Blogging’s effects and impact on my business

Posted on October 30, 2005 by Jim Duncan

This post over at David St. Lawrence’s site compelled me to write this post. (I showed his house the other day, it is beautiful, but just not right for my clients)

He says, in part:

After two full years of continuous blogging, I am more imbued with enthusiasm about life than when I started. I think this is because I am allowed and encouraged to communicate my ideas with more people than ever before.

One of the most important comments he makes is this:

I get almost instantaneous feedback on how valuable or confusing my communication seems to readers. As a result, I am driven to communicate more effectively.

I have been blogging for almost a year, and my blog has evolved from this to what you see today. Before I started blogging, there was a void in my life. I was an editorial writer and editor in college. Expressing my thoughts and opinions is part of who I am. Rather than wearing down my wife on a daily basis, I turned to blogging. I have an outlet. Constant writing and critical and creative thinking forces me to 1) develop my skills as a writer and 2) be and project myself as being, a (the?) local expert in my profession. I live and breathe real estate on a daily basis, and have for most of my life. There is much more than simply buying and selling. Nuances that normally would not be picked up are highlighted through daily reflection. Analyzing this business and industry makes me better at what I do; I am healthier in many ways thanks to this blog. I aim to continue.

About Jim Duncan

A Charlottesville Realtor who tries to stay on the bleeding/cutting/functional edge of technology and real estate trends. I have been selling real estate for the past 10 years, lived in C'Ville for twenty+ and am married to one of few Charlottesville natives left.
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  • http://myeastbayagent.com Andy Kaufman

    I totally agree. I’m a few months into my blog and I’m enjoying it immensely.

    I don’t particularly enjoy writing so much as I do creating and participating. I’ve rediscovered the joy of taking cool & fun photos and sharing them through Flickr. I’ve also met tons of great people through blogging. One thing that sticks in my head is from the Web 2.1 brainjam that I attended. “The point is people” was the tagline and it’s SO true.

    Having a blog focuses me and keeps me energized. Sometimes I feel like I have so much to share, but my writing skills don’t allow me to express myself the way that I’d like. This leads to a good deal of self censorship on my part. One of my goals is to develop my writing style so that I can post freely and create great content.

    But you hit the nail on the head.

  • http://www.jduncanrealestate.com Jim

    Self-censorship. Absolutely. That is one of the more challenging aspects of blogging, due in no small part to the permanence of what I write and that I am never sure whom might be reading. I like to think that blog this constantly keeps me on the edge – for what I think, write and say. It is good training, I think; when I was interviewed for a short story in the local paper last week, I was more thoughtful in my responses, as I was cognizant of the potential consequences.

  • http://askmerv.choice3realty.com Merv

    Jim,
    Congratulations on the recognition. I am with you 150% on blogging helping to sort out your thoughts, beliefs and values. My Blog is certainly a reflection of who I am and how I think. It is part of a creative outlet that I’ve needed for a long time. It is almost addictive (at least Pam would say so). I’ve never been a writer; didn’t like it…didn’t want to. I hope blogging is helping me express myself a little clearer. I find myself proofing what I write several times before I post and several more times after a post.

    I am actually getting lisying opportunities because of my blog. How rewarding is that?

    On another note: If you do a blog search (http://www.google.com/blogsearch) for Virginia Real Estate, you and I are on the top of the page!

    The recognition is as rewarding as the business potential.
    Thanks for letting me reflect.
    Regards
    Merv

    PS: If you haven’t visited for a few days, check out the Renowned Properties® link on my blog. We never stop being creative and delivering value for clients.