Seize the Web: Content Marketing for Better Blogging

What keeps readers focused?

The following is a contribution by guest author: Marie Still is the Director of Marketing for MRIS.
Today’s web is a very noisy place, so competing for eyeballs is no small feat. Smart marketers know that it’s no longer enough to talk about you (or your product), how fantastic your service is, throw a couple of testimonials on your site and call it a day.
In order to create action, you must first earn the interest and trust of your target.
So how do you do this?
Create content that informs, educates or excites, or all of the above. When you create content that people read and interact with, that is a great start. Create content that people share, well now you’ve discovered the secret.
Bring on the blogs. The rise and popularity of blog consumption gives you as a marketer a great opportunity to create the type of content mentioned above and convert blog readers into customers. But, don’t think of your blog as a sales tool. Not only will this type of content not attract new readers, it will turn off the readers you have. So as tempting as it is, listings don’t make for effective blog posts.

So you understand what you need to do, now here is the challenge, doing it! Where to start? What to write about? This is the challenge that content marketers face every day, but don’t be scared, you can do it! Think about your interests, your passions, think outside real estate.
I heard of one REALTOR® who had a passion for black and white photography, so she started a blog about it. She was able to connect with lots of people online who shared her interest. She interacted with them on her blog and forged relationships with her readers; she was able to turn these relationships into customers (when the time was right).
Now think back to real estate. What do you know about the market, selling a home, home staging that consumers would be interested in? Now write about it! Position yourself as a leader, an expert, another great way to build trust.
A few thoughts to leave you with, a blog is not a short term strategy, it takes time, patience is a virtue, write like a human (no corporate speak), let your personality shine through, look for new and interesting angles, use the web for inspiration (what are your peers blogging about, what content is working for them) and have fun!
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Thanks Marie! Welcome to the Vine.
Marie Still is the Director of Marketing for MRIS, visit their blog at MRISblog.com