I have recently hooked up with a local publication that mails their Journal to every house in the same town where I have my office....Colts Neck, NJ.  They mail to every mailbox in 07722.

Each month I will write about someone in town that is involved with the community in some fashion or another.  What the heck, People Magazine is still a best seller, right?

People like to read about people, they want to know who their neighbors are, what's going on around town.  Who better to provide this information than the local real estate agent that is out there meeting everyone anyway? Why not pick a local celebrity (or not), they can even be a legend in their own mind, thats okay too and write a biography about them.  It may not sell as well as Princess Diana's but the people in your marketplace will probably read it.

Submit the article along with a photo all through email of course.  Be sure to include your picture and a byline written by........Real Estate Agent, you can also visit his blog at http://www.ColtsNeckOpinion.com

The press release will drive more people to your blog to read about other people in town.  Get the people coming to you, get traffic on your blog and be better known in your marketplace, sounds like a winning formula to me.

My most recent submission is in my previous post.

Any ideas?

 
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61 Comments on Writing is not just for Blogs-Submit those articles to the Local Press

Timothy,

Great idea for getting our name out and learning about the personalities in our communities.

Ruth Jacobs

02/19/2007 05:37 PM by Ruth Jacobs - North Palm Beach Real Estate Specialist (Quantum One Realty)

Timothy,

I love this idea, what a great way to get people to know what is going on in the community.  May have to use is one!!!!


 

02/19/2007 06:18 PM by Midori Miller-Daytona Beach Florida Real Estate Trainer (CENTURY 21 Sundance Realty)

Several of my blogs worked the opposite way. I had had them published first. members should also send these blog links to clients where appropriate.

Good advice.

02/19/2007 06:27 PM by M & T Bank

Way to go! Good idea. I will try it and let you know what happens. Rick Irving

02/19/2007 08:33 PM by United Country Rick Irving Realty

Now this is one of those blogs that you ask hey why didn't I think of that!

02/21/2007 07:06 PM by Teri Isner GRI, CRS, CIPS (Keller Williams Celebration)

How do you get it to the Local Press?  I love this idea.  Thanks

Dave

03/07/2007 12:37 PM by Dave Cheatham (INC Financial )

Dave, you can email the paper a press release or mail it to them.  Find out who the editor is and put it to their attention.

03/07/2007 12:44 PM by Century 21 Showcase

Great idea.

 

03/08/2007 12:22 AM by Frank Rubi Louisiana Real Estate-Homes for Sale (Specialized Real Estate Services, Inc.)

Hi Timothy - What a great idea! Thanks for sharing. I'm going to look at some publications where I can implement this. Aloha!

03/08/2007 02:13 AM by June Mellor (Century 21 All Islands)

GREAT IDEA!! I figured it would be dificult to find a way to do that but hey guess what....I just went to google, typed in the name of my "local paper" and "press release" and there it was, instructions and all. According to the paper, they say it's easy to get your info in. 

Thanks for the advice.!!

Liz Landry

03/12/2007 05:48 PM by Liz Landry (The Landry Team-Keller Williams Realty)

I love that Idea my friend. I will look into that at my local office. Have a great day

Ben

03/14/2007 02:10 PM by Q Q (Q)

Once again I have been so impressed with the way that Active Rain members share information so unselfishly!

Thanks for your great advice!

Jeannene

03/14/2007 03:33 PM by Jeannene Edwards (Home Staging by Interiors Defined, Inc.)

Looks like another good idea has come down the pike. I also wonder about press releases to other publications.

03/14/2007 09:03 PM by Downtown Portland Real Estate Broker~Herb Hamilton (RE/MAX Preferred Inc. Realtors)

This is a great idea.  Thanks so much.  I will definitely be utilizing this.

03/17/2007 11:03 AM by Coeur d'Alene Real Estate - Come Live the Life Style - Christina Ethridge (David Swarat's North Idaho Dream Team (GMAC))

I have done this in our local newspaper. They love free articles that they don't have to pay for. I've had 2 articles published in the last year and very much appriciate the calls that come with them.

Todd

03/22/2007 05:37 PM by Todd Clark (Realtor), GRI (Washington Co, Beaverton Oregon) (Kastings & Associates, Beaverton Oregon Real Estate)

Todd:  Way to go!

03/22/2007 05:44 PM by Century 21 Showcase

For SEO and Internet marketing submit your articles to the articles sites talked about all over active rain

 

03/23/2007 12:37 PM by Rob Parker (Leaf Tech Web Inc.)

Timothy:  Nice post with useful information.  I'll have to steal, I mean borrow, I mean utilize your idea.  Thanks for sharing!

03/23/2007 01:08 PM by Peggy Edwards, ~REALTOR®~Citrus Park & Westchase, FL (Coldwell Banker)

Good article Tim.  I'm looking up my local newspapers now to see who I need to send my articles to.

03/23/2007 01:34 PM by Michael Hutchins - Consumer Advocate, Chicago (Michael Hutchins Ent.)

