Author: Mike Blankenship

  • Real Estate SEO Copywriting: 7 Tips to Drive Passive Traffic and Convert Website Visitors

    Real Estate SEO Copywriting: 7 Tips to Drive Passive Traffic and Convert Website Visitors

    Real Estate SEO Copywriting 7 Tips to Drive Passive Traffic and Convert Website Visitors

    Are you wondering what real estate SEO copywriting is and why it’s important for your website?

    SEO copywriting for real estate is niched writing that:

    • It contains keywords – words that target your audience to help them find the information they’re actively looking for.
    • It helps your content rank higher in search results.
    • It drives qualified traffic. Such as motivated sellers, land buyers, multi-family sellers, and more!
    • Real estate SEO copywriting is writing for a purpose. Your chosen keywords shouldn’t make your content hard to read or lose meaning.

    At some point, you must put pen to paper (or rather keyboard to a computer, I suppose).

    Now is that time. In this article, I will teach you how to write every page on your website that you’d like to rank so that it will have the best chance of ranking. This will likely apply to your homepage, consistent blog content, and about page.

    Use this blog post as your guide whenever you’re trying to rank a page on your website for a specific keyword phrase.

    Writing for Search Engines VS. Writing for People…

    It’s an easy enough mistake to make…

    You intend to write content that ranks in search engines, pulls passive traffic, and generates consistent leads for your business.

    So you optimize, optimize, optimize until your fingers are bleeding.

    The problem is there is such a thing as over-optimizing your content for search engines. Google itself refers to including too many exact match keyword phrases on a single page as “keyword stuffing” — a naughty word that’ll get you fewer rankings. Similarly, building backlinks with PBNs or similar shady tactics can hurt your rankings when Google finds out what you’re doing (they don’t like being manipulated).

    Learn more: Are you Sabotaging your Real Estate Website’s Rankings With These 3 Black Hat SEO No-no’s?

    Not just that, but writing a page purely for search engines without thinking at all about the people you’re trying to attract will naturally increase your bounce rate, decrease your click-through rate and conversion rate, and, again, hurt your rankings.

    In other words, you must walk a fine line between writing for your ideal market and writing for SEO. Ideally, you’ll do both.

    7 Real Estate SEO Copywriting Tips to Drive Passive Traffic and Convert Website Visitors

    Tip #1: Keyword Research and Implementation: Hitting the Right Target

    blog post keyword density

    (Image Source)

    Keyword research forms the foundation of effective real estate SEO copywriting. By understanding the specific terms and phrases your target audience uses when searching for properties or real estate services, you can tailor your content to attract the right visitors.

    Here’s a breakdown of different keyword types and their strategic placement:

    Primary Keywords: These are the core phrases investors like you are likely typing, such as “motivated seller leads,” “cash for houses [your city],” or “wholesale properties [your state].” We’ll strategically place these in key areas like titles, headings, and throughout your platform content, ensuring high visibility for the right audience.

    Secondary Keywords: These are more specific variations that drill down further, like “inherited property cash buyers” or “foreclosure deals [your area].” These help you attract sellers with unique situations and specific property types, increasing your chances of finding the perfect investment opportunity.

    LSI Keywords: These are semantically related keywords that search engines associate with your primary topic. Think “sell my house fast for market value,” “sell my house fast reviews,” or “need to sell my house asap.” Including these helps search engines understand the broader context of your content and improves your ranking potential.

    Remember, the key is to integrate these keywords naturally. We want your platform to speak directly to motivated sellers, providing clear and concise information while ensuring search engines recognize the relevant context. This way, you can attract the best deals and maximize your success as a real estate investor.

    Tip #2: Headlines that Hook: Captivating Attention and Driving Clicks

    Headlines are the first impression your real estate content makes. A powerful headline can make the difference between a potential lead clicking through to your website or scrolling right past it. Here’s how to craft headlines that not only grab attention but also drive motivated sellers and buyers to your content:

    Clarity and Concision:

    • Speak directly to your target audience: Understand the specific needs and pain points of motivated sellers and buyers. Tailor your headlines to address those concerns directly.
    • Keep it short and sweet: Aim for headlines that are easy to read and understand. Avoid long, convoluted sentences that may lose the reader’s interest.

    Keyword Integration:

    • Weave relevant keywords naturally: Include the keywords you’re targeting within your headlines, but make sure they flow seamlessly with the overall message. Don’t force keywords for the sake of it.
    • Focus on long-tail keywords: While high-volume keywords can be attractive, long-tail keywords often hold more power for attracting motivated leads. These specific keywords target users further along the buying/selling journey, increasing the chances of attracting qualified traffic.

    Enticement and Urgency:

    • Spark curiosity: A touch of mystery can go a long way. Headlines that pique the reader’s interest and leave them wanting more are more likely to trigger clicks.
    • Create a sense of urgency: Highlight limited-time offers, exclusive deals, or the potential to miss out on valuable opportunities. This can encourage immediate action from motivated sellers and buyers.
    • Showcase specific benefits: Clearly communicate the value your content offers. Whether it’s uncovering hidden gems for investors, securing top dollar for sellers, or finding dream homes for buyers, let your headlines showcase the benefits that resonate with your target audience.

    Examples:

    Instead of: “Sell Your House Fast” (generic and uninspiring)

    Try: “Cash Offer in 24 Hours: Sell Your House As-Is and Skip the Hassle” (targeted, urgent, and benefit-driven)

    Instead of: “Top Neighborhoods for Families” (broad and unspecific)

    Try: “5 Hidden Gems: Unwind in These Family-Friendly Neighborhoods with Top-Rated Schools” (specific, curiosity-driven, and benefit-oriented)

    By following these tips and tailoring your headlines to the specific needs of motivated sellers and buyers, you can transform your real estate content into a magnet for qualified leads, propelling your business toward greater success.

    Tip #3: Content that Converts: Building Trust and Generating Leads

    In the competitive world of real estate, simply offering generic information isn’t enough. To truly attract motivated sellers and buyers, you need content that goes beyond the surface and provides real value. Here’s how to craft content that not only informs but also builds trust and generates leads:

    Beyond the Basics:

    • Ditch the fluff: Avoid generic content that simply rehashes readily available information. Offer unique insights, data-driven analysis, and expert opinions that set your content apart.
    • Tailor to your audience: Understand the specific needs and concerns of motivated sellers and buyers. Address their pain points directly and offer solutions that resonate with their unique situations.
    • Actionable advice: Don’t just present information; provide actionable steps, tips, and strategies that potential leads can implement in their own real estate journey.

    Storytelling Power:

    • Connect on an emotional level: People are drawn to stories. Utilize storytelling techniques to showcase real-life experiences, success stories, and case studies. This builds trust and allows potential leads to see themselves achieving their real estate goals with your help.
    • Highlight the human element: Don’t be afraid to inject your personality and expertise into your content. This creates a sense of authenticity and builds a stronger connection with your audience.

    Readability and User Experience:

    • Structure for clarity: Break down your content into easily digestible sections using bullet points, subheadings, and short paragraphs. This makes it easier for readers to scan and find the information they need.
    • Visual appeal: Incorporate high-quality images, infographics, and videos to enhance your content. Visuals not only break up text but also provide additional information and make your content more engaging.
    • Mobile-friendliness: Ensure your website and content are optimized for mobile devices. A significant portion of online searches happen on smartphones, so cater to this growing audience.

    By crafting content that is informative, actionable, and emotionally engaging, you can build trust with potential leads and convert them into valuable connections. Remember, your content is a powerful tool for attracting motivated sellers and buyers, so make it count!

    Tip #4: Optimize for On-Page SEO: Signaling Your Value to Search Engines

    On-page SEO refers to the optimization of individual web pages to improve their ranking in search engine results pages (SERPs). By strategically optimizing key elements within your website, you can signal to search engines that your content is relevant and valuable to potential leads, ultimately attracting more qualified traffic.

    Here are some crucial on-page SEO elements to consider for real estate websites:

    Meta Descriptions and Title Tags:

    • Meta Descriptions: These concise summaries appear below your website title in search results. Craft compelling meta descriptions that accurately reflect the content of each page and entice users to click. Include relevant keywords naturally within the description.
    • Title Tags: These act as headlines for your web pages in search results. Ensure title tags are clear, concise, and accurately represent the content of the page. Include relevant keywords near the beginning of the title tag for optimal impact.

    Internal Linking:

    • Internal linking involves creating hyperlinks between different pages on your website. This helps search engines understand the structure and hierarchy of your website, improving its overall SEO performance.
    • Strategically link to relevant content within your website, using descriptive anchor text that incorporates relevant keywords. This not only improves user navigation but also helps distribute SEO value throughout your website.

    Actionable On-Page Optimization Tips:

    • Optimize URLs: Use descriptive URLs that incorporate relevant keywords and are easy to understand (e.g., “sell-my-inherited-house-in-[your-city]”).
    • Image Optimization: Include alt text descriptions for all images, using relevant keywords to improve image search visibility.
    • Headings and Subheadings: Utilize clear and concise headings (H1, H2, etc.) throughout your content to structure the information and improve readability. Include relevant keywords within the headings naturally.
    • Website Speed: Ensure your website loads quickly on both desktop and mobile devices. Page speed is a crucial ranking factor for search engines.

