Is one of your resolutions to blog more this year? It should be! You blog is a great way to remain top-of-mind with current contacts and potentially reach new customers. Our monthly blogging plans make this easier by taking on the hardest part of blogging: topic generation. We're a little late this month, so we'll give you 3 weeks worth of topics and alternatives.

Week 1: A [Your City] Classic

Each city has an architectural gem – a building new or old that helps tell that city's story. For instance, in my hometown, we have a building created by Julia Morgan, the noted architect of Hearst Castle.

In this blog post, you should include:

• Photographs of the noted building
• A brief history of the building
• An explanation of how it is representative of your city
• A discussion of the neighborhood in which the building can be found
• A discussion of homes with similar architectural features that are currently on the market or were recently sold

Alternative or Additional Topic: 6 Solutions for Storage-Challenged Homes

One of the least sexy yet most important features of a home is the storage. Not enough storage? You're facing daily frustration. Plenty of storage? It'll be easier to sell and better to live in. This blog post can help your storage-challenged readers considerably.

Suggest alternative storage strategies such as the following (elaborating on each):

• Cabinets and wardrobes
• Building a new closet.
• Sneaking storage into "found" space (such as under stairs or in the attic)
• Sheds in the backyard
• In the kitchen, hang pots and pans from a ceiling apparatus
• Choose a bedframe with storage underneath
• You take it from here . . . .

Week 2: What Kind of Insurance Do Homeowners Really Need?

Insurance rules, requirements, and recommendations may seem pretty basic. However, many homeowners are confused about this important topic. This blog post can provide them with the essential information they need about homeowners insurance as well as the other types of insurance they may be familiar with (life insurance, health insurance, renters insurance, etc.).

I found this article from the MSN Real Estate blog helpful.

Alternative or Additional Topic: Data Accuracy Matters!

In this blog post you can explain why they should be aware of where real estate data is coming from. Make it clear that the MLS is the owner of the data and only data that comes directly from the MLS is completely accurate. Move on to explain that the data on your website is MLS data and they can trust it. Then link to the property search section of your website.

Week 3: [Your State] Real Estate: How [Your City] Measures Up

So, for example: "California Real Estate: How San Luis Obispo Measures Up." You can use market analytics tools to assess statewide trends and compare that to how the market is faring in your city. Include things such as median home price, days on market, etc.

Alternative or Additional Topic: Notes from [Public Meeting]

Your local newspaper and the City or County website will probably have details of all upcoming public meetings. Choose a topic that is of interest to the general public and attend the meeting. Then write a blog post about what was said at the meeting and what impact (if any) it will have on the real estate market.