Realtor ®-The Woodlands Real Estate

I think that many people start reading a real estate blog at first out of interest and then many times that entertained consumer turns to the Realtor / Blogger for help, or refers a friend / relative to the Realtor / Blogger as this Realtor has shown themself to be a local expert in something and worth being given a chance.

Hi James,  I think that too.  But often times I hear people saying that they will not read blogs.  They feel that information is not there.  I guess that is a good reason for us to focus on content.  :)

Hi Stephanie! Great blog with some wonderful information for people who aren't really familiar with the blogging format or what they can find on blogs.There are some amazing blogs with great information out there on a wide range of topics. :)

Thanks Pamela,  I agree.  I think I learn more from Blogs than websites.  I was one of those that did not like to read blogs...until I learned what they were all about.

Stephanie, I often - more than 50% of the time - filter my google searches so I only see the blogs and not the other sources of information. The blogs, for me, give me the opinion of the news in addition to the news. So I go looking for both sides and I just can't seem to find that in traditional media. 

Hi Jeff,  I find myself also searching blogs only sometimes.  The traditional media has gone haywire...

I have heard quite a bit lately from consumers that they won't read blogs.  I think they are missing out.  :) Thanks for stopping by.

Stephanie,

I haven't heard any complaints about the blogs yet, but I can't imagine why someone wouldn't want to read from an actual person instead of the filtered, biased reporting you get in the news media every day. I'd think the informed consumer would value the opinions of the people in the trenches every day. At least, that's the way I look at it. Thanks for the post, I thought it was a great post for the consumer.

Hi Andrew,  There are a lot of people that read blogs-but I also run across people every day that do not know what a blog is.  I did not know what one was before signing on to AR.  I agree..I would rather read one now that I know what they are.  I will be out taking photos for Localism and make conversation with people..these were some of the responses that I get.  Just thought I would throw it out there.  :)

Thanks!!

Your right, blogs of all types add value and are like a conversation. Take care! RJH

Thanks Robert.

Stephanie, read my website you can learn a lot. I am redoing it and updating the pages. Websites tend to get dated and that is where blogs may have an edge as the latest is prominent. You also have to learn to make past blogs easy to read. I love to have photos in a blog. My site got dated, I learned this by blogging. www.neworleanscondos.net . I guess blogs updated themselves. You made some great points.   

Thanks Eric.  I'm glad that you are re-doing your website.  I don't know what to do with mine right now.  I am arguing with my web designer about it.  :(

Very good post-I totally agree.

Thanks for sharing it.

I have learned many thing from the blog posts.  I have made several changes to my business based on help and advice from several members here on Active Rain.

Stephanie.. This was a great post. You have encouraged me to be more diligent in my posting, my responding, and my reading. I also should add, responsible.

Thanks

Stephanie, Great points. Our local newspaper's articles online are in a blog format, where you read them and then there are comments at the end where you can actually get people's input and feelings on a local issue. So people do read reputable blogs, we just need to make ourselves heard online on all subjects, real estate or not.

Stephanie - It is all about content. There are some great sites which incorporate both and I believe this is the way to go.

Good job Stephanie! Glad to see you got a gold star =D

nice job and look at the pruddy star - congrats - you done good - and the post is vvery good too

Great post! You make some very valid points. ALthough I think I read blogs for very selfish reasons -  Im an opinion and information junkie.

Good post Stephanie! 

People seem to have different opinions about blogs and their value, I think it really depends on the individual.  I have had people tell me that if a post is too long they just won't read it or they end up reading the first couple of sentences to see if they might have an interest.  

This is a really informative post for those who may not be familiar with blogging. Although I have heard the opposite response, that people would rather read blogs than websites.  The reason for this is that blogs have become more popular in the media recently and you can view not only the blog post, but others comments and responses, giving you a more well rounded view of the topic.  Because of the ease of updating blogs they also tend to feature a lot more up to date information about current events, community information and industry & market related news than do websites.

Great post Stephanie.  I personally have not heard of anyone complaining about blogs, yet.  Your post  however raises many good points.  Blogs are/will be the replacement for static web pages. Any kind of information one can put on a static web page can be placed on one's blog site...along with the dialog created by the blog, which adds so much more value.

You are right. for a lot of people, blogs are "not organized enough", "hard to find things that are relevant", and "take too much time" --- (all things we have heard.) But for others they appreciate the effort we all put into them. So different things work for different individuals.

Great tips, I think it's great that blogs show up so highon Google.

Thanks Armando.

Hi Randy,  me too.  The way I do things online has forever changed since I joined AR.

Thanks Corie,  Everyone should pay close attention to what they write.  Any details left out could cost them a phone call.  The posts need to be full of info and links.  Glad it helped.  :)

Hi Mana,  That's neat!  Houston Chronicle does that on some of their articles...but not all.  That would be nice!

Hi Paula,  I agree. I like the sites that have both.  But as Eric mentioned...the site needs to stay updated like the posts. 

Thanks Lisa.  :)

Thanks Thesa!

Hi Mariana,  :)  Me too.  I love to read opinions...but I like to read about both sides of the opinion. 

