Introducing your Blog to your Network

By: Nick Taylor
January 4, 2010

Now that you’ve set-up your blog and added a catalogue of quality content, it’s time to create some exposure and invite your friends, family members, clients, and colleagues to visit the site. Plus, at the apex of the New Year, now is a great time to contact your sphere with a personal note on how they can find news and information more efficiently online. In this article, I’ll touch on a simple measure you can take to add value to your network and tactfully direct them to your blog as they search for real estate information.

In my recent article, Tightening the Belt - 5 Devaluing Marketing Expenses worth Trimming, I touch on the challenge of client-relationships tools as a means to demonstrate value to your clients. Instead of wasting your money on gifts to meet your client-contact quota for the month, allocate some time to craft a message that outlines the benefits and steps to transition from “old news” reading habits (newspapers) to more efficient news reading habits online with RSS Feeds. Once complete, your clients will find value in your service and have a new awareness of your blog.

When you’re crafting your message, be sure to answer the following five questions:
1. What is the definition of RSS?
a. Real Simple Syndication: “Used to publish frequently updated content such as blog-entries, news headlines, and podcasts in a standardized format. An RSS document (which is called a feed, web feed, or channel) contains either a summary of content from an associated web site or the full text.” -Wikipedia-

2. What are the Benefits of using RSS Feeds?
a. No subscription fee and allows for accessing information across multiple websites in a single location (i.e. A custom homepage)

3. How do I create a custom homepage to receive RSS Feeds?
a. Create an account with Google.com and select the “My Account” link at the top of the screen. Select “iGoogle” from the “My Account” page and begin customizing your page with graphics and informative Tabs.

4. How do I add RSS Feeds to my custom homepage?
a. Select the RSS Feed logo (see inserted image) from websites and blogs of particular interest.

5. Which websites should I subscribe to for quality real estate information?
a. This is where you include your blog!!! Some other helpful sites include: www.Zillow.com/Blog, Wall Street Journal and your brokerage (if available).

This is a simple, offline communication measure you can take to connect with your network, provide your sphere with some helpful research tips, tactfully promote your blog, and share the benefits of incorporating your blog as a resource for local real estate information.

Best of luck as you craft your message and if you want to learn more about this topic, hit me up on Twitter! @NickTaylor_