Blogging:
Blogging: what’s in it for me?
If you’re not blogging yet, you are probably wondering what’s in it for you. I know that’s the first question I would ask if someone told me I needed to devote at least 3 more hours a week to some new fangled marketing strategy. So, let’s take an in depth look at what separates a blog from a website and how a blog can actually help you build traffic and leads online in ways that a website simply can’t. (Read also: How to write a blog to generate leads)
1. Blogs are better indexed than websites by search engines like Google, Yahoo! and MSN. Why? Search engines are voracious readers, they like frequently updated, new and relevant content. Blogs provide just that. They allow you as a Realtor to login to their back-ends and enter new articles daily without knowing a lick of HTML.
BENEFIT: Increased search engine results rankings on Google, Yahoo! and MSN. Basically, a blog helps you get found in searches on popular search engines better and improves traffic to your site, which ultimately results in more leads and listings. (Read also: Where does my site rank with Google?)
2. RSS feeds syndicate your blog’s content across the net. All blogs have a built-in marketing tool called RSS. RSS allows individual subscribers to sign up for your feed and have your new content delivered directly to their feed reader, email or website in real time.
BENEFIT: Increased web presence and brand awareness. When another website chooses to syndicate your content, you benefit by an increased web presence, branding and more traffic to your site. Built-in marketing mechanisms like ping services and RSS help drive more traffic to a blog than a regular website. (Read also: Building RSS subscribers in 7 easy steps)
3. Agents that write blogs perform more research to keep up with their local markets than Realtors who don’t blog. This greater knowledge base becomes a significant competitive advantage over non-blogging Realtors…
BENEFIT: Blogs build a Realtors’ knowledge base and credibility as an expert in their field. Because the blog platform gives the realtor a channel to market their knowledge, visitors tend to think of the Realtor as an expert. (Read also: Turn yourself into a local expert)
4. By frequently providing quality local content on hot button issues, a Realtor builds credibility within their community. They connect with their audience (read “potential clients”) on a personal level that makes them feel as though they already have a relationship.
BENEFIT: Blogging agents generate more leads than non blogging agents. People like to do business with people they “know” and respect as an expert, therefore blogging agents generate more leads than non blogging competitors. (Read also: Ultimate guide to blogging for real estate leads)
5. Any blog that is driving reasonable traffic can be monetized. Once a blog has at least 100 pages of content and proven traffic, an Amazon affiliate shop and Google AdSense helps defray marketing costs.
BENEFIT: Blogs can be monetized to provide an alternative income source. Because blogs drive substantially more traffic than websites, monetizing them can boost a Realtor’s bottom line during good times and carry him/her through lulls in the market. (Read also: Money making blogs)
6. Blogs are better indexed by search engines, syndicated through RSS feeds and many offer free social networking ping services. Through these mechanisms, your blog content is constantly marketed across the web and consistently driving traffic back to you.
BENEFIT: Blogs drive more traffic than websites. Blogs have many more automated web marketing tools than websites and are better indexed by search engines. Your customers can find you more easily, driving far more quality traffic to you than a website that tends to be static. (Read also: Ultimate guide to blog marketing)
