Both great reasons to write localism posts and so much fun to learn about what your town has to offer. I do a lot of that also with the only criterion being that I find the topic interesting - subjective, I know -  but it is my blog after all.

Jill

Well I did not mention that, but yes, it MUST be something I am interested in as well. I think it makes all the difference if you have that passion.

Jeff

I find that the localism blogs keep me SEARCHING for the uniqueness of my community.   It is a great to get out there and enjoy your community!

Jeff - I think you know how we feel about localism posts.... me thinks.... We love to do them and will continue to do them. People are reading them along with local newspaper reporters as well. We've been interviewed via phone several times in the past few weeks about our blogs.... hmmm Will have to do a post about that come to think about it... It's all good.

Hi Jeff - The great thing about relocating is that you KNOW what every new resident wants to know because you are asking the questions yourself!  Having done quite a number of major relocations over the years, my family and I got very good at learning the area quickly before the next corporate move came along! 

I can relate to the thirst for knowledge of an area. I only wish I could have found a "me" to guide me around the area when I relocated.

HI Jeff,

We approach it very much the same, and now that we feel we know the area really well, we typically get inspiration from our out of town buyers and sellers, and try to research topics, hobbies and information that they have asked about, and it works pretty good.

Hi Jeff, I love blogging about interesting topics in my local area. Consumers are always looking for Localism information on events, and things going on in the communities. I believe that it sets you apart when you become known as the local expert for a particular neighborhood, community or city.

well you've given me something to help.  I've lived here forever.  Well MY forever.  But perhaps my husband will be able to give me some insight to localism posts.  He just got here 10 ish years ago.

Hi Jeff -- I have had the same sort of experience moving from San Francisco to Nashua, NH.  I have had to learn alot about the great Nashua, NH area and do a lot of localism posts.. I am disclovering the great Nashua area and helping others explore the area as well.

Jeff - I LOVE doing localism posts.  Even after 11 years of living in Wellington I'm discovering new things all the time and share them on my website and AR.

Jeff localism post are very well received, and those are the types I have often written.   You have certainly done a wonderful job of writing about Carlsbad

I love localism posts. I have got to know many local business owners much better thanks to my blogging about them - and they have got to know me ;o)

Cheers Jeff !

Jeff -- You are certainly providing those interested in Carlsbad with what they are looking for......everything you need to know about Carlsbad.  Your blog posts are the best way to learn about what Carlsbad has to offer. There is nothing like first hand knowledge....with the personal touch.

I bet the weather is nicer there than here in Boston!  As for localism posts, they are my favorite to write!

Localism blogs are a great tool in real estate

Hi Jeff,

Excellent post and I personally like the localism posts best. And yours are terrific and very useful for anyone living in or buying in your area. They are very useful and so informative.

Yvonne - we all have that opportunity and it is to our advantage to make the most of it. Buyers will appreciate our efforts.

Bob and Lisa - it is ALL good and you do such a good job. It is, im my opinion, a major value we bring to the relationship with a buyer who is moving into the area. Congrats on those interviews, and for thos reporters who know how to find the experts!

Jeff

Jeff, you are the localism guru here on AR - your posts rock.

It is amazing - the things I discover when I slow down and look around me.  I spent an hour today talking to folks at the local community garden, which has been here for almost a year.  :(   It was fun, I met some cool people, learned a bit about gardening in the desert - and got some cool pics.  Localism post, coming up!

Jeff, you are being modest. We all know you are an encyclopedia for the Carlsbad area :)

Sharon

Writing the local posts is really rather fun. I now have my entire family looking for intersting topics and places. I have them reminding me to pop out my camera and take a shot of just about anything and everything. I can no longer go somewhere nearby and not find something local to take a photo of.

I do find that we all thnk more of the great things that we do have in our community.. and we are happy to be here.

Hi Jeff, because you were new to the area, you approached the topic like a newcomer would, which is the best way for your audience. If you have been an agent for  some time in an area, you should train yourself to see it as a newbie would. Great post!

Jeff, it wasn't until I tried localism post that I realized the power it had. Posting about my area, is of little interest to most here. At first the poster can be discouraged by the lack of comments to the post, but the intact can be great for those searching for you.

Thanks Jeff.

Jeff - You write amazing localism posts.  Sometimes, it's the outsider who is the real observer, and clearly you are a prime example of this.

Hi Jeff,

Certainly a good foundation for localism posts is a curiosity about the area.

And a desire to know more, and to share what you learn.

Phil

There is so much to do in Carlsbad that I can't imagine running out of topics.  Just keeping up with local changes would be enough, let alone activities, etc.  I don't know if you've every written about it, but the Batiquitos Lagoon has a garden that has gotten lots of praise.

You know that all of us in the Northeast so enjoy your localism posts especially this time of the year Jeff...you do an outstanding job of showcasing your area...keep sharing!

Jeff - I like the idea of looking at my community as if I had just relocated.  What would I most be interested in?  It gives me a fresh perspective.  Thanks.

Jeff, you took the words right out of my mouth, Happy New Year 2012.

Jeff, Localism posts make you the local expert. You've done a great job for the Carlsbad market.

Hi, Jeff:  I've tried to do as many Localisms as possible.  I figured folks would be interested in local stuff here versus stuff on the Left Coast- and results have proven that to be the case.  With my being in property managment, I've also wanted to do the "service" or trade-related posts to help the average homeowner.  As it's turned out, those have been my most-viewed posts- ones about my plumber and dryer vent cleaning guy have been my 2 most-viewed posts.

