Sorry, Michael, but sometimes plumbers gotta talk about pipes. This is Teresa Boardman writing at The Real Estate Tomato:
In my humble opinion it isn’t about how many people read me. It is about who reads me and why. It is about speaking directly to the clients you prefer working with. A ton of leads can mean a ton of work and little business. Some of my blog readers are exactly the kind of person I want as a client and others are not. Not all leads are equal. The type and quality of the content does have an impact on the type of leads a blogger attracts.
I think this is dead-on. By pursuing real estate weblogging with a long-term strategy, you can grow your business in the way you want it to grow.
Technorati Tags: blogging, real estate, real estate marketing
Michael Cook says:
While I am certainly glad my post struck a bit of discussion, I did not intend for blogs to solely dole out economic reports and analysis. On the other hand, it should not read of personal stories (or a personal ad), with no helpful consumer analysis either.
I think Bloodhound provides a good mix of both, hence I continue to participate happily. If I was looking for a real estate agent simply based on their blog, I would want an agent who knew the market well and was well respected. This would reflect itself in strong content and analysis, interesting market nuggets, and positive commentary from a pretty good base of people. If you are writing a blog that gets zero comments on a regular basis, then I would have to assume you are not writing thoughtful enough pieces or you dont have enough industry contacts willing to read your stuff. Either way, I would feel like I could find a better rep. If this means mixing in some Redfin bashing (or other realtor/blogging related topics) with the stuff mentioned above, go for it.
While I also appreciate the aspect of choosing the right consumer, my question is how are you pursuing them? If you want a reasonable educated consumer, help me understand how an uneducated blog meets that goal. While I am sure I am not the target consumer for most of you, I would be far more likely to work with a blogger, who I felt had their hand in current issues that affect me and my market.
August 13, 2007 — 12:20 pm
Greg Swann says:
> I think Bloodhound provides a good mix of both
We’re not you’re pigeon, I don’t think. This is very much an industry-oriented weblog aimed at professionals — Realtors, lenders, savvy investors, vendors, technologists, etc. Many of the people writing here are actively servicing consumers from their home weblogs, but our concern with consumers here is better-reflected in ideas about philosophy and policy.
August 13, 2007 — 12:40 pm
Teresa Boardman says:
Mike has not read my blog. I do publish statistics and consumer information. The St. Paul Real Estate blog has the only source of published public data that has home sales and prices by Saint Paul neighborhood. It also has advice working with Realtors, advice for FSBO’s, and for buyers and sellers with links to first time home buyer programs and information about how to prevent foreclosure and where to get help. Real estate is local and regulated at the state level. Some of the information on my blog is useless to people who do not live in Minnesota. When consumers contact me with specific questions I continually provide them with information and do so during the entire buying or selling process. The information is highly tailored to the information needs of each client.
Thanks for the nod Greg. My blog really is a business and life style choice. I prefer to spend my prospecting time out taking pictures and writing rather than cold calling, mailing post cards or doing open houses. My life, my choice.
August 14, 2007 — 5:22 am
Michael Price says:
“It is about who reads me and why.”
That sums it up about as succinctly as it can. In my opinion, quality over quantity should be the goal for anyone who wants to create a sustainable, workable business. The alternative is a business with a hamster wheel for an engine and a life of chasing your own butt to keep the pipeline full.
August 14, 2007 — 9:36 am
Michael Cook says:
Note Teresa, I certainly have read your blog. I try to read just about everyone’s blog who comments. I speak of general real estate blogging vs. pointing at one specific person.
August 14, 2007 — 10:30 am