Comments on: Nationally, 8% of REALTORS Write Blogs. So What?!? http://agbeat.com/editorials/real-estate/nationally-8-percent-of-realtors-write-blogs-so-what/ News, insights, tools, and inspiration for business owners and professionals Wed, 23 May 2012 16:41:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Garreth Wilcockhttp://agbeat.com/editorials/real-estate/nationally-8-percent-of-realtors-write-blogs-so-what/#comment-19215 Garreth Wilcock Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:49:41 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=2298#comment-19215 Bloggers in Name Only - I think you're spot on - I imagine 5% of the bloggers do 95% of the posts. I'm attending a great blog coaching class by <a href="http://agentgenius.com/?p=3702" title="Real Estate Blog Coach" rel="nofollow">Mariana Wagner</a> and when checking on the participants blogs, notice that only about half of the attendees are doing anything actively. Mariana is an excellent teacher and coach, and we're given every opportunity to make a go of it, but it seems that many are curious but not committed. Bloggers in Name Only – I think you’re spot on – I imagine 5% of the bloggers do 95% of the posts.

I’m attending a great blog coaching class by Mariana Wagner and when checking on the participants blogs, notice that only about half of the attendees are doing anything actively.

Mariana is an excellent teacher and coach, and we’re given every opportunity to make a go of it, but it seems that many are curious but not committed.

]]> By: Morganhttp://agbeat.com/editorials/real-estate/nationally-8-percent-of-realtors-write-blogs-so-what/#comment-13097 Morgan Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:38:40 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=2298#comment-13097 I work at a local association and am an avid blogger myself. The subject of Real Estate blogging had never really occured to me though I can see it's appeal. I used to work for a work-from-home company selling scrapbooking materials and we were frequently encouranged to make facebook or myspace accounts for the prospect of attracting customers by having a nice and clean, professional looking site that we could post specials or discounts on and talk with other people in a direct and profession manner without being face to face with the client. I am not sure that this is an ideal way to attract clients from a real estate point of view but it might be a nice way to be a little less formal. My personal blog is much more, well personal. I might talk about work or something funny that happened at the office but I don't really think about it and it's not just about how many posts you have but how many readers. There are some places you can get free hit-counters from to put on your blog or other websites to see just how many people actually click-through to your site and only about 1/3 of those click throughs are people actually stopping to read your latest posts. More often than not a person looking at a blog, professional or not, is looking for something specific. Maybe they did a search for a particular word or something that could be counted as significant in some way. If they don't find what they are looking for they will move on rather quickly. I have done it myself many times to people's blogs. Sure the more porfessional they look the more likely I am to stop and read it but if I don't see what I'm looking for I am going to move on eventually. I guess the key is to tailor your blog to the particular reason you are blogging. If it is to attract the clients then make it look professional and sharp, cutting edge. If it is more for association purposes plain old black and white suffices. Not all bloggers are out there to make money either. Many simply want to have their oppinions heard by someone, anyone. So get on your soap box and let them hear you. I work at a local association and am an avid blogger myself. The subject of Real Estate blogging had never really occured to me though I can see it’s appeal. I used to work for a work-from-home company selling scrapbooking materials and we were frequently encouranged to make facebook or myspace accounts for the prospect of attracting customers by having a nice and clean, professional looking site that we could post specials or discounts on and talk with other people in a direct and profession manner without being face to face with the client.

I am not sure that this is an ideal way to attract clients from a real estate point of view but it might be a nice way to be a little less formal. My personal blog is much more, well personal. I might talk about work or something funny that happened at the office but I don’t really think about it and it’s not just about how many posts you have but how many readers. There are some places you can get free hit-counters from to put on your blog or other websites to see just how many people actually click-through to your site and only about 1/3 of those click throughs are people actually stopping to read your latest posts. More often than not a person looking at a blog, professional or not, is looking for something specific. Maybe they did a search for a particular word or something that could be counted as significant in some way. If they don’t find what they are looking for they will move on rather quickly. I have done it myself many times to people’s blogs. Sure the more porfessional they look the more likely I am to stop and read it but if I don’t see what I’m looking for I am going to move on eventually.

