The line above comes from Steve Martin's character Navin Johnson in the 1979 classic comedy "The Jerk", 
which is one of my all-time favorite movies, and it pretty well sums up my own feelings when the latest issue of Texas Realtor magazine arrived at my office.
If you're not familiar with this scene, Navin gets really excited when the new phone books arrive as the gas station where he works:
Navin R. Johnson : The new phone book's here! The new phone book's here!
Harry Hartounian : Boy, I wish I could get that excited about nothing.
Navin R. Johnson : Nothing? Are you kidding? Page 73 - Johnson, Navin R.! I'm somebody now! Millions of people look at this book everyday! This is the kind of spontaneous publicity - your name in print - that makes people. I'm in print! Things are going to start happening to me now.
And now, I am following in Navin's footsteps, having had an article of mine appear in "Texas Realtor" magazine this month. Hopefully, I will not be attacked by a sniper, as he was. :)
Last month, I was approached by the director of content for the Texas Association of Realtors to write a piece about why someone should start blogging. He had been reading my AR blog for awhile, which led to this very cool opportunity.
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Here is the article reproduced in its entirety:
Six Reasons to Start Blogging
Why You Should Share Your Insights and Expertise With the Online World
So, you're thinking about jumping into the world of blogging, but you aren't totally sold on the idea? Here are some reasons to take the plunge:
Expand your sphere. Having an interesting real estate blog will help you forge new friendships and increase your business contact base; they are really one and the same in real estate. When you blog effectively and consistently, you have the opportunity to build an online audience of people who pay attention to you and your opinions. This attention results in referrals from real estate professionals, and consumers feel like they know and trust you before you've actually met.
Exert influence. You have an opportunity to affect the news and conversations going on in and about the real estate industry. The media likes to focus on the negative stuff for the most part. Got something positive to say? Let your voice be heard.
Improve yourself. I guarantee your communication skills will improve. Even if you're already a good writer, you'll get better. Additionally, the more time you spend reading other blogs, the more knowledgeable you'll become. This translates into real-world expertise with clients.
Get noticed on the Web. Google, Yahoo, and other search engines love blogs. One of the easiest ways to increase your visibility online is to generate new, relevant blog entries on a consistent basis. Blogging will improve your search engine rankings and help potential clients find you more easily.
Become the authority. Position yourself as the specialist on a topic. If you have a tight niche that you are looking to maximize, blogging will enable you to become the known expert. There are blogs that focus exclusively on downtown condos, waterfront luxury homes, and short sales. In the potential client's mind, you can become the only person worth contacting.
Build trust. People feel more comfortable working with someone they have already "connected" with one some level. Frankly, most of the clients I get from my blog have already decided to use me as their agent before they initiate contact. With that in mind, you'll save a lot of effort at the beginning of the sales process, because you don't have to spend extra time convincing the client to choose you.
Jason Crouch is the broker/owner of Austin Texas Homes and has been selling homes in Austin for over 12 years. He is a well-known blogger and is available to teach or speak throughout Texas on the topic of blogging and other social media marketing tools. Visit his blog at AustinsCoolestBlog.com. Contact him at jason@austintexashomes.com.
If you enjoyed this post, why not connect with me elsewhere?
If you're looking for a home in the Austin area, you can visit my primary Austin real estate website at www.austintexashomes.com. If you're interested in social media training, visit 210 Consulting. Thanks!
A classic scene! Congrats to you, Jason for spreading the news...(but is it as funny?? :-)
Mara - Sadly, no. It's not nearly as funny as that scene, or that movie. Thanks a lot, Captain Bringdown. :)
Congrats J ! ...and a classic movie for your analogy ! LOLOL !!
But yours is much more useful, for sure! Excellent bullets for blogger-bees! Well done, Jason!
Sheldon - Thanks! It was the first thing that popped into my mind when I saw the stack of magazines sitting at our front desk. :)
Mara - Thanks very much. I hope to have more chances to write for them!
Hi Jason~ That is so so exciting! We are so proud of you! Although, since you already are somebody and since you are already so busy in Real Estate, what things are going to start happening to you now? LOL!
Congrats Jason... and thank you....It's great to share the good news and successes that blogging brings. ~ Kim
Jason, Congrats and yes I did read the article!
Vickie - I can only assume that movie roles should soon follow, right? :)
Kimberly - You're welcome!
That Steve Martin movie was funny and it was a good reference point. Being published is an accomplishment. When does your book come out?
Enjoy the fame while you have it and buy a pair of sunglasses!
Marchel - Thanks for reading! I also had a chance to "test drive" the new TAR site at their office downtown. Fun stuff!
Monika - It's funny that you should ask. I have two book outlines in the works right now - we will see if I can finish one of them sometime in the near future. Thanks for your comment - I love that movie!
Very concise way to sum up the benefits of blogging.
Norma - Thanks! I did my best to provide this.
Ohhh I can just imagine the rush! I think thats awesome - congrats!........:-) And they are all excellent reasons! Btw - thanks for the feature in FT :-)
Liz - Thanks so much! You are more than welcome. I need to revive the group soon! I haven't had adequate time to promote it for awhile.
Jason, congratulations! Your six reasons are so well spoken I am forwarding this blog on to a realtor friend who is trying to understand why blogging on AR is good for business.
