Am I Fooling Myself?
I can find a thousand things to do to make the day go by. I get an A in paper shuffling. Sometimes I look at the clock and have no idea what I did all day but, boy, was it long and exhausting.
With the advent of my blog, now I can actually say I was working while surfing the web for new post ideas or running statistics ’till I’m a walking, talking market reporter.
Green Reaper
But is all this busyness productive? Is it making me money? Will it make you money? Or are we just fooling ourselves and will eventually meet the green reaper of financial death?
Plan, Strategize, Check The Numbers
When I started my blog – like most things – I didn’t have a plan. I didn’t have a drop-dead date. I didn’t say: Okay, now, if this thing doesn’t make me money in X months, I quit. Did you? Do you?
I like to write and saw it as an opportunity to spout away – and luckily for me Lani found me and gave me an even bigger soapbox in which to do it so I can actually focus on the consumer at home. But it has definitely been another way to look – to myself and others – like I’m busy.
The Ultimate Q
Is it working? My no-plan plan is working. It would probably work better with a plan, but, hey, I’m an entrepreneur. The number of calls I receive via my blog has increased from zero to something – which, in my optimistic opinion, is just the beginning and better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.
What Has It Done?
So what has the blog done, other than make me busy? I don’t often Google myself or my keywords – more no-plan plan – but apparently my office mates do and so does my broker. They’re finding me. If they’re finding me so is the consumer – thus the listing appointment I went on a couple of weeks ago and the email I got over the weekend in which the buyer wants to buy in the most expensive city I’ve never worked in.
The blog has elevated me into realms I wouldn’t have otherwise - minus the koombaya crap – it’s made me the expert.
They’re not calling and asking: how long have you been in business? They’re calling and saying: Do you have time for us? I’ll take that approach any day.
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Consumerism, Geo-mapping columnist
Marketing columnist
Not to mention the extra added traffic to your site that blogging brings – especially if you take advantage of the social bookmarking. Traffic is king!
Sh-h-h-h! Don’t tell people. Let’s keep it our secret.
No kidding Elaine! I think they might know now though.
Love those calls! I had no plan either…just my trusty ‘Realty Blogging’ book and tips gleaned from the blogging peeps I started reading & following on Facebook.
Paul – I love all the social networking. It makes my day go by much faster talking with friends.
Lisa – Do you typically move forward without a plan or was this different? I usually go with my gut but was wondering if having a plan would have been better – if I would have accomplished more, faster or…
I love this quote, which I think applies to you, other bloggers and social media tribe members.
“In the land of the blind, the one eyed woman is Queen”
Think about that. Yes, you are expert, you have unique skills, you attract unique attention, you have unique knowledge, experience and perspective. You’re a thought and action leader as well.
It’s all good, right?
I wonder about this everyday, but I keep doing it! My gut says it will pay off in the long run… and in this Real Estate business, we all know what happens to those that are short timers… they’re gone!
Ken – Yes, that’s right! You must have read that post – I am the queen!
Marvin – Yeah, I hope my gut’s right – cuz I’m going with it.
I’m with you about jumping into blogging without a plan. I had no idea what I was doing. But, a little over a year after getting started, I had one listings directly due to my blog and two solid prospects I’m talking to now.
One thing you didn’t mention is how much you learn. In order to write about real estate, you need to know what you are talking about. I started tracking market statistics and reading everything I could get my hands on to give me something to write about. If it wasn’t for blogging, I wouldn’t be as knowledgeable of an agent.
Thanks for the great post.
I’ve been at it for about four months now… time to set some realistic time lines. Can you help me with a few of yours?
Hi Chris – I’ve done everything by the seat of my pants and haven’t ever set any time lines for anything – probably not a good idea, but I guess I’m not a planner. I’d love to help though so if you have particular questions, let me know.