As a writer, it’s important to know that your first gig isn’t going to come easily. There are quite a few steps you’re going to have to take for this dream of yours to become reality. However, if you’re willing to put in the work and learn from your mistakes along the way, then becoming an established real estate writer is very possible!
Takeaways |
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1. Networking within the real estate industry is crucial. |
2. Build a strong online portfolio showcasing your writing skills. |
3. Seek out real estate job boards and freelance platforms. |
4. Research potential clients and tailor your pitches accordingly. |
5. Leverage social media to connect with professionals in the field. |
6. Attend industry events and workshops to expand your network. |
7. Consider offering guest posts on established real estate blogs. |
8. Be persistent and follow up on job applications and inquiries. |
9. Highlight any relevant real estate or writing experience in your CV. |
10. Develop a unique voice and style in your writing samples. |
Know Your Niche
You can’t be all things to all people, but it’s important to know what you’re good at. Know your audience and write for them! What are their interests? What kind of content do they like? Are there any topics or genres that are especially popular in your niche?
If you want to get into real estate writing, but don’t know where to start, we’d suggest starting with an online course like Udemy’s Real Estate Writing 101:
How To Get Started In The Real Estate Content Industry. This course will walk you through everything from finding clients, building relationships with them, and landing your first gig as a writer in the industry by taking advantage of platforms such as Facebook Groups (see below).
Writing a compelling real estate agent bio is crucial for making a strong first impression. Discover our 7 steps for writing a better real estate agent bio to craft a bio that resonates with potential clients and sets you apart from the competition.
Read, Read, And Read Some More
Reading is a key step in the writing process, and it’s important to know that you should be reading often.
When you’re looking for your first writing gig, start by reading the publication or publications in which you’d like to publish and if those publications are not available online, make sure to find them at your local library or bookstore. If there are no such outlets available where you live, many magazines will offer digital copies on their websites or via download.
Once you’ve read these publications thoroughly and feel ready for more material about your niche (and about writing) as well as other topics of interest (such as marketing), take a look at some books on Amazon or other book-selling sites that fall into those categories.
Think about which ones would be most helpful right now: maybe one book talks specifically about real estate while another focuses more generally on business skills; perhaps one book deals with marketing while another focuses mainly on marketing plus relationship building within an organization? The possibilities are endless!
Use Your Social Media Accounts To Your Advantage
As much as we all love Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn for keeping up with friends and family, these platforms can also be powerful tools for showcasing your writing skills.
Many companies are now looking for writers who have a large following on social media when they are hiring. So if you haven’t already taken the time to build an audience on sites like these (or others), now is the time!
Curious about how to kickstart your career as a real estate writer? Learn from the journey of others and read about how one writer got their real estate writing career off the ground, including valuable insights and tips to help you embark on your own successful path.
Join Writer’s Groups On Social Media
To find your first real estate writing gig, you need to be active in the right writer’s groups. This can be a challenge because there are so many writers out there who want to write for the same types of sites that you do. But if you join a group that is related to your niche, then it will make it easier for editors and bloggers to find you.
The best way to join these groups is by going through each one individually and looking at their rules and guidelines before posting anything. If they don’t allow guest posts or self-promotion, then don’t waste your time trying to get involved with them!
Once you have found some groups that allow this sort of thing though… participate! Share articles from other sites (not just yours!) ask for feedback on things like “What do people like about this article?”, and ask for advice about how others might approach similar topics/topics… The list goes on!
Explore Job Sites & Postings
Use job sites to find companies that are hiring. Job websites like Indeed and LinkedIn are great places to start your search, as they have a lot of opportunities listed in the real estate industry. They can also help you figure out what the job pays, what the duties and requirements are, and more.
If you’re looking for a specific company or type of writing gig (like content marketing or copywriting), try using Google search operators too! For instance: “[company name] copywriter” or “[company name] content writer” will bring up some great results if there are any open positions in your desired field of work.
Make Use Of Freelance Platforms
Freelance platforms are a great way to find work, no matter what you do. If you’re looking for writing gigs, don’t hesitate to check out some of these sites:
Upwork (formerly oDesk) – This is an international platform that allows users to find and hire freelancers. It’s very easy to use and has more than 10 million registered users. You can search the site by location, expertise, and project type.
