepapers to drive traffic for conversion.
Is is more efficient than say a massive ad blitz? Probably not… but it is cheaper & longer lasting. And for those who can write easily, I recommend it.
February 12th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Louis,
I disagree. I will not argue the merits of blogging. I will tell you that it is a form of branding.
February 13th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
AMEN Brother.
February 13th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
But, doesn’t blogging greatly assist in optimizing our website? We understand we get more points in the optimization process of our website if we blog regularly.
February 24th, 2008 at 9:34 am
Absolutely Jerry
And you will also get alot of other useful things done if you do them regularly. You have to ask yourself if time spent updating content is the best use of your time versus other things you could be doing to promote your business.
February 24th, 2008 at 9:46 am
It’s hard to believe that a negative PR Homegain bot could be this effective: go completely neg about blogging (putting it all on a blog), get plenty of comments, thereby building your blog, and wrap it up probably by selling automatic, generic blog content where the Broker need never think, or be original, or give his or her clients any personal service again ever.
Where do I sign up to get the bot to blog for me? Then I can be **exactly** like everybody else.
February 27th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
1. It’s very important to be able to effectively communicate. I’m a Realtor who loves to write. Some choose to spend this “quiet” market moaning at the water cooler. Others stay on the ball by joining the blog buzz, so to speak. Rather than have my head filled with negative thoughts, I’m constantly learning & being motivated by my peers across the nation. Brian Block is one of them.
2. Might I suggest the first thought any customer might think when told they are relocating to Town XYZ is “Well, what’s it like?” Guess who gets to share their enthusiasm for their town with that person? Yours truly. Also, if I write well and engage them, perhaps they’ll see me as a local expert and call me when it’s time to move.
3. Cost effective use of time? I can say yes and no at the same time. It’s priceless, yet it’ll take time before it pays off. In some ways, the reward is in my gut/heart. I know I’m staying busy and positive and growing my tail every day.
4. I’m blogging to share my enthusiasm for both real estate and my town. Of course, the goal is also to grow my tail and gain business. We all win when people or industries move to town. While I’d prefer to be their choice Realtor, I benefit either way.
6. Clearing the throat. Grrrr…If you hung around more, you’d know it works. Seriously, visit the Active Rain Block Party. Also, watch out for those Localism savvy bloggers. I’ll say no more.
7. Absolutely, my blog can lose me business. So can the fact that I don’t know much about Nascar and one of my kids may embarrass me at the pool. Transparency is a blessing in that I’d rather spend my time with people who respect me and accept me for who I am.
8. I don’t take it that seriously yet. However, I did once write a blog after being inspired by an empty glad box.
9. Am I up for it? I’m evolving. Brian’s blog is real pro, and mine is way back in 7th grade, but it’ll improve over time. By the time the other 1.2 mil agents start their own blogs, current active bloggers will be ahead of the curve and onto the next best thing. Hmmmm Podcasts? Holograms? I’m no technogeek, but I’m sure it’ll be exciting.
The Blog Debate can continue. Right now, while I wait for my little blog to grow into business, I’ll take comfort in a referral network of people across the country who I trust, respect and actually like.
February 27th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
No blogging for this guy. Isn’t the point of a blog to rise the site up through the SE rankings and to the guy who suggested PPC aimed at his blog, I have to say, What? Why wouldn’t you pay-per-click to a home search function or a Web site? The sole benefit business-wise of a blog is to put it into your sub-directory, have someone type up some words, preferably KEY words, and then put a link back to your site in the comment.
Like this –> http://www.TheMaherTeam.com or like this –> http://www.MaherProfile.com or maybe even like this –> http://www.KCREU.com. Add links on new pages = new pages linking to your site = yummy for the SE tummies = higher rankings = more hits and visitors = more business… OR, you could do PPC and drive traffic immediately and save yourself a lot of time, money, and headaches. Blogs are the new water cooler. Bitch, moan, cheer, speak positively, share thoughts… but no business. Like busy-work at the end, you feel something is accomplished, but really, nothing is accomplished.
It’s like keeping a public journal and really what good is that? Aren’t journals supposed to be private? And if it is public are you really expressing your thoughts or are you expressing what you think other people think your thoughts should be?
Anybody getting so many visitors that you are selling ads and banners on your blog? Now you are talking productive and profit.
