Comments on: The Hyper-local Blog and 10 Questions you need to ask yourself before you get started.

By: Nathan Blair

Nathan Blair — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 05:52:48 +0000

The more I look into it, I am really liking the blueroof360 way of doing it. They have a successful blog, but they also have an incredible website that is engaging and attractive. I think that if a local blog were attached to a resource as good as theirs, it could succeed on a higher level than by itself.

By: Holli Boyd

Holli Boyd — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 15:14:57 +0000

Hi – I do agree and I thought many of your points were eyeopening. HOWEVER, I am creating a hyperlocal blog (I live in a school district and have done so for nearly a decade, and have several children attending school there – I also receive many referrals from other parents and area residents) BUT I am combining it with traditional farming methods. I will let you know how it works!

By: Jeff Brown

Jeff Brown — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 18:49:43 +0000

Spencer — It’s officially on its way. Go to Bloodhound and check out my latest effort. I’ve outed Sean’s intent to launch several hyper-locals in my back yard. Your name gets thrown around a bit too.

http://www.bloodhoundrealty.com/BloodhoundBlog/?p=2728

By: Hyper-Local Blogs — Mr. Pursell? You’re Officially Outed | BloodhoundBlog: Real estate marketing and technology blog | Realtors and real estate, mortgages, lending, investments

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 17:08:49 +0000

[...] Friday an agent and fellow blogger wrote a post about hyper-local blogs. Spencer Barron decided the subject needed a Devil’s Advocate. His post was a fair one. I commented then [...]

By: Spencer Barron

Spencer Barron — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 18:36:18 +0000

Sean, Thanks for the feedback. I do want to see somebody do this. To be successful, the plan will need to be well thought through and efficiently implemented. The reward certainly would justify the risk as well.
I’m planning an approach to this myself though the time is eluding me currently to implement something properly.
I added your blog to my reader. I’m definately interested in what your’re doing, let me know when you get something rolling.

By: Sean Purcell

Sean Purcell — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 17:22:05 +0000

Spencer,
Very enjoyable article. I have to admit that when I began reading I was preparing myself for another one of those “hatchet job” posts on how no one is actually succeeding using RE 2.0. but your concerns and reservations were balanced, thoughtful and (most importantly) pertinent.

I know a couple of people that are succeeding wildly based purely on their blogging. The thing is: they are utilizing an industry farm. I have written previously that there are at least three types of blogging farms available: vertical, industrial and the traditional geographic. What I have not see yet is a wildly successful hyper-local that works on a geographic farm.

I suspect that beyond the concerns you expressed (and time requirements is a BIG ONE), the primary problem is with defining the hyper part of hyper-local farming. Which is to say that most of us probably opt for too big a farm area – thus straining the time capabilities of an already demanding marketing plan.

I am contemplating attacking this very idea right now. I absolutely agree with Jeff’s assesment of the income potential for a hyper-local blog that is done right. The rewards most certainly justify the risk. But that knowledge does not a plan make

Let’s stay in touch. If (when) I get this off the ground I am betting that you will have a number of ideas to contribute. Don’t know why, but I get the feeling you might even be rooting for its success.

By: Spencer Barron

Spencer Barron — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 03:43:12 +0000

Jack, Thanks for the input.
Consumer centric is a given. One client ill treated could make a huge dent in your success. Incredible service is a mustj. A great deal would help too but that could be countered by having experienced agents/or being an experienced agent.
The hyper-blog that most are talking about is incredibly organic in content. I’m not sure if pure stats will do it but the town project, construction..and the like is all very good stuff regardless of if your hyper-local or not.
Handling the logistics from achieving the Nirvana of said real estate business is an entirely different business that could quickly overwhelm and sink an agent without putting the right systems in place.
There is definately a huge time commitment to it all, that in itself says alot about who would be the person to do it first and whether you can expect competition in the near future.

By: Spencer Barron

Spencer Barron — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 03:35:12 +0000

Jeff, Thanks for the call. Like you said, I think we agree on 90% of it. I’m still concerned about the attainability of it all but somebody out there is going to do it. To bad there is no X-Prize for real estate achievement…oh wait..I guess there is.

By: Jack A

Jack A — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 03:20:11 +0000

I have been in real estate for just over 20 years and I started at 22 with first website 9 years ago. I have been way too busy for the last 10 years to get my ideas off the ground until now. Producing 20-30m in production, I never had the time to tear the old model apart, construct a very comprehensive plan, hire an agent and business manager….until now. Focus, 15 hours a day, 7 days a week and not caving into the DIP.
The Hyper-Local Blog can only work behind a consumer-centric business model that completely blows away your customers. Don’t call them in unless you can properly service them so that they hail your virtues and promote the site, making more happy customers that refer more people to you and the site and….whew. It has to be a business plan that combines technology tools that provide top notch community information, re stats and demographics. Rich information and video of town picnic, construction project, view the town hall steeple window, neighborhoods, schools and access to ask a mom, pto chairperson, principal is full commitment. It also has to embrace a customer support program that is plugged into an active database (I use REMS from sonomaenterprises) and appropriate levels of technology interaction combined with direct mail and and the old phone call. Email them all of their documents in pdf (I fax to my accessline number and email the pdf to my self for distribution). Use the opportunity to take advantage of your Outlook folder list and keep all of your documents just a click away. I use no folders. I have docs signed, fax to myself and client and give paperwork to admin.

Sorry for the rambling but I felt the need to temper all of the hyper-local, web 2.0 hype (pun intended). I’m tired.

By: Jeff Brown

Jeff Brown — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 18:40:19 +0000

Spenser — A very thoughtful piece.

Though I’m gonna call you, I think your take is based upon some false assumptions. That said, for 90% of those in real estate today, your advice would be on the mark.