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June 23, 2008: Real Estate Blog Growing Pains? Share the Load, Multiply the Success.
Comments: 27 | Categories: Blog Content Creation , Blog Lead Generation , Blogging Advice , Real Estate Blogging , Web 2.0
In preparation for my participation at Inman Connect 2008, I have been thinking a lot about our panel topic, Growing Pains: Take Your Blog to the Next Level. Today’s post is a run-together of the relevant points on this topic, the way I see it. If you are experiencing “Growing Pains” in your blogging, I guess it would entail that you have been at it now for at least the last year, and in some cases much longer. In addition, you probably find the following list familiar. 1. Your blog is at the center of your Online Marketing Strategy. 2. You enjoy the Discipline of blogging regularly. 3. You have integrated your blog into your Offline Marketing. 4. You are Generating Leads and Clients as a result of your blogging. 5. You have earned Prime Position in the Search Engines for desired terms. 6. You are recognized as an Authority...

April 15, 2008: Exactly Why You Should Bore Blog Readers With Real Estate Statistics
Comments: 33 | Categories: Blog Content Creation , Blogging Advice , Guest Author , Real Estate Blogging
Things have been a bit quiet here at the Vine for the last couple of weeks, and that only ever means one thing: We’re Growing Again. We’ve recently brought on 3 additional members to our team in order to bolster our strengths in design, service, and training. Our publishing pace always suffers when I have to be so “hands on” in training and transistion. Look for a surge next week! Fortunately, we have the support of guest bloggers. This week, Margaret Woda (FocusOnCrofton.com) makes her Real Estate Tomato debut with an excellent post on her person experience with blogging about her local real estate statistics. Take it away Margaret! Why Bore Blog Readers With Statistics? By Margaret Woda My community real estate blog “for and about Crofton, Maryland” is picking up steam with more hits and page views each month. Creative, articulate, helpful – these are adjectives I’ve read or...

March 20, 2008: Blogging on a Saturday - How Rewarding It Can Be
Comments: 10 | Categories: Blog Content Creation , Blogging Advice , Guest Author , Real Estate Blogging , Teresa Boardman
Blogging everyday is not easy. I know. At best, I’ve got a pace of 3–4 times a week. However, Teresa Boardman, our resident real estate blogging goddess, is pretty darn consistent. Looking back through her archives it’s rare to find a day left unblogged. So how does she find the motivation and creativity to keep it up? Here’s a peek into the history behind Teresa’s Saturday offerings (to the gods). Blogging on a Saturday - How Rewarding It Can Be Jim and I have both said this a million times, well now a million and one times: it is content that makes our blogs work. It is nice to have a pretty blog, and a blog that wins awards but if the intent is to meet people who have real estate needs then content should be a priority. Saturday's are my lowest readership day. At one point I considered not...

March 6, 2008: Real Estate Blogging Business Plan For 2008 - Boots On the Ground Will Help You Find and Service Buyers
Comments: 18 | Categories: Blog Content Creation , Blog Writing Tips , Blogging Advice , Real Estate Blogging
The growth of Real Estate Blogging, although steady and noticeable, still has not lived up to the hype, and it never will. That’s not to say that it is being rejected as a competent means to the end: as an effective lead generation tool. In fact, we’re finding that blogging is not only keeping people in business, saving them marketing spend, and changing their outlook on real estate, but it is actually improving the industry. Anytime that you force an industry to establish, present, and defend opinion and insight, you’re heading in the right direction. The reason I feel that a rush to blogging as a marketing tool will never catch fire is because of a major deterrent called: Work. Writing for most is work. Sitting alone at a computer, being asked to pave the way to your marketing success through writing, is just not a reasonable endeavor for most....

