Peter Bubel+ by | Oct 26, 2017 | Peter Bubel
Personal blogging has taken off tremendously in the last five to ten years. People are finding all sorts of reasons to blog and to let their individual voices, writing styles, and areas of expertise be heard. As a platform for self-expression, blogging can empower people to fulfill a whole host of objectives.
Self-Expression
People are blogging simply to let their voices be heard. Whether they enjoy discussing political happenings, current events, pop culture, music, cooking, or anything else under the sun, blogging provides an opportunity to put opinions and feedback into the world. Not only might authors be validated by positive feedback from like-minded individuals, but presented with opportunities to be challenged by people with different perspectives. The exchange and dialogue can serve as a stimulating alternative to other, less involved leisure activities.
Inspiration
Some bloggers are writing to inspire others to support a particular cause. Do you have a lot to say about October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month because you know someone who fought against it and won? A blog is the perfect place to share that story with the world. You never know who might read your message and be touched to their core.
Expertise
Sharing a particular wealth of experience or knowledge by blogging provides a venue for people to solicit advice. By sharing your gifts with the rest of the world, everyone benefits. If your blog ends up being wildly popular, there may even be a chance to monetize a service or product so that people can buy from you directly.
Marketing
Blogging is a perfect way to advertise a new business. Building writing into your routine as an entrepreneur gives people a taste of your personal voice and allows them to more intimately connect with your brand, which increases sales potential. Exposure to different audiences is everything.
Other Benefits
Improving writing style, networking with other professionals, and building an individual portfolio are all potential benefits to the blogging game. By picking a topic that you are personally invested in, you afford yourself the luxury of being able to discuss something with the public that you feel passionately about. As you write more, your style will develop and people will begin to notice you. Other advocates for your activity, cause, or business will begin to reach out and connect with you.
Truly, blogging offers a host of benefits. From self-expression to inspiration to expertise to marketing and then some, your blog is sure to afford you opportunities that you barely even fathomed.
Peter Bubel+ by | Oct 25, 2017 | Blog, Property Management
Originally published on Peter Bubel’s LinkedIn page.
Marketing is a vital part of any business. There are many business owners who struggle to market to new clients. In the property management field, finding new clients is a difficult process. Many real estate owners do not see the value in using property management services. Instead, they would rather save money and do the work themselves.
However, experienced real estate professionals understand the value of investing in property management. With all of the changes that are taking place in the industry, now is a great time to invest in this area. Getting this message to clients is vital to the growth of many companies in the industry. Using social media to gain new clients is not easy, but it is an effective tool for business growth. Here are some tips on how to use social media effectively.
Know Your Target Market
One of the most important aspects of marketing is knowing your target market. With all of the changes that are taking place today in the real estate industry, many new investors are starting to buy homes. New investors do not have the experience needed to have success as a landlord. This is a great opportunity for property management companies to come in and offer their services.
Once a company understands the target market, they can adjust their social media strategy in a variety of ways. Social media is an effective tool for bringing in new clients. However, companies must be willing to work hard in order to bring in new clients through this option.
Offer Incentives
One of the best ways to grow your social media following is to offer incentives. This is a great way to gain new followers or to engage the people who follow you currently. One of the best examples of this is giving away a free month of property management services if clients sign up today with your company. This creates a sense of urgency in clients to act quickly.
Over time, building up a social media following is possible within the industry. With all of the interest in investing in real estate, now is a great time to work in the property management business. Many people are excited about what the future of the industry holds for workers and business owners. Using social media is one of the best ways that you can take your business to the next level and gain market share from competitors.
Peter Bubel+ by | Oct 2, 2017 | Blog, Pennsylvania, Peter Bubel, Property, Property Management
Artificial intelligence has risen from science fiction to become the buzzword of the decade. It seems to be disrupting every industry. For property managers, artificial intelligence can be a boon for those who know how to harness it. Ignoring it’s potential guarantees a bust.
As the number of renters continues to skyrocket, investment in the market follows suit. Artificial Intelligence offers property managers an invaluable edge in this dynamic marketplace. New apps utilizing AI, such as ZenPlace and Appfolio, leverage the technology to identify inefficiencies and minimize unexpected expenses. With AI, keeping track of maintenance and renewals is as easy as setting an alarm on your phone.
The future potential of artificial intelligence is even greater. While the industry remains rooted to a foundation of human relationships, most basic functions can become automated. Imagine the savings, of money and energy, if most of your customer service could be completed by a chat robot. Or, if all of your regular maintenance activities scheduled themselves?
When you get down into the details, it seems that every function of property management could be improved through the use of artificial intelligence. But, what exactly is it? This is hard to pin down and still up for debate. However, at it’s most basic, artificial intelligence is just a computer that takes in some information about the environment and tries to make the best decision possible. This broad definition translates into some powerful applications toward almost any task.
