The High Road Papers - Latest Comments in Phoenix Real Estate Guy Sells Out? Advertising on Blogs

Re: Phoenix Real Estate Guy Sells Out? Advertising on Blogs

Chad Hallberg — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 17:54:41 -0000

Jay - I've taken a while to get back, but wanted to say I appreciated your comment regarding my thought you may be aligning yourself too much with one mortgage broker. Looking at your blog from a client's perspective (a hard feat when all I ever look at RE.net sites through is an intra-professional lense), I see your site in a whole new way. As a client, I want the easiest path to a winning team when I buy real estate. If I am on your blog and like it enough to claim you as "my" Realtor, then I will value your judgment about this advertising mortgage broker, BUT I will not see you and them as wedded to each other and I will not feel required to use them as my broker if I am to use you as my Realtor.

A good little paradigm shift for me that will pay dividends for my blog as I am in the process of reconstructing it (as you may be able to tell from it's horribly outdated posts and "look"!)

Re: Phoenix Real Estate Guy Sells Out? Advertising on Blogs

Joe Manausa, MBA — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 10:09:05 -0000

Jay, I think it is an excellent idea. If you make enough income to pay for your costs and some of your time, you'll be able to share even more with your readers. Well done!

Re: Phoenix Real Estate Guy Sells Out? Advertising on Blogs

DebtFreeDave — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:14:48 -0000

I wouldn't worry about it. You put your time in on here. Might as well get a return.

Re: Phoenix Real Estate Guy Sells Out? Advertising on Blogs

Phil Sexton — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 13:12:54 -0000

You know, I have thought about this quite a bit - enough to write a post about how I feel google adsense rubs me the wrong way - but this is different. A much more professional approach. To tell you the truth, I was still pretty new to blogging when I wrote the post and didn't realize the income possibilities that come with blog traffic. I wouldn't even care if you added google adsense to your site now.

If the ads turn people away, I think it will be the first time visitors that don't know your site for the content. They make that first judgment as soon as the page loads and either decide to read or move on. You'll be able to see if those numbers are affected. By the way you structured the ads, I doubt the newbies will be so offended they'll leave. Hopefully they'll bring your advertisers some income!

Keep doing what you're doing - and thanks for the idea, I'm running it by the boss!

Re: Phoenix Real Estate Guy Sells Out? Advertising on Blogs

Barry Cunningham — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 08:20:50 -0000

Welcome to the dark side Jay! I wish you well. Too many Realtors are letting their personal beliefs get in the way of business.

Who cares what they think as an individual blogger? I mean, I'm not sure why this is posed to bloggers...Every ad less one on our sites are geared for the consumer...you know the person who actually spends money? While some realtors may spend some money, we are using demographic analysis based upon our search results relative to the articles we post to determine the relative effectiveness and price of our ads.

I'm sure Phoenix has a newspaper that ahs an online website. The question being then..Does the Phoenix newspaper have ads in it? Case closed...forget about asking bloggers..what do you want their opinion on advertising for?

i applaud you...you built this traffic for a reason so it's your choice to capitalize on it or not.

Re: Phoenix Real Estate Guy Sells Out? Advertising on Blogs

Scottsdale Homes — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:18:17 -0000

Jay, I think Louis hit the nail on the head ( and I think I expressed myself very clearly in agreeance with him on my earlier comment) when he said:
"You need to consider not the opinions of the re.net but whether you will be diverting your potential customers to your advertisers"

THAT, is the million dollar question that you should be most concerned with.

Matt Pellerin - Realtor

Re: Phoenix Real Estate Guy Sells Out? Advertising on Blogs

Louis Cammarosano — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 22:09:04 -0000

btw if you do impression based ads you won't make that much anyway.
What web 2.0 companies have yet to grasp is that getting paid per thousands of impressions is not that attractive when you get less than a few million visitors a month.
Pay per action ads will make you more money.

Re: Phoenix Real Estate Guy Sells Out? Advertising on Blogs

Louis Cammarosano — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 22:03:06 -0000

Jay I am not against advertising on PREG.

We don't have ads on the homegain blog or on the homegain agent blogs -its their show.

Since its your show you can advertise all you want. You need to consider not the opinions of the re.net but whether you will be diverting your potential customers to your advertisers.

Unless you consider the re.net to be your customers, its irrelevant what they think-its your blog, your business decision.

Re: Phoenix Real Estate Guy Sells Out? Advertising on Blogs

Jay - The Phoenix Real Estate — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 21:06:27 -0000

@Tomas "Have no Idea how I came across this blog". LOL, happens to me all the time. I just hope you come back!

@Brad - "Do you offer any type of reporting to your advertisers (impressions, click through rates etc)??"

