We all enjoy reading informative posts--especially when they’re focused on a topic for which we are searching. We tend to enjoy a connection between the writer when we’re fully agreeing with something or sometimes, for whatever reason, we may get the feeling that we just don’t ‘understand’ that particular writer.
The consumer is the exact same way--they go by the ‘tone’ and style of your writing as well as the content that you provide them within any given article, blog or website. Here are some pointers that I’ve gathered from discussions with clients who have found me or my firm online:
Readers don’t like the hard sell. Your ‘About Us’ page on your website and your ‘Profile’ page on ActiveRain gives you the perfect spot to tell the world about you. Don’t over-do it though--everyone detests a bragger so, saying that you’re the ‘best’ or ‘highest producing’ at something is a major turn-off.
- Give them a bit about YOU, not how great YOU think you are!
- Include a few testimonials; those are well received by readers--far more than touting about yourself!
- Write with passion--let the reader know that you have a wealth of knowledge about your area and that you’re more than willing to share.
- Do your research. What is the consumer in search of while on your site? Are you finding that they’re clicking on your neighborhood posts or your market reports? Or is the consumer looking more for school information or local happenings?
- Take care with your comments - This is one thing that is often overlooked:
- Do you leave snide comments on others’ blogs or in response to those who were gracious enough to leave a comment on your blog? Sometimes no matter how diplomatic we try to write, it comes across as snide. Refrain from this type of commenting. Remember what your grandmother always told you, “If you don’t have something nice to say, just don’t say anything at all!” Your comments speak louder than you realize.
- Comments are indexed in the search engines so, remember that if you’ve been nasty before, that may just be the comment that you’re ‘discovered’ by--and that’s certainly not a good first impression!
WRITE to the consumer--give them what they want! Make your blogging voice loud and clear so that the reader wants to continue reading. Happy blogging in 2012!
(THE best Charlotte home search available - no kidding!)
Debe Maxwell, CRS/Realtor®/Broker
Broker@TheCharlotteScoop.com
Phone (704) 491-3310
Debe-this is so true. It can be hard to find our voice and to realize that we need to just be ourselves and let the words flow. There will be people who like to read what you write and there will be people who don't. We should just speak from the heart.
Debi, Great post, very good points, I am suggesting, Happy Holidays!!!
Hi Debe, So true! Your blog does not have to be strictly real estate either. Sometimes it's nice to just "hear" intelligent conversation regardless of the subject matter. Kudos, colin
Debe,
You have something psychedelic going with your five oval buttons. Put your cursor above them and scroll down. It looks like they're getting larger.
I absolutely agree that for Realtors, the hard sell is out. Twenty years ago maybe...but not now.
Rich
Great information and food for thought, as always, Debe. Going to work on being consistently authentic with my blogging voice in 2012 - comments and advice welcome!
All the best to you this Christmas, and wishes for a happy, healthy 2012!
Hi Debe,
Pfanntastic article and resource, this is exactly why everything we do and say is so important, no matter we it is, thank you for this feature worthy post, suggested.
Happy Holidays and a Pfanntastic New Year in Good Health and Prosperity..
Debe,
There are so many Realtors® out there that are going to try to do a hard sell. Unfortunately they end up given our chosen profession a bad name. We end up getting compared to car salesman, or something even worse. When you start talking to someone and use the line "OK so what do we need to do, to get a deal right now"
Debra: RIGHT! I think alot of professionals go after the 'it's all about me' theme and that just isn't appealing to ANY reader!
Thank you, Mary!
Colin: That's true and our readers do really want to see a 'personal' side to us every now and then!
Rich: LOL - It's just the way they're lined up--optical illusion, I suppose! As for the 'tooting' of the old horn--it's just that--OLD and not a single soul except possibly your mother, wants to read that! Even my mother would correct me and say that she 'taught me better than to brag!'
Thanks, Debbe! You do a terrific job--I love your voice! Happy Holidays to you and yours also!
