There is just so much to blog about, I thought I might offer some suggestions for Newbies, or anyone for that matter. If you want to connect with consumers (and who doesn't?) then you can post all sorts of things about your local area. Put yourself in their shoes.... they are thinking of moving to your town. They want to know about the schools and churches, the stores and restaurants, the hospitals, tha parks and all of those things. Make it interesting and post stories about what's in your area, and you can become the local expert who they will call for more information. And, a Localism post can earn you extra points if it becomes a featured post.
Some topics can be done as a series, or they could be a comprehensive list of all options. Once you have a few posts on one neighborhood, you can link them back and forth to each other to tie them all in, and help the consumer learn more.
Here are some suggestions:
- Real Estate offices - here's a chance to plug your own office
- banks, credit unions - where will they keep their hard earned money?
- churches - post these to the Spiritual groups
- schools - elementary, middle, high, college, tech, whatever - people want to know this stuff!
- hospitals and clinics - seniors are especially interested in health care
- furniture stores - a new house needs new furnishings
- farmers markets, swap meets - what days are the best?
- shops and stores - shopping centers, big box stores, boutiques - where do you go?
- restaurants - who's got the best pizza? where can you go late at night?
- parks, beaches, public pools - this is the stuff that locals know best
- golf courses, race tracks - gotta have some fun when you get there
- spas, salons, nail shops - give recommendations of the ones you like best!
- dry cleaners, laundromats - you must pass by some of these every day
- vets, dog boarding, horse stables - people are concerned about their pets when they move - post to the pet lover groups
- tradesmen - plumbers, electricians, tree trimmers, and carpet cleaners - new homeowners need this info
- the price of gas - yes, they want to know this too - who's going to tell them?
You starting to get the picture? The possibilities are endless, and I have some catching up to do too. I took so many pictures today I could blog for a week or 2! Grab your camera and take some pictures everywhere you go. It might seem boring to you, but new homeowners find this stuff valuable.
And here's a Localism tip - post your pictures there for points (no more points awarded for pictures). Then use them in your posts when you have the time. BTW - Localism is an "appendage" of ActiveRain... in order to get your posts into Localism, you just post them here on ActiveRain....click the FOR CONSUMERS box and take it from there.
Good luck with your blogging! Aloha from Maui.
Jim - you and me both!
John - we were all new once - try and get that feeling again
Gary - thanks, I hope you get inspired
Brian - that's a real problem isn't it? I always get too elaborate with my posts, it's hard to keep them simple.
Dave - no time like the present
BLOG ON IN THE RAIN
Howdy Georgina
I like all of your ideas, for writing some fine quality blogs to be posted on localism. They are very helpful to all members of Active Raine. Your a very fine lady for taking the time to make this list.
Have a good one
Dale
I'm not a newbie but that gave me some more ideas. Gotts go do some posting to localism. before I go I'll click on your website and give you some extra traffic will you return the favor? Thanks
Sally in Greenwood Lake Greenwood SC Real Estate
Sally - That's a very informative site! And I see you're a painter too, good for you. We have a great art supply store in Makawao that I will be posting about soon.
aloha - see you around the rain.
Those are all great ideas. The way Broken Arrow is growing and all the new development that is going on I can't wait to take pictures!
Thanks a bunch!
Thanks for the localism post ideas-and the suggestion about photos!
Kathy
Kelly - go for it! Be the expert in your neighborhood.
Kathy - I need to stay home for about a week and stop taking pictures... lol
Georgina,
I have recently started this venture of the blog.... I have posted a few and still learning how to do them to capture more attention. I'm trying to do a different location in town at least 2-3 times a week. Maybe I will hit a big one some day that will draw lots of attention.
Roland
Georgina,
Great post with lots of ideas. I learned a long time ago to always carry a camera. You never know when you might miss something.
dione the home advisor
Kay - I put a lot of words into my picture tags and titles - every bit helps. thanks!
Cody - when you submit your post, you can click on FOR CONSUMERS, and that will post it to localism.... you will get boxes to click off the state, the city, the neighborhood. You can even create a neighborhood if it doesn't exist. good luck with it!
Hi Georgina, First of all your pictures make me want to go vacation! I love your ideas for blogs and I'm very excited to get started. Are town has wonderful things about it so it will make it easy to write about. I'm glad Cody ask you that question because I've been wondering the same thing. Thanks!!
There's something wonderful in every town or place. Thanks for reading the post, I hope it will help get you started.
Hi Georgina,
Thanks for the great ideas! I am a Newbie, and just starting posting to Localism. I think it is a great way to serve the community. With your ideas, I can really expand the service.
Take care, Laurie
Ok..I am a new blogger...not for long.
Thanks for the ideas, Georgina, I just need to get started
You forgot to mention the hidden danger of blogging about restaurants.....all those calories consumed doing your menu research......LOL...thanks for the advice, Mike
As a newbie to Active rain and one who has not posted to Localism I was just thinking about how to start. As I was sitting on the front porch with my dog (yes its nice in this part of Maryland today) I thought wow, I need to grab my camera and go exploring. I came back in and grabbed my laptop (was checking in on Active Rain) and here you were. Thanks Georgina. You were right here when I needed you.
It's a Good Life!
Martha
Georgina - Thanks for the tips! All are great suggestions!
Best Wishes,
Kelsie
www.TriangleChoiceRealty.com
Martha - I'll always be right here when you need me! I've realized that if I just take a lot of pictures, sooner or later they will be useful... even pictures of the strangest things. I like to use my own pictures, and not somebody else's.
Kelsie - And that's just a start.... there are plenty of other topics I didn't touch on.
Have fun blogging!
Georgina.
Should have read your post first before I posted my very first localism posting. I will bookmark this for future reference. Thanks
Tina - It looks like you're off to a good start. Keep it up, but don't get carried away!
Betsy - My pleasure.
Harley - Jim who? I'll put myself in Jim's shoes. haha
According to ActiveRain, they are NO LONGER issuing points for photos on Localism.com
We are no longer giving out points for posting Localism photos.
Thank you
Nicole