The site charges a 20% service fee on any jobs you take on through it; however, many employers will pay that fee in addition to your hourly rate or fixed price quote so it’s not something you’ll have to worry about out of pocket too often.
For example, if I wanted $100 per hour and someone hired me as a writer at $150 per hour total ($100 my rate + 20% service fee), my client would be paying me $110 per hour!
Enhancing your real estate copywriting skills is essential for capturing your audience’s attention. Explore 15 ways to improve your real estate copywriting to create compelling and engaging content that resonates with both clients and industry professionals.
Create Your Own Online Space
It’s important to have your own online space. Even if you don’t know much about writing, it’s never too early to start building an online presence. The more places where people can find you and what you do, the better!
If you want to write for a living, chances are that someone else is going to be doing some of the same work as well. To stand out from other writers, it’s important to create an online presence of your own. This can take many forms:
A website – This gives potential clients and employers a place where they can learn more about who you are and what services/products/content they can expect from working with or hiring you.
A blog – Blogging is still one of the best ways out there today for developing trust with potential customers or clients because they allow them access into our lives through regular updates on topics related to real estate or whatever else we’re interested in.* Social media accounts – These platforms give us yet another way
(and oftentimes quite easily)
Take Advantage Of Business Listings Sites
If you’re looking for some real estate writing jobs, then business listing sites are a great place to start. These sites allow you to pitch yourself as a freelancer in the hopes of landing some work.
But how can you get started with business listing sites? The first step is to do your research and make sure that the site has enough potential clients. There are many different types of sites out there; you want one that focuses on local businesses and allows them to post their listings without having an account.
Once you’ve found these types of listings, it’s time to create an account on the site (if they require this). Once your account is open and active, it’s time for step two: making sure that your profile stands out from all others.
You should use keywords like “real estate” or “marketing,” along with being specific about what type of work experience and skills you have in these areas.
If possible, include links back up pages where people can learn more about why they should hire someone like yourself (generally speaking). And don’t forget about including some photos! Make sure those photos represent who you are as well as how good-looking/amazingly talented you/etcetera
Build Up An Impressive Portfolio
A portfolio is a collection of your best work. It allows you to show prospective clients and employers what you’re capable of, and it makes them more likely to hire you if they like what they see.
To build up your portfolio, do the following:
Start with a blog. A blog is an easy way for real estate writers and buyers alike to learn about the market without the added pressure of having an audience from day one.
If you’re just getting started in your career as a writer, I think starting a blog is essential because it lets you build up some experience in writing before having any readers!
If people enjoy reading what you write on this site, then that could lead them to want more content from YOU specifically for their blogs/websites etcetera…and voila! You’ve got yourself some freelance work!
Writing about real estate requires a unique set of skills. Discover the 10 most important skills when writing about real estate that can elevate your content, from understanding market trends to conveying property features effectively.
Focus On The “Why Factor” For The Brand Or Business You Want To Write For
The “why factor” is a simple question that can help you land your first writing gig: Why should the business hire you? The answer to this question will determine how you approach pitching yourself to a given brand or business.
Why do they need your services? If there’s no clear reason, it might be time to move on. This is especially true if the company has an in-house writing team or hires part-time freelancers. But if you do find yourself editing content for a new client, take some time to figure out what makes them special, and then make sure your pitch reflects that!
Always Put Yourself In Other People’s Shoes
When you’re looking for a gig, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of finding your first real estate writing job. However, before you start sending out blind applications and resumes, remember that there are some things you need to know first.
You’ll want to understand the brand you want to write for. This includes its mission statement, its core values, who they serve, and what unique qualities they have compared with other companies in its field. You should also consider how long they’ve been around and if their industry is growing or declining (this information can be found on sites like LinkedIn).
Next, figure out what your audience wants from this company or product before diving into any research on them as an individual writer looking for work: What kinds of content do they typically consume? Why would someone buy from this company? How much do people trust their products/services?
