Finding Time To Blog As A Real Estate Professional

This might just be the most ironic post we’ll ever publish here on the Vine.

Teresa Boardman, the real estate blogging goddess from St. Paul, sent over this post to help us get some fresh content on our pages.  It couldn’t have come at a better time.  With all of my time spent on the recent growth of our company and the development of some very exciting projects, including an entire Tomato Makeover, it’s nice to have a few reliable contributors.

Finding Time To Blog As A Real Estate Professional

By Teresa Boardman

I am contacted by people from all over the country who would like to start a business blog or who already have one but are struggling with it.  People make the same type of comment about not having enough time, not understanding how I find the time or saying that is takes too much time.

Marketing and prospecting have always taken time.  In general it is recommended that real estate practitioners spend about two hours a day prospecting.  We tend to want to work the business we have until it runs out and then start prospecting and advertising.  Consistent prospecting, even when there is enough business is the secret to consistently having clients and making what can be a kind of roller coaster ride a bit smoother.

Where do I find the time to blog?

It is part of my daily routine and part of my weekly schedule.  I don't use time blocking, I find that too restrictive… but I do plan which tasks I will complete each day and writing is always on the list.  I also have a list of buildings and places that I want to photograph.  I think I have the best job in the world because taking pictures is on my to do list as a priority task.  I just love it when someone challenges me on the amount of time I spend writing or taking photographs.  I like to ask them how much time they spend doing open houses.  I don't have time for open houses and they don't give me near the ROI as writing blog posts does. There isn't time during my working hours to do anything that doesn't directly or indirectly generate revenue.

For people who are serious about having a business blog a plan is essential.

If the blog always comes last (when you ‘have time) it is likely that posts will not be made on a consistent basis making it less likely that the blog will generate readership and revenue.  Writing on a blog that doesn't get read and does not generate revenue is a waste of time.  It is similar in this way to other forms of farming.  I have read that it takes about 18 months of mailing every month before geographical farming starts to pay off.  Most agents give up after 6 to 9 months which means they more or less threw away the time and money they spent on farming.  It works the same way with a blog.  It can take months or even a year for a blogging to pay off.  Once it does it just keeps on giving.  A single post on a blog with consistent quality content can lead to multiple real estate transactions.  it never goes away, it is out there in cyber space and people continue to find it and react to it. 

Everyone has time for a blog.

We all have time to show houses, get listing contracts signed and attend closings.  Writing a blog is just as important. I can't imagine not having time to show houses.  Most of us figure some way to work that into our schedules.  Why doesn't writing a blog post get the same kind of priority?  It is just as likely to generate revenue as showing homes.  From a big picture point of view showing homes can lead to one sale in the near future but writing a blog post every day, can lead to home sales for years.

Don't tell me you don't have time for your blog. 

You do have the time.  It just isn't a high enough priority and you are not taking it seriously and should not have started a blog in the first place.  Writing a blog or any prospecting activity is part of the job and should not be treated like leisure time activity that is done only when there is enough time.  Get off of Jim's blog right now and go to your own and start writing (you too Jim!).  You just wasted valuable time reading my rant when you could have been writing or out taking pictures. You do have time or you would not be here reading this.

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Related Must Reads:
What Is The Biggest Barrier To Real Estate Blogging?
96% Of All Real Estate Blogs Will Fail
How Often Should I Blog?
The 8 P's to Blogging Success

Teresa Boardman is an exceptionally professional Realtor in the St. Paul, Minnesota area.

Her website: www.TBoardman.com
Her blog: www.StPaulRealEstateBLOG.com
Voice: 651-216-4603

Thank you Teresa. 
As always, it’s a pleasure having you 'on the Vine'.

Other Articles by Teresa on the Tomato

Tags: Teresa+Boardman, Blogging+Advice, Real+Estate+Blog, Making+Time

Comments

[Rich Rogala]

Teresa,

This is an excellent post. You will always find time for your priorities. If blogging is important, then you need to make it a priority, and get it done!

[KenHaedrich-AnnapolisHomeDigest]

Jim likes to say that 96% of bloggers will fail, and "too much effort" is one of the main reasons why. Apparently, only 4% of us "get" the longterm benefits of blogging - or at least get it enough to keep tapping away at our keyboards. I liken blogging to writing a book: it takes about a year to write a book, and you toil away in relative seclusion. Only after the book is published does anybody pay attention and, if you've done good work, start buzzing about it. Of course, this is all theory and faith for me: I'm not quite halfway through my first year of blogging. And that buzz is still a faint sound on the horizon. When I start posting as often as Teresa does, I trust the noise will increase accordingly.

