The Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

Great Information - Keep up the good posting !!    http://www.robertjrussell.com

Christopher and Stephanie - And here I thought this post was about the Philadelphia season of MTV's The Real World.  Oh well.  Seriously though, great reminder to all of us.  It is easy to get sucked in to a post you're writing and not answer the phone or return an email or get outside of your office.  I think we all battle with it from time to time.

There is nothing more important than answering my phone! Without calls, we have nothing!

One of the best ways to spend some time that comes back ten fold is local commnity videos. You do the one production...and then watch it rack up visits of 1000 views and climbing.  It does not require weeding like a garden..done, launched and spreads like a virus.  I agree that twitter, etc updates if not done at moderation can steal your attention and rob real estate real world time if you let it.  My mom always preached...moderation...everything in moderation.  But we are over achieving, high energy real estate types excited about everything we do...good post! Flexibility important too..you planned to do this next hour and then, priority shift when a seller calls to list and you suddenly decide rearrangement and re-ordering priorities needs to kick in.  Some have a hard time shifting gears when they had planned to do this or that..and won't deviate.  Flexible..be Gumby like in your day to day.

I am laughing because I can relate.  I get so wrapped up with what I am doing with my "ONLINE" friends that I ignore the ones right in front of me.  It's a challenge to have a balance.  I need to work on it more! Thanks for the reminder.  KM

Hi Chris,

This is so true we can get so wrapped up in our online world, but finding a balance is key. :)

So true.  Sometimes when in the middle of blogging, entering listings, reading e-mail the phone feels like a big distraction.  But, we have to answer it.  It may be a prospect hunting around and if they don't talk to us, they may be calling someone else.

We are very active and I use the information about concerts and sports games we attend as blogging material.  Makes for a very nice mix and keeps me in touch with the people I want to connect with!

Kathy

Perfect Blog - perfect for me at least. I've been mulling over and over in my head about local businesses to target for local features, etc. I just have to get off my butt and DO IT.  I nee dto set a date is what I nee dto do!

Christopher and Stephanie, this is so true the balance needed between the online and offline worlds.

Ah, the balance question...it's hard to achieve, especially when you just know you are writing THE post that will have consumers knocking down your door :)  When I first started blogging, I took every opportunity to drive around, take pictures and then write about communities.  I need to get back to including more community information on my blog - that's the real world we are all trying to reach.

Chris this is very true. I know I have caught myself lately spending extra time at the computer. It is also 0 degrees outside so that makes it a lot easier to stay inside too. We can't forget a handshake is usually better than an email.

This is a big problem for me.  I rarely get out (too many little ones) so focus my marketing entirely online.  I haven't suffered for it yet but...

~Renae

Christopher and Stephanie:

I agree totally. The real world is where you need to develop from. The leads need to center around your out side activity. The Internet which we love is only a compliment to our work.

I have not covered the Internet in my 10 steps to a real estate empire series, that is why I stopped short of finishing. The steps so far had nothing to do directly with Internet marketing.  So, I believe you must do it all and today add the Internet.

I will say, I believe that some of the Internet may be redundant and not a good use of time. I going to cover that soon. The key to my success is knowing how to get it all and then focus.

I always created more business than a human being could begin to handle. Focusing makes you finish each group of activities.

That's getting off topic.

Best

Richard

 

 

this is a really imporant topic, although blogging and networkng is challenging effort, it can be easy to get stuck behind a computer

I was blogging regularly about local events and restaurants. My SEO coach took me aside to remind me that I'm a real estate professional, not a journalist or restaurant critic. Sometimes it's a challenge to recognize the "right" mix of online presence.

Great article as always!  This is so true, some agents get so wrapped up in this stuff they actually lose touch.

What a great reminder-we have to be out there and answer our phones and make contact with people.

Such a practical and easily overlooked reminder! It's easy to get stuck at the screen...Thanks for sharing the suggestions, too. What a great post!

... another great reminder from an AR post for all to practise 'balance' in life and our career.

Great post guys !

Cheers !

Sheldon

I read Ines' blog and thought it was great. We are still people after all, there is life after the computer LOL!

I like "fun fridays" I think everyone could appreciate that! I am suprised and reminded daily that there are people who still haven't quite caught up to the information era... aka no internet/email or even a fax (gasp!).