February 28, 2008: The Real Estate Business Is Content, Not Home Selling
Comments: 10 | Categories: Blog Content Creation , Blogging Advice , Real Estate Blogging
The above might seem like an odd statement, but it couldn’t be more true. Let me use some examples of other industries to illustrate the point. The Music Industry The business is content creation; melodies, lyrics, videos, live presentations, etc. The product comes in the form of CD’s, DVD’s, downloads, posters, T-shirts, tickets etc. The Baseball Industry The business is content in the form of the actual game, the play-by-play, the TV broadcast, the reporting, etc. The product is tickets, jerseys and caps, hot dogs and beer, etc. The Restaurant Industry The business is content in atmosphere, presentation, description, expertise, service, etc. The product is meat, vegetables and alcohol, etc. You get the idea. The real estate industry is even more obviously tied to content, so much so that it is difficult to pin down the actual product. Some may argue it’s the service, but that’s actually the crux of...

January 29, 2008: Recycle to Get The Most Out of Your Real Estate Blog Articles and Pictures
Comments: 11 | Categories: Blog Content Creation , Blogging Advice , Guest Author , Real Estate Blogging , Teresa Boardman
Because of the global exposure Teresa Boardman receives, and the fact that she is a regular contributor here, I am regularly asked how she is able to continually keep up the vigorous posting pace on her real estate blog. I can’t speak for her, but I can say that the article she just sent over give us some tips on how to get more than one life out of your blog articles and the pictures that you snap for them. I Already Said That By Teresa Boardman My blog has a lot of words in it. There are almost 1000 posts. Posts that I wrote a couple of years ago are still out there marketing for me. They work hard and people contact me because of them. Last week I got two inquires from posts I wrote in October of 2006. Writing words and taking pictures does take time. I...

January 23, 2008: Finding Your Voice as a Writer of a Real Estate Blog
Comments: 3 | Categories: Blog Content Creation , Blog Discipline , Blog Writing Tips , Blogging Advice , Guest Author , Real Estate Blogging
Former real estate blogger Derek Burress who left blogging nearly four months ago to devote time to writing novels has kindly dropped by the Tomato to offer his advice on helping others find their writing voice. Writing at the Crossroads: Finding Your Voice as a Writer By Derek Burress Toni Morrison once said, "If there's a book you really want to read but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it." Have you ever found yourself wanting to write a book or blog but found yourself not knowing what to write? If so, I have some good news for you. What should I write about? The answer to this question is simple; you should write about what?s been in front of you the entire time: the same stuff you enjoy reading. Write about the things you enjoy: If you enjoy reading romance novels, you should write romance novels....

January 22, 2008: Three Letters I Don't Think About When Writing A Post For My Real Estate Blog
Comments: 24 | Categories: Blog Content Creation , Blog Dos and Don'ts , Blog Writing Tips , Blogging Advice , Guest Author , Real Estate Blogging , Teresa Boardman , Topics and Opinions
Our favorite “Tell-it-like-it-is” correspondent from the real estate blogosphere, Teresa Boardman, is back with her first Tomato contribution of 2008. Recently there has been some discussion as to what approach we should take when it comes to considering the search engines with a real estate blog article writing style. Teresa, a proven success with her straight forward approach, serves up a spoonful of perspective, keeping us all in check: The Three Letters I Don’t Think About When Writing a Post For My Real Estate BlogBy Teresa Boardman There are three letters that I don’t think about when I write a blog post, they are S, E and O. I consider my posts and photographs to be a kind of creative endeavor and I can’t be creative if I am thinking about Google. I do need to attract search engines but my main goal is to attract the people who are...

October 15, 2007: Looking For Ready To Act Buyers? Blog These Proven To Succeed Real Estate Topics
Comments: 27 | Categories: Blog Content Creation , Blog Dos and Don'ts , Blog Lead Generation , Blogging Advice , Collaborative Articles , Guest Author , Real Estate Blogging
As promised last week, Monday Real Estate Blogging Advice Posts will now be the result of the collective collaboration from our own Clients, the Tomato Bloggers. This Week’s Collaborative Blogging Advice Topic: What Should Realtors Be Blogging About In Order To Attract Ready To Act Home Buyers? As a disclaimer, I don’t know that there is an objectively correct answer to the question, given that every target market is different, be it urban or rural, or beach front or mountain living. Nonetheless, it made for a fascinating conversation in the Tomato Forum. Here’s what we made of it: The Internet Lead is generally considered to be a lead that is going to take some time to incubate. The length of time thrown around is usually 6–18 months. Can real estate blogging help a lead develop more quickly, or rather can blogging attract leads that are further along in their own...

