Lola, you are so right!  This is truly a WIN WIN!!!

Hi Irina, Thanks for your comment.

Blogging is very powerful!!! Localism used poroperly is going to be an awesome tool for us to get exposure for us and our communities. This post is perfect example of Localism at work. Great job Lola.

Hi Bryant, Thanks for your comment.  I think what impacted me the most was understanding in a deeper way how beneficial blogging can be not just to my business but to others.  This type of effort has the potential to create more buzz for a local business that thousands of dollars of newspaper ads.  And they can choose to link to it in anyway that they want.  It's mind boggling! :)

Amen Bob!  Thanks so much for stopping by to read and comment.  Hope that you're expanding your options with Localism as well.

I couldn't have said it better myself.......blogging has been a gift, not only for us realtors, but for those who get the residual benefits. i.e: your stylist.

Hi Tiffany.  Thanks for your comment.  I don't think we have really begun to understand what enormous potential this has! 

Lola - Congrats and what a great post - this is one of the many reasons we love Localism

Lola,

I agree, this is great information! I think this is a perfect localism information! :)

Lola - One of the coolest things for me was a few weeks back a local sculpture left a comment on my blog saying that he had to come check out my blog after having severa clients tell him he found him via my blog. It was a lot of fun seeing that come back from a guy that I had only met one time.

It is really cool when we see these "little words" coming back to us and helping out our local friends.

Hi Jack, Thanks for your comment. Sometimes a "light bulb" goes off and you really get an insight into something...this was one of those moments!

Hi Suzanne, Thanks for your visit and comment.

Hi Toby, Thanks for sharing the story about the sculpture.  By promoting his business in your blog, you have helped him enormously. When we begin to understand what we are doing and what is truly at stake, this medium will create opportunities and connections which we cannot yet begin to imagine!!

Blogging about the businesses in a neighborhood is a good way to provide information to newcomers and residents, while strengthening our position.

Excellent idea.

I'm considering putting a social networking portal together around business referrals in my local area, and your post gives me the feeling that I might be onto something.

Great post Lola. This is the approach so many of us haven't grasped yet. I began a few months back focusing more on Localism and it has paid off. I'm slowly but surely working in the local businesses to get that viral marketing campaign going!

I'm with you though, it is AMAZING how quickly Google indexes our blogs here on AR. It seems like only an hour or two go by between posting a new blog and finding it searchable on the WWW. Great benefits!

Good post and good information. Thanks for sharing.

Lola,

About Localism, the possibilities are endless-everyday I think of something new to write about, I just have to find the extra time in my schedule.

I love the idea of local reviews to post on localism....  something to look into.... great post... thanks for sharing

Lola,

Always looking for new ideas and here is another. Thanks for it. This is a basic idea, but most of us don't think about it. Or even realize it's there for us to use. And to get Localism into the mix is even better. Gigantic local business card, that's powerful.

What an encouraging article. I can't wait to have the same results.

Stephen Wolfe

Wow!!  I knew that this was a great method of promotion.  I had never before, though, thought of multi-tasking in quite this way!  Thank you for your terrific thoughts on the issue.  I am definitely willing to give it a whirl...  :-)

Lola - LOVE this idea, and clearly your friend loved it, too.  It certainly would create a win-win for both.  I've got ideas buzzing around in my head right now as Im typing this about the businesses I frequent that I could write about.  I never really thought about it from this perspective before.  Thanks for nudge!

Ann

I posted on my blog about a local BBQ joint called Nellie's bbq.  I just googled the name and I am the first listing. 

I agree! Localism posts are great - in fact, that's my main focus here at AR. In July I posted about our town's fireworks plans and was the first listing. That post got sooooo many views. One of my husband's friends said "hey, I googled Lake Zurich Fireworks" and there was your wife." Also, I posted about a local restaurant and when I walked in the next time...there was my blog taped to the wall. Can anyone say free advertising? It works!

Sharon, You're so right!  This can be a terrific marketing tool!  As we write Localism blogs about area businesses, we're creating our own Relocation Package or Neighborhood Expert Package!! :)

John, I think you are onto something!!  This idea is really expansive when you truly understand it's potential.  Best wishes for Success in your efforts.

