This may be a bit basic for some, but have to put it out there anyway because of a few requests I had this week. After posting an article on Miamism called Choosing the right REALTOR to sell you home.
I did not get just one request, but several to re-post the article in its entirety. Several agents from across the US asked if they could re-post the article on their sites. I’ve never really been concerned with duplicate content issues because I know Google penalizes sites that do it constantly and openly, but I’m really not an SEO guru and it’s best for you to read this AG article by Jack Leblond:
Should you be worried about Duplicate Content?
My point is….. even if you don’t believe in Duplicate Content issues…. why would you just re-post someone else’s article? Wouldn’t you be doing your readers a disservice by not providing your own voice to go along with a link? Blogging, in my opinion, especially when you are a Realtor with a hyperlocal blog writing for a particular audience, is about putting your voice and personality out there for people to “know you”. If you just re-post someone else’s writing, without providing at least commentary, you would be doing a disservice to your readers and ultimately to your blog and business.
So next time you see a great article that you think will also benefit your readers – instead of asking the author for permission to re-post the article – write your own article linking, quoting and using your own examples to strengthen the point. You can even do that if you disagree with someone, as long as you always give credit where credit is due. I am always honored when people like my content and link back to it (who doesn’t like link love?).
And while I’m at it – a good blogging strategy is to find local bloggers and link back to then every so often – it creates good camaraderie with locals who may ultimately also link back to you as a resource. (in addition to sharing your on-line influence and Social Capital).
Elaine Reese
May 18, 2009 at 9:26 pm
You are so right. Re-posting shows an inability on the part of the re-poster to be able to write their own creative material or a lack of knowledge on the subject so they must rely on the knowledge of others. Lots of people on AR do it. Of course, there it’s an easy way to get the infamous points (DUH) without any effort.
As you say, it’s best to add our own thoughts, experiences or knowledge, then link to the originator as a supporting opinion.
Joe Loomer
May 19, 2009 at 6:32 am
Ines, as some one just recently diving head-first into the SEO/Blogging foray, I find articles like yours just what the doctor ordered.
Simple, easy to read, not caught up in the terminology I don’t yet understand, with great tips. Hadn’t thought of the local angle that much, but there are tons of places I can turn to now that you’ve refocused some of my efforts – they don’t even have to be Real Estate sites!
Navy Chief, Navy Pride
Ines Hegedus-Garcia
May 19, 2009 at 8:30 am
Elaine – It’s not so much as “inability” as it is lack of imagination. Go back a few years to when we started in AR and were clueless – if that’s what’s being taught, it begins to sound like the norm. That whole “repost” option should be eliminated IMHO.
Joe – so glad to be of help – not everyone is at the same level, so you will see a lot of different posts here on AG that talk to different people at whatever stage they are on their Social Media Efforts. As for hyperlocal, think of your audience and who your client is and write to them – it has been working for me for over 2 years.
Jack Leblond
May 19, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Thanks for the love!
I could not agree with you more. Your readers want your words. Even if you link to the other site, take a grade school flash back and do a “book review” of it on your site and tell your readers what you did/did not like about it – how it might affect them, why they should care ….. something, anything.
Austin SMith - Goomzee.com
May 22, 2009 at 3:42 pm
I agree with you Ines. I’m no SEO expert, but it seems to me that embedding a hyperlink in your own blog, linking back to the third-party post, would be most beneficial for all parties involved. As I understand it, re-posting (Duplicate Content) hurts the SEO of both websites, while embedding a hyperlink boosts the SEO of both sites due to the increase of like-minded keywords pointing in the same direction. Correct me if I’m wrong..
I also agree w/your view of blogging. The whole point is to engage on a personal level, best achieved by using your own voice, nigh impossible by simply aggregating content. Keep fighting the good fight, Ines.
ines
May 22, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Jack – thanks for explaining….a lot of us make assumptions about the implications of duplicate content – great to have an expert explain it in English.
Austin – ABSOLUTELY! SEO benefits with links are much better, but even if you are not thinking of SEO, it makes total sense not to copy and paste. (thanks for the compliment)
Missy Caulk
May 22, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Great advice, I agree it would be better to just link to the thought and make it local for your own area.