Are there any trends emerging within the market right now? If these questions seem overwhelming at first glance and if there aren’t many answers available online then it might mean it’s time for some creative thinking on how we can find out more about this business without feeling overwhelmed by all those tasks above!
Remember, You’re Not Only A Writer, But Also A Marketing Enthusiast!
As a real estate writer, it’s your job to market yourself and your work. Most writers don’t realize that they have to do this until they start getting interviews and requests for their services. But the reality is that marketing is the most important part of any business.
You need to be able to promote yourself and your work for it to succeed and without those skills (or access to them), you’ll never get started or reach your goals as an independent real estate writer.
If you can’t promote yourself or market your work effectively, no one will know who you are and they certainly won’t come knocking at your door with opportunities! Plus, if I’m being honest with myself here:
I’m not interested in working with people who don’t know how important marketing is for their success…because believe me when I say that there are plenty of other talented writers out there looking for steady gigs in this industry who will appreciate my efforts much more than someone who doesn’t seem willing (or able) put in any effort on their end either.
Be Patient And Fight For It! (Perseverance)
Don’t Give Up. Do you ever get that feeling that something is just out of reach? You know it’s there and you’re going to get it, but the journey seems endless right now. That’s how I feel about my writing career at the moment.
I’m constantly chasing after opportunities while simultaneously trying to create my work and make a name for myself in this industry.
Sometimes it can feel like a ton of effort with no payoff or progress whatsoever…but then one day, all those little things add up and you look back on your journey with clarity:
You’ve come so far! And while nobody’s perfect, nobody will know this better than yourself and if they don’t realize what an incredible feat this has been, then maybe they aren’t worth being around anyway
Don’t Focus On The Results (or lack thereof). Even though writing isn’t always easy or fun, it does bring great joy when I create something beautiful from nothingness (if only for myself), even if no one else ever reads what was written beside me.
That being said though you still need validation sometimes! So when someone does read through your work and gives their honest opinion about whether or not they liked it means more than money could ever buy because that affirmation gives us the motivation to continue creating more ambitious pieces until finally, we achieve success at some level or another.”
Ever wondered what it’s really like to be a real estate writer? Gain insights into the profession and its challenges by exploring what it’s like to be a real estate writer. Learn from the experiences of those who have navigated the world of real estate writing and find inspiration for your own journey.
Conclusion
I hope these tips help you find your first real estate writing gig. Keep in mind that you’re not going to become the next best thing overnight. It takes time, effort, and patience to succeed (and even more so in this industry). So remember: be patient with yourself and keep fighting for it!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to further your understanding of starting and succeeding in the real estate writing industry:
Tips for New Real Estate Agents Short Description: Get advice on launching a successful career as a new real estate agent, from building a client base to mastering the art of property negotiations.
Advice for First-Time Real Estate Business Owners Short Description: If you’re starting your own real estate business, check out these valuable tips to navigate the challenges and opportunities of entrepreneurship in the industry.
Boost Your Real Estate Business with Sales Strategies Short Description: Learn how to leverage sales techniques to enhance your real estate business, from effectively communicating with clients to closing deals successfully.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions related to the world of real estate writing:
What are the key skills needed for real estate writing?
Answer: Real estate writing requires a blend of research, communication, and marketing skills. You need to be able to convey property features, market trends, and industry insights in a compelling and informative manner.
How can I stand out as a real estate writer?
Answer: To stand out, focus on developing a unique voice and perspective in your writing. Additionally, staying updated on the latest real estate news and trends will help you offer fresh insights to your audience.
What types of content do real estate writers typically create?
Answer: Real estate writers create a wide range of content, including property descriptions, market reports, blog posts, social media content, and even ebooks. The goal is to engage both clients and industry professionals.
How can I find my first real estate writing gig?
Answer: Securing your first gig involves networking within the real estate industry, creating a strong portfolio, and actively seeking out opportunities on real estate websites, job boards, and platforms that connect freelancers with clients.
What’s the importance of staying updated with real estate industry trends?
Answer: Staying current with industry trends enables you to provide accurate and relevant information to your readers. It also showcases your expertise and positions you as a knowledgeable and trustworthy real estate writer.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.