Sometimes You Just Have to Do It Yourself

Giving It All Away (Well Almost)

"The Follow up Email"

After sending my "this person from TripAdvisor is seeking help with a beach rental" email, the thought came to my mind to checkout the blog landscape on the coast of NC. After some research on my part, I sent a "follow up email":

"It seems the ”blogging phenomenon” has yet to hit (your area). If I were you I would purchase all the superior domain names available in your area. I did a quick check at Go Daddy and (YourAreaRealEstateBlog.com is available along with YourAreaBlog.com. Of course, it would make sense to purchase the YourAreaNC iterations of both as well. Blog sites are a major part of Web 2.0 and many real estate agencies and agents are jumping on board. Frankly, I ‘m surprised some web-savvy agents haven’t started a blog on your end of the beach. Several agents have blogs in another area nearby. If you’re interested in talking about developing a blog site for your area, I’d love to discuss a partnership with you."

I was shocked I never heard back from this individual "in the business".

Note To All Real Estate Practitioners

There are many, many really good blog domain names out there and smart, forward-thinking business people are buying them. If I were you, I would run to GoDaddy and start buying domains for your area NOW! If only 5% of Realtors have a blog (and less probably maintain them adequately), the opportunity for free-standing blogs in your area are limitless. You never know who will buy those great domains first!

Taking Things Into Your Own Hands

After thinking about this opportunity, I choose to take matters into my own hands. I went to GoDaddy and purchased "all" the iterations I had recommended and even a few more just for good measure. Next, I quickly went about setting up my little blog site for the Crystal Coast. Why? Because there was a need for a resource in that area and I really love the Crystal Coast.

This Blog is all About the Consumer

With more than 30+ years experience visiting the Crystal Coast area, the focus of the Crystal Coast Blog will be to tell anyone and everyone how beautiful the Southern Outer Banks of North Carolina really is and all the terrific things you can do and great places to eat on the Crystal Coast. There will be many aspects of Crystal Coast real estate and the vacation rental market this blog will address and a few topics we will never address. Of course first we clearly communicate we are NOT real estate agents - we are consumers and real estate marketing experts. So here is a list of topics we will never discuss:

• We will never offer advice or guidance on the negotiation of any Crystal Coast rental or real estate transaction.
  
• We will never offer any advice or guidance on establishing the value of any real property. We are not property appraisers nor are we real estate agents.
  
• We will never discuss nor offer advice on commissions or compensation for any real estate practitioner.
• We will never discuss nor offer any legal advice regarding the elements to conducting a specific Crystal Coast real estate transaction. We are not real estate attorneys!
  

Allow me to restate - the Crystal Coast Blog consistently communicates that we are first consumers who love the Crystal Coast and second real estate marketing experts. If consumers wish to select a Crystal Coast Real Estate agent or agency, we provide a list of Crystal Coast real estate agencies for their convenience.

What You Will See on the Crystal Coast Blog

Here is a sample what you will see on the Crystal Coast Blog. We will cover topics and media like:

• All the fun things to do. Especially for the kids!
• All the great places to eat. Can you say restaurant reviews? Yummy!
• My wife is a "fashionesta", so you know we will highlight all the shopping opportunities on the Crystal Coast
• Great tips to saving money on your next Crystal Coast beach rental
• Marketing your Crystal Coast real estate for maximum profit.
• Great Photography. There's tons of eye candy on the Crystal Coast
• Video tours of the beaches and more
• And the list goes on and on....

Can We Power-up the Crystal Coast Blog? Hmmm...

Being a "Real Estate Marketing Firm", I think we have that part pretty well covered. But just in case you need to be convinced, here is small sample of the strategies I have implemented lately to get my "pet project" jump-started:

• Wrote a post on a local authority site announcing the launch of the Crystal Coast Blog
• Created a press release announcing the launch of my Crystal Coast Blog
• Wrote a Squidoo Lens about the Crystal Coast Blog
• Created a Flickr profile SEO optimized for my Crystal Coast Blog
• Set up Google Alerts to stay abreast of all the news about the Crystal Coast
• Wrote an SEO optimized Active Rain post on the Crystal Coast Blog!
  

Last but not least, the Crystal Coast Blog site clearly communicates that it is consumer-friendly. The blog emphasizes that we will never share, rent nor sell anyone's private information. That means we will NEVER sell leads from this site to a real estate practitioner. In fact, we receive no compensation for writing Crystal Coast restaurant reviews, retail shop reviews, or any other post. It is a complete labor of love!

Take the Nickel Tour

We are working feverishly during the evenings gathering local Crystal Coast information and writing post. My wife is now a blog writing machine and I love it! In the coming days you will see the presentation radically change to capture and reflect the essence and charm of our Crystal Coast, so check back often and see what we have added. I look forward to your feedback!

Helping you recognize blogging opportunities,

Bobby

P.S. Your probably asking what is the ultimate reason for this pet project? Who knows maybe someday when we are Page #1 for the Crystal Coast Real Estate, I might consider selling my pet project.