Use your website to make your voice heard

When blogging first arrived on the scene as an online medium, it wasn't necessarily a professional tool. Even now, many people only use blogs as a way to advertise their lifestyle — so it's easy to overlook the idea of a blog for your website if you've never used one before.

Of course, if you're reading this sentence, you've probably noticed that blogging has achieved a more mainstream status these days — even amongst appraisers. In fact, many of your colleagues are using their websites as a platform to share their knowledge and expertise with homeowners, lenders, and real estate agents. And, because it improves your search engine ranking, it's great for boosting web traffic.

If you're not sure how to add a blog to your XSite, check out the quick video below for step-by-step instructions:

Once your blog is live, it's time to start posting! Here are some things to keep in mind as you write:

• Keep it local. Search engines like Google and Bing rank your website higher if it contains references to your local area. You want to improve the chances of that homeowner across town finding your website!
• Keep it simple. Most of your readers probably won't be professional appraisers. So, make your content easy to read, and keep jargon to a minimum. Consider writing about local events, or telling stories about the fun parts of your job.
• Keep it quick. You're more likely to update your blog on a regular basis if you don't force yourself to pen a novel each time you sit down to write. (We recommend posting once every week or two for maximum benefit.) Also, your readers are probably as busy as you are!
  

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Want to start a blog, but don't have a website yet? Our XSites are made specifically for appraisers, and they go way beyond blogging. Get one $70 off for just one more day — this discount is only for February!

Want to see how other appraisers are doing it? Click here to see how Mary Thompson of Lanier Appraisal Service uses her blog on her XSite. Mary was one of 10 appraisers to be recognized as a power blogger on Voice of Appraisal with Phil Crawford.