When you have successfully left a comment, it should accomplish at least 2 things:

1. Offer some contribution to the original article.  If you agree with the article, but feel there is something that could be added to enhance the message - say so.  If you disagree with the article, and have a clear idea as to why - say so but offer constructive criticism.
    
2. Inspire the reader of your comments to ‘check out’ who you are.

Why bloggers love readers’ comments:

1. The added comments are seen as a valuable addition to the original article and are spidered by search engines along with the original article. A great comment can be see as a trusted voice to your target market.
    
2. Comments create community.  Not only is the article being read, but readers are participating, which inspires more participation.
    
3. It is difficult to write the ‘perfect post’; sometimes it takes many voices to round out a particular topic.
    
4. Comments are accompanied by contact info.
   This contact info can:
   -Be a new lead
   -Be a new acquaintance
   -Be a new destination for like-minded knowledge
    

Be forewarned, not all comments are created the same.  In order for a comment to be successful, use this formula:

1. Start by being polite, compliment the article when appropriate.  Blatantly tell the author you have something to add and state if it is positive or negative to their article and polite words always soften constructive criticism.
    
2. Next, give your advice, criticism, or insight to the article in a polite tone.  Make sure the comment flows well with the original article and will inspire others to continue reading this bloggers bogs as well as visit your blog or website on a regular basis.  Make sure you re-read your comments to ensure that the tone is appropriate especially when posting a negative comment.
    
3. Then add a relevant link! - Most comments are to be accompanied by a web address and name when posted.  However, if your comment merits a link back to one of your articles on your blog or website related to the subject at hand, don’t be afraid to include it as well.  Not all moderators allow for hyperlinks (or HTML tags) in their comments, so you may be left with a text non-link that needs to be copied and pasted into a browser but that’s better than nothing.
    
4. Lastly, proofread! Confirm that the information is well written without grammatical errors. Your name and web address are connected to your comments.  Treat your comments as you would a polished blog post: check spelling, grammar, link URLs and contact info for errors.
    

Some Benefits to Commenting
Besides attracting traffic with successful blog comments on real estate articles, there are also added benefits in search engine optimization for your own blog.  By adding a link back to your site or blog in each comment you enter, you’ll slowly start to weave your online web.  As the search engines spider the article where you made a comment, it automatically establishes an inbound link from said blog.  Leaving successful comments on the blogosphere is just as important as social networking* your own blog entries.  Running a consistent commenting campaign is going to produce visible results similar to any kind of link building efforts that some companies charge thousands for.

Two main topics to address here today regarding the real estate agent blogger: What voice do you see yourself having in the web universe? And what quick tips are valuable in turning your web audience into leads?

What voice do you bring to the blog site? If you are having trouble finding that voice, here are a few key points to remember. As is the case for most realtors, your role carries a large variety of different responsibilities. You need to be a savvy consultant, aware of and able to explain a myriad of different local information directly and indirectly related to the housing market. You are also their best friend in this process, and as such need to effectively deal with what is a very emotional process, picking and buying property. The more they feel they can trust their new "confidant" the better. As such, articles that explain and persuade reasons why to buy here and why to buy now. You also are asked to provide a lot of basic help and information. Instead of feeling like the lowly doorman or woman here, take this opportunity to provide these basic services, links to forms, helpful local tips and tricks etc. I wouldn’t agree to help move the fine kitchen china for them, but you could write posts about all the great local resources and how they can help.

When you become that trusted voice, you start getting comments and leads that sound like this: "I’ve been reading your blog for months. I feel like I already know you." This is exactly the place you want to be with your online audience.

Main Point #2: Blogging does not, by itself create LEADS, it creates TRAFFIC! "So Where were all the leads and how do I go about getting them?" is a question I hear a lot. My response in turn is something like: "Are you creating clear links back to the for-profit website within your content writing?" and "Are you concluding every information-based blog post with a clear call to action highlighting the unique features signing up with you will provide them?"

For more information and examples to help clarify blogging and online marketing in general, please explore our RealEstatemarketingBlog.com further. Our sections on Real Estate Marketing, Paid Search Marketing, and Search Engine Optimization will certainly help, and beyond that, sign up for our RSS feeds, or email us and we can set up a time to chat about online marketing more over the phone!

And the question remains…Can Real Estate blogging really attract an audience and more importantly, BUYERS?! The good news is YES!

Blogs can serve as basic and essential tools for online real estate marketing. How you ask? Blogging is essentially a modernized art form: A place where you can express your opinions, views, offer sound advice and more importantly develop relationships with current and prospective clients. Think of it as an extension to your current business relationships with an added opportunity to create new leads, introduce yourself to your community and to become a voice for not only your area of Real Estate expertise, but for potential buyers and sellers in your market.

Now, the next question is… What to write about and how often?! Let’s tackle the latter first: How Often? If you are using your blog as a real estate marketing tool, then you must remember the importance of regular business blogging. If you want to establish yourself as an expert in your area and expand upon business relationships then I would suggest making it a habit!  Here are some reasons/rules to live by in the blogging kingdom:

Search Engine Authority: Regular blogging is a good way to get you recognized on the search engines by providing relevant and interesting content on a regular basis.

Build & Maintain Relationships: Just how delivering constant content will help you with the SERPs, it will also build an interested audience and hence help build and maintain important business relationships outside of the office.

Make it a Habit: Routine is crucial. Once you have a base of readers, they are counting on you to deliver clever, knowledgeable and interesting posts! Try to schedule your blogging so you can fit it into your busy life – if you have a routine then it’s easy to make it a habit!

Next question to tackle: What to write about? The answer to this question is easier than you think: topics are swirling around you all day long! Try not to think about blogging as a chore, but more of an insight into your business and how your experiences can provide helpful tips, knowledge or entertainment to your readers. Just carry a notepad with you and jot down ideas and/or experiences that you run across in your daily life as a real estate professional. Below are some ideas that may help give you a jump start:

Upcoming events in your community

Conversations that you have with your clients

Common Questions about your community

Neighborhood Information or History

Housing Stats for your Area

Real Estate Industry News

Home Decorating Ideas

Gardening Tips

Take a photo and write a post

A Featured Property

Your Hobby

Foreclosures

Places to Eat, Shop, Visit

Types of Architecture and Housing in Your Area

Listen to your Buyers and Sellers – they are full of blog worthy ideas!

Those are just a few ideas to think about to get the blog juices flowing! The important thing is to remember that everyday experiences can be woven into an interesting and informative post.