Real Estate Leads 101: Website + Blog = Leads

As a former employee of a nation real estate service, I've spoken with hundreds of real estate agents regarding their methods of following up with their real estate leads and marketing of themselves and their services in general. I was shocked at the amount of agents I spoke with who did not have a personal website and even worse, didn't see the point of having one! Don't they realize how many real estate leads they're missing out on by NOT having a website? Oh, and for the record, having a contact page on RE/MAX's site doesn't count. When I say personal website, I'm talking about a fully loaded, information packed site ? the kind that can generate it's own real estate leads, has all your listing information, as well as valuable resources and information for any visitors to the site.

Why should every agent have a website? Well the number one reason is always real estate leads ? a website is yet another avenue from which to gather real estate leads. You can put up a contact form, a comments page and even offer a free home value estimate and have people fill out contact information to get one - all three of those will result in real estate leads. The second reason you need a website is because over 75% of people looking to buy or sell a home are going online to do their research first ? and as an agent, you want to be sure they're finding YOU as opposed to the competition. If they look at 5 different agents' websites, you definitely want to make sure you've got the best looking site in the biz. To be honest, any agent worth their salt won't need any other reason to start a site other than the fact that websites = REAL ESTATE LEADS! (You can get more information on leads by visiting http://www.getmyhomesvalue.com/real_estate_leads ).

As GetMyHomesValue co-founder Dave Conklin says, ?It used to be just having a website made you credible. It's not like that anymore, now you have to take it to the next level.?

So what is the next level? You've already got a website with tons of useful information, tons of contact pages ? it even lists all the homes for sale in your area, not just your own listings! What more can you do to get people to visit your site again and again, and turn a good portion of those visitors into real estate leads? According to Conklin, blogs are a smart addition to any agent's site.

?If you're a real estate professional and don't have a blog, start one NOW,? says Conklin. ?It's all about your first virtual impression and building on that by engaging in dialogue with your real estate leads and prospects.?

Conklin goes on to compare the success of blogs on the Internet with reality TV. According to him, reality TV is so huge because people like to look at the inner workings of other people's lives. A blog enables you to show that you're an expert in your field by answering questions people have have, interacting with them and by building a more personal relationship with prospects by sharing your opinions, thoughts and experiences on all kinds of things, not just real estate. ?It helps for people to look at you as being 'real' and not just a face on a business card.?

And that is the heart of the matter, when it comes to turning real estate leads into clients. Most people don't want a stuffy, cold agent who acts ?professional? all the time ? they want a personable agent, someone who is as human as them and who has shared similar experiences and so can relate to them. Real estate leads are EVERYWHERE for agents ? it's just a matter of having the right tools to ensure the real estate leads are coming your way, rather than someone else's.

?It seems that most agents either have a blog and don't take it seriously by updating it regularly or they don't bother with blogs at all. That's a huge mistake,? warns Conklin. ?The internet is getting more personal. Smart agents will recognize this and maintain a blog.?

Although some people may still look down their noses at blogs, they are fast becoming a force to be reckoned with on the Internet (just look up the term blogosphere). As a real estate agent, having a website AND a blog is one of the best things you can do to produce your own real estate leads. Combine that with subscribing to one or more lead generation service, and your pipeline of real estate leads will never be empty.

Get more information on real estate leads by visiting http://www.getmyhomesvalue.com/real_estate_leads at GetMyHomesValue.com.

Ashley Lichty is a webmaster and the resident SEO of Web Xtreme, Inc. She has a background in real estate and marketing with emphasis in writing.

Related Articles:

Where the "Hot" Real Estate Deals Are - Now's a Great Time to Buy
If you've been contemplating that second home, condo, or permanent vacation, experts say now is the time to buy real estate ... especially in the Southeast.

Tips and Suggestions on How to Sell Real Estate Online
Why is it important to pursue Real Estate Marketing Online efforts? One very important reason is that with the adoption of the Internet by many people for both work and leisure purposes, the online world has become a veritable gold mine of information about prospects.

Indigo Design Pro Helps Florida Residents Update Their Aging Florida Kitchen
The cost of homes and home taxes in Florida have more than tripled over the last few years and this has many home owners deciding that they should simply stay where they are and improve their Florida kitchen and other spaces in their home. This is a great choice as homeowners can benefit from the increased values of their home while simply updating the homes that they are comfortable in.

Pam Keen, a Real Estate Broker Working out of Pensacola, Florida, is Proud to Announce an Increase in her Portfolio due to a Leveling of Interest Rate
Pam Keen is a hard working broker with many years experience in the industry. She is the owner of Realty Masters of Florida and her hard work has made her one of the area's top brokers for several years running. She dedicates much of her success to the discipline fortified during her years in the Navy as an officer. Many of her clients have noted her attention to detail that made the buying process smooth and as comfortable as possible. According to Keen, "I constantly research the market and property values so your home is priced effectively from day one. I also make sure the public knows your home is for sale by using innovative advertising and marketing techniques to attract potential buyers."

Florida Direct Marketing Association presents "10 Tips for Marketing Business Professional Services" October 25, 2007
Fourth FDMA Industry Focus Event of 2007 Geared to Service Providers, Attorneys, Accountants, and Consultants

My Golf Buddies Belly Laugh Watching My Stiff and Choppy Golf Swing - How Can I Fix It?
We would all like to have a fluid, beautiful swing like Adam Scott, power off the tee like Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods, and the ability to repeat that swing round after round, day after day.But what is holding back most amateurs from that silky smooth and powerful swing?Most likely, it's your hamstrings and your low back.

Why Florida? Here's Why
So, I'm sitting here in my beachfront condo on the Gulf coast of Florida.I am thinking to myself, why would anyone want to travel to Florida? You can go anywhere in the United States or the World for that matter.

Perfect Golf Grip - You May Already Have It
How many times have you tried to rebuild your golf grip? How often have you searched the library or the internet for a good book on golf so you can find the perfect golf grip? If you answer "many" and "often" and you are not a brand new golfer and you have had lessons on your grip, then you have a problem.

Des Moines Real Estate and Subprime Mortgages
Mortgage defaults in the Des Moines real estate market are all over the news, and home sellers are left wondering what will happen to their homes. Without the much needed level of subprime mortgages to balance out the market, how will home purchases rebound, or better yet, remain consistent? Home sellers will need to step up the game in order to entice new buyers to purchase their homes. It is no longer the simple task of finding a mortgage and buying, now, with mortgages being more tight reigned than ever before, it is about showing why your property is THE one to buy.

Golf Clubs: How To Bag The Best Price
Getting great prices on golf clubs, as in most hard goods, is a 2 step process these days. First find which model you want in person, then get the best deal on the internet.