Comments on: Your Broker-Manager Hates Your Real Estate Blog

By: Doug Aegerter

Doug Aegerter — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 12:54:46 +0000

That’s the unfortunate truth Teresa! I’m the tech coordinator for our market center and a Realtor. Trying to get associates to “get it” is like pounding a nail into petrified wood.

By: Jeff Dowler

Jeff Dowler — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 16:03:51 +0000

Really enjoyed your post, Teresa. It is so true. So often people ask WHY are you writing a blog, and DOES IT WORK? A bit naive. Of course I am still learning myself. I have had at least 2 dozen people in the last couple of months inquire and ask how to get started, then comment that maybe they will do one too! To your point – none of them have done a thing and my guess is they won’t. I really don’t encourage alot of people since I know most won’t bother. But those who I know will, get my support wholeheartedly.

By: Jim Cosgrove

Jim Cosgrove — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 22:27:48 +0000

I have the same problem as Toby. We started our company’s blog in July and I have given all of our agents an open invitation to post whenever they want. You’d think they’d all jump at the chance even if it was just to introduce their new listings to the market but so far only 3 out of 16 have done so and only 1 regularly. Although they won’t admit it I think half of them don’t even read the blog!
We put a tag line on some of our print ads inviting readers to “keep up with the market” by reading our blog and some of the agents thought that was a waste of space.
We ARE building traffic though and we WILL keep with it.

By: teresa boardman

teresa boardman — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 15:59:58 +0000

Toby – send your agents over to the tomato. You could maybe even point out that the post is written by a genuine home selling type REALTOR who si not selling anything except real estate. 🙂 I applaud your efforts!
Tricia – you are lucky!

By: Tricia Jumonville

Tricia Jumonville — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 01:23:33 +0000

Teresa, love your blog, and I LOVE my Sales Manager! She’s reading one of my copies of Realty Blogging, she thinks it’s a great idea, she’s always at the head of the pack with these kinds of things.
Can’t imagine what it would be like if I was having to fight the tide while learning how to blog effectively.

By: Toby Barnett

Toby Barnett — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 22:34:10 +0000

As a manager I feel the way agents may when it comes to blogging as a effective company/agent marketing tool. Doing our own SEO I have learned how effective a strong online presence can yeild business and expposure but when it comes to having others beleive me is a whole different story.
As the article points out the “back to basics” attitude is strong and true when it comes to the agents within our community and the fear of technology in a changing market place keeps many from trying a new path.
The problem I have is trying to convert my agents way of thinking to the changing market and how they can become effective in the long-term.
Great Post!!

By: Andrew Howe

Andrew Howe — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 01:52:28 +0000

The advent of blogs and how managers feel about them is similar to any other introduced form of tech in the workplace. On the lowest level, I remember being reprimanded for daring to buy “Post it” notes and bring them in to the office by my boss back in the early 80’s. Time will change how blogs are viewed also.
Andy

By: ElizabethWeintraub

ElizabethWeintraub — Sat, 30 Dec 2006 21:43:16 +0000

Half of the success in this business comes from being in the right place at the right time. You know, it’s just “showing up.” It’s regrettable that many real estate buyers and sellers will pick the first agent who comes along, the first licensed mouth-breather they bump into, but whether you like it or not, that’s how many of us are selected.
As Teresa says, I, too, believe if you’re not online, you’re missing a huge market. The tricks are finding the right places to hang out, having something worthwhile to say and working at writing superior SEO on your own site. In fact, I ran into an old friend the other day who called me a rock star because she was searching for the term quit claim deed and found me. LOL. She knew I did something online but didn’t quite realize what it was.
When I mentioned some of the online opportunities others in my office might want to explore at our last agent meeting, hands shot into the air and questions were fired off. These agents might not know what a blog is, but they know they should get involved. So, Jim Cronin is going to come down and talk to them next year. That’s what the managing broker at my office has promised.
I can only hope. 🙂

By: Norm Fisher

Norm Fisher — Sat, 30 Dec 2006 20:25:22 +0000

Great post Teresa. I am the “manager” and while I’m fairly new to the whole blogging thing, I’m sold on its usefullness and only wish I could get more of my agents interested. So, in my office it’s exactly opposite. They’re all looking at me like I’ve got an arm growing out of my forehead. 🙂
Real estate will always be about connecting with people whether that’s through your blog, or at their front door. I certainly think that given the choice, the consumer prefers the former to the latter. I sometimes so resent others for invading my space that I won’t answer the door or the home phone unless I know who’s there. Door-knocking and cold calling isn’t very popular anymore. In a few years time getting “back to the basics” will probably mean re-focusing on my blogging efforts and following up on those leads.

By: John Lockwood

John Lockwood — Sat, 30 Dec 2006 18:33:29 +0000

If this stuff is poised to take over the world as a new form of communication, I hope someone will do me a favor and shoot me now.
There’s a right way to do it now?
I’ll stick to the wrong way:
http://www.sacramento-home.com/real-estate-events/2006/romper-room-versus-the-blogosphere_318.html
Thanks