In our last feature “Real Estate Pros: Start Blogging Now!” we began to cover a few ideas to help the first time real estate blogger get off to a good start.  Of course, the concepts covered really do apply just as well for those in the mortgage business.

One of the keys to successful blogging is being an expert of your niche.  Most in the business would consider themselves experts on their own locality.  So, as you read these next 4 real estate professional blogging tips, be keeping your own knowledge of your local market in mind.

Keep It Local

Unless you’re absolutely determined to share your point of view on the national real estate market, why not provide a very likely much needed service to your readership?

If your expertise aptly covers a small to mid-sized market, you might be the first and only person to cover your specific town or region with a blog.  This puts you in a position to build trust and teach the locals the ins and outs of the area, while also allowing you to shamelessly promote yourself from time to time.  You can be the local expert – blog away!

Picture Perfect

I know we’ve discussed this before, but people just love photos.  In fact, let’s say that you have and excellent blog with expert advice and commentary on your market and your real estate friend has every bit as good of a blog targeting the same exact readership.  How can you excel?

Easy… Use lots of good pictures to compliment your text.  This doesn’t mean you should just post some random stock photos.  Instead, use pictures from your local area that come from your very own personal business experiences.  For example, if your blog covers the topic of “how not to sell your home,” post example pictures of the details that turn away potential buyers.

Expand Your Network

While it is indeed acceptable to be competitive in real estate, understand that blogging is often more collaborative in nature.  If you know of several good blogs covering your market, then the best thing for all of your readers would be to network with each other.

Simply linking to each other’s blogs is one thing, but adding your expertise and commenting on each other’s posts are what blogging is all about.  By carrying on a public discussion that’s topical, you might be able to teach readers a thing or two while promoting your services.

Try Q&A

I’ve actually not seen this done very much in the real estate blogosphere, but in theory, it could be an excellent marketing tool.  Why not do a weekly question and answer session via your blog?

Or if not a weekly session, maybe at least consider making it clear that you’re always available to answer questions, no matter how simple or complex they might be.  To draw even more attention, you could possibly get together with a local newspaper and propose being their resident expert through your local real estate blog.