I guess the key is to tailor your blog to the particular reason you are blogging. If it is to attract the clients then make it look professional and sharp, cutting edge. If it is more for association purposes plain old black and white suffices. Not all bloggers are out there to make money either. Many simply want to have their oppinions heard by someone, anyone. So get on your soap box and let them hear you.

]]> By: Frank Jewetthttp://agbeat.com/editorials/real-estate/nationally-8-percent-of-realtors-write-blogs-so-what/#comment-12663 Frank Jewett Thu, 03 Jul 2008 07:39:05 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=2298#comment-12663 Jeremy, I don't blog for bucks, either. All of my real estate marketing and technology consulting business comes from referrals. My local blog is a neat way of compiling answers to FAQ for my student, my clients, and anyone else (lots of hits for "Publisher templates") who is interested. I occasionally get phone calls or emails from agents who need help. I try to help them. It doesn't generate business and I don't charge in five minute increments, but I sometimes learn things that allow me to add more value to my local clients and plenty of people have helped me along the way. Jeremy, I don’t blog for bucks, either. All of my real estate marketing and technology consulting business comes from referrals. My local blog is a neat way of compiling answers to FAQ for my student, my clients, and anyone else (lots of hits for “Publisher templates”) who is interested.

I occasionally get phone calls or emails from agents who need help. I try to help them. It doesn’t generate business and I don’t charge in five minute increments, but I sometimes learn things that allow me to add more value to my local clients and plenty of people have helped me along the way.

]]> By: Jonathan Daltonhttp://agbeat.com/editorials/real-estate/nationally-8-percent-of-realtors-write-blogs-so-what/#comment-12652 Jonathan Dalton Thu, 03 Jul 2008 05:19:26 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=2298#comment-12652 Sounds like you need a guest post up there ... :-) Sounds like you need a guest post up there … :-)

]]> By: Larry Yatkowskyhttp://agbeat.com/editorials/real-estate/nationally-8-percent-of-realtors-write-blogs-so-what/#comment-12618 Larry Yatkowsky Thu, 03 Jul 2008 02:48:19 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=2298#comment-12618 #38 Jonathan, "we’re supposed to be making money doing this?" A new low I admit, but I'm long past being lonesome. .>) #38
Jonathan,

“we’re supposed to be making money doing this?”

A new low I admit, but I’m long past being lonesome. .>)

]]> By: Jonathan Daltonhttp://agbeat.com/editorials/real-estate/nationally-8-percent-of-realtors-write-blogs-so-what/#comment-12616 Jonathan Dalton Thu, 03 Jul 2008 02:38:39 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=2298#comment-12616 Wait, Larry ... we're supposed to be making money doing this? Wait, Larry … we’re supposed to be making money doing this?

]]> By: Jeremy Harthttp://agbeat.com/editorials/real-estate/nationally-8-percent-of-realtors-write-blogs-so-what/#comment-12444 Jeremy Hart Tue, 01 Jul 2008 17:15:30 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=2298#comment-12444 Hello World! Ben, you asked how you become a member of the REBC ... I don't think it's specifically number of posts, or commenting and linking, I think it's just making a conscious effort to participate and learn and contribute. Maybe I'm atypical <b>in this respect and many others</b>, but I'm not blogging with the goal of directly making money. Shocker to some, I'm sure, but I'm blogging to share ideas and connect with consumers and demonstrate a different approach to real estate. It drives me crazy to hear my industry described in such poor terms, and blogging gives me another angle to show another approach. If it turns into business, great, but that's not my sole motivator going into it. IMO - and in this group I might be the minority - you don't have to have a defined level of success at something to be considered a part of the community, or to be considered "successful". All that matters is that you participate, you learn, you ask questions and you get involved. My $.02. Hello World!

Ben, you asked how you become a member of the REBC … I don’t think it’s specifically number of posts, or commenting and linking, I think it’s just making a conscious effort to participate and learn and contribute.