August 30, 2007: Photos and Real Estate Blogging, It'€™s What Makes This Fun and Easy
Comments: 14 | Categories: Blog Content Creation , Blog Dos and Don'ts , Blogging Advice , Blogging Peers , Guest Author , Real Estate Blogging , Teresa Boardman
Before going up on stage in front of 3500 Realtors last week, I was speaking with Teresa Boardman about what she enjoys to most when it comes to posting on her St. Paul Real Estate Blog and her ActiveRain blog. “Photos I shoot and my Fridays Are For Fun posts,” she quickly responded. “I know that I need to be posting about the local real estate market and other topics around that subject, but I really enjoy the pictures and the fun stuff.” “I also know that my audience enjoys them a ton too.” So when I got back from the big event, to an over-stuffed, under-managed inbox, I wasn’t surprised to find the following article from Teresa, ready for the Tomato. Photos and Real Estate Blogging, It’s What Makes This Fun and Easy By Teresa Boardman It has been fairly well established that through our business blogs we build...

July 5, 2007: Food For Fodder – 101 Real Estate Blog Topics
Comments: 30 | Categories: Blog Content Creation , Blogging Advice , Guest Author , Real Estate Blogging , Teresa Boardman
Teresa Boardman, in response to comments in her most recent article, has whipped up a tasty treat for all real estate bloggers. Grab a fork, and enjoy. Food For Fodder – 101 Real Estate Blog Topics By Teresa Boardman In my last post on the Tomato I wrote about writing being the biggest obstacle for real estate professionals who want to have a blog. Some of our readers commented that figuring out what to write about poses the greatest challenge. It is hard for many to come up with topics so I wrote a list of 101 topic ideas for real estate professionals who want to have a blog to expand their internet presence and to meet the home buyers and sellers who live inside their computer. Potential clients are in your computer right now and are looking for great agents and lenders to work with. The idea is to...

March 25, 2007: Real Estate Blogging And The Art Of War
Comments: 20 | Categories: Blog Content Creation , Blog Lead Generation , Blogging Advice , Guest Author , Jonathan Greene , Real Estate Blogging
Jim once wrote a post about how your blog is an Army, which got me thinking. If blogs are comparable to armies, and posts to soldiers, then the time-tested rules of employing an army may have some relevance. To this end, I recently undertook yet another study of “The Art of War,” the Taoist mantra of the genius Sun Tzu. I came up with a few good points of time-tested strategy made applicable to blogging. Enjoy. Master Sun on Strategic Assessments: “Structure your forces accordingly to supplement extraordinary tactics. Forces are to be structured strategically, based upon what is advantageous.” When Sun Tzu says “forces,” read it as “blog posts.” Then it begins to make sense. Bloggers use “extraordinary tactics” every day of the week. Think of how convention says that we should go about winning strategically important key words. For example, if I wanted to win the keywords “Tampa...

March 21, 2007: 9 Examples Of How Blogging Will Have You Overcoming Real Estate Objections
Comments: 15 | Categories: Blog Content Creation , Blog Lead Generation , Blog Writing Tips , Blogging Advice , Real Estate Blogging
The Obvious: The most effective way to overcome objections is to handle them before they become a hurdle in the sales process. The new agent routinely looks for the solution to providing the right answers to their clients' concerns. The questions they ask, the fears they present, the roadblocks they create and the challenge of their misunderstandings, all can get in the way of moving closer to the real estate transaction. In addition, great experience in converting ‘the interested’ into ‘the closed’ still won't make you bullet proof to misinterpreting or mishandling a clients objections, here and again. Listen to every question asked, chances are they're being asked online as well. Each opportunity to overcome these challenges will be as much a learning experience for the agent as they are for the client.Each successfully handled hurdle needs to be documented for the next opportunity, preemptively preparing and incubating your audience....

