Let's be honest about blogs and other 'time-sucks'
Realtor Notebook
By Teresa Boardman, Thursday, May 6, 2010.
Illustration Copyright 2010 Teresa BoardmanSo many people have told me that blogs are a waste of time. I got tired of listening and tuned it out and kept posting every day.
I ignored the advice of other bloggers when they told me that pictures don't belong on blogs, and I politely answered the same question over and over: How much time do you spend each week on your blog? I used to feel like the question was more of an accusation.
The answer is: Not as much time as you think. I type very quickly and my posts are short, but that is me. Most bloggers spend more time at it than I do.
I would have given up long ago if I had to hunt and peck my way through each post or if I did not enjoy writing and the kind of creative process needed to figure out what to write and the strategy behind knowing when to write it.
Last Friday I closed a nice sale. The buyer had been reading my blog for two years. He read it for months before contacting me and did not start working with me until last February. The experience was rewarding, but there wasn't anything quick about it.
There is no instant gratification with social media, which is why most people fail when they use it to generate business. Some spend more time calculating return on investment than they do using the tools.
It takes time to cultivate followers on Twitter. As with the traditional geographic farming, it is tempting to give up and become one of the "social media is a waste of time" crowd who say it didn't work for them.
The content that I wrote in my first year of blogging is out there and it is still working for me. The content has grown to more than 1,800 posts -- 30 or 40 pages, 10 photo albums, and probably about 3,000 photos. That is a lot of work and it continues with a post every day.
The only way to get rich quick is to be born into a wealthy family. If it is too late for that, then you might be able to marry well. For the rest of us, it will take hard work and tenacity and a willingness to take risks and fail a few times.
Teresa Boardman is a broker in St. Paul, Minn., and founder of the St. Paul Real Estate blog.
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Submitted by Daniel Bretzke on May 6, 2010 - 8:10am.
I completely agree with this post. It takes a long time for people to recognize that an agent or broker is someone they can trust. Blogging, atteding events, letting people learn about your experience and knowledge through your blog posts is very helpful.
Submitted by John Reinhardt on May 6, 2010 - 12:42pm.
Thanks Teresa
I was wondering if these "Time Sucks" paid off in time. I have honestly drifted away a little bit...but now, I'll continue to write posts on my blog. I appreciate your story.
Submitted by Ken Lampton on May 6, 2010 - 1:01pm.
Real estate agents like to talk to people, right? What could be more natural than talking to people by means of a blog as well as talking to people face-to-face? If you talk to enough people, business will come to you in time.
Having said this, I probably need to disclose that I got "straight A's" in English throughout high school and college. Maybe that influences my attitude toward blogging.
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Ken Lampton
RE/MAX About Dallas
www.m-street-dallas.com
Submitted by Mike Bowler Sr. on May 6, 2010 - 1:01pm.
Teresa, You are an exception to the rule. By being consistent, writing good content, being found and especially your photos. Most agents are not willing to pay the price of success. It was that way before we had Blogs, Twitter, and Facebook. Thanks for contributing to the education of our industry. Mike
“Expect the Best” Mike
Mike Bowler Sr. ePRO, CRB, GRI, SRES
Coldwell Banker Hubbell Briarwood
1020 S. Creyts Road, Lansing, MI 48917
Phone: 517-492-3400 Fax: 888-832-6203
email: Mike@MikeBowler.com
Website for Clients: www.MikeBowler.com
Submitted by Andrew Mooers on May 6, 2010 - 3:13pm.
You write "They are giant time-sucks. Watching paint dry would be more exciting than watching the readership of my Facebook page slowly grow."
Many real estate agents, brokers feel the same way about blogging, video, podcasts. But if you look that a certain amount of time set aside for this type of marketing that replaces some of the old time "suckers", it boils done to new ways to market replacing some of the dog and pony. If youtube is the second largest search engine, you best be cranking out the local community and real estate property videos. Lots of them. The views and sales tell you they work. But they take worthwhile time. Only 1 percent of brokers are using videos though...which makes them even more attractive if you are the only one in your market, state doing them. You win every card game in that arena.
Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers - Houlton Maine / Aroostook County
www.mooersrealty.com
Submitted by Gerry 'RealtyMan' Bourgeois on May 6, 2010 - 3:44pm.
Extremely well said, Theresa.
Soc Med is NOT a way to get rich quickly.
However, it is the new way to build relationships and keep in touch with your sphere of influence so that when they are Ready to Buy, Sell or Refer real estate they will think of you.
Very few do it better than You, by the way. ;)
-Gerry 'RealtyMan' Bourgeois
Submitted by Amanda Wernick on May 7, 2010 - 7:27am.
I love love love this post! I am constantly asked when can I expect to close a sale from my blog, Twitter or Facebook account...the truth is that even if I were to hold an Open House and meet some great people face to face, a transaction may not ensue for 6 to 9 months...why do you think that
social media is any different?
Could it be because there are new "Carpetbaggers" out there, selling social media as the only way to be in Real Estate? Snake oil to be sure...Invest the time in Social Media, as you would in contacting your past clients, sphere of influence, and new business...don't replace what you're doing...enhance it...
Amanda Wernick
FUNomenal Realtr
@funomenalrealtr
amandajwernick@gmail.com
Submitted by Ruthmarie Hicks on May 7, 2010 - 7:58am.
Thank you for this Teresa,
I gave a talk at my brokerage about blogging - and more specifically Active Rain. I was discouraged from telling the agents how long it took to get off the ground. However, I felt it was important to say that you needed to do this for the long haul.
The reason blogs don't work for people is that agents don't recognize that blogging about neighborhoods can not be done haphazardly or casually. It is actual work and it has to have compelling content and photos in order to be effective. The other reason blogs fail is that people do not realize it can take a long to have any success. It was 8 months before I closed my first transaction from a blog. It took 18 months to truly generate substantial business.
This was probably an unusually long start-up. But the reason was probably because I started my blog just as the sub-prime complex was rearing its head and sales in my area were totally stagnant.
Submitted by Jerzy (George) Szkup on May 7, 2010 - 4:51pm.
George Szkup
www.DestinationTucson.biz
Teresa,
"It will take hard work and tenacity and a willingness to take risks and fail a few times" - I would not mind "few times" - but all the time?
I have been blogging once a month for nearly two years and mini-blogging frequently on Trulia and Twitter for some 9 months - no results so far. But I am an optimist - one day I will get a transaction and spend the whole commission celebrating - any suggestions what wine to "use"?
George in Tucson
Destination Tucson – http://bit.ly/2Bnb3f (Monthly Blog)
Twitter - http://bit.ly/e3mCI (Georges’ Tweets)
Trulia - http://bit.ly/4tgwkU Q&A, Blog/posts, Resume