I recently wrote here on this blog about the need to go beyond REALTOR to REALTOR linking and that a blog, properly implemented could be a GREAT way to attract local RELATIONSHIPS and thus links. I also wrote recently on my blog about the fall of the newspapers, the vacuum that was left, and the advantage that affords us to be CITIZEN JOURNALISTS. And I promised to show some examples of what I was talking about.
Fast Forward.
A group of us got together to help each other find ways to do just that. Although there are (currently) only 10 of us in the group, I wanted to share a few of the cool bloggy ways that we are combining the principles above with some neat WordPress tools to generate local connections and go local.
One of the guys in our group is Scott Hack. He is a REALTOR in my office. Oldham County Wired is his attempt at building local relationships by disintermediating the dead tree media with a community blog of his own. Here are some cool things he’s done:
Used Eric Bramlett’s QuizMaster 3000 plugin to generate a University of Louisville fan quiz on his blog. (That got posted on a local sports forum 🙂 )
Had a friend write movie reviews. (Greg called it right when he said “Vanity thy name is author” and I can find local community members MUCH more willing and talented than the dead tree media can!)
He’s personally connected as he has done stories about local folks. (Think they might USE his services for Real Estate?)
Used his Google Calendar Feed to power a “Community Calendar Page“. Hmmm…how many folks do you think will come to his blog and connect with him because of him asking for dates for THEIR events?
On my token attempt, Southern Indiana Times, I am using a plugin called WP-Classified (just released in bug free enough to post here form) that adds a classified ad section to the “paper”. I will be adding more to that and using it to garner repeat traffic.
These are just a couple of the ways we are doing this. (and they are under construction!) Hopefully, this seed sprouts some new ways to use blogs that go far beyond the prototypical “City Market Update”, and “Insert Subdivision here is a great place to live”. (Those are as hard to write in my opinion as they are to read!) The more of these creative blog projects I do, the more I am finding that there are infinite ways to connect within a community. You can build your online authority faster as well as your bank account, by using a blog to connect.
In Part 2– How our office connects with our real estate associates using a blog. And WHY.(Hint:Click the link for a preview!)
Heather Rankin says:
Eric – Great ideas in there… really like the Google calender and the quizzzzz – yes I can see it now – How long is Lake Powell? How deep? What year was the dam started? Oh YEAH!
I’ve written several times about the rather unique area Lake Powell is, and the position that leaves me in. What perfect ideas for what I’m doing.
All of my Realtor to Realtor linking is long distance as no one here is wired. That’s cool, but, the idea that Teri has helped me with is forming a “community” blog as opposed to a “real estate only” blog. That is where my success and longevity is going to be. Looking forward to Part 2, maybe 3???
October 18, 2008 — 10:34 pm
Ken in Arlington Heights says:
Some interesting ideas there. Had not thought of using G calendar like that.
October 20, 2008 — 2:09 pm
Glenn says:
Eric – you have some great ideas – thanks for sharing them.
October 20, 2008 — 3:58 pm
Arlington homes for sale says:
so many ideas…so little time to take any particular one to its potential. Sometimes I wish there were 5 of me around to really pursue some of my ideas their fullest. I’m sure many here can relate.
October 21, 2008 — 3:31 pm