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Project Blogger - This is no Bull

The picture is of a bull, taken from a safe distance because he was not happy to see me. He was hanging out in a field near Cameron MO. A six hour drive from my St. Paul home, that I made it in six hours and 20 min.

Last week we were listed as MIA (missing in action) in the project blogger contest. I never met any of the other participants and none including my apprentice have ever met me. I may not exist at all. I guess no one knows for sure. Some day I am not entirely sure. If I don't exist I can't be missing, but in case I do exist, I would rather not be missing two weeks in a row.

I am never one to make excuses but there are reasons for our absence last week. Vali Wimberly is taking a much needed vacation, one that she had planned before project blogger arrived.

My situation was is a little different. Two unanticipated events in the same week. One, required that I leave town. Neither are anything I want to write a post about. Like every other Active Rain member and project blogger participant I have an entire life separate from real estate and blogs.

So back to the blog. I have had guest writers on my own blog last week and some of this week. I am lucky that others are willing to help and I hope that the links back to their blogs earn them some traffic and that I have the opportunity to repay their kindness.

My point here is that project blogger is five months long and is being held during the height of the real estate buying and selling season here in Minnesota and Denver. It is unlikely that all of us will be able to participate every week. I will do what I can next week although after missing a few days of work I had to reschedule appointments and am not sure when I will have time to do anything beyond keeping the appointments.

For those who are serious about having a business blog and posting on a consistent basis make sure you have a source for content to keep the blog going through life's little emergencies.

1. Write extra content that can be saved and posted when needed.

2. Get ahead by writing blog posts a few days ahead of time.

3. Find people who are willing to write guest posts.

This is my contribution to project blogger for the week. I am committed to project blogger and plan to see it through and will continue to do the best that I can to schedule enough time for it.

Posted by Teresa Boardman on 05/30/2007 08:39 AM

Comments (53)

project blogger

53 Comments on Project Blogger - This is no Bull

MAY

2007

Teresa that's good advice. I've occassionally pre-written my posts for 5-6 days at a time but I don't always do it. Work is now getting crazy, though, so I've decided I need to have several "on hand" just in case. I love that idea and it's definitely something I can do. I've also talked to a couple of people about doing a "guest blog" but most of them are a little intimidated (except my husband, who is used to being in the spotlight for his work). But your post is reminding me to give it another go- if nothing else, just to keep it interesting!

Hope life calms down for you this week. Both you and Vali have made a lot of helpful contributions to the contest and I'm benefitting from them.

>"Like every other Active Rain member and project blogger participant I have an entire life separate from real estate and blogs."

Preach it, Sister! The church says Amen.

I'm glad you posted this information, as I was wondering how you keep a blog alive when you can't get to it.

I think you exist but sometimes you are not all there.

Theresa, excellent advice... writing articles ahead of time, if life allows :-), is something to try and incorporate.

Girl you don't really need to explain yourself. If you had things come up then so be it. It is none of anyones. business. I hope everything is ok with you and your family.

Teresa, Is that you? Personally, I use a stunt double. I try to keep a few posts in draft for those occasions when I just can't think of anything to write or I don't have time. I also pace myself. I only post 3 or 4 times a week. And I cheat....I cross post my articles from AR to brokerbryant.com. I hear you are not supposed to do that but it has not affected my SEO at all, except maybe in a positive way.

All we can do is our best. Life comes first.

I agree with Linda.

Why didn't you get a close up of the bull, we want to see the sparkle in his eyes...

I agree with Kristal. Plus I have a photography suggestion. Had you gone over the fence to take the shot, you wouldn't have all that wire in the picture. Overall, it would have been a much better photo.

KK - that was a close up, I zoomed.

Linda - are you taking lessons from KK. You should test your theory with a bull of your own. i am telling you he did not start out by the fence and he really was giving me the look. As ofr my exsitance I think it is exaggerated.

BB - there is no truth to the rumor that double posting hurts SEO, i do the same. if it does hurt it isn't hurting me enough so that it matters. i do post every day on St. paul re. When i don't people ask questions. I don't like questions.

Mar, Teri, Jeff, Irina - all is well and I do hope that there is some nuget in this post that looks more like an excuse.