The same technology that Facebook and Google are creating headlines with can bring property managers to the forefront of their industries, too. It doesn’t take much technical skill either. There are plenty of companies competing to give property managers the power of artificial intelligence. These include the same companies that have been serving the industry for years, like Yardi, MRI, and RealPage. Taking advantage of the power of AI has never been easier.
It seems clear from how industry leaders are investing in the technology, artificial intelligence is here to stay. Ignoring this technology is ignoring a powerful tool to streamline business and increase profit margins. As this technology spreads it even becomes cheaper. There are applications for property managers with several units to those with thousands. Opportunities abound in every sector.
This is a defining moment for property managers. Those who adapt and innovate with artificial intelligence are at the precipice of a boon. The potential for profit is overwhelming.
Peter Bubel+ by | Sep 4, 2017 | Blog, Peter Bubel, Property, Property Management, Real Estate
Appfolio: Property Manager
Appfolio is a company providing software solutions to property managers and members of the legal industry. Its blog, run by the former property management blog PropertyManager.com, offers advice on everything from creating a team to knowing the law. Subscribe to this blog for a wide variety of informational articles. Or, even though it’s no longer being updated, trawl through the back catalogue of PropertyManager.com, where you can find all sorts of other great links.
Let’s Talk Property Management
Let’s Talk Property Management isn’t just a property management blog. It’s also a place where you can connect with other property managers, ask questions of the experts, and share your own experiences. The blog (located on the site under the button marked “Learn”) has great advice for renters and landlords alike, written by both contributors and blog staff. Start from most recent, or sort the results by viewership, likes, comments, or verification.
First Light Property Management
This isn’t the most user friendly blog I’ve seen. Google searches don’t always turn it up (if you’re having trouble, you can find it at http://firstlightpropertymanagement.com/blog/) and the site itself has a lot of white space that you have to scroll through. But with some poking, you can find articles on anything you could want to know about property management–from how to move when you have kids or pets, and how to save money on your property taxes. For best results, scroll down to the categories list to narrow down your search.
BiggerPockets
Like Let’s Talk Property Management, BiggerPockets is a social network, not just a blog. You can create an account to network with other property managers, seek out advice or experiences, or share your own. Even without a login, you can explore the forums, or read the blog, which offers general money-saving advice as well as property management tips. No time to read? BiggerPockets also has a podcast, so you can enjoy it working out or on your commute.
Property Management Insider
It’s easy to fall into a black hole on this site, which is packed full of blogs, slideshows, and other resources. The blog covers everything you care about, from the market to the impact of the millennial generation, and some things you didn’t know you cared about, like paint technology. In addition to property management, there are also blogs in the categories of Revenue Management, Expense Management, MPF Research, and Apartment Marketing
Peter Bubel+ by | Aug 14, 2017 | Blog, PA, Pennsylvania, Peter Bubel, Reading, Sports, Travel
Reading, Pennsylvania (pronounced with a short E, for non-locals) is a destination for cyclists, pretzel lovers, and visitors to the Reading Pagoda. But it’s also a good town for sports fans. The two biggest teams in town are the Fightin’ Phils, a minor league baseball team, and the Reading Royals, a professional hockey team.
Fightin’ Phils
The Fightin’ Phils were established in 1967 in Reading under the team name Reading Phillies. They retained this team name until 2012, at which point they officially adopted the team name Fightin’ Phils.
The Fightin’ Phils hold four league titles (from 1968, 1973, 1995, 2001) and four division titles (from 1995, 2000, 2015, and 2016.) Their current manager is Greg Legg and their general manager is Scott Hunsicker. In 2007, the stadium saw its ten-millionth fan arrive for a game.
The Fightin’ Phils are not represented by one clear mascot. Their logo features either a P with a fist coming out of it or an ostrich with its wings held in fists. However, on the field they are represented by the Fightin’ Phils band, which is comprised of Screwball, a baseball-headed creature that plays the drums, Change-Up the Turtle, who plays the bongos, Blooper the Hound Dog, who formerly played tambourine but has since taken up the guitar, Quack the Duck, the singer, and Bucky the Beaver, who plays the electric bass.
Royals
The Reading Royals began in 1991 in Columbus, Ohio, under the team name Columbus Chill under the leadership of president David Paitson and coach Terry Ruskowski, formerly of the Chicago Black Hawks, Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Minnesota North Stars. Before moving out Reading, they paved the way for professional hockey in Columbus, which now hosts the NHL team the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Well-known former players for the Royals include Yataka Fukufuji, ryan Finn, James Reimer, and George Parros. The Royals have held a past rivalry with the former Johnstown Chiefs (currently the Greenville Swamp Rabbits), the Elmira Jackals, and the Trenton Titans. Currently and are currently rivals with the Penguins-affiliated Wheeling Nailers.
The Royals made it into the 2017 playoffs, but were eliminated in the first round. The team was destabilized going into the playoffs, due to the unexpected firing of head coach Courville the day before qualifying.
The Royals are represented by a roaring lion in the team colors of purple, silver, and black.
