Real Agent Blogs - Marketing, Blogs & Blogging for Real Estate Agents

Living Well With Kevin Bungert

2008-07-02T17:15:55-03:00

I've been working with Kevin Bungert for the last couple of months on a few projects, and some of those efforts are now making it out into the public.

A new look for Kevin's company Living Well Systems went live this morning, and you can now download a PDF eBook of his blog series 12 Steps to Living Well.

Kevin recently wrote a very nice post about us working together with many kind words.

It's easy to get excited about what I do when I get to meet and work with someone like Kevin.

Halifax NS Forest Fire Info & Links

2008-06-14T21:23:15-03:00

...also posted on Compelling Design Blog... please follow up future updates there...

There's a pretty serious forest fire taking place just outside of Halifax on the Dartmouth side of the harbour. It's been going on for almost 30 hours now, is covering a 15 X 2 km area, and about 4000 people have been evacuated from their homes.

Thankfully no one has been seriously hurt, and kudos to all the firefighters and emergency personal that have been working hard for more than a day now.

Here are some relevant resources:

> Halifax NS Forest Fire Map

> HRM Forest Fire web updates

Halifax Regional Municipality General Info: 902-490-4000

HRM Fire Info for Families & Relatives: 902-490-0000

Military Family Resource Centre: 902-427-7780

News Links:

This post will be updated with relevant news.

Happy Mothers Day to All the Moms

2008-05-11T14:47:34-03:00

Thanks for everything, Mom!

Moms on Flickr

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The Blog Post That Changed How I Do Business

2008-05-09T20:18:49-03:00

On May 9, 2005 - three years ago today – Seth Godin published a post on his blog called What Every Good Marketer Knows.

I didn’t know who Seth Godin was at the time he wrote it. I might have recognized his face. Maybe not. It was only three years ago, but a lot has changed in that time. In May 2005 there was no Twitter, Facebook was The Facebook, and YouTube had been online less than three months – the founders were not Googlerich yet. Blogs were seven or eight years old, but did anyone beyond a few know what they were?

So a lot has changed. A lot more attention grabbers out there.

But through all the clutter, after reading probably thousands of blog posts, there's one that I return to time and again. And it was published three years ago today.

It’s essential reading for anyone that is in the business of marketing, and marketing themselves. Which is basically everyone in the real estate profession.

The list of 30 insights and observations and things good marketers know - will have you nodding. I printed and highlighted the first time I read it.

Here's my favorite ten:

Anticipated, personal and relevant advertising always does better than unsolicited junk.
Making promises and keeping them is a great way to build a brand.
Your best customers are worth far more than your average customers.
One disappointed customer is worth ten delighted ones.
Conversations among the members of your marketplace happen whether you like it or not. Good marketing encourages the right sort of conversations.
Marketing is the way your people answer the phone, the typesetting on your bills and your returns policy.
If you are marketing from a fairly static annual budget, you’re viewing marketing as an expense. Good marketers realize that it is an investment.
You’re not in charge. And your prospects don’t care about you.
Choose your customers. Fire the ones that hurt your ability to deliver the right story to the others.
Reminding the consumer of a story they know and trust is a powerful shortcut.

Bonus #11

Marketing is not an emergency. It’s a planned, thoughtful exercise that started a long time ago and doesn’t end until you’re done.

Hey Seth, thanks for that great list.

Read the original post Seth Godin published three years ago today.

Download a Handy, Shareable PDF version

Update: Mr Godin has added to his list

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April on ActiveRain for Real Agent Blogs

2008-04-30T23:11:00-03:00

March was a busy month on ActiveRain - but April was busier. 14 posts in total, here's my April output.

It all started with the lead up to the ActiveRain Video Contest - I was in a video frame of mind for the contest and wrote several posts related to the subject. Kicked off the month with Get Ready for Video With Your Own Branded Channel followed up with Branding Your Tube Channel: Part One & Part Two, and Vimeo Sets the Bar for Video Sharing.

