Best Real Estate Ideas…Unused

December 3, 2009
Volume 3 Issue #11

The holiday season is upon us again. Lots of family gatherings and plenty of opinions shared. We made it peacefully through Thanksgiving and actually had a great time. But what stuck with me was everyone had ideas on a variety of subjects…some good, some maybe a little out there.

Well, I think I have a few ideas which can make your website or blog a little better but very few people to take me up on them. Maybe I’m that relative who is just a little off. Since I probably won’t be with you for the holidays, I’ll give you my ideas and let you decide which type of relative I am. If you like them, you can always invite me to your house for the holidays.

1- Make your own community virtual tours. Either use a video camera (Flip Video cameras are very easy) or take still pictures of a few special places of the town(s) you service. You can record a short narrative if you like or just write a short description of the town and mention something about the price range in that community. Benefit is that you become the community expert and have content that is unique.

2- Restaurant and community event reviews. Everyone likes to eat and most enjoy community festivals or special events. Each time you go out to eat, write a 3 line review. You will have fresh content and something your competitors don’t have. One way to make this even better is to have your friends write the reviews. E-mail the review to the restaurant.  Better still, give a framed hardcopy of the review to the restaurant with the headline As Reviewed on “Your Website.com”.

3- Offer space on your website to groups or clubs. Usually there is plenty of space to expand your website. Offer teams, clubs or groups free space on your site. It is very easy to password protect a page. Building the special page will make you a good person and every time someone visits the page they will be reminded of what you do.

4- Place your newsletter on your website. If you don’t have a newsletter, it is a good idea to have one as it forces you to contact your clients regularly. Your newsletter can give your site fresh content and people a reason to visit. There are a variety of newsletters available, some free, some not. You can send emails with a short synopsis of what is in the newsletter to build some interest. You might consider adding something personal --the biggest responses I get to my newsletters are when I add something personal. My last newsletter mentioned our son in Alaska and it drew a slew of responses*.

5- Have friends and clients review your website. Let people know you have a website and get their ideas on how to make it better. Warning, this can be painful! You accomplish several things by doing this. Clients and friends know you value their opinion. You might get some good ideas. You will be forced to review your website.

Now you have some of my best website ideas seldom used by others. If you like the ideas put them into use. If you really like them, feel free to invite me over for the holidays or have me speak to your group.

Tech Tip- Everyone knows Windows 7 is available now. Reviews have been positive. If you have been holding off buying a computer, now might be the time. One warning: Check with your company’s IT department or your MLS to make sure their software is compatible.

*Responses to last month’s newsletter, Real Estate Alaska Style . I haven’t been printing the comments recently but I am this month to demonstrate the point I made above about putting something personal in your newsletter. The last names have been left out because many of the responses were personal. Also note I had skipped a couple of months and people do notice when you are not consistent.

“I love your newsletter and your comparison to life in Alaska with life in real estate. – Barb

“I am a huge Alaska fan. … I lean towards the roughing it side of things. “If it was easy, everyone would do it”—always better to take the road less traveled. I miss you Jeff” -John

“Hi Jeff, Always good to get your newsletters”
Sue

“I don't care how cold it is in Alaska, Sarah Palin is hot. Keep working her into your newsletters and I guarantee you, I'll keep reading 'em.”
John

“What a timely and encouraging newsletter! Not that we need “encouragement”. But it was really good to hear from you and read your thoughts! We remain in it for the long haul!”
L & C

“This is a great newsletter. Would you want it submitted to the Chicago Association of Realtors for their Blog and magazine?” 
Kimberly

“Finally!  But worth it.”
Judy

“This was a great newsletter.....It was good to hear from you...I don't think I saw a newsletter for awhile.”
Renate

“Where the heck have you been? I hope not in Alaska. Any way good hearing from you regards to the CEO (Sarah?).
Ed