I *just* installed some tracking capability. It's supposed to record impressions, uniques and click through rates. I'll know more when the chron job runs for a couple of days..

Re: Phoenix Real Estate Guy Sells Out? Advertising on Blogs

Tomas — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 12:02:51 -0000

Have no Idea how I came across this blog. Let me say my opinion on this object.

If this blog is your creation, then the most important thing for you should be your own satisfaction with the contend and look of it. When you like the idea of having adds on it, plus getting paid for that, then I say amen to that.

People will like it or hate it, it won't matter as long as you are o.k. with it your-self.

Go for it, you can always disconnect it later, after you collect the " bounty"

Re: Phoenix Real Estate Guy Sells Out? Advertising on Blogs

Brad - Dakno Web Design — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 09:45:20 -0000

I agree with the masses here. I have no problem with the ads. Do you offer any type of reporting to your advertisers (impressions, click through rates etc)??

Re: Phoenix Real Estate Guy Sells Out? Advertising on Blogs

Rick Belben — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 08:44:10 -0000

Jay

As long as your picking and selecting who advertises on your site- I do not have a problem with it. You have worked long and hard to gt to the point you are at and there is no reason not to proft from it if possible. I think the big thing is being in control of who advertises because it is like you are giving them an endorsement. Is it any different than recommending a lender to a clent? I do not care for targeted text ads on blogs and agents websites.

Re: Phoenix Real Estate Guy Sells Out? Advertising on Blogs

Scottsdale Homes — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 18:32:35 -0000

IMHO, it takes a lot to get a visitor to my sites, there is no way once I have them that I am going to risk losing them by having an attractive ad on any of my 3 main sales sites.

With that said, www.ThompsonsRealty.com is your sales site and this is your outlet/blog. :-)

Wishing you the best with your decision...

Matt Pellerin - Realtor

Re: Phoenix Real Estate Guy Sells Out? Advertising on Blogs

Kevin Tomlinson-Miami Beach Re — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 12:13:32 -0000

Jay,

Doesn't bother me. We must remember these are "business blogs," not blogs on being blogging purists.

Buy me a drink at Inman with all your cash.

Re: Phoenix Real Estate Guy Sells Out? Advertising on Blogs

Jay - The Phoenix Real Estate — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 20:14:05 -0000

Chad - excellent comment! Here's my take, for what it's worth.

First, there is this from my advertising page/disclaimer:

The presence of an ad on our site does not imply endorsement of the advertised company or product. Advertisers and sponsors must not make unsubstantiated claims or suggest that the Phoenix Real Estate Guy weblog or any of its contributors has endorsed a product or service.

Now I do fully realize no one ever reads these things.

Regarding mortgage lenders specifically, first, they don't work for me, they work for my clients. I *never* recommend just one lender to any client. We always give them multiple choices. It is their decision to make. We're happy to provide out experiences, but ultimately, it's a decision they must make themselves.

Second, others are welcome to advertise here too. :)

And finally, mortgage brokers are professionals. They understand that other mortgage people advertise. They also have to eat and I can't see them turning away one of our clients because another lender has an ad here. I honestly don't think it would alienate them. And to be honest, if it did it sends a pretty strong -- and not so swift -- message about them...

@Kris - happy hour for you, sure. For 100 other people, not-so-much. Besides, there's plenty of vendor booze to go around! (Think Zillow will invite us to their party this time?)

Re: Phoenix Real Estate Guy Sells Out? Advertising on Blogs

Chad Hallberg — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 19:51:41 -0000

On the opposition front, do you foresee yourself being alienated by other mortgage brokers because you are essentially showing a major preference to one group? Maybe that's what you're going for, but I'm just saying from a neophyte perspective that it looks like you're somewhat aligning yourself with this one mortgage broker.

Re: Phoenix Real Estate Guy Sells Out? Advertising on Blogs

Jillayne Schlicke — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 18:46:33 -0000

It will take HUD at least a decade to catch up with this form of advertising. My advice to other Realtors is to be careful about RESPA violations.

For example, asking your title and escrow and mortgage folks to pay an "advertising" fee in exchange for your referrals.

Mix it up: go for all kinds of different advertisers.

I remember needing help managing all the trees in my yard. Who did I call? My Realtor. She referred me to a wonderful arborist and I stil use him to this day.

Re: Phoenix Real Estate Guy Sells Out? Advertising on Blogs

Kris Berg — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 18:41:00 -0000

I'm having a hard time with this - Not with the advetising, but figuring out what I really think about it. My knee-jerk reaction was, "Cool! Why not?" The curious thing is that I wouldn't do it on my blog, curious because I can't put my finger on why I feel that way.

