The short answer is no
Many seem to think that being live in social media spaces and chatting it up with the folks is a more robust way of accomplishing the same feat as blogging, but they go hand in hand. Put simply, blogging is part of social media, but in my view, it’s still only a two dimensional conversation and social networking (chatting it up with the folks) brings you ‘multi-deminsional.’
Social media and blogging have limits
Either way you spin it, when you’re on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn, your reach is limited to when you’re present- limited profiles, limited characters to articulate a position, and quite frankly, absolutely very little Google power.
On the flip side, when blogging without the use of social media spaces like Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn, the audience is left with only a rough edge view of who you are. Sure, they know what you’re saying, and know you’re passionate about it, but the personal connection is limited.
2 + 2 = robust
Now, adding these two powerful elements together, both blogging and a presence in social media spaces, the folks really begin to get a sense of who you are, what you stand for, and a more personal connection with your brand- the opportunities to find more commonalities with future consumers is improved immensely.
It is another way for Realtors to shine in social media despite the challenge of not having a tangible product on a shelf to sell… in a social network, a blog acts as an instant service identifier (for example: commercial broker blogs vs. first time buyer agent blogs). Social networking is powerful because it brings a blog multi-dimensional and expands its reach.
Coffee with no water
So, if you joined a social network in recent days, weeks, or months, as an alternative to blogging, I’m sorry to disappoint you- you simply will not grab as much of a market share as you would if you had a quality blog to supplement it- in fact, your blog is your personal community, and without it, you’re missing a foundation.
Can you have one without the other? Sure, but only if you like cereal without milk, coffee without water, a laptop without internet, or maybe a grilled cheese minus the bread- I can do these all day, but I think you get the point.
