Want a Job in Real Estate? Start Blogging
October 9, 2008
By: Drew Meyers
Author's Website: http://www.zillow.com
I’ve been thinking about writing this story for awhile, but the latest news that NAR is looking for a social media manager finally got me to put my fingers to the keyboard. The list of bloggers from the RE.net finding corporate jobs in the real estate industry seems to be getting longer by the day…
- Dustin Luther - Move
- Joel Burslem - Inman News
- Rudy Bachraty - Trulia
- Daniel Rothamel - Inman News
- Jeff Bernheisel - Inman News
- Jeff Corbett - Active Rain
- Frances Flynn Thorsen - Trulia
- Reggie Nicolay - Cyberhomes
- Michael Price - Diverse Solutions
(if I missed anyone that should be on this list, please leave a comment and I’ll add them)
As I mentioned on my blog back in 2006, a blog can be a great resume and a killer way to brand yourself. That’s definitely playing out in the RE.net. And now NAR is looking for a social media manager. From Monster.com:
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (NOT ALL-INCLUSIVE):
The Manager of Social Media will ensure that NAR has the knowledge and skills to guide NAR staff and members in creating, facilitating, and participating effectively in key conversations about our organization, our issues, and our members that are conducted on blogs and other online social media channels.
This position requires a high-energy, self-directed, deadline-oriented individual who has exceptional communication skills and is able to:
- Monitor real estate industry and related social media
- Facilitate NAR’s participation in external blogs and social media
- Maintain, evolve, and enforce NAR’s social media policies and guidelines
- Train NAR staff and elected leaders about how to write for blogs and other forms of social media
- Monitor existing NAR blogs and create new ones as needed to foster conversations about relevant topics or issues.
- Measure the effectiveness of NAR’s social media efforts.
So — who is the latest RE.net blogger that is going to be poached for this job?
- Stumble it!
- Categories: Blogging, Company News & Analysis
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Comments
20 Comments so far
Daniel, The Real Estate Zebra on October 9, 2008 12:27 pm
Drew,
Interesting list, isn’t it?
Although, I haven’t quite been poached, I’m still a practicing Realtor. Being on both sides of the fence from time to time has given me a very interesting perspective that I think has benefited both roles.
The NAR search is very interesting. It will be extremely interesting to find out if the person chosen is, in fact, a name most current real estate blogger-types will recognize. I imagine that it will be very hard for NAR to “poach” a practicing agent for that position, especially when they expect that person to move to Chicago.
I also think, however, that exposure to, or experience in, the real estate industry is going to be vital to the job to be done at NAR. Otherwise, the person hired is going to have to spend 12-18 months just learning about the Realtor culture.
It will be fascinating, that’s for sure.
Natalie aka @WinVALiving on October 9, 2008 3:24 pm
I LOVE this post. Having come into the blogging scene later than many (Sept 2007), I didn’t realize how many people had made that transition. Of course, I was aware of the RE Zebra, being that he was a great source of inspiration for me initially. (I remember him at some kind of Inman Connect in NY or some other big city conducting interviews on his camcorder). Since that time, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting him in person and he’s very down to earth.
I’m looking forward to seeing who NAR hires. I recommend NAR “follow” their candidate/s on twitter or even call for volunteers from the web 2.0 community (hint, see names listed above) and make an educated decision. While I wouldn’t consider Ben Martin(@bkmcae), VAR and Blogmaster at VARBuzz available for the position (VA Bloggers won’t let him leave the commonwealth); he’d be able to give some great guidance on the topic. IMNSHO @ktgeek, @hilarymarsh, @pamela_kabati, & @mattrathbun should be involved in the decision making in some way!
Drew Meyers on October 9, 2008 5:11 pm
Daniel-
Yup, it’s quite a talented list. I agree — the social media hire is going to have to know the ins and outs of the industry. I guess the counter argument is that a real estate newbie would not be subject to the bias of having been in the business for years. As a result, they might be more likely to try entirely new things that haven’t been thought of before in the real estate space.
Jeff Bernheisel on October 9, 2008 5:16 pm
You could add me to the list, but I never considered myself a RE blogger. My blog was originally designed around the idea of providing my clients (I was working for a title company at the time) new marketing ideas.
Title company closed, scooped up by Inman, and here I am today…
Maybe we should start a betting pool on who NAR chooses?
-Jeff
Drew Meyers on October 9, 2008 5:41 pm
Jeff-
I added you to the list. When did you join Inman (so I can keep my list in chronological order)? Also, is there a specific blog post I can point to?
Jeff Bernheisel on October 9, 2008 5:49 pm
Joined in August…
No specific post you can point to, I’ll have to look into that.
Drew Meyers on October 9, 2008 5:54 pm
I noticed you are in the Portland area. You should get on Joel’s case about that
Tony Sena on October 10, 2008 10:30 am
It will be interesting to see who they choose for this position, wonder if it will be a big name in the social media realm or somebody nobody has heard of?
Tony Sena on October 10, 2008 11:10 am
I just looked at the requirements and one of them that stuck out to me was:
Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, or related field
I bet they could find a very qualified person for this position who didn’t have a degree!
realtor outer banks nc on October 10, 2008 10:08 pm
i’d love to!!
one need the confidence to sell the house, get it done right and know the ups and downs of complicated selling process.
Sara Bonert on October 13, 2008 6:22 am
Hmmm, the job is in Chicago.. just kidding.
I just have to say for me, the opposite has been true. Rather than being a blogger and then coming to the corporate world- I started in the corporate life (if you consider Zillow corporate) and have since learned so much about social media (big thanks to Drew and DavidG).
Whoever they hire will have a big job ahead of them, as the realtor.com voice is definitely missing from the REBlogWorld.
Maybe they’ll pouch a Homescape person since they are in Chicago? My guess is Charlie M at Baird & Warner (this is just a guess, based on nothing).
Jay Thompson on October 13, 2008 7:08 am
Very interesting development indeed. I think a person in real estate is a logical choice as they would at least start with a bit of respect (founded or not) from some of the “old guard” members of the NAR.
I fear the NAR will severely restrict it’s potential candidate pool by requiring the position to be based in Chicago. Many who would be interested might be unwilling/unable to relocate to ChiTown. This position would seem to lend itself perfectly to being “virtually based”…
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Sam Chapman on October 14, 2008 12:28 pm
The latest Texas REALTOR Magazine stated that only 7-8% of REALTORS keep a blog. Of those who de, I wonder how many keep a really good one. That is a great reason in itself to start blogging.
Reggie on October 14, 2008 5:07 pm
Hey Drew,
Thanks for adding me to your list. I’m certainly excited about my new position with Cyberhomes.
LOL about the NAR job posting. You would think they would try a Google search.
Reggie
Ricardo Bueno on October 16, 2008 6:39 pm
Mike Mueller recently landed himself the title of: AVP/Regional Technology Director at Fidelity National Title. Does that count?
There’s definitely been some movements for those in the real estate space who have been using social media “right” (style, class, expertise). Leaders for sure!
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