Over the couple of weeks, I've had the distinct pleasure of talking and/or meeting several individuals from the Active Rain blogging community. Missy Caulk, who is just a couple of hours away in Ann Arbor called me because she was going to be in Grand Rapids, Michigan for a convention. When we met for lunch at the Amway, it was like sitting down with a good friend. We brought her a bouquet of flowers to celebrate her being named one of the "Twelve Top Female Real Estate Bloggers" by the widely read Sellsius blog. The conversation flowed easily and we laughed a lot. We didn't want it to end. So, when she invited us to join her and her team at the convention, we tagged along.
Later on, I got a call from Steve Volkers, an agent in Grand Rapids who was inquiring about the upcoming Blogging Seminar. Steve is very progressive in his thinking and I appreciated hearing about how he is connecting via Facebook and other Web 2.0 platforms in addition to Blogging. Steve's blogging efforts have yielded tangible results in leads and successful transactions. Upon reflection about my conversations, I realized that the volume of commissions from leads within the past year from 3 real estate agents related blogging efforts alone was well over $100,000. That's not small change...particularly in Michigan.
More recently, I spoke on the phone with Amber Riviere. The first time I read a blog Amber wrote was when she won the Prime Time Contest hosted by Mark Flanders with her article entitled "Drive." The reason I was calling Amber was because I had received a call from Jeff Dowler. Jeff was calling me about a creative NEW newsletter that Amber has launched called the 411 Newsletter. This on line newsletter is Amber's answer to expanding the reach of excellent blog posts to real estate clients all over the country.
You see, consumers are just beginning to grasp the gold mine of information available through real estate blogs. The phenomenon has not yet reached the critical mass which will will create a Tipping Point. But, it's a movement which is gaining members and momentum very quickly.
Amber's idea...give agents the opportunity to subscribe to an online version newsletter created from Blog Posts which can be e-mailed to hundreds of clients. As the agent you don't have to do a thing...just contact Amber to subscribe to the service. Not only is this expanding the reach of well written blog posts, it's giving agents another way to add Value to their clients without even having to write a Blog!
It is crystal clear to me now why this is going to be an extremely powerful aspect of marketing. The explosion of blogs in every arena, 109 Million as tracked by Technorati, will eventually make blogging another mainstream source of news and information. Think of how often you hear blogs quoted or see their authors on Fox News and CNN...something you rarely saw 3 years ago.
Looking back...a year ago, I couldn't understand why my kids wanted to be on Facebook and Xanga. Nor, would it have made sense to me that one of the most eagerly anticipated rites of passage, entrance into a prestigious university, would be celebrated with almost the same level of exuberance as being eligible for an e-mail address that allowed you to join the school's Facebook network. But when we took our son to college, students seemed to know each other. They settled into an easy camaraderie...not as strangers but friends who had already met and were eager to delve deeper into relationship. Seeing this first hand, in tandem with my own experience was a watershed moment for me.
When I've met potential clients who have been reading my blog, it a very different sort of introductory process. Sitting down with someone who has read your blog is like meeting a friend...one with whom you have some delightful catching up to do. The barriers of mistrust have been broken down. The true work of service and counsel can begin unhampered by lingering suspicions and misplaced apprehension. Clients have told me, they "feel they know me."
I just finished reading an interesting blog post entitiled "Lead Generation Paradigm Shift" by Pat Kitano author of theTransparent Real Estate Blog. Pat's insights about how the shift from Web 1.0 to Web 2.0 are going to change consumer relationships is intriguing.
According to Pat Kitano:
"Web 1.0 was about buying leads sourced from sites that collected contact info, usually as a toll for the consumer to see additional information. Web 2.0 promotes the free exchange of information with the presumption that the good will of such exchange would lead to a business relationship. The newest paradigm is just beginning to appear. Web 2.x will promote the free distribution of data as currency to attract leads" (I really encourage you to read this article in full context...)
If Pat is right...and I think he is, this paradigm shift will yield a blogger increasingly expanding returns through the interconnectivity of relationships realigning potential leads back to source authors in exchange for the attraction power of their ideas. Those who have already started to build this database by blogging are literally investing currency in the bank of ideas. Are you Building a Deposit which you can withdraw from tomorrow to fund your future by writing posts that consumers will WANT to read?
Copyright 2007 Audu Real Estate All Rights Reserved
Click Here to Read More about Grand Rapids, Michigan
Lola Audu, is the Designated Broker & Owner of Audu Real Estate. Our company specializes in helping people buy and sell homes in the greater Grand Rapids, West Michigan area. We've had the privilege of helping hundreds of clients succeed in their goals of purchasing and selling property including demonstrated success in the negotiation of Short Sale Transactions. You can contact us via e-mail @ info@auduhomes.com or by phone at 616-791-0511.
