Every few days I moderate through the Activerain MLS Online Group and remove posts that do not follow the group guidelines. Without fail, just about every time I go through I come across at least one or two agents that have posted anywhere between 10-20 listings in a row. When I see this, I normally take a few minutes to view their blog to see if they are using their blog as an MLS extension, or if they are also integrating in localized content about their area.
Almost every time, the agent is only posting their listings on Activerain and nothing else! It saddens me when I find these blogs because the agents are missing out on much more of the assets that Activerain has to offer. Remember, if consumers just want to find a listing, they are going to be searching sites like Realtor.com, and Yahoo Real Estate. The reason the consumers find your blog on Activerain is simple:
- The Consumer is interested on more information on an area than just what homes are currently listed for sale.
- The consumer is trying to find out more about the real estate agent they are about to use to make one of the biggest purchases of their life. Remember, consumers want a local expert to help them buy or sell their home. The way they determine how competent we are is by reading our content.
- Consumers are reading blogs to learn more about the personality of the agent they are about to hire. A buyer or seller want to make sure the agent they are hiring is a good fit for them.
Now don't get me wrong, I think posting listing on your blog is a good idea. The name of the game on the web is to get yourself and your listings exposed to the largest group of people possible and your blog is a great device to accomplish this. However, if you are only doing this, you are missing out on much more.
Content controls almost everything in your blog, so make sure to fill it with quality content and a good quantity of it on a regular basis to be most effective!
Jeremy Blanton-Myrtle Beach Real Estate Expert
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Hi Jeremy
I couldn't agree with you more. The Rain is the most dynamic "conversation" between real estate professionals that I have had the pleasure to experience. If the agents you are referring to don't take advantage of this...it is a great loss for them.
I try to add some neighborhood information, school information and some photos of local landmarks, but yes, I do blog on neighborhoods and listings...but I put them on localism rather than in any groups.
Jeremy, You're kidding right, you mean this is not the place to do it. So what am I going to post on here now.
I'm sooo............ confused, wow I'm really...., really.... lost. No more MLS.
Dang, what the heck am I complaining about, I'm an home inspector, duhhhhh............... Boy , you scared "the you know what out of me there for a sec". What do I care about MLS anyway.
~ Life is Good
Jeremy good post! This is such a great place to meet and network. I can't begin to catalog all the things that I have learned here. Thanks for the reminder, and it is a good idea to put listings into blogs, as well as on your local MLS.
Great tips and also reminders from some. I'm new to this but quickly learning. Do you have any good reading resources/recommendations for blogging Jeremy? Thanks.
Jeremy: If everyone would get it right we wouldn't be in this mess. People need info and they get listings? "I'm comin' Ethel, this is the big one!"*Credit Sanford and Son, Aaaron Spelling Productions, all rights reserved
Preach it, Brother!!!...
For Real!
Keep it short and to the point.... Thanks...
Anyone can post listings. The key to reaching the consumer is reaching Google. The more diverse your content, the better synergized on Google. This isn't rocket science. Or is it???
Lenn brings up a good point. Also, as a loan officer, I use listings to promote certain programs such as 100% USDA loans or first time buyer loans. Posintg listings is fine, but be creative. You ring up good points about using Yahoo or Realtor.com. Melody you are so funny!
nice post - listings are OK but the majority needs to be info abour areas and real estate
Mixed content is my ploy. I do put listings on my blogs as with a powerful platform like AR it googles the subdivisions I place for keywords well. It serves my seller clients. But you have to mix it up!
I agree. There's so much going on everywhere, that people should have plenty of topics to choose from.
Jeremy, I hope folks don't take this wrong and think they are NOT to post listings here. Just NOT all the time. If they do they don't understand social networking.
Jeremy - Great post and discussion here. Is a great suggestion for agents to use AR for all it has to offer, an opportunity to connect with the consumer, beyond just posting listings. And as Missy said, there is nothing wrong with posting listings. Doing something in this market is much better than nothing. But still, the agent is missing out on all the other benefits.
Jeremy,
Great post. I can't believe how many times I see this on Active Rain. Blogs filled with Postlets, and listing photot's one after another. Agents who do that are missing the boat!
