I just posted a quick note about this blog post that was posted by Roost on Real Estate Industry Watch, but wanted to throw in a quick observation or two as well.
First the facts, then my opinion. Roost has decided apparently to shift 100% of their effort away from generating “blind internet leads” (their words, not mine) and towards their social media efforts. Ok. That was the facts part.
Here comes my opinion. 😉
I am sure that there will be a fair amount of folks saying “You should defend what you do! (search engine marketing)”. Actually I think they made a very calcualted and shrewd business decision. There are too many agents in this business. There are too many brokers. And there are too many online lead generators. 😉 (in my opinion). They decided to try and pick a fight they could win. (Probably a good call.)
As for the search marketing vs social media arguments…they are two DIFFERENT games. They have two different sets of rule. In any given city you can win at either, neither or both. If your game is to see how much you can sell to how many agents, social media is a more attractive play. It is warm and fuzzy and has the bright and shiny objects that so many agents are mesmerized by…
If you are in the search marketing business, it is a play for less agents, because you really are better of being the lead generator for only one or a couple or two in a given town. You just need a person you trust and who is gifted as a closer to close the leads.
Oh crud…I would LOVE to stay and explain more about the differences between the two, but I am actually really busy getting business CLOSED off of the internet… 😉
I wish the folks at Roost the best in this change of direction.
PS – Jeff Brown is right…his last couple of posts are really well written…ah heck, his stuff is almost always great. (grin)
Greg Swann says:
> Roost has decided apparently to shift 100% of their effort away from generating “blind internet leads” (their words, not mine) and towards their social media efforts.
Forgive me if I’m dim, but I don’t see what is going on here. Roost is a Realty.bot, no? What would be the benefit to them of switching from SEO to social media?
October 12, 2010 — 4:33 pm
Jeff Brown says:
Much appreciated Eric. I showed your PS to The Boss. She rolled her eyes. Perfect. 🙂
October 13, 2010 — 8:53 am
Mark Madsen says:
It seems like everyone is focusing on “Social Networking” vs SEO.
The more big companies, like Roost, promote webinars to agents about Facebook and Twitter, the more excited I get about publishing content to my own sites and building strong links.
Am I missing something?
October 13, 2010 — 9:36 am
Eric Blackwell says:
@Mark – You aren’t missing anything. 😉 I encourage EVERYONE to focus ALL of their efforts on Social Media. (I am sure it works, and I am fine with that…but it also makes a few more competitors leave my radar screen)One does not compete with or replace the other in my book. I wish them all the success in the world. 😉
@ Greg – I thought so too, but apparently they have lately been marketing Facebook tools and other social media stuff and now they are bidding adieu to the realty bot game.
@Jeff Brown – I know I have really succeeded when The Boss at Team Eric rolls her eyes…funny thing…it is catching,,,now my 4 teenagers do it!
October 13, 2010 — 1:13 pm
Brian Enright says:
…and they’re going to make significant revenue how exactly? By charing agents for something you can essentially do for free directly on Facebook or using a free app like Tweetdeck?
Like the other posters here I feel like I am missing something. Hopefully there will be more details forthcoming because right now it looks like a brand in search of a business.
October 13, 2010 — 2:04 pm
Rodney Ash says:
So here is my opinion:
They are making a mistake. We all know you should not put all of your eggs in one basket. Yes, social media is popular and is a powerful tool if you master how to monetize it. But SEO is powerful as well and the monetizing path is already paved.
In any type of business you need to diversify your lead generation. Do not rely on one lead source or one technique. It will kill you.
October 25, 2010 — 4:29 am