OK, I will confess.
Up until we started Project Blogger, I had NO idea EXACTLY what being a green REALTOR was all about. I mean, I understood the general concept, in a promote conservation and sell the benefits of green housing sort of way… But I really did not understand HOW a green real estate blogger would connect with a GREEN customer, until I was faced with the challenge of helping a NEW green blogger in Louisville–here in our office. It is a new challenge for me.
One of our agents approached me. She already was a beginner in our blogging group and she asked if I would help her get a DIFFERENT blog up and running. “What’s your niche or hyperlocal?” “That’s just it,” she said. “I want to blog about environmentally friendly housing. I want to be a GREEN blogger.” I instantly knew that this was a MUCH better fit for her than the niche she was in.
This was something that she IS passionate about. Her other niche was more because she found it to simply be attractive business wise. We have a saying in our little blogging group in our office: “Blog about baseball if that is what you are passionate about. You will sell more real estate that way.” The point is, by being passionate and authentic, you will ATTRACT more people to you. You will connect with others in a meaningful way. And Dawn, the agent in our office will connect and sell and enjoy the process more because her voice will be authentic.
When you CARE, your writing emits an almost magical quality that it doesn’t have when you are writing for money alone. Stephanie, I don’t have her blog up and running yet. She is on vacation with her family for a week or two, but if you don’t mind, I’d love to get the two of you together via email or whatever. I have already sent her to your blog and she came back going.”..wow….”. (That’s a quote.)
I guess every day here at the office just reinforces the point to me that authenticity and passion are the glue that attracts, connects and converts prospective customers into clients for life.
Teri Lussier says:
Eric-
>I guess every day here at the office just reinforces the point to me that authenticity and passion are the glue that attracts, connects and converts prospective customers into clients for life.
Yesterday I had lunch with a buyer who found me through my blog, and he told me several times that he could tell I was “passionate” about real estate and a particular architectural style. We settled into a lively discussion right away because we shared that interest.
Hopefully the last part of your comment will happen as well, and here’s the cool thing- not because he’s a “lead”, but because he’s a fun, smart, young guy that I would enjoy working for. 🙂
July 17, 2008 — 7:26 pm
Scott Patterson, Aventura Realtor says:
I completely agree that passion in our writing can be seen and felt by our readers. When you make that connection with a reader, and potential client, it is our passion and honesty that will make us stick out it in their minds when they go to choose an agent.
July 18, 2008 — 3:35 am
John Rowles says:
It is great that clients are finding you guys via your blogs, but you are good writers. How many “agent web site” vendors tout a blogging function? How many thousands of those things have they sold?
If you give 1000 monkeys a 1000 typewriters, they can bang the keys and put words on the page, but who wants to read it?
As you point out, passion helps, b/c it fills the well with post ideas. How many 1-post agent blogs litter the Webscape? My last post drove a lot of comments and link backs. My first thought is “Sweet!” Followed a nano second later with “How the Hell am I supposed to follow that?”
For those of you who are the exceptions that prove the rule – blog on! For everyone else, the vast majority IMHO, you are better served putting your time and whatever writing ability you have into the descriptions that accompany your listings on the Web.
That said, I wish Stephanie the best of luck. If she is looking for a goal, Lexus makes Hybrids!
July 18, 2008 — 7:56 am
Eric Blackwell says:
@“How the Hell am I supposed to follow that?”- Grin. Get used to that feeling, John…that means that you did it RIGHT 😉 You got me over to look at your blog right away with that post of yours. It was brilliant.
In the case of Green Realtors, I think their message MUST go out beyond just the channels of a listing description for it to gain traction, and a passionately and well written blog may be the perfect vehicle…no wait…maybe the Lexus is the perfect vehicle…grin Either way, I don’t think descriptions alone will cut it for them…
It helps for me to think of the blogs that litter the digital landscape as more eco- friendly than just as many wadded up pieces of paper thrown away by frustrated writers…never to be picked up again. In that sense, I celebrate their attempt and just realize that there is no waste basket (errr…recycle bin) on the net.
July 18, 2008 — 8:10 am
Mike Stewart, Downtown Vancouver Realtor says:
I’m a
Realtor in Downtown Vancouver Canada
and I’ve been blogging a lot about economic news here in Canada and how it affects the real estate market here in Canada and I picked up a listing earlier this year that turned into several deals. The initial client liked the upbeat tone on what was happening here in Canada from an economic perspective and contacted me. I would agree with this post, but you have to be patient as it took me a good two years of bloggin before I got a deal from it.
July 18, 2008 — 8:14 am
Teri Lussier says:
>If you give 1000 monkeys a 1000 typewriters, they can bang the keys and put words on the page, but who wants to read it?
The vendors that sold blog functions? 😀
July 18, 2008 — 8:23 am
Greg Swann says:
Holy cow, Mike, your photos totally rock. Beautiful work.
July 18, 2008 — 8:51 am
Mike Stewart says:
Hi Greg,
Thanks!
I wish I could take credit for them, but its Video Open house here in Vancouver who shot them.
I am hooked on your blog.
July 18, 2008 — 12:27 pm
Stephanie Edwards-Musa says:
Hi Eric, just now catching up with posts here..had a busy week.
Of course, I’d love to talk to her. It’s really tough, doing green real estate. It is so extremely political and my back has seen the sharp side of the screw more times in the past year than I can count.
And yes, it is a completely different reader. As you can see, I posted something here..no comments. I expected that though. Sounds like her passion will really help, it’s a must in green. If you are not passionate folks will see it immediately.
Can’t wait to hear more about it! If she can add passion, get ‘in’ with local committees and network..she will do just fine. I’ll have to think if I know anyone up there to get her a head start. Also, strong Green real estate community on Twitter and LinkedIn. FYI.
Steph
July 19, 2008 — 7:27 am
Stephanie Edwards-Musa says:
BTW, John..the Lexus Hybrid has a payback of over 100 years. 🙂
July 19, 2008 — 8:08 am
Eric Blackwell says:
Thanks Steph. When she gets back into town, I will hook y’all up. Will point her to Twitter and LindedIn.
@100 year pay back. Economically conscious greenism …Cool! I am finding that many of the hybrids fit into a pretty long payback so far.
Best
Eric
July 19, 2008 — 8:44 am
Stephanie Edwards-Musa says:
Hey Eric,
I’ll find this one article and get it over to you. Most are now under 10 years with gas at $4/gallon. Prius is supposedly at 3.2 years. Many I’ve found are just marketing gimmicks. For example, my non-hybrid Camry gets better mileage than some of the Ford and Hyundai Hybrids.
Will try to find the article on it for you..if you are interested.
July 19, 2008 — 2:56 pm