If you write a killer real estate blog post but neglect to spend a few extra minutes making sure it's fully optimized for better search engine ranking, you are missing a massive opportunity to build your organic traffic. 

Search Engine Optimization, commonly known as SEO, can play a critical role in helping you generate more traffic over time by opening up dozens or even hundreds of entry points on your website. If done properly, people will begin to discover your brand by visiting a blog post or web page. The big ROI payoff actually doesn't come from the increase in traffic alone. It comes from the fact that your lead's first impression of you is that you are providing helpful, relevant, well thought out content on real estate in your city - which establishes a level of trust that ultimately increases your conversion rate.

So what considerations do you need to keep in mind in order to effectively keyword optimize your real estate blog posts and website content to generate more highly qualified leads? Follow these guidelines.

Real Estate SEO for Blog Posts & Web Pages:

As aspiring real estate agents study for their licensing exam, they begin to realize that while they are getting lots of information on the buying and selling process, they aren't getting much information on how to actually manage and grow a successful real estate business. That's where real estate agent success books come to the rescue! Take it upon yourself to learn how to improve your real estate marketing and grow your business. Please note, links to Amazon are included for each book, but please feel free to look them up at your favorite bookseller. 

Branding a brokerage is a big job, and it's one that can have a tremendous impact on the success of your business. Coming up with a compelling brand identity can be a struggle for a newly established independent broker, but there are some key branding guidelines that will help you develop a new brand (or improve an existing one). 

In order to run a successful brokerage, you need to attract top agents who will consistently put up great numbers, but how do you do that? First, you need to ask yourself, “Why would a top agent come to my firm rather than go to a competitor?” Once you’ve identified what you have to offer your agents, build a welcoming brand and environment focused on the benefits your brokerage has to offer.

Editor's note: This blog was originally published in July of 2014. It has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness. 

Not sure if you have time for Facebook? Make time - the reward is worth the investment.

Facebook continues to be the best social medium to use for real estate marketing purposes. Other platforms have their perks, but if you’re looking to grow your business through social media marketing, you should be focusing on Facebook (andreal estate blogging!). 

There are dozens of ways to use Facebook to grow your network and build your real estate brand. If you’re just getting started, try a few of these social to-do’s:

• Use your personal profile to connect with past clients and prospects
• Promote your listings and open houses
• Post on your wall and ask friends and family in your area for referrals
• Add yourself to Facebook real estate directories
• Use Facebook graph search to find new leads in your extended network

If you haven't started yet - don't hesitate! Now’s the time - and here’s why: