I don’t know about you, but it feels good when I open a random article by NAR and actually know who they are talking about. Although they are covering Inman’s Real Estate Connect (it only seems right), it was great that Brian Brady and Dustin Luther were featured. They are 2 good guys that I look up to and like their style.
Take a look at the article:
Bloggers Debate Best Way to Attract Consumers
They both present interesting strategies for blogging successfully and although there is no right or wrong way, I do think it’s up to your own particular style to decide how aggressive you want your blog to be.
I agree with both, and I’m usually not the wishy-washy type, but I do think you can reach a happy medium between their suggestions.
Dustin’s method:
“soft marketing” approach to blogging. Start a blog, write about topics you know about and are interested in, and people with similar interests will find you and your business will grow
Brian’s method:
putting calls to action in every blog post and every e-mail sent to potential clients. Calls to action include directing readers to your Web site, giving them a link to find mortgage rates or to search an MLS
I have to admit that the “call to action” on every single post bothers me, but the call to action in the general blog with listings and MLS search does not. I comes back to the idea that each consumer will be different, and your own personality needs to be reflected in your marketing strategy.
Kristal Kraft
January 12, 2008 at 9:42 am
I was fortunate to be in attendance at Brian and Dustin’s very lively presentation. It was one of the more memorable because they actually had different view points.
There were merits for both opinions. My take-away was, there are no set rules in blogging. Different approaches work, just find what works for you and do it.
Dusting and Brian make a winning combination. Congrats to them for being featured in the NAR Mag.
Ben Martin
January 12, 2008 at 9:57 am
I personally thought this was one of the two or three most interesting sessions at Inman. Dustin’s thoughts are more in line with my own on the subject, but Brian opened my eyes to a results-oriented way of thinking about blogging. While I am hesitant to release my reservations on the assertion that “blogging is just another marketing tool” I will be taking steps to encourage definite outcomes for my personal and business blogging.
Ines
January 12, 2008 at 10:48 am
KK – thanks for coming back and giving me your take. It makes a huge difference to have been present and I would have loved to be there not only to see the presentation, but to meet you as well (maybe soon).
There are a lot of people telling us how to blog and what’s right and what’s wrong, and I think you are right. It’s up to each person to analyze and decide what works for them. Sometimes this will involve testing and making changes along the way, but that’s what web2.0 is all about.
Ines
January 12, 2008 at 10:54 am
Ben – thanks for your take and I’m sure Brian and Dustin will appreciate hearing that their presentation was good.
I think a lot of us struggle with the thought of ROI with our blogs and for those of us that have newer blogs (7 months for my Miamism.com), the fact is that it IS a marketing tool – but it is also a lot more than that. As long as we are not just writing away with no specific purpose, and we actually scrutinize the outcome and decide what we want from it, then our blog will be more powerful.
rudy
January 12, 2008 at 11:17 am
hi ines!
i really liked this duet panel format. it was actually a conversation and not a q&a session. hats off to brian and dustin for engaging the audience in a lively manner.
…..oh yeah, it’s always great to see other bloggers get noticed for their work. congrats guys!
Ines
January 12, 2008 at 11:29 am
Rudy – …..and it is all about conversation, isn’t it? I would expect nothing less from Brian and Dustin.
Your videos made me laugh btw – between the taxi piece and seeing you filming on the Zebra’s video….good stuff!
Lani Anglin
January 12, 2008 at 12:46 pm
FINALLY! Does anyone else get irritated when someone is featured as a “premiere” blogger in the R magazine and yet we (as the blogging mainstream) have never ever ever heard of them? Maybe I’m being high schoolish.
I’m so glad Dustin and Brian were featured and recognized for their work as THEY are leaders of the mainstream.
Drew Meyers from Zillow
January 12, 2008 at 1:18 pm
I didn’t make it to that many panels in NYC, but this duet was definitely the most lively and entertaining panel I attended.
Ines
January 12, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Lani – funny you mention that because I used to think, WHO????? LOL! (maybe I have to get out more) HA!
Dustin
January 12, 2008 at 11:30 pm
I’m so glad that people enjoyed the panel by Brian and I. I can say that I had a blast being up there and the questions/comments from the audience were top notch. Thanks everyone!
Benn Rosales
January 13, 2008 at 12:40 am
Dustin, you’re absolutely a class act- I’m so glad it was you up there…
Brian Brady
January 13, 2008 at 12:52 am
Ines,
Thanks for the recognition. Dustin and I really enjoyed that session. We spent a good deal of time on the phone preparing for it. While we had differing viewpoints, they are minor and much of our presentation was to designed ENGAGE our audience.
Kinda like blogging, right?
Jay Thompson
January 13, 2008 at 9:51 am
KK said: “There were merits for both opinions. My take-away was, there are no set rules in blogging. Different approaches work, just find what works for you and do it.”
I agree *completely*!
Ines said: “I have to admit that the “call to action” on every single post bothers me, but the call to action in the general blog with listings and MLS search does not.”
A CTA on every post seems a bit much to me (overkill and too salesy, IMHO). But my MLS/IDX search is one of my most heavily traffic’d pages. I’m still not a fan of blogging about listings though.
Dustin and Brain did a great job. Even better was getting to see Brian again and finally getting to meet Dustin (and several other of the “premiere” bloggers).
ines
January 13, 2008 at 11:42 am
Drew – I can definitely see them being “lively and entertaining”!
Dustin – you are not surprised at the outcome, are you?
Brian – you? engaging your audience? WHAT?? : )
Jay – I also agree with you about the listings, unless, for me, if it’s architecturally significant. Should we start calling Brian, “Brain”, or do you think it will go to his head?
Jay Thompson
January 13, 2008 at 2:00 pm
It’s probably too late Ines… my bad.
Brian Brady
January 13, 2008 at 11:10 pm
“Should we start calling Brian, “Brain”, or do you think it will go to his head?”
Jay’s right; it’s too late.
On a side note, I think I’ve only hung out with Jay three times but I feel like I see him every week; must be an AZ thing
Ines
January 14, 2008 at 8:41 am
I don’t believe that one bit Brian! but one day, I’ll hang out with you guys as well.