St. Ives Realty – Success With WordPress

Jonathan Hedden — St. Ives Realty, Inc. — NorthGeorgiasAgent.com Born and raised in North Georgia. I grew up with a real estate agent mother and my father was self-made in the consumer finance industry. To say the least, each of them are not satisfied with mediocrity in life. After attending college for a couple of years, I realized I wasn’t getting a worthwhile education. I set out with real estate as my main focus, and as soon as I got my feet wet, the market tanked. Agents were dropping off by the dozens and the market was stale and the outlook was harsh. I worked several different jobs while keeping my license active but real estate couldn’t be my main focus.

In January 2015, I married my high school sweetheart and best friend. Spring 2015, the market explodes and I’m ready. This year I have been the “Top Producer” in my brokerage and also nominated for the very prestigious “North Georgia’s Best of Best” Best Realtor. In an industry teeming with personal connections and designations, this is the holy grail because it’s solely voted on by the public. Results will be in January 21, 2016. My success comes from the heart. There’s no better feeling than a client coming to you in August after having their home on the market for a year and saying they need to have it sold by winter and shaking their hand in mid November at the closing table. Online presence is my biggest asset, I can break through the norm and sell my service with actual statistics rather than personal relationships.

1. When did you start your site and why?
Spring 2015, I’ve created several other sites in the past but monetization was always an issue.

2. Why did you choose WordPress?
Ease of entry and peer support is everywhere.

3. Did anything surprise you about creating your website?
Not really surprised but roadblocks. Getting to the point where everything is almost ready to roll and BAM! All of the sudden you’re lost and have no idea where to turn. That’s life in general though, sometimes the biggest problems create such a derailment that you realize your train was on the wrong track to begin with. Keep your mind and eyes open.

4. What advice would you give somebody who is getting started with their WordPress site?
Find a mentor! Even if you have to pay for their services, you can’t be a professional at everything, sometimes you need help.

5. If you could go back in time and do something differently, what would you do and why?
Nothing. Your journey is your education. Every experience in life is priceless, good or bad.

6. How long did it take you to launch your business once you decided to do it?
About 3 weeks.

7. Did you launch your business while working another job?
Yes, real estate never sleeps and your clients don’t expect you too either.

8. How did you promote your site when you first started out? Has anything changed between then and how?
At first, soft promoting through friends and family then onto SEO tweaking (still not there).

9. What is the most effective way you have grown your email list?
I don’t push registrations nor do I use my email for marketing, I’m not opposed to the practice, I’m just currently focused on content and keeping the bounce rate I have now because it’s incredibly good.

10. Do you earn money from your site, and if so, how? Affiliate marketing, ads, products, etc.?
I currently don’t implement any 3rd party advertising, with so much content flowing through my site it’s just too distracting.

11. Who are your favorite bloggers, podcasts and/or coaches?
Kevin Ward — he’s a great inspiration with a straight forward approach to success in a market saturated with mediocrity.

Is 2016 your year for Success with WordPress?
Let me help you take control of one of your most valuable tools. I offer One on One Virtual WordPress Trainings. I help you get back on track and stay focused on the end result. I also have several Done for You Services. Let me help you become the next great success!

For more information, please visit http://www.northgeorgiasagent.com/

Media Contact:
Jon Hedden - St. Ives Realty Inc.
[email protected]
https://www.facebook.com/northgeorgiasagent/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonhedden