How I Got My Real Estate Writing Career Off The Ground

I’ve always been a writer. I started blogging as a speaker on real estate topics back in 2009. Over the years, I’ve done various forms of writing for different outlets. This includes online content marketing, website copywriting and editing, and even an award-winning book! But one of my favorite types of writing has been real estate articles. 

They’re fun to write because they cover such a diverse range of topics that interest me: design, architecture, history even travel sometimes! 

With so much variety in what real estate writers can do in terms of mediums and formats available now (e.g., blog posts vs newsletters), this blog post will give you an overview of how to get started with your career as a real estate writer while also giving some tips along the way on how I got started myself!

How to Get Your Real Estate Journey Going – YouTube
Takeaways
Starting a real estate writing career requires determination and a clear plan.
Networking with professionals in the real estate industry can open up opportunities.
Learning from mistakes and continuously improving is crucial for growth.
Creating compelling ads for real estate content can drive engagement.
Embracing a proactive and adaptable mindset is essential for success in the field.

Look At Your Level Of Expertise

It is important to look at your level of expertise before you start writing.

How do you know if a writer is an expert or not?

Many factors go into determining a writer’s level of expertise and it’s important to determine how much value they bring to the table. Before investing in a writer, ask yourself these questions:

Do they have experience?

How much knowledge do they have?

Do they have connections and trust within their field?

Mastering the basics of real estate writing is essential for building a strong foundation. If you’re looking to dive into the world of real estate content, our guide on The Basics of Real Estate Writing can help you get started on the right track.

Take Projects That Will Get You Exposure

When you’re just starting, it can feel like you have to take whatever comes your way.

It’s best to stay open to new opportunities and take on any project that fits your skill set and schedule. If the project will get you exposure, even if it’s for free, then it’s worth considering.

Be persistent in your pursuit of new opportunities and keep sending out proposals! If one company turns down your pitch, don’t let that be the end of it: send your proposal again and again until someone takes a chance on you (the same goes for personal relationships). 

When I first started writing for real estate companies about two years ago, I sent out more than 50 proposals before anyone agreed to work with me; but once I got my foot in the door, others followed suit quite easily from there.

You might not be used to taking on “small” projects at first I certainly wasn’t but doing so can help build up experience and develop expertise in areas where little or no experience exists yet. 

For example: When I first started working with realtors online as opposed to face-to-face via phone calls or emails I didn’t know much about SEO copywriting or website design; 

But since those were skills which needed developing anyway (and since they wouldn’t come overnight), I decided not to hesitate when asked by my clientele if they could pay me less per hour than usual because he needed help right away.”

Create Strong Relationships With Other Writers

I’ve found that the best way to build a strong foundation for your career is to be friendly and helpful to others. You never know when one of those people will end up being an important contact, or you might even get some valuable advice from them.

Your Relationships With Other Writers Will Help You In Many Ways

They can give you feedback on your writing samples and let you know if they think your piece is ready for publication.

Are you eager to excel in real estate blogging? Learning the ins and outs of this specialized writing field can be incredibly rewarding. Discover the tips and tricks to become a pro by exploring our insights on Learning and Mastering Real Estate Blogging.

They Can Connect You With Editors Who May Be Looking For Someone Like You (Which I Did)

They can recommend websites that pay well for content and allow anyone who signs up as a freelancer (like Upwork). If any of these sites are hiring, it’s important to jump on the opportunity quickly so that nobody else beats you to it!

Take Courses In Copywriting.

Copywriting is not just about writing it’s about selling. You need to understand your audience and the product or service you’re promoting so that you can make them want to take action. It’s an art form that requires you to think like a marketer. 

Taking courses in copywriting will teach you how to do this so that when it comes time for your client’s projects, they have a better chance of being successful (and making money!).

Get A Good Mentor Who Is More Advanced Than You Are

I am a big believer in getting help from others and being mentored by more experienced people. No one knows everything, and it is great to have someone who has been there before guide you along the way. 

