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Replies (17)
- Rudi Hofmann, "LUXURY HOME LOANS CA"
- Contributions:7435
Hugo, my opinion is WEBSITE!!!!
You can do a Blog that shares your opinions on different matters. Guess what? Many won't share your opinion! If you Blog "Safe" you're just a shade of plain. Who cares about "milk toast" comments?
For Realtors/Agents "Listing Book" (www.socal.listingbook.com is GREAT for only $99.00 a year, IMHO. You have several moduals you can customize so it doesn't look "Cookie Cutter" along with the "great stuff they provide."
Spend about 1 - 2 hours a week to keep it fresh. That's all. You'd spend that mush time Blogging, wouldn't you?
Hugo, I'm glad you asked. ... Happy closings, Rudi
- Laura Karambelas, "Karambelas"
- Contributions:748
Hi Hugo-
I have gotten more business from my blog than my website. I think people are looking to relate to the person and can't do that with a website. With a blog your personality and market knowledge are shown. People can relate to who you are. I agree with you, I prefer the "blog" way to go.
I have gotten more business from my blog than my website. I think people are looking to relate to the person and can't do that with a website. With a blog your personality and market knowledge are shown. People can relate to who you are. I agree with you, I prefer the "blog" way to go.
- workabee
- Contributions:1030
I vote for website with a weekly blog. It's the best of both worlds.
- Georgia New Homes
- Contributions:68
If you want to generate business online, it's a good idea to have a website and a blog; that's just my opinion.
The wordpress blogging platform (http://wordpress.org/) is extremely flexible and can be used as a website. I know several agents who use it as their only web presence.
- Donny Carter, "Donny Carter"
- Contributions:39
I think that a website is a necessary marketing tool. One that integrates your local MLS. I agree that a blog allows your customers to learn more about your opinions, etc, but they still need a place to go to search the listings in the area. I have had pretty good success with my website which cost $49 per month and has returned its cost ten fold over the past few years.
- Thomas A B Johnson, "Agent21"
- Contributions:380
@Drew Correct! A wordpress blog run right kills the competition and also every spare minute you have ;-)
- Marilyn Wilson, "marilynwilsonwav"
- Contributions:1
Rudi,
I agree with you about the value of listingbook. We just interviewed a bunch of people from SoCal who are using it and they think it's great.
Another key benefit of Listingbook....it is a very well-developed VOW solution. If you want to really engage customers in a conversation marry your blog with a VOW and invite them to register to get access to all of the data REALTORS use.
Check out our article on how VOW's can become a great marketing tool at http://waves.wavgroup.com/what-is-a-vow-and-how-can-it-help-you-grow-your-business.
Marilyn Wilson
I agree with you about the value of listingbook. We just interviewed a bunch of people from SoCal who are using it and they think it's great.
Another key benefit of Listingbook....it is a very well-developed VOW solution. If you want to really engage customers in a conversation marry your blog with a VOW and invite them to register to get access to all of the data REALTORS use.
Check out our article on how VOW's can become a great marketing tool at http://waves.wavgroup.com/what-is-a-vow-and-how-can-it-help-you-grow-your-business.
Marilyn Wilson
- UtahDave
- Contributions:29
Correct, most agents arent prepared for a website nor a blog. I have found some agents blog the heck out of the internet world....yet they arent closing any deals. Ive also found agents that try to make a website....but they have zero advertising budget. All agents have talents...but every agent's talent isnt to put together a business. If you find your talent and work within it and find others that have different talents...then you will be able to figure out your website/blog.
- sara bonert, "Sara Bonert"
- Contributions:920
I think a great strategy is to focus on a blog with an IDX search capabilities. A blog will get into the search engine results so much faster than a website could.
- Jo Soss, "JoSoss"
- Contributions:161
I vote both. I have a template web site that is on the first page of google for my market key words every day of the week. I also have 3 blogs and receive lots of traffic from those but I struggle to get them on the 1st page for the same search words as the web site. I used all of my learned SEO from blogging and integrated it into my web site. It's not pretty but I sure am going to leave it because of placement.
- Erika Eaton, "erikaeaton"
- Contributions:45
I had a website and became very proficient in Dreamweaver. After adding the blog to my website, I realized the blog was better and easier to add content. I've now gone exclusively to the blog. I paid for a template that has a crisp, elegant look and am able to customize it very easy. Whenever I add any content, it's automatically archived and indexed. If you'd like to see my website you can click on Buckhead Real estate. I'm happy to answer any questions about the template or using Wordpress versus Dreamweaver.
- Erika Eaton, "erikaeaton"
- Contributions:45
I had a website and became very proficient in Dreamweaver. After adding the blog to my website, I realized the blog was better and easier to add content. I've now gone exclusively to the blog. I paid for a template that has a crisp, elegant look and am able to customize it very easy. Whenever I add any content, it's automatically archived and indexed. If you'd like to see my website you can click on Buckhead Real estate. It looks just like a traditional website, actually it's cleaner. I'm happy to answer any questions about the template or using Wordpress versus Dreamweaver.
Tell me about blogging???? Can I do this on Zillow or shall I add it to my site????? I am reading it's pretty 50/50 so far. How and where do I start?
- Hugo Torres, "Monrovia21"
- Contributions:83
I would encourage you to look at either Wordpress (www.wordpress.com) or (www.blogger.com) as a way to get started with a blog.
Blogging is simply on-line journaling..if you would like to look at an example check out ours at http://www.c21ab.net/Blog.html
Blogging is simply on-line journaling..if you would like to look at an example check out ours at http://www.c21ab.net/Blog.html
- girouard property RE
- Contributions:981
website...... so far it doesn't have my opinion.......just facts and info which, is what people around here want.
Unless you are an amazing story teller and a great entertainer, I think blogs will be gone in about 2 years....When everyone has one...what use are they?
Unless you are an amazing story teller and a great entertainer, I think blogs will be gone in about 2 years....When everyone has one...what use are they?
For those of you using the Wordpress.org blogging platform, there are two WP plugins we've recently developed that you can now try out -- the mortgage center and the local market explorer.
Blog or Website
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Contributions:83Most people will never be prepared to run a full time website. Most though should easily handle a blog and use it effectively to generate business and/or accomplish their goals.
For Real Estate for instance: A challenge I see with most REALTORS who plunge into managing a website is that they really haven't studied their market and haven't derived a niche. Therefore, they are stuck with "templated" sites which look like everyone elses and don't help develop business. All this of course comes at a hefty monthly cost.
A blog on the other hand is typically free, requires very little technical knowledge and can be used effectively to develop a 'voice' and promote business.
So, if you're asking me whether you're ready for a site, be prepared to hear a "No" (on the average). Take your time, learn your craft in a couple of years time, we'll talk.
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