Here’s a short list of Do’s and Don'ts for the Hawai‘i Life blog.

Please Don’t:

• Being critical of government policy, travel bans, quarantine and closure mandates, etc. Now is not the time for our personal opinions about these very serious measures. We can certainly report on the facts, and appropriately source the information - but we should refrain from opining about the existence of any policies.)

• Any content that encourages vacations or travel to Hawai‘i right now. Given the Governor’s orders, and the obvious efforts to “flatten the curve” 

• Being too sunny or overly-optimistic. Articles shouldn’t read as though the shelter-in-place order isn’t happening and/or the economic implications aren’t incredibly significant. This pandemic is very real. We shouldn’t appear to be in denial about the situation.

• At the same time, we shouldn’t be too alarmist. We simply don’t know how this will play out over the coming months, so we certainly shouldn’t presume the worst.

• Too opinion-based (not backed up by science, news, facts)

• Too authoritative about the virus.  

• Too rumor-based (I heard on the island/from my cousin that...)

• Discussing treatments, cures or alternative healing, however well-intentioned. 

• Content should relate to real estate in Hawai‘i.

Please Do:

• Be the source of the source. It’s totally appropriate to share news from other sites, news sources, or the Board of Realtors. People look to Hawaiilife.com for information. Let’s share it, while giving appropriate credit to sources.

• Reference and credit reputable news outlets or gov’t websites. 

• Create content that outlasts the fast-breaking news cycle. Look ahead a few weeks or months.

• Promote the fundraising match from HLCF. (Read about it here.)

• Refresh, update and create new blogs about listings.

• Speak to how you expect the market to change and evolve because of COVID-19.

• Clarify the buying/selling process as of right now.
  
  

Extra Credit:

• Create videos to share (of yourself, at home). Help clients get to know you. Build trust.

• Consider Q&As with your past clients. It’s a great opportunity to touch base with them. Share their “success story” in finding a home with you. Share pictures of their new home with them in it, sheltering-in-place.

• Write about the real estate market in this new reality.

• Stay positive, but realistic. Acknowledge what is happening in the world.

• Feature home offices in your listings or write about them in general.

• Write about working from home since everybody is doing it right now. 

• Describe the virtual buying/selling process in steps; including securing financing, shopping online, viewing properties, making offers, inspections, listing contracts, electronic signature, etc. 

• Create content about current Hawai‘i real estate data/stats.

• Report on the latest news from your real estate board.

• Demonstrate your expertise as an agent with data, analysis, etc.

• Summarize important market trends and concepts. 

• Give credit and links to pertinent newspaper and magazine articles, studies, white papers, etc.  

• Suggest ways buyers/sellers can prepare/plan for the future.

• Write about the evolving significance of our homes as we shelter-in-place.

• Write about our/your Hawai‘i lifestyle.

• Write about home improvement, staging and selling. 

• Write about market sectors, including luxury, condos, single-family homes, etc.

• Share technology/tools in the real estate buying/selling process (Facetime, videos, etc.)

Helpful Tips:

www.help.hawaiilife.com/publish-blogs

www.smarket.hawaiilife.com/blog-center