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So Much to Blog About - help for Newbies - Localism tips

By
Real Estate Agent with Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers HRE# 58089 - RS

maui churchcostco mauimaui parks haikumaui pineapples for sale

There is just so much to blog about, I thought I might offer some suggestions for Newbies, or anyone for that matter.  If you want to connect with consumers (and who doesn't?) then you can post all sorts of things about your local area.  Put yourself in their shoes.... they are thinking of moving to your town.  They want to know about the schools and churches, the stores and restaurants, the hospitals, tha parks and all of those things.  Make it interesting and post stories about what's in your area, and you can become the local expert who they will call for more information.  And, a Localism post can earn you extra points if it becomes a featured post.

Some topics can be done as a series, or they could be a comprehensive list of all options.  Once you have a few posts on one neighborhood, you can link them back and forth to each other to tie them all in, and help the consumer learn more.

Here are some suggestions:

  • Real Estate offices - here's a chance to plug your own office 
  • banks, credit unions - where will they keep their hard earned money?
  • churches - post these to the Spiritual groups
  • schools - elementary, middle, high, college, tech, whatever - people want to know this stuff!
  • hospitals and clinics - seniors are especially interested in health care
  • furniture stores - a new house needs new furnishings
  • farmers markets, swap meets - what days are the best?
  • shops and stores - shopping centers, big box stores, boutiques - where do you go?
  • restaurants - who's got the best pizza?  where can you go late at night?
  • parks, beaches, public pools - this is the stuff that locals know best
  • golf courses, race tracks - gotta have some fun when you get there
  • spas, salons, nail shops - give recommendations of the ones you like best!
  • dry cleaners, laundromats - you must pass by some of these every day
  • vets, dog boarding, horse stables - people are concerned about their pets when they move - post to the pet lover groups
  • tradesmen - plumbers, electricians, tree trimmers, and carpet cleaners - new homeowners need this info
  • the price of gas - yes, they want to know this too - who's going to tell them?

You starting to get the picture?  The possibilities are endless, and I have some catching up to do too.  I took so many pictures today I could blog for a week or 2!  Grab your camera and take some pictures everywhere you go.  It might seem boring to you, but new homeowners find this stuff valuable. 

And here's a Localism tip - post your pictures there for points (no more points awarded for pictures). Then use them in your posts when you have the time.   BTW - Localism is an "appendage" of ActiveRain... in order to get your posts into Localism, you just post them here on ActiveRain....click the FOR CONSUMERS box and take it from there.

Good luck with your blogging!  Aloha from Maui.

Comments (56)

Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info
Mike - hahaha - that's the best part.... especially the ice cream shops!
Feb 17, 2008 06:37 AM
Donna Yates
BHGRE - Metro Brokers - Blue Ridge, GA
Blue Ridge Mountains
Excellent post with lots of great info to become the local area expert.  Great tips for putting a relo post together.
Feb 17, 2008 08:10 AM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info
Donna - and once you have a bunch of relo posts put together, hop over to the LOCAL EXPERT group and enter the relocation package contest!  Just read the rules and go for it!
Feb 17, 2008 08:26 AM
Marvin Thomas
Allegiance Mortgage Corparation - Fayetteville, NC
Georgina, great post.  Thanks for the info.
Feb 17, 2008 10:41 AM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info
Marvin - You're welcome!  I look forward to seeing some of your Localism posts.
Feb 17, 2008 12:02 PM
Carolyn Roland- In Delaware and S. Chester County PA
Independent architectural histor'n - Wilmington, DE
Carolyn Roland, GRI, CRS
Your info is very helpful, but I see my city has no info on Localism and although I was able to post pictures, I have been unsuccessful at using the city description I want to insert  because I don't know where and how to do it!
Feb 18, 2008 03:38 AM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info
Caroly - I hope I answered your question... read the comments on your blog.  Did you know you can also customize your profile? ... try adding some of your city description there and see how it looks.
Feb 18, 2008 08:10 AM
Carol Olsen
RealtyUSA - Oneonta, NY
Realtor- Oneonta NY Real Estate
Thank you for this post. You have given me some great ideas. I have started using Localism and Really love it. Send me some warm weather to upstate NY!!(ha)
Feb 23, 2008 01:08 PM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info
Carol - OK here I come with a bunch of hot air!  Spring is on the way isn't it?
Feb 23, 2008 07:40 PM
Martha Brown
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., Annapolis MD 21403 - Annapolis, MD
Your Homes Around Annapolis Agent

As a newbie to Active rain and one who has not posted to Localism I was just thinking about how to start. As I was sitting on the front porch with my dog (yes its nice in this part of Maryland today) I thought wow, I need to grab my camera and go exploring. I came back in and grabbed my laptop (was checking in on Active Rain) and here you were. Thanks Georgina. You were right here when I needed you.

It's a Good Life!

Martha 

Feb 24, 2008 12:45 AM
Kelsie Compton
Triangle Choice Realty, Inc. - Cary, NC
Cary NC Real Estate

Georgina - Thanks for the tips!  All are great suggestions!

Best Wishes,
Kelsie
www.TriangleChoiceRealty.com

Feb 24, 2008 02:47 AM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

Martha - I'll always be right here when you need me!  I've realized that if I just take a lot of pictures, sooner or later they will be useful... even pictures of the strangest things.  I like to use my own pictures, and not somebody else's.

Kelsie - And that's just a start.... there are plenty of other topics I didn't touch on.

Have fun blogging!

Feb 24, 2008 06:59 AM
Tina Farinas
Fusion Real Estate Network, Inc. - Roseville, CA
REALTOR, ABR, GRI, SFR, CHS, e-PRO

Georgina.

Should have read your post first before I posted my very first localism posting.  I will bookmark this for future reference.  Thanks

Feb 24, 2008 07:09 AM
Betsy Byersmith
ReMax Central Group - Sylvania, OH
Realtor, GRI, CRS Toledo, Ohio
I have found this post to be extremely helpful!! Thanks again Georgina for starting it and to everyone else for adding to it.
Feb 24, 2008 11:54 AM
Harley Ramsey
Keller Williams - Chatsworth, CA
Chatsworth, CA Real Estate
Hi Jim, Thanks for the helpful tips...."Put yourself in their shoes" is great advice!  When you're familiar with an area you tend to overlook what newcomers might find interesting.  At least, I know I do.  Cheers, Harley
Feb 24, 2008 01:53 PM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

Tina - It looks like you're off to a good start.  Keep it up, but don't get carried away!

Betsy - My pleasure.

Harley - Jim who?  I'll put myself in Jim's shoes.  haha

Feb 25, 2008 05:45 AM
Dustin R. Burke
Lakeland, FL
Georgina, thanks for all the great information.  I'm new and already addicted. 
Feb 26, 2008 01:55 PM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info
Hi Dustin - Welcome aboard, glad to be of help to you.
Feb 26, 2008 06:11 PM
Monica Bourgeau
Portland, OR
Business Coaching

According to ActiveRain, they are NO LONGER issuing points for photos on Localism.com

We are no longer giving out points for posting Localism photos.

Thank you
Nicole

Mar 11, 2008 04:23 AM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info
Kevin & Monica - that's news to me - I will double check on that and make a note
Mar 11, 2008 06:51 AM