I love blogging. It’s keeping my competitors busy while my business grows through referrals, advertising, Internet marketing, and networking.
Michael
Michael J. Maher, MBA, ABR, CRS
The Prophet of Profits
Certified Profit Coach.
Profit is sexy.
http://www.TheProphetofProfits.com
http://www.MaherProfile.com
http://www.TheMaherTeam.com
http://www.KCREU.com
February 28th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
Louis – With all due respect, arguing against “blogging” is like arguing against the “printing press”. I did not read your entire post, I did not have to. You clearly do not understand the power of two-way communication.
Today, and for the first time in the history of mankind, “Joe and Mary public” have a voice. Good, bad or indifferent, they can make themselves heard. And so can REALTORS, dieticians, medical practitioners and so on. You are right; most Realtors are not writers, nor do they NEED to be.
What the Realtor gets out of blogging is to be able to stand out from a huge crowd of voiceless competitors. And believe me, the buying and selling public wants to hear those voices. I could go on about all the gains for both the “blogger and the bloggee” but I will only say this much; go read a few books by Seth Godin and others like him. Then you will be able to give a much more intelligent opinion.
March 4th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
John
Thanks for commenting on the homegain blog. Too bad I did not read your entire comment. You see by telling me you did not and were not going to read my blog post, you turned me off from reading your comment. So we both missed out on the valuable opportunity to benefit from the exchange of ideas that blogging is supposed to provide.
Better luck next time.
March 4th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Michael Maher wrote:
“Isn’t the point of a blog to rise the site up through the SE rankings”
No. The point is to get clients.
“The sole benefit business-wise of a blog is to put it into your sub-directory…”
No. See above.
“Anybody getting so many visitors that you are selling ads and banners on your blog?”
I’ve had plenty of offers.
“Now you are talking productive and profit.”
It’d take a lot of ad and banner clicks to exceed the commission checks….
March 4th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
Louis – If you are that “skin sensitive”, I suggest you rush out and get some “miracle cream” on the shopping network. Remember what a great leader said; “If you can not stand the heat, get out of the kitchen”.
You opened this topic yourself by saying…”I guess I do not know much about blogging”. Word to the wise – today you and I and practically anyone else on this planet – is under the watchful eyes of millions of readers.
I guess the moral of this story is that having a platform allowing you to reach thousands of readers, does not qualify you or anyone else to speak on matters unfamiliar to you. My final comment: “Thou shall do its utmost due diligence before opening thy’s mouth”. With all due respect.
Louis – If you are that “skin sensitive”, I suggest you rush out and get some “miracle cream” on the shopping network. Remember the expression, “If you can not stand the heat, get out of the kitchen”.
You open this topic yourself by saying…”I guess I do not know much about blogging”. Word to the wise – today you and I and practically anyone else on this planet – is under the watchful eyes of millions of readers. My final comment: “Thou shall do its utmost due diligence before opening thy’s mouth”. With all due respect.
Louis – If you are that “skin sensitive”, I suggest you rush out and get some “miracle cream” on the shopping network. Remember the expression, “If you can not stand the heat, get out of the kitchen”.
You open this topic yourself by saying…”I guess I do not know much about blogging”. Word to the wise – today you and I and practically anyone else on this planet – is under the watchful eyes of millions of readers. My final comment: “Thou shall do its utmost due diligence before opening thy’s mouth”. With all due respect.
March 4th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
John
I am sorry there is not heat here and I will remain in the kitchen.
I was merely responding to you in that you believed you had superior knowledge that led you to believe that you had no need to read my point of view. If one approaches me with the view that they do not need or wish to engage me but would rather just tell me what they think, I can easily unengage as well. The purpose of a blog, I believe, is to engage in a conversation. By telling me you need not read what I wrote is an univitation to engage – one that I accepted and will hold closed unless you wish to engage in a conversation based on mutual respect of differing points of view.
March 4th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
Well I finally got around to making my response for to this post over at my company site. Great post and wonderful to see so much passion in this from everyone. The short form of my response is “Let’s measure it.” How-to etc is over at: Calculate ROI for blogging and if that all turned out like gobbledygook I bet you can click my name at below this post and get to the same place.
Great topic. Even a month later.
March 11th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Louis, it’s like anything, you get out of it what you put into it. Some get business, some don’t and many want too. Not many Realtors will ever start, but more and more are as they see the success of those who do blog. It is one form of marketing, not the end all be all. But, it helps as you said in your questions to yourself post.