Then it was my AR contest entry Connect With Clients, Wherever They Are and a collection of the contest entries on a YouTube playlist with Now Playing on ActiveRain...

Then there was a changing of the visual landscape on ActiveRain. Brad Carroll launched the first AR Customized Blog - and started a wave of color throughout the site. It was fun to watch this catch on - and I took note of the early adopters with a screenshot festival in Who Spilled the Paint? and Who Spilled the Paint Too? ActiveRain Gets More Colorful. After cataloging all the fun, I put up a Real Agent Blogs skin.

ActiveRain also passed 85,000 Members on April 25th!

Just after that, I was fortunate enough to get a post Featured. Written originally for this blog, I also put Managing Your Real Estate Reputation on the Web up on my AR blog. I don't usually cross-post the material to both sites, but I thought the AR community might be interested in this article because of the topic.

Getting featured resulted in about 1/3 of my total page views for that one post as I've got on this site, since it launched. Big audience on ActiveRain.

And when it rains, sometimes it pours. I met my first clients through ActiveRain in April - Kevin Bungert and Susie Blackmon - and work has begun on their marketing projects.

Managing Your Real Estate Reputation on the Web

2008-04-25T22:10:00-03:00

A few incidents have taken place this week that made me think about - and consider - online reputation management. The internet has always moved fast, but I think the blogosphere moves faster.

Information gets published faster. News travels faster. Words spread faster.

This can be a great thing if the news and words are positive. If not, there's a good chance the negative will go farther, faster.

Here's three internet blips that most people will eventually forget, but Google will probably remember:

1. Negative Publishing That Gets Personal

The particular incident I'm referring to started with a negative post about an agent, and was published on the Redfin blog. It was a rant that got extremely personal. There didn't seem to be a constructive point or reason for posting this, and the reaction was swift. The story has been re-told and linked-to enough, but here's a good timeline that illustrates how fast this all took place.

It was on the radar and then gone pretty fast. But the damage had been done (and a writer fired), and now the whole episode has been cataloged and archived, hyperlinked and referenced, and turned into a learning experience. So we should learn.

Why go negative? There so much to write about that it's really not necessary.

2. Personal Conversations on Public Sites May Not Be So Personal

I've just started using Twitter - and I do love the speed with which you can get info out to the public. How wordy can get in 140 characters?

But Twitter can also be used for personal conversations between members, tweets that don't make it into your public stream. As TechCrunch reported this earlier this week there was a Privacy Disaster At Twitter: Direct Messages Exposed. A Twitter user named Orli Yakuel discovered that her private conversations were going into her public stream and updating her 650 followers. These were then sent to her FriendFeed. She eventually shut her Twitter account down - after deleting the messages was unsuccessful - but at that point it was like closing the barn door.

In the end it wasn't a Twitter issue or glitch - the problem was caused by a third party app with unclear instructions and a minor human error.

And the result was personal conversations and personal information being publicly broadcasted. And then reported on. More lessons.

3. Brand & Name Protection

Name recognition is a powerful marketing advantage in any medium, but I think it's heightened online because a name can be a person, product/service and web profile - all in one.

Or a Twitter account. Or a Google AdWords term.

Seth Godin reported a few months ago that there was a Fake Twitter Godin who was a total impostor. This person wasn't doing anything malicious, just linking to some SG posts. But it was enough to lead some to believe it was the real Seth Godin and that he was ignoring them. Minor damage, but done.

More recently, a Seattle Condo Specialist named Ben Kakimoto (author of the Seattle Condo Blog) discovered that his name was now a Google AdWord. For a local competitor. The real Ben Kakimoto recently shared his experience of being Assasingoogled. To take this sneaky play to a new level of strangeness, the fellow REALTOR® that was using Ben's earned name recognition is actually a colleague in his own company.

So Ben finds himself competing against his own name. His earned results next to a paid ad pretending and suggesting to be him.

And how confusing would that be to the consumer who finds and then responds to the ad? So... where is this Mr. Kakimoto I read about in your ad?

Three unrelated examples of some of the things happening out there. Reputations can take a long time to build, and short time to dismantle.

