How to add Spice to Localism? An Excellent Recipe (Realtor in Connecticut)
Localism: Speaking of specific target market--this is it. This is a repost from Jerry Newman's reblog. Let us put our face out there. Get these people around us know we exist; we are the real estate professionals who know the local market's trend, event and activities and the best ice cream in town.
How To Kick Up Your Localism Posts A Notch!
There are many different techniques to getting the consumer's attention. Some are pure real estate themed: Inventory posts, market reports, etc. Other posts take a more indirect route, advocating for your local area as a means of drawing consumers. They've got to have a reason to live in your area to buy a home there, right?
But many localism themed posts are (in our opinion) too vanilla. Joe Friday "just the facts" posts. Of course if you're covering an event, you do need to answer the basic questions:
- What
- When
- Where
- How big a chunk are you taking out of my wallet? Admission, parking, etc.
But we'd recommend kicking it up a notch and here's how:
First, we've got no beef with plain black text posts, but humans like eye candy. Add photos or at least a graphic or two. Something to spiff up your post. Now in a perfect world, you've been to the event in the past and have your own photos. But let's be realistic. We don't have enough time nor money to attend every event we post about, so what can you do? You've got several opportunities:
- a) Contact the event organizers or location hosts and ask for permission to use their website photos, logos, etc. (they almost ALWAYS agree, and just give them credit in your post) . Maybe they have a media section on their site with photos free to use? Maybe there's video on Youtube?
- b) Stock photos, clip art or free use photo sites (www.morguefile.com is our favorite) and find something that matches the theme. Just make sure you have the RIGHT to use the material. Adhere to copyright and permission requirements. Finding it on Google Images is NOT enough.
- c) A generic shot specific to the town of the event. E.g. Lebanon has a very distinctive city hall with a clock tower. We have a few shots that we regularly mix in to our Lebanon posts.
Second, put something of yourself in there. There are PLENTY of places that consumers can get the bare essentials of an event without ever going to your post. It's letting your personality through that is going to help grab their attention and hopefully get them to check out your blog or Facebook Fan Page a bit further.
Third, are there things that make the event/organization unique? 350,000 visitors expected for the weekend? 20 tons of sauerkraut served? 55 different beers on tap? All crafts are handmade by the sellers? Weiner dog races?? Look for the things that illustrate the flavor and appeal of the event and get them in there. WIIFM if you're the consumer. Give them a reason to WANT to attend!
Fourth, unless you want to be answering phone calls from teenage girls wanting to know if they can attend the event without a chaperon, or from someone wanting to know if they can bring their dog, CLEARLY indicate where to get more information. Phone numbers, emails, etc.
Lastly, we want business right? Make that clear! Because people don't read your signature block for some reason and think YOU are the event host! Which part of "RE/MAX", etc. did they NOT see? So we started adding a P.S. to every local themed post that includes a call to action! And when we can, we'll try to put some phrasing in that ties to the theme of the post.
We hope this helps you with your localism posts. They can be a great blogging tool, and when you get someone from out of area considering moving to your market, there's nothing like having an inventory of post links to send them to advocate why YOUR area is the best!
Keep on blogging!
Liz and Bill aka BLizP.S. The OTHER perk of doing localism posts? YOU get to know your area like never before, and make PLENTY of new contacts in your communities. You never know where the next lead will come from!
The Liz Spear Team
Elizabeth & William Spear
RE/MAX Elite: Ask for us by name if you visit the office!
Two locations: Lebanon & Mason, OH
Office direct: 513-248-3660 Liz direct: 513-265-3004
Bill direct: 513-520-5305 Fax: 866-302-8418MailTo: Liz@LizSpear.com Visit: http://www.LizTour.com
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