Tee hee, I was led here from G.Dewalds post. The cream will rise to the top in each area they post about. Consumers want information and when they find it, trust is established before the 1st phone call.
March 12th, 2008 at 5:02 am
Wow, this topic has legs.
Michael J. Maher wrote:
“Isn’t the point of a blog to rise the site up through the SE rankings”
Jay Thompson wrote: “No. The point is to get clients.”
Michael Maher writes: “Um, thanks Jay. Profound yet perfunctory. Do you really think writing on a blog is more powerful or faster than picking up the phone? Blogging is the new-age avoidance mechanism e.g. ‘I could call a potential prospect or I could feel busy and write this blog because the ‘experts’ say this will get me clients.’ As a top producer set to double my business this year, I say keep on blogging. Perhaps I’ll hire you some day to blog on my blog. In fact, I’m hiring. How much do you think a lot of time for no clients is worth?”
Michael Maher wrote: “The sole benefit business-wise of a blog is to put it into your sub-directory…”
Jay Thompson wrote: “No. See above.”
Michael Maher writes: “Exactly, but I appreciate your brevity.”
Michael Maher wrote: “Anybody getting so many visitors that you are selling ads and banners on your blog?”
Jay Thompson wrote: “I’ve had plenty of offers.”
Michael Maher writes: “Yeah right. Google and Yahoo gave up on banners and ads and went straight to search-based results and PPC.”
Michael Maher wrote: “Now you are talking productive and profit.”
Jay Thompson wrote: “It’d take a lot of ad and banner clicks to exceed the commission checks….”
Michael Maher writes: “Exactly. Again.”
Posted on Mar 04, 2008 by Jay Thompson
Michael Maher writes: “It’s time to call blogging what it is – a fun hobby. Businesses make money and hobbies cost money. In this case, time is money and this hobby is costing time. It’s okay. Some people mow their lawn. Some people do scrapbooking. Some people build model cars. And some people blog. Great. Have fun with it, but don’t substitute it for genuine assertive prospecting methods like handwriting notes, phone calls, and one-on-one meetings with potential clients and referral partners.”
Michael
Michael J. Maher, MBA
http://www.TheMaherTeam.com
http://www.MaherProfile.com
http://www.KCREU.com
http://www.ProphetofProfits.com
Profit is Sexy.
P.S. Anybody want to talk about buying leads from lead services?
March 15th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Jay looked up gerund but didn’t share
True, you don’t have to be the best writer in the world, and there is usually spell check on blogging platforms, but you make a good point Louis, about terrible blogs. Every now and then I find a blog with posts that seem more stream of consciousness than understandable. I’m thinking a listing blog might be the best route for some people because presumably you do know how to talk about listings if you are an agent or broker, even if writing is not your forte.
I love Trulia Voices and you remind me I have not been there in too long. I also like Active Rain and feel it is (as another commenter mentioned) a way to communicate/network with fellow professionals while in my jammies and drinking coffee instead of having to spend $700 every week to attend a conference to accomplish a similar goal. (I can’t wait to attend Inman though).
Why do I blog? To connect to my community. I don’t join the Chamber of Commerce or the KIWANIS (even if I was Prez of a Maryland KIWANIS club for a while). Instead I am meeting wonderful NE Ohioans on line, through their websites and blogs. I’ve met enough people to start attending some local meet ups and seminars to keep abreast of local issues…and meet more good people.
And I have gotten more leads from Active Rain either through referrals or consumer contact, than I have my own blog.
Louis you write so well I have to ferret out your blog…you have to have one:-)
March 19th, 2008 at 5:09 am
Michael Maher –
For someone who claims they are an Allen Hainge CyberStar, you sure have a closed minded attitude toward what can be a very powerful Internet based marketing tool. (Curiously, despite your website claim that you are a CyberStar, you are not listed in the CyberStar directory. Why is that? You might want to contact Allen and get yourself added to the directory, after all, you are paying handsomely for it.)
“Do you really think writing on a blog is more powerful or faster than picking up the phone?”
Let’s see… I get roughly 900 unique visits to my blog every day. You would need to make 37.5 phone calls every hour, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to reach that many people.
You can call 37.5 people every hour of every day? That’s a remarkable feat.
