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I'm all out of words. Comments are hard to come by.

By
Real Estate Agent with Kimberly Howell Properties (210) 646-HOME

Zippy with his mouth zipped up.

photo courtesy of stev.ie

My commenting isn't nearly what it used to be.

I've slowed down on commenting a lot.  I hit the blogs I subscribe to just about everyday and usually take a peak at the Featured Posts once or twice a day.  I even scroll through the blog list to see what's been written by those I may not know.  I do a lot of reading.  Commenting, is a different story.

Why you might ask?

Well, the first (and obvious) reason is that I'm busier than I once was.  I've got a lot more going on.  Not just in terms of actual business, but also in my blogging and social media efforts, my prospecting, and my education.  Time isn't growing alongside my business and my business plans.  We all face that.

But there's a bigger (more exciting) underlying reason.  You.  Lately, I've noticed a shift, especially under some of my favorite bloggers.  A shift that has been there for some time, but seems to have grown.  I don't know if it's the influx of new members, the excellent blogs by the ActiveRain team on "how to," or just something that happened by itself.

I see more and more localized content lately.  Content that the consumer wants, but doesn't necessarily pertain to me and what I'm doing.  More posts about local events, businesses, and lifestyles.  More posts about neighborhoods and communities.  More info about places I don't live or work.  I still read many of these posts, as I enjoy learning about your market and what's happening in your neck of the woods (I've traveled the U.S. extensively, so many of these places I'm familiar with).  Regardless of my feelings on it - I'm seeing more of it.

And this is not a bad thing.

And I love not having much to say about your favorite coffee shop and that new gated community down the road.  I'd rather never make comments if it means we're providing the consumer with what they want.  This is the goal of ActiveRain and should be every real estate bloggers goal.

So do me a favor, help me keep my mouth zipped shut and keep writing local content.

Stephen Kappre
KW Hometown - Mantua, NJ
Helping You Home

I'm pretty sure that dude up above is in Crash Bandicoot

Nov 04, 2009 10:55 PM
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

You are right. Itis a good thing. I find some of the local stuff informative myself!

Nov 04, 2009 10:55 PM
The Somers Team
The Somers Team at KW Philadelphia - Philadelphia, PA
Delivering Real Estate Happiness

Matt - Like you, our commenting is down a bit due to being so crazily busy.  It is a good thing.  Have also noticed that trend and with our blog many of our post recently have been hyper-local such as new listings and the like. 

Nov 04, 2009 10:58 PM
Allison Stewart
St.Cloud Homes - Saint Cloud, FL
St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904

Hyper local boosts SEO rankings which is why so many bloggers are doing it. Although it may not pertain it can be an interesting insight to different areas.  I enjoy a mixed medley of localism content and articles relating to business.

As you develop friendships within the AR community, supportin g your friends blogs with c omments means they will do the same for you at least we hope so. 

Nov 04, 2009 11:06 PM
Cindy Jones
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News

Matt-at the moment there are so many posts with misinfomation in them about the tax credit extenstion that I am going to have to log off AR before I do something rash.  Oh wait I think I just with my last post.  Hyper-local is the push and it works so I guess that is why we are seeing more posts geared in that direction.  I'm guilty.  See ya!

Nov 04, 2009 11:06 PM
Chip Jefferson
Gibbs Realty and Auction Company - Columbia, SC

I know exactly what you mean. I am struggling to get 10 comments done every day. I am swamped trying to get the FTB closed.

Nov 04, 2009 11:21 PM
Barb Szabo, CRS
RE/MAX Above & Beyond - Cleveland, OH
E-pro Realtor, Cleveland Ohio Homes

Seeing the same thing so not much need to comment but won't it be great when I choose my summer vacation spot next year?

Nov 04, 2009 11:27 PM
Kathleen Cooper
Kathleen Cooper, Sposato Realty Group - Worcester, MA
Sposato Realty Group - Broker Owner

Hi Matt!

