I am done with "off topic" posts.  I got a call the other day from a man in another state, wanted to know how to get a fire permit.  He had found an old blog of mine on how to get a permit for fires here in Talllahassee and Leon County, and assumed I was the go-to person on fire permits.

Yes.  One that I wrote about an emergency room that opened up in our area made my phone ring off the hook.  Went back to the post and put the ER # in bold at the top and bottom.  

We used to, but they were too time consuming and distracting, so I stopped publishing them a long time ago.  A more focused effort for me works much better.

It happens occassionally. But not so much as to be a bother. I can usually answer, but if I can't I provide a contact at the source.

I occasionally get calls because of a geographic farm website - people think I am the property manager - I just send them to the right person

So glad you saw my blog, How can I help you.

Yes!!!

I remember getting calls trying to order corned beef sandwiches and crab cakes and the hours of some of our local attractions. 

Now I am getting calls for Baltimore Condos, trying to reach the front desk or asking about the rules and documents.

Yes, I do! Refer them to where they can find the answers.

Not from posts but from community websites I have up. I just tell them who I am, that I'm a real estate broker, but would love to help them if I can. Make some good connections that way.

Not very often, But I am friendly as they may call for Real Estate in the future.

Absolutely! Sometimes, the caller thinks that I am the restaurant hostess.

YES! I mostly only write real estate posts now but when I entered an AR cloudburst contest and had to write 30 blogs in a month I expanded my subject matter. The calls I got on my non real estate blogs were some of my favorites. Callers let down there guard as I was not trying to "sell" them a house and the connections were more genuine.

YES Jeff Dowler!!!  ALL of the time!  

I also get those searching or a specific HOA - insurance agents, lenders, underwriters - looking for HOA info for upcoming Closings.  I don't know why they don't phone the listing or buyers' agents on the Contracts!

Maybe once or twice a year... I try to be as helpful as possible.

Hello Jeff.  In all my time in Active Rain I have not had a single call or referral as a result of my blogging or commenting.  So to receive ANY call would be welcomed.  

It used to happen frequently when I wrote more local event type posts.  I pared those back significantly over the last few years as I focused more on pure real estate topics.  When I get those calls, I try to point them in the right direction and of course mention that I'm a real estate agent.

Hi Jeff.  You know what I write about so no I haven't received any calls

Jeff: Yes, quite frequently. Our annual Mistletoe Market starts today and I have received 3 calls this week asking about it because of a WP article I wrote several years ago (and refresh each year). Gotta love the brand exposure that comes with it. I answer what I can and direct them to the event coordinator for specifics I do not know.

Jeff Dowler - oh yes, I have - when I wrote local Indian event posts here - they think I am the organzer....lol!

No, I have not.  And I would engage them in conversation and would ask if they are interested in selling or buying real estate. A

I got a call right before the election from a lady asking if she could come vote in my office. I was good and didn't laugh. I regularly get calls from closing agents asking about the HOA's.

If I wrote more good local posts, I might!

I do get these calls. I try to help out the folks with information as best I can. Iet them know I'm not the pizza place and I can't make them a pizza. 

Oh absolutely, for such a long time. And also with hyperlocal posts I would get calls for the HOA. I quit posting anything except listings and some informational posts long ago. The others don't help me hit my target demos.

NO, but I've been called on to do interviews on other blogs, magazines & Podcasts for specific posts on product reviews, credentials & technology. AR has lead me to some amazing opportunities outside the box...including cohosting the Real Estate Agent Podcast Show on itunes now the last 2 months.

I get calls about wanting to know the mgmt company for certain subdivisions from lenders. I do not followup with an answer. 

Consumers love Localism

no

In real estate, being a resource is what puts you over the top. 

Yes Ihave.

I haven't in a while.

Our brokerage sometimes gets these calls.

I haven't seen that happening so far. maybe I should do more non real estate posts.

Sure do! I refer them to the right person. I had someone call me back once thanking me for getting them in touch with the right person. Then said we are looking to sell our home in 3 months..you might just be the one we need to talk to! I met with them and listed their house and his sisters house. I made the phone ring..when it rings they expect service..give it to them what goes around comes around..you never know..take the call and make the most of it!

I received one from an insurance investigator in regards to a post I wrote about a brush fire I worked wanting to know if I had some info he needed.

Other than that, I have not received calls/emails re: non-RE posts.

From time to time, I just try to  flip it into a real estate lead....

Yes, I'm amused when I get those calls and try to answer the question reminding them that i do something else for living:) 

All the time.

i DO NOT ANSWER OUT OF THE AREA CALLS. I ONLY ANS vm AFTER CHECKED THEM OUT.

I used to get calls so now I do not write such posts.

Occasionally.   

Oh, yes and I had to tell a neighbor I didn't own a particular restaurant in town as she saw my posts about it. LOL

Absolutely!

I don't care how or what compelled the call, the purpose of all marketing it to get attention and have a conversation.

The craftsman in sales will know how to cultivate a seed into a crop with the proper care and feeding.

Call me. I'll chat with you about 'solar' or 'applebutter.' I'll get to where you live or should be living soon enough.

Have experience it in the past. Not lately!

Not a one; guess you are missing your calling!

LOL - Just got one yesterday on a post I wrote 7 years ago LOL

OMG, yes.... I wrote a post many years ago and it's still on the first page of the SERP about an Italian market..... I get calls about the cold cuts and brasciole....

No I have never received a call from one of my blogs trying to sell me anything.

I had a contractor call us repeatedly while we were out on an appointment. When we called him back he mentioned a property we had for sale, said he couldn't buy it & then he went into a sales pitch about his business. 

All the time. Sometimes I try to help, other times I just have to tell them politely to try again with another number. I also get calls from people looking for HOAs for various subdivisions that I've blogged about. HOA contacts seem to be the hardest to locate.

I have received some unusual contacts over the years.