Without any introduction, here’s what I mean….

1. Hard to Get

The method in which one pretends not to be interested, or at least less interested in the other person, as they really are.  Actions related to this method may include, but are not limited to: not calling someone who’s number you got for several days, letting the other person acknowledge your presence before you acknowledge them, maintaining limited communication with the other person and not showing too much interest.

Pros: If the other person is into you, they will most likely want you more if you are good at playing hard to get.  The lack of interest you display makes you more desirable.  You become a challenge.

Cons: If you are too good at playing hard to get, the other person will quickly get over you (unless they are crazy and/or desperate – neither are qualities that you want to involve yourself with).  Also, this is a game – games can lead to trouble.

How it Relates to Blogging: Ok…this method has no role in blogging. If you’re not trying and you’re not blogging, good luck. 

2. The Shotgun Approach

Known for its wide range and shallow efforts, the Shotgun Approach is when one attempts to meet someone by covering a lot of ground in a relatively short amount of time.  Like a shotgun, the pursuer makes contact over a wide range, with as many people as he/she can, believing that probability is in their favor and that something will produce a hit.  I think we all have a few friends, or at least know/knew someone who fits this M.O.  

Pros: You meet a lot of people in a relatively short amount of time.  You don’t have to invest much time, money, or effort since you don’t care if you please everyone – you’re just trying to find one or two people who respond favorably. 

Cons: You probably won’t find any quality dates and your friends will probably laugh at some of the people you talk to.  Often times, after trying over and over, your standards for a good date get lowered and you might end up settling for anyone who cares to listen to you.

How it Relates to Blogging:  When you blog, it’s important to provide articles that appeal to a wide variety of readers.  This will pull in new readers, keep old readers happy and it will also give you the opportunity to show your knowledge of the area (i.e., talking about Farmer’s Markets, or new restaurants in the area, etc.).  Just be careful this isn’t what you focus your blog on – people want to read about specifics and not just the fluff.  You want lots of readers, but they’re worthless (minus the increased traffic) unless you attract real, quality, leads as well.  This doesn’t produce leads, it just maintains them.

3. Dating Services

While I have yet to try this, services like Match.com, eHarmony and others are taking advantage of people’s busy schedules and the infusion of the Internet with daily living.  This dating method involves paying for a service that introduces you to single people with similar interests, or in some cases, actually selects prospects for you.  In either case, the participants answer a series of questions and are in one way or another, paired up with matches.  I would relate this to your friend setting you up on a blind date, only your “friend” is a computer who is looking for key words and terms. 

Pros: You are busy and it’s hard to meet new people.  These services offer exposure to people you’d otherwise probably never meet.  They also allow you to search for people who you know have similar interests, before you even talk to them. 

Cons: You have to pay and while it’s becoming more and more common for people to use these services, your friends will still probably make fun of you – at least until they sign up. 

How it Relates to Blogging: This method of dating is most similar to paying for keywords and SEO services.  You pay for a service that enhances the exposure to people who are looking for whatever you’re blogging about.  This can be helpful, but isn’t the answer.  Content and volume are still the most powerful tools, but sure, spending some(or a lot) money to help you out won’t hurt(except your bank account).  This will help you get leads, but only if you have the content to keep the reader at your site.

4. Blind Dates

Similar to dating services, but much better (depending on how well the person setting you up knows you, or likes you).  In a nut shell, someone you know sets you up on a date with someone you’ve never met before, simply because they think the two of you would be a good match.  In my experience, this doesn’t work, but then again, I’ve only done this twice. 

Pros: You don’t have to do any work to get this date – it comes to you.  Typically, expectations are low, so as long as you’re not a complete fool, you can at least have a fun time.  This also exposes you to someone new and supposedly, someone who you’d like.  And while some would define blind dates as nerve racking, I’d describe them as exciting.

Cons: It’s a blind date.  You’ve never met this person and they’ve never met you.  As with any first date, people may not “be themselves” and you’ll have to look past the nervousness.

How it Relates to Blogging: This dating method is like a blog about a neighborhood, or the market status.  It’s not as general as talking about what a home represents, or why a certain area isn’t over built, but it’s not as specific as a particular building, or even deals on specific condos.  These types of blogs will help get clients who are B clients – they’re not quite ready to pull the trigger, but they will be soon.

5. The Friend of a Friend

This is my favorite.  The classic scenario goes something like this: your friend invites you over for dinner, or to a happy hour, or whatever.  You go and are hanging out with the usual crowd, when someone new catches your eye and because it’s not a date, you’re relaxed and there’s no pressure.  The two of you hit it off and the next day, you text your friend and get the scoop on you’re new acquaintance and assuming they’re single and you didn’t get too drunk the night before, you’re in! 

Pros: The casual environment creates a stress free environment to meet the new friend.  And since you have a mutual friend, chances are you share some common interests and will probably get along fairly well(ex. Joe and Tina are friends.  Tina and Sue are friends.  Joe and Sue should/could be friends).  Plus, the mutual friend will be pulling for you, unless they think you’re wrong for each other, which is a good thing to know anyhow.

Cons: It’s your friend’s friend.  If something goes wrong, you’ll probably see this person in the future and it could be awkward.  Also, if you date too many of your friend’s friends, you risk the chance of getting a bad reputation.

How it Relates to Blogging: This is one of the best leads you can get.  It’s most comparable to someone who reads your blog that shares it with their friend, or colleague.  Simply put, it’s a referral.  One person likes what you write, they send it to someone who will probably also like it.  In terms of actual posts, I would compare this to a blog about a specific building.  A post like this should produce a quality lead who is a serious buyer, or seller.  Be specific and provide the reader with information that they can’t get from searching the MLS, or just by driving the area.  You work this market and know the little things that make buildings unique.  Chances are they’ve been doing their homework and are narrowing their search – this is a great lead and they will probably act within 2–4 months.

6. Mail Order Bride

Sure, it’s not very romantic, but it gets the job done.  This is generally used as a last resort, but since I don’t know anyone who’s tried it, I can’t be certain.  Basically, you look in a catalog and find your future bride.  I’m not sure if this is real, but it’s worth talking about.

Pros: There are surprisingly a lot of women to choose from (I didn’t find any mail order groom services, but I’m sure they’re somewhere out there) and based on their pictures, they’re all very attractive.

Cons: “Oh, it’s a funny story actually…I picked her out of a catalog from Russia and bought her…” probably isn’t what your parents want to hear when you introduce them to each other. Also, I’m assuming it’s pretty costly and I’d be weary of anyone who was offering themselves via the Internet – especially for marriage.

How it Relates to Blogging: Similar to looking through a catalog, this style of blogging requires some research.  This is the most specific, targeted type of post you can offer.  The mail order bride is like a post about a specific home, or condo.  It’s a deal.  Your main objective is to highlight a specific property and clearly layout why someone should buy it (i.e. the home is under priced, the sellers are getting a divorce, the property is unique and/or rarely on the market, etc.).  Provide comps, rental rates, estimated payments and anything else that you think would be beneficial to a potential buyer.  This blog targets the low hanging fruit and even though it won’t appeal to everyone, if you identify real deals, you’ll be happy with the results.

With that said, find the style of blogging that suits you and get to work.  My theory is do a little bit over everything.  It’s kind of like old school ice hockey for Nintendo…you can’t have a team full of the skinny fast guys – you need a few short fat guys to help you out too.  If you have no clue what I’m talking about, then read this.