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"What is a 'Strafing Run' Blogger?" - Blog Tips for Rain Drips

By
Real Estate Agent with Fathom Realty West Sound WA State 52404

 I touched on this topic once before in a previous post aptly entitled, "One Way Traffic Jams on the ActiveRain Blogway." It garnered some fairly active response (nearly 200 comments). But with over 36,000 members and growing, it's something that bears repeating.

A 'Strafing Run' was a war-time battle tactic employed by fighter and bomber pilots. It was first initiated in WWI, but was predominantly used during WWII. Pilots would descend rapidly, increasing speed, flying in low, and fire upon typically stationary targets. Once their weapons had been discharged, they would pull up into a quick ascent.

Strafing Run Bloggers. Seems like they're everywhere these days, and not just here in the Rain. You know the type. They fly in quick and low, drop their post 'payload' and fly off into the sunset, never to be heard from again.

I don't know, maybe it's just me, but in order for 'conversational' blogging to actually occur, doesn't it necessitate meaningful dialogue from both sides? I mean, you have the 'writer' and the 'reader,' right? The blog 'writer' takes the time to pen a thought-provoking article to stimulate discussion or debate. Then, along comes the blog 'reader' who also takes time to adequately digest the article and retort with intelligent response.

And then....  <silence>

Where did the writer go? Days, even weeks go by. Was it something I said? Did I have bad blog breath?

You notice