A Marketing Dilema-To Blog or Not to Blog

So, what’s the big buzz about blogging? Should you step into the world of Web 2.0? And should you have a blog-based website versus a ‘regular’ website?  Here’s my take. It’s simply based on what I’ve been learning about blogging and what I know about real estate agents (and human nature, in general).

You should consider a blog-based web site if:

• You’re looking for an effective way to communicate with your clients on a more personal level.
• You are an expert on your community, and the neighborhoods you serve.
• You want to share what you know and love about the place you call home. 
• You like to write
• You’re organized enough to keep up with posting blogs (you have to be diligent) and you enjoy reading other blogs for ideas on things to write about.

My site…the one you’re on now…was created by my friend Mike Rahmn  at Rahmn.com. It’s blog-based, it’s easy for the consumer to maneuver around in, and it’s really easy for me to manage on the backside (otherwise known as my ‘dashboard’). The beauty of Mike’s product is that it’s professional looking and although it’s still a template (which keeps my cost way down compared to a custom site), it’s somewhat customizable. I took out the windermere.com search function because my site isn’t about buying and selling real estate. But if you look at Meredith Laws’ web site, you’ll see how the search function is integrated.   

Mike Fanning has a couple great blogs that discuss why agents should consider blogging as part of their marketing strategy. In part, he says…

In a Web 2.0 world we have to understand that it is no longer about us but more about our customer’s needs and wants. Our sites need to be interactive and allow for collaboration. We have to let the customer get involved. We are no longer the expert but rather the facilitator of communication on shared ideas and values, and from that we get peer credibility. 

Having said all that, there are also good reasons why having a standard-style website still makes sense for many agents. But if you go this route, I firmly believe that you have to step up to a Premium Windermere site. If you’re hanging on to your basic, free website you might as well kiss any leads or referrals goodbye. There’s really nothing of value to the consumer on your site except a search function, which they can easily access by going to windermere.com or a hundred other real estate websites. Granted, your picture and contact information are there, along with your bio. But nothing compelling to show them your expertise in your market area.  

You should consider a Windermere Premium website if:

• You’re happiest telling clients about your market and community/neighborhood expertise, rather than writing about it.
• You have regular, consistent, personal contact with everyone in your sphere.
• You have enough time to manage things like adding featured listings and custom links to your website, but you don’t have enough time to manage regular posts to a blog.   
• You have a level of business that works for you, and all this web stuff just doesn’t interest you in the least.

Bottom line is this…I believe you need a web presence and it darn well better be a good one. I also believe that both blog-based sites and standard sites are great options, depending on your preference and work style. If you want to explore either type of site, or already have one and want to talk about customizing your look, let me know.

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