Bidding Wars, and Why They Don’t Help Everyone

We still bid for projects on freelance sites so that the Word Pistol brand can be introduced to a wider audience, but we don’t necessarily like what we see.  We are coming across a growing number of ads for rewrite projects for articles, because it seems the original work was shoddy and unacceptable.  To us, this smacks of more and more SEO content buyers accepting the lowest bid and fastest turnaround.  We are all trying to scale back and save money, but is it really worth the hassle of getting sub par SEO copywriting work back and then looking for rewriters?

You get what you pay for.  We have a pretty standard bid, and we hardly waver from our preferred price when it comes to projects, whether it is real estate SEO or ecommerce marketing.  We think that this help us maintain a higher level of quality, and on the flip side keeps morale up for our writers.  We also think of the long term effect on our business – if we write for you, we want to keep writing for you.  Many other companies are just shelling fast food, hoping you won’t notice that what you’re getting is filler – our desire is to make sure that our work for you is something that is nutritious and delicious.

Writing isn’t easy.  Great novelists have missteps.  Great copywriters don’t necessarily make it on the first try for a new project either.  That’s why we always offer one rewrite free of charge, because it usually only takes an extra draft of tweaks to get it right.  We have respect for the craft, and that’s why we won’t often go into bidding wars.  But ultimately what frustrates us about providers that undercut is that this lowers everyone’s expectations and cheapens the idea of good copy even more.  Now even fewer people believe that a few more cents a word can make a difference – but we still do.

Why We’ve Been Writing More Real Estate (and fewer blogs).

We didn’t think it was possible, but we’ve been busier than we have been in previous years.  Today’s the first time in a few weeks that we’ve been able to pay some attention to the blog – and we’re not complaining.  It seems as though despite the economy, real estate firms are thinking forward and stocking up on new websites and pages enhanced with professional real estate web writing.

Where we’ve gotten used to buying cycles over the years with clear periods of very little activity, the foreclosures market, REO properties and ever changing real estate landscape has for the time being shattered all of the rules.  Potential property buyers are searching for real estate online more than ever before, and Realtors® understand that SEO copywriting will rank their pages higher and allow for their companies to be found.  It’s not the time to hang out and wait for things to get better – from what we’re seeing, many firms are definitely taking the approach of ‘making their own luck’.

If you’re considering revamping or refreshing your website, think carefully.  Not everyone needs a complete makeover – purchasing a brand new website can be a costly makeover because of the labor that’s involved.  If your website offers the right amount of functionality with an uncomplicated interface, you may just need some updated pages and new articles.  Search engines are designed to capture sites that are being constantly updated with SEO rich copy, so if you’re watching your budget or don’t feel the need for a drastic change, ordering some professional real estate web writing may be the way to go.

Wondering what it’s like to watch the real estate market from a writer’s perspective?  Feel free to contact Word Pistol at any time.

Real Estate Web Writing: Why Choosing a Niche Matters

All real estate professionals know that focus pays off. Whether you are a specialist in your home town, selling everything from commercial properties to vacant land, or work across a greater region – you know that by showcasing in-depth knowledge and experience, you will reap rewards. Your best customers will show up in greater numbers, if they know you specialize in their desired home type, or neighborhood. So why do so few real estate brokers, agents and other professionals not apply the same standard to their real estate websites and online writing?

Probably because much like in other situations in life, we think we need to remain general in order ‘not to loose anyone’. Right? WRONG. If you want to attract customers to your website that is, real customers that are browsing for the kind of homes in the neighborhoods that you know, you need to show off your specialist knowledge. Real estate web writing that showcases your sharpest edge, is the kind of real estate web writing that works.

For example: You are a real estate agency that work across a greater region. On your website you can choose to speak to everyone who looks for homes in the entire district that you would potentially cover, or you can decide to speak to those who seek homes in the cities, towns, villages or neighborhoods that YOU KNOW BEST. Usually, the latter kind of real estate web writing will pay greater dividends.

Many buyers do their first general research independently of a real estate professional – i.e., they narrow down their search to their favorite neighborhoods before they get to you. What they need you for is more detailed neighborhood descriptions, insider tips on everything from specific street atmosphere to schools for their children. They need you to put home buying, real estate options and other more specific information into context for them. So, by being more specific in your real estate web writing you are more likely to get their attention.

If you are active in ONE city, look at what districts you do most business in and what kind of homes you have had the most success with. Think location, home type and benefits.

For more tips on real estate web writing, or real estate search engine optimization browse through this blog or contact Word Pistol.

See you around!