Lola:
I have been absent from Active Rain for a bit and I must say, I beleive you are one of the best here on AR!
You have such great insight. I think you are absolute on point with our observations! I have been trying to absorb as much as I can about blogging as I am a novice. You are an inspiration and contribute so much to AR. Thank you for sharing your insights.
Lola - (comment updated)
I for one am grateful to have been exposed to Active Rain, YOU, and so many other talented folks whom i would have NEVER come into contact with, without my attempt at blogging!! My head is spinning from realizing the speed of how fast this transitioning is taking place! WHEW!!!
So, after reading your post, my mind began swarming with "IDEAS" of concern for those who have not ventured into the depths of Blogosphere .... and here is what came out.... SO.... What If You're Tongue-Tied? (hope you don't mind my link)
Hi Lola - the advances in communication and technology are amazing. And they progress at a rate that is absolutely mind-boggling.
Your blog is always full of wonderful information, thought provoking ideas and genuine concern and care for all that you do. Those are admirable traits, my friend. Very admirable.
Lola, I hope this article is read by those dangling on the fence...perhaps not sure if this "presence" is going to be popular with consumers and worth the time and effort. It reminds me of 10 years ago. My broker at that time didn't believe the Internet would play a big part in real estate.
I wish I could have been a fly in the room when you hand lunch with Missy. Between you 2 ladies the wealth of knowledge is enormous!
I'm off to read Pats article. Thank you for the link to it.
Lola, I loved meeting you and the flowers lasted until yesterday. I never thought about how facebook would aid in college kids getting to know each other faster and better. But, wow great insight. Yesterday someone posted on only 4% of Realtors blog and 10% are "thinking about" it. This from from NAR data. I think it was Ann from Portsmith, N.H. I was shocked and wondered where they got that information.
I love the blog, newsletter idea. I am having one built so once done I will send it out to my contacts and see IF they will sign up. Great idea !! This new outside blog will be focused on Ann Arbor and Saline, not listings because they are boring in most cases.
Lola,
I never imagined what I was getting into when I signed onto AR and created a blog. I still talk to so many people who have no idea what blogging is all about or why we do it. To be honest, I actually meet a ton of people who still don't have a computer or e-mail capabilities. Those people aside, there is a definite transition taking place and I'm so grateful to be able to gain from your insight and knowledge.
Thanks for sharing what you know with the rest of us.
Great blog and wonderful photos. Where do you get your photos?
Yes those of us who on already active in AR are ten steps ahead of those who are not. Keep going.
Good information. Good post. Thanks for sharing the information.
Lola,
Great blog. I am new to AR and to blogging and still getting my arms around this and my website. AR has provided a wonderful source of information to draw from. Thank you for the links and being one of the trailblazers!
Lola,
Thanks for your wonderful contribution, I will check out these posts they sounds like good information. :)
Lola,
Thanks for the post. I need to search my area for possible blog conventions. I have been flying under the radar in the blogging world so I hope I am not missing the future.
Lola, this is a time of transition for our industry. Just what Web 2.x will look like is anybody's guess. My guess is that it will be more intensely "local" so all these RSS feeds aren't going to be as important as some people think.
But whatever it turns out to be I'm sure you are going to be on the cutting edge.
Good work!
Bill Roberts
Yes, yes. I have collected all of my posts and I'm planning distribution by any means necessary, including, if necessary, taking them up in a Cessna and dropping them upwind of my market area and letting the wind carry them throughout the MD and VA area.
As my blogs float to the ground, buyers will be attracted to them by the bright blue paper they are printed on and will collect and save them for periodic review when they need real estate information.
What else is left?
Hi Lola,
Glad you mentioned Amber's newsletter in your post. One of our articles will be part of her first newsletter. We feel honored to have been asked by Jeff Dowler. Hey, congrats on another Featured post. Good job!
Lola,
As usual, well said and thought provoking. I liked what you said about meeting with clients after they've read your blog. I'm having a few similar experiences with clients and referring agents. I was called the other day with a CRS referral to my city, I was "interviewed" by other agent, which was just fine with me. I mentioned that she Google my name and my city Brea. I got the referral.
Great blog. Thanks for all of these ideas.
Duane Hosek in the Black Hills of South Dakota www.duanehosek.com
Lola- I thank you for being here and for your continuing enlightenment. I am always awed by the breath and depth of your posts, and i only touched a few. Alas. one has to sleep. I will just have to return tomorrow. Thanks!