    By implementing these on-page SEO strategies and consistently optimizing your website content, you can effectively communicate your value to search engines and attract more qualified leads to your real estate business. Remember, a well-optimized website is a powerful tool for driving organic traffic and converting visitors into potential clients.

    Tip #5: Call to Action (CTA): Guiding Leads Through the Sales Funnel

    A compelling Call to Action (CTA) is the bridge between your informative content and lead generation. It’s the final nudge that prompts website visitors to take the next step in their real estate journey, ultimately moving them closer to becoming your clients.

    Tailored CTAs for Every Stage:

    Not every visitor is ready to close a deal right away. Therefore, it’s crucial to offer different CTA options depending on the content and the stage of the buyer/seller journey:

    • Top-of-Funnel: For visitors at the initial research stage, offer CTAs like “Download Our Free Guide,” “Subscribe to Our Newsletter,” or “Schedule a Free Consultation.”
    • Middle-of-Funnel: As leads become more engaged, provide CTAs like “Get a Personalized Home Offer,” “Browse Our Featured Listings,” or “Attend Our Open House.”
    • Bottom-of-Funnel: When leads are ready to take action, present clear CTAs like “Contact Us Today,” “Request a Cash Offer,” or “Schedule a Showing.”

    Strategic CTA Placement:

    Where you place your CTAs matters just as much as the message itself. Here’s how to maximize their impact:

    • Above the Fold: Include a prominent CTA within the first few seconds of page load, capturing attention immediately.
    • Throughout the Content: Strategically place CTAs within your content, reinforcing the desired action at key points.
    • Multiple Options: Offer multiple CTAs throughout your website to cater to different preferences and stages of the buyer/seller journey.

    By incorporating clear, compelling CTAs tailored to your target audience and strategically placing them throughout your content, you can effectively guide website visitors through the sales funnel and convert them into valuable leads for your real estate business. Remember, a well-placed CTA can be the difference between a casual visitor and a potential client.

    Tip #6: Local SEO Strategies: Dominating Your Neighborhood Search Results

    In the competitive world of real estate, attracting motivated buyers and sellers within your specific area is crucial. Local SEO strategies play a vital role in achieving this by optimizing your online presence for local search queries. This ensures that potential clients searching for real estate agents, properties, or related services in your area discover your business first.

    The Power of Local SEO:

    • Targeted Visibility: Local SEO helps your website rank higher in search results specific to your city, neighborhood, or zip code. This increases the chances of motivated buyers and sellers in your local market finding your services.
    • Increased Lead Generation: By appearing in local searches, you attract qualified leads who are actively seeking real estate solutions within your area, leading to higher conversion rates.
    • Building Trust and Credibility: A strong local SEO presence demonstrates your commitment to serving your community, fostering trust and credibility with potential clients.

    Key Local SEO Strategies:

    • Google My Business Optimization: Claim and optimize your Google Business Profile. Ensure your NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) is consistent across all platforms, add high-quality photos and videos, and encourage customer reviews to boost your local ranking.
    • Local Citations: Build a strong presence across relevant local directories, business listings, and industry-specific platforms. Ensure your NAP consistency across all listings to maximize the impact.
    • Local Keyword Integration: Incorporate local keywords throughout your location pages, including city names, neighborhood names, and specific landmarks. This helps search engines understand your local focus and improve your ranking in local search results.
    • Content Strategy with Local Focus: Create content specifically targeting local audiences. This could include blog posts highlighting local market trends, neighborhood guides, or showcasing successful deals you’ve closed in the area.

    By implementing these local SEO strategies and consistently refining your online presence, you can effectively attract motivated buyers and sellers within your local market, propelling your real estate business toward greater success. Remember, local SEO is about establishing yourself as the go-to real estate expert in your community.

    Tip #7: Track and Analyze: Data-Driven Decisions for Continuous Improvement

    In the dynamic world of SEO, the work doesn’t stop after publishing content. Tracking website traffic and analyzing performance data is crucial for understanding how your content resonates with your target audience and identifying areas for improvement. This data-driven approach allows you to continuously refine your SEO for real estate copywriting strategy for maximum effectiveness.

    Harnessing the Power of Analytics:

    Google Analytics is a powerful tool that provides invaluable insights into website traffic and user behavior. By leveraging its features, you can:

    • Track Website Traffic: Monitor key metrics like page views, unique visitors, and bounce rate to understand how many people are visiting your website and how they interact with your content.
    • Identify Top-Performing Content: Analyze which content pieces attract the most traffic and engagement, helping you identify what resonates with your audience.
    • Uncover User Behavior: See how users navigate your website, what pages they visit, and where they drop off. This helps you optimize the user experience and improve content flow.
    • Track Keyword Performance: Analyze which keywords are driving traffic to your website and how your content ranks for those keywords. This helps you refine your keyword strategy and target relevant search queries.

    Using Data to Refine Your SEO Copywriting:

    By analyzing data from Google Analytics, you can make informed decisions to improve your SEO copywriting:

    • Identify Underperforming Content: If certain content pieces are not attracting traffic or generating leads, analyze the reasons behind it. Consider revising headlines, optimizing for different keywords, or even creating entirely new content.
    • Double Down on Success: Analyze the characteristics of your top-performing content and replicate those elements in future content creation. This ensures you continue providing valuable information that resonates with your audience.
    • Track Conversion Rates: Monitor how many website visitors convert into leads or clients. This helps you understand the effectiveness of your CTAs and overall sales funnel.

    Remember, SEO is an ongoing process. By consistently tracking and analyzing data, you can continuously adapt your SEO copywriting strategy to attract more qualified leads, convert them into clients, and ultimately achieve your real estate business goals.

    Bonus Tip: Leverage Internal Linking for Enhanced SEO and User Experience

    Internal linking, the practice of linking from one page on your website to another, offers a powerful double benefit: improved SEO and enhanced user experience. Here’s how:

    • SEO Boost: Search engines crawl websites by following links. Strategic internal linking helps search engines discover and index all your website pages efficiently, potentially improving your overall website ranking.
    • Enhanced User Journey: Internal links guide visitors through your website, allowing them to explore related content, delve deeper into specific topics, and ultimately find the information they need. This keeps them engaged and increases the chances of them converting into leads.

    Here are some tips for effective internal linking:

    • Contextual Relevance: Only link to content that is genuinely relevant to the current page. Avoid random or forced links that disrupt the user flow.
    • Descriptive Anchor Text: Use clear and descriptive anchor text for your internal links. This helps both users and search engines understand the linked content.
    • Link to High-Value Pages: Strategically link to important pages like your contact form, property listings, or blog posts with valuable insights. This helps distribute SEO value throughout your website.

    By incorporating internal linking effectively, you can create a well-structured website that is not only SEO-friendly but also provides a seamless and engaging experience for your visitors, ultimately driving them further down the sales funnel. sharemore_vert

    Conclusion

    Conclusion: Attract, Engage, Convert: The Power of SEO Copywriting

    Attracting motivated sellers and buyers is paramount to your success. By implementing the tips outlined in this blog post, you can leverage the power of SEO copywriting to transform your website into a magnet for qualified leads.

    Remember, effective SEO copywriting for real estate goes beyond simply providing information. It’s about crafting compelling content that speaks directly to your target audience’s needs, utilizes storytelling techniques to build trust, and incorporates strategic SEO elements for optimal search engine visibility. By focusing on keyword research, crafting captivating headlines, optimizing on-page elements, and strategically placing clear CTAs, you can guide potential leads through the sales funnel and convert them into valuable clients.

    Don’t forget the importance of local SEO strategies, ensuring your online presence dominates search results within your specific area. And finally, remember that SEO is an ongoing process. By consistently tracking website traffic, analyzing data, and refining your strategy based on insights, you can continuously improve your content’s effectiveness and attract more motivated sellers and buyers to your real estate business.

    Implementing these SEO copywriting strategies, combined with the comprehensive tools and resources offered by Carrot’s Lead Generation Hub, can empower you to achieve your real estate goals and build a thriving business. Start putting these tips into action today and watch your website transform into a powerful lead generation machine.

  • 3 Low-Risk Real Estate Businesses You Can Start With $2,000

    3 Low-Risk Real Estate Businesses You Can Start With $2,000

    You’re interested in investing in real estate…

    Maybe you have some friends who do it successfully or you follow Facebook real estate pros who consistently share the deals they’ve done with big dollar signs.

    It’s all so appealing.

    If only you could bite the bullet and try your hand at real estate investing…

    Maybe you would be just as successful as the investors you watch from the corner of your eye…

    (Who’s to say you wouldn’t?)

    But there’s a problem. You don’t have $50,000 or $100,000 laying around to try and get into real estate investing. Maybe you don’t even have $10,000. And it’s no secret that real estate pros play with big, high-risk dollar amounts.

    Sure — you could try to get other investors to support your business, but then you’re just in debt to them.

    How do you win?

