With all the industry grandstanding about blogging, one might think that blogging is the only frontier for growing your business. Conferences, trade rags and the media are pouring the Kool-Aid in some instances, and in others bringing new and important business channels to accommodate the exploding tech generations. How we understand that information and deploy the perceived benefit is the trick. And we all know that publishing a blog is not the only thing to do in marketing. However, the growth of social media and the user generated content phenomenon must be addressed and a meaningful plan that fits your daily or weekly schedule is certainly in order. I hope you’ll note our new REVOLUTION Media Tours that are starting are designed will help you with this.

I know what really goes on at work and I know most everyone’s plans are not to run to the PC everyday and publish award wining blog content about your market and its trends, price reductions, new listings, neighborhood information, etc, etc. Everyone busy knows about the escrow that is running late and the new buyers circling the block in a rental truck; the 32nd call to the bank trying to close a short-sale and trying to explain these details to a first-time homebuyer with kit gloves at 9:00 o’clock at night. Those are important matters that require immediate and personal attention. Keep in mind those activities are not marketing though.

Like in every business, you need to develop a plan that fits you and your work habit and be willing to change it a little, to be flexible to new resources. To plan, organize, staff, direct and control your real estate business requires a constant adjustment in the marketing and service activities you put yourself through. Balance. Using every resource we continue to enhance for you (blog platforms, electronic listing distribution, CMA integrations and materials, online marketing center, video services, training classes, and more.), you should experience lower costs of doing business and increased productivity. Business will work your way in concert with a meaningful activity plan that fits the ‘what really goes on at work’ for you.

Also, your participation in social media is really nothing new in concept. You’re just using a different media and new way to accomplish similar results quicker and broader. While blogs, Fan Sites, FaceBook, et al, are developing social centers. Continued participation in civic, small business, chamber and similar groups are just as important as blogging. So is using the telephone and working your direct mail and contact list. Being there is still ninety percent of it.

And that’s no Kool-Aid.