Ten Tips to Spice Up Your Real Estate Blog
Quite frequently I come across people who think there just isn't enough to say to warrant having a blog. Not true. Yes, you are somewhat confined to talk about real estate, since that's what your blog is about. But you don't have to do the same old market reports day after day! Below is a list of 10 things you can (and should) write about to spice up your blog, along with links to examples.
1. Hit the Local Hot Spots
I am sure that, no matter where you live, there is something beautiful or interesting to see or do. Teresa Boardman, for example, has a peaceful lake nearby. This post is not really about real estate, but it does talk about the area she sells in, and promotes the area by showing off it's finer points. Buyers want to live in nice areas, so you have to show them how nice your area is!
2. Review a Restaurant
You know that place that you always seem to have a craving for? I have a few of those places presently, but we'll not get into that! But if I had a real estate blog, you can bet I'd be sharing my opinions of my favorite eateries. If you tell the owners of the establishment what you're up to, they'll probably pose for pics and maybe even throw you a freebie appetizer! Check out Ines' favorite Mexican restaurant in Miami.
3. Show Your Lighter Side
I know, you feel like you should always be professional and conservative to avoid giving off the wrong impression, right? Wrong. This is 2008, and buyers and sellers don't expect their real estate agent to be uptight and humorless. I personally have had the pleasure of meeting a billion real estate agents, and I find that the ones not afraid to show off their personality are more appealing. Which is precisely why I like this post from Kristal Kraft. She saw a funny photo op and took advantage, and I thought it was cute.
4. Tempt Them With Tips
Here's a nifty post from Roberta Murphy with tips on how to Feng Shui your house. You may not be into Feng Shui, or whatever the latest house-harmony trend is, but your readers might be. And, you'll learn something new and different in doing the research for such a post. A tip for you: readers love tips and lists, so anytime the opportunity arises, seize it!
5. Helpful Reminders
Everybody needs to be reminded of common sense now and again, and it's always a good idea to blog on a topic that hits close to home. In Phoenix I would imagine that pool safety is always an issue, as it is in South Florida. Jay Thompson reminds us all to be careful near the pool, and I think that's excellent advice.
6. Investigate a Product
You're a real estate agent, so you see all sorts of things in houses that the rest of us only see on HGTV. And the best source for this info is the homeowner, with whom you happen to be buddy-buddy. So take a cue from Jack Blacksmith and get floored.
7. Make Some Plans
One important thing that I always consider when moving is what types of activities are going on all year. I have several dogs, a husband, and a baby that need to be entertained, and it always makes me very happy to have options of things to do. I don't think I've ever seen a more complete list than this one, so kudos to Betty Jung!
8. Pat Yourself on the Back
...or pat your town on the back. Either will be sufficient. The thing is, you pay attention to accolades that your town receives, but the rest of the world probably doesn't. The same goes for you receiving an award. You should be proud and give credit where it's due. And you can do it tastefully, like the Boston Real Estate Blog did.
9. Write a How-To
There are plenty of things buyers and sellers need to know before plunging headfirst into the current real estate market. And you, conveniently, are the local expert. So write a little how-to on something that you think is important, like staging. Here's a how-to on staging from Jerry LaRose that is short, sweet, and easy to digest. If you want, you can even do several how-to's and make them a series. Readers love posts that come in series.
10. Publicize Your Social Calendar
As a real estate agent, and as a blogger. you probably have speaking engagements or training seminars that you're part of from time to time. Whether you'll be doing the speaking, or just attending, you should let your readers know where to find you. Buyers and sellers like to know that their agent is "in the know", and by telling them you attend conferences such as NAR and Inman, you look like you're "in the know". Kris Berg is going to be speaking at Inman, and she should be proud.
Well, there are 10 tips for you. Now you can shake up your blog and get creative. Don't forget that you're not just limited to these topics. You can cover a variety of subjects on your blog, and it doesn't always have to be about real estate. Your readers know you're a person, so don't be afraid to act like one!