    Is it even possible to build a real estate investing business without deep pockets and high risk?

    Yes. Yes, it is.

    In fact, lots of people do it (we know because those people are our customers! :-D). And below are three ways to make it happen. Since this article is meant to be a high-level overview of the business models, I’ve also included “Learn more” sections at the end of each type so that you can take action sooner rather than later.

    3 Low-Risk Real Estate Businesses You Can Start With $2,000

    #1: Wholesaling

    Here’s a helpful video that describes was wholesaling is in real estate (not to be confused with the retail business).

    What is Real Estate Wholesaling? [For Real Estate Investors]

    As a wholesaler, your job is to find “motivated sellers” — people who need to sell their home fast for cash (this happens for lots of different reasons: divorce, probate, foreclosure, inheritance, bad tenants, etc) — put their property under contract, and then find a buyer to pay the agreed upon price for that house minus your commission.

    Let’s imagine, for example, that you find a motivated seller by sending direct mail. You talk to them on the phone and determine that they do want to sell their house for a price that you can probably afford. You then go and look at the house to determine the ARV (After Repair Value) of their home to ensure you make an offer which works for the seller, the buyer, and yourself.

    Let’s further imagine that you offer the seller $40,000 for their home, they accept, and you put it under contract. The next thing that happens is you work to find a buyer (often another real estate investors) who will pay maybe $45,000 or $50,000 for the home and you then make $5,000 or $10,000 in the middle. Your only overhead expense is generally the marketing materials to find motivated sellers and maybe a few advertisements to find buyers once you’ve put a house under contract.

    And the only risk involved is however much money you put down on the seller’s contract for earnest money (i.e. how much you’ll have to pay if you don’t end up buying the house) — and that’s an amount that you and the seller can determine together.

    Learn more: [Case Study] From Teacher to $80k/Month Wholesaling Real Estate in a Competitive Market

    #2: Vacant Land Investing

    low-risk real estate business investing in land

    (Image Source)

    If you’ve never heard of it before, then it might sound silly: but there’s a lot of real estate investors who’re making a killing on flipping vacant land. But that might not be what it sounds like. Usually, when people think of flipping houses, they think of buying distressed properties, fixing it up, and selling it for a profit. But with land, you buy low from motivated sellers (people who can’t afford the taxes, aren’t using it, or don’t want to deal with marketing it themselves), you don’t do anything to it, and then you sell it for market value or slightly above.

    Some land flipping deals will be cash (you’ll buy for $2,000 and sell for $4,000 cash, for instance) and many will be financed (you buy for $2,000 and sell for a down payment of $700 and monthly payments of 200 for 35 months). For that reason, land investing is a great way to start creating passive income for you and your family. Plus, there’s almost no risk involved since the only expense on a piece of land that is taking a while to sell is taxes. If you buy at the right price, then you’re sure to make a hefty profit.

    Learn more: This Guy Has Flipped 4,000 Pieces of Land… Why It’s An Amazing Time To Start

    #3: Mobile Home Investing

    Mobile Home Investing low-risk real estate business

    (Image Source)

    If you have a bit more budget (between $2,000 and $50,000, depending on your market), then mobile home investing might be the perfect option for your real estate business. Mobile homes operate similarly to houses, whereas you can fix-and-flip them or you can rent them, sell them for cash, or even (more commonly) finance them.

    Since most people who buy mobile homes, though, aren’t people who can afford cash, you’ll usually end up financing a lot of the deals (maybe $2,000 down and payments of $300 for 30 months, for instance), which isn’t such a bad thing if you’re trying to create some passive monthly income.

    Additionally, if you plan to hold onto some mobile homes as rental properties, remember there’s room for more than just rent collection. Offering quality maintenance services like reliable heating system upkeep can significantly boost tenant retention and satisfaction – a subtle yet smart way to further stabilize your income stream.

    Learn more: The Ripe Mobile Home Market And How This Guy Is Is Profiting More With Mobile Homes Than Houses

    Conclusion

    The truth is, your pocketbook can’t keep you from getting into real estate investing. And neither can the perceived risk that’s involved.

    The above three ways will cost you $2,000 or less to get started and they all have relatively low risk compared to the typical high-cost fix-and-flips or rental complexes.

    Down the road, as you build your confidence, maybe you can start investing in shinier, sexier real estate business models. But for now, the best thing you can do is get started. So click one of the “Learn more” links above for whichever model appeals to you the most and off ya go.

    Good luck!

  • Optimizing Real Estate Meta Tags & Descriptions

    Optimizing Real Estate Meta Tags & Descriptions

    Real Estate SEO Optimizing-Title-Tags-Meta-Descriptions-URLs

    Before we dive into real estate meta tags, it’s important to check if the other On-Page SEO Steps have been taken.

    In last week’s article, we discussed how to find high-intent keywords that will help you dominate your market. Now, we need to talk about what you should actually do with those keywords.

    In this article, we show you 3 quick-and-easy SEO tips you can do in 5 minutes. How to optimize your real estate meta tags, descriptions, & URL structure. But these aren’t just the easiest things to do for your SEO strategy, they’re also some of the most impactful things you can do.

    If you use these 3 strategies, then you’ll have a leg up on competitors in your market who don’t.

    Without further adieu, optimize these 3 elements on every website page that you want to rank in Google. And if it takes you longer than 15 minutes per page (tops), you’re thinking too much.


    Optimizing Real Estate Meta Tags & Meta Descriptions

    1. Title Tag

    What is it?Real Estate SEO Tips what-is-a-title-tag

    The title tag is one of the two real estate meta tags that you need to optimize. Specifically, the title tag is the title that you see in Google when you search for a given phrase (see above screenshot). This is not necessarily the same as the title on the actual page.

    For instance, when I click on this result…

    title-tag-optimization
    real-estate-investor-website

    A page with this title comes up…In other words, the title tag is a different entity from the title of your page (“Sell Your Boston-Area Home Fast — Ocean City Development” vs. “Sell Your Boston-Area Home Fast”). That said, if you don’t specify what words you would like Google to use for the page’s Title Tag, then Google will simply pull the first words of your page as the Title Tag (which is why the title of your page and the page’s Title Tag will be the same if you haven’t specified differently).

    Fortunately, if you’re a Carrot member, our SEO tool allows you to quickly and easily customize your Title Tag.

    Carrot SEO Title Tool
    “SEO Title” is the spot to put your Title Tag

    Now that you understand what the Title Tag is, how do you optimize it?

    How do you optimize it?

    The first important thing to do with your Title Tag is to include the exact match keyword phrase you’re trying to rank for. So if you want to rank for “Sell my house fast in Boston,” then your Title Tag should include that exact phrase, ideally somewhere near the beginning.

    For example…

    • Need to “Sell my house fast in Boston”?
    • “Sell my house fast in Boston” — We Can Help
    • I need to sell my house fast in Boston!

    You get the idea.

    Include the exact phrase that you’re trying to rank for. And make sure that you keep it under 60 characters in length, otherwise, the entire Title Tag won’t show in Google’s results.

    And that’s it! Do this on every page that you want to rank for a specific phrase (and only dedicate one phrase to each page, max — don’t try to rank for multiple phrases on a single page). On to the Meta Description.

    2. Real Estate Meta Tags: the Meta Description

    What is a meta description?

    Right below the URL in Google results is the meta description.

    Similar to the Title Tag, if you don’t specify what you want the Meta Description to say in search results, then Google will pull random content from your page… which is a bad call for your rankings and for trying to get people to click on your result (don’t forget — the Title Tag and Meta Description aren’t just for ranking, they’re also for trying to get people to click your result when they scroll by it in Google). Collectively, these two things make up your real estate meta tags.

    Here are some real estate industry meta description examples:

    Real Estate SEO Tips what is a meta description
    real estate meta description examples

    Here’s what it looks like when a website hasn’t customized their Meta Description for a certain page.

    optimizing your real estate meta description

    Our Carrot websites allow you to easily and quickly customize your Meta Description…

    And here’s how you optimize it to rank in Google.

    How do you optimize it?

    Similar to your Title Tag, you should include the exact keyword phrase you’re trying to rank for a single time within your Meta Description. Do not include it more than once. This might indicate to Google that you’re trying too hard and actually hurt your rankings. Keep a simple URL structure. 

    Also, do the best you can to “sell the click” with your meta description. Include a call-to-action such as, “Find Out More!” or “Contact Us Today!” Also, invitations like “Learn more” and “Get an Offer Now”, come in handy. .Remember, this is what people read when they’re deciding which results to click on — which can mean a lead won or a lead lost.

    Finally, try to keep your meta description to 155 characters or less, otherwise, it’ll get cut off on the results page.  You’ll mostly see meta descriptions within that character range. If you do go longer, at the very least, try to get your critical information within the first 155 characters.

    3. URL

    What is it?

    optimizing your real estate url

    The URL of your page is its digital location and you can see in the above screenshot where the URL shows up in Google results.

    This URL will be different depending on the page that you’re trying to rank. When you’re just getting started with your SEO strategy, you might just be working on your homepage — which means that the URL is simple the domain that you purchased. Once you start building location-specific landing pages meant to rank for different areas or blog posts meant to rank for high-intent keyword phrases, that URL will have to change.