My advice: Keep tabs on your name and brand. Track it. Protect it. Defend it if necessary. Take my Mom's advice.

My Mom's advice: If you don't have anything nice to say, you know the rest.

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Blog It Facebook App - Can't All The Blog Platforms Get Along?

2008-04-19T11:47:33-03:00

Yes, they can.

At least that's what the new Blog It application on Facebook is supposed to do. This post is being written from within Facebook, and then should be sent out Real Agent Blogs, Twitter and my FB mini feed.

This could be a handy app if you're using multiple services - also works with other blog platforms like Wordpress, Blogger, Tumblr, Movable Type, Vox and Live Journal.

For the micro crowd, Twitter and Pownce can get the mass update.

This is kind of like spamming yourself.

More info at: http://blogit.typepad.com
Get the app here: http://www.facebook.com/apps/application.php?id=14103720714

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90 Second Motion Photos

2008-04-10T02:28:35-03:00

Lights, Camera, Action!

2008-04-03T07:13:16-03:00

The ActiveRain Video Contest closes tomorrow!

Want a community slideshow for your real estate blog?

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March on ActiveRain

2008-03-31T12:20:51-03:00

Spent more time on ActiveRain in March than any other month so far. Posting, reading, commenting, meeting new members of the community...

Here's a Real Agent Blog March recap:

A Story About Real Estate Blog Lists - this became my first AR Featured Post and started March off on a roll

My Ideas for Photos on Localism - photos can highlight a community, and Localism photos could be a great resource for consumers

Some of Your Clients Are Worried and Anxious - but they have an expert in their corner

Royalty-Free Music Resources for Your ActiveRain Videos - jazz up your video with some royalty-free jazz

Customer Service, Media Monitoring, Twitter, Blogs - A Story With Everything - using Twitter to monitor what your clients are saying

Not Another Widget... or, Not Just Another Widget - using Sprout to build interactive, branded widgets with multiple media types (awesome!)

...and finally:

New Web Site Launched for The Sawler Real Estate Team - by Compelling Design, which is also me

A screen of new www.Sawler.com is below:

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ActiveRain has a video editing and hosting...

2008-03-27T09:00:05-03:00

...solution coming soon.

Very interesting. This post is 4realz style.

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It’s Time to Get Personal: Part 2

2008-03-20T15:03:05-03:00

In the last post - It’s Time to Get Personal – I wrote about providing opportunities for connections you may have with potential clients on your “About” page or bio.

This is true for any business or service provider, but I believe even more so for real estate agents. Clients have many options for whom to work with, and they’ll want someone that will meet their needs, provide great service, and who they can spend (possibly) a lot of time with.

Buying or selling real estate is an intimate process. Finances are discussed, family goals and aspirations are shared, and your client’s privacy may be put on hold for a period of time while strangers examine their home sweet home, critiquing, looking, examining.

Add in a relocation, and the stress levels rise. As the son of a Military father, I was constantly moving when I was younger. Nine moves in fact by the time I was 14. I don’t remember all the gory details, just the sense of upheaval.

For all these reasons, potential clients will be investigating you. Providing common connections will help increase the chance that when they find you, they’ll find something to bond with. And doing it in a creative or unique way will make it memorable.

Snapshot Bio -
Before we get too creative, it's good to have a base to build on. It’s a good idea to have a well-written Snapshot Bio on hand – you never know when you’ll need a concise paragraph or two about yourself or your agency. Think of the last paragraphs on a press release where they identify the company. It’s usually short and sweet, but dense with facts and information. Having a snapshot bio ready to go could come in handy if you’re quoted by the media, recognized for an achievement or award, or referenced on a blog.

You may even consider having one written in the first person and one in the third- depending on the venue that it will be used.

This type of quick bio could also form the basis for your longer biography – just remember to have it proofed by several people, and not just for typos. 10 people will provide 10 ways to ‘make it better’ – and some may even be right! Use the feedback though, whether you implement it or not. Others often see things we miss, and maybe that piece of personal info you’re sharing is only interesting to you.

