What is RSS?

RSS is a standard format for syndicating content on the Internet. The content can be anything! Often, information contained in an RSS feed is syndicated on other websites, which expands its reach. Website visitors love RSS because they choose which feeds they wish to subscribe to. And if at any point they are unhappy with the content contained in the RSS feed, they simply unsubscribe and no longer receive notification of feed updates.

RSS feeds are becoming an essential tool for Realtors, who are struggling in a declining market. Real estate offices that adopt technology as a marketing tool will remain one step ahead of their competition.

Why Should Realtors Use RSS?

There is little argument that RSS can and will generate web traffic. Realtors using RSS feeds will increase the traffic to their website, and more web traffic means more potential buyers. RSS feeds will expand a realtor's reach and distribution, meaning that Realtors will reach new audiences using RSS feeds. RSS reaches areas through syndication that are just not as accessible through normal channels or traditional realty advertising. Technically-savvy investors with deep pockets keep watch for new listings, and they will frequently scan RSS feeds for specific locations. Using RSS feeds, real estate offices are able to draw attention to specific properties they decide to highlight in their feeds.

Additionally, RSS is far less expensive than a print campaign in the local newspaper or journals. In fact, the only real expense involved to Realtors interested in creating RSS feeds is the time that it takes to add content to the RSS feed each day. Realtors can use RSS feeds a number of different ways.

How Can Realtors Use RSS?

1. Sell Homes
Realtors can promote homes and properties using RSS feeds. The content distribution and syndication using RSS feeds will exceed that which is possible via a local newspaper advertisement.

2. Promote Rental Properties
Realtors can promote rental properties, or seasonal listings using RSS feeds.

3. Promote Open Houses
Real estate offices can announce and advertise open houses using RSS feeds.

4. Real Estate News
Realtors can announce office news, promotions, or home sales using RSS. Showing how quickly a property was sold may encourage other sellers to sign up with a realty office. Realtors can also monitor industry news using RSS feeds.

5. Town Demographics / Statistics
Realty offices can provide demographics and statistical information for regions in which they sell homes using RSS feeds. Statistical information in RSS feeds will attract buyers interested in specific area or regions.

6. Town Events
Realtors can give potential clients a taste of the local flavor by providing a calendar of local events.

7. Virtual Tours
Realtors can provide home buyers with virtual home tours that promote the property's best features. Real estate offices can simply include a photo slide show or video in the RSS feed's "enclosure" field.

8. Mortgage Rates
Prospective home buyers can monitor mortgage rates through a variety of lenders using RSS feeds. Loan rate changes appear in the RSS feeds as the new mortgage rates are announced.

9. Promote Commerical Property
Business opportunities and commercial properties can be promoted using RSS feeds.

It is no secret that the real estate market is struggling, and realtors using technology to their advantage could be the key to a realty office's success.


About the Author:
Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll http://www.feedforall.com software for creating, editing, publishing RSS feeds and podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for RecordForAll http://www.recordforall.com audio recording and editing software.