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Make Localism for the CONSUMER!!!

By
Real Estate Agent with Realty World Wichita

I opened up this brainstorming blog today.  I was interested in lots of articles, but something caught my eye about "when Localism Launches".  I wasn't quite aware it hadn't lauche.  I mean I see the "Beta" at the top, but figured something must have started.  I'm left wondering what will happen when it Launches!!

So, being the good little SEO I try to be, I googled "Localism".  #2 on the page (below Wikipedia).  Not bad for something that hasn't launched.  Of course, at the moment, very few people will search for Localism.  I'm really curious what the Launch is about.

So I opened my State (Kansas) to see what it said, where I was in the county (Sedgwick), etc.  In the first 5 articles, I found one about generating more leads, and one about sign calls.

Not being too critical, there were many very good articles for the consumer, Hud homes, about Kansas City, etc.  But People.  Localism shouldn't have things about how Realtors work.  I believe the intent was for the consumer to find out about the area and community.  If I'm a consumer, and I read about agressive marketing in Localism, I won't be going there very often....

And add pictures.  Lots of communtiy pictures.  With stuff happening.  A picture of a subdivision entry sign isn't going to attract someone to your hometown.

There, my two cents....

Diane Testa
Mullica Hill, NJ
Good post... I agree too! Put pictures of all the local happenings that would attract people to your town or area! Posts should also be specific to the consumer!
May 14, 2007 01:33 AM
Steven L. Smith
King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham WA Home Inspector
Good advice. I put blogs I write about cities and areas in my community in localism. The industry related tips or comments do not go there.
May 14, 2007 01:39 AM
Keith Jeppson - Salt Lake City Real Estate
Everest Realty Group - Holladay, UT

Greg, some agents just seem to randomly post their articles wherever they fall.

I also wonder why localism is still showing as Beta. It is a great resource and will be a great resource for our consumers.

May 14, 2007 01:39 AM
Brian Schulman
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Lancaster PA - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster County PA RealEstate Expert 717-951-5552

Greg, considering it hasn't even launched yet, Localism already has a heck of a presence in place.  Local real estate professionals would be well advised to limit their contributions to Localism.com to those community- and consumer-related topics that potential buyers and sellers would find helpful.

Industry-related thoughts should be targeted only  to the Active Rain side.

May 14, 2007 01:42 AM
Burland & Edmands Stirling
Coldwell Banker - Madison, CT

Greg, All the posts I include for consumers including listings and open houses for right to localism and it is very powerfull, climes the google rankings very quickly.  I don't know if all posts including those not marked "Consumer" go to localism except when you mark "Members Only" but I think a good habit to get in is to market the real esate posts as "Members Only" it seems that that keeps it from clogging the public view - you also need to be aware that once you start posting here and a consumer opens up your blog they will see anything not marked Members only!

 Greg - it would make sense for your post here to be marked Members only because it is more for the real estate professional and would be visible to any consumer poking around your blog - which is the point anyway right?

May 14, 2007 01:48 AM
Leon Austin
Mobile Notary Services - Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs Mobile Notary
Greg, you have the right idea about localism. It is all about the consumer.
May 14, 2007 01:50 AM
Cindy Jones
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News
I have been posting listings, community information and sales information to localism ONLY.  I don't think they need to clog up the general information part of ActiveRain.  My posts that are about the real estate market or other information that I think anyone would be interested in posted to the main part of Activerain.  I am always puzzled to see listings on the front page of Activerain and wonder if they don't detract from the overall feel of the site?  I have seen my localism posts picked up by Google and I can track links back to my website and I see some coming directly from Activerain and postings.
May 14, 2007 02:14 AM
Jeff Turner
RealSatisfied - Santa Clarita, CA
Greg... here's a news flash. Localism is already launched. But you knew that already! What you are suggesting is working for many right now. Julie Ferenzi has been using Localsim for local content and is not just getting leads, but converting them to real business. It works.. Thanks for reminding everyone.
May 14, 2007 02:18 AM
Phillip Cross
TBD - In transition... - Seal Beach, CA
ePRO Realtor - Relocation Spec
Greg, Great post and terrific info. I try to keep my posted information on Localism all about the local area. I will start posting information about events with pictures.
May 14, 2007 08:59 AM