One Page Bio -
On a web site or blog, you probably have more space to provide more information about yourself – and more opportunities for connections. So make use of it.

Go deeper than your snapshot bio by expanding upon the info you provide. Instead of just mentioning the University or College you went to, tell your readers how attending changed your life and has subsequently made you a better real estate agent.

Instead of just mentioning that you like to travel (who doesn't?) – tell your readers where you’ve been and some of the experiences you’ve had.

Ten years ago I had the chance to go travelling to Central and South America for three months. I was in Costa Rica and got to stay on a Leatherback Turtle Reserve – protecting newly hatched eggs on the beach. I even had the chance to see a Leatherback giving birth! In Ecuador I visited some of the most amazing outdoor markets I’ve ever seen – buying thick sweaters from the locals that made them, with volcanoes in the background. But the highlight of my trip was hiking the Inca Trail in Peru. Three days of walking through the jungle, hiking up and down the Andes, and visiting Incan ruins – all culminating on the fourth day with watching the sun rise over the Lost City of Macchu Piccu.

Up to now, this has been my main travelling experience. When I think of travelling memories, these are the ones that I draw on, and have for ten years and counting.

And every time that hear someone has also been to Costa Rica, Ecuador or Peru – my interest is piqued and I feel a connection. Whenever I see a program on Leatherback turtles or the Inca Trail, I watch. Whenever I see a colourful thick wool sweater, I smile. These are all connections I’ve made. And if I was reading this in your bio, I’d feel that connection with you.

Here's a great post I recently found on ActiveRain - nothing to do with real estate, but I feel like I know the author Eric Kodner a little better after reading about some of his life experiences. His story takes place in a different part of the world at a different time - but it reminded me of travelling.

Photo Bio -
If you’re looking to do something a little different with your bio – or to supplement it, consider a Photo Bio. Tell your story with photographs instead of words for a greater visual impact. Lots can be said with a picture.

The above travelling anecdote could be made a little more interesting with some photos of the trip.

If you support Breast Cancer Research – why not have a picture showing your support; participating at the Run for the Cure, hosting a fundraiser, presenting an oversized-cheque.

This can extend to any worthy cause you believe in. And the benefits are two-fold. Promotion for what you’re passionate about, and the chance for a personal connection. Is this crass? I don’t think so. The affects of Breast Cancer has affected my life and my family, and I always take note when someone else has an interest in it or is promoting awareness. Even just wearing a pin. This is a connection or bond I’ll make for rest of my life with anyone I meet.

What other photos could tell a story? If you’re a local expert, play tour guide in some pictures. Show your knowledge of the local area.

Won some awards? A photo of you receiving the award, or your acceptance speech may be more compelling than a list of accomplishments. Even a nice photo of the award itself if it’s visually attractive. And remember – this is your bio. So brag a little. Show your awards and accomplishments because you’ve earned them, and they speak to your experience, quality of service, etc.

Photos can also be a great method of reinforcing your branding, especially for any niche marketing or specific experience you are highlighting. Do you specialize in waterfront properties? A photo of you in front of water conveys this message better than a headshot.

Specialist in golf communities? Photos of you on local courses demonstrate your knowledge of the area, it shows you practice what you preach, reinforces your image as golf community specialist, and is an easy conversation starter for someone with similar interests.

If your clients are primarily families with school aged children – you can tell your clients you know the local schools, or you can show them you know. Do a photo shoot in a classroom, on the football field, or in the stands of the gymnasium.

Some of these pictures can of course be used elsewhere in your marketing – to highlight the community, etc. But if you’re claiming to be an expert in any given area or niche, a photo of you in action can speak volumes. And it says a lot more than a typical headshot or waist up photo usually found on bio pages.

Video Bio –
Just as photos can tell your story, so can video. It’s a very efficient medium as well – any video you create can be used online, in your office, as part of a promotional package. And with the web, distribution is free.

A video could be anything from a personal introduction, to a video biography, to a narrated tour of the area. A montage of scenes from the community is compelling content, and with your branding, voice and images – you’ve created a personal commercial that can be watched over and over.