[Rhonda Porter]

Great post, Teresa. I'm always trying to encourage the agents I work with to blog...and the response is usually the time factor. Wouldn't you say that it also comes down to proirities and commitment?

[Charles Woodall]

Good post TBoard! You are exactly right about making blogging a priority, and it is difficult at times. In my opinion, the work involved and the fact that blogging doesn't produce a quick influx of business will mean that it will never become a widespread marketing tool. And I am perfectly fine with that!

[Trace]

The tough part for me is being efficient. Ever spend 4 hours on one post? I have....not fun and not a good way to be productive.... it takes time but I'm getting faster over time....

[Jesse Clifton]

My problem is time management... I'm still new to this and it can take me a while to put to gether a good, in my opinion, post. I'm making money from it so I definitely agree it's critical to continue building content.

[Vancouver real estate agent]

Yes, there is lot of blogging, but not so many blogging about blogging :) I am Vancouver realtor and I have feeling here in Canada is real estate blogging still not so popular as in US, however, it's changing quickly. Truly, realtor should be Realtor on the first place. If he finds hour or two weekly to write blog, ok, but definitely not having it as a priority...

[Shannon-Chico Real Estate Voice]

In this bussiness, you need to commit to some regular and consistent marketing plan. They all take work and/or lots of money. Each of the various marketing tools I have subscibed to over the years have cost me both, money and time. Check out the cost of being a Buffinite, or- is Buffinian?- Or, try publishing and mailing out a couple hundred news letters a month. I'm sure many of you have. And, how did that work out for you? I am new to blogging. So, I haven't reaped any monetary rewards yet. But, I enjoy doing it anyway. I like taking control of my own marketing future. And, I do like to write. I know that the hard work will pay off. In fact, it already has in terms of providing a creative outlet for me and in terms of making me a more knowledgable real estate professional.

[Refinance Denver]

I wrote an article entitled "Should You Start a Blog?"
If you are thinking about starting a blog, it's something you should read before you jump in.

http://blog.mariah.com/2008/04/should-you-start-a-blog/

[Matt McGee]

I write this as someone who counsels small business owners for a living about online marketing, and I just want to say that this is one of the best articles I've read in AGES about blogging. It applies to ANY small business trying to market via blogging, not just real estate agents.

My wife is a real estate agent, and has encouraged me to keep an eye out for Teresa's articles. Now I know why. :-)

[Rob Gutman - Real Estate Chocolate - Ridgefield, CT Real Estate]

Thanks Theresa! It's been 5 months of dedicated blogging and still not much traffic or activity. My blogging is working through "The Dip" (Seth Godin) and your perspective offers great insight.

[Kevin Doell]

Teresa's comments regarding the time it takes to get real traction is great for keeping things in perspective. It goes back to the Edison success ratio: 1 percent inspiration, 99 percent perspiration.

For our part, we are doing a "company" blog and making the effort to spread out the perspiration by tapping into the group's inspiration. Even still, there is a bit of vigilance required to reinforce the value of this platform to the group and to keep those noses to the grindstone.

Kevin @ bhgrealestateblog

[Lance, just call me]

I do have time to blog.... it's at 3 in the morning. Only joking... there's always time for a quick 5 minutes.. that's all it should take in most cases.

[Bart]

Thanks for this, Teresa. I implemented our blog, The Burg, in March and for the first month it was really easy to get the agents to contribute posts because it was new and exciting. Now I'm hearing that they have less and less time for blogging. I will definitely forward this on. I like how you plan out your day, with writing always on the list of things to-do. It's awesome to see your successful blog, and I always use it as an example to the agents as something we can aspire to be. Keep on blogging and, hopefully, so will we!

[GiGi]

Hi Teresa. I've been watching your blog and I think it's terrific. LOVE IT! Thought I would try my own here in California. My challenge is'nt the time factor but coming up with content. I have sat for what seems like eternity trying to think of something to say that would be beneficial and interesting. This leads to a severe case of procrastintion. Then I find it's been 2 weeks since my last post. oops, How'd that happen. Any tips of coming up with content....Anybody?

[Up 2 Date Rates]

I agree 100% with this post. Everyone needs to set aside the time for writing a blog. It has helped me with my career over the last three years and now I do it full time.

Thanks for the Great Topic!

