Salem Business Bloggers Network

Josh spent Friday at the kick-off meeting of a brand new group, the Salem Business Bloggers Network. It was organized by Margaret Oscilia (Creative Concepts and Contracting) and Victoria Linton (Lawyers Title in Salem).

This group was fantastic. Melina Tomson shared insights from what seemed to be a very deep well of knowledge on Wordpress.

This was mostly a group consisting of real estate professionals, but the information on blogging applies to many professions. Blogging is the new prospecting for clients.

For me (Josh) the exciting thing about social networking media is that it represents a whole new model of doing business. The old way is to advertise, advertise, advertise using expensive advertising sources such as print ads. The advertising media conglomerates largely controlled the show. They set the prices for ad space, and they could because they were the only game in town.

When it was the only game in town, consumers did benefit. If people wanted to buy a home, they'd go to the newspaper or real estate magazine to see what was available. Or they would go to a Realtor and have that person search the MLS for available homes.

But have you ever tried to get a great feel for a home for sale from a photo that is smaller than postage stamp size? When the Internet came along, suddenly you could search for homes where you could see big photos. You could get a good feeling for what was being sold.

Print real estate advertising has become, I believe, largely irrelevant. The writing is on the monitor.

Blogging is not only a great way to find new clients, but it is also a great way to nurture the relationships you already have. When you come to our blog or Facebook page you can see what we're up to. And it's interactive if you wish it to be. You can leave comments, send us emails, or give us a phone call.

Doing business is changing. Many of the social networking sites and services are free to use. Instead of a postage stamp photo of a house or your particular service, you can create a whole slide show. Not only do you benefit from all the gifts technology gives, but your clients benefit, too. They can get much more information than before and make better choices.

I was so happy to be a part of this group of bloggers. I am excited about the growth that's coming.

Field Trip to 295 Church Street Condominiums

Went out Saturday afternoon to visit Chris and Gerry Stewart who were holding open house at the newly completed 295 Church Street Condominiums. The complex features 27 one and two bedroom condos on the third, fourth, and fifth floors; the first two floors are commercial including the new CCTV home.

The whole idea of urban living is still quite new to Salem, but it's absolutely great for certain people in certain situations, such as people who do not want to spend time taking care of a home with a yard. At 295 Church your front or back yard could be Pringle Creek Park! Let someone else do the work and you just go out, find a nice bench, and enjoy the scenery.

On my visit today I was particularly taken by unit 509. It's on the so-called City side (as opposed to the Park side.) Normally I would have thought that I'd always want to look out at Pringle Creek Park, which is particularly pretty to me. But this unit totally surprised me with some great views looking down Church Street. There's a gorgeous row of mature trees to look at (I expect these will be fabulous in the fall) as well as lots of sky for cloud-and weather-watching (there's also a covered deck so you wouldn't get soaked in the rain or snow.)


I have not yet seen the Meridian Complex, being a similar concept, but as people came through the open house, we heard comments about how spacious and light and bright 295 Church complex was in comparison. If I were in the market for the urban lifestyle, I'd be looking here. The location is great for easy walking to Bush Park, the main library, Willamette U, the State Capitol, the Convention Center, and of course all the local businesses.

There are daily open houses there if you want to see them for yourself.