    And what you change it to can have a big impact on how well your page ranks for the keyword phrase you’re targeting.

    If you don’t customize your page URL before you publish it, then your website creator will create a URL for you based on the title of your page. But it’s a far better option to choose the URL yourself to get the best SEO rankings.

    Here’s how to optimize your URL.

    How do you optimize it?

    Optimizing your URL to rank for a certain keyword phrase is dead simple. Just include the exact phrase you’re trying to rank for within or as the URL. If, for example, you’re trying to rank for “Sell my house fast in Boston”, then you might use the URL, [yourdomain].com/sell-my-house-fast-Boston

    The URL (much like the real estate meta tags) indicate to Google what your page is about and where it should place you when people are searching for a related phrase.

    This is a quick win you don’t want to ignore.

    Conclusion

    The truth is, the basics of SEO are relatively simple. More than anything, ranking in Google is a matter of consistently publishing new pages and content that is optimized for search engines. And if you’re looking for some quick wins on each page, take these three real estate SEO tips and optimize the real estate meta tags of the pages you’d like to rank with the best SEO keywords for real estate.

    Of course, it doesn’t guarantee that you’ll rank overnight. But it’s an important first step on the road to ranking in Google and pulling passive traffic and leads from the search engines.

    So get going and let us know if you have any questions in the comments!


    Not a Carrot member? Consider signing up and gaining a real estate website with built-in SEO optimization and an evergreen content marketing system + getting access to our weekly member strategy session!

  • How To Find High-Intent Real Estate Keywords and Dominate Your Market’s SEO Rankings

    How To Find High-Intent Real Estate Keywords and Dominate Your Market’s SEO Rankings

    Imagine this: a potential seller in your market frantically searches online for an investor who specializes in buying properties quickly. Suddenly, your website pops up at the top of the search results, showcasing your expertise in navigating the local market for these unique properties.

    This, my friends, is the magic of high-intent real estate keywords working their SEO wonders.

    For real estate investors and agents like you, specializing in niche markets and ranking high in generic searches might not be enough. That’s where high-intent keywords come in – laser-focusing your online presence to attract motivated sellers and buyers actively seeking your specific services.

    In this guide, we’ll equip you, the savvy real estate investor or agent, with the knowledge to unlock the power of high-intent keywords. By the end, you’ll be well on your way to dominating your local market’s SEO rankings, attracting a steady stream of qualified leads, and ultimately closing more deals.

    Why High-Intent Keywords Are Your Secret Weapon in Real Estate SEO

    Not all keywords are created equal. In the competitive world of real estate SEO, high-intent keywords are the golden ticket to attracting qualified leads and boosting your ROI. But what exactly are they, and why should you care?

    High-intent keywords are search terms used by people who are closer to making a decision. These keywords go beyond basic informational queries and signal a strong intent to take action. Imagine the difference between someone searching for “what is a condo?” (informational) and “sell my condo fast in [Location]” (high-intent). The latter searcher is a motivated seller actively looking for an agent in your area – your ideal client!

    By strategically incorporating high-intent keywords into your SEO strategy, you unlock a treasure trove of benefits:

    • Increased Conversion Rates: Attract leads who are already pre-qualified and ready to move forward. High-intent keywords connect you with sellers actively seeking to sell their property, maximizing your chances of converting leads into paying clients.
    • Improved ROI on Marketing Efforts: Forget the scatter-shot approach. High-intent keywords allow you to target your marketing efforts laser-sharp, reaching the most relevant audience primed for your services. This translates to a more efficient use of your marketing budget and a higher return on investment.
    • Attract Motivated Sellers and Buyers: High-intent keywords act like a magnet for sellers and buyers who are serious about their real estate needs. You’ll be attracting a pool of highly motivated clients eager to discuss their needs, streamlining your lead nurturing process.

    In a nutshell, high-intent keywords are the bridge between potential clients and your expertise. They ensure you’re connecting with the right people at the right time, ultimately leading to a thriving real estate business.

    Uncovering High-Intent Real Estate Keywords: Your SEO Treasure Map

    The path to dominating your local market’s SEO rankings starts with uncovering the golden nuggets of real estate – high-intent keywords. But these gems won’t be found by chance. Let’s delve into the treasure chest of research strategies to identify the keywords that will attract a flood of motivated sellers and buyers to your doorstep.

    1. Keyword Research Tools: Your Powerful Pickaxes

    Just like Carrot farms wouldn’t head to the fields empty-handed, you shouldn’t embark on your keyword research journey without the right tools. Here are some popular options to consider:

    • Carrot Keyword Finder (Carrot Members): This powerful tool helps you analyze your website and the competition’s website to find the next keyword to target in your SEO strategy.
    carrot keyword explorer url example
    Carrot Keyword Explorer
    • Google Keyword Planner (Free): A great starting point, Keyword Planner allows you to research search volume, competition level, and related keywords for your target terms.
    • SEMrush & Ahrefs (Paid): Offering more advanced features like keyword difficulty score, competitor keyword analysis, and backlink tracking, these tools provide deeper insights for a more comprehensive strategy.

    2. Understanding User Intent: Decoding the Search Motive

    Not all searches are created equal. Some users are just browsing for information (informational intent), while others are ready to take action (transactional intent). The key to identifying high-intent keywords lies in understanding user intent.

    Here’s a breakdown:

    • Informational Intent: Keywords like “benefits of buying a condo” or “what to consider when selling a house” indicate the user is in the research phase. While valuable for brand awareness, these keywords might not translate directly into immediate leads.
    • Transactional Intent: Keywords like “sell my condo fast ” or “ + first-time homebuyer guide with realtor contact” showcase a strong desire to take action. These are the high-intent keywords you should prioritize, as they connect you with motivated leads ready to work with a real estate agent.

    3. Local Keyword Targeting: Think Geographically

    In the world of real estate, location is everything. For local SEO dominance, incorporating location-specific keywords into your strategy is crucial. Here’s how:

    • City + Property Type: Target keywords like “ + [niche property type] for sale” or “ + best realtor for selling [niche property type].”
    • Neighborhood Targeting: Get even more specific by including popular neighborhoods in your market (e.g., “‘s + [neighborhood] + real estate agent”).

    4. Competitor Analysis: Spy on the Competition (Ethically!)

    There’s no shame in learning from the best (or, in this case, the most successful). Analyzing your competitors’ keyword usage can reveal valuable insights and uncover gaps in your own strategy. Here’s what to watch for:

    • Top Ranking Websites: Identify the websites ranking high in your local market and analyze their keyword usage. Tools like SEMrush can help you do this.
    • Common Keywords: See which keywords your competitors are targeting and use this information to identify potentially valuable keywords for your own strategy.
    • Untapped Opportunities: Look for gaps in your competitors’ keyword strategy – these could be niche terms or long-tail keywords that present an opportunity to stand out.

    5. Long-Tail Keywords: Cast a Targeted Net

    Don’t underestimate the power of long-tail keywords! These highly specific phrases, like “ + first-time homebuyer guide with realtor contact,” attract targeted leads with a clear intent to buy (or sell) a specific property type. While individual search volume might be lower, long-tail keywords often face less competition and can lead to higher conversion rates.

    Long-Tail Keywords

    By combining these research strategies, you’ll be well-equipped to unearth the high-intent keywords that will unlock a treasure trove of qualified leads for your real estate business. Remember, the more you understand your target audience’s search intent and tailor your keyword strategy accordingly, the higher you’ll climb the local SEO rankings and the closer you’ll get to dominating your market.

    Putting High-Intent Keywords to Work: Building Your SEO Empire

    Unearthing valuable high-intent keywords is just the first step. Now, it’s time to transform them into SEO gold by strategically integrating them into your online presence. Here are the key implementation strategies to supercharge your local market dominance:

    1. On-Page Optimization: Plant Your SEO Seeds

    Think of your website as fertile ground for SEO growth. To cultivate success, you must plant high-intent keywords throughout your website’s content. Here’s where to focus:

    • Page Titles & Meta Descriptions: Craft compelling titles and descriptions that incorporate your high-intent keywords naturally. These snippets are like shop windows, enticing potential clients to click through.
      • Example: Instead of a generic title like “John Smith Real Estate,” try “ + [Niche Property Type] Expert | John Smith Real Estate.”
    • Headings & Subheadings: Structure your content with clear headings and subheadings that include your high-intent keywords. This improves readability and helps search engines understand your content’s relevance.
    • Body Content: Don’t just stuff keywords! Weave them naturally throughout your content, ensuring it remains informative and engaging for your audience.

    2. Content Marketing: Become a Local Market Authority

    High-quality, informative content is the lifeblood of a successful SEO strategy. Creating content targeting your high-intent keywords establishes yourself as a trusted authority in your local market. Here are some content ideas:

    • Blog Posts: Write engaging blog posts that address common pain points and questions your target audience might have. Use your high-intent keywords throughout the content and consider formats like “ + Real Estate Market Update” or “[Niche Property Type] Selling Guide for .” Carrot does this for you! Learn more about our Automated Content Library.
    • Market Reports: Offer valuable insights into your local market by creating downloadable reports that showcase your expertise. Integrate high-intent keywords throughout the report and promote it on social media and through email marketing.
    • Neighborhood Guides: Craft informative guides highlighting specific neighborhoods in your market. This is a great way to target location-specific keywords and showcase your knowledge of the local area.

