Authors of blogs, like Geek Estate, often forget that others may not be up to speed on online marketing for the real estate industry so I’m going to hit the pause button and now hit the fast rewind button.
Welcome to the beginning of Internet Marketing for Real Estate.  Glad to see you are interested in the new wave of marketing that will be around for a while (at least while you and I are alive).  Here you will find the basic tips (101 tips) of advertising your listings online, where 70% (and counting) of real estate buyers and sellers are searching for real estate information (we’re now at 90+% of online information seekers).

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First, you must have an online presence.  Whether it be a static website or a blog, it’s your choice.  If you have time and willingness to learn (which I’m assuming you do because you’re reading this), I would suggest a blog.  For advice on starting a blog, RSS Pieces is a great place to start.  It’s smart to remember that often your website or at least web presence is a person’s first impression of you.  So make it a great one.

Next, participate in Social Networking.  I use participate for a reason because you can’t just sign up and expect business to come to you… if it were only that easy.  When you sign up for Facebook, twitter, Trulia Voices, Zillow Discussions, or the many other sites that enable you to have an online voice, make sure you maintain your presence.  I often compare online networks with offline networks.  You don’t get business the first night you attend a Chamber of Commerce meeting, and signing on a social network is the same… don’t expect same day business.  It takes time and participation. Join groups that peek your interest, or start one of your own.  Participate in the ongoing dialogue.  Answer and ask questions inside those groups.  One big no-no is to solicit business, especially before you get a feel for the group and get accepted.  Once people get to know and trust you, they will send you business.

Lastly or once you get listings, put those listing in a syndication website like ListHub, vFlyer or Postlets.  Those sites will push your listings to many listing websites like Zillow, Trulia, Google Base, HotPads, etc.  Most even provide a code that you can Copy and Paste into Craigslist to display your listing there.  You’re seller will be so happy with you when they see their property in front of millions of eyes vs. the few that still read offline print.

Hope you enjoyed the quick tutorial of getting yourself up to speed with online marketing for real estate.  Now back to your regularly scheduled programming.