I watch a lot of video on the web. And if I start to watch a video, and it looks good, I usually adjust my posture, and lean back in my seat. I’ve ceded my attention and gotten comfortable. Then I watch.

Does this ever happen when I’m reading a web page? No. I read and move on.

A video can bring undivided attention from your audience. And it can deliver lots of messages – verbal, emotional, visual and implied - in a short period of time.

Here's a great example I found via the 1000Watt blog - of Calabasas real estate agent Tracey Thomas, and her web site welcome video:

If you're watching this on Tracey's site, you're engaged for up to one minute and 39 seconds.

Web 2.0 Bio –
If you’re all over the internet marketing and promoting and yourself and your listings, let your potential clients know. It will give them more opportunities to investigate you further, away from your blog or web site. If you’re on Facebook – and so are your potential clients - and they discover that you have mutual friends, or you’re both part of the “More Green Spaces for My Town” group, you’ve highlighted some connections and common interests.

If you’re on ActiveRain (maybe that’s where your clients found you), then advertise and promote that fact. If your clients ask why, tell them you use it as a networking resource to meet other agents (out of town buyers), to market their listings on Localism, to promote the community (future buyers), learn marketing techniques. If they know the value of ActiveRain as a consumer, they’ll appreciate the fact you’re part of the community and what it means. If they don’t know about AR, you’ve now educated them about another resource in your own marketing tool-box. Further evidence you’re an expert and committed to your profession.

Social networking is more and more popular these days. If you’re into photography and like to share digital photos, you’re probably on Flickr. So are some of your potential clients. Since I’ve started using Flickr more and more in the past year, I take notice when someone else is a member. It’s easy to check out their profile and photostream, and you get a window into that persons world (yours). It’s also a connection.

I recently had some conversations with an agent who was a potential web design client – and I was happy to see we both hung out on a few common social networks and web sites. Using these sites will be part of an overall marketing strategy – and our shared familiarity of the sites made for small connection and bond, a few shared experiences through conversation, and a discussion on what we thought would be a good feature on one of the sites. A small example – but it was something we had in common, and I’m sure it played a small role in the overall decision making process of that client deciding whether or not to work with me.

At the very least – when we talked about social networks and blogs and Flickr – I could show him what I meant with my own experiences in those areas. And he loved my Inca Trail photos. He hadn't been to Peru, but he'd travelled, and that led to a conversation about his trip abroad. And another connection.

What's Working for You?
Do you have a creative way you’ve shared your personal info, knowledge and expertise? Has something you’ve done – and shared on your About page – really resonated with potential clients? Let me know in the comments.

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It's Time to Get Personal: Part 1

2008-03-05T02:40:30-04:00

Real estate agent sites and blogs come in all shapes, sizes and colors.

But one thing they all have in common is an About page. Whether it's an online biography, a bullet point list of accomplishments, or a full CV - it's probably the place your visitors are going to look to see who's writing all this stuff.

Or who's representing a listing. Or who may get the chance to represent them as a buyers agent.

Regardless of who's looking, it's an opportunity. A chance to get more personal with your web visitor.

And a boring, slapped together bio just won't cut it. It's too easy to get more info about another agent that's willing to share, seems more interesting, is more compelling, or is doing something a little different that makes them stand out.

Provide Opportunities For Connections

A well crafted About page or Bio can be a catalyst for connections with your readers. We're naturally attracted to like-minded individuals with shared experiences, and often the connections are already there. These affinities just have to be brought to light.

College rings tell everyone around you that "I went this school!"

These same rings tell a fellow alumni "I'm your classmate."

(insert silent nod)

The more opportunities you provide to identify a connection, the more likely it will happen.

Having said that, I wouldn't advise throwing out every group, organization or club you have ever belonged too - in fact, I'd think the more specific you are, the greater the chance for a deeper connection.

Same college, good.

Same college and the same graduation year, great.

Same college at the same time in the same dorm! List my house, brother/sister!