    3. Local Business Listings: Claim Your Local Territory

    In the digital world of real estate, claiming your territory starts with local business listings. Here’s what you need to do:

    • Google My Business: This is your online storefront for local searches. Claim and optimize your Google My Business profile, ensuring your NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) information is consistent across all platforms. Include relevant high-intent keywords in your profile description.
    • Other Local Directories: Don’t neglect other local directories relevant to your market. Search for real estate agent listings, business directories, and local chambers of commerce to claim and optimize your profiles, incorporating high-intent keywords where applicable.

    4. Backlink Building: Earn Trustworthy Votes

    Backlinks are essentially votes of confidence from other websites. The more high-authority websites link back to yours using relevant high-intent keywords as anchor text, the higher your website’s ranking in search results. Here are some strategies:

    • Guest Blogging: Contribute guest articles to local news websites, real estate blogs, or industry publications. Include high-intent keywords naturally within your content and link back to your website.
    • Local Business Partnerships: Partner with complementary businesses in your area (e.g., mortgage lenders, home inspectors, contractors) to explore backlink opportunities. Offer to write a blog post for their website in exchange for a backlink with a relevant high-intent keyword.
    • Community Engagement: Actively participate in online forums and social media groups relevant to your local market. Provide valuable insights and expertise, and include a link back to your website when appropriate.

    Now that you’re armed with the knowledge to unlock the power of high-intent keywords, it’s time to take action! Review your website content and local listings, and identify opportunities to integrate your high-intent keywords strategically.

    By implementing these strategies, you’ll be well on your way to building a dominant SEO presence in your local market, attracting a steady stream of qualified leads, and ultimately achieving your real estate business goals.

    Bonus Section: Common High-Intent Keyword Missteps to Avoid

    While high-intent keywords are your key to SEO success, there are a few common pitfalls to steer clear of:

    1. Keyword Stuffing: Don’t force high-intent keywords into your content unnaturally. This can create a clunky reading experience and actually harm your SEO ranking. Focus on creating informative and engaging content that integrates keywords seamlessly.

    2. Ignoring Search Volume: While high-intent is crucial, consider search volume too. Don’t get so niche that your target keywords have minimal search traffic. Aim for a balance between high intent and reasonable search volume to ensure you reach a relevant audience.

    3. Neglecting Long-Tail Keywords: Yes, long-tail keywords might have lower individual search volume, but they often face less competition and can lead to highly qualified leads. Don’t underestimate their power!

    4. Forgetting Local SEO: For real estate agents, location is king. Don’t just target generic high-intent keywords. Incorporate location-specific terms like “ + [Niche Property Type]” to attract clients in your local market.

    5. Underestimating Content Quality: High-intent keywords are just one piece of the SEO puzzle. Always prioritize creating high-quality, informative content that provides value to your target audience. Search engines favor websites with fresh, valuable content, so prioritize quality over quantity.

    By avoiding these common mistakes and implementing the strategies outlined in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to leveraging the power of high-intent keywords to dominate your local market’s SEO rankings and establish yourself as the go-to real estate expert for your niche property type.

    Conclusion: Reap the Rewards of High-Intent SEO

    The journey to real estate SEO dominance starts with a treasure hunt for high-intent keywords. By strategically integrating these powerful keywords into your online presence, you’ll unlock a wealth of benefits:

    • Attract Qualified Leads: High-intent keywords connect you with motivated sellers and buyers actively seeking your services, maximizing your chances of converting leads into paying clients.
    • Boost Local Market Visibility: Targeted keywords ensure your website ranks higher in local searches, making you the go-to expert for [Niche Property Type] real estate in [Location].
    • Become a Local Authority: Creating informative content rich in high-intent keywords establishes you as a trusted advisor in your market, fostering client confidence and brand loyalty.

    Remember, the key to SEO success lies in understanding your target audience’s search intent and tailoring your online presence accordingly. By following the strategies outlined in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to:

    • Dominating local SEO rankings for your niche market.
    • Attracting a steady stream of qualified leads eager to discuss their [Niche Property Type] needs.
    • Ultimately, thriving in the dynamic world of real estate.

    Ready to take action and transform your website into a high-intent keyword magnet?

    Here’s how you can get started:

    • Subscribe to our blog for ongoing SEO tips and tricks to stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving digital landscape.
    • Download our free guide: “The Ultimate List of High-Intent Real Estate Keywords” to discover a treasure trove of valuable keywords specifically tailored to your niche market and location.

    Don’t wait – unlock the power of high-intent keywords today and watch your real estate business flourish!

  • 33 Real Estate Statistics that’ll Change your 2019 Strategy

    33 Real Estate Statistics that’ll Change your 2019 Strategy

    33 Real Estate Statistics That'll Change your 2018 Strategy

    Wonder what 2019 is going to look like for the real estate market? Or, even more importantly, how you and your real estate business should prepare for the future?

    Of course, you are. Because you’re an entrepreneur and you want to grow a consistent and predictable source of income.

    Fortunately, this year looks good overall, with an expected 1% increase in sales, a 3.1% increase in median home price. It will likely be a softer, less intensely thriving market than 2018 or 2017, but a healthy one nonetheless.

    But that optimism won’t keep the market from changing. In the words of real estate Yoda, “Change, the real estate market will so change with it, you must” (Disclaimer: I made that up).

    Yoda aside, I dug around and found some relevant real estate stats for your 2019 marketing strategy. Here’s what I learned and some main takeaways for each set of stats.

    33 Real Estate Statistics that’ll Change your 2019 Strategy

    General Real Estate Statistics

    1. In 2018, 5.5 million existing homes were sold in the U.S. (Source)
    2. In 2017, 612,000 newly built homes were sold in the U.S. (Source)
    3. There are approximately two million active real estate licenses in the U.S. (Source)
    4. Redfin’s Housing Demand Index went from 124 in May of 2018 to 131 in September of 2019 (Source)
    5. By 2020, the real estate industry will account for 22% of commercial drone use.
    6. House listings that have aerial photographs sell 68% faster than properties with standard images. (Source)
    7. There are almost 44 million renter-occupied houses and 75 million owner-occupied houses in the U.S. (Source)
    8. From 2016 to 2017, apartment construction climbed by 21%, putting apartment supply at a 20-year high. (Source)
    9. The U.S. economy grew by 2.6% in 2018. (Source)
    10. House ownership is falling and renting is on the rise, with a 2.3% increase in U.S. renters in 2016. (Source)
    11. Zillow’s Zestimate feature is typically erroneous by $14,000. (Source)
    12. On real estate websites, the “About Us” page is the third most-viewed page. (Source)
    13. Home prices rose by 4.8% in Q3 of 2018 (Source)
    14. Interest rates increased to 2.27% in 2018 (Source)
    15. The number of online real estate leads is increasing (up 65% from 2016 to 2017), but the conversion rate is taking a dip (down 10% from 2016 to 2017). (Source)

    Main Takeaways

    1. Consider getting into the rental market — As demand for rentals increases, consider getting in front of this trend, buying and holding rentals as a passive income stream.
    2. Start using drones for house photography — If you want to sell houses faster (which you do), then you might want to consider investing in a drone to take aerial photographs. These house listing images don’t just look pretty — they make the property sell about 68% faster.
    3. Buy and rent out apartments — The market loves apartments right now. Consider getting some of your own and using them for passive income.
    4. Give your “About Us” page a little more love — While this page is the third-most important page on your website, it’s also probably the most neglected. Stop neglecting it. Set it up to build trust with website visitors so you’re not losing leads to a shoddy “About Us” page.