What are you all doing reading this? it is a holiday. go find your families and hug them or something. :)

We were once at a county fair with our kids, who were about 6 and 7 at the time, and petting the nice cows by the edge of the fence. (They DID look approachable.) Unfortunately, one of them gave us a nasty surpirse: while our son was up close and personal, the cow got an itchy nose...and sneeezed. It was "ewwww, grossssssss".

So I say: keep your distance.

T ~ Are you not aware, Bull's are vegetarians, he would not eat you! Just hop the fence, be sure to wear your nice new red rain slicker (it will keep the mosquitoes off) and get down on one knee, right square in front of him. Telephoto shots are nice, but tend to be fuzzy, so don't stretch it out too far, wait until he gets real close...

Click!

BTW, does Jack have a camcorder? We want to see it on youTube...

Teresa....I figured out that I needed some "reserve" articles, right from the start. The day I landed in Budapest...my first article on that city was already set to post! I did that for every "travel" day. If you look at the standings, we've all had an off week...my goal is to have 15 articles in "reserve"....I am visualizing...I like the "guest" writer idea...

Thanks for jumping in here KK. You really are an expert photographer, as I'm reminded every time you blog. Your advice to Teresa is right on. By getting down on one knee and getting nice and close, she should be able to point right up the little guys nostrils. She'll then have a photo to remember!

I hate to tell you but it looks like a cow to me, not a bull. Of course I could be full of bull.

Carole - Another reason she needs to get closer. Otherwise she has to change the title of her blog.

KK & Linda too. you two are just precious today. Just some more bull sh__t for my blog. Can I say that on Active Rain? maybe not, here is a picture just in case:

Carole that is a bull. i think i have written enough naughty words for one day so I'll continue this discussion off of Active Rain.

Thank you for the lovely photo of the rose. It is utterly beautiful. Note the formation of the pedals. Again, if you just would listen to KK and get a little closer when you shoot. In this case, I would have recommended laying on the ground for the best angle.

never saw brown petals quite like that. Yes I noticed the missing udders lol

O.K. ladies I think you have hi jacked my post. When you see a "rose" like the one in the picture be sure to get on one knee, put your face in it and take a deep breath. You know sometimes you have to stop and smell the roses.

I like the idea of writing a head but with so much going on outside of AR it is oh so hard to keep up.

It's not a bull, it's a steer, unless important parts are obscured in the shadows. A closer shot would help you to know the difference! I really am not sure about the brown rose. It needs to be flatter and full of flies. Flies are important to the fermenting process!

Hey...

I thought we were not allowed to casually swear on any of your blogs :)

TLW...ROAR!

TLW - I didn't swear, not really. If you find it offensive I will remove it. :) Casual swearing is my own rule. Think I wrote a post in January but not using the fingheimer at all this year. Think I blew it in January but I keep trying to be a lady.

Bonnie - i didn't get close enough to check.

Teresa - great advice as usual - glad to know cross posting doesn't hurt cause I got my other blog up and running thanks to your inspiration :-) - personally I hope all is well with you! I enjoy you "whenever" you can show up! Have a great week

MAY

2007

Hi Teresa,

Dare I hope it... Can I possibly mine my writings past here on AR for inclusion on my site? That would be wonderful! As for the cute little moo-cow in your picture I would have to agree that closer would have been better. Perhaps a nice picture of you feeding it some grass :-)

I have also been trying to get ahead of myself on my blogsite. I don't seem to have trouble getting ahead of myself anywhere else so...

I hope things stay nice and busy for you and that things are good for you and yours. Take care, help lots of people and have a wonderful day!

Tisza

I do think whomever picked this time frame is not an agent.

ARDELL - I think you and I are the only active real estate agents participating as coaches. The market here in MN has been a bit tough which means that those of us who want to survive it have to work twice as much but are earning half as much. I my case I have nerves of steel when it comes to business but this situation of too many agents and not as much business is starting to take it's toll. I sincerely hope that it is all easier for you. I understand that your market is still pretty hot. I think the Denver market is a bit stronger than the twin cities market but I know Vali works hard. Often it takes us longer to set up a meeting time than it does to meet and discuss. Have a great week and thanks for stopping by. I think you and your apprentice are doing a great job with protect blogger.

I'm a little late to this party. As usual, great advice. Even though the rest of us Coaches aren't active real estate agents, the time commitment is still daunting at times. It's why this post is such good advice.

Jeff - I know that you work very hard and are as busy as I am. I respect you for your ability to keep up with this all. You know I am a member of the Jeff Turner fan club. :)

MAY

2007

I love this idea, I will do it for those days that I have so many sales that I can't blog, which I might add will be in the very near future....

Why is this "rose" getting recycled?

Bonnie, if you look REAL close, the "important parts" are there. Plus the shoulders look more like a bull than a steer. (Yes, I DO get that close to bulls sometimes, but mine have tended to stand resting their head on my hip - visitors think the bull is coming to "get" them when all he wants is to have his neck rubbed.)

But, Teresa, I agree with all these other folks, you should drive all the way back and check it out closer for us. Just to confirm and make sure everything's accurate, you understand.

Now, to find time to follow your excellent advise and write a few blogs to stash away for a rainy day.

Cute cow.....have you every stepped on a rose?

I've been working on guest blogger that can write in the general sphere of the main topic of my blog...and it's not as easy as it seems. They may work with me but don't feel up to the challenge of writing a blog. It's driving me crazy!

I hate being the only voice, besides the commentators, on my blog.

Teresa - writing blogs ahead of time to post during a busy week is a great idea. I wish I had thought of that last time I took a few days vacation. Great advice once again!

I don't mean to denigrate AR at all and I'll admit, I'm not really all that sure what you guy's "Project Blogger" is all about, but man, you guys need to chill!

I realize that it's important to be consistent with the blogging, but, as you said, people have a life! If you need to take a week off from blogging, then by all means do it and don't feel bad about it!

Bob Mitchell

ValueList Real Estate Services, Inc.

This whole post is just alot of bull! Just kiddin...lol

Keith - i must say your observation is very astute. It is a bunch for bull but true just the same. :)

Now that you are back in action welcome back and thanks for tha advice.

Stik Cow Teresa, these are your friends giving you a hard time? =)

Copyright Stik

Thanks for the insight. I guess I never thought about "what if there is an emergency?" I will work on having some emergency posts for just such a time. Mike C

Teresa, couldn't agree more. I always have blogs in the back end which I can call upon & post date for those inevitable times. Guest bloggers are also a great resource. Glad you are back. Hope all is well.

Maggie - thanks much. Will you be my new friend that doesn't give me a bad time?

Wheeeeew. Took me a long time to get to the end of this string of clever (and not too clever) comments. Am very surprised that the big Moooover and shaker from around Chicago (Naperville) has not commented. He was probably too busy moving around to the back of his monitor to see if it was a bull or a steer or a cross dressing cow! Could be however, that he like Ferdinand The Bull, was too busy smelling the roses in the pasture.

Oh my - I am SO thankful my computer doesn't have scents.......peeee-yeeewwwwwwwwww!!!!!

On a more serious note, less smelly too, I do like your advice about having some posts put away for just those kinds of times. Now, if only I could actually make myself do those ahead of time.......

I'm with Ann, it is a good thing our computers don't have scent for this one. I appreciate the post and ideas for content. I believe you exist . . . But then I believe in the sock monster too.

You have to balance your life and deal with the things that must be dealt with. Guilt is not allowed. :)

Good suggestions on staying ahead on blogs - I use slow open houses to whip out a few adn keep a folder of ideas for "those moments.".

Why didn't you just stick your head through the fence?? Ever try cow tipping?

Jeff

Teresa - I would have never even thought of coverage in case of an emergency or vacation - thanks for the pointers and glad to have you back. Of course you can take off a week!

Teresa, you know I will! I promise to not grafitti mustaches on your bus bench ads either!!!

Cynthia - that is hilarious!

Jeff - i am a city girl. we only tip martinis here.

Ines - blogging is really not an emergency but it is important to be consitant.

Maggie - wow! I hardly know where to start. I will try to be nice to you. A real friend at last! Don't worry if my other "freinds" come by and make comments like how I can't be nice etc. none of it is true. I can be nice. i was nice once. It was a Wednesday at around 1:00 in the afternoon sometime in the 80's. I don't remember what the occasion was but I remember being nice.