According to Agent Genius, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reports that only 10% of its members blog; and sometimes I wonder why that 100,000 or so of us bother to blog at all.
I am often frustrated over topics for this blog. I mean, how many stories can you write about the dismal real estate market? Or real estate consumer posts, like those “5 things to look out for…..” stories, that seem to appear over an over? Other than an occasional rant about something that irritates me professionally, like buyers who waste a lot of my time, only to stray away and buy a FSBO, or sellers who have had their house on the market for 318 days turning down a showing, and, of course, the mandatory monthly market report, there really isn’t a lot to write about real estate that is engaging to the public in general.
Just take a look over at real estate networking portal Active Rain. Popular bloggers there get lots of comments – from their peers. If real estate blogging is done with some round about intention of generating income through building affinity with those in the audience, I am not really excited about my competitors colleagues in the business being the audience. I would much rather have an audience of motivated real estate buyers and sellers or people from the general public who might be interested in what’s going on in the world or real estate.
It has been my theory for the past few years that most many realtors who adopt social media, including blogging, are not looking for engagement as much as they are at continuing their 20th century push marketing techniques. Sure Facebook, Twitter, and blogging are great tools for broadcasting listings and shameless boasting about your sales prowess. They are great for selling your sure-fire get rich in real estate “system” to struggling agents too. And with the market we have had the past few years, there has been plenty of time to figure out how to manipulate the new media to push out the message, whether you connect with anyone or not. After all, it’s free!
So, if you are reading this post, please take just a minute to comment and let me know if you are a real estate pro, a real estate consumer, or other interested party, AND what you expect from a local real estate blog. I am always open to content suggestions, even if they include suggesting I spend more time working on my much more popular personal blog.
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Well, Joe, I read your blog and wonder about the same thing. I don’t read them all though – on and off. I blog about what I like and what I hope will be interesting. Then it is worthwhile anyway. 🙂 Just because… and for your readers, I am a Real Estate Pro who blogs.
I blog about what i think is interesting and what I like in Memphis on http://joespakeblog.com As to this real estate blog, I find it harder and harder to post without sounding redundant and irrelevant. I am considering discontinuing this blog, as I make many more connections on Facebook, Zillow, the other blog, and other platforms than I do here. And I don’t want to be a real estate blogger who blogs for other agents.
Well, Joe, I read your blog and wonder about the same thing. I don’t read them all though – on and off. I blog about what I like and what I hope will be interesting. Then it is worthwhile anyway. 🙂 Just because… and for your readers, I am a Real Estate Pro who blogs.
I blog about what i think is interesting and what I like in Memphis on http://joespakeblog.com As to this real estate blog, I find it harder and harder to post without sounding redundant and irrelevant. I am considering discontinuing this blog, as I make many more connections on Facebook, Zillow, the other blog, and other platforms than I do here. And I don’t want to be a real estate blogger who blogs for other agents.
I use to be a Mortgage broker and I find your blog very interesting. So no I am not a real estate pro but I enjoy your blog
Thanks, Amy. Do you also read http://joespakeblog.com ?
I use to be a Mortgage broker and I find your blog very interesting. So no I am not a real estate pro but I enjoy your blog
Thanks, Amy. Do you also read http://joespakeblog.com ?
I read it Joe. I am a real estate professional here in Memphis. I also have a blog: http://www.LuckyAProperties.wordpress.com
I always wonder if anyone reads it as well.
I read it Joe. I am a real estate professional here in Memphis. I also have a blog: http://www.LuckyAProperties.wordpress.com
I always wonder if anyone reads it as well.
I think most agents would agree that it would be nice to have consumers commenting on their blogs to show interest in the topic. It will also give credibility as well as spark an interest in a listing or someone wanting to buy a home.
True, Danny. My dilemma is that i don’t want to write consumer info that the public can get anywhere, and if I write about the RE business, only RE people seem to read it. I am leaning toward putting all my efforts on http://joespakeblog.com, and throwing in a little more RE stuff – keep the local stuff, but talk a little more about what i do professionally.
I think most agents would agree that it would be nice to have consumers commenting on their blogs to show interest in the topic. It will also give credibility as well as spark an interest in a listing or someone wanting to buy a home.
True, Danny. My dilemma is that i don’t want to write consumer info that the public can get anywhere, and if I write about the RE business, only RE people seem to read it. I am leaning toward putting all my efforts on http://joespakeblog.com, and throwing in a little more RE stuff – keep the local stuff, but talk a little more about what i do professionally.
I agree. Keep in mind most flat rate brokers also are full svrciee brokers so they are capable of offering help if asked even if they’re not getting full commission. IMO they are also more enlightened that your typical broker. They understand full svrciee isn’t for everyone. Not to mention a limited svrciee listing can be upgraded at any time. A smart broker can build trust and rapport to easily turn it into a full svrciee listing if nothing happens in the first couple of months.