    House Buyer Real Estate Statistics

    1. In 2018, first-time homebuyers made up 34% of all homebuyers. (Source)
    2. 65% of homebuyers 37 years and younger were first-time homebuyers in 2018. (Source)
    3. In 2017, Millennials accounted for 33% of homebuyers. (Source)
    4. In 2017, 56% of homebuyers 36 years old and younger found their homes on the internet and 50% of buyers between the age of 37 and 51 found their homes online. Older buyers over the age of 51 years old were the only group that sought out an agent first. (Source)
    5. Across all generations, half of all homebuyers use the internet to find a home and 93% of buyers who are 36 years old or younger frequently use the internet during a house search. (Source)
    6. The typical homebuyer searches for 10 weeks and looks at 10 properties before choosing a house. (Source)
    7. In 2016, there were 5% more homes built than in 2015 (from 1.108 million to 1.163 million). (Source)
    8. In 2017, 52% of homebuyers were first-timers while 48% were repeat buyers. (Source)
    9. 44% of all homebuyers end up buying a home that they found on the internet.
    10. Over half (51%) of home shoppers claim that YouTube is their favorite video research platform. (Source)
    11. Almost 90% of home-buying Millennials, Gen X’ers, and young Boomers bought a home with the help of an agent in 2016. (Source)
    12. 84% of homebuyers found online information to be a crucial part of their house search. (Source)
    13. By 2025, Millennials are expected to form 20 million new households in the U.S. (Source)

    Main Takeaways

    1. Pay attention to Millennials — Now, millennials are between the age of 22 and 37 years old. Which makes them fall within the average home-buying age of 31. They’re tech-savvy and they like the internet (I know because I am one :D), so make sure that your website is fast and user-friendly.
    2. Get your website’s SEO dialed in — Since so many people are using the internet to find a home, real estate investor, or real estate agent, you need to be visible online. That, of course, is easier said than done. Write consistent content, target the right keywords, and your rankings will start to rise. You can find a more thorough real estate SEO strategy here.
    3. Post consistent videos on YouTube — YouTube is the second most-used online search engine right behind Google. To drive traffic and find leads on the platform, make videos and build your YouTube following. You can find out more about doing that here.
    4. Make sure your website converts as best it can — The last thing you want is to drive traffic to your website and still land zero deals from that traffic — believe me… it happens. If people don’t trust your website or it’s unclear what you want them to do, they’ll leave faster than they arrived. To make sure your website is set up to convert visitors, consider this conversion optimization checklist.

    House Seller Real Estate Statistics

    1. By July 2021, the total median home price reached $390,500.
    2. On average, sellers receive 98% of the listed price. (Source)
    3. Staged homes spend half the time on the market compared to non-staged homes and they regularly sell for about 6% above the listed price. (Source)
    4. In southern states, home sales are expected to grow by 6% in 2018 rather than 2.5% (the national average). (Source)
    5. 70% of homeowners prefer to list with a real estate agent who uses video marketing to advertise their home. (Source)

    Main Takeaways

    1. Consider hiring a professional house stager — Heck, why wouldn’t you do it if the house will spend less time on the market and the seller will get 6% above the listed price? Seems like a good investment for you and the seller.
    2. Use video marketing — The more options that you offer for advertising someone’s house, the more house sellers who’ll want to work with you. A video is one of those above-and-beyond kinds of marketing options. It takes just a little more work on your part but really flatters the house sellers. You can find out more about real estate video marketing here.

    Conclusion

    For real estate professionals who adapt to the changing industry, 2019 holds loads of potential. And for those who refuse to change, 2019 is going to present a problem… a big problem.

    Drones, Millennial buyers, third-party listing websites, and virtual tours make it increasingly difficult for stubborn agents and investors to increase revenue. If you want to make 2018 one of your best years yet — which you do — then you need to change with the times.

    And the times are increasingly online. 

    Which means you need to have your own website that drives traffic and converts visitors. Then, you need to market yourself correctly.

    At Carrot, we’ve driven over one million leads for thousands of real estate professionals by building websites, educating our audience, and helping them implement the most recent marketing strategies.

    Want to get onboard?

    You can check out our plans page — and let us know if you have any questions in the comments.

    Either way, make 2019 a year that you’ll want to repeat by the end of it. :-)

    [cta offer=”recontent” color=”red”]

  • How This Real Estate Investor Went From Almost Canceling His Carrot Site to Clearing $50k Per Month

    How This Real Estate Investor Went From Almost Canceling His Carrot Site to Clearing $50k Per Month

    Almost Cancelling His Carrot Site to Clearing $50k Per Month

    “I’m not getting any leads through my Carrot website. I’m just going to cancel it.”

    That’s what Troy told himself one day as he drove to work. He almost did it, too. Thankfully, he gave it another shot.

    And he couldn’t be happier…

    Watch Troy’s Case Study

    From No Leads to $50k in Deals  - What I Almost Missed Out On by Leaving Carrot

    Meet Troy

    Troy is a real estate investor out of Milwaukee. He’s no rookie – with over ten years of experience and plenty of closed deals, it’s clear that he knows his stuff.

    Troy had a good thing going. He was spending his time buying and selling income properties to other investors and making a healthy profit.

    One day, Troy decided to take things to the next level. He found out about Carrot and got his hands on one of our high-converting websites — powerful, lightweight sites that are made to dominate Google rankings and convert visitors into leads.

    leads by source

    (Image Source)

    They’re made just for real estate investors like Troy, so once he set up his own site, he was hoping to get a lot of new leads…

    But leads started drying up…

    Some time passed, and he didn’t do much with the site beyond a bit of customization. He wasn’t actively trying to drive traffic to it with PPC or SEO, so it really just sat there.

    That wasn’t a big deal until the market started shifting and Troy found that leads were getting harder and harder to come by. The other lead sources he used had all but dried up, and his Carrot website didn’t seem to be doing much for him.

    “Sources that were giving me enough leads and deals these last years just weren’t enough to keep me busy. A lot of those have dried up… I had to find something else.”

    That’s when he decided he could save some money every month If he got rid of his Carrot site. After all, what good is a high-converting website if no one ever sees it? It doesn’t matter how optimized it is if it’s just sitting there collecting dust. So he started researching how to cancel his Carrot subscription.

    But then he thought, Quitting is the easy way out… maybe one more shot.

    And he decided that he wasn’t ready to quit just yet. He realized that he hadn’t been doing as much as he could to drive traffic to the website, so he wanted to give it another go.

    “I knew if I took the DIY route it wouldn’t have gotten done the way it needs to get done… so, I hired out and the leads that came in were more than enough to pay for it. So, it’s totally worth it — and it happened faster than I expected.”

    How Troy made it work…

    The second time around, Troy took it a lot more seriously. He found some great AdWords marketers and hired them to help him with PPC. It was a hard cost to stomach, especially while his leads were buckling, but once the PPC started bringing in traffic, he realized how powerful his website was.

    “It was a bigger upfront cost, but it only takes one deal to pay for it, so it would be crazy not to give it a try.”

    Steady leads have been flowing in ever since.

    For Troy, the high cost of marketing and PPC quickly paid for itself. All it takes is closing one solid lead in a month. Troy closed four. He brought in $50,000.

    Better yet, he started working on SEO, and now that more organic traffic is flowing in, his PPC is cheaper than it used to be, and he’s pulling in even more leads.

    “Early on, the cost per lead was hitting $3,000…but now that I’m starting to get SEO leads that’s helping quite a bit.”

    This gave him the freedom to focus on improving other aspects of how he does deals.

    He experimented with different follow-up methods to see which worked best, and now that he adopted a more aggressive follow-up method, his leads per deal ratio is up from 10:1 to 5:1. He’s always experimenting with direct mail.

    Troy realized that paying for his Carrot website and the AdWords marketers that he hired wasn’t a necessary evil – it was a sound investment. If he left his website without trying to make it work, he wouldn’t have saved money. He would have lost it…

    What Troy learned…

    (Image Source)

    “I knew the cost would be significantly higher in the first few months, but it didn’t take all that long. Now more deals are coming in, I’ve had some bigger deals come through, and that cost per lead is dropping down.”

    Troy paid for services that ramped up his business. If he left Carrot and decided that the AdWords marketers were too expensive, he would have lost $50,000 in opportunity costs. That’s a type of cost that people don’t usually factor in, but it’s essential if you want to be a successful real estate investor.

    Troy says it best:

    “Commit to finding a way to drive traffic to your website. Whether it’s you or you hire out, you have to do it. The site converts, it’s proven…but you have to get traffic to your website before you experience any kind of return.”

    An underperforming website or a lack of marketing can cost you. On the other hand, putting down money for services that can boost your income in the long term is a solid investment.

    If you’re using Carrot and PPC marketers like Troy did then you can rest assured that you’ll get a lot more eyes on your website while maintaining a high ROI.

    These services can pay for themselves many times over. Here at Carrot, giving our clients a good return on their investment is one of our biggest goals.

    That’s why we equip them with the best tools out there, crafted with real estate investors in mind. From our high-converting websites to our Content Pro and Advanced Marketer Plans, you’ll have everything you need to generate leads and close deals.

  • How to Grow Your Real Estate Business in 2019

    How to Grow Your Real Estate Business in 2019

    Even though the housing market has been thriving for the last several years, 2019 is going to be a different story…

    What’s happening? Well, last year’s high home prices, low mortgage rates, and significant home price growth tilted the market in favor of sellers and investors. More than likely, that helped you close a lot of great deals for a pretty good profit, but now the “thriving” market is shifting.

    No one is expecting a housing crisis. but make no mistake, this downturn is going to shake up the market.

    Here’s what you should expect: a limited inventory means there’ll be more competition for leads. Higher mortgage rates mean more priced-out buyers and a harder time generating leads. And a mild decline of home sales means closing deals might take more incentives.

    In other words, whatever strategies worked for you in 2018 might not be as effective in 2019. Success in the new market is going to require more creativity. You’ll need to be comfortable evolving with the market, or you’ll risk the market leaving you behind.

