How to generate new ideas for your hyperlocal real estate blog

They call it “Death by blogging.”

It’s the unfortunate time when a blogger drops their head on their keyboard in frustration because they have just run dry of ideas. In fact, studies show only 4% of people who start a blog are still writing one three months later.

But for a real estate agent, a hyperlocal neighborhood and lifestyle blog is not just conspiratorial rants about the government or useless stories about a wayward cat. It’s your livelihood. Your marketing vehicle.

It’s your way via social media to reach out to your prospects on Facebook, Twitter and your website. And every day we hear of more and more agents landing clients because of their hyperlocal blog.

So, how do you keep the blog topics percolating?

1)      You’re a writer, keep a notepad – okay, this may seem obvious, but if you are not doing this, you are missing opportunities. Keeping a journal or a notepad or even a handy recording device is what big time authors do. You will appreciate this tip the next time you are sweating at your computer for ideas.

2)      Drive around and shoot photos – as a hyperlocal blogger, you are the chronicler of things taking place in your neighborhood. See a building going up. Take a picture and find out what type of business is under construction. To be an interesting local blogger you need more than market statistics. And a picture is worth, well, you get the point. You can easily cover one week’s blog with a picture and a caption.

3)     Shoot video – if you think a picture is a thousand words, well a video is worth a million. Use a simple Flip camera. Keep it brief. Hold it steady.

4)      Talk to people – develop a few sources. That’s what reporters do. Call up the zoning department. Talk to some construction guys. Get friendly with the economic development folks in your town.  They will give tips you on real estate activity on the horizon.

5)      Go cross country – not literally. But on the web. You probably know what others in your marketplace are writing about. Hop on the web and find out what real estate agents are blogging about on the other side of the country. Somebody somewhere will have an interesting angle you can easily apply to your own blog.

6)  Set up Alerts – go to http://www.google.com/alerts and instantly receive emails on everything happening in your neighborhood. It’s based on keywords you choose to monitor. Being the first to break a story, even with your blog, will get you the most viral mileage

7)      Use hyperlocal tools – this is where SpatialMatch comes in. Notice something interesting taking place in your town. A new school. A new mall. Gym. Starbucks. You can insert the address into the SpatialMatch platform and then show all the MLS listings of available homes surrounding the new project.

This is what will make you stand out as THE hyperlocal real estate blogger in YOUR neighborhood.

Check out a quick video demo at IDX Lifestyle Search