I've discovered blogging is a strange and funny thing.  But I do love it!

When I think about blogging it reminds me how I got into this medium of sharing my thoughts and ideas.  The blogging bug bit me when I created a family website for my upcoming wedding 3 years ago to get my family interested in all the fun things we were doing in preparation for the big day.  I forgot about how addicting it soon became.  My brother in law was the most addicted of us all and yes, our fascination continues with other sites that we all still frequent.   Fast forward and here I am today blogging on AR with all of you.

Many times, like you, I come across blog titles or blogs that are the same, or you see similar topics with different spinstaken and then you come across a blog that is both unique in its title and content.  Sometimes, it feels that we may run out of new material and there will be nothing left to blog about.  Nah!

So, being curious by nature, I'm just going to ask you - where do you come up with the topics for your blog?

For those of you who arenew to blogging or just fresh out of ideas, perhaps you will consider these tips:

Sometimes your next blog topic is where you least expect it. 

1.  Newspaper - Go through the local newspaper (hardcopy or online version.)   Write a new blog article telling your readers about a news item you read in the paper.  Look for articles that are real estate related, or, find a way a put a real estate spin on an otherwise unrelated article. Do a search for "real estate" on Google News, and look for blogging ideas.

2.  MLS Statistics and Updates- Each month gather data from whatever MLS you're linked up with, and publish statistics from the previous month. Show the number of new listings, properties sold, average price, average square foot, price per square foot. Be sure to post these in Localism for your area.

Funny and weird stuff - Everyone loves to read stories about the strange, odd, and funny.   Come across something funny or weird - blog about it.  Whether you find it in the newspaper, magazine, real estate news forums - you can talk about it in your blog.  This will lead people to your blog and website is a great way to show your personality to your reading audience.

Tips - Identify one tip for buyers or sellers, for example, the smell of a house when you first walk in, or a tip about curb appeal and go in-depth on it, devoting a few paragraphs to the topic.

Your Listings - If you're going to blog about a new property you've just listed, use a different title for each one. For example, use the neighborhood or give it a unique name as the title, "Yardley Estates Home For Sale".  This will create more keyword variation for search engine indexing.

What's new  - Write about what you've been doinglately.  Sometimes your blog will be about real estate, other times it will be about the things you've experienced - sometimes it will be about both.  Point is, don't just write about one thing - mix it up and share a part of yourself. (Get those tags and keywords driving traffic to your posts.)

Visit, comment and React to other blogs - Visit the many AR blogs (the ones you've subscribed to, your subscribers and be sure to visit the groups you've joined) and visit them regularly.   Visiting these groups, in addition to the featured postswill not only help you with your blogging but will also build the opportunities you have to connect with fellow bloggers who could know your next client.

When you read something that interests you, leave a comment and then react to it by writing an article on your blog.  Then, include a link to that other blog article (it's always nice and appreciated when you can pay it forward.)  When finished, write to that blogger, let him/her know that you mentioned them.  I'm sure they will be interested to see what you've written and you may just gain a comment and a subscriber.

Always be sure to make the blog content your own.  Post it as a reblog or post with "This is not my content but I have permission to repost it." Your fellow bloggers will appreciate you following these blogging rules and etiquette.

When you've run out of ideas about what to blog about, I hope these 7 places  will help you generate  some ideas on where to find some great blog content.

Feel free to share where and how you get your ideas , (maybe there's a great place I did not mention) and this will be especially helpful for the newbies.  Because if you're like me, you want to keep the content out here meaningful and helpful and that starts by sharing.

If it's not evident to you by now, consumers are very knowledgeable and computer savvy and are using the Internet to not only search for homes but for real estate agents and real estate professionals who they feel are like minded and can lead them to the results they are looking for.  

As we all know, there are only 24 hours in a day to get it all done...are you focusing on the right stuff to grow your business and meet your client's needs? Contact us today to get started!

Ready to take your Marketing to new levels? Anne Marie Malfi ~ Malfi Marketing Solutions.com ~ Copyright 2009

 

Lets Connect and Stay Connected:

Anne Marie Malfi on Facebook  Anne Marie Malfi on LinkedIn  Anne Marie Malfi on Twitter  Subscribe to Anne Marie Malfi's Blog

 
This post has been included in Pennsylvania Information Bucks County, PA Information
Post is included in group: Dedicated Bloggers
Post is included in group: Marketing 101
Post is included in group: Marketing Services & Tools for Real Estate
Post is included in group: The Art Of Marketing You
Post is included in group: Website Ideas, Content and Help for newbies.

28 Comments on 7 Places to find your next blog topic

OCT
09
2008
1 Featured Post Localism Sponsor

Not only that but you can ALSO think about what has happened in your life thath day, some little moral aspect, flip it around and apply it to real esttae somehow with a 'moral to the story".

