Blogging for fun and profit

Property experts who met in New York in December for a national symposium predicted that real estate blogs will become more personalized as agents look to build trust with potential clients instead of simply bombarding them with listings and advice. Jeff Kerr of North Side Coldwell Banker in Chicago says agents who host blogs need to spend time on content rather than post generic information that will likely be passed over. Former developer Joe Zekas, a contributor to the YoChicago blog, does not understand why agents are hesitant to launch blogs. "That immediate way of communicating and providing an audience with perceived value, and showcasing expertise and product knowledge — it just doesn't get any better as a way to build a business," he remarks. While some agents insist that they do not have time to blog, others say they set aside at least an hour a day or devote time that was once spent on open houses to blogging. Some agents report that their blogs have helped them network and generate leads.

SOURCE: 2007 INFORMATION INC., Chicago Tribune,  Mary Umberger