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Can Real Estate Blog Posts Go Viral?

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Dynamic Page Solutions

Well...yes, it's possible if we step outside what we traditionally think of as writing for the real estate industry. Writing or providing good content is the foundation of Internet visibility today. Nearly every SEO expert out there touts that quality content gets the link juice flowing and I absolutely agree.

But it is still difficult to judge what kind of content could go "viral" to get the coveted and hard-to-come-by organic links coming to your web or blog site(s). And let's face it, real estate is one of the most competitive markets out there, so how can we write something spectacular and informative and entertaining but remain on focus with real estate and realtor marketing?

I've seen a lot a lot flowery, expressive writing when describing an area or neighborhood, but this style is not likely to appeal to anyone other than those that have stumbled upon your website or post and are really interested in learning about the "gardenia scented breezes that greet you upon arrival of yada, yada, yada." It's not likely to be submitted to Digg or Reddit and may even cause the eyes of your viewers to glaze over.

So what kind of topics can get the attention of a broader audience? Try writing How To's or Top Ten lists. Web surfers have a mighty short attention span, so delivering information in small bites can help people quickly determine whether your content is providing any benefit.

Think about what captures your attention when scanning a blog site or even a homepage of a news aggregator. Typically, it's going to be a provocative headline. Your headline is the single most powerful way to intrigue and covert a casual glance to a click thru. Take some time to review what types of articles or posts make the first page of social media sites like ActiveRain, HubPages and Squidoo.

It's going to take some creativity to write something real estate related that will draw the interests of a wide audience, and it will certainly take many attempts before you hit a jackpot, but in the meanwhile you can refine your style. Efforts are not wasted even if they never go viral if you supply the search engines with a little tidbit of good content. In the development of a high ranking blog site...all ships rise with the tide.

Posted by

Anita Koppens

Anonymous
nancy deichman

Ok, now I'm gong to be up all night searching for great titles Thanks for your helpful suggestions.

Oct 22, 2009 02:20 PM
#7
Guy Thomas
WR Starkey Mortgage - Colorado Springs, CO

I am realy new to AR.  I can already see what you mean, though, as there are thousands of articles to choose from and so little time.  I would agree that the title is about the only chance you have to attract attention and hopefuly go viral.

Oct 22, 2009 03:03 PM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Anita - what a great post. Very focused and pointed with great content. Maybe this will be the post to go "viral?"  Congrats on your feature, you're off to a great start IMHO. Looking forward to more great posts and great content like this in the future. Thank you. :-)

Oct 22, 2009 03:43 PM
Chris Olsen
Olsen Ziegler Realty - Cleveland, OH
Broker Owner Cleveland Ohio Real Estate

Hi Anita -- You are so right as I as a consumer view things just the way you described.  The hard part is being inventive and creative enough to make it worth reading.

Oct 22, 2009 03:46 PM
Gabrielle Nemes
RE/MAX Realty South - Tumwater, WA
206.300.8421, S King & Pierce County RE Advocate

It's SO hard to write a captivating headline sometimes! Excellent point!

Oct 22, 2009 04:25 PM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

There's a lot of wisdom in this.  The headline is always the toughest for me though I know it's so important.

Oct 22, 2009 04:30 PM
Andrew Jones
Horizon Pacific Realty - Los Angeles, CA
LA Beach Cities Homes 310-399-3740

I think the key to viral success (not having had any myself,) is the hook... putting a unique, compelling, or funny twist on the message that makes it memorable and entertaining in it's own right. We're all on TV now and we need to become showfolk as well.

Oct 22, 2009 07:03 PM
MichelleCherie Carr Crowe .Just Call. 408-252-8900
Get Results Team...Just Call (408) 252-8900! . DRE #00901962 . Licensed to Sell since 1985 . Altas Realty - San Jose, CA
Family Helping Families Buy & Sell Homes 40+ Years

Thanks for reminding me of the basics - hook, headline, help.

Oct 22, 2009 07:59 PM
Jean Richer
Keller Williams Realty Inc. - Orléans, ON
Straight Talk on Real Estate

You are right, the headline will often determine if the blog will be read. I need to get better headlines!

Thank you,

Jean Richer
Ottawa, ON

Oct 22, 2009 11:49 PM
Harry F. D'Elia III
WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ
Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

Blogging is two parts to me. First, I think of what I want to write about and create the content. Second, create a title that matches the content. People are attracted to the titles. It works for me.

Oct 23, 2009 12:01 AM
Rich Cederberg
eXp Realty - Albuquerque, NM
eXp Realty Agent Albuquerque

A good title is like good curb appeal, you've got to get them in the house before they can buy it (read it).