Our team has had the most success with sharing stories about real consumers, the struggles they are facing in the current market conditions, what the journey was like, how we helped them and then the results. Consumers can identify with an agent that knows how to resolve issues in real estate where they are searching to buy or sell.
AR combined with Google is the most amazing way to reach consumers today. Our phones rings daily and callers say " Hi, I was just reading a story you had online...can you help me?"
Jer...
I like the new profile pic ... but I think your premise is correct ... they just don't understand what a blog is or what blogging is all about! Nice GS by the way!
Good tips and reminder....I'll be putting a listing out on localism soon.
Moderation in all things. I have competitiors who never share anything except "data". Works for me. I'm not here to teach my competitors if they don't get it.
You can say it till you are blue in the face Jeremy but there will always be a group that thinks they don't need to write quality content. Really all they are doing is providing an MLS extension and it probably is not that effective.
I guess some reasons might be that it is a quick, easy, no-brainer way of creating a page of relevant real estate content. You can create your sidebar column with all sorts of local keywords with links. That only takes a one time effort. After that, everytime you post a new listing, you get another page with your focused links. That's an efficient use of time.
It then shows prospects that you have a lot of listings and you might be very experienced.
If I'm a seller, I would think that proof that an agent is really active in the business would be a big deal.
If a I'm a buyer, I might think that agent with all the listings might know about others not yet on the market.
It's take a total package but if I had limited time and writing skills, I'd stick to what I know best.
Maybe I'm different, but I'll take experience over personality, as long as the person isn't a total jerk. If I'm selling my home, I want someone who can get results. I'm not looking for a new friend.
Good post Jeremy. I am forwarding this to my office manager.
Good points Jeremy. I have fallen into about 50-50 localism vs. real estate "stuff" and it seems to be working well for me.
Good morning Jer,
This is some good information and I am finding that both the buyer and seller are interviewing us through our blog before they even call us.
Jeremy..you are right. If it's location, location, location...tell the about the area, area, area instead of listing, listing, listing. Community videos are great for that with a few paragraph lead in about the event, the weather, the schools, the hospital, library, job situation. We are suppose to do way more than pictures and words about homes. Tell them about the people, blog about yourself..and why you like living in East Overshoe.
One of the things that I have learned and was so excited to learn how to do was post my listings to postlets, then to craigslist, then to active rain. Maybe us newbies get a little carried away with the new technology. I have been in the trenches, with a company that did all of the support stuff for you for many years and have let my techie skills just go to pot. With the slump in the market I decided it was time to get up to speed with the techie stuff. AR has been such an instrumental tool for me. Sorry if I have posted too many listings, it really is a cool thing to do if you haven't done it before!
Thanks for the advise and the council and for helping us along the way in the rain.
Jeremy -
You are right on target... Posting your listings here is great, but you also have to give people valuable content or else they won't come back!
I agree! As a Newbee whose jumped in full force, I've already learned so much! I really enjoy reading the blogs that catch my eye. Thanks for the input!
I'll just echo what's already been said before, Jeremy...posting listings is fine. But obviously those who are doing nothing but that have missed the point about joining AR and being part of the community. Even though I'm not here as much as I used to be, I still wouldn't dream of using this forum as nothing but one big local ad.
Personally I don't understand a group on ActiveRain for MLS but then again I am NOT a huge fan of groups. I use groups mostly to read by a subject and I don't have any interest in reading lsitings outside of my market. I can understand posting info on a listing... on a real estate network but they aren't fascinatiing reading... to me.
A buyer can use a search site (Lead Router... clicking to an agents site) and get targeted info.
Not that someone couldn't trip over a listing posted via ActiveRain and everything turns out beautifully...
These are also the members who don't read and post comments. There are always going to be the WIIFM people everywhere you go. You're preaching to the choir now! LOL
I think that some people who get blogs bounced without maybe understanding why...will be discouraged from posting at all. I know...they should learn to read...:) but people see what they want to see....I used to post to newbies...with infomation I wished I had known and with the repeated unexplained bounces now have caused me not to post there at all....it's a tough job. Maybe a group hug with a little...gimme some local flavor thrown in would help. Good Luck !!
