What a year…
This has been quite a year for me as a real estate agent and blogger… I was one of those folks who started out blogging on Active Rain, probably back in March 2007, before I finally got my nerve up to do a stand-alone blog. LoCoMusings.com was ‘born’ right around this time last year (December 14th, actually!). I went to the Virginia Association of Realtor’s second BloggerCon in March, feeling very intimidated and very much like a ‘baby blogger’. Imagine my suprise when I felt I actually contributed to the conversation. Maybe I was on the right track?
Feeling My Way Along
I’m totally self-taught, made from scratch where my internet marketing and blogging are concerned. I have a public relations/journalism/marketing degree, but there wasn’t even email the first couple of years I was in college…so the ‘learn how to type a press release’ degree I have? Need to adapt to market a business now. (Just a bit, huh?) Times have changed. In any case, I built my blog on advice from my friends in the RE.net…listening to what worked for them, adapting it to what might work for me. Going to Inman Connect in San Francisco in July kicked open so many more doors for me. I came home with tons of ideas to implement, and I’ve actually made quite a few of them work. REBlogWorld in Vegas in September brought more great ideas (that I’m still putting into action).
So here I am in December, celebrating the one year birthday of my blog. In a year, I’ve gone from ‘not sure of my voice’ to ‘backbone of my marketing and prospecting’. I’ve been invited to write here, for heaven’s sake, and at VARBuzz! And LoCoMusings is now the Blog Brawl Champ. (For anyone who hadn’t heard.). Plus there was that whole pig kissing thing (I didn’t actually kiss the pig, for the record.)
But Is It Working?
Wait, what did you say, back there in the back? Has it brought me business? Well, yes. Most important of all, it has brought me business, and clients, and contacts, and prospects. Here’s an excellent example, from an email I received. I’d have to say that I couldn’t script it better if I tried.
“My wife and I are in the process of trying to select a Realtor with whom we can work to sell our townhome and to also find our dream home. We came across your name from your LoCo Real Estate Musings blog- which is a great information source, by the way! Just from reading all of your online information, your are definitely one of the top 3 candidates with whom we’d like to meet.”
That’s only one example, I have more. And yes, I got the listing. I have no fancy SEO or design, it’s just me, and my voice. The internet is my ‘farm area.’
I can’t wait to see what 2009 brings.
Matt
December 16, 2008 at 11:25 am
Congratulations! 🙂 I hope you have many more years of happy blogging – it’s a wonderful social tool.
Ginger Wilcox
December 16, 2008 at 11:56 am
It is hard to believe it is only one year. Happy Birthday my blogger friend! I am so thankful you started 🙂
Lisa Sanderson
December 16, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Congrats, Heather, you deserve it. We all know how much work goes in to this blogging thing. Yes, we love it but it is still work, and the time & dedication it takes to be successful are great evidence of your work ethic and tenacity. No wonder you’re a winner!!
Brian Block
December 16, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Heather,
What a year it’s been! Congratulations on all that you’ve achieved in 2008 and best wishes for a great 2009!
Matthew Rathbun
December 16, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Heather,
It’s been awesome reading your stuff and getting to know you over the past year. It’s making quality friends like you, that keep me engaged in social media.
I really look forward to seeing all the awesome things you’ll do for real estate in the future.
Missy Caulk
December 16, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Wow,a lot has happened this year, my blog was launched last November. That email is the fuel that keeps us going.
Bob Carney
December 17, 2008 at 10:25 am
Any many more to come. You are only just getting started. It has been wonderful knowing you are you grew into an amazing social media princess.
CTann-Starr
December 17, 2008 at 5:34 pm
Very nicely done. Looking forward to reading your blog posts in 2009. 🙂
Real Estate Web Design
December 17, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Congratulations. I have heard many good things about you, and find you on Facebook. I am definitely a fan of yours.
Paula Henry
December 18, 2008 at 5:44 am
Congrats Heather! Emails like that are proof you reaching your farm. Now on to a stupendous second year!
Linsey
January 1, 2009 at 10:41 am
I so related to this piece. I began blogging in May and definitely felt intimidated at the outset, but excited about the possibilities too. I can hardly believe the changes that have taken place in that period of time.
Congrats on your success Heather and here’s to your ’09!