The document provides a comprehensive guide to real estate blogging, discussing what blogs are, their benefits, and how to effectively write and market them. It emphasizes the importance of having a clear blog plan and strategy, as well as consistently posting relevant content to connect with clients. Additional tips include utilizing keywords for search engines, creating engaging topics, and maintaining authenticity in posts.

1. Real Estate Blogging The Basics Marie Episale, REALTOR, e-PRO Broker-Salesperson

2. Introduction Marie Episale, Broker-Salesperson Sales Manager/Trainer Century 21 Crest Real Estate, Pompton Plains, NJ 973-646-7423 office direct 201-314-0106 cell [email_address] I blog on ActiveRain WordPress RealEstateTomato

3. We will discuss What is a Blog? Why Blog? How to write a blog. Where do I submit my blog? Marketing my blog Blog Topics Your Blog Plan

4. What is a blog? Sort of a website, but different. Quick, easy to submit “ Posts” are read “newest first” to “oldest” Readers can leave comments and “converse” with you Can include text, pictures, videos, sound and slide shows, widgets & gizmos. Updated more frequently than websites Indexed and caputured by search engines quickly.

5. http://activerain.com/marieepisale

6. Sample blog sites Active Rain Word Press

7. http://marieepisale.wordpress.com/

8. Why Blog? Opportunity to learn & perfect your skills You get to share your personality, business practices and knowledge. 24/7 Exposure…. All year long Network with other professionals You become a search engine search result. Buyers and Sellers will FIND YOU! Gives you “credibility” and “authority status” on your listing & buyer appointments.

9. Sample Google Searches Marie Episale blog Lionshead Lake Wayne NJ Real Estate

12. How To Start a Blog Start with these: More in Blogging Part II class www.activerain.com www.wordpress.com

13. Word Press www.wordpress.com Click on Sign Up Now Choose User Name and Password Blog will be www.username.wordpress.com , so choose user name purposely. Best bet: use your firstlastname as user name We will set up your account in “hands on” session to follow

14. Active Rain Click on hyperlink: join # professionals on the world’s largest real estate network Fill out form and continue to follow instructions

15. Hint: Have your photo and bio ready ahead of time, so you can just “copy & paste” Save to your “thumb drive” Create folder labeled “bio stuff for websites and blog sites” Write your bio, philosophy, about you, business experience, areas of expertise, testimonial quotes from your clients etc.

16. What to blog about? Blog topics: Read other blogs - “google search” real estate blog (topic or no topic) - read www.activerain.com blogs - read www.realestatetomato.com blogs Get ideas from your clients or colleagues Blog about what is important to you Blog about what is timely in the market

17. Marketing your blog Put your blog site everywhere Flyers Business cards Website Advertising E-mail signatures Mailings Sign riders

18. More Marketing & Prospecting Ask yourself why clients might connect with you. Knowledge Personality Your background, education & experience Your business philosophy What you look like Your market saavy The Internet is ALWAYS OPEN

19. The Plan Blogging and Social Media sites are the 'must do' in real estate internet marketing. To be part of this, you must have a Plan. Plan Your Strategy: You need to make a commitment to consistently blog. Identify your mission statement and stick to it Determine what return you want from your blog, then blog for those reasons.

20. Next Steps and other things Post Articles: Write as often as you can. Schedule fixed time to write articles. Start as many 'good idea drafts' as you can - this ensures a reserve of good content. Stay on subject (no one cares about the weather, or how busy you've been). Don't be wordy Many short is way better than a few long.

21. Post often, at least 2 to 3 times a week. Keep your posts short and on topic. Blog readers have short attention spans. Write with keyword rich content. Mention the town, area and local local market several times in your post. The search engines will pick up these keywords. Use hyperlinks that will give the reader excellent resources: Official town websites, your website, demographics, school information. Put yourself in the shoes of the consumer and write for them. Online consumers will not respond to posts that are not relevant to anything or that are obviously just to advertise you. Consumers read blogs for information, so that’s what you must give them. Use spell check. If you have a lot of spelling errors, the educated consumer may look over you when picking an agent. Be yourself in your posts. Be authentic to yourself. This is the forum for that. This is your time and your space to be you and to share “The Professional You” with the world! Tips to Success with a Blog

22. The End