R TEAM

Blogging for Business

I couldn't have said this better myself: 5 Call to Action Tips...How to get blog readers to become clients

This is one of the "non real estate" blogs that I subscribe to...why?  It's because of advice such as this AND they are based on a Typepad platform (like my blogs).

When you see a blog you enjoy reading--subscribe! 

5 Top Ways I Drive Traffic to My Blog

There are so many ways to help readers find you...it could really make your head spin.  I probably shouldn't be writing this because I'm sure I'm missing out on some wonderful tools for increasing your blog traffic.  To begin with, I really don't care about how many people see my blog (yeah, it's kind of cool when my hits are up but really) what's important is WHO finds me.  It all goes back to attracting people you enjoy working with.

With that said, this is what I do for my blog--some of these "tips" are not on purpose--I've just learned they work.

1. Write good content (duh! I know...) as if you're writing to your client/audience.   I often will use the title to phrase a question that I've been asked by a client.  I've found that people using search engines, such as Google, will enter a question or an answer to a question.
2. I use Twitter to announce a new post that I've written.  Sometimes I'll say something as simple as "New Post: [Post Title] and '[URL]" or I might be more clever and say "Have you ever wondered about [what ever my new post is about]" and [URL].  Note: with Twitter, I like to shorten my URL's using Tiny Url.
3. Commenting on other blogs with your similar interest, that allow you to embed your your URL as a signature is another great way to drive traffic to your blog.
4. Write guest posts for another established blog. 
5. Promote your blog in your email address, business cards and announce it over and over again to your sphere of influence.

BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE:  Once your blog is somewhat established (meaning it's a few months old and you're writing at least twice a week)...you can submit it to Citizen Rain...this is another great way to help you're clients find YOU.

Cool New Feature at Talon Title

Okay...so I'm biased, my husband does work for The Talon Group.  But this is pretty darn cool.  The Talon Group just released helpful videos for consumers featuing common title questions. 

How many times have your clients asked about vesting, ID affidavits or what happens after signing (when do we close)?   Now you can have their videos embedded on your blog or website or just send them to Talons. 

How cool is that?  Contact your Talon Group rep for more information or visit their website.

Did you catch King 5 News this morning?

Here's a link to this morning's Homefront Report on how on-line marketing aka "Web 2.0" is impacting our local markets.   Get over Redfin being discussed right off the bat, there's an important message that you need to hear.

Home buyers are shopping for homes using the internet by using blogs, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube or Viddler (vlogging = video blogging). 

In fact, most of the transactions I have right now are from people who found me via my blogging efforts.  There are buyers out there who want to participate in this market...will they find you?   

• Having a blog increases your odds.  Search engines prefer an active blog over a static website. 
• Blogs allow you to demonstrate your expertise and to have conversations--interaction.
• Twitter is like a mini-blog and probably my favorite form of "social networking".

What are you waiting for?   There is no shortage of topics these days. Just do it!

Update: it was brought to my attention that at 0:56 into the video, one of my post from The Mortgage Porter is in the screenshot.   What a bonus!