Great info, especially for the newer bloggers out there. Worth the feature and should also be included in the activerain newbies group, too.
Good advice. I do think that a blog gives consumers an idea of who we are; adding videos are a good way to convey one's personality, too.
Jer - I could not agree more. I do post listings on my AR blog, but they are not a big percentage of the mix. I think you hit the nail on the head here. I also see agents who don't post anything that anyone would actually want to read (i.e. strictly for SEO, not for readability). Sad, too.
I think it's important to BALANCE your blog. I mix it up. New listings. Area info. Coming events and things to do. Little essays that I write... you have to mix it up.
There is an agent competing in my area that blew past me in points after a semi-brief hiatus writing generic market reports. Pounding them out at 5 a day.... that's not what AR is for. She clearly doens't understand blogging, but unfortunately she is reaping the benefits of the Google juice it provides her. I'm back though and it won't be long until I'm in the #1 spot again for all the right reasons! :)
Hi Jeremy, I thought that this was the place for listings, not Realtor.com or the other sites, [lol] great post.
Not sure how I feel about this post, Jeremy. I often write non-real estate related posts, tech tips, family stuff and so on. However, working as part of a team with an average inventory of 80-90 listings, it's easy to look at our blog and think all we post is listings. Every week we get 2 or 3 new listings, change the price on several more. This is something I feel we should be blogging about.
Hi Jeremy - The only calls I get are on my listing posts, maybe I need to write some interesting stuff, too.
I agree with Tim Maitski 100% - 'it's an efficient use of time', and using your google juice to promote your clients properties is a good plan.
Funny, though, I subscribed to Tim because he is interesting and fun to read, but I guess we are talking about consumers here. :)
Hi Jer - I can't say anything more that has already been said above - other than I had to do a double-take to realize it was your blog with your new pic and all :) ~Rita
Jeremy, thanks for the time you put into MLS online. We appreciate your efforts. But as with everything - different strokes for different folks. Your insight is right on for those using AR for more than just another listing site though. Hope they listen...
Definitely posting listings on AR has a value. So far the listings and pictures have attracted the calls. There is an argument that they are reading the rest of my content to determine whether or not they would like to reach out.....but the listing is drawing some fish to the bait.
Thanks for the post.
Ok, help me here. I list and sell real estate in Durant, OK. It's just North of the Texas/OK border. I have been fortunate in the past to have sold a number of homes to out of state buyers. However, they have come to me via justlisted.com and other web sites. I rarely have a referral, but will use AR in the future when I sell a home and the seller is moving. Other agents in my office pay up to 35% for "referrals." I do not. Too often, the referring party is a relocation company or other not-intimately associated with the client company. In other words, we get a name and number, and talk to someone who doesn't know who is calling or how we got their number. Ugh.
In my experience, a referral is where the client is awaiting my call and I don't have to "sell" them on my services.
In the past, when I referred someone, it was a matter of the client relying on me to point them to a competent agent who would look out for their interests. I normally got 20% as a referral fee.
Will continue to read the blogs now that I have figured out how to get here.
Best Regards, Steve
NOW that's what social networking is all about! SPAM from The Editor!!!
Just makes you want to jump right over to their website, doesn't it? I love spam! :-0
Jeremy - I agree! a good mix on your blog keeps it interesting and what keep people coming back :)
Hi Jeremy !
Great reminder, and to me it's about the balance as many have mentioned. I know people who have got business by seeing listings from and agent, reading about their report on a local business in the town, then sharing something that makes them human like a story of their family, or a post that shows their personality.
It's DEFINITELY not just an MLS for me !! ...that's fo sheezy !!!!!!!
Cheers !
Sheldon
Hi Jeremy. I like the new picture.
Interesting...
I haven't put my listings hear. Not totally sure about it...
Thanks for writing,
Ken
Allright, Jeremy! Great post... a well balanced blog is something that readers will be drawn to!
I agree although I still have a lot to learn to be a consistent and effective blogger. I use AR more to learn from others at this point and my goal is to teach as much as I learn...which will be difficult but it's a goal. I need to join the MLS Online group. Thanks for sharing!