I've sent several blogs to the local papers, one has picked up and published three of them! I wrote about this in my blog.  Shhh, don't tell Scott Gormley.

03/23/2007 07:51 PM by Dena Stevens ~ Ecobroker ~So. Colorado Realtor (Colorado Western Real Estate)

GREAT idea...thanks so much for sharing.

Beth

03/24/2007 10:30 PM by Beth Patnode, MN Home Staging Firm, Minnesota (Minnesota Home Staging Network~ MN's Top Home Staging Firm)

Dena    Congrats on getting free press.  Thank you everyone for your nice comments, I am glad you can benefit from the idea. 

03/24/2007 10:42 PM by Century 21 Showcase

Tim thanks for the info, because of this info I was able to open a new blog under RocksRocket.com. I haven't been as diligent in getting things up there yet but I will be adding soon.

As far as free press now that the weather is nice I plan on getting out more often to meet the people and hopefully come across someone interesting and get a local newspaper to pick it up.

Keep posting, love reading your blogs.

 Rocksburg!

03/27/2007 02:10 PM by Gary J Rocks (Sussex County Real Estate)

What a great idea! I am also going to give it a try...Thanks1

03/27/2007 04:37 PM by Teri Eckholm, Realtor® Anoka County MN (Keller Williams Premier Realty)

Hi Timothy,

I enjoyed your neighborhood Blog.  Have you had alot of people participate in it?  Good stuff!  Thanks for sharing.

03/27/2007 08:21 PM by Pascack Valley Real Estate>> Lisa and Robert Hammerstein (Coldwell Banker)

Lisa:  No, I am not getting people to comment and participate, I have to evaluate whether it is worth the effort but thank you for the comment:)

Teri:  Let me know how you do with it

Gary:  Thanks for reading

04/03/2007 11:43 AM by Century 21 Showcase

Tim, Thanks for the information. Sarah Cooper, in a comment on one of my articles, said she sends her articles out in the newsletters she delivers with the local market activity. Using it in that format as well as with the local neighborhood newspapers gives us a much larger reach. I'll start looking for those editors tomorrow. I have just the story.....

04/04/2007 09:33 PM by Jennifer Steck- Denver Real Estate (Rocky Mountain Homescapes, Keller Williams, Denver Colorado)

Jennifer, I sense a story brewing.  Whatch ya got?

04/04/2007 09:35 PM by Century 21 Showcase

Great idea Tim, I'm glad I came across this blog this evening!


04/04/2007 10:17 PM by Rick Turner (RE/MAX Executives)

Tim, I'm thinking "Does the House Pass the Bark Test?" It's on my blog. People melt when you talk about pets. Rightfully so.

04/04/2007 10:23 PM by Jennifer Steck- Denver Real Estate (Rocky Mountain Homescapes, Keller Williams, Denver Colorado)

Timothy,

Outstanding idea!  Comes under the idea catagory of the Strong yet Simple. So easy that most folks will thinks its a great idea AND NEVER DO IT.

That's why I don't mind sharing my ideaS, because I know most folks will never use them!

Tom Snclair

About the House - Home Inspectors

Fairhope, Alabama

(251) 990-3169

www.InspectTestAnalyze.com

 

04/09/2007 10:19 AM by Tom Sinclair : About the House - Home Inspections (About the House - Home Inspections)

Rick:  Go Bucks!

Jennifer:  Excellent story, you are right about the pets.

Tom:  You are right, I shared some stuff that I bet did not get implemented yet some people are looking for the next 'best thing".   It reminds me of the story by Earl Nightingale called "Acres of Diamonds" where everything we need is right in front of us.  Thanks for your comment.

04/11/2007 05:22 AM by Century 21 Showcase

Tim:

I routinely submit my articles to the local media.  I am now a source for them when they need quotes regarding anything happening in the mortgage industry.

It works great because I can then use those articles in future marketing efforts.  Remember, if you read it in the paper, it must be true, right?...

04/13/2007 01:18 PM by Steven Shewell, The Mortgage Maverick (Primary Residential Mortgage, Inc.)

Steven:  Thats's great. How did you get to be a source? 

04/13/2007 03:55 PM by Century 21 Showcase

What a great idea. You have my idea juces flowing.

I know someone who managed to get themselves appointed as a local food critic, which gives them good exposure.

There are a lot of great ways to keep our name in front of others.

Thank you for sharing this one.

04/13/2007 05:05 PM by Robert Mayo - CAI, AARE, ATS, CAGA (Mayo Auction & Realty - Your Kansas City Auctioneer)

Tim:
Every day, and I do mean every day; I am finding some new idea to use from my fellow agents on ActiveRain.  Thank you.

04/13/2007 05:22 PM by Bob Force (REALTOR®) Silver Spring Md. (Weichert Realtors® - Aspen Hill/Leisure World)

Robert(S) Glad I can help.  See ya in the Rain.