Hi Ana,  I have heard that too.  People scan so I try to highlight the important parts to make it easier.  :)

Hi Bonny,  Blogging is not big down here yet.  It always seems that we are behind on some of the techie stuff down here.  I hear this all of the time. 

Hi Guy,  Everyone has different opinions of blogging.  I just wanted to highlight the reasons why it is positive.  I totally agree.

Hi Bob and Carolin,  I think that is why a lot of people are starting to organize their tags.  It will make it easier for the consumer to find relevant articles.

Hi Kevin and Monica,  :)  thanks for stopping by.

You gave some great pointers and plenty of information...hmmm....I could've used this in the beginning! :)

Hey Sally,  me too.  :)  Thanks a bunch!

Hey Stephanie, thanks for the post...it reminded me that I was intending to tweak my AR profile a bit, which I just did :)  Keep up the great work!

Thanks Vicki.  The profile is very important too.  If they like what we write, they WILL visit the profile.

Great information for consumers Stephanie!  Blogs contain lots of pertinant, well thought out, material.

Stephanie...

I must be honest with you. When I am searching for things on the web the blogs drive me nuts :)

I want my info and I don't want to have to weed through 100's of blogs to get it.

If I want to read blog after blog after blog...I would google "Blogs" :)

Cool it folks...I am entitled to my not so humble opinion :)

TLW...ROAR!

Simple stuff, like observing the "Golden Rule"..try reading the entire blog (unless it's as long as a Dickens novel).  Give the author a chance..not everyone communicates in your own style.  Make a comment.  Read the comments of others.  Take a moment to click on the blogger's profile.  Consider rating the post.  In other words, do what you would hope viewers of your own blog would do.

This was interesting reading, Stephanie. I have not heard that from consumers but can see how it could be an issue. Certainly many blogs out there, or the posts, do not provide a lot of the sort of information that buyers and sellers are looking for. Great suggestions, for readers as well and things us writers should pay attention to.

Jeff

I acutally get positive response about searches that turn up my blogs.  Having said that, I can see where someone might not like it if blogs unrelated to their searches were to turn up. 

One of values of postmodern media, especially blogs, is that they are interactive.

30 years ago, when the 6 o'clock news needed to post a correction 40 years ago you may or may not see the correction. You're not likely at all to get an alternative viewpoint.

In a blog with comments, you not only get corrections and alternative viewpoints...those corrections and alternatives become part of the original content.

But here's one reason why the traditional news and a standard website are still preferable: anyone can blog, but it takes a pro to get to the point. People don't always have the stamina to read through the entire blog. They'll risk getting inferior info if they get it fast and in an easily consumable form.

Am I a bad blogger for trying to emulate that style?

Stephanie,

I like your post! I myself don't trust 'blogs'. For me, I need to 'know' the 'blogger' before I attribute any credibility to them. There are too many nutso weirdos out there, not to mention people with hidden agendas and motives. The internet is a great tool, but it has given pulpits to too many who don't deserve one. Maybe I'm being a little harsh, but that's my humble opinion! Thanks,   Fran

Hi Chris,  Thanks.  I know that your posts have tons of info!!

Hey TLW,  I would never want anyone to be dishonest. :)  Sometime what I want to know will not be found on a blog and it irritates me to have to go to page 4 or 5 of Google to find.  I agree.  But sometimes I find more information by reading a blog...along with reviews and opinions.  That's funny...of course you can voice your opinion.  If anyone comes after you about this just let me know.  :)

Hi Eric,  Thanks.  I agree, common respect should always be used.

Hi Jeff,  I think Real Estate related posts...people are more likely to read.  It's when we go off posting about opinions and other stuff.  We all know that blogging and AR works.  ;-)  It does for me. Thanks for stopping by.

Hi Chris,  I agree.  I have good luck in Google too, but for instance.  If you were to comment on my post regarding HOA's or something and mention Kansas in your comment...it is possible that if someone searches 'Kansas City HOA rules' that MY post would show up.  Google is weird that way.  I see it happen all of the time on my Statcounter.

Hi Joey,  I'm sorry if you thought that I was insinuating style.  Obviously everyone has their own blogging style.  Regardless of style,  the consumer can learn something from the posts.  IMO.  I like the fact that they are intereactive myself...

Hi Fran,  I think that is why it is nice to be able to read through their other posts.  I don't trust everyone on the internet.  Heck, I don't trust most people on the internet...but by reading your posts...I would refer busines to you. 

Great Post Stephanie!!  AND...congrats on your feature!  This is very helpful for people searching online!

Thanks Susie!!!

Stephanie -- it think it is important to read blogs and the comments as you point out.  It is good to a number of resources when looking for information on a particular subject.  Some of the comments are very helpful -- sometimes it is time consuming to read through the comments to get to the information that you want --

Stephaine- Great post. I love reading blogs. They seem to tell a story and i learn better that way. Thanks for sharing.

Stephanie, I have had a few Realtors/Lenders in my area, tell me they don't blog because it is misinformation. Really ? It is an opinion and as you know we have lots of opinionated people here on AR.

I think they are lazy. I like to read information on other area's, maybe I'm weird.

those that do not read blogs are missing a lot of valuable information! it is amazing what i have learned here at AR!!!!