Providing these details and experiences will allow others to make the shared connection, and the relationship has begun.

So... is your About page laying the groundwork for a connection?

Next Post - some specific ideas for what you may want to highlight in your bio, besides your school.

Also, some visual ideas for shaking up your bio. Like, instead of just saying you and team support Breast Cancer Research - post a photo of your team in the Run For The Cure.

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Show You're a Local Expert Without Saying a Word

2008-02-22T19:15:00-04:00

Yesterday Seth Godin wrote a great post with some advice for real estate agents. One portion talked about using available resources to become a local/community expert.

He offered up his new Squidoo Mayor of Your Zip Code as way to "start a discussion group/info page about what’s happening in your slice of the world". No Mayor of Your Postal Code as of yet.

This is great advice for real estate agents who are expected to be local experts anyway. Even more essential if you have a lot of out of town clients moving to your city.

A blog could accomplish the same purpose - I wrote about this in October in a post called Meet Your Clients Before You're Introduced, and offered a few ideas for how a blog could "help establish a personal connection before you meet a potential client".

The first idea was to Become a Local Expert. Here's a few specifics to help show potential clients you're a local expert without having to tell them:

1. Photos -

Who doesn't like nice photos of your neighborhood, community or city? And if you were moving into the area, you'd love to look at these photos.
You don't need to be a pro - use a tripod, go out on a nice day, and click away. With digital cameras, a few shots of any particular scene will probably yield some decent results. Then put these photos on your blog, web site, ActiveRain Localism, Flickr...
What to photograph? Community landmarks, points of interest, events, schools, recreation facilities, nature trails... or even beyond your community. If locals go there - take a picture!
Speaking of Flickr - get your larger sized photos hosted and distributed with Flickr. If photos help sell a community (or listing), why use small, 200 pixel photos when your camera - and Flickr - are taking images 10x that size. Flickr enables you to use them.
Looking for great photo tips? Visit this blog - Photography for Real Estate

2. Slideshows

Since you have the nice community photos (#1) - why not turn them into a community slideshow? Add in some royalty-free music from Shockwave-Sound or Beatsuite and you have a compelling show that will let your potential clients sit back and watch your community... with your branding... and on your web site...
Here's a show I did for a client - it's been on YouTube for 16 months - and on Vimeo for about 5 days... a mix of royalty-free photos and music, personal photos, and some basic transitions. On YouTube it's been watched 4,300 times which isn't bad for something we put up and then waited to see what happened - minimal time investment, and it shows off the local area:

3. Google Maps

Google Maps allows you to create fully customized maps - and the embed them on your site of blog. Awesome features.
Create a map with all your personal photos pinned to the locations they were taken.
Add your slideshows to the map.
Add testimonials to map.
Add fascinating facts.
Add local service providers.
Add a Giant Pyrogy.

4. Local Events Resource

Use your blog to spread the word about local events - even quick posts with links to online newspapers, press releases and of course other local blogs.
Offer your blog as podium and platform to get the word out about their group, message or event (just remember who your audience is and who's doing the speaking on your blog).
Offer to promote an event for some comp tickets - that you then give away on your blog with a contest for clients, subscribers, commenter's etc.

5. Write Reviews

Blogs are journals after all, so keep of journal of where you go, what you do - and turn it into a review.
Visit a restaurant? Write a review, link to the restaurant, then tell them you did it. You don't have to report every time you go out - but if you find a cool new spot, and they have great food and service - why not share this info?
Take in an art exhibit? Link to the exhibit, the gallery and the artists web site.
Maybe this glimpse at your personality beyond the office, or listing presentation or the open house will be a differentiating factor.

Any real estate agent can say they're a local expert - why not show your potential clients that you are.

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Seth Godin Says Become a Watercooler

2008-02-22T00:55:56-04:00

"...become the source of information, the watercooler, the person to turn to."

Says Seth Godin to real estate agents.

He also asks...

"...what if you built a blog about your town, as good as any local paper, with high school sports and tax controversies and everything... don't you think the right people would read it?"

I'll answer that question: yes.

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