Peter & Linda: Well, thank you so much! I hope you and yours have a wonderful holiday and a Pfanntastic New Year!
Larry--How TRUE! I can't tell you how many times I've been asked about a particular agent--someone will say, "Well, John Doe is one of the highest producing agents around, right?" WHO?! LOL Oh, they read it in the newspaper too--which, as you know, is SUCH a reliable source of information and THE best form of advertising these days! HA!
Debe, this is wonderful advice for all of us. I think it's important to sound like you are both competent and fun.
Hi Pat! That's so true! I remember when I was a young adult, my goal wasn't to find a wealthy man to marry, it was to find someone who could make me laugh! I'm blessed to have found him too!
You are right about self promoting. A testimonial speaks far louder than that in every situation and nobody likes a bragger.
Debe
Enjoyed the post and the information gives me something to think about.
Good luck and success.
Lou Ludwig
Thanks, Rich! A testimonial works FAR better, I agree!
Well, it's about time! You're ALWAYS giving me food for thought, Lou!! ;-)
My sounds like lovely harps played by angels lol. Happy Holidays!
so, just to be clear, you're sayin' I should stop saying I'm the best, I'm the biggest, I'm the brightest... right? but momma told me not to hide my light under a basket.... sniff, sniff.
Funny thing is that I never hear Jane's accent in her blog posts--nor do I hear yours. Or.. is it me who has the strange voice. Joking aside, this is a very important topic and developing a personal voice is what connects you to your readers. Not sure what mine sounds like, but I belive that I might be a little bit sarcastic or ironic once in awhile--since I am like that quite a bit in real life.
Merry Christmas Debe - I enjoy your blog very much!
And thanks to you my friend, I DID find my blogging voice and plan to be much more consistent in the next year! Best to you this Holiday Season my friend!
Laura: I hear it playing so sweetly too!
Alan: I KNOW your Mama didn't tell you that!! And, believe me, you don't have to boast to have your words speak loudly to your audience--you are a master at making yourself heard in an incredibly positive way.
Chris: Well, thank you so much! I enjoy yours as well. Now, speak up in 2012! ;-)
Russell: Hey Doll--and YES you did! We all LOVE your voice and always look forward to the next post. Can't wait to see that new site up and running! Merry Christmas to you and yours as well!
You're right on target, Debe (as always!). There is no reason to dis anyone else in this forum. If you really feel someone is in error, just send them a private comment. Negativity will come back to bite!
Bruce
Great post Debe. I need to get down to it and write!
Debe - your writing is a perfect example of how to do it right! Always full of smart and friendly advice delivered in a positive and thoughtful way. Have a wonderful holiday and a super new year.
Our posts should share our passion, our experience, ourselves. Thanks for your post! Merry Christmas!
Debe,
I did not realize that consumers could find us based on our comments. That's interesting, all things considered. Advice well given. I just wish that we all would take heed to that.
Hi Debe--great post and terrific reminders. In this age of social media people don't like to be sold. They will make up their minds by what they read and can out about us. And we can never write it enough times that our comments live forever in cyberland, so it's good to think about what one writes.
Hi Debe, nice post. These are very timely reminders of how to achieve success. Happy Holidays!
Debe - This is a good reminder that comments are indexed and searchable.
You are so right, Debe. I don't get those that leave snide comments. And, yes, there are several here. I always wonder, if they realize that they are snide and just don't care/realize their impact, or if they are so oblivious that they are being snide.
Debe What a great post. People do get to know us by our posts and comments.
Thought this was going to be a blog on podcasting, real estate video with audio track and your actual voice. Like snow flakes we are all different, all human beings not robots inputting data yes, no and maybes in the MLS stream. Put your actual voice, no script read and just the guy or girl next door friendly foot in the real estate buyer's "home deliveries". Videos do that so well, memorably and deeply. Profile copy is read read read like the wheels on the bus go round round round. The connection is stronger with video the buyer can relate to, engage with in the most important, highest priced item in a person's life.