Quick….
Tell me about why you blog in thirty seconds or less. If you know me, you know that’s not gonna happen. I have a lot to say.
I decided to write this post because I have been so inspired lately by all of the Real Estate blogs that I read locally and from other parts of the country. It’s really great to see what’s going on in my profession by other agents who are “like minded” and if you read closely & often, it may even change your mind about some of the stereotypes that are sometimes projected on our profession.
The first back story….
When I was growing up my parents never really talked to me about “financial issues or house buying”, they were the adults and I was the kid. I knew that buying a home is a good investment, but I never heard any wary stories about the profession or practices. Throughout most of my adult life, I have been a renter. I never had any real experience with a Real Estate Agent until my husband and I moved to Miami and needed to use a Real Estate Agent to access and eventually secure a rental in one of the Brickell condo buildings. Later we bought our condo on Miami Beach. Then I had a real opinion.
The second backstory….
When I moved to Miami, I started a blog entitled “The New Miamian”. I had an “idea” about what it was going to be like to live in Miami but I quickly decided that it was not for me. I didn’t like my career as it was set up in Miami and was completely disillusioned about what Miami had to offer. I knew I couldn’t go back to the small town lifestyle I had just left and so, I felt stuck. Fortunately I was able to take some time off and just think and blog. I blogged to get out my frustrations. I blogged to connect to like minded people and over time, through writing on the blog I started to fall in love with Miami. Now I know this is called the “one to two year hump of getting used to living in Miami”.
Due to the nature of the stories and information I was providing on the blog, I started getting a lot of Real Estate related questions. I was referring out a lot of inquiries to my friends in Real Estate and eventually the little light came on in my head. Real Estate had always been an interest of mine but I had been reluctant to pursue it as a career because I didn’t want to be considered a “sales person”. However I kept thinking back to one of my friends in North Carolina who had committed to the business and was doing pretty well. So I did it. Miami and my blog pushed me to do it and I started working on my Real Estate License. It’s one of the best changes I have ever made in my life and I love my Real Estate business.
What I am getting at….
I never knew until I was full blown into my business just how bad consumers can sometimes perceive Real Estate Agents. However, I am finding that over time, through my blogging, potential clients feel a lot more at ease with me in those initial stages and my past clients are reading my blog regularly. It’s often a topic of conversation when I am out showing properties.
I know that blogging and Real Estate are a really good match. Really good Real Estate Agents who are also Really Good Bloggers are doing well in today’s times and that’s because they are investing a considerable amount of time & some money (often money for good search solutions) in a project that provides a valuable service to their audience.
Today there literally hundreds of Real Estate Bloggers blogging from all over the country about our business. There are vendors, social networks, conferences and more just targeted to the Real Estate Blogger. Even in Miami, Miami Beach & surrounding areas, we have some really great bloggers that are committed to sharing their stories, advice and opinions.
Besides my own, there are:
Lucas Lechuga, P.A. @ www.miamicondoinvestments.com
Ines Hegedus-Garcia @ www.miamism.com
Maggie Dokic @ www.theblogthatatemiami.com
Robin Sing-Cunningham @ www.robinashley.com
Ashton Coleman @ http://miamibeachrealestateblog.us
Kevin Tomlinson @ www.southbeachrealestateblog.com
& I am sure there are others but these are my regular reads.
How could you? Are you nuts? You just put links to other agents in your same market on your blog?
That’s just the point. Blogging is about sharing information about what you know with no strings attached. Sharing freely, openly and honestly. I know who I am and I am confident in my business. Just as I know the above folks are too. I can’t MAKE you be my client. I can’t MAKE you rent, buy or sell a property.
There are statistics that say that about 86% of buyers go online to look for their new home first. I know that a lot of my business is from my blog and referrals (that originally found me online). Whatever type of real estate transaction you are in the market for, I think it’s pretty safe to say that you are spending some time online. Doesn’t it make sense to work with an agent that also spends a considerable amount of their time educating and marketing online via their blog or other avenues? In a no hassle way, you the reader can get to know us and find out if we have what it takes to be your Real Estate Agent.
If you are spending time online, I think you will eventually find one of our blogs and hopefully through our writing you will find that in the end, we are very passionate people who really care about our business and the image we project in the public. We are the ones who treat our business like a business, take time to educate our clients, return the calls & follow up. Those who put fingers to keyboard each and every week and write about what they know. Those who truly care about their business, their reputation and their committment to their clients: past, present and future.
So now I am thinking, if I were pushed to make an elevator pitch it would go something like this, “ People don’t like being ‘sold to’. There are always rotten apples that spoil the bunch, but are you never going to eat an apple again? Blogging allows Real Estate Agents to connect to clients and colleagues through sharing advice, opinions and experiences in a non superficial way. Ultimately the consumer is in control and connects to like minded agents. Gone is the cheesy sales person. ”
How’s that?
~ Avid Real Estate Estate Blogger for this Award Winning Blog~
We work with Renters, Sellers & Buyers in Miami Beach, Brickell, Downtown Miami & Midtown Miami. We have a strong passion for our business and 
