October Blogging Plan: 6 Topic Ideas

We got off to a bit of a late start with this month's blogging plan, so let's dive right in! Here are six topic ideas to scare away writer's block and keep your blog updated with fresh content. Choose some or choose them all--there are enough ideas here for two blog posts a week through the end of October.

1. Staging Your Home During Halloween - Halloween can be an incredibly fun time of year, but there is such a thing as too much holiday spirit. Potential buyers don't want to tour a home full of fake cobwebs or actual skeletons in the closet. Guide your sellers toward a "less is more" mentality. Pumpkins on the porch add a nice autumn feel, but tombstones in the yard are something to be avoided.

If you have sellers who are diehard Halloween enthusiasts, advise them to up their decoration ante for one night only--but on November 1, their home should immediately return to saleable condition.

2. Q3 Market Highlights - The third fiscal quarter just ended a week ago. Take this opportunity to toot your own horn a bit! Success begets success, so don't shy about talking about the sales successes you achieved over the summer. Bonus points if you have customer testimonials or stories to share.

3. Security Measures - In the wake of the kidnapping and murder of Realtor Beverly Carter, news outlets across the country are talking about agent safety. Take a moment to join the conversation and explain the safety measures you take when meeting a potential client for the first time. Seller safety is important, too, so if you prefer you can take a different angle (or write a separate post) on how sellers can secure their homes and valuables for open houses and showings.

4. Haunted Houses, Pumpkin Patches, and more - This can either be a one long post or a series on all things Halloween in your area. Topic ideas include local Haunted Houses (offer directions and operating hours), where to pick a pumpkin, costume stores, events, and more. Don't forget those who don't celebrate--provide value by offering information on alternative festivities. Check with local churches for details.

5. Preparing for the Upcoming Election - With election day on November 4, October represents the final few weeks of campaigning. Consider filling your readers in on local ballot initiatives or direct them to the polling place in their neighborhood. Tread carefully, though--politics is a touchy subject and you don't want to risk alienating potential leads.

6. Appraiser Insight For Sellers - Tap into the expertise of other home services professionals you work with. Ask an appraiser in your network for advice on what appraisers look for, tips on raising a property's appraised value, how to prepare for an appraisal, etc. Condense all of this information in a single post to share on your blog.