For REALTORS: Marketing Tips to Writing a Blog

Write a blog they'll come back to. Sounds easy, right?  Truth is like anything else, it take practice and some planning.

So how do you write a blog your audience will want to come back to? Here are some tips for writing those postings:

Remember, a posting is not about selling you. Even though you're writing a blog to help your business, don't think of it that way. Shift your headset from marketing yourself to being a trusted resource. Offer information on topics your prospects and customers are interested in. Think of the things they need to know to achieve their goals. Share headlines you come across that your audience will find interesting and useful. Show you're a trusted resource for information that has value to your readers.

Write your blog posting using this simple formula:

1. Begin by making a connection. Get your reader to identify with you right away. Open with a little story -- it can be funny or touching -- that pulls the reader in. Make it about yourself if you can. Don't be afraid to share a mistake you made or a shortcoming you have that folks can relate to. This will make a deeper connection.
2. Give them the information. This is the meat of the posting, the real topic. Teach the reader something they need to know, give them information they want, or provide useful insights. Make this part memorable and they'll keep coming back for more.
3. Then tell them how to use it. Once you've shared your information or insight, talk about how your reader can apply it. Show how it can help them achieve what they want. People want to learn what will benefit them. And they'll remember you for letting them in on it.

A note about openers. It's great to open your posting with a story from your own experience. But you won't always have something to talk about. So where can you find more openers? Read as much as you can. Search the internet, check out other blogs, look at newspapers, magazines, and books for humorous stories, clever insights, memorable anecdotes, and timely news. You'll be surprised at how many of these items can connect to your topic.

Be a person, not a corporation. Online, you're schmoozing digitally and not face to face, so make sure your personality shines though in your postings. In other words, be human, not corporate. Let your readers know what you're really like. Show them you're someone they'll want to meet and trust.

Keep working on these simple, straightforward approaches to your postings, and you'll have a blog readers will check on. Be the blog more people look forward to and you'll be the business more people will use....

From my monthly e-Newsletter for REALTORS, "PowerTools"