Wonderful Jason! Now that's getting your side of the story out to other Realtors® ...through the Texas Realtor Magazine! Congratulations!
Jason
Also one of my favorite movies of all time! It still cracks me up. Congrats on the fine article !
Jason - Congratulations - Great reasons to blog - You have a book in the making comes as no surprise for you are a great writer!
Maria - That is the ultimate compliment - sharing my words with others. Thank you for that.
Sally - Thanks! I thought these were the important points to share.
Trey - Glad to hear it, my friend. There are so many good quotes from that movie!
Sharon - Thank you! I appreciate the encouragement on the book, too. :)
Hi Jason... Congratulations on the article. I loved the way that issue of Texas REALTOR magazine turned out!
Jason, I do agree with being the authority. I have started teaching blogging classes here in this area because I can show them that I know what I am talking about...
Your building consultant for life in Nashville, TN
For some reason I have not received my copy, but I plan to call TAR today. Look forward to reading yours and Shastky's articles.
Jason, Congratulations. That sure is exciting. It's very neat to see your words quoted anywhere but even more so in a statewide publication!
Jason...
This is an excellent article, and a fine testimonial for blogging in general. Let all the naysayers take notice ... this stuff really works!
Very cool Jason! I loved the Jerk BTW. I know the exposure will be good for you and the points you make about why to blog are so true.
If only Navin Johnson had gotten his own radio show...that's the key! Great post, love the article!
Jason, congratulations on being chosen to write the article based on your blogging. It helps to boost your profile. You may even be asked to write other articles or appear on other media as a result of your article.
Congratulations, Jason! I don't really see you as being "jerk" material! LOL You always have so much to share - and for that ... we appreciate you. Of course, that's just one of the reasons we appreciate you.
Jason...how wonderful! Just think..we knew you when....
Congrats! How exciting for you Jason! Great article - continued success!
I love that analogy! I also read the article and you are to be congratulated. I also pointed it out to my associates in my never ending attempt to get more people in my office to start BLOGGING and not just comment nw and again! Good work my friend!
Jason: Congratulations, they could not have picked a better person to write about blogging and with your permission, I would like to use your post in a mini-workshop I am planning with my fellow Realtors about blogging.
Jason -
This is so COOL! CONGRATS to you!! Great blogging points, by the way. In fact, you just gave me an idea for a blog entry.....gotta run!
All the best to you!
Congrats Jason, Stay positive and yes thing are going to happen now!!!
Jason you make a great blogging ambassador! I'll bet print will be calling on you more and more. Good for you!
Kudos!
Your article wouldn't also happen to be on page 73 of the Texas Realtor, would it?
Dear Jason,
I also loved Steve Martin in the Jerk. His characters always crack me up. My all time favorite movie of Steve's is Parenthood. I think it resounds with everyone on some level and the jokes kept coming with a dose of reality. It is priceless!
;)
Ps. Oh yes Blogging is something to get excited about for all the reasons you mentioned earlier!!
Congrats Jason! That is very exciting!! You're proving that blogging leads to great things!
Have a great day,
Anne Rains
I can always think of something positive to say! And we all need to do all we can to spread the word, every time we know of something good that happens in the real estate industry. We have to. Because we know the news reporters never will!
Are you now going to start making glasses with handles on the front? Congrats on the article my friend.
Congrats!! Great movie...
Congratulations! Keep it up!
Congratulations, Jason! That's awesome! Ahhhh the power of ActiveRain!
Jason, you've inspired me to start my own blog. Where is the best place/site to start (this will be a non-real estate blog) and what is the best way to attract "attention" and eyeballs/subscriptions to my blog? Thanks in advance for your assistance.
Glad you keep getting more recognition. Keep it up youngin....
Congrats Jason! Awesome, so proud of you. :)
What a great magazine to be published in....Congratulations!
I'll bet you had a heckuva victory dance, congratulations Jason. Now about those defective oil cans?
I've been blogging for a while now (albeit in an entirely unproffesional capacity), and I've just started blogging here at ActiveRain. I see tremendous opportunity in this medium as pertains to brand awareness and marketing, but I think some people use it in a canned, entirely self promoting way- just another billboard. Based on reading some of the most succesful bloggers on here, it seems as though the key to building a large core readership is to provide RELEVANT content to your target audience, actionable suggestions, and content that, in general, is informed by your expertise. No one will subscribe to a blog that is simply an advertisement every day. If you build a following based on the relevance of your thoughts to the ActiveRain community, it seems like your business will gain respect and interest by association, rather than through directly and constantly plugging. Plus, if you enjoy writing, as I do, it is its own reward, regardless of possible monetary gain. It seems as though your efforts here are a perfect example of the right way do cultivate a "virtual" presence.
Google, Yahoo, and other search engines love blogs.
Ah, yes. The famous ActiveRain Google juice! That's actually how I found this place. I'm sure glad I did!
It is always great to be recognized for the things you do well. Congrats on the feature in the magazine!
Hi Jason! You're NOT going to believe this but, the same exact thing happened to me in North Carolina's REALTOR's Association magazine--because of ACTIVE RAIN! You've gotta LOVE this place!
Congrats on your feature in print!
I love the scene from the Jerk - it is one of my favorites thanks for bringing the whole text back for me. And congratulations on your article in Texas Realtor!