Absolutely Chris and Stephanie.  I think EVERYONE kind of loses sight these days of the one on one interpersonal contact necessary for ALL humans.  Facebook, MySpace, and all the online social networking sites are fantastic means by which to reconnect and stay connected with friends, family, and clients, but it will never replace the warmth of sitting down and having coffee with someone or having a conversation over the phone.  Technology has made us more interconnected but I sometimes feel it has made us more isolated as well.  The best analogy I've heard regarding this topic is imagine your at a party, but everyone is enclosed in a sound proof booth invisible to everyone else and is only able to communicate electronically.  It's just not the same as being at the party and interacting with everyone face to face.  Great post and best of luck in '09.

I spend more of my time preforming offline marketing than online.  I try to be careful and wait to blog at the end of my work day.

Thanks for the reminder! I tend to get engrossed with internet "stuff", the day flies by,and my REAL PEOPLE contact gets neglected!

Kathy Opatka,Re/Max Premier Properties, OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND

Christopher and Stephanie, finding the right balance between internet marketing and connecting in person is definitely an ongoing challenge.

"The" very best advice!    We are social animals, as Aristotle noted, and we do need real face time with our client base.    All of the new technology devices are really just aids to that face to face/"local" communication.     We shouldn't forget our real sphere of influence, which is in our own community, for the benefits of that global connection.

Great points. That is one of my goals this year to become more socially active within my community. Thanks for the post.

Thanks for the mention - it does seem trivial, but oh so true.   The other factor is after you have been blogging and doing the social media thing you get to a point where you have to ask "what's next?" - and then you realize that next is Face to Face and your on-line world totally changes.

ines

For some like me - I feel more comfortable, sheltered almost when I am "marketing" via the computer but if I am not in the office or have face to face contact with a client or customer I feel like I am missing something - this profession is constantly challenging me, like I need more of that.  If you are ever looking for a Realtor in Jersey let me know!

Blogging, e-mailing, texting, they're all great but if you want to create an impression. pick up the phone or even better, talk face to face with someone. It's a lot easier to remember a face than what someone said.

Are you spying on me today??? So, so true about the balance. An internet presence is imperative anymore if you're going to keep up. It's fortunate in some ways that the market has been slower in the last few years so a techno-phobe like myself could get up to speed. (How many adaptors and chargers do YOU own now and are you having to label them to keep them straight?) Geez!

It's easy to get pulled into the cyber vortex and some days it seems like another part time job. We have to remember though that the personal relationships with our clients, the human touch, is what keeps them coming back to us and referrals coming in.

Schedule time to make a call or "pop by" to say hello to your good clients. It makes more of a mark than your latest newsletter. Even though we have to keep doing those too.

Great post! Coincidentally I made localization one of my New Year priorities for 09. Many of my new features are already in place. Be on the lookout for signature posts from me including:

• Monday Motivation
• Try Something New
• "Ask Amber"
• Fun Things To Do In...
• How Do I?

And a few other goodies. My hope is that they'll appeal to both consumers and our peers.

Thanks for sharing.

 

Wow, there are some great comments here and Im glad this post is a good reminder to some... is a great reminder to us !  We were out most of the day today on appointments and face-to-face meetings.

Matt - Yes it is very easy to get caught up in the details of a blog or some of the other sites.  There is so much to learn and so little time : )  .  We cannot forget that our main priority is to in front of buyers and sellers.

Caren - Very true !  The blog and the internet is a great source of lead generation and staying in touch with past clients too.

Kristin - I hear you !  Balance is a challenge but it sounds like you are doing it well... we are doing it pretty good for the most part but there can always be improvement and growth !

Suzanne - Well said... Finding balance is key !

Gabe - Exactly, the lead will just call someone else when they are not responded to.

Okay, I think you're in my head now!!  I have had that same thing happen and I ask myself, "WHAT AM I thinking?"  Implementing balance in our work lives is of utmost importance--ESPECIALLY now with all that is out there for us to do!

GREAT post and congrats on that little gold star!

 

Yes, I agree I was struggling with this very thing. It is easy to get "sucked in" to the online and forget about the outside face to face world!

Kathy - Those (sporting games and concerts) events are excellent blog topics !  Very smart : )

Steve - It is hard to do everything, but is good to try a little of a lot : )  Helping and mentioning a business such as a local restaurant or other small business I think is an excellent idea.

Gary - We learn more about balance every day just by reading your blog !!

Christopher and Stephanie,

How easy it is to forget to put balance in your business plan. Blogging alone probably won't get you to top any charts, so it has to be a mix of lead-generating programs.