Maybe I’m atypical in this respect and many others, but I’m not blogging with the goal of directly making money. Shocker to some, I’m sure, but I’m blogging to share ideas and connect with consumers and demonstrate a different approach to real estate. It drives me crazy to hear my industry described in such poor terms, and blogging gives me another angle to show another approach. If it turns into business, great, but that’s not my sole motivator going into it.

IMO – and in this group I might be the minority – you don’t have to have a defined level of success at something to be considered a part of the community, or to be considered “successful”. All that matters is that you participate, you learn, you ask questions and you get involved. My $.02.

]]> By: Larry Yatkowskyhttp://agbeat.com/editorials/real-estate/nationally-8-percent-of-realtors-write-blogs-so-what/#comment-12433 Larry Yatkowsky Tue, 01 Jul 2008 15:47:53 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=2298#comment-12433 #34 @Barry Net $$$$$$.00 #34

@Barry

Net $$$$$$.00

]]> By: Barry Cunninghamhttp://agbeat.com/editorials/real-estate/nationally-8-percent-of-realtors-write-blogs-so-what/#comment-12430 Barry Cunningham Tue, 01 Jul 2008 15:20:59 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=2298#comment-12430 @TB "Maybe there are more than 20 successful real estate bloggers. I guess it depends upon how success is defined." How do you define it? @TB “Maybe there are more than 20 successful real estate bloggers. I guess it depends upon how success is defined.”

How do you define it?

]]> By: Teresa Boardmanhttp://agbeat.com/editorials/real-estate/nationally-8-percent-of-realtors-write-blogs-so-what/#comment-12429 Teresa Boardman Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:57:20 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=2298#comment-12429 Ben, Barry also keep in mind that out of all the AR members not all of them have started blog and keep in mind that of those who have many have stopped blogging. Maybe there are more than 20 successful real estate bloggers. I guess it depends upon how success is defined. Ben, Barry also keep in mind that out of all the AR members not all of them have started blog and keep in mind that of those who have many have stopped blogging. Maybe there are more than 20 successful real estate bloggers. I guess it depends upon how success is defined.

]]> By: Gwen Panglehttp://agbeat.com/editorials/real-estate/nationally-8-percent-of-realtors-write-blogs-so-what/#comment-12427 Gwen Pangle Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:40:55 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=2298#comment-12427 Well, BINO, huh? guess I qualify. I 'm always interested in learning new things and growing as a result. VAR's forward thinking in the social media arena is good for all of us. I have dipped my toe into the "new venue" if you will. I find it interesting, and overwhelming all at the same time. I grew up in a military household; taught to "speak when spoken to", "don't talk unless you have something of value to say" and "don't offer advise unless asked". Given all of these "rules of conversational engagement" I am struggling to find my place in this new virtual conversation. The numbers and the stats are nowhere on my personal radar, I am happy to be able to get back to a site I set myself up on, figure out how it all works and then maybe feel as if I had something valuable to contribute, if I could figure out how to do it right:) Because I opened Scotts email and there was a link to this blog, (read, he made it easy) I am able to add my two cents worth to this conversation. There is a real sense of satisfaction in knowing that I am creeping up on understanding what I am doing in this brave new world. Sail on my blogging brothers and sisters. Well, BINO, huh? guess I qualify. I ‘m always interested in learning new things and growing as a result. VAR’s forward thinking in the social media arena is good for all of us. I have dipped my toe into the “new venue” if you will. I find it interesting, and overwhelming all at the same time. I grew up in a military household; taught to “speak when spoken to”, “don’t talk unless you have something of value to say” and “don’t offer advise unless asked”. Given all of these “rules of conversational engagement” I am struggling to find my place in this new virtual conversation. The numbers and the stats are nowhere on my personal radar, I am happy to be able to get back to a site I set myself up on, figure out how it all works and then maybe feel as if I had something valuable to contribute, if I could figure out how to do it right:) Because I opened Scotts email and there was a link to this blog, (read, he made it easy) I am able to add my two cents worth to this conversation. There is a real sense of satisfaction in knowing that I am creeping up on understanding what I am doing in this brave new world. Sail on my blogging brothers and sisters.