    But don’t be too intimidated. Even though the market is going to be tougher than last year, it’s still healthy. If anything, this is a chance for you to show what you’re made of. It’s an opportunity to break above the competition instead of getting discouraged or sticking to business as usual. But that’s going to take some preparation…

    How to Grow Your Real Estate Business: Understanding The 2019 Market

    Realtor.com’s 2019 housing forecast reports that this will be a tough year for buyers and sellers. Buyers are facing increasing mortgage rates and pricier monthly payments (about 8% more expensive). This will keep quite a few would-be first-time homebuyers out of the market.

    (Image Source)

    Sellers and investors don’t have it much easier. There’s going to be a lot more competition out there, and you probably won’t be able to close deals as easily. Selling is going to take longer and it might even require some incentives like price cuts. Bidding wars are also pretty unlikely since inventory will be limited.

    Remember, the market is still healthy, it’s just a bit tougher than it used to be. If you price competitively, use incentives, and get creative when it comes to generating leads, you can still thrive.

    Your Mindset Should Evolve With The Market

    The market is changing, so your mindset should too. After all, this isn’t 2018 anymore, so it’s time to throw out last year’s strategies and get ready to find new ones.

    If you don’t change your strategy to account for the changing market, you might miss out on some great opportunities to grow your real estate business in 2019. So, let’s talk about where you should focus your energy.

    There’s some evidence to support that marketing harder during downturns can give you a competitive edge. A study by McGraw Hill’s Research Laboratory of Advertising found that business people who put more money and time into marketing during downturns did better than those who buried their heads in the sand. By the time the economy recovered, they hit the ground running and flew even further past the competition.

    You should also pay attention to your testimonials. Your clients have a lot of money on the line, so boosting your credibility profile is a must. Don’t just tell everyone how good you are – show them with case studies, career highlights, or glowing testimonials.

    It’s a worthy use of your time and it could give you a leg up on the competition.

    It’s also crucial to get creative with closing deals. Since you probably won’t be able to name a price and make it in full, and it’s even less likely that buyers will get in a bidding war for the home, you might have to use price cuts or some other kind of incentive to stay competitive.

    Rise above those who aren’t ready to innovate and stand out with out-of-the-box deal closers.

    Generating Leads in 2019

    All of the changes the market is going through, in addition to some new players on the field (like Zillow’s iBuyer program and Facebook advertising), is putting a lot of pressure on you to find clever ways to generate leads and grow your business.

    Like I said before, you’re going to have to get creative if you want to thrive in the new market. Here are 4 examples of what I mean.

    1. Use Facebook Messenger Ads to Increase Response Rates

    The more text boxes and steps your form has, the more opportunities you’re giving a potential lead to get bored or discouraged and leave. Never lose a promising lead to something so easily preventable.

    As a rule of thumb, interactivity will help you boost lead engagement, so finding a way to interact with potential leads immediately is essential, even if that means you don’t get all of their information up front.

    One great way to do this is by using Facebook Messenger ads. At the click of a button, the potential buyer is connected to a live conversation with you or whoever it is you’ve delegated to the chat box. This cuts out practically every step on your form, so the person can ask whatever they want in real time without giving up any boring information. Since there’s minimal time investment on their end, this can ward off early dropouts and boost your response rate.

    You can do something similar with your real estate business.

    (Image Source)

    2. Try Cold Calling

    I know. Cold calling is intimidating, but if you’re just sitting back waiting for leads to roll in, why not give it a shot? You’ll get hung-up on more often than not, but if you find a lead, it’s all worth it.

    If a pure cold call is asking too much, try calling people on your own contact list. You already have a relationship with them, and even if they aren’t interested, maybe they have friends who are. Better yet, try calling expired leads. Freshly expired leads are probably a no-go (competition is fierce for those), but the much older leads, think 6 months to a year, are far less competitive.

    Give some of these people a call and ask what their plans are. If you can find out why they decided not to sell, tell them how you can help. Even if they say no at first, you might have gotten them back in a selling mindset and earn their business down the line.

    3. Give Automated Text Messages a Shot

    Believe it or not, emails aren’t the best way to reach your prospects these days. MailChimp reported that the average email open rate is a dismal 21%. Compare that to the 94% open rate of text messages reported by Essendex and there’s no question which method is best for securing leads.

    (Image Source)

    But why stop there? Your competition has already figured out that they should use SMS to contact leads, so you need to take it to the next level: automated text messages!

    Imagine losing a potential lead because you were driving, eating, sleeping, stuck in a meeting, or just missed the notification.

    You probably weren’t the only person they reached out to, and whoever gets back to them first might win them over. Having a simple automated message that asks a few questions and assures them that you’ll get back to them is a great way to immediately engage them and stay on their radar.

    4. Invest in SEO

    So, credibility, testimonials, and response rates are all important if you want to generate and maintain leads – but not if no one can find you on the internet! In their 2018 report, the National Association of Realtors found that 44% of home buyers began their property search online.

    That’s where search engine optimization (SEO) comes in. By filling your website with high quality content written with SEO best practices, you’ll be able to rank higher on major search engines and pull in new leads.

    You can be certain that your competition has already begun optimizing their websites and publishing keyword-rich articles and blog posts, so jump into the SEO game as soon as possible. It’s a long-term strategy, but once you get it rolling, it can save you a lot of money and win over plenty of leads.

    I covered the importance of SEO in real estate in a previous article. Some of the most important ranking factors I talked about were website loading speed, optimization for mobile users, lowering your bounce rate, getting SSL protection, and consistently publishing optimized content.

    That might sound pretty intimidating, but you don’t have to do it alone. Here at Carrot, we have plenty of great resources for you like our SEO Keyword Bible or Content Pro and Advanced Marketer plans (which come with 12 and 24 optimized blog posts per month respectively).

    Here are just a few Carrot “Doses of Awesomeness” for SEO inspiration…

    “Just wanted you guys to know the you’re absolutely amazing! With all of the tools and SEO advice that come with Carrot, I was able to make huge changes in my rankings in just one week!! Not to mention A1 customer support! Thank you!”

    – Taylor Madewell


    Good morning!

    My name is Erin Pennington and I am the Marketing Manager for Alcala Properties/Laurel Buys Houses. I just attended your 2 day Carrot marketing summit and have been watching all the videos on how to improve SEO, let me tell you that we got 4 deals into contract this week, 2 of which are SEO. I would love to get one of those adorable carrot stuffies to put on my desk and flaunt in the office! Thank you for all the help you and your team provide on a daily basis! I think 2019 is going to be an epic year for our company!!!

    Sincerely,
    Erin Pennington
    Marketing Manager
    Laurel Buys Houses


    From SEO this year we’ve done 19 deals. 13 of those have been in the last 3 months. That’s great!!”

    – Teal Clise (CR of Maryland)

    Conclusion

    These are just a few examples of what I mean by finding innovative and creative ways to generate leads. Get those creative juices flowing this year and come up with a few of your own. That’s the kind of mindset you need to adopt if you want to thrive in this year’s market.

    It’ll be a challenge, but it’s also an opportunity to show what you’re really capable of.

  • What is Cornerstone Content (And How to Write It)

    What is Cornerstone Content (And How to Write It)

    What is Cornerstone content

    You’ve heard the term “Cornerstone Content” or “Pillar Post” and now you’re wondering what that is.

    Rightfully so!

    More than likely, you already know that the term is connected to your website’s SEO one way or another — that somehow, a pillar post can boost your rankings.

    But why? How? And what exactly is cornerstone content?

    Let’s talk.

    How to Write Cornerstone Content

    Here’s what cornerstone content is…

    Cornerstone Content is a piece of long-form content that acts as the keyword foundation and starting point for the rest of your SEO strategy. 

    Sound a little complicated?

    Well, it’s really not.

    Think of a pillar post as the foundation (or pillars) upon which you build your SEO strategy.

    content pillar graphic

    (Image Source)

    Basically, you write one really long blog post that surrounds a topic which is quite broad. “Sell my home fast”, “first-time homebuyer”, or “cheap property for sale” would all be viable keyword phrases to target.

    This is your cornerstone content. Make sure you target a keyword phrase which is valuable to your business, has plenty of search volume (check search volume for any keyword phrase over here), and is broad enough to expand upon with other blog posts.

    Once you’ve chosen a keyword phrase to target with your cornerstone content piece, type that phrase into Google.

    how to start writing better blog posts

    Then scroll to the bottom of the page and find the LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keywords.

    how to find lsi keywords

    To correctly build out your SEO content strategy, you’ll want to write an extra long piece of content (pillar post) targeting the keyword phrase that you typed into Google.

    Then, over the next few weeks or months, you’ll want to write an article for each blog post-viable LSI keyword phrase under that targeted phrase. Finally, you’ll want to link internally between all of the content you put together.

    cornerstone content overview

    (Image Source)

    This works incredibly well in search engines for increasing your rankings.

    Why?

    Because Google loves content that is organized and easy for it to understand. Google loves when it can easily determine what your blog content is about and then deliver it as search results for the most appropriate keyword phrase(s).

    Learn more about how Google Search organizes information.

    And this pillar-content strategy works for any niche, no matter how big or small. You could do this for your own real estate market to increase local rankings, or you could do it at a nation-wide scale (of course, the first will produce better results since there’s less competition).

