1. Lead generation.
   
   Blogs outrank websites by directly feeding search engines new content more often -- which increases rankings on Google, Yahoo! and MSN.
   
   
2. Brand awareness.
   
   Blogs are better indexed by search engines, syndicated through RSS feeds, and many offer free social networking. Built-in marketing mechanisms like ping services and RSS help drive more traffic to a blog than a regular website.
   
   
3. Competitive advantage.
   
   By frequently providing quality real estate content, a REALTOR® gains credibility with their community. The blog platform gives an agent a channel to market her greater knowledge base. Since potential clients prefer doing business with agents they "know" and respect as experts, blogging agents generate more leads than non-blogging competitors. An estimated 2 percent of REALTORS® have blogs.
   

Just the Stats, Ma'am

• 28% of all visits to blogs in 2007 resulted in some kind of action (e-mail sign up, contact form, etc.).
• 92% of all local searches will eventually convert into a sale.
• 75% of Americans use search engines on a regular basis; 40% of all search engine searches are for local businesses and services.
• Google’s share of search queries: 59.2%.
• Yahoo’s share of search queries: 22.2%.