The Burgeoning Blog
Until recently, weblogs were viewed as nothing more than a curiosity, a kind of quasi-voyeuristic method of online journaling; a cult-like phenomenon or faintly odd hobby. This is evidenced by the fact that even the most recent version of Microsoft Word fails to recognize new buzzwords like “blog”, “weblog” and “bloggers”.
Make no doubt, though, that blogging is the newest darling of the Internet, but not a passing fad. Its here to stay, and will only continue to grow with time, therefore demanding our attention. Why?
Simply put, blogging affords the agent and consumer both the right and the platform to provide unfettered, unbiased exchange of ideas and free debate in an anonymous, yet public environment.
Blogging Benefits & Suggestive Marketing
Blogging is rapidly developing into an instrument whose purpose, among others, is to establish an online presence, improve visibility, build a sense of community, maintain an open dialogue for clients and prospects, and offer valuable information – all of which is accomplished in a facade-less, unfiltered, more candid way.
The blog is also an untapped, powerful tool for the tech-savvy agent, another hi-tech weapon in the real estate sales arsenal that should be used in tandem with the myriad of Internet-related innovations like websites, search engine optimization, and video and audio broadcasting to strengthen the agent’s overall marketing package and enable him or her to present a homes sale or purchase experience that leaves client expectations in the dust.
Ironically, however, even though that potential exists, the marketing and advertising empire has yet to invade its territory with endless clickable pop-up and banner ads – and that is where the pervasive genius of this new medium lies. A blogging site, subtly designed and correctly maintained, can become a huge traffic generator. There’s one catch: the online marketing and advertising paparazzi must realize the optimum way to work their magic within the blog instead bulldozing it with already corny classics like “shoot the dancing (insert animal name here)” and “punch the monkey” banner ads.
Down with Blog Sprawl
As more and more blogs sprout up online, sprawl has become an issue. Bloggers don’t just want any old platform; but a meaningful and far-reaching one. As a growing number of agents and consumers congregate to share opinions on a trusted blog site, so the cumulative discussion between parties is stimulated and enhanced. Value inaction occurs, creating a direct, 100% unpolluted, totally closed pipeline of consensual information flow between a potential or current customer and that customer’s provider of choice.
One real estate blog site in particular, Realblogging.com, has risen rapidly through the Internet blogosphere to claim a leading position as a favorite site of real estate bloggers. Launched in April of 2006 and billed as “The Official Real Estate Industry Blog”, the site continues to gather momentum with an eclectic mix of industry visionaries, leaders and new paradigm thinkers – over 30 formidable individuals whose authoritative voices echo throughout the site 24/7.
RealBlogging.com
The name “RealBlogging” is a slight play on words: “real” defines both its industry and its authenticity. Folks who continue to spearhead and pioneer change in the industry – like John Tuccillo, Stefan Swanepoel, Michael Russer, Jeremy Conaway, Terri Murphy, Dirk Zeller, Ralph Roberts and Stu Siegel – represent just a small fraction of the industry leaders who have already signed on as contributors to provide a place where agents, buyers, sellers, and anyone else interested in joining the fray can stop by and engage the topic cloud. It’s the only real estate blog site available today that combines every facet of the industry.
Frankly, it is refreshing to witness the real estate industry gathering together to take bold leadership in talking, sharing and blogging in an open and honest manner about issues central to its participants.
Join the Topic Cloud
As more traditional advertising vehicles continue to lose market share to their digital cousins, the real estate industry would be wise to gain as much understanding as we can about all of the potential advantages inherent in blogging. It’s a fascinating, organic thing to behold. In fact, it’s such a fascinating concept that you might just want to officially debate it sometime soon at Realblogging.com.