Oct 23, 2009 01:55 AM
Dynamic Page Solutions
Dynamic Page Solutions - Mesa, AZ

Russ - Although we may have great points to share, it's important to think about the mindset of your reader, blog posts are often seen as a way to kill the time like scanning the headlines of the tabloids. Grab attention, make the point and let the reader move on.

Brian - While a great headlines is important, remember to deliver in your content. If you don't, people feel duped, like when you see a great preview for a movie, and then the actual movie doesn't live up to expectations. Thanks for dropping by.

Susanne - People love quick snippets of information, if you set the tone and people know what to expect from the time they allot for the read it can often be fulfilling.

Lane - I do love the double entendre, I have some I would really like to use in my marketing collateral at the NAR Convention in San Diego because it is an effective use of language to grab attention.

Oct 23, 2009 03:16 AM
Dynamic Page Solutions
Dynamic Page Solutions - Mesa, AZ

Nancy - When something good pops into your head, write it down even if you don't have the content idea for it. Many writers operate this way.

Guy - Yep, blogging is a very time-sensitive way to get your message out there. Here today, gone in two seconds.

Brad - Thank you for the compliments. I suppose this is my mini-version of viral, I am grateful for it.

Chris - Not every attempt is going to be a pearl. It's consistency in the attempts that can pay off.

Gabrielle - Remember that your efforts are truly not wasted even if your posts never get lots of views. If you're using links in your posts to your website, you will likely get some link juice. If you don't have a website or blog site that is your own...get one.

Christine - Try writing the headline first, before you have the content and pay attention to what grabs you when out and about or watching TV, surfing the net, etc. Develop your own versions of what you find interesting or captivating and stockpile the ideas for use at a later date.

Andrew - Marketing has changed tremendously with the domination of the Internet. Instead of a captive audience on the couch waiting for their show to come back on, we have an audience with a very short attention span and a finger on the mouse trigger. If an idea works, develop different versions. I personally like anything that makes me laugh but putting funny and real estate together can be a challenge.

Michelle - Those are indeed the basics, providing help with no strings attached is becoming the wave of the future in advertising, particularly on the net. It helps in the development of trust, I personally like this because I'm really not a "hey, look at me" kind of person but rather, "hey, what do you need?" type of individual.

Jean - I really have noticed, at least on ActiveRain, that the first couple of sentences are important as well since they are shown in the rolls along with the headline. You've got to deliver the goods and quickly.

Harry - Whatever works, writing for some, is monumentally difficult.

Rich - A very clever observation. I never thought of it that way, but indeed, you may have a phenomenal post with a ho-hum title and no one will ever know the quality of the content. People do judge by the cover.

Oct 23, 2009 04:09 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Anita,

Wonderful post.  Everything you have pointed out works.  Congratulations for giving such great information.

Wishing you continued success.  Alexandra

Oct 23, 2009 04:14 AM
Bill Fahy
Pacifica Mortgage - San Diego, CA

Great information on SEO! If you or anyone else would like a free ebook on how to write great headlines they can go to my site and request a copy through my Contact form. homeloansandiego

 

Cheers!

 

 

Oct 23, 2009 08:16 AM
Damon Gettier
Damon Gettier & Associates, REALTORS- Roanoke Va Short Sale Expert - Roanoke, VA
Broker/Owner ABRM, GRI, CDPE

This sounds like more home work for me!  I think that Blogging is important but it can be time consuming also.

Oct 23, 2009 11:00 AM
Patricia Aulson
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOME SERVICES Verani Realty NH Real Estate - Exeter, NH
Realtor - Portsmouth NH Homes-Hampton NH Homes

Good suggestions in this post....thank so much!

Patricia/Seacoast NH

Oct 23, 2009 01:27 PM
Cheryl Ritchie
RE/MAX Leading Edge www.GoldenResults.com - Huntingtown, MD
Southern Maryland 301-980-7566
I love the step by step tech instrcutions with photos and arrows on how to do something. They stop me anc catch my attention every time.
Oct 31, 2009 12:12 AM
Diane Rice
Rice Prprty Mgmnt & Rlty, LLC, South Holland, IL - Lansing, IL
SFR, SRES, CNC

I must confess.... i must be in the generation that has enough past info that hasn't got completed yet.... now to catch up with viral????  oops... age showing here!!!  LOL  Great post though, for the forward thinking!!!

Oct 31, 2009 04:26 AM
Don & Cyndi Shurts
Keller Williams Advisors Realty: Don & Cyndi Shurts - Beavercreek, OH
Your Dreams Are Our Priority!

I wish I could download all your good info and instructions into my brain and have it show up in my blogging.  I'll keep trying.  Thanks!

Dec 22, 2009 02:19 PM