1. Hit the Local Hot Spots
I am sure that, no matter where you live, there is something beautiful or interesting to see or do. Teresa Boardman, for example, has a peaceful lake nearby. This post is not really about real estate, but it does talk about the area she sells in, and promotes the area by showing off it's finer points. Buyers want to live in nice areas, so you have to show them how nice your area is!
2. Review a Restaurant
You know that place that you always seem to have a craving for? I have a few of those places presently, but we'll not get into that! But if I had a real estate blog, you can bet I'd be sharing my opinions of my favorite eateries. If you tell the owners of the establishment what you're up to, they'll probably pose for pics and maybe even throw you a freebie appetizer! Check out Ines' favorite Mexican restaurant in Miami.
3. Show Your Lighter Side
I know, you feel like you should always be professional and conservative to avoid giving off the wrong impression, right? Wrong. This is 2008, and buyers and sellers don't expect their real estate agent to be uptight and humorless. I personally have had the pleasure of meeting a billion real estate agents, and I find that the ones not afraid to show off their personality are more appealing. Which is precisely why I like this post from Kristal Kraft. She saw a funny photo op and took advantage, and I thought it was cute.
4. Tempt Them With Tips
Here's a nifty post from Roberta Murphy with tips on how to Feng Shui your house. You may not be into Feng Shui, or whatever the latest house-harmony trend is, but your readers might be. And, you'll learn something new and different in doing the research for such a post. A tip for you: readers love tips and lists, so anytime the opportunity arises, seize it!
5. Helpful Reminders
Everybody needs to be reminded of common sense now and again, and it's always a good idea to blog on a topic that hits close to home. In Phoenix I would imagine that pool safety is always an issue, as it is in South Florida. Jay Thompson reminds us all to be careful near the pool, and I think that's excellent advice.
6. Investigate a Product
You're a real estate agent, so you see all sorts of things in houses that the rest of us only see on HGTV. And the best source for this info is the homeowner, with whom you happen to be buddy-buddy. So take a cue from Jack Blacksmith and get floored.
7. Make Some Plans
One important thing that I always consider when moving is what types of activities are going on all year. I have several dogs, a husband, and a baby that need to be entertained, and it always makes me very happy to have options of things to do. I don't think I've ever seen a more complete list than this one, so kudos to Betty Jung!
8. Pat Yourself on the Back
...or pat your town on the back. Either will be sufficient. The thing is, you pay attention to accolades that your town receives, but the rest of the world probably doesn't. The same goes for you receiving an award. You should be proud and give credit where it's due. And you can do it tastefully, like the Boston Real Estate Blog did.
9. Write a How-To
There are plenty of things buyers and sellers need to know before plunging headfirst into the current real estate market. And you, conveniently, are the local expert. So write a little how-to on something that you think is important, like staging. Here's a how-to on staging from Jerry LaRose that is short, sweet, and easy to digest. If you want, you can even do several how-to's and make them a series. Readers love posts that come in series.
10. Publicize Your Social Calendar
As a real estate agent, and as a blogger. you probably have speaking engagements or training seminars that you're part of from time to time. Whether you'll be doing the speaking, or just attending, you should let your readers know where to find you. Buyers and sellers like to know that their agent is "in the know", and by telling them you attend conferences such as NAR and Inman, you look like you're "in the know". Kris Berg is going to be speaking at Inman, and she should be proud.
Well, there are 10 tips for you. Now you can shake up your blog and get creative. Don't forget that you're not just limited to these topics. You can cover a variety of subjects on your blog, and it doesn't always have to be about real estate. Your readers know you're a person, so don't be afraid to act like one!
Labels: Blogging Ideas, Real Estate Blog
posted by Cassandra at
3:52 PM
3 Comments:
Nice place you have here Erin! Thanks for the linkage!
Trying to subscribe via RSS, but I don't see it.....
Thanks for the nice comment and link. I appreciate very much you taking the time and will check back on your blog as well. Thanks again!
Jay - It's in the sidebar where it says Subscribe to Post. We are working on a redesign, so it will be more visible soon.
Betty - You're welcome, and thanks for stopping by!
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