9:51am • #1
Outside Blog Hit Router

Anne Marie, this is a great post. Thanks for the ideas.  

9:51am • #2

Thanks for the great post and the ideas!

9:52am • #3
442,835 Points 36 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Anne Marie,

You are quickly becoming one of my favorite bloggers on AR! Your thoughts roll easily onto the electronic page and are smooth and easily understandable...!

All bloggers probably worry about 'bloggers bloc'...but I feel that any one of the billions of grey cells in the human brain can rise up at any time and provide the impetus for a post!!! LOL,

Thanks,   Fran

10:24am • #4
Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Great blog Anne Marie.  Thanks for the ideas!!!!!!

10:24am • #5
1 Featured Post

Thanks for the tips on generating ideas for blog content.  I have read and commented on some interesting posts lately that were taken from newspaper articles.  This is a source for blogging ideas that I had not thought about using before.

10:31am • #6
399,180 Points 23 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Anne Marie - I used to love those Viewmasters!  :-) Great tips...lots of good ideas.....I also like Rebecca's comment - about things that happen in your day to day life....little stories, lessons learned.......Something that twigs in your mind.......something you question and decide to research.......so often something that you find interesting others will too.:-) And I agree with Fran - I love reading your blogs!

12:32pm • #7
135,460 Points 5 Featured Posts

This morning, when I missed my turn driving my daughter to school I had to confess to her that I was thinking about my blog!

I've lot of ideas and wish I could put together blogs as eloquently as you do!  Thanks for sharing these great tips!

12:38pm • #8
195,245 Points 29 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Mostly...I just wake up with something roaming around in my head...and I have to let it out. It can be inspired by anything...my children, my clients, my hubby, my faith, a memory (good or bad) or just something someone says to me. I have learned to go with it...as that is when I'm working under an inspirational umbrella. It has worked so far. Whatever you are doing is working also!!! GBU, my friend!

4:46pm • #9
31 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor

Hi Rebecca - I agree  - the daily stuff is the great stuff.  I think you can pretty much relate anything in life to real estate.  Thank you for stopping by to comment.

Adriana -  thank you and you're very welcome.  Hope to see you again.

Raylene - You're so welcome and hope to see you again.

Fran - wow - what a compliment - you always make me smile and you fill my bucket - with your compliments and your posts.  Whether you visit me or I visit you - I always win!  I like your thoughts - those grey cells can provide a lot of stuff that can be turned into a masterpiece.

Lewis - Thank you and I'm happy you stopped by.

Rebecca - You're very welcome and it sounds like you're already ahead with commenting on other blogs and happy that this list could provide some other places to find content.

Hi Liz - I love viewmasters too - whenever I see one in a store I have to look - they crack me up.  Thank you for adding to the comments - and as you know I would love to follow you around for a day and "see" all the things you're going to mention in your blogs.  Thank you for that compliment as well - I adore you and Fran.

Hi Margaret - LOL - that's too funny but hope you arrived safely.  I think you have great ideas and I thank you for the compliment.  I do try to write in a way that flows but still learning myself.  Thank you for stopping by as always.

Elizabeth - hello!  I also want to follow you around for a day - just like Liz - LOL.  You have shown you can write about anything and have it mean something to so many people.  You truly amaze me.  GBU

5:28pm • #10
OCT
10
2008
264,208 Points 5 Featured Posts Outside Blog

I like to "shake it up" all the time. Local events, market stats and then some good ol' venting too.

6:25am • #11
310,549 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog

I get inspired by all kind of things. One is just a good laugh. We will be out somewhere and I say "that would make a great blog" Its fun!

6:30am • #12
OCT
12
2008
Localism Sponsor

Anne Marie - I've bookmarked this post.  What great ideas.  I just started blogging a few weeks ago and agoize over what to write. 

I've pretty much figured out what to do for the public so far with things that could help them and localism stuff, but I freeze when it comes to writing for members.  I am so awed by the talent of the members here that I have "blog freeze" and worry that I can't find anything that will interest readers.  I so need to get over that and just start posting! 

Your post gave me some ideas - thanks!

7:36pm • #13
OCT
13
2008
198,519 Points 2 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Good topic, mostly by want happens each day, sometimes something I have read or done that makes me recall a past experience.

8:14am • #14
31 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor

Ellie - That's great - keep shaking it up and keep them coming back for more.

Laura - I believe it - I've read your posts and I know you love to share stories of laughter and seeing the "funny" in situations that occur each day.

Sandy - I appreciate that and hope that the post will be helpful as a reminder of all the great places to find your topics for blogging.  Yes, the talent out here is amazing and do look forward to seeing your upcoming posts.  Good luck!