Hi Ryan, Take this a step further...Imagine going into a Business that you frequent and letting them KNOW what you are planning to do to promote THEM.  And then telling them to Google their business name in 24 hours and forward them the numbers in terms of hits that you have gotten.  Talk about taking your marketing to A Whole New Level! :)

Hi Bob & Carolin...Thanks for reading and commenting.

Hi Diane, Thanks for your comment. 

Desiree, Thanks for stopping by.  This is a very effectuve way to become the Neighborhood "Localism" Expert!

This is a good reminder to do more local content.  Thanks for sharing your story!

Hi Esko...You definitely Got It!  When you present the idea in this way to a Local Business and demonstrate it's effectiveness...it is truly an extraordinary support, service and endorsement!  Your Value as a Real Estate Professional increases enormously and they can see the benefit that you provide through association.

Stephen, Thanks for your comment.  If you do the articles...you will get the same results!

Sarah, This has terrific potential for you!  I'd love to hear your Success Stories!

Ann, You are an absolute Natural Fit for this type of post!  Having read your blogs, I can see how this will fit extremely well.  I know that you will find even more creative ways to use this idea.  I'm looking forward to reading about them!

Powerful Steve!  Thanks for sharing your almost instantaneous results!

Kelly....WOW Now, this is the kind of thing that can result from this type of effort!  That is Awesome.  Can you imagine how more of these articles can be very beneficial to all concerned.

Hi Lisa, Thank for your comment!

Lola,

Great job and awsome post.  You did a spectacular job at networking and improving your relationship within the community.  Diane told me to check your blog, and she's right.  You are great.

Lola,

Great article.  I just did a post about my local coffee shop in Palm Springs called Koffi.  The owner was so appreciative about the blog, that he was speechless.  By blogging about the local businesses, it will set us, the Realtors & other local professionals, as the "experts" of our communities.

Lola,

Thanks for sharing this information, as what you accomplished is awesome!  An excellent way to promote and market yourself while helping to promote and market the businesses in your area.  I am going to give it a try.  Thanks again, Lynda

Hi Ray, Thank you for stopping by to read and comment.  I appreciate the recommendation from Diane and your compliment.

Harold, I am thrilled to hear about the results you had with your local coffee shop!  This is a wonderfully positive way for Realtors ® to promote our local communities in a manner that will benefit them tremendously in the 21st Century!

Lynda, Thanks for stopping by.  I look forward to reading about your results as well!

A blog about local businesses is a great idea, it helps people who are new to the area and is a great advertising for the business. And I´m sure the owner will love you :-).

This is an eye-opening and thought provoking post -- thanks for writing it, Lola.

Kelly -- those are really powerful results -- makes me really want to work at this.

This is a great idea and I think it has a lot of potential.  I have been talking to a couple of businesses to see if they would be interested and so far they have been very receptive.  I hope to have a local blog highlighting a local business before too long.

This was excellent, Lola. I have had a similar experience with a restaurant and several other businesses. It is so meaningful to them and so much fun for us to do. Thank you for sharing this experience so eloquently.

Jeff

Lola,  It's nice of you to write about someone's business you trust. I hope your clients feel the same way about you working to advertise their homes!

Hi Axel, Thanks for your comment.  This does help people relocating to a new area to get a feel for the flavor of life in the community.

Marissa, Thanks for your comment.

Joan, Have fun with this project...it's a wonderful way to meet new friends and contacts as well!

You're absolutely right Jeff!

Hi Gary, I'm not quite sure I fully understand your comment...but I'll presume that you are asking about if my clients appreciate my efforts to sell their homes...Yes, they do as I'm sure yours do too! :)  I believe the best way to advertise a listing is not to replicate listing data but to tell the "story" behind the data.

Lola, excellent information on how quickley Google loves our localism posts.

You're so right Lola. That's the step I have to take to really bring this thing full-circle. Thanks for the inspiration!

Lola, I am enjoying your multi-part series - seems like a good idea needs more than one mention.  Thanks.

Lola,

Great post!  It has given me some ideas to incorporate some business associates that I work with on a regular basis.... I just don't have a hair salon that I could highlight though.... :-)

Thanks for sharing the blog!

Rick

Thank you for the insite!  It is nice when we can all learn new ideas from others!

Hi,

I'm fairly new to Active Rain. I have enjoyed exchanging ideas with other realtors on other forums but you guys are very cool. I am happy that I fell into this blog. Thanks, Lauren Nemeschansky, Santa Clarita CA

Right on!