Web + Wins #2: Pitchy Women & Why Realtors Should Own Their Brand

Apr 21

This Week’s Update

This month, I made it to my second Pitchy Women event – a local Columbia networking group where women get together to practice their business pitches in a small, supportive space. I'll be honest, this doesn't come naturally to me. (even after two years of running my own business🤦🏽‍♀️ ) I often find myself saying quickly, “I design websites,” and leaving it at that. But in reality, I do so much more:

I help businesses show up professionally online so their digital presence actually matches the quality of their work
I turn websites into sales engines – making sure the right people find you, trust you, and know exactly what to do next
I consult on the full digital picture: SEO strategy, Google Business Profile, content direction, and how all the pieces work together
I'm a sounding board for business owners who need a trusted partner to think through their online presence – not just someone to hand a task off to

I've been pushing myself to talk about my web design business with as many people as possible, and am thankful we have in-person meetups like this that give me the uncomfortable-in-a-good-way practice I need. We all know real learning and growth happens when you leave the comfort zone and allow yourself to stretch. So here I am, doing just that!

I'm looking for a virtual networking group to join. Let me know if you've got any recommendations!

Get a Web Win: Why Realtors Should Own Their Brand

If I were in real estate, one of the first things I’d do is create my own branded website – separate from my brokerage.

Most agents rely entirely on their company’s site and their own social media pages, but those platforms are often rigid, templated, and focused on the brokerage – not you. And in an industry where people choose who they trust, that’s a missed opportunity.

Your own website becomes your home base. It’s a place where people can actually get to know you.

Here’s what that unlocks:

Gives you space to show your personality, approach, and what makes you different
Helps potential clients build trust before they ever reach out
Positions you as a local expert through blogs, guides, and neighborhood insights
Creates an opportunity to turn that content into a newsletter and stay top-of-mind
Gives you something you actually own, so if you ever switch brokerages, your brand moves with you

A great example of this in action: instead of just listing homes, you could write a post about “What it’s like to live in [your city] right now” or highlight local events, new restaurants opening, or market shifts. That kind of content does a lot of heavy lifting:

Shows you’re invested in your community
Builds trust with people who share those same values
Improves your visibility in local search engines (i.e., the robots like it)
Gives you something meaningful to share beyond listings

That’s the difference between being another agent on a directory and becoming a recognizable, trusted name in your market.

Have a realtor friend? Send this to them! Most agents are leaving a lot of opportunity on the table by not building something of their own.

Convo Corner: Tara Morawski

You know those people you meet and immediately just want to be around because their energy is contagious? That's Tara Morawski. She and I both moved to Columbia around the same time, and she wasted zero time making it home. She set out to build community from day one and hasn't slowed down since.

She's the Co-Owner of Harcourts Carolinas, runs multiple networking groups in Columbia (including Pitchy Women), and still finds time for coffee chats and showing up for the people around her. In a world where some people take themselves a little too seriously, Tara gets the work done and makes it fun, and I want to be more like that!

Give her a follow on Instagram, you won't regret it.