As you plan your Agent Insights submissions, be sure to include posts that describe the history of your community. Every town has much to draw from, such as stories about the city founders or how the streets got their names or when the area was originally settled. What made the city grow? Was it located near a river or seaport, natural resources, maybe a major railroad line? Use historic details to present a richer, fuller picture of the area and give potential home owners the opportunity to feel a deeper connection to the area.

Jennifer Olson, RE/MAX T-Town in Tulsa, OK, has submitted many posts about the history of her marketing area in Eastern Oklahoma. She says she wants her Agent Insight information to “cover everything that demonstrates my knowledge of the area to potential clients.”

She frequently posts a pair of insights about a town, with one telling about things to do there and the other explaining some of its history.  Here are some excerpts that might inspire similar posts you can do for your own community.

History of Claremore
Claremore, meaning “mountain with a clear view,” got its name from an Osage Chief known as “Gra-moi” who was among the first settlers in the area.

A Little Fun Fact about Bartlesville
The town of Bartlesville was established in 1875 by Jacob Bartles. He started the first trading post in 1875. Once it caught on, a post office was opened in May of 1879.

A Little of Coweta’s History
In 1843, a man by the name of Robert Loughridge arrived in the Wagoner County area. He created a mission that was originally named “Koweta.” As a town grew around the mission the name became Coweta.

Jennifer has posted both photos and written insights about special historical features. The sculpture shown here is of the famous cowboy, actor, and newspaper columnist, Will Rogers.  You’ll find it in Claremore, OK, where the Will Rogers Memorial Museum is located.

Jennifer posted an excellent insight about Tulsa’s Gilcease Museum. “Are you familiar with the Smithsonian located in Washington D.C.?”, she writes. “Well, Tulsa offers a major history museum of the American West that is just as good!’ she says. ” Founded by oilman Thomas Gilcrease, the Gilcrease Museum houses the most comprehensive collection of American West art in the nation.”

Jennifer has posted over 430 Agent Insight submissions. She says she works hard to choose subjects that will enlighten her clients on features of Eastern Oklahoma. Some of her historical posts are just for fun. For example, the original Historic Route 66 ran through Tulsa at one time, and Jennifer has included several photos about the sites and restaurants located along the famous highway.

“If I think something is cool, my clients will, too, she said. “Why wouldn’t any agent contribute to Agent Insight when it’s so fun and easy, too? It’s such a great way to enhance your marketing plan.”

Everybody loves dog stories, right? Using man’s best friend in photos and articles adds value to your insights in multiple ways. It gives depth and perspective and puts part of your personality into the post.

The photo above from Gina Feltner Bouws, RE/MAX 1st Realty in Marquette, MI, is a perfect example.  There are hundreds of beautiful lake photos, but by including the dog, Gina makes this one personal. (Sidebar:  notice how well she framed this photo with the dog off-center and the sun hidden behind a tree trunk so it doesn’t put a huge white spot in the scene. Nice job, Gina!)

Dog pictures can be really fun to use while showing off your area. Dog parks, stores with dog bowls outside on the sidewalk, pups greeting customers at shop doors, working dogs in the field with livestock, another waiting for the bell to ring outside the school yard fence….the ideas are endless. You’ll have interesting, clever photos featuring your furry friends that let you say something about local stores, schools, rural areas, parks, etc. The collection below shows dogs at the fishing hole, in the office of a doggy bakery, riding in a truck, and enjoying a boat ride.

There are so many dog-related topics to use in your written insights, too. In addition to those already mentioned, you can talk about local veterinarians, pet shops, off-leash dog parks, or pet supply stores.

And don’t forget about cats! Kristin Ruther, RE/MAX of Grand Rapids, MI, submitted a wonderful insight about Debruyn’s Seed Store in Zeeland, MI. Along with details about the store itself, she included, “Last time we visited we were able to meet Butternut, ‘the manager,’ a sweet, loving, orange cat that they brought out for the kids to pet.” That fun little extra shows that Kristin has actually been to the store and is sharing a real recommendation.

Whether you are a dog person or a cat lover, use your pets to help give credence and color to your insights.

Photo credits:  Shannon Rooke Nuckols, RE/MAX First, Russellville, AR; Team Nina Clare and Dave, RE/MAX Real Estate Results, Bentonville, AR; Grady and Linda Stone, RE/MAX Lakefront, Wedowee, AL; Lisa Rossi, RE/MAX Bayshore, Traverse City, MI