The document provides information about blogging and social networking for real estate agents. It defines what a blog is, explains why agents should blog, and gives many ideas for blog post topics. It also defines social networking and lists several popular sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter that agents can use to connect with clients and prospects. It encourages agents to take advantage of these free marketing tools.

1. What is a blog? ‘ Blog’ is a nickname for weblog, a web site containing an online personal journal with reflections, comments, and often hyperlinks provided by the writer. Blogs started in 1999, but since then the blogosphere has grown exponentially. Blogging is increasingly used by professionals, non-profit organizations, newspapers, magazines, artists, and others to broaden exposure on the World Wide Web.

2. Why do real estate agents need to know about blogs? Because you can’t afford not to …not if you want to stay current and competitive. A blog is a simple, affordable way to advertise. Maintain an online presence with clients and potential clients. Advanced computer code is not required. Share knowledge of market trends and breaking industry news at the click of a button.

3. What is Search Engine Optimization (SEO)? SEO is the art of using key words to attract attention to a web page. SEO anticipates key words that potential clients will type into a search engine (Google, Yahoo, etc.); strategically places those key words in online content; and increases the likelihood of being listed in the results of a search query, thereby increasing internet traffic.

4. Blogging Ideas for Real Estate Agents Use existing community resources to promote neighborhoods: weekly/monthly events on community/subdivision calendar city calendar events (movie nights, concerts, farmers markets, city council meetings/issues that affect home owners, etc.) school district news (test scores, new schools, etc.) Winter Park/Lake Mary/Lake Eola arts festivals, holiday parades local charity events or fund drives, including funds donated by agent/broker demographic stats from city-data.com (A-schools, low crime, proximity to interstate/toll road or downtown, parks, shopping, etc.) recent home sales/comps

5. More Blogging Ideas Use current events/news feeds to write short informational pieces of interest to clients, such as: trends in investing (short sales, auctions, foreclosures, etc.) government programs (tax credits) fun facts from continuing education classes, new certifications interviews with satisfied clients and investors bragging about your broker (awards, new offices, etc.) National Association of Realtors (NAR) statistics relevant to FL Orlando Realtor Association statistics government indices/reports (housing starts, etc.) interest rate trends financing options (15 vs. 30 yr loans, renting vs buying) local builder/developer pieces

6. Still More Blogging Ideas Write short, objective blog articles about topics relevant to buyers: How to choose a moving company What to look for in a mortgage broker How to choose a home inspector What is a house with ‘bad bones?’ How to look beyond a seller’s bad decorating

7. If you’re still awake, here’s more hurricane safety, emergency numbers, kits decorating tips on the cheap making the most of small spaces how to de-clutter closets, garages preparing a home for an open house local sports and recreation opportunities

8. I’m sold…now how do I do it? There are several websites where you can try your hand at blogging for free: WordPress: http://wordpress.com/ . select a theme, upload pictures and video make your blog public or private create email notification lists tracking software provides feedback on how many people are reading your posts, what key words sent them to your site, and what posts are the most popular with your readers online support such as tutorials and discussion groups make troubleshooting easier

9. More Free Blog Sites Blog.com: http://blog.com/ 2 million users comparable to WordPress and Blogger Blogger: https:// www.blogger.com /start . extremely user-friendly interface to get you on your way to blogging in no time owned by Google

10. A Final Word on Blogs a blog is an infinite internet billboard/bulletin board you can create one for free you can advertise for free the opportunities for topics are bound only by your imagination if you don’t have the time or desire to write your own blog, call me 

11. What is Social Networking? It is the power of who you know, multiplied by who your friends know, multiplied by who your friends’ friends know, etc. Is the practice of exchanging business cards at networking lunches still useful to today’s real estate professional? Of course! But using the internet is cheaper , faster , and more likely to produce exponential referral results. Social networking capitalizes on the expansive resources of the internet to take your contact information and put it in the hands of clients worldwide, in real time.

12. Social Networking Online Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ It’s not just for teenagers anymore. 250 million+ active users 120 million+ users log on at least once each day The fastest growing demographic is those 35 years old and older. Restaurants, retail, doctors, lawyers, and yes--real estate agents--have a Facebook page to connect with their clients. “ Facebook's mission is to give people the power to share and make the world more open and connected.” Upload an unlimited number of photos, share links and videos, and get connected (networking). Invite clients and potential clients to view your contact information, bio, photos/videos, calendar of open house dates, and to see houses recently sold. Invite your clients to post testimonials on your page. Accessible by iPhone, Blackberry, and other mobile devices.

13. More Social Networking Sites LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/ Specifically for professionals (like an online Rolodex, but better) Used by 40 million+ professional users worldwide ‘to exchange information, ideas, and opportunities’ Connect users with the right person in your network of folks, and if karma can be trusted, you too will benefit from referrals Added perk: your page contains an Amazon.com link to suggested reading keyed to profession Another perk: Q & A discussions on related industry topics. Connect with real estate agents nationwide to exchange marketing strategies and discuss market trends See what your colleagues are doing to achieve their goals. Why re-create the wheel? Your circle just got bigger.

14. Social Networking for Agents With Short Attention Spans [If this is you, you’re already toast—sorry] Twitter: http://twitter.com/ If Ashton and Demi can do it, so can you! Twitter is a mini-blog, allowing only super-small posts of text Each post is 140 characters or less, called a ‘tweet’ [this is 67] Twitter asks simply, "What are you doing?" Answers can be sent via web, mobile text, instant message Twitter about properties listed or shown, upcoming open houses, auctions, meetings with builders, developers, and other professional appointments Tweets result in a running record of time spent in service to clients (read: ‘Wow, my agent is a real go-getter!’) You might even throw in a personal tweet now and then to remind the pesky ones that you actually have a life, too. Unless, of course, you don’t.

15. Using Social Bookmarking Sites If you’re going to blog, you’re going to need a continuous source of inspiration. Social bookmarking sites store links to articles on the web categorized by topic. Users with similar interests rate articles to make sure you see the best material first. Even if you pay someone (me, for instance) to write for you, bookmarking sites are free and constantly feed up-to-the-minute continuing education. Browse these sites for industry-related news: http://digg.com/ http://delicious.com/ http://www.stumbleupon.com/