We do not live in a black & white industry vs. consumer issue world, unless you would believe consumers are stupid and don’t understand the industry issues and how they impact and affect them— this is intellectual arrogance & condescension and, frankly, typical of a Greg Swann line of thought. His assumptions, and they are only assumptions since he has never, to my knowledge, offered any empirical evidence in support of his arguments, do not make a case for or against a manner of blogging. The ability to put words together is not the same as putting facts and empirical evidence together to support a conclusion, Greg. Where’s the beef?

It is propagandists like Greg Swann– and I use the term because of his concentrated efforts to stifle (read censor/blacklist) contrary thought, usually based on any number of logical fallacies which he routinely misunderstands and misapplies(but that’s another comment)— who cause bloggers to second guess how they should blog. God help those bloggers who ingest this Kool-Aid. IMO, it is the blogger of strong convictions, of intelligence, of practical knowledge, of humor, of passion, of compassion, of open-mindedness that wins the day and the client. And it is achieved as much by Google traffic to your voice as by inbound links as by comments as by promotion of one’s work to others and any number of other ways. You can have all the inbound links you can bait and all the Google juice you can bottle but if you are an a**hole, you will probably not get much business. Just my opinion.

Furthermore, unlike RCG, Greg Swann has not demonstrated any ability to draw ANY real estate business from his blog, as far as I know (I think he’s shooting for another career and will bail on real estate at the first opportunity– mark the words). Yes, of course he will say “I do not seek any RE business, I blog on industry issues and thus, do not do follow what I do” — as I said earlier, it sounds like a cop out to insulate himself from accusations that he is the one who doesn’t “get weblogging” for business. Yet, he will have you sign up for a course to explain how you can “get weblogging” and business. Ahem.

Consequently, I find it comical for him to debate your real life experience with RCG with theoretical speculation born of a limited blog life (just over 1 year, according to his count). But, as usual, I have come to expect Greg Swann to be on the wrong side of many issues he champions and be more than willing to fall on his own sword in its defense. Noble indeed but not sufficient to convince me he knows anything about HOW to convert blog traffic to sales or how to blog for real estate clients.

As to Greg Swann’s Weblogging 101, I can only say that any blogger whose seminal post is premised on the fact that he can identify which bloggers “get weblogging” is reason enough to avoid his advice, as one would avoid stepping in a pile of shitake mushrooms.
http://www.bloodhoundrealty.com/BloodhoundBlog/?p=1487
Don’t follow that post’s advice unless you enjoy dancing on bridges that you are burning.

How about :

I link to learn

I link to teach (the old teacher in me).

I also agree with Missy, Dustin and Greg both have valid points.

The key reason I blog is to present an online resume to my clients and to the neighborhoods where I work. People know far more about my knowledge and expertise when I walk through the door than most any other Realtor.

By the way, Dustin:

http://www.eastsiderealestatebuzz.com
http://www.kirklandhighlandsrealestatebuzz.com

That’s all they want; listings and rates- the rest is, well… a bonus..

What’s funny is that I agree with you, but my stat traffic does not. No matter what I post or do, the highest page views is to my ‘homes for sale’ page on my blog – by 10-30x+ more than any other post.

Apparently consumers DO want to see the listings first and foremost.

I link to endorse.

I link to bless.

I link to praise.

I link to advocate.

I link to promote.

I link to provoke.

I link to share the love.

I link in order to receive a link in return.

I link, therefore I am.

How about some link love for a poker buddy? I’m hoping to land in the RE Local category.

Thanks and I’ve already got you!

Dale Chumbley
http://www.ClarkCountyRealEstateBlog.com

Greg is correct in that I would not discuss drama in the Florida market in Austin – that’s just stupid. Discussing the internal issues of ABOR or NAR on our local blog only clouds the sky with crap when the main point for being there is to talk buying & selling.

So, you’re both right, and I can honestly add that this isn’t an opinion, its pretty much the reality.

Oh yeah, blogroll, check.