Top 10 Ways to Use Blogging in Real Estate #5:
Use Blogging for Referrals and Networking.
That’s right … agent-to-agent business baby!
Use Blogging to Secure Referrals from other Agents
Just like home buyers and sellers, agents ALSO like referring their clients to people they know. And what better way to get to know someone than by reading their blog.
How many times have you had a client that you needed to refer out and it was like throwing a dart blindly into the night? I don’t care how many crsabrgri clubs you belong to. Nor do I care how wonderful your company is. Referring your client to someone that you do not know is always a sketchy situation, because your reputation is on the line if that agent winds up being an idiot. (And we all know that there are a “few” idiots out there…)
Personally, I now have a iron-clad list of agents from all over the nation (and Canada) that I would refer business to when I had someone looking to move to their area. I have a blogroll in my head that I can reference at anytime, anyplace. This internal blogroll was created from countless hours over the past couple years reading these agents’ posts and communicating with them through comments in various places. Most of these agents I have never even met in person, and some of them I have never even spoken to on the phone! But I trust them and trust them with my clients.
Since I have started blogging, I average 1 blog-related referral (either coming or going) every couple months. People who read my blog are confident in the service level that I will provide and confident that I will take care of the person (or people) they send my way.
In order to become the referral source for your area, through blogging, you will need to do the following:
- Write informative blog posts about how you helped your clients in various situations. Be careful not to include personal information or confidential stuff. But there are PLENTY of stories to share about how we help our clients. The more you share, the better idea other agents will have of the type of agent you are and whether or not you would be a good fit for their client.
- Research your inbound relocation data. Contact the Chamber of Commerce to find out where the majority of your inbound relocation folks come from. From there, find real estate bloggers from that area (those areas) and make a point of visiting their blogs and commenting on them from time to time. Maybe even link to them if appropriate. Bloggers are curious folks by nature (some are down right nosy…) and will check out who you are if you go visit their site. From here, you could build a small friendship and when they get another client looking to relocate to your area, YOU will be their first choice.
- Research your outbound relocation data. Where do folks in your area move to? Find bloggers to connect with in those areas. This will make it MUCH easier for you next time someone asks, “Do you know of a good agent in X?”
If you are a military town, the last 2 will be quite easy…
Use Blogging to Network with Other Professionals
Social networking is more than throwing a sheep at someone on Facebook. More than LOL-ing someone on Twitter. More than saying, “Nice Post” on Active Rain. Social networking gives you the opportunity to build a powerhouse of resources in ALL areas of real estate and related fields.
Through social networking, I have been able to answer questions about weather for folks considering a move somewhere, value on a house far, far away that is being tangled in probate and mortgage information that no one in my area could answer … among other things. My social networks are my real-time encyclopedias for anything I may ever want to know – my upgraded brain expansion that I don’t have to cram into my head.
And it goes beyond real estate. Because of social networking, I now have 3 new favorite artists and a boat-load of new favorite musicians… and the list goes on.
So, don’t be afraid to use your blog to connect with other people in the blogosphere. We are a pretty knowledgeable bunch and love to share what we know (for the most part).
Blogging is more than a tool for connecting directly with clients. Blogging is a way to connect with other agents and other bloggers who can help you and your business in more ways than one.
Read Also:
Top 10 Ways to Use Blogging in Real Estate: Introduction
Top 10 Ways to Use Blogging in Real Estate: #1 Use Blogging as a Farming Tool
Top 10 Ways to Use Blogging in Real Estate: #2 Answer Real Estate FAQ’s Just Once
Top 10 Ways to Use Blogging in Real Estate: #3 Use Blogging to Become a Niche Expert
Top 10 Ways to Use Blogging in Real Estate: #4 Use Blogging to Humanize the Online Experience
Bill Lublin
July 14, 2008 at 8:05 pm
@Mizzle – If I have not done so in my comments so far, I need to tell you how much I am enjoying reading through this series and how much it helps to see the thought process behind your efforts. Wonderful job- Thanks so much for sharing. I’m using these to help my agents get up to speed.
Matt Stigliano
July 14, 2008 at 8:16 pm
This is why I read everyday. My only complaint…hurry up and give me more.
Bill – Out of curiousity – do you cover just the city or more with your business? I grew up out there and still have lots of friends there, so based on that alone, you’d be my Philly-guy. I just went back last week. Had my first Wawa hoagie in a year and a half. Man do I miss them. Texas is great, but we need Wawa.
Mariana Wagner
July 14, 2008 at 8:54 pm
Thank you Bill – I find that there is an art AND a science of blogging. The art is what you are born with, your innate talent. The science is what you learn and how you apply it. A great blogger has a little (or a lot) of both.
Matt – Thanks! I am trying to get one of these posted a week. I DO have a real estate team to run, ya know … 😉
Glenn fm Naples
July 15, 2008 at 6:22 am
Mariana – as you stated above blogging is both an art and science. However, we can develop or enhance our talents to create the art and we can learn the science. It does take an effort as well as the willingness to change.
mariana
July 15, 2008 at 7:19 am
Glenn – I agree. If you want something bad enough, you will get it.
Matt Stigliano
July 15, 2008 at 9:47 am
If a want your next post bad enough…do I get it now? Haha.
In all seriousness though Mariana, thanks for this series.
Matt Stigliano
July 15, 2008 at 11:49 am
Grrrr…if “I” want…
Chris Lengquist
July 15, 2008 at 7:31 pm
Nicely done. You get better and better.
Chris
July 15, 2008 at 8:14 pm
I have found success in using market data in blogs. Alot of people are interested in the actual numbers of homes being sold in their community.
Paula Henry
July 15, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Mariana – Every post you give me new material and something else to think about. The blogosphere is an amazing group and the willingness to share is amazing!
I. too find my clients like market stats and although they are usually the most time consuming, it is I who benefits most by tracking the info fo the consumer.
Mariana
July 15, 2008 at 10:48 pm
Matt – ha ha ha .. Thank you, though!
Chris L. – Thanks!
Chris – People love numbers, definitely.
Paula – I really HAVE become the neighborhood expert with all the research I do for my blog!! Is there a real estate blogging designation yet?
Dale Chumbley
July 16, 2008 at 12:54 am
Mariana – Nice post! LOL! ;?)
Seriously, I am absolutely loving this series. You are doing a fabulous job with it and I’m getting value on each post. I’m “starring” each one to be able to go back and re-read for reference.
You are so correct about these relationships. They have become so critical. I’m also thankful that we got to actually meet face to face. Very nice time it was!
Take care, Dale
Mariana
July 16, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Hey Dale – It was great to hang out with you as well. We must do coffee at the square again sometime!