R TEAM

Long Time No Post

It happens.  I've been busy with my day job, family, talking to Real Estate Professionals about social media...just returned from RE Bar Camp in Chicago... I've been a little busy but I don't want to neglect this blog and my two or three readers. 

So here's a quick update of what's going on... I've recently accepted the opportunity to Chair the (newly created) Social Media Committee for the Washington Association of Mortgage Professionals.   I'm hoping to help my competitionlocal mortgage professionals survive thrive in this market by learning about some tools to stay connected with their clients.  So far, I've built a social intra-net (a Ning) for WAMP and I recently did a presentation at Safeco Field on Social Media along with David Gibbons of Zillow and Adam Stein.   It's flattering and if I can help my mortgage brothers and sisters, I'm happy. 

RE Bar Camp in Chicago was great.  What an amazing city.  Right now, one of my favorite bits I learned at this event was get clicky.  It's a tool that analyzes your blog/website -- it's free and very easy to use.  Check it out!

Some ideas at Bar Camp caused me to make some minor tweaks... with my blog, I moved my greeting video up to the right corner and removed my static photo...the video is getting more comments and activity all ready.  I also used my www.rhondaporter.com url which I had pointed to my blog, redirected to my Facebook page (not to be confused with the profile).  My blog still has the url www.mortgageporter.com.   We'll see how this experiment pans out.

I also decided to pick up a "netbook".  I wanted a mini-computer to use for presentations--I don't like lugging my laptop around.   For under $300, you can get a mini-computer that's lighter; less fussy than  a computer and bigger than trying to type on your super smart cell phone.   I'm writing this post from this new toy....just another tool to stay connected.

More on Comments

I know I've covered how to comment on someone else's blog before...I just read a great article from The Real Estate Bloggers: Linking in Comments For Real Estate Agents.   Having a successful blog is more than just writing great content, I think commenting and being active on other blogs is almost just as important.  This is worth your time to read.

WHERE to Spend Your Time Commenting

Commenting on other blogs is a great way to participate in the local real estate community.  It's almost as important as your own blog.  I've provided you several tips from local area bloggers on what to do and not to do when you are visiting someone elses blog...remember we are visitors.

One of the funniest things I heard back at Inman Connect in San Francisco last month was when Jim Cronin of the Real Estate Tomato said that agents need to stop the "Realtor on Realtor action".  The audience chuckled...but he's right.  Camping out at another local agents  blog commenting and hoping to troll for business is no way to gain clients for yourself.  It's like fishing in someone else's watering hole. You're much better off visiting other blogs that are local and compliment your personal interest.

I would also recommend that you only comment on blogs that allow your name to include your URL (back to your blog).  Otherwise, it's really not worth commenting...I suppose if they don't allow a URL embedded, you could always take the measure of signing  your comment with your URL (even though I think it looks spammy, the author is not giving you much choice).

I was just commenting over at The Real Estate Deal which is a Seattle Times blog.  So I'm not camping out on a local lenders blog...and my comments are sincere and (IMO) valuable to the post.  BUT my signature is just my name.  I'd really like it if people who read my comments who find them useful, could contact me.  I figured this out w/my first comment...did a follow up comment where I changed my name to www.mortgageporter.com (which I regret...it looks tacky)... if I comment again on this blog, I will sign my name "Rhonda Porter, Licensed Loan Originator 510-LO-32047 www.mortgageporter.com". Or maybe I just won't comment on that blog anymore... we'll see.   A post will really have to be compelling for me to participate (via commenting) if it does not reciprocate by allowing a URL.

The Seattle PI has a couple of blogs that are friendly for real estate agents to jump in and participate AND (this is important) you can create a profile so that when you comment, your photo and contact info is embedded (so you don't have to include your contact info as a signature--which is frowned upon in the "blog world").  Check out Seattle Real Estate Professionals and Seattle Real Estate News for starters.

Also find local neighborhood blogs where you focus your business and subscribe to receive updates.  When there are articles that you're interested in, participate in the conversation.   For example, I subscribe to West Seattle Blog--this is my home turf.  They don't write about mortgages--but they have covered interesting real estate tid bits and they really have what's going on in the neighborhood. I do comment here and I actually advertise on their site for a small monthly fee...and guess what, I've had consumers contact me from WSB.  It's a good place for me to hang out and participate in conversations with neighbors.

Remember these simple tips:

1. Don't focus your comment time on other local area RE Agents blogs.
2. Leave comments only when you're blog-web address is allowed to be embedded in your name (you can tell when you enter your contact info w/your comment).
3. Discover blogs that are in your neighborhoods where you focus (farm areas) and that are of special interest to you and participate in those communities. 

Hanging out in communities that you find interesting is all about attracting your perfect client.

Have fun!