February 19, 2007: Localism: Winning the Hearts and Minds
Comments: 10 | Categories: Blog Content Creation , Blog Writing Tips , Blogging Advice , Guest Author , Jonathan Greene , Real Estate Blogging
It’s ironic that newest member of the Vine, Jonathan Greene, chose to write an article that completely defines the reason we want him here in the first place. Jonathan writes with a clear understanding of how he wants to educate and delivers his knowledge in a refreshing and compelling manner. Jonathan also happens to be one of our newest re-design clients. Look for his grand re-opening later in the month. Localism: Winning the Hearts and Minds Jonathan Greene I read lots of local blogs. Mostly, I read for the purpose of gathering intelligence. I can’t help it. My days as a shadowy secret agent type in the military have made me a perpetual seeker of targeted information. I want to know what works. I’ve stumbled upon an unspoken truth in my web travels: You don’t have to be a nationally recognized pundit to offer quality, readable content for your viewers....

January 29, 2007: Of Blogs And Bricks
Comments: 9 | Categories: Blog Content Creation , Blogging Advice , Blogging Peers , Elizabeth Weintraub , Guest Author , Real Estate Blogging , Topics and Opinions
Lately, blogging advice from successful real estate bloggers has been a hot topic here on the Tomato. Hearing it from Realtors that are in the trenches, actually generating business from blogging, strengthens the confidence of those on the outside looking in. Nearly all my topics these days come from clients' concerns regarding the effort it takes to make it work. Admittedly, I am not a Realtor, but rather a marketing consultant for real estate professionals. So the support that I have receive from the real estate blogging community means the world to me, encouraging my effort. But, I realize I can't do it alone, here on the Tomato. Bringing in voices from the (battle)field makes for greater testimony than the armchair journalist. One of our brazen blogging comrades from the front lines is Elizabeth Weintraub. Her voice is heard on a national platform called About.com, where she pens her daily...

January 11, 2007: The Secret To Developing Real Estate Blog Content
Comments: 15 | Categories: Blog Content Creation , Blogging Advice , Real Estate Blogging
Blogging at it's finest is when it is an extension of your everyday business relationships. I am frequently asked where I come up with content for the Tomato, and specifically for the blogging advice articles that I have written. I think that the better question is, where should one look for content for their own blog that is going to persevere as much as it is going top impact their target audience? When doing business as a real estate agent, your role is much more than that of an educator... but to your clients, this role can often be the most important. How many questions do you answer for each client throughout the entire home-buying and/or home-selling process? The content that falls under Blogging Advice here on the Tomato is inspired by conversations I have with agents looking to better understand how to leverage the blog as an effective marketing...

November 18, 2006: Who Are You Blogging For?
Comments: 9 | Categories: Blog Content Creation , Blogging Advice
A common question I hear is, who should I be blogging for? Or rather, who makes up the audience I am reaching out to with my blog? Let's consider the potential audience that would actually be reading a real estate blog in the first place. Beyond the real estate blogging community that keeps tabs on your effort, it is the deep information seeker that takes the time to absorb your articles. In the topic of real estate, who needs information more than the first timer and the 'relocator'? Other obvious info seekers are first time investors and those with challenges they need to overcome (read: credit, repairs, value, etc). However, the more seasoned audience (past clients, 3rd home buyers etc) is less anxious for education. If the audience has a need for elementary knowledge, then make it obvious that you are there to provide them with what they need most....

September 29, 2006: No Time To Blog? Bloggers' Block? 6 Strategies To Developing Quick and Beneficial Blog Content
Comments: 12 | Categories: Blog Content Creation , Blog Discipline , Blogging Advice , Guest Author , Marketing Solutions , Real Estate Blogging
After over 100 days straight of posting to the Tomato, you may (read: should) be wondering to yourself if there's a life outside of this blog? We're often asked, "How do you come up with all of that information?" "How do you find the time?" "How can you still manage to have a family, a job, a life?" I can't speak for Greg at BloodhoundBlog (Mr. 101 posts in 24hrs) but the short answer is that we have a strategies for consistently generating quality content. Being consistent with your expected posting schedule is crucial when it comes to maintaining an audience. Below are 6 strategies for populating your blog when you find yourself short on time and creativity. We use the top 4 to ensure the Tomato is fed its daily article. 1. Store Content For A Rainy Day If you were to log into our Writely account, you would...