    Try to aim for about a 3% exact keyword phrase density (meaning that 3% of the word count for each blog post should be the exact keyword phrase that you’re targeting).

    Cornerstone Content Strategy

    Here’s a quick list to simplify your pillar content strategy.

    Step #1: Write a pillar post that targets a broad keyword phrase — Try to make it longer (bigger word count) than all the other posts in Google. Aim for 3% keyword density (not too much higher or lower).

    Also, include every LSI keyword phrase that relates to your primary keyword phrase once within the article.

    Step #2: Over the next few months, write one blog post for every LSI keyword phrase relating to your pillar post target keyword phrase — These articles can be a bit shorter than your pillar post article and go into more detail on their given topic. Aim for 3% keyword density for the post’s target keyword phrase.

    Include each LSI keyword phrase (the LSI keywords of the original pillar post, I mean) once within the article as well as the exact keyword phrase of the pillar post once within the article.

    Step #3: Link internally between each post upon the appropriate anchor text — Now that you have a large grouping of content which is topically related and has the keyword phrase of each other piece of content within each post, you’ll want to link to each post, from each post upon each article’s corresponding keyword phrase.

    Here’s an example of this:

    Cornerstone Content Target Keyword Phrase: “Sell my house fast in Klamath Falls, Oregon”

    LSI Article Target Keyword Phrase #1: “Sell my house fast in Klamath Falls, Oregon online quote”

    LSI Article Target Keyword Phrase #2: “Sell my house fast for cash in Klamath Falls, Oregon”

    LSI Article Target Keyword Phrase #3: “Sell house for cash Klamath Falls, Oregon”

    LSI Article Target Keyword Phrase #4: “Buy my house Klamath Falls, Oregon”

    Etc…

    Then, you’d write one article for each of those, and link internally between all of them.

    This organizes your content for Google and gives you a far higher chance of ranking in search engines then if you just put out random content every week (still better than nothing, of course, but not as savvy as having a pillar content strategy).

    Once you’re done doing this with one keyword family, you can move on to another keyword family and do the same thing. The more you do this, the better chance you have of ranking in Google and pulling consistent passive traffic to your website.

    Here is an example of a piece of cornerstone content Carrot wrote…

    Real Estate Cornerstone Article Example

    We then broke our “SEO for Real Estate Guide” into multiple smaller posts based on each section headline.

    Here are some other great examples of cornerstone articles, check out…

    There you go. Now you can start creating cornerstone content that Google loves. And if you have any follow-up questions about building out your own content strategy, leave em’ in the comments and we’ll answer as best we can!

  • 5 Key Considerations for Building a Virtual Real Estate Investing Business

    5 Key Considerations for Building a Virtual Real Estate Investing Business

    Owning a Virtual Real Estate Business

    What if you had access to any market in the U.S.?

    What if you had access to the most profitable markets? Or the most under-leveraged markets?

    What if you could invest anywhere you wanted instead of settling for the real estate market that you call home?

    Further, what if you could live anywhere you wanted without your business deciding where you have to settle down?

    What if you could manage your business from anywhere in the world?

    Sounds pretty great, right?

    Well, the Justiniano Bros are “virtual wholesalers” who use Carrot to do just that – and they’re making a killing.

    You can do the exact same thing.

    This blog post will explore how real estate wholesalers can make the most of virtual real estate business opportunities.

    What is Virtual Real Estate Wholesaling

    Real estate wholesalers traditionally relied on physical interactions with properties, buyers, and sellers to conduct their business. However, with the rise of technology and changing times, virtual real estate businesses have become the new norm.

    Virtual real estate wholesaling is a method of buying and selling properties without physically visiting them. It involves using technology such as virtual tours, video conferencing, and other online tools to evaluate and market properties to potential buyers.

    Virtual wholesaling is a natural fit for the current technological era, where people are increasingly comfortable conducting business virtually.

    Real estate wholesalers who operate virtually have fewer geographical limitations and can reach a broader audience. They can market properties to potential buyers from anywhere in the world, which can help them close deals faster and more efficiently.

    Virtual wholesalers can also save time and money by avoiding traveling to properties physically or meeting with clients face-to-face.

    The virtual real estate wholesaling process typically involves finding properties that are in distress or need significant renovations. Virtual wholesalers can find these properties through online listings, public records, and other online resources.

    They then negotiate with the seller to buy the property at a discounted price and market it to potential buyers. Virtual wholesalers often use virtual tours and other online tools to showcase the property to potential buyers.

    Once a buyer is interested in the property, the virtual wholesaler uses video conferencing to negotiate the deal and finalize the sale. This process allows wholesalers to close deals quickly and efficiently without needing physical meetings or travel.

    Virtual Real Estate Wholesaling Pros and Cons

    Virtual Real Estate Wholesaling Pros

    Virtual real estate wholesaling has several advantages that can benefit both wholesalers and their clients. Here are four virtual real estate wholesaling pros:

    1. Broader audience: Virtual real estate wholesalers can reach a broader audience because they are not limited by geographical location. They can market properties to potential buyers from anywhere in the world. This can increase the chances of finding a buyer quickly and closing deals more efficiently.
    2. Lower costs: Virtual real estate wholesaling can save time and money by avoiding physical travel to properties or in-person meetings with clients. Wholesalers can conduct business from anywhere with an internet connection, reducing overhead costs and increasing profitability.
    3. Efficient deal-making: Virtual real estate wholesaling enables wholesalers to close deals quickly and efficiently. They can use online tools such as virtual tours and video conferencing to evaluate properties and negotiate deals with potential buyers. This can save time and resources, enabling wholesalers to close more deals and increase revenue.
    4. Increased flexibility: Virtual real estate wholesaling allows wholesalers to work remotely and operate on their own schedules. They can conduct business from anywhere with an internet connection, giving them more freedom and flexibility in their work. This can increase job satisfaction and help maintain a healthy work-life balance.

    These benefits make virtual real estate wholesaling an attractive option for anyone looking to enter the real estate industry.

    Virtual Real Estate Wholesaling Cons

    While virtual real estate wholesaling has several benefits, it also has some potential drawbacks that should be considered. Here are four virtual real estate wholesaling cons:

    1. Limited personal interaction: Virtual real estate wholesaling lacks the personal touch of in-person meetings, making building relationships with clients challenging. Wholesalers may struggle to establish trust and rapport with potential buyers and sellers when they are not meeting face-to-face.
    2. Limited property evaluation: Virtual real estate wholesaling relies heavily on online tools to evaluate properties, such as virtual tours and photos. This can be challenging, as these tools may not always provide a comprehensive view of the property. Wholesalers may need to rely on third-party professionals, such as inspectors, to provide more detailed property assessments.
    3. Technology limitations: Virtual real estate wholesaling depends on technology such as video conferencing, virtual tours, and other online tools. Technical issues can occur during online meetings, which can cause delays or make it challenging to communicate effectively. In addition, not all clients may be comfortable using these tools, which can limit the pool of potential buyers and sellers.
    4. Competition: Virtual real estate wholesaling is growing, and competition can be fierce. Wholesalers may need to work harder to differentiate themselves from their competitors and build a strong reputation in the industry. This can be challenging, particularly for new entrants to the market.

    Limited personal interaction, limited property evaluation, technology limitations, and competition are all factors that can affect the success of virtual wholesalers.

    5 Things to Know Before Committing to Virtual Real Estate Wholesaling

    Virtual real estate wholesaling can be a lucrative and rewarding career, but it is essential to prepare carefully before jumping in. Here are five things a real estate wholesaler needs to know before trying virtual wholesaling:

    1. Familiarize yourself with local regulations: Real estate laws and regulations can vary significantly from state to state and even from city to city. Researching and understanding the laws that apply to your area before starting your virtual wholesaling business is essential. You should consult a real estate attorney to ensure you comply with all relevant regulations.
    2. Build a strong online presence: Virtual wholesaling relies heavily on online tools and technology. Building a strong online presence through a professional website, social media, and other digital marketing channels is essential to attract clients and establishing credibility in the industry.
    3. Understand the local real estate market: As a virtual wholesaler, you can operate in any market, but it is essential to understand the local real estate market where you will be working. Research the area’s market trends, demographics, and property values to identify potential opportunities.
    4. Develop a network of industry professionals: Virtual wholesaling requires working with a network of professionals, such as attorneys, title companies, inspectors, and contractors. Building relationships with these professionals is essential to ensure your transactions go smoothly.
    5. Invest in the right technology: To succeed in virtual wholesaling, you need the right technology tools. These can include video conferencing software, virtual tour software, CRM software, and project management tools. Investing in reliable and high-quality technology is essential to ensure that you can conduct business efficiently and effectively.

    Conclusion

    Overall, virtual real estate wholesaling is innovative in buying and selling properties. It enables wholesalers to reach a broader audience, close deals faster, and operate more efficiently. As technology advances, we can expect virtual real estate wholesaling to become an even more prevalent and essential part of the real estate industry.

    Ready to build a virtual real estate business or transition your local business into a virtual one?

    Use the above 5 steps to get started. And hit us with questions in the comments as you have em’. :-)

    Good luck!