]]> By: Vance Shuteshttp://agbeat.com/editorials/real-estate/nationally-8-percent-of-realtors-write-blogs-so-what/#comment-12423 Vance Shutes Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:01:10 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=2298#comment-12423 Jennifer, A brilliant analysis! We regularly hear of the pareto principle in real estate. I think you've hit the nail on the head! Jennifer,

A brilliant analysis! We regularly hear of the pareto principle in real estate. I think you’ve hit the nail on the head!

]]> By: Jennifer in Louisvillehttp://agbeat.com/editorials/real-estate/nationally-8-percent-of-realtors-write-blogs-so-what/#comment-12414 Jennifer in Louisville Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:12:52 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=2298#comment-12414 BINOs are everywhere it seems cause its the "cool" thing to do - and it makes them look like they are completely on top of their game leading the way. Still, even with the BINOs watering down the data tremendously, I think it would be interesting to see how the the 8% of real estate bloggers stacks up against the remaining 92% production-wise, in aggregate and individually. The 92% number is probably too much of a hurdle to overcome in aggregate, but I bet man-for-man, the 8% crushes the 92%. BINOs are everywhere it seems cause its the “cool” thing to do – and it makes them look like they are completely on top of their game leading the way.

Still, even with the BINOs watering down the data tremendously, I think it would be interesting to see how the the 8% of real estate bloggers stacks up against the remaining 92% production-wise, in aggregate and individually.

The 92% number is probably too much of a hurdle to overcome in aggregate, but I bet man-for-man, the 8% crushes the 92%.

]]> By: Faina Sechzerhttp://agbeat.com/editorials/real-estate/nationally-8-percent-of-realtors-write-blogs-so-what/#comment-12413 Faina Sechzer Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:05:15 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=2298#comment-12413 In my local market there may be 3-5 agents who have blogs. Some of them post rarely and some of them are on Trulia Answers, R.com. I am not aware of any local "big name" agents who are bloggers. In my mind they don't blog for several reasons: 1. they don't need to -they get enough business without it, 2. it may not be possible to generate sufficient business from blogging in an area like ours. We have 18,000 residents, very traditional suburban area, with every resident already knowing at least half a dozen RE agents. I have been posting almost daily since 08/2007 . If I were to look at the ROI I would have had to stop long time ago. I didn't, and in fact am investing more in my blog (RSS Pieces) because I love writing, teaching and sharing. The thought that few people read my "masterpieces" is not very uplifting, but I don't want to give up. Teresa's is probably right in her estimates - few people made it to the point of blogging being their main business generating model. There are people on AR who say they are swamped by leads from their blog. I'll just leave it at that. If more agents were able to generate business form blogging on a consistent basis, they would be committed. IMO, they stop because they don't see the return. Is it smarter then me?:) In my local market there may be 3-5 agents who have blogs. Some of them post rarely and some of them are on Trulia Answers, R.com. I am not aware of any local “big name” agents who are bloggers. In my mind they don’t blog for several reasons: 1. they don’t need to -they get enough business without it, 2. it may not be possible to generate sufficient business from blogging in an area like ours. We have 18,000 residents, very traditional suburban area, with every resident already knowing at least half a dozen RE agents.
I have been posting almost daily since 08/2007 . If I were to look at the ROI I would have had to stop long time ago. I didn’t, and in fact am investing more in my blog (RSS Pieces) because I love writing, teaching and sharing. The thought that few people read my “masterpieces” is not very uplifting, but I don’t want to give up.
Teresa’s is probably right in her estimates – few people made it to the point of blogging being their main business generating model. There are people on AR who say they are swamped by leads from their blog. I’ll just leave it at that.
If more agents were able to generate business form blogging on a consistent basis, they would be committed. IMO, they stop because they don’t see the return. Is it smarter then me?:)

]]> By: Eric Blackwellhttp://agbeat.com/editorials/real-estate/nationally-8-percent-of-realtors-write-blogs-so-what/#comment-12409 Eric Blackwell Tue, 01 Jul 2008 11:39:08 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=2298#comment-12409 At our office, I teach blogging to our agents. The TRUE bloggers are a SMALL subset of those with blogs. There is no way to track who really blogs and who does not. My own private way of ascertaining whether they are a blogger or not... Have you made a sale off of your blog? If so...you're a blogger. I bet that number would drop precipitously if we applied that criteria. At our office, I teach blogging to our agents. The TRUE bloggers are a SMALL subset of those with blogs. There is no way to track who really blogs and who does not. My own private way of ascertaining whether they are a blogger or not…

Have you made a sale off of your blog? If so…you’re a blogger.

