How Has Blogging Changed Your Real Estate Career? – Jackie Colson-Miller
Today’s interview is with the author of Real Estate Sizzle, Jackie Colson-Miller of Tampa, Florida. She launched her site and training with us in March last year (2007).
During arguably the worst year in recent real estate history, Jackie finds herself thinking outside the box, embracing new tools, philosophies and efforts. With a focus on real estate blogging, internet savvy clients, and increasing productivity, Jackie is reaping the benefits. As of Jan 2008, she has 13 concurrent Tampa area listings for the first time in her real estate career. All generated because of her new approach.
-Tomato:
Jackie, how would you describe your current marketing strategy outside of the Internet marketing you do?
-Jackie:
Besides the bench, the yard signs and my business cards, which all showcase the RealEstateSizzle.com, it is non-existent.
Nearly all my efforts for new client acquisition are centered around the Internet.
-Tomato:
Well, what did you used to do, so far as traditional marketing is concerned, that you no longer take the time to do now?
-Jackie:
Nearly all my efforts for new client acquisition are centered around the Internet.
So much. I did mail-outs, holiday items, recipe cards, just-listed, just-sold, open houses, newsletters… you know, the usual and then some.
-Tomato:
And now you do none of those? No open houses? No holiday stuff?
-Jackie:
I have done a rare open open house. But the rest of it I have completely abandoned.
Put it this way… when I go to a listing appointment I set the homeowners’ expectation that there will be no print advertising, no fliers, no magazines, no mailings… nothing of the traditional sort. I then back that up with my entire online marketing strategy including my blog readership and its dominance in the search engines, custom online property fliers, email broadcasts and the social networking reach that I have.
My goal is to attract clients that are like-minded. I want to work with people that appreciate and understand this approach to achieving the results they are expecting when it comes to getting their home sold.
I also plan on doing some future holiday marketing campaigns, but you can be sure that they will be a platform that advertises the blog more than anything. I used to advertise myself, now it’s all about the ‘Sizzle”.
-Tomato:
Besides blogging, online marketing and seeking out internet savvy clients how else has your commitment to integrating the Internet into your business changed your approach to real estate?
-Jackie:
In just the last several months, I have moved to a total online transaction. I have changed title companies to one that supports the ability make the real estate transaction, from listing to sale, a completely online experience for all parties involved.
I encourage my clients and the other parties involved in the transaction to use email as the primary communication tool. I believe all Realtors should embrace this as a rule. Email makes for a very clear and searchable paper trail, keeping everyone on the same page.
-Tomato:
What about office time and meetings and such?
-Jackie:
Believe it or not, I have stopped going to all non-mandatory office meetings. They are a waste of my time. I have goals in mind that actually separate me from more than just taking the office meetings out of my schedule. After reading The 4–Hour Work Week, I’m really looking at ways to increase my productivity and decrease my time-spend.
Blogging, internet marketing and the online transaction are all huge pieces of that puzzle. Soon you’ll see that I am working less and less from Tampa, and more and more from anywhere I choose.
-Tomato:
As long as you’re blogging regularly, we’ll never notice. =D
-Jackie:
That’s the idea.
Thanks for your time Jackie!
We’d love to hear from you about how blogging has changed your real estate career. Feel free to post below, or email me to interview you directly for a future post.
