Unique, engaging, and highly specific content can make you a trusted resource for local and regional buyers and sellers, writes Chicago agent David Madden.
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In today’s real estate market, the dominance of national companies like Zillow and Homes.com makes it difficult for regional brokerages to rank for broad keywords like “homes for sale.” [City]”.
To compete effectively, the focus must shift to content creation that educates, informs and entertains potential customers before they know where to move or find a place to live.
This strategy will become even more powerful when replicated in other major markets with highly competitive education and large companies with international reach, ideally including New York City; Washington, D.C.; Philadelphia; Los Angeles; and San Francisco .
How creating unique content for your real estate website can help increase organic Search traffic, total impressions, and average keyword position
challenge
- Broad keyword saturation: National real estate companies dominate across a broad range of keywords.
- Limited regional coverage: Regional brokerage firms have a smaller market footprint compared to national firms.
- Uncertainty about relocation needs: It can be difficult to attract future customers who aren’t yet sure where they’ll move.
Where will your next buyer come from?
Your next customer might not even be from the area, so create a content strategy that focuses on what messages people moving into the area are likely to research. forward They started looking for real estate.
Solution: A unique and engaging content strategy
To reach your audience early, the strategy focuses on two key areas: education and corporate/employment. By providing valuable insights related to schools and business opportunities, we can build brand awareness and trust, engaging future customers before they decide on a specific location.
It will also help as unique content starts to rank in search engines Improve real estate related content This helps reach a wider audience.
Part 1: Education-focused content
objective: Engage families by providing valuable information about education options, especially those who prioritize good school districts.
Content topics:
1. School District Guidelines:
- Create a comprehensive guide detailing each school district, including rankings, special programs and facilities
- Highlight lists such as “Top 5 School Districts” [City/Suburb] Great for families”
- School district guides will link to saved searches that contain homes for sale within the boundaries of these schools
2. Gifted and Honors Programs:
- Write about specific schools known for their gifted and honors programs
- Present success stories and highlight the admissions process for professional courses
3. Bilingual education and language immersion schools:
- Provides a guide to bilingual programs across regions with a focus on Spanish, French, German or other immersion schools
- Visit with parents or school administrators to learn more about these unique programs
4. Extracurricular activities and sports:
- Create articles detailing schools with excellent extracurricular activities and athletic programs
- test preparation
- Types of quizzes to help parents and caregivers prepare
Content type and format:
Blog posts and articles:
- Detailed guides, parent reviews, school curriculum comparisons
Video and Webinars:
- Virtual tour of top schools and Q&A with principals
Infographic:
- Visual comparison of school districts and education programs
SEO keywords and queries:
- “The best school district [City]”
- “Genius plan [City]”
- “Top Bilingual School [City]”
Part 2: Company and job-focused content
objective: Engage potential clients by providing valuable insights into job markets and business opportunities in different cities.This will also increase exposure to larger companies that may use us Relocation services Help with buying/selling.
Content topics:
1. Job market insights:
- Create a market overview that highlights key industries, job trends and growth opportunities
- Develop city-specific guides such as Job Market Insights [City]” or “ Top Employer [City]”
2. Relocation Guide:
- Provides detailed relocation guide including housing, job market insights and cost of living
- Incorporate specific employer programs and incentives
3. List of popular companies:
- Develop a comprehensive list of the top companies in each market (e.g., “Top 10 Technology Companies Recruiting” [City]”)
- Interview a recruiter or HR representative for exclusive advice
4. Spouse/other important employment opportunities:
- A guide for spouses relocating with a partner, including job search strategies and companies offering dual-pay plans
Content type and format:
Blog posts and articles:
- Job market trends, company profiles, relocation strategies
Videos and Podcasts:
- Recruiter interviews, job search strategy webinars
Infographic:
- Intuitive insights into employment growth trends and cross-industry salary comparisons
SEO keywords and queries:
- “Job Market Insights [City]”
- “Top companies are [City]”
- “Moving to [City] for work”
Implementation Plan
1. Content Calendar:
- Create a 12-month calendar that balances education and work content (all real estate related content)
- Regularly schedule blog posts, videos and infographics
2. Keyword research and optimization:
- Determine long-tail keywords for each topic
- Refine search queries related to schools, job markets, and companies
- It’s important to remember that we are not keyword chasers
3. Distribution and promotion:
- Share content on social media platforms, real estate forums and LinkedIn
- Partner with local school districts, businesses and relocation services to distribute content
- Use email marketing to target families and professionals
4. Engagement indicators:
- Monitor engagement metrics like time on page, bounce rate, and click-through rate
- Track lead generation with landing pages and downloadable guides
5. Continuous improvement:
- Regularly analyze metrics to refine and adjust content strategy
- Gather feedback through surveys and comments to tailor future content
While national real estate companies dominate broad keyword searches, regional brokerages can reach their audiences by delivering unique, engaging, and highly specific content focused on the education and job markets. By becoming a trusted resource for families and professionals, brokerages can build brand awareness, build lasting relationships, and ultimately convert future clients.
David Marden is a third generation real estate professional with over 20 years of experience and has mentored some of Chicago’s top real estate professionals. Connect with Marden on Instagram and Linkedin.