The Social Media Handyman

(After an extended hiatus, I'm back to blogging. My mom is to be released from the hospital tomorrow and we close on our house tomorrow as well. Hallelujah!)

I receive RIS Media's daily email blast which, more than once, has provided good fodder for blog posts. I recommend it for that reason alone. In today's email, there is a feature article on how to become a neighborhood expert. It lists the following...

1. Know the community leaders - network!
2. Know the local real estate market
3. Know the schools
4. Know the local amenities
5. Know the local businesses
6. Know about clubs, associations and churches
7. Know about public works issues
8. Find out about any neighborhood traditions
9. HOA meetings
10. Know the local job market
    

In other words, know everything about your local area!

While I'm guessing that's pretty much "real estate 101," it is sound advice. The point I want to make is that a blog can be a great way to evidence your expertise and archive your knowledge.

Our company, Blogging Systems, offers a product called Community Publisher that takes this philosophy one step further in that it enables you to bring representatives from each of the 10 areas mentioned on-board and include them in your own local blog community. It becomes, in essence, a watering hole for local news and information with you at the center. Further, it gives you all the benefits of blogging without the responsibility for doing all the posting. You leverage information supplied by others to generate a high-traffic site in what becomes a hyper-local, user-generated content rich site sponsored by you. 

Here are a couple of good examples:

Montgomery County Blog

Downtown Phoenix Journal

The article goes on to say, "Neighborhood marketing is easily manageable and an effective strategy that is becoming more and more critical for real estate professionals in today's market." I believe that whole-heartedly. Blogs, whether it's one you maintain yourself or a blog community that you sponsor and recruit other community representatives to contribute content on, can help you penetrate your local niche market and establish you as the neighborhood expert.

I'd like to hear your feedback on neighborhood marketing and how effective you feel blogs can be as a tool suited to that purpose. Please feel free to cite your own experiences good or bad. 

As some may have noticed, I've been absent from AR for several weeks. Truth is, life just got in the way. My mom has been hospitalized for four weeks now and my wife, Amie, and I are in the throes of purchasing a townhouse. That, plus the other routine stuff life is made of, has captured most of my time and attention. 

But, as Arnold put it, "I'll be back!" (Hopefully, starting next week. We'll see.) 

Lots of web users have no clue about RSS or how to use it. The technology comes off as still too geeky. Well, my friend Lee Lefever of Common Craft has made understanding RSS simple and easy with his short 3 minute (give or take) fun video.

Click To Play

When you get finished watching the video, check out Lee's new show.

BTW, I recommend either Google Reader or Bloglines. I use Bloglines personally, but am thinking of making the switch since my home page now is the new iGoogle.  Of course, if you're a Yahoo fan, using MyYahoo! works just as well. 

PS: If you have trouble opening the video, click here. 

A couple of articles I've read recently are worth bringing to your attention:

Six Blogging Myths That Are Holding You Back

The Dark Side of Blogging: Warnings from Leading Bloggers

The first article deals with a number of myths relative to blogging that the author, Rich Brooks (a friend of mine), suggests might become conventional wisdom if left unchallenged. A couple of the ones he mentions are things I've heard Realtors say.

Blogging takes too much time
Rich's counters by saying, "[I]n the past two-and-a-half years of blogging, I've discovered that it's probably the most effective use of my marketing time." Based on my own experience I have to agree. It does require an investment of time and effort, but pays off in the long run. I think I've said before here, that in the two years I ran my own marketing consultancy, I never once had to make a cold call. Inquiries came to me and all of it was a result of my blogging. It consisted of almost 100% of my marketing efforts.

Blogging is fraught with dangers, like people leaving negative comments
Welcome to the Web 2.0!!! People are going to talk, and sometimes they're going to speak negatively. You can't control that. Rich says, "These days, consumers can vent their frustration with your product or service anywhere on the Web, whether it's a post at their own blog, a review at Epinions.com, or a scathing YouTube video. If I had my choice, I'd rather have that conversation happen where I have home court advantage. How you handle negative feedback can establish your authenticity, and help you win over new converts."

The second article raises some good points as well, not unlike those made by Rich. In fact, it raises some of the same points. For one, it says blogging requires a "great deal of time and personal commitment." I know I'm speaking to the choir here, because you already know that and have been willing to make that investment. It also addresses the issue of comments.  

One point worth the second article made that's worth repeating is that blogging can be addictive. You figured that out, right!?!

Both are good articles and well worth the read.