I'm guilty as charged...I write a lot more local content.  Quite the opposite of my buddy Greg who does a lot more member's only fun stuff.  I'm trying to get more into the fun stuff, but keep up my local blogging because my community is loving it.  =) 

Glad to hear your keeping busy!  Love your video blogs, I am too camera shy to get on posted still!

Sincerely,

Kathleen

Nov 05, 2009 01:14 AM
Team Honeycutt
Allen Tate - Concord, NC

I would love to have zippy!!!  If I have said it once I have said it a 1000 times that I need to keep my mouth shut.

shelton

Nov 05, 2009 01:16 AM
Christine Bohn
RE/MAX Professionals - Gainesville, FL
The Bohn Team, Gainesville FL

Matt - my "commenting" has slowed down too.   Mainly, there are only 24 hours in the day.  I am staying busy.  I check the featured and my subscriptions lists also.  I just don't have time to sit in front of the computer all day.   I am glad I subscribe to your blog....and I don't always comment.  But I am still hear!  A loyal AR addict.

Nov 05, 2009 01:17 AM
Charles Buell
Charles Buell Inspections Inc. - Seattle, WA
Seattle Home Inspector

Matt, this post is so "right-on" for me as well.  It is all good though.

Nov 05, 2009 01:30 AM
Susan Brown
Keller Williams NE, Kingwood Texas (Humble & Atascocita too) - Kingwood, TX

Matt, I enjoy reading a little bit of everything so the local posts are still interesting for me.  It is like a dinner & a show.  LOL.

Nov 05, 2009 02:03 AM
Donne Knudsen
Los Angeles & Ventura Counties in CA - Simi Valley, CA
CalState Realty Services

Matt - BRAVO!  I couldn't agree with you more!  Isn't that why most of us are here - TO GET MORE EXPOSURE FROM OUR LOCAL MARKETS?

Nov 05, 2009 02:55 AM
Steve Shatsky
Dallas, TX

Hi Matt... Good observation.  My favorite bloggers are the ones who balance local content with broader industry issues and personal insights.  I like everything in moderation.  :)

Nov 05, 2009 03:02 AM
Craig Rutman
Helping people in transition - Cary, NC
Raleigh, Cary, Apex area Realtor

Matt, I agree with you...to a point. The localized blogs are important for the consumer and for the SEO capabilities they produce. But the non-local blogs are part of the networking base we're trying to build here in the Rain.

For me, I do a little of both. Certainly I want the consumer to find me. But I also want the buyer and seller referrals from agents that are out of my market.

 

Nov 05, 2009 05:31 AM
Charles Stallions Real Estate Services
Charles Stallions Real Estate Services Inc - Gulf Breeze, FL
Buyers Agent 800-309-3414 Pace and Gulf Breeze,Fl.

I not sure you right about that but oh well. I see so many post on the tax extention that sometimes I just think if I see another I may go crazy.

Nov 05, 2009 02:20 PM
Matt Stigliano
Kimberly Howell Properties (210) 646-HOME - San Antonio, TX

Chris and Stephanie - Your a great example of what I'm talking about.  I read your blog all the time, but you definitely have been a bit more local recently (which is a good thing in my opinion), so I don't comment as often.

All - I have no "beef" with local blogs, just want to be sure that's clear - they are a huge part of everything we do and should be.  I'm a little less local here as I also have my RErockstar.com blog, which is for San Antonio, but I still do lots of local stuff at ActiveRain.  I just find it harder to comment on your post about your local area than I do a general real estate topic.

Kathleen - Despite what some might think given my former career, I'm camera shy too.  I hate my voice and the way I say "uh" and "um" all the time (go ahead and count them).  You just have to go with it and do it.  Record one in one take and put it up there.  That's how I started.

Nov 05, 2009 09:36 PM
Claudette Millette
The Buyers' Counsel - Ashland, MA
Buyer, Broker - Metrowest Mass

Matt:

A camera shy rock star?  That is an endearing quality actually.  But, I think unusual.

I am trying to do more local blogging since that is where I think the business will come from. You are right. It's not so easy to comment on anyone's local posts.  But, please feel free.  I welcome it.

 

Nov 06, 2009 08:37 AM