With slowing sales nationwide and more time on their hands, REALTORS® are veering towards other avenues to reach potential clients, as well as market the properties they have for sale. These new avenues include social networking sites and personal blogs. If you haven’t already, consider starting a blog to help build your image as an expert in your particular market.

A blog is a type of Web site that enables open communication and provides agents with a platform to express their insights. From a business perspective, there are several potential reasons to blog. Blogs are no different from media outlets like video, print, audio, presentations and so on. They all deliver results - but of varying kinds. The types of results you can expect from blogs are mainly about stronger relations with important target groups. Here are few ways blogging can help real estate agents:

Become the Expert

Position yourself and your company as the thought leader of your business.

Customer Relationships 

You can have a more personal relationship with your customers. Blogs are a fast way to join the customers’ discussions, provide tips and insights or receive feedback.

Knowledge Management 

You become the knowledge source by providing an easy way for your readers to find information and resources about the real estate market or neighborhoods they’re interested in.

Rank High in Search Engines 

Google and other search engines reward sites that are updated often, that link to other sites and most importantly, that have many inbound links.

HAR has developed a technology tool to help members become part of the blogosphere. The HAR Blog Builder will allow members to create a blog for free on HAR.com. Members will be able to choose from various blog categories, various themes and color options to personalize their blog. In addition, members will be able to control posts and comments from their readers.

If you have an existing blog hosted by another Web site, you’ll be able to promote it on HAR.com. Simply designate your blog address within the HAR Blog Builder to promote it on HAR.com.

To help promote the HAR Member Blogs, we are developing a HAR Blog Directory to help consumers find the member blogs. Your blog will also be promoted on your HAR Member Web site and in the HAR Member Finder.

The HAR Member Blog Builder is still under development and is not yet available. We will be launching it soon. Once it becomes available, you will be able to access the HAR Blog Builder via the HAR Members Only Portal under the ‘My…’ section.

HAR strives to stay ahead of the game by developing various products and services to help you grow your business and expand your network of peers and clients. For questions and/or suggestions, please contact Taqi Rizvi, Chief Technology Officer at (713) 629-1900 ext. 252 or via e-mail at taqi@har.com.