[Paul]

Great information! It is about dedicating time to blogging and make it a integral part of creating an online presence.

[Teresa Boardman]

GiGi - just start writing, don't think too much. Write about homes you showed or listed or even about one you like and why you like it. Take an ordinary job related issue and turn it into a story. Write about a client who made you laugh or one whop made you cry. . . do it. :)

[Eric- New Orleans Condos and Lofts]

You are write, I think aggents that have or have had effective real estate site that generate revenue find it easier to blog since they make money of it. Once you do, you will make it a routine. I know I like to take my camera with me as you do. Its easy to write about your photos which is your hobby.

Its not for everyone. Great post.

[Jonathan Bunn- Ashburn VA Real Estate]

Great post. I tend to fall guilt to the farming truth of not staying with things. I have been blogging for around 4 months now with little result. The good part this time is that I have invested too much in to this blog to not stick with it and would loose sleep at night feeling like a quiter if I give up now. Thanks.

[Gretchen - LifeStyle Denver]

Thanks Teresa - I had to think long and hard about starting my blog. I knew once I was in it, it would be for good and required commitment. The thing is, it's fun! Sometimes stressful, but mostly a blast. I do tend to blog either very early in the morning or at 9 or 10 at night. I rarely have time during the work day. This schedule helps me accomplish everything on the list.
GiGi - keep a little notebook with you every day and just jot down inspirations. Read magazines and you'll find ideas there. Write about something going on in your town or your real estate observations. Read other blogs and write about another blogger's interesting post.

[Teresa Boardman]

Jonathan - in the scheme of things four months is no time at all. Blogs do not lead to instant gratification which is why so many fail.

[Matt Mouser (Simply Grand Rapids Real Estate Blog)]

Consistency is the key to everything in life. I find that when I set smaller and more consistent goals I get them done more often. Maybe instead of setting a goal of a new - long post everyday on your blog you set a goal of a new post every week. If you bite off more than you can chew, then the first time you fail to reach your goal you will want to quit the entire activity.

To keep my blog launch consistent I wrote about 10 blog posts ahead of time. That way if I miss blogging one day - I already have material to post and my goal is still reached. I can catch back up later.

Hope this helps someone out.

[Overland Park Real Estate]

I really need to make more time for my blog. I find the hardest thing for me to do is to use my blogging time to write my blog, not read others. I cant help it, I have an addiction for more information.

[James Bridges]

Teresa,
Great points, but I actually do encourage the aspect of time blocking for it. I figure if we can time block for responding to leads we can certainly time block for a marketing activity. Even just blocking out 20-30 minutes can enable someone to get a post done :)

[Maura]

This is just what I needed to read! I have a newish blog,and our real estate market here in Truckee/Lake Tahoe is sluggish and seasonal. A blog is a somewhat new tool in this neck of the woods, and I find myself scratching my head wondering what to write about when real estate is quiet, and often I don't bother. This is a great reminder that it is an important real estate tool, and should be part of my daily business routine. Thanks for the great article!

[Maura]

This is just what I needed to read! I have a newish blog,and our real estate market here in Truckee/Lake Tahoe is sluggish and seasonal. A blog is a somewhat new tool in this neck of the woods, and I find myself scratching my head wondering what to write about when real estate is quiet, and often I don't bother. This is a great reminder that it is an important real estate tool, and should be part of my daily business routine. Thanks for the great article!

[Relieve My Stress - Real Estate Solutions]

I agree with the blog and post made for this topic.
As it said business as secret for keeping the clients and agent in smooth way and maintaining them with the business for long time. Blogging for just few min makes more worth which makes someone to do it.

[Keahi Pelayo]

I find it interesting that a realtor would be soooooo busy that they would not have time to blog. It is a matter of discipline and, maybe, blogging could help bring this to our business.
Aloha
Keahi

[Mary Alexander]

I've been contemplating blogging for a while. Now after reading this article I feel like I should definitely just add it to my schedule each day. My only problem is coming up with consistent quality content that would be interesting enough.

[Sam Chapman Austin REALTOR]

You are so right that blog post ideas come at you at odd times. What I will do is type into Word to save for later. As many websites and blogs hate what Word docs turn into if you copy and paste, I paste it into Wordpad, which cleans it up for the blog post when I am ready to to that. Why not log in and do it right away? I may not get it right at 9:30 on a Friday...

[Jon]

I blog about 30 mins per day. I do it as soon as I get up in the morning. Seems to be when my thoughts are freshest.