To All: Thanks for your comments. I have been largely away from my computer over the past 24 hours but appreciate how many of you stopped by to read and share your thoughts. I'll be responding in a little bit. Thanks Again.
Hi Diane, Thanks for stopping by to read and comment. I read your blog post very quickly, but will be going back to read it more slowly and comment. Good discussion you've got going. :)
Jennifer, Amber's newsletter is a great way to add value from the collective wisdom of the blogosphere to our clients. I think it's a great idea and she's off to a good start.
Hi Carol, Good to hear from you. Thanks for stopping by! Hoping to be able to connect with you in GR :)
Kris, I'm smiling as I read your comment about 10 years ago. Unfortunately, there are still many individuals in the real estate community who fail to comprehend how important and relevant an understanding and engagement with this medium is.
Hi Missy, Wow, that's wonderful about the flowers! They decided they had to squeeze out every last bit of beauty as a gift from the heart! :) Thanks also for the tip about Ann's blog. I'm going to check it out. I can understand the confusion of many real estate professionals...this way of thinking can seem very confusing at first.
Hi Kelly, Peer support and affirmation is very important to all of us...it will just be done within some additional channels in the future. However, these new distribution systems of information will be far more expansive in their reach.
Hi Andrew...it's like parallel worlds. There are many agents who don't want to use e-mail and refuse to get even a domain name or a website. There were also individuals who refused to buy a TV in the 1950's and 60's. To each his own...
Thanks for your comment Kay.
Thanks Vickie.
Lane...I can relate. A single google search brought me to Active Rain and it has definitely been a life changing experience.
Appreciate your visit Donna.
Bob & Carolin...Thanks for your comment.
Kim...You're welcome.
Sally....I feel the same way about you! Thanks for your comment. :)
Hi Mary, Thanks for spreading the word about the Blogging Seminar. Truly appreciate it. This is a tool that can be of such great benefit to those in the home building profession.
Suzanne, Thanks for stopping by to read and comment.
Appreciate your comment John.
Hi Lola - wow, loads of great info in this post! And some eye-opening info about facebook, etc. I'm on there, but just have not done much at all with it or a few others I'm on. I think now I'll be thinking about them in a slightly different light.
From reading the comments, many of us have AR to thank for getting us to the point where we all are right now, and for putting us ahead of so many. That report Missy mentioned is one of my posts, "Who Are We?", and the stat NAR had was just as she wrote - 4% have blogs, and another 10% plan to.
I've been slowly making my deposits in a variety of places. I think I need to speed those deposits up a bit!
Thanks for this terrific post!
Ann
Rebecca...the most important thing is that you're starting today! Keep up the good work.
Bill...Appreciate your visit. There is a powerful shift (transition) taking place that will reshape much more than just the real estate community.
Lenn... :)
Sharon...It was a fascinating thing to observe. Gave me some food for thought with reference to real estate too.
Thanks for your comment Scot.
Chris...Truly appreciate your stopping by to read and comment.
Natalie...Congrats on being on the forefront as a leader in your local community in this area. Best wishes as you grow and help others to learn about the implications of this new technology. Thanks for your comment.
Bill & Barbara Jo...Appreciate your comment.
Elizabeth...Thanks for the Blessing and the "Bridge" analogy :)
Lisa...Congratulations on being a part of the Inaugural issue of the Newsletter! Excellent blog posts will have the opportunity to be amplified through partnerships like this.
Lynda...Very interesting & powerful. Another agent googled your name for a referral... AND as a result, you got the referral. First of all...Congratulations and secondly, this is a great example of the ways in which this medium is impacting connections in our spheres of influence and business relationships.
Eloise, Thank you for your kind compliment. I truly appreciate your visit.
You're welcome Duane.
Christy....:)
Hi Gita, Thanks for stopping by to read and comment.
Appreciate your comment & compliment Diane.
Hi Al...the pace of the growth in this revolution is expanding....
Chelle, Thanks for your comment. I have learned a lot through this network. It's a phenomenal place to get a good education particularly about the new media.
Hi Joseph...Honored by your visit. The 411 Newsletter is worth checking out. :)
Amber...Best Wishes for continued success! The 411 is a great concept.
Hi Ann, Thanks for stopping by to read and comment and for the link to your blog post. As soon as I finish with the comments here...I'll be heading over there next. :)
Lola...it sounds like soon we'll be Paying it Forward, which is a very good thing for us all.
Cheers, have an awesome day, and keep up the great posts :O)
Tracey, I think you're on the right track!
Fred, Thanks for your comment.