Blogs are the Hollywood stars of the web…at least for the moment. Practically everyone has heard of the word; but some people don’t really know what a blog entails. If you’re among the uninitiated, don’t despair! Think of a blog (a compound word created from the words “web log,”) as a kind of online journal. It’s a web-based forum which can be easily and frequently updated and where you can express thoughts and opinions as often as they pop into your brain.
One of the nice things about blogs is that they give you a chance to show different sides of your personality from the fairly rigid portraits found on most web sites. As a real estate pro, your web site’s “About Me” page is most likely a business-related bio where you talk about your work experience and possibly throw in a line or two about how you spend your leisure time. With a blog you can show your readers another side of your personality. Whether you breed Basset Hounds, fly small airplanes, sing in a barbershop quartet or knit for the homeless, the blog is the place to chat about your passion. Of course, it never hurts if you can somehow tie your passion into your business life, but it’s not necessary.
By posting a blog, you’re offering potential customers the opportunity to see you as an interesting, multi-faceted person—not just another real estate agent. Many blogs also offer readers a chance to leave feedback, giving you a chance to establish contacts and capture emails which you can add to your database. Blogs are also great tools for SEO (Search Engine Optimization), since they can be easily and frequently updated.
There’s more good news about blogs—you don’t have to be a tech-savvy guru to get started. There are a lot of reputable, no-cost and low-cost programs that walk you through all the steps to establishing a blog either connected to your existing web site or as part of a community blog site. Among the better programs are:
www.wordpress.com
www.blogger.com
www.vox.com
The more often you post a new blog entry, the more likely you are to attract repeat and new visitors. Topics can range from your personal observations to updates about what’s happening in real estate in your area. Try to steer clear of controversial topics—the point is to gain readership, not alienate people. If writing isn’t your thing, hire a freelancer. Since most blogs are relatively short pieces, you should be able to find someone to work at a reasonable rate. And don’t forget to ask for a volume discount; most writers are willing to negotiate if you commit to having them do multiple entries for you.
Now that I’ve demystified the blogging basics for you, check out some of the web sites listed above and join the blogosphere!
Lois H. Feinstein produces powerful and compelling Web copy, marketing materials, newsletters and brochures for Realtors® and other business professionals. She is Chair of the Real Estate Virtual Assistants (REVA) Copywriting Guild and a member of the International Virtual Assistants Association, and has written for a number of magazines including 5280 and Denver Woman. Her business, I Can Do That!, www.i-cando-that.com, is based in Denver, Colorado.
Lois - I agree with you 100%. A blog has a lot more personality than a website. The reader can get a much better understanding of you as a person. Having a blog about Real Estate in my area has brought me a few new listings in the short time I ahve had one.
Good stuff Lois - we’re also developing a blog for the real estate industry for many of the reasons you mentioned - real estate Canada