So newspapers are shrinking, magazines are shuttering and newsroom staff is being cut at even the most prestigious mastheads. But while the Tribune nixes yet another section and another long-time staff writer hangs out his freelancing shingle, a number of positive new-media developments have caught our attention as well: new blogs, social networks and web sites that are making waves in the Chicago real estate community.While there’s still plenty of room for more voices in the chorus, we’ve been impressed with the depth and breadth of coverage thus far, especially considering some of the new sites are solo acts. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the new new-media offerings on the scene. Let us know your thoughts. And if you’re not mentioned, but want to be, shoot us an email.
• Bisnow, a Washington, DC-based media venture, has launched Bisnow Chicago with local correspondent, Maureen Wilkey, providing real-time coverage and lively commentary on commercial real estate in Chicago. We’re amazed at the number of industry events occurring each day – and Maureen’s ability to make it to just about all of them.
• The Tribune just launched Rent or Buy, a residential real estate blog within its ChicagoNow.com network. Like its print parent, you can expect quality coverage, including Realtor-led tours of Chicagoland neighborhoods.
• The Real Corner looks like it’s on its way to becoming the go-to social networking site for commercial real estate folks. Membership is at 500 and growing. The site features everything from blogs and forums to news feeds and job postings.
• Chicago magazine’s Deal Estate columnist, Dennis Rodkin, has added a Twitter feed (@DealEstate) as an extension of his online column and monthly print section. Twitter also provides local real estate pros with a new way to send Dennis breaking news.
As these sites grow in popularity and new ones crop up, it’s one more reminder to get in on the conversation. Contribute to blogs; read what others are saying; create your own forum. Choose a medium that works for you (blog, Twitter, video, etc.) and make a commitment to stay connected. Ultimately, what you say and how you say it is up to you. The key is to make sure your message is getting out there.
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6 comments:
Well, Bisnow Chicago is a broken link at this writing, so can't assess that.
I've taken a detailed look at all of the posts on Rent or Buy. It's the work of a complete neophyte who knows next to nothing about Chicago neighborhoods and even less about real estate. Same writer who you mention for Bisnow Chicago.
Dennis Rodkin, on the other hand, is always a good read and is very knowledgeable. His Twitter feed, however, attracts fewer than 20% of the followers you'll find for YoChicago. Anyone with a serious interest in Chicago real estate should check out YoChicago.com and NewHomeNotebook.com. And yes, they're my sites so I'm totally biased.
To put things in perspective, Maureen Wilkey has been covering real estate in Chicago for roughly the same amount of time as YoChicago's senior writer. I think they both do a good job. Joe, I know you've been critical of Maureen's knowledge of city geography, but border discrepancies are nothing new to Chicago neighborhoods...as you acknowledge in the aforementioned senior writer's bio on your blog. http://yochicago.com/about/index.php. Anyway, the point was and still is, there is certainly room for more social media coverage of Chicago real estate, and the online community will ultimately decide what content they like and value.
Thanks, Monica and Peter, for the mention. Will reblog you on my next entry at ChicagoNow.
The link to Bisnow is here: http://www.bisnow.com/cities.php
The Bisnow link has been updated. Thanks for the link, Maureen.
Peter,
To say that two people have been doing the same thing for the same time adds no perspective at all.
My senior writer has a more serious approach to fact-checking, and he's subject to editorial oversight by me and my decades of experience with this topic.
As to boundary disputes, well, my senior writer can read a map. Lines on a map aren't subject to dispute.
Hello Monica,
The Real Corner is no longer active (your link http://www.realcorner.com/ is broken). Please review my blog, and consider using it as a substitute, the address is http://goldengroupcre.com/blog/. -Troy Golden, troy@goldengroupcre.com
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