Building the Blog – FAQ’s with PR Firm

Public Relations should be part of any real estate marketing toolbox. A real estate blog is no different. Using a good PR firm will build readership for the blog and create excitement within the company. While meeting with all of the tech and marketing people to map out The Blog, I also called in Isreal Kreps from Kreps DeMaria Public Relations. Isreal’s first recommendation was to have a brief interview on some general questions relating to the blog. Here they are, asked and answered.

10 Questions on Real Real Estate Blogging

What is a blog?

A blog is an abbreviation of web-log or a journal style entry that is on the web.

Who can write a blog?

Anyone can write a blog as long as they have access to a computer that has blogging software or a site where free blogs are provided.

How long should a blog be?

Great question, in truth a blog can be as long or as short as you want it to be- there are really no rules. However, you want to make sure you capture the readers attention and then hold it long enough to get your point or information and then cut it off. People really skim articles on line so it is best not to write too much.

Why should real estate sales associates blog?

There are so many reasons for real estate agents to blog.

First, it gets you out there. In the real estate business it is important for people to know more about you. Blogging, done right, will convey information the consumer is looking for while providing a glimpse into the personality of the person writing the blog. We know 2 things in this regard about consumers – that they begin their search for a property on the internet and that they are looking for information.

Second, it helps your SEO. The search engines lop up blogs like a thirsty dog drinks water. User generated content is even more sought after. In short, blog enough and leads will come your way through searches relative to your content.

Does it take a lot of time to write a blog?

A blog can be posted in very little time. Once you get the idea of what you want to blog about, you just begin writing. A think the most time consuming thing about blogging is structuring what you want and how you want to say it. In time and with practice, the writing will flow and it will take less and less time.

Can I post photos on a blog?
Yes, you can post photos, audio and video content on a blog.

Are there any special FREC requirements on a listing blog?

No, a blog is just like any other form of advertising, so it must have your full name and the company information must appear somewhere on the front of the post. In other words, if you are going to blog about real estate, it should be clear that you are a real estate sales person.

Who will see my blog?

EWM will be using advertising and press releases to announce the blog. We have already begun to amass some community information to blog about as soon as we are able. Once the content of the blog reaches a certain size, readers will be able to find the blog just by using seach terms on the search engines. Hopefully, all of our associates will talk about the blog to their friends and clients. Since the blog will be an integral part of ewm.com, our site visitors will also be reading. The idea is, if the reader likes what they see, they will be back.

How can I set up my blog?
EWM will be hosting a Blog Launch on August 21rst in Broward and August 22nd in Miami-Dade. All of the details on the blog will be discussed at that time. Training classes will be held following those events to provide some individual help. Everything will be chronicled here as well.