Christopher and Stephanie : Great post here.. It is just so ever easy to be so focused here in the rain and have a mental block of anything outside of the rain.

Haha,

Thanks for the funny pictures and real life information about the "REAL" "REAL World!"

Great tips and advice,

thanks!

Tom Davis

DE REALTOR (R)

Good advice...  I, too, find myself spending way too much time at the computer and not enough time out in the real world.  Thanks for the reminder:)

Solid advice Christopher and Stephanie.  Ultimately, if we don't connect with people in the real world, we won't be closing very many transactions, so this should always be a top priority.  It's easy to escape into cyberland.

Lisa - I agree !  The community blogs may not get as many comments per se, but they will get more views from your target market for sure.

Bill - Great point !  Face to face is where the real connection begins and business can be done in our indusrty.  I do think since it is 0 degrees outside where you are additional inside and computer time is warranted : )

Richard - Will look foward to those updates as part of your real estate empire series.  I agree the internet is a great compliment to building a business... it is a great way of lead generation.  But at the end of the day, it is up to the person to cultivate and harness that lead to provide value for the consumer and ultimately convert that lead into a client.

 

Thanks for the reminder...so true...I know I am guilty of not "Getting out there" more and probably spend too much time behind the computer screen....got to run I have another blog to do....lol

 

Rick

Great advice!  I couldn't agree more!  While the internet is vital to our success, you have to "meet and greet" or it's all kind of in vain.  I don't understand Realtors who stay on their computers all day.  I could never sell anything!

Christopher and Stephanie, I totally agree with you. You need to find a balance between blogging and "real life". Blogging is very enjoyable but it takes time. Time that you could be using meeting people and developing relationships in the real world.... Nevertheless I enjoy both...

Great post, and I will take it one step further.  Blogging may supplement your business, but the direct effort in pressing the flesh, and working face to face will bring you more business.  I am making these claims because over 85% of my business each year comes from the net.  I have had a much better return from my webs efforts, than I have had from Blogging. 

Determining the sources of my business is like looking at a pie chart and seeing it broken down into segments of where your business comes from.  Sign calls, classified ads, persoaal referral, referrals, website etc.  A smaller segment is from Blogging.  It is a small supplement to my business, and not the focus of my marketing efforts.

In better times, I feel Blogging could be phenominal.  If we were in an economy where people were actually relocating with a job, Blogging would be # 1, but we are not there right now, and so I cannot say throw all your eggs into the one basket.

James - It can be easy to get stuck behind a computer learning about the latest widgett instead of pounding the pavement !

Vickie - Yes, a good mix is important.  I dont think it has to be all about real estate all the time, but a good healthy chunk should be.  But I do think it is very valuable to post articles about the community too.

Kris - We need to remind ourselves that we are not professional bloggers...LOL.  We are professional Realtors and/or Brokers who have our own business.  Blogging and technology are important and integral as part of a business plan but nothing compares with being face to face to provide excellent service and expertise.

 

Everything you say is so true.  It is so easy to get lost in technology that we forget that our business is grounded in human interaction.  It all comes down to prioritizing our day.  All of the above is important we just have to figure out how to fit it all in.  Thanks for the important reminders in this post.

Pat and Mara - Glad this post is a great reminder of the basics and how important they are.

Sheldon - Balance is imporant.

Sharon - I think we all can learn from Ines.  She was great as the speaker at Real Estate Connect and here Miamism is doing very well.  A lot of what she does integrates the online with the offline world.

Heather - Yes, some folks just are not interested in the net which is why we still do some traditional marketing.

Jerry - Great analogy.  Yes technology can bring more people together, but you are right, it can also bring about isolation if one does not break away from their computer and get out in the real world !  Balance is key.

 

The real world is much more social than social media! And so full of blog material too. Great post.

 

Good post. I think it's easy to forget the purpose of blogs, web sites, etc is to get that face to face contact. We don't  make money sitting at our computers. We earn our income with actual face to face appointments - showing and selling houses and listing. It's very rare to sell something to someone you never meet.

Great article.  We forget, after being behind a computer all day, that there is more to real estate than just blogging........however, with blogging there is no real estate.  You earned a gold star!

I was just thinking the same thing!  I have been working hard to get my on line presence out there.  I think I logged in this morning at 7:00 and just now realized my phone isn't even in the same room as me!! 

Great post and I agree with you!  We need to interact with others, blogging is great and I love it, but I still like being face to face with people!

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