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You think you have nothing to blog about?

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Coastal Realty

Do you ask yourself some version of this question on a fairly regular basis. I suppose when in doubt you can always fall back to blogging about your listings but I have never really felt this was a good blog. Always seems like more of a Postlet activity. Blogs I have found that work for me when I know I have nothing to write about is what has sold in my local market. People are very interested in what has sold and for how much. Simple and informative. But lacking in some way.

But keeping in mind that content is king on the internet you can't just blog about your listings and other peoples sales. The consumer is looking for more information than that about real estate. Position yourself as the expert they are looking for. Be the real estate professional that sets yourself above the rest with valuable information.

Instead of venting about all the negatives you see in the market how about getting creative with your blog. Create some simple checklists for Buyers and Sellers. My "Getting Ready to Sell" blogs garnered me an interview with Dow Jones Marketplace.com Those blogs have been picked up by AOL real estate and Yahoo Finance. It all about information the consumer is interested in. Helpful checklists are easy reads.

Blog about the amenities and history of your area. I have popular bogs that focus on the farmers market schedules, local factory outlets (Stonewall Kitchens), and town histories. It helps your search engine optimization to be cross linked with several subjects. Blog about moving tips, local wifi connections, the library, radon, arsenic, the most cost effective home improvements, local specialty recipes, landscaping, fire safety tips and local non-profit fundraising events.

Real estate is more than just houses. It is the entire area that people want to know about. Do you have amusement parks, historic homes, fishing, beaches, church suppers, music, sporting events in your area? Well then you have something to write about. A blog isn't very long - a blog is not a book! The best read logs average 300-500 words.

Always remember to link your blogs to you web site to increase its content. There is always something to write about - think about what your audience wants to hear about. For me Active Rain is about learning from other agents, your personal blog on Blogger might be more of a private diary, blogs on your website should always be written with the consumer in mind.

Happy Blogging! May you always be in the flow of ideas!

(c) Shannon Aldrich, The Real Estate Learning Group

Comments(12)

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Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

Very good points! and I love Stonewall Kitchens! Great food.

Jan 28, 2009 02:34 AM
Li Read
Sea to Sky Premier Properties (Salt Spring) - Salt Spring Island, BC
Caring expertise...knowledge for you!

Very good advice!     Thanks for taking the time to remind us all of these important basics, on the way to becoming the "local expert".   

Jan 28, 2009 03:41 AM
Elizabeth Bolton
RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA - Cambridge, MA
Cambridge MA Realtor

Hi Shannon ~ These are excellent points.  I completely agree about writing about local history, places, etc. The list of topics is endless - now I've got to just buckle down and write!  It sounds like your blog is just the kind I like to read and plan to write. 

Liz

Jan 28, 2009 04:22 AM
Melva Reid
Exit Realty Optimum - Halifax, NS
Exit Realty Optimum 902-403-5420

Shannon....as a newbie who has written 12 posts, I thought I had run out of ideas....till I read your post! Now I'm excited to write about all those topics you mentioned! Many thanks!

Jan 28, 2009 06:12 AM
Rich Rogala
Consistent Clients - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Marketing Coach

Great ideas. Just remember that people visit and bookmark blogs with helpful info, even if it's not directly real estate related. So blog about lots of stuff.

Jan 28, 2009 07:13 AM
Walter Grewe III
Long and Foster Realtors - Roanoke, VA
Realtor, SFR, A-REO, Roanoke Homes and Real Estate

Thanks for the tips, it certainly helps us new bloggers.

Jan 28, 2009 08:35 AM
Roland Woodworth
Benchmark Realty - Clarksville, TN
Benchmark Realty

Shannon: Great tips. I'm always looking for new Blog ideas. I recently sat down with a local business owner and created many topics on his business alone.

Jan 29, 2009 03:44 PM
Kelsey Barklow
Hurd Realty - Johnson City, TN
423/948-9154

Great ideas. I think I'l start taking more photos and get blogging about local area attractions.

Jan 30, 2009 01:40 AM
Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

Shannon, it seems as though finding something to write about is very difficult for me.  Once I have a subject, I can write on it forever, but it's finding something compelling enough that you feel others will want to read it that is difficult.  I don't want to write just for the sake of writing.

Feb 06, 2009 05:19 AM
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

Okay, that does it, you gave me an idea to blog about. Thanks for the inspiration!

Feb 09, 2009 12:07 AM
Corey & Erika Kahler
The Cascade Team - Kirkland, WA

Great tips for a beginning blogger like me!  Thanks for posting!

Feb 13, 2009 07:05 AM
Randi Steckler
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Hopkinton, MA

Thanks for the ideas. It is challenging sometimes coming up with fresh material.

Mar 04, 2009 04:55 AM