Mary - that's great - writing about what occurs in your day creates a relationship with your readers and they will want to continue reading what you have to say.

8:47am • #15

I too have quickly become a fan of your blog....my ideas are constantly swirling in my head...unfortunately I don't have time to sit down and write enough to get them all done...but they are coming...and I'm getting more consistent...

10:24am • #16
OCT
15
2008
154,082 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Anne, thanks. just bookmarked. This is a very interesting and helpful post.

7:59am • #17
31 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor

Sonja - how nice - I appreciate the compliment and ideas are a good thing - I look forward to hearing how you get them all together and the success you are having.

Huiting - Thank you - I appreciate that and hope you return to my other post you commented on for the link to community information that I hope will be helpful to you.

2:19pm • #18
OCT
29
2008
134,145 Points 1 Featured Post

I am one of those that has a hard time coming up with ideas I feel worthy enough that others will want to read, so I thank you for this post.  I have used newspaper articles, as well as upcoming events and market data.  I just wish I had a silver tongue like some of you others who can just sit down and start writing - about anything and everything.

2:20am • #19
OCT
30
2008
208,447 Points 19 Featured Posts Outside Blog

I keep a little file or stack on my desk.  When something sparks an idea, I throw it into the file.  When I can't get the creative juices flowing, I take a look see to see what pops as a blog topic.

12:24pm • #20
NOV
03
2008

Hello, Anne Marie~

Another simple, yet highly informative post on blogging! 

Question:  If a post reads "Re-blog" that's pretty self-explanatory, but if not, must I ask permission from the author before linking their post on a post I've written, while giving them complete credit, of course?! Would it be OK, for example, if I were to write a post about something Anne Marie shared that did not have the "Re-blog" tag, would I need to contact you first before I inserted a link in my post?

As this may seem obvious for some (alright, maybe many!) I'm throwing it out there. Thank you, thank you, thank you. =)

12:34am • #21
NOV
04
2008
Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Anne Marie, great suggestions and an excellent post. I bookmarked this one.

all the best

2:34pm • #22
3 Featured Posts

Anne Marie, you have made some great suggestions and have gotten my creative juices working.

3:09pm • #23
NOV
09
2008
NOV
13
2008
31 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor

Troy - thank you for stopping by to comment and so happy that this post was helpful to you.  As many of the great bloggers out here say and have encouraged me - find your voice and blog about things that happen in your day - or things you think about.  It's all about making a connection and you will find your place.  All the best to you.

Ryan - I am not surprised and it must be working for you - you've had some great posts lately my friend.

Carin - thank you.  Yes, you should ask to repost if not marked as reblog - otherwise this would be considered copyright infringement - I would even suggest writing a quick note to the poster even if they say it's ok to reblog - I know I've found out some of my posts were reblogged by Google Alerts but would have been especially nice to hear directly from the person wanting to reblog.

John - thank you - I hope it proves helpful.

Lara - Excellent - I look forward to visiting your blog to see what you've been writing.

Debbie - you're so very welcome!

12:53pm • #25

Thanks for the great information!  I'm always looking for something fresh and interesting. 

1:13pm • #26

Thanks for the response, Anne Marie!  You're the first blogger I've posed this question to in this huge kingdom!  I just love the way you write and appreciate your help. There are many here I respect and would never dream of infringing on their work. That's why it's important to ask, even if you think you know the answer... =)

11:00pm • #27
DEC
07
2008

I am a newbie to the world of real estate, activerain, and blogging so thank you very much for sharing.  My head is spinning. :)

12:09pm • #28

Leave a response…



(optional)
What does the graphic say?
 
Rainmaker_large

Anne Marie Malfi, Real Estate Marketing Consultant/Virtual Asst, Bucks County,PA

Yardley, PA

More about me…

Malfi Marketing Solutions ~ for real estate professionals

Office Phone: (267) 229-0275

Cell Phone: (267) 229-0275

Email Me

A “Marketing” Virtual Assistant that will partner with you to increase your online and offline marketing. This blog is where I will share everything from helpful marketing, branding, time management tips and solutions to tons of advice, motivation and inspiration so that you are working smarter - not harder! I look forward to getting to know you and your business more.

Subscribe to Anne Marie Malfi - Virtually Marketing & Assisting You by Email

Your Featured Blog Posts

Do you have topics that are important to you that you would like discussed on this blog?

Visit "View Suggestions Link" to submit your topic. If it's chosen I will link the blog back to you and you will get two things (Your blog topic discussed & Google Juice.)

View suggestions for this blog here.

Want to connect? Click here:

Add Me

Anne Marie Malfi's Facebook profile

Twitter Button from twitbuttons.com

Featured in Alltop



Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog

Find PA real estate agents and Yardley real estate on ActiveRain.