Comments on: Got Proof?

By: Laurie Manny

Laurie Manny — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 06:39:55 +0000

I have spoken with Realtors from many different parts of the country about just this subject. Basically each area has been having very different results. In some market areas traditional methods are only still working on a minimal basis while real estate blogs are blowing it out of the water and generating enough leads to run a successful real estate business. In other areas traditional methods are still thriving. Real estate blogging has not yet reached every market niche and will never be utilized by all.

Currently only a very small percentage of real estate bloggers even have established blogs. Perhaps it is too early to asses it?

By: Show Me the ROI: Is Web 2.0 a Load of Hooey or Who’s Making Hay?

Show Me the ROI: Is Web 2.0 a Load of Hooey or Who’s Making Hay? — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 05:22:06 +0000

[...] Got Proof? (The Notorious R.O.B– a real rabble-rouser that notorious one) [...]

By: Disruptive RE Broker » Blog Archive » get an f’n clue. you want proof? look at the history of RE. - MA, RI, CT, NY Flat Fee MLS Listing Service

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 02:45:18 +0000

[...] is a bunch of chatter about which method works best (new or old) if you are a Realtor trying to get some leads and close deals. Blogging is cool and somewhat [...]

By: Andrew

Andrew — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 02:06:31 +0000

i have been blogging a long time and there is no doubt in my mind that the “old” approach brings in more leads. There is an easy way to figure this out: by asking yourself two simple questions. How many calls did you get when you listed your last home? How many calls did you receive from your most recent blog posts. Both will bring leads but which one increases your chances of success. RIght now, I say the old way but the new way also helps.

By: More on Proofs, ROI, and Web 2.0 « The Notorious R.O.B.

More on Proofs, ROI, and Web 2.0 « The Notorious R.O.B. — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 00:49:25 +0000

[...] excellent site that I have now added to my RSS reader) has posted a trenchant response to my earlier post on proof in Web 2.0 type of [...]

By: agentgenius.com- national real estate opinion column » Blog Archive » Measuring Return on Investment in Social Media Marketing is fuzzy math

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 21:01:09 +0000

[...] and Rob have an interesting conversation going on about measuring ROI in Social Media. I’m [...]

By: Mike Farmer

Mike Farmer — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 20:05:19 +0000

I would love to see a study done. For myself, I have had enough direct calls who have told me they read and liked my blog to determine for myself that it’s increasing business. I can’t give you a percent, but I’ll be analyzing my marketing efforts better with clients to gather this information

By: Jay Thompson

Jay Thompson — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 18:05:10 +0000

I struggle with defining a “hard” ROI from my blog. Oh, I can fill you up on anecdotal “evidence”.

I can define how many “contacts” I get through my blog, how many use the IDX search, etc. But how do you “dollarfy” a database of people on auto-listings that may (or may not) actually buy or sell a home? I’ve had people on auto-listings that “come out” after two years, finally ready to buy or sell.

I always ask my clients how they found us. Typically the response is “on the Internet”. But was that my blog, another blog I contribute to, the static site, some comment I left on another blog, a forum post, a “social network” like site, or what?

It’s a tricky problem. I suppose I could trash the static site, not comment or post anywhere else, or utilize any “social network” sites – and use Phoenix Real Estate Guy exclusively as a way for people to find me “on the Internet”.

But that ain’t happening!

By: -Rob

-Rob — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 14:46:47 +0000

Geordie -

Hmm… perhaps you’re right. But I don’t think it would be that difficult to provide some evidence.

For example, take two similarly sized brokerages. There’s bound to be one that isn’t doing the whole soft-sell via blogs and social networks in America. And one that is. See what their revenue/agent, revenue/marketing dollar, total revenues, and profitability all come out to.

See if there’s a measurable gap. I don’t mean 3% differentials — those can be statistical noise or attributable to implementation. But if you’re seeing like 30% differential, then you’ve got something real.

I believe in Real Estate 2.0, I do. I just wish I had more proof.

-rsh

By: Geordie Romer

Geordie Romer — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 14:36:59 +0000

I find it hard to believe you will get meaningful data on ROI. Whether you are discussing web 2.0 or old school marketing, I think the quality of the implementation and the quality of the product makes a huge difference. The bad blog doesn’t work any better or any worse than the bad print ad. Similarly, the underpriced house brings phone calls no matter how bad the marketing while the overpriced and overbuilt house won’t even with great exposure.

I know that web 2.0 has given me enough anecdotal evidence to be convinced and it is a nice fit with the clientele I am trying to attract.