I bet that number would drop precipitously if we applied that criteria.

]]> By: Brad Nixhttp://agbeat.com/editorials/real-estate/nationally-8-percent-of-realtors-write-blogs-so-what/#comment-12400 Brad Nix Tue, 01 Jul 2008 10:49:24 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=2298#comment-12400 Ben: The direction VAR has taken to progressively seek innovation is what all associations should be doing. I just completed a survey from GAR which seemed to hint at some possible changes to their tired magazine, poor website and terrible education topics. In the comments section at the end of the survey, I said 'do what VAR is doing' and you will be a better state association for Realtors. Keep up the good work. As for the stats and numbers, (and I'm a stat nerd) they really don't matter at this point. It's sort of like baseball stats at week 3 of the season. Some scrubs will be leading the league in certain stats, while other all-stars are scuffling to start the season. The real stats will matter when the season is over. I have a feeling the real estate 2.0 movement is just a few weeks into the season. It just seems like a long time for us early adopters. It will be imperative for us to adapt and improve as the season goes on. Ben: The direction VAR has taken to progressively seek innovation is what all associations should be doing. I just completed a survey from GAR which seemed to hint at some possible changes to their tired magazine, poor website and terrible education topics. In the comments section at the end of the survey, I said ‘do what VAR is doing’ and you will be a better state association for Realtors. Keep up the good work.

As for the stats and numbers, (and I’m a stat nerd) they really don’t matter at this point. It’s sort of like baseball stats at week 3 of the season. Some scrubs will be leading the league in certain stats, while other all-stars are scuffling to start the season. The real stats will matter when the season is over. I have a feeling the real estate 2.0 movement is just a few weeks into the season. It just seems like a long time for us early adopters. It will be imperative for us to adapt and improve as the season goes on.

]]> By: Michelle B.http://agbeat.com/editorials/real-estate/nationally-8-percent-of-realtors-write-blogs-so-what/#comment-12394 Michelle B. Tue, 01 Jul 2008 05:26:15 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=2298#comment-12394 Hi, my name is Michelle. I am a BINO. Please help. Hi, my name is Michelle. I am a BINO. Please help.

]]> By: Paula Henryhttp://agbeat.com/editorials/real-estate/nationally-8-percent-of-realtors-write-blogs-so-what/#comment-12384 Paula Henry Tue, 01 Jul 2008 02:58:56 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=2298#comment-12384 Hello World! @Mariana - My statistics here are about the same as yours. 3-4 bloggers who are consistant. I think the time commitment is more than most imagine and the best intentions are overcome by the need for sleep, unless of course, you are Jay. The numbers seen high to me - going through my feed readers and online - I see many of the same people. Hello World!

@Mariana – My statistics here are about the same as yours. 3-4 bloggers who are consistant. I think the time commitment is more than most imagine and the best intentions are overcome by the need for sleep, unless of course, you are Jay.

The numbers seen high to me – going through my feed readers and online – I see many of the same people.

]]> By: Larry Yatkowskyhttp://agbeat.com/editorials/real-estate/nationally-8-percent-of-realtors-write-blogs-so-what/#comment-12379 Larry Yatkowsky Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:59:11 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=2298#comment-12379 @Ines I just can't resist - I'll keep your POSTED! :) @Ines

I just can’t resist –

I’ll keep your POSTED! :)

]]> By: ineshttp://agbeat.com/editorials/real-estate/nationally-8-percent-of-realtors-write-blogs-so-what/#comment-12375 ines Mon, 30 Jun 2008 22:49:41 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=2298#comment-12375 Larry, I hope to be invited to the wedding! :D Larry, I hope to be invited to the wedding! :D

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