04/15/2007 06:07 PM by Century 21 Showcase

Timothy, this is a great idea. I started already today by submitting an article to localism. You've given me more ideas. Thanks.

 

04/16/2007 07:54 AM by Leon Austin, Colorado Notary Signing Agent (Austin Mobile Notary Services)

That had not occurred to me. Thank you ~ GREAT idea!

04/19/2007 12:01 PM by Mary Pope-Handy, ABR, CRS, ePRO, SRES (Keller Williams Realty)

Hey Tim

What a great idea...I have sent press releases in the past but nothing ever came of them. I love your video as well

SOOOO, when are we going to get to work together??

Phyllis Pafumi    

04/19/2007 08:58 PM by Phyllis Pafumi-ReStyled to Sell Staging Homes NJ (ReStyled to Sell Home Staging New Jersey)

Phyliss, thanks for visiting....hopefully soon.  Keep sending out those Press Releases.

04/19/2007 10:29 PM by Century 21 Showcase

You are absolutely right. Now that I have shaprened my writing skills I must do more PR.

04/20/2007 03:52 PM by Tina Maraj Shah Fullerton Realtor (RE/MAX North Orange County)

Great Idea, thank you for the tip!

05/02/2007 11:57 PM by David L. Britt, MBA (The Heritage Real Estate Team)

Tina;  PR is important

David: Thanks, I hope you find the post useful

05/03/2007 06:41 AM by Century 21 Showcase

Timothy,

What a wonderful idea!  You post has me thinking now... how about posting on Associated Press, too?  It's free to sign up there and submit your articles.  Might be kind of nice to get something picked up across the country!

Thanks again for sharing,

Shai         

05/05/2007 07:56 AM by PREVA FL PREVA FL (PREVA FL)

Shai:  Does Associated Press have a blog or just a place to submit press releases?

 

 

05/05/2007 10:48 AM by Century 21 Showcase

GREAT perspective..

Thanks!  I will do it.

1-877-MattLocke (628-8562)

www.GeorgiaHomeInsurance.com

05/08/2007 10:48 PM by Matt Locke (Allstate Insurance)

I have been writing a real estate column in our local paper for the past year. I was so excited when the editor asked what I wanted to call it. I felt like Carrie off Sex and the City. When people see me on the street they say to me "Aren't you that girl who writes in the paper"  How cool is that.

12/22/2007 02:13 PM by Shelley Simpson Royal LePage Trenton, ONTARIO

Timothy, this is a fantastic idea that I've thought about and will implement going forward in the new year.  Thanks for this post.

12/23/2007 05:37 AM by Brian Block -- Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate (RE/MAX Allegiance)

Hey Tim, Great idea!! I love the FREE advertsising venues..

 

 

12/31/2007 07:55 AM by The Joel Schmidt Team The Fastest growing Team in Livingston (The Michigan Group)

This is such a great idea, thanks so much for sharing!

01/26/2008 08:35 PM by Mary-lynn Banfield (First Impressions Real Estate Inc.)

Good point. I think I might try that.

01/26/2008 10:32 PM by Matthew Zgonc, REALTOR® for Modesto, CA (ERA Village One Real Estate)

Why didn't I think of that?

Thank you, Tim!

 

01/27/2008 02:18 AM by Mirela Monte, Your Myrtle Beach Connection

Tim- why don't you write about Andrew J. Lenza, ABR GRI MBA he lives in Colts Neck, NJ

01/27/2008 04:36 AM by Mark Horan P.A. "The Resident Chef" at Keller Williams (The Resident Team at Keller Williams At-The-Lakes)

Mark:  I know Andrew personally.  He is a great guy.  What do you suggest I write?

01/27/2008 08:17 AM by Century 21 Showcase

Great idea.  Thanks for the tips on this post.  

01/27/2008 10:15 AM by Steve Ramirez (Legacy Homes Realty)

I think I left a comment here already. But I've been bugging my broker to blog and BAMM! About her 4th post she sent to the Pueblo Cheftain. They are going to publish it. Search of Donna Phillips and Rotten neighbors.

01/28/2008 11:03 AM by Dena Stevens ~ Ecobroker ~So. Colorado Realtor (Colorado Western Real Estate)

Steve:  You are most welcome. 

Dena:  Good job!  You can not beat the price of a free press release.

01/30/2008 06:19 AM by Century 21 Showcase

Smart idea.  A great way to drive people to your site.  The more advertising you do the better off you are.

01/30/2008 06:21 AM by Russ Ravary - Michigan Homes for sale - Michigan Real estate & Mortgage info (Remerica Hometown One)

Thanks for the idea... my newspaper has been looking for stuff... appreciate it...thanks

02/24/2008 07:14 AM by AnnieHart Cool

Tim- You've heard it before and I agree. What a great idea! Thanks for sharing

02/24/2008 08:01 AM by Martha Brown Annapolis and Anne Arundel County RE (Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.)

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Real Estate Brokerage: Century 21 Showcase
Timothy Schwartz ThinkOfTim.com
Colts Neck, NJ
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