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Explaining blogging - blog topics

By
Real Estate Agent with Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International

This afternoon Tami and I met with the owners of a downtown St Petersburg condo in Bayfront Towers and were talking about internet marketing strategies. They knew what blogging was, in general terms, but didn't understand how that would relate to marketing a property. I was explaining that it's not the same as just saying you have a 3 bedroom condo priced at x, etc - it's about finding points to blog about.

For example, I'd blog about the raised platform in their master bedroom, in the bay window, where they have two comfortable chairs looking out at a magnificent water view - and would tie that in to watching the planes come and go from Albert Whitted Airport, and how that might attract pilots and business executives needing a convenient airport. That led to talks about individuals who had purchased there - how they found it, and why they bought.

Then they told me about a feature even I didn't know about - each floor of the highrise condo has a bicycle room, with a door leading to the back of the freight elevator. So - not only do owners have a place to store their bicycles other than in their storage room, the parking levels or their condo unit, but all they have to do is press the call button, go down the elevator, and bike out into the streets - then reverse the process when they return.

They quickly realized that it's all about letting people know the value of the amenities - what's the benefit to them, how does it affect their lifestyle. We had such a great conversation and so many blog topic leads that I'll be getting back together with them just to write down all the blog possibilities.

They had one fantastic blog idea - and perfect photo op - regarding the library in the building ... but that's a surprise for a future blog.

Let your imagination run with blog ideas to market a property through its benefits.

In the meantime, Bayfront Tower is a perfect condo for

  • Pilots and flyers
  • Bicycle riders

If you want more information about condos for sale in Bayfront Tower, contact The Simms Team at RE/MAX Metro.

Posted by

Sharon Simms
CIPS CRS CLHMS CRB RSPS
Coastal Properties Group
CHRISTIE'S International Real Estate
238 Beach Drive NE
St Petersburg, FL 33701
www.ssimms.com    www.coastalpgi.com   www.christiesrealestate.com
(727) 898-2582    Sharon@SimmsTeam.com

 

Comments (11)

Debbie DiFonzo
Debbie DiFonzo - United Country VIP Realty, SW Missouri - Lebanon, MO
Lebanon MO and Buffalo Missouri Real Estate

Great reminder Sharon. I went on a listing presentation yesterday and never mentioned blogging. I must remember to add this to my line up.

Jun 27, 2008 01:55 PM
Aloysius Donohue
Keller Williams Realty - Ridgewood, NJ
Ridgewood Real Estate

Sharon - Great post!  I am going to add a slide or two about blogging to my PowerPoint listing presentation.  Up until now, I've thought of blogging as a way to inform prospects of what is going on, and a way to position myself as an expert in my area and a way to generate buyer leads.  But I've never used it as a listing tool.  What a great idea.

Thanks for the excellent tips.

-Al

Jun 27, 2008 02:31 PM
Kristal Kraft
Novella Real Estate - Denver, CO
Selling Metro Denver Real Estate - 303-589-2022

Bicycle riders will also hear the call of "cyclists, bike, biking, cycling."  Hopefully these trusty keywords will attract your next owner! 

Good Luck with it!

kk

Jun 27, 2008 02:33 PM
Sharon Simms
Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International - Saint Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS

Debbie - yes, do mention blogging. Everyone has websites and everyone puts listings on the internet.

Al - hope it gets you more listings.

Kristal - great ideas for keywords. Thanks for suggestions from the expert!

Jun 27, 2008 03:00 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Sharon - just another great example of how we can use blogging to benefit our clients. I wrote a blog of about 8 posts on a recent listing - one post was just about the special features that made the home stand out, complete with a slide show of those features. Pictures tell the story best, don't they? The other advatnage of bloggings about our listings is they show up on Google, and buyers do Google listing addresses.

Jeff

Jun 27, 2008 05:41 PM
Neal Bloom
Brokered by eXp Realty LLC - Weston, FL
Realtor CRS-Weston FL Real Estate

Sharon,

That's what I try to relate to the people interested...you have to justify the cost of high maintenance fees by showing them the value of all the amenities that are included versus none with lower costs.

You might get more things and have high fees but if you were to pay for those fees separately they might end up being more...it's all about what you want in a building or a community to fit your needs.

Jun 28, 2008 01:20 AM
LaShawn Norden
Keller Williams Heritage Realty - Longwood, FL
REALTOR, (321) 377-0157, Your Real Estate Advocate in Central FL

Sharon~ With so many homes on the market, it's so true...sell the features, but connect them to a benefit or lifestyle choice and you're one step closer to a sale! Great reminder for all of us to include Blogging as part of our listing presentations.

Jun 28, 2008 02:44 AM
Steve Scheer
Realty Oasis - Metro Brokers - Highlands Ranch, CO
Highlands Ranch Real Estate - Denver Real Estate

Sharon - It is great that it clicked for your clients and they understand the value of the services that you can provide through blogging.  Not everyone gets it.

Jun 28, 2008 03:39 AM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Sharon, the bicycle room would surely get my attention!  Your approach would have really impressed me if I were a seller (or buyer) in that building.

Jun 28, 2008 03:47 AM
Bill Gassett
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Hopkinton, MA
Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate

Sharon the bottom line is that when writing a blog for marketing a home you should be concentrating on your keywords. This will make the post that much more likely to be found by consumers :)

Jun 28, 2008 05:42 AM
Sharon Simms
Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International - Saint Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS

Jeff - it's all about finding creative ways to sell the benefits of our listings.

Neal - I often use that philosophy when justifying condo fees at all - comparing them to what the homeowner is paying separately.

LaShawn - we really are selling lifestyle rather than bricks and mortar.

Steve - it's so much fun when we can watch an AHA moment.

Patricia - You're convincing me that I need to target more cyclists.

Bill -- that's exactly what I was trying to explain, but you did it much more succinctly.

Jun 28, 2008 06:25 AM