Mentors can teach you a lot of things, but I think the most valuable thing they can do is share their knowledge with you so that you can learn how to do something new or get better at what you already know. A good mentor will also be able to help with your career goals: getting promoted to another position or even starting your own company down the road!

Learn To Do Keyword Research

Keyword research is the process of finding out what people are searching for on the web. It’s used to determine the best keywords to target, and it’s a critical part of SEO (search engine optimization).

As an aspiring real estate writer, you can use keyword research to find topics to write about and then be sure that those topics are being searched for by others who may be interested in your content.

Writing an impactful real estate agent bio can significantly enhance your online presence. Crafting an effective bio requires careful consideration of various elements. Our guide on 7 Steps for Writing a Better Real Estate Agent Bio breaks down the process for you.

Write A Blog

I’m sure you’ve heard this advice before, but I’m going to say it anyway: write a blog. This is the best way to get your name out there as a writer and establish yourself as an expert in your local market.

You must choose topics that are interesting to you and/or for which you have knowledge that others do not have. Your readers need to know that when they read your content, it will be of value to them and worth their time. 

They should also feel like they can trust what you’re saying because of how much experience (and credibility) you have (i.e., not just because someone told them).

When writing about real estate-related topics, my goal was always to educate buyers on things they didn’t know or understand before things like how closing costs work or what property taxes are all about, and explain these concepts in simple terms so they could make informed decisions when buying the property themselves later on down the road.”

Make Sure Your Site Has Lots Of Testimonials And Reviews, If Possible, From Real Estate Clients

Your website is your marketing tool, so make sure it has lots of testimonials and reviews, if possible, from real estate clients. Clients love to leave praise for you on your site so they can help other potential customers feel confident in working with you.

Keep in mind that asking clients to review your service is not the same as asking them to give a general rating on Yelp or Google Reviews. 

The purpose of this step is twofold: 1) build credibility and 2) get more business from those who have already been through the experience of working with you! Make sure that you ask for a review specific to the services you provided (i.e., “Tell us about what we did well!” versus “How would rate us overall?”). 

Then include a link back to your website in all emails so people know where they can go if they have any questions about their purchase or sale after it’s done (and let them know how much money would be appreciated).

You should also utilize social media channels as part of this process by asking clients directly if they could share any positive experiences they’ve had while working with me.”

Publish a lot of guest posts on sites related to real estate or write for online publications in the industry.

Guest posting is one of the best ways to build your brand and get more exposure. There are plenty of sites related to real estate that will accept guest posts from you, but if you have a hard time finding them or don’t feel comfortable with submitting your work for publication, there are other options.

If you’re a beginning writer struggling to get noticed, it may be tempting to submit content anywhere and everywhere just so that you can say “I’ve written an article on XYZ site.” 

But unless these sites are relevant to your industry or well-known (or both), this approach is not going to help much in terms of building credibility or getting readership and there’s also no guarantee they’re paying anything at all!

Instead, focus on writing for high-authority blogs/websites in your niche that already have high traffic numbers and large followings. 

This will ensure that when people see an article by “Jane Doe” on their favorite blog site, they know exactly who Jane Doe is without having any prior knowledge about her work history or background before reading something she wrote for them firsthand.

Curate a list of high-authority people who say nice things about you and share their comments on social media (or in your bio).

Curate a list of high-authority people who say nice things about you and share their comments on social media (or in your bio).

This can be an effective way to get more clients, as well as increase your exposure. But don’t just post random comments from anyone! Instead, make sure that the people on your list are either very influential or have lots of followers. Here’s how to find them:

Find out what type of accounts they follow or like. To do this, search for them on Instagram or Twitter and see which types of content they engage with most often

Check if they have any kind of following by going through their follower lists you’ll probably find that some accounts will have around a million followers while others only have 10k followers. It doesn’t matter how many followers an account has though just make sure that it’s not fake (like bots)!

Avoiding common pitfalls is crucial for real estate writers looking to stand out in a competitive field. Discover the most frequent errors that can hinder your success by reading about The 16 Most Common Mistakes Real Estate Writers Make in our comprehensive guide.