Hey Jeremy,
Interesting post and comments. As someone new to the blogosphere, I can see how tempting it is to use this format strictly for the listing "google juice". Still...I think people want to see good content. I've started to follow some of the agents around here to see how they were managing the balance. Make no mistake, I've seen lots of listing info out there. But more than that, I've begun to find people who are really fun to read. I guess it's about finding the balance that works best for your business...
I only put my listings on the localism link for me besides the local MLS. Are these agents trying to save money??
Good Advice Jer. There's got to be a good mix of content to make a blog worth visiting. Strictly posting listings is a little...well...boring.
Great Post Jeremey. I agree with your comments. Good job
Don
Great post, it seems I have seen a few of these around myself. I think you are absolutely right and thanks for taking the time out of your busy day to encourage these folks. In reality people don't give a rip about how many listings you have or what not but how you are as you. You aren't selling listings you are selling you. PRICE sells listings. Just so you all know.
Cheers!
Jeremy, So agree with you that some are using AR as an MLS extension without writing anything else!
I do post each of my listings on Active Rain, but I do them as a blog not a copy and paste from the MLS. When blogging a listing, you have the perfect chance to link to your area. After all... we want to give our properties as much exposure as possible. Listing and selling is the name of the game. It is good to see how agents market and handle their listings along with their blogging.
Amen Jeremy! I am not even a Realtor and this is something I just don't get - why use AR for just posting listings (I get it the SEO is great....) but not for it's intended purpose? I could just post before and after photos and say hire me... and what would that do? How can someone get to know me?
I would not refer a client to any agent that has only posted listings here - I just wrote something myself on it about "shameless self promotion" (and yes it was featured - those AR gods seem to like when we stir the proverbial pot)
I followed this back from your featured post today - nice job ;-)
Jeremy: You are 100% correct.. Active Rain is more than just a MLS Extention..
Maybe I'm a little behind the times, but I didn't even realize until very recently that you should post your listings on Activerain. I thought it was merely for blogging and not an extension of MLS. I've been using it as a learning tool and I think that those that don't have missed out on the best that Activerai has to offer.
Great post, Jeremy. Like you said, though, the consumers are soooo smart these days. They will be able to see right through that activity. I'm with Leah, although I knew one could post their listings here, I use it more as an educational tool.
I understand congratulations are in order and I will leave them here rather than the official ActiveRain post...because I want to. Rereading this post based on the recently released info.... about Jeremy Blanton.... hmmmmmm
I sent AR invitations to every agent in my board that I know. A few joined and dozens searched around to do research and joined not using the invitation. My board exploded with new AR people. I was feeling a little lame when one of the agents started posting listings from the mls, whether they were his or not, which had never occurred to me. He has done such a great job with the mini post card listings. I wish I did that good of a job! It's was cool to hear you talk about what's important to buyers and sellers in our blog. I guess it's not just about getting 100,000 points in listings on your blog.
I have figured out my mix - but I try to focus on sales training, localism and technology. Given that I learned so much on AR on the SEO side of things, I try to give back where I can. Listings or market reports only don't make much sense to me.
Hi Jeremy,
Thanks, I need to get on the ball and start posting my listings more all the way around!! I am still learning!
Hi Jeremy,
Thanks, I need to get on the ball and start posting my listings more all the way around!! I am still learning!
Couldn't agree more. I want to see less of the listings and more conversations and tips.
Whew! I have just starated mosting listings and found this group. I saw your headline and worried Iw as doing something wrong. Glad I am not. Thanks
I'm with you Jeremy. I have seen blogs that are just listings. Honestly, it's not that exciting.
I will admit when I first started AR - I did post mainly my listings... then as I started "looking around" and seeing what the other people were posting and what I like to "read" I realized "HEY this isnt all about getting my listings out in front of people" then I really started to understand all of this stuff. I think it is a live and learn type thing. I still put my listings here but thats just a small part of the whole.
Hi: Jeremy, I do my best to post great content on my blog. My writing skills are not that good but I do my best to post things people would like to read. May be learn something new? Hay by the way great post.
Thank You Jeremy, it is easy to be confused about the purpose of Active Rain. When you are new there is so much to learn.