I get visits, and clients, from posts I wrote almost three years ago. When was the last time you got a listing or a buyer from a single call you made three years ago?
“Perhaps I’ll hire you some day to blog on my blog. In fact, I’m hiring. How much do you think a lot of time for no clients is worth?”
Thanks, but to be completely honest (and no offense intended) you are not the type of person I’d work for. I much prefer running my own brokerage.
As for your “Yeah right” response to my receiving offers for advertisement on my blog you are welcome to think whatever you want, but I don’t appreciate your questioning my integrity. You don’t know me from Adam, but I don’t lie about things like this. What would be the point in that? I get offers all the time from people wanting to place ads on my blog and web site. I don’t take ads, but the offers are there. Again to be completely honest, I could really care less if you believe that or not. I know what the truth is, you do not.
You are absolutely correct when you say time is money. And yes, blogging takes time. So do “genuine assertive prospecting methods” like handwritten notes, phone calls and one-on-one meetings. By the way, nowhere have I ever said that I don’t do those things as well.
“Businesses make money” — yep, and I’ve done quite well making money via clients and referrals I’ve secured through blogging. You can chose to believe that or not. Again, I could care less.
There’s nothing wrong with not blogging. It certainly isn’t for everyone. Clearly with your attitude towards it, it won’t work for you and that is fine. You can deny it works, and that’s fine too (grossly mistaken, but fine).
I am curious as to why you are so convinced that blogging can’t work. If you’d like to expand on that, sans the personal attacks, I’m all ears.
Good luck in all your business pursuits, and thanks for contributing.
March 19th, 2008 at 9:45 am
This is interesting. I haven’t been blogging for long, but it gets more natural over time. I think its a great way to communicate information and allow people to get to know you. I can say that I’ve definitely gotten business from some of my blogs because the clients referenced them.
On the other hand, sometimes blogging gets the best of me and I have lost sleep and at times thought I might need an intervention. Need to keep the balance.
April 10th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Hi susan and welcome to the HomeGain blog.
We’ve learned a lot since I wrote this post.
If you dig around our blog you’ll find some good practical advice from our real estate agents and our guest bloggers. You’ll also learn about our mascot, Max. Everything is categorized for your convenience into topics on the right column. Please come back and provide your thoughts.
April 10th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Interesting post that I wanted to add to… Blogging is a lot like being a real estate agent.. don’t do it just for the money.
April 13th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
That’s a great point Paul. I don’t think the money should be the sole reason to do anything. Well said.
April 26th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
The Beatles sang “All you Need is Love”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLxTpsIVzzo
Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones retorted
“Try living off it”
April 26th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
I guess the best way to sum it up is…blogging isnt for everyone and it certainly is not a “golden ticket” to success.
May 19th, 2008 at 10:56 am
We have used blogging a little bit but just for visibility in search engines. We have also found though that if you want to establish a following for key terms like Montana Land you can post a ton about it or you can create micro blogs that only talk about that one concept.
December 13th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Blogging isn’t going to work unless you do it consistently. Personally I find blogging as a creative outlet where I can not only show off my city, but learn about it as well. Having an online presence allows consumers to get to know me without risk. When they are ready to purchase/sell I get a call and we are beyond that awkward stage and ready to get to work. For me that’s great, I hate having to pay for leads and make cold calls.
Blogging is organic.
April 4th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
Very interesting reading this post a year later.
June 29th, 2009 at 10:48 am
[...] The Case Against Blogging (written for the real estate industry, but its points are widely applicable, and funny.) [...]
August 11th, 2009 at 10:38 am
This is an excellent post. I blog a lot and sometimes wonder the same tnings.
I think a good percentage of bloggers are pursuing some SEO strategy, especially, based on the comment “quality.”
If you find a good blog site, you can actually learn a LOT from the discussions. I think this is why I do it. LOL.
Rob for Atlanta Real Estate
September 18th, 2009 at 9:05 am
[...] In the olden days, we spent thousands of dollars just producing one multimedia piece for our …HomeGain Blog Blog Archive The Case Against BloggingFor someone who claims they are an Allen Hainge CyberStar, you sure have a closed minded attitude [...]
April 4th, 2010 at 2:18 pm
I just sent this post to a bunch of my friends as I agree with most of what you’re saying here and the way you’ve presented it is awesome.
May 21st, 2011 at 8:53 pm