Of course, it is all really moot since, like Marc above (see #14), I only have four readers (counting me). The deep pockets aren't exactly begging to align their brands with my site. Hey - Maybe I should be buying a spot on your blog advertising spots on my blog!

In any event, I hope you realize untold wealth, or at least enough to pick up the happy hour tab at Inman. :)

Re: Phoenix Real Estate Guy Sells Out? Advertising on Blogs

Milan Cole — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 17:00:20 -0000

I've wondered about the value of doing this. The fact that you are selling them yourself makes it that much more relevant, which is a good thing and since your blog is ancillary to ThompsonsRealty.com I don't think it could have much negative impact on your branding. The more radical move would be for Realtors to sell ads on their primary MLS website.

Re: Phoenix Real Estate Guy Sells Out? Advertising on Blogs

Jay - The Phoenix Real Estate — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:49:24 -0000

"I’m not opposed. I’m cautious. I just wanted to show you how one line of thinking led to a different conclusion."

And I appreciate it John, keep it coming!!

@bawldguy - it'll do that. For now... ;)

Re: Phoenix Real Estate Guy Sells Out? Advertising on Blogs

John Wake — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:21:23 -0000

Jay, My personal decision making came down to this, "Am I a publisher or a Realtor?".

I started out Home Sale News in 2001 as an online publication before I became a real estate agent. I wasn't making any money as a publisher so I got my real estate license and kept the leads for myself. That worked out a lot better for me financially.

Jay said, "But I really would like to hear from those opposed."

I'm not opposed. I'm cautious. I just wanted to show you how one line of thinking led to a different conclusion.

Re: Phoenix Real Estate Guy Sells Out? Advertising on Blogs

BawldGuy Talking — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 15:37:10 -0000

Jay -- If it pays for a month's gas for the car, I'm in. :)

Re: Phoenix Real Estate Guy Sells Out? Advertising on Blogs

Jay - The Phoenix Real Estate — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 15:25:07 -0000

@Julia - don't feel bad, I understood exactly what you were saying.

@PB - those in-post adds annoy me too. I assure you they won't be seen here.

@John wrote:" What if you lose one client a year because they are turned off by the ads? Are the ads worth it? Probably not".

That's an interesting point, and one I pondered. I don't think something as simple as an ad would run off a potential client, but the fact is, it could and as you pointed out, I'll likely never know.

@Benn wrote: "I wonder, will this open brokers up to the opportunity to charge agents for recognition on their broker sites? Sell advertisements of their agents and their listings? As a pace setter in the virtual brokerage model, I think you have to look at this on several levels".

Hmmm. I can honestly say the thought of charging my agents to advertise here never crossed my mind. I'm not wired to think like that. It's a very interesting point. I can see someone doing exactly that. Now, if I were an agent and my broker did that to me.... well, I'd find another broker. Must ponder this one on a deeper level.

Regarding the types of ads, I would love to fill up the ad spots with local small businesses. Our first advertiser is a local mortgage guy (and gal!). But there will be some advertising here targeted to real estate agents/broekrs as well, because the simple fact of the matter is, a lot of real estate people read this blog. I've discussed having RE industry focused ads here with some local (non-agent) readers and past clients, and they were all fine with it. They are fully aware that agents read here. (just look through the comments or MyBlogLog Widget). In fact, almost all of them mentioned that they enjoy reading the comments and insights of the other agents that stop by. So thanks folks!

As Daniel mentioned, I won't be using some ad-service or network that serves up seemingly random ads. They're all hand picked and vetted. I've already turned a couple down because they served no purpose for either our home buyer/seller/investor type readers or the real estate professionals that read. Seems no point in having ads that no one could possibly benefit from....

@bawldguy - It's more than Starbucks money, but clearly nowhere near enough to quit my day job! Just a little supplemental income stream . Hopefully adds a little stability in the often wildly fluctuating income of a 100% commission based income.

Re: Phoenix Real Estate Guy Sells Out? Advertising on Blogs

Toby Barnett — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 14:30:18 -0000

I'm not a big fan of ads just because they seem to be every where we look. Another reason I do not run them is because I do want to distract consumers from the reason there are at the site in the first place. They also add cluttter, reasons why I don't use widgets either, and seems to increase the busy-ness of the page. But to each his own, your blog your rules :) Cool to see a good discussion regarding this.

Re: Phoenix Real Estate Guy Sells Out? Advertising on Blogs

Benn/agentgenius — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:42:12 -0000

I wonder, will this open brokers up to the opportunity to charge agents for recognition on their broker sites? Sell advertisements of their agents and their listings? As a pace setter in the virtual brokerage model, I think you have to look at this on several levels.

You're at least open to commentary, others will just do it because you did it.