RETechSouth - Learn the New Options that Transcend Blogging
We've heard the questions. Here are four answers that you'll only hear at the RETechSouth conference in Atlanta on March 20:
|
Question |
RETechSouth Answer |
|
Blogging is mainstream now? |
Yes
the blog is the new website. But writing long articles describing, say,
FHA loans, has become optional. There are new ways to develop a
powerful online presence that are easier, and dare we say, more fun. |
|
What blog platform do I use? |
Web 2.0 facilitated blogs, but we're entering a new phase (call it Web 2.5
) that empowers any body to build highly collaborative websites
designed to attract consumer traffic. We'll show how you can
participate, or even build, this next generation consumer-focus website. (And yes, we will explain the pros and cons of various blog platforms...) |
|
How do I get started in social media? |
Joining
Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and other social networks without a
strategy just prompts the question: "what the hell am I doing on
Facebook?". We'll answer that question at RETechSouth (part of the
answer is Facebook Connect ) |
|
Any more benefits? |
Participate
in the development of a new real estate marketing website based on
monitoring the Atlanta housing market in real time. We use social media
applications to easily upload and broadcast information you have (just
solds, local news, interesting things only you know about) quickly and
efficiently. |
Pat,
Blogging is mainstream now?
Your answer:
Yes the blog is the new website. But writing long articles describing, say, FHA loans, has become optional. There are new ways to develop a powerful online presence that are easier, and dare we say, more fun.
I'm going to disagree. Everyone since blogging got a foothold in the real estate and mortgage world's are in search of the "holy grail" instead of just sitting down are writing useful content.
Yes it's hard. Yes, it's time consuming. But does anyone really believe if you hear about a "great Realtor" on Facebook or ActiveRain..the first thing a "prospect" would do is "Google" the person's name?
If this Google search turns up nothing..the social reference produced nothing.
In other words, "having an online presence" alone is of virtually no value. Demonstrating your reach into the "mainstream" of search ie. Google listings, is absolutely a requirement for business marketing.
And it doesn't end there. If in fact, a Google listing doesn't lead to the Realtor's own blog...that is packed with useful, entertaining, and revealing content...the visitor is not impressed.
Like a bad handshake or an ugly business card...you've lost the moment. Blogging is important for the future success of online professional marketers..real estate agents and mortgage brokers included, but I'm suspicious of any "short cut" methods relying on the replacement of tired and true methods of blogging with untried and possibly untrue "social network marketing".
Reality lies somewhere in the middle...a combination of useful blogging and engagement in social networks. Social network involvement can usurp all of a persons time and put an end to their blogging. That is the danger...
Does anyone remember "Friendster"...the
Facebook before Facebook...what if a marketer wasted all their time on Friendster when they could have been blogging?
Which is more possible the demise of friendster...and maybe facebook too...or the demise of Google, MSN, and Yahoo search?
The biggest complaint real estate agents and other professionals have when it comes to blogging is "It takes too much time and I'm not sure of the results". Well I'd have to say, the same complaints will get leveled against in "social network" method as well. For them to be effect, one must spend hours doing it. Those hours I contend are better spent blogging on your own blog on your own domain. You own the content, the search engines and eventually clients will find you. And once they do, you can impress them with a great handshake and a fantastic business card!
My 2 cents...
Rob K. Blake
The Mortgage Insider
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All good point Rob... again, blogging is always the best method to attract an online presence both through the search engines and via social networks, but a very small percentage have proven they can do this consistently. Search engine referrals are obviously good, but often provides irrelevant connections... referrals through social networks provide context to the relationship. So you're correct that the optimal combination lies in between the two. The danger of becoming overwhelmed by social networks can be solved by limiting irrelevant online conversations, and that is easily done. Everything you say is correct.
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"having an online presence" alone is of virtually no value...
I guess you really need to define "an online presence" because I have an online presence and I generate over 90% of my business from my "online presence" so I can't say I agree with your statement.
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And it is a matter of semantics, one reason I tend to shy away from detailed arguments that point to the same conclusions. Many ways to achieve online presence and Tony has mastered one.
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I think blogging is still highly valid. Still, there only a small percentage of agents that really work their blogs - because it is hard work. I know that when I blog more consistently, my traffic goes up. Tying the blog into other data sources such as MLS, market stats, feeds etc. and tying it into social networking sites is pretty much the plan as I see it.
Its also important to remember that the goal is conversion - more clients to work with. I will take low traffic and high conversion any day over the opposite!
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I agree - RETechSouth was / is a great conference. It's the only one I have been to in about 4 years. It was extremely practical, engaging, and collaborative. It wasn't the same cast of web egos talking about how great everything is. I stress, it was practical and collaborative. I am in this year!
One of the most profound things I remember from last year was spoken by an unassuming, soft spoken guy named Pat Kitano that said in 12 months we will see major collapses of traditional newspapers, and he listed out his very specific, timely reasons why. I remember thinking, wow, he's right, but it probably will be more like 3 years. Boy did he nail that one. Pat, I look forward to hearing you speak again this year.
Thanks,
John C
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I will be interested in seeing what you have to say here in my hometown of Atlanta GA. I would like to get a handle on Facebook, Twitter and the like. While they are entertaining, they don't seem too productive.
My website is a blog, mostly static pages. It generates most of my biz and from what you say, it may be a bit 2.5 as well. It keeps me busy enough that I can't seem to find the time to write posts, though. Really, I don't think most people are all that interested in what I have to say. Mostly they just want to search for homes!
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Pat,
The convo between you and Rob is a poignant discussion. As @michiganmoves can attest, I equate the social networks to a chamber of commerce without geographic borders. You can begin the the conversation and networking at the social network/CoC level. Then, when the conversation becomes more serious, more pointed, you move the meeting to an office/your blog.
The aim of the SocNets, in my opinion, is to be a mixer of sorts.
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