Leverage Opportunities To Be Interviewed As An Expert In Real Estate Writing

You can use your interview to share your expertise and help someone else. The more you are interviewed, the more opportunities there will be for people to discover what sets you apart from other real estate writers. This is a powerful way of creating brand awareness and building relationships with potential clients.

So how do you maximize these opportunities? First of all, be prepared! Practice talking about yourself and sharing why people should hire you as a real estate writer professionally. Come up with a few key talking points that succinctly describe:

What kind of content do I write (articles, blogs, ebooks)

Why my work stands out from others in this field (credentials, experience)

What value do I bring to the table?

Research Local SEO and Google My Business listings, so you can advise clients on how to optimize theirs.

Research Local SEO and Google My Business listings, so you can advise clients on how to optimize theirs.

Learn about local SEO (Google My Business, website optimization, social media optimization) and how it affects the number of calls you get from your website.

Find out if there’s a way for new homebuyers to find you online by searching a particular neighborhood or area code. Then make sure your website is optimized for this kind of search.

Put yourself out there and go to events where real estate agents congregate to network, offer services, and learn what they need help with most.

If you want to get started as a freelance writer for realtors, the first thing you should do is put yourself out there.

Here Are Some Ideas

Go to local meetups. You can find them on Meetup or in your area by searching for “real estate meetup” or “real estate association meeting” on Google.

Go to real estate conferences and expos in your area. Some big ones include NAR’s International REALTORS Conference (IRCE) and the California Association of Realtors Annual Conference & Expo (CalRE). These events happen all over the country so just search online for them in your area!

Go To Real Estate Seminars That Are Being Held At Universities In Your Area; These Will Often Be Free!

Utilize social media platforms like Linkedin, Facebook groups, Twitter hashtags, etc., which allow you an opportunity not only to connect with people but also to ask questions about writing topics that interest both parties involved (i.e., writers/clients). 

You may even find potential clients within these communities who are looking specifically for writers just like yourself!

Crafting compelling advertisements for your real estate blog can boost your engagement and drive traffic. Learn the art of creating attention-grabbing ads by delving into our insights on How to Write a Compelling Ad for Your Real Estate Blog and Why It’s Important. Your writing will thank you for it!

Conclusion

It’s exciting to think about all the possibilities for your career. You can write for real estate agents, who need help with their websites, social media, and blog posts. Or you might find opportunities to write for online publications or even offline magazines or newspapers that cover real estate topics. There are so many different ways to get started!

Further Reading

Real Estate Business Tips Short Description: Explore valuable tips and strategies for running a successful real estate business in a competitive market.

10 Tips for Succeeding in Real Estate Short Description: Learn ten essential tips to thrive in the real estate industry, from building a client base to mastering negotiations.

8 Ways to Finance Your Real Estate Career Short Description: Discover eight effective ways to secure financing and funding for your real estate career and investment endeavors.

FAQs

How can I start a successful real estate business?

Starting a successful real estate business requires a combination of market knowledge, networking, effective marketing strategies, and exceptional client service. Research your target market, build a strong online presence, and focus on building relationships with clients.

What are some key tips for excelling in the real estate industry?

To excel in the real estate industry, prioritize ongoing education, hone your negotiation skills, stay updated on market trends, develop a strong online presence, and provide excellent customer service to your clients.

How can I finance my real estate career?

Financing your real estate career can be achieved through various means, such as securing a business loan, seeking investors, using personal savings, partnering with other professionals, or utilizing crowdfunding platforms.

What are some common challenges in the real estate business?

Common challenges in the real estate business include market fluctuations, intense competition, regulatory changes, managing client expectations, and maintaining a consistent stream of leads. Developing a solid business plan and staying adaptable can help overcome these challenges.

What resources can help me succeed in real estate?

A combination of industry-specific resources, such as online real estate courses, mentorship programs, industry blogs, and networking events, can provide valuable insights and connections to help you succeed in your real estate career.