The Setup…
First of all…You need to visualize my situation. I am sitting in my PJ’s at 4 in the morning. Can’t sleep. Jen (that’d be Mrs. Eric…) is preparing for her Grandmother’s funeral which will take her to Massachusetts. I am contemplating deadlines at work, and issues, and how my four kids are going to survive with me the next three days…oh yeah…and 6 inches of snow and ice fell overnight…splendid.
So I read Geno’s post about rehabbing and negotiation. (makes me smile–thanks Geno) And then I go to REW and check out the latest. And I visit Morgan’s blog…and find this. Conjured up by our own Mr. Bramlett, no less…
The Reality
The reality is that I hate SEO contests. In many cases, they bring out the worst in people and things. Google is not there to be tricked. They just want relevant stuff at the top of their search engine. They are about as much fun as Greg’s having in MacWorld these days. But, I am competitive as all get out and will (out of pride) have to enter this one…
So…how do I solve the following equation? Enter contest to preserve manhood. Build true online authority (which is what I preach), instead of simply build links. Make new REALTOR friends from around the country. This contest is especially difficult since I do not sell real estate (see bio) and don’t care for the fame or adulation associated with winning…
Maybe that’s the answer…not caring who gets the credit and focusing on paying it forward? Hmmm…here’s the link to my entry. I will offer ANYONE who offers to help me in a meaningful way a weekly email detailing my thoughts on how things are shaping up and how to BUILD authority and communities rather than be a link scrounge. (Ever notice that the Bloodhound Blog does just fine in the search engines and yet he happily links out to others?) I will also give the top 10 contributors a permanent spot on the post.
Finally…it looks like Morgan is throwing in a pretty cool prize. A website? Like I said, I don’t need another website. I have too many to worry about now!! If you have a REALTOR in your office that could use it and is down on their luck right now…shoot me an email. (I reserve the right to choose.) First we have to win, though…and then I will decide on who gets it if we do.
It is now ten minutes to 6 am…they just closed the schools due to ice and snow…and I still have to get to work. Splendid. (grin)
Judy Orr says:
Well, Eric, since I don’t have a chance against you and your viral campaign, guess I’ll join ‘ya. Look for my e-mail.
February 12, 2008 — 9:15 am
Tony Sena says:
I thought I would offer a little incentive as well since this can be very educational and it promotes networking 🙂
http://www.wannanetwork.com/world-contest/greatest-real-estate-agent-in-the-world.php
February 12, 2008 — 11:35 am
Eric Blackwell says:
Hi Judy- got the email (and responded).
@Tony- Very nice of you! Hope things are well @wannanetwork.
You are correct about it being educational. I will be commenting as I go on the techniques that other competitors are using via a weekly email.
I just needed something to get me out of the “winter blues”…this might be the thing!
Eric
February 12, 2008 — 11:49 am
Brett says:
This is definitely going to be entertaining.
Good Luck Eric.
Brett
February 12, 2008 — 5:59 pm
Chris Heath says:
Will be quite interesting to an analysis of the techniques used
February 12, 2008 — 7:55 pm
Wayne Long says:
I don’t have a chance against this crowd either but I am going to have fun playing the game and learning how it is done. I put my entry in my signature. Let the games begin. 🙂
@Tony – good of you to add to the prize and promote the fun!
February 13, 2008 — 1:24 am
Wayne Long says:
ROFL – shows you what kind of chance I have. I can’t even copy and paste the correct url. I will try one more time.
February 13, 2008 — 1:28 am
Matt Scoggins says:
I wish I had time to play, but just not enough time in the day for me. Good luck to everyone that joins in on the fun!
February 13, 2008 — 10:13 am
Eric Blackwell says:
@Matt- You can play…just join my team! Shoot me an email and I will provide details. That goes for other who don’t want to be “on the sidelines” as well.
@Brett and Chris- I will try to cover the different techniques people are using to promote themselves on the web. These guys / gals are good…I am finding steep competition out here–but I think we will be fine–grin
February 13, 2008 — 10:34 am
Tony Sena says:
Eric,
Looks like you are doing very well right out of the gate! Congrats 🙂
February 13, 2008 — 11:58 pm
Glenn says:
Eric – first condolescences to you wife on the loss of her Mother. I will not be partaking in this venture, don’t think I have the skill sets, but it will be interesting to see what develops.
February 16, 2008 — 3:10 pm
Sue says:
It would never occur to me to try to compete with this group. But its an interesting to watch and learn.
February 18, 2008 — 10:12 am
Milan says:
Doing pretty darn well for somebody who hates SEO contests 😉
February 20, 2008 — 5:24 pm
Mike Dammann says:
Everybody hates SEO contests, Milan. Didn’t Greg Boser teach us that. He is doing nothing on his blog to rank for greatest real estate agent in the world. 😉
February 21, 2008 — 5:09 pm
Alec Bobdon says:
Hey Eric, you work too hard. Running a full time job and four kids, in the snow and ice, my hat’s off to you…
April 20, 2008 — 4:58 am
Greg Swann says:
Alec, I love the properties you represent. Incredibly elegant.
April 20, 2008 — 6:26 am
Alec Bobdon says:
Thanks Greg, nice of you to say.
April 30, 2008 — 8:54 pm
Alec Bobdon says:
I don’t think I could compete with Eric for the ‘Greatest Real Estate Agent in the World’, but I suppose it depends what the prize is?
June 16, 2008 — 1:05 am
Judy Orr says:
Alec,
Team Eric won the contest. Go to http://www.ericonsearch.com/real-estate-webmasters-website-raffle-by-team-eric/ to donate to the raffle for the prize that was won.
June 16, 2008 — 7:58 am