5 Reasons Why Real Estate Pros Should Have Their Own Blog
When I talk to my fellow Real Estate peeps and the subject of Marketing Online comes up, the Conversation usually turns to whether or not they, as a Real Estate Pro should have their own blog.
Some argue that since their company or broker has one, that should be good enough, right? Uh, try again.
If you're depending on just having your picture, your bio and the information your Broker puts on the your company site to bring you
business, you're putting your career and your paycheck in someone else's hands.
Here's five compelling reasons why you should have your own separate blog…
Compelling Reason #1– You get to show the world who you are as a professional and as a person. By sharing your expertise, your
personality and the things you enjoy doing, you're bulding a connection with your audience. That's how you attract the clients you really want to work with. How much fun is that?
Compelling Reason #2– You are generating your own leads. In real estate, if you have no prospects, you're out of business. We all know that (some of us all too well) As you share interesting articles, photos and events you're naturally going to have folks who will want to work with you. You won't have to depend on buying leads (that aren't really leads anyway) or relying on referrals from your Broker(some of those splits can really cut into your commissions).
The days of giving up a big chunk of your paycheck for a referred client will be a thing of the distant past (as it should be ;-)) Also, when you get those blog readers who live in other areas who want to buy or sell, you can refer them to someone in their area and YOU earn the referral fee.
Now who's smilin' all the way to the bank?
Compelling Reason #3– you get to connect on a more personal level with your clients. Company websites are fine, don't get me wrong; but there, you're just another face in the crowd. Unless you have an outstanding photo (not talking about nose glasses or lime green hair here..although now that I think about it…nah) you're just going to get lumped in with all the other suit-wearing, arm-crossed, smiling agents in your office.
Think about this a minute. Who do YOU relate with more? A corporate head shot or someone who shares pictures of their kid's Little League game, a mouth-watering photo of a perfect loaf of bread that just emerged from the oven (with the recipe to go along with it) or a story of how you helped a deserving young couple overcome huge obstacles to become happy homeowners. I'm betting the warm and fuzzy connection gets you every time. Your prospective clients are no different. People want to work with people they have things in common with. Show them that person is you.
Compelling Reason #4– Your blog is YOUR piece of internet real estate. It's a part of your business that follows you no matter who your Broker is. When you have your own blog (and the marketing funnel that you build to go with it), it's YOURS. You own the domain, you own the content. you own your list of prospects (you will be building a list, won't you? Of course you will) Those are the people you market to for however long you choose to remain in business.
If you depend on your company site, anyone who goes through their site remains a lead of the company. If you choose to leave and you've been working with folks that came to you through the Broker's site, too bad.
Any relationship you may have formed will be left at the door when you turn in your keys. Ain't gonna happen if you've generated your own list.
(Now, all you good Realtor people out there,. I know I don't even need to say this, but you DO need to let your client remain if they're in escrow. Totally not cool to try and take a Buyer or Seller away from your Broker. I'm talking here about the folks who haven't done anything yet. OK…ethics lesson over. Wish I could give you C.E. credits for that 😉 )
Compelling Reason #5– It's just plain fun to share your hobbies, favorite hangouts, recipes, and real estate triumphs (and some
frustrations are OK, too) with your audience. By creating your own blog and sharing who you are and what you know, you're helping folks you may never get to connect with any other way. Here's a scenario that happens a lot.
Someone on the polar opposite end of the country reads your blog post about a really cool event you and your family just went to in your town.
That same person just found out they're getting a job transfer to your area (that's why they were reading about the event) and sees that you're a Realtor.
They already feel connected with you by reading your blog and like your style, your sense of humor and the way you posted a picture of your two year-old holding her ice cream cone and letting your puppy take a lick. (If you're gonna be real, you may as well go all in, right?) Who do you think they're going to call to help them relocate? If you don't say you, I'm going to thump you right now…hard. 😉
Yes, they're going to turn to you. You've shown yourself to be warm and genuine. They get how much you love what you do and want to help them.
They wouldn't even think about looking for someone else. Besides, they want to see the puppy…giggle.
You got in this business because you want to help people and solve their problems (and make good money in the process). SO do it already and enjoy it while you're at it.
These are the five most compelling reasons why you, as a realtor should have your own blog. Can you think of any more? Do you have your own blog yet? Let me know in the comments below. And if you have any questions about how to get started, ask me that too. I'll be happy to help. Until next time…
To your blogging success,
Sonrisas (smiles),
Beth