I've run out of material that I feel is interesting. Was hoping that you would 'inspire me' here.

Jeff, as many of us can attest to, you've done a wonderful job with your localism posts about the Carlsbad area.  I think that localism is an always changing subject as businesses come and go, events happen, and other newsblogworthy things happen around us! 

Well said Jeff.  Market reports and local information and event posts are the things many relocating to an area would like to know more about so why not be the one in your area to provide an easy source for it all?

This is very well said Jeff, all of the local markets are so different localism provides such a good resource.

I've thought in the past about how I might (or could) start over in a new state. I applaud your diligence in creating a niche for yourself there in Carlsbad.

Oops, that was my comment above. Didn't know I wasn't logged in :-)

I have been a lurker on Active Rain for years. Margaret Rome has been urging me to write localism posts, but I have hesitated to do so.  Not sure why.

I have an encyclopedic knowledge of Baltimore. I gave a few dozen talks in 2011 on The Duchess of Windsor, thanks to the film,  "The King's Speech" which won 4 Oscars at the Academy Awards a year ago. Wallis Warfield Simpson grew up in Baltimore, and I am the go-to person on her life. So there, Margaret, I did it. 

Jeff:

The way to get attention in your community is to display your expertise and that is what you do by posting localims articles.  I write about my community because I want everyone to know about what a great place to live it is and so people know I know my community.

Jeff, I find it gratifying for myself, in that I learn about what is going on in my community and enjoy putting the information on my blog for others.

Sounds like quite a relocation.  The issue is do you like sunrises or sunsets over the ocean best?

Localism is fun as long as there is a busy city with lots going on to write about.  It keeps me up to date on happenings in the community.  Once you start blogging about your community you start to watch and listen for events etc. Must carry your camera with you or have a super smart phone for photos.

Jeff, I too have been trying to get use to writing about the local stuff, know the area fine, just have to put it to paper.

Localism posts are definitely great search engine fodder. I need to make sure I write about more than just real estate or the latest interesting listing to hit the market.

I would agree that local post are one of the best ways to connect with others in the community

Dear Jeff,

That sounds like a great idea. It is funny, how you can know a lot more than the natives in a relatively short time, no? You live in a very nice area for exploring. Remember, when they found all those mastodon bones and such in Rancho Santa Fe & had to stop building for a while?

Jeff - we've been pushing into new markets and can totally relate.  Localism posts are a great way to force you to dig into the neighborhood.

Hi Jeff, excellent post and great point about localism.  I need to do it more!

☔ Jeff, you may not be a walking encyclopedia but you are one heck of a Realtor® that goes above and beyond to see to it that your clients know everything they SHOULD about their new area!  Well done on setting the path the rest of us follow and congrats on the

Happy New Year my friend!
Pamela

good point ... need to blog more about where I live

Chris - it's really true. While someone who has not relocated a major distance can certainly someone who IS making such a move, I feel that having experience a major upheaval gives me and you and advantage. There IS something ab out having the emotional and physical experience that adds value.

Yvonne - it IS a terrific reason to explore the community and even get to know some of the business owners.

Ellie - and THAT is the perspective to keep in mind. We had some help when we moved here but I knew NOTHING about the area other than from the Internet and driving around. The exploration continues to be fun

Peter and Linda - I, too, find relocating buyers to be a great source of inspiration.

Jerry - all excellent reasons FOR writing localism posts. And grabbing lots of photos.

Jeff

Tammy - well I think the approach to take is consider what you like about living there and what people, who know nothing, might want to know. I also get specific ideas from buyers who are moving and asking this and that.

Mark - good for you. I know that it works.

Joan - AND I have read those posts. No doubt there are many in Nashua who appreciate your efforts. With us both having done the East Coast/West Coast migration, in different directions, we both appreciate how different these areas are, and the importance of sharing what we know for newcomers.

Jeff

Michelle - there is ALWAYS something new to write about, isn't there. I enjoy being a reporter of sorts around the community, don't you?

Thanks, Jennifer - I find they are the most popular posts, in general, particularly the posts about the community as a whole. And they are great for sharing with relocating buyers.

Sheldon - to know you is to like you!!

Joy - well it is always an adventure. And since they were places we wanted to go, and moves we orchestrated, it was certainly easier. The biggest change was Boston to Carlsbad

Barbara - "first hand knowledge with a personal touch" - what a great way for us all to think about our Localism posts.

Jeff

Christine - well one main reason to get out was the winter. I love Boston, but that winter is too much for me after 20 years there. We are all complaining here because it is down in the low to mid 40s every night. LOL

Rob - definitely. I share them all the time with buyers who are interested in the area, and writing them helps keep me informed.

William - hey, thanks. I agree - they are my favorites too, and easy, for me at least, to write.

Virgina - why thank you. You are so right - if we take tiem to notice and explore there are all sorts of neat things about our communities. And making sure we have that camera with us is key!

Sharon - oh, well, OK. I admit I am a wealth of information. LOL

Janis - I sort of take the same approach and I, too, have family, and friends, who suggest things. The camera, for me, is essential - often what I see and photograph sparks a post.

Jeff

To me it sounds like you are ''... a walking encyclopedia about Carlsbad...''

I love your last sentence "And if I don’t, well, I’ll find out AND write about it. Plus send it to people who might be interested."

Localism posts allow us to research and know about our communities! Great Job