Why Should Mortgage Brokers Blog?
by Janet Myers
The internet is the most effective, low-cost lead generation tool there is. There are definite advantages compared to other methods of getting new business. For one thing, you can track what you do and how it's working - there are free tools like StatCounter (
www.statcounter.com) and Google analytics (
www.google.com/analytics).
Most mortgage brokers throw up a web site and think that is good. The web site may not change for years - and most don't change often if they change at all. That means nothing new for search engines to come to your site for or no new information to add.
About 85% of people who find you online use a search engine and half or more off of Google. And what search engines like is valuable and unique information related to your business. That and getting links from other sites that are ranked well in search engines. Google also indexes blogs faster than regular web sites.
A blog often consists of chronological entries that talk informally about your business. Each entry has its own URL - so it's like adding a whole new page of content to your site.
A blog has many advantages for mortgage brokers:
- they are free and you can set one up in minutes (see
www.wordpress.com)
- if you're just learning there are free tutorials on YouTube on how to start
- each entry or post is another page to add to the search engine index and another possible way a client can find you
- people can leave comments and that means you can get feedback and use that to improve your business
- you can make new relationships with clients, and possible partners for your business
- other bloggers are often generous with their knowledge and you'll learn new skills to help your business grow.
Besides signing up for a blog and starting to write the best way to learn about blogging is to read blogs in your industry (like this one). Go to
www.technorati.com and type in "mortgage broker." Find blogs you like and notice which blogs they link to. Sign up for Bloglines to track the blogs (
www.bloglines.com).
This is a good start. If you want more information, my business partner and I are writing an ebook about blogging for mortgage brokers. I can also put you in contact with companies who will blog for you.
If you're interested in being notified when the book is done, please go to my blog at
www.newspapergirl.com and fill out the contact form. We'll let you know when it's ready.
Janet Meiners is a professional blogger and internet marketer. She was the internet marketing manager for a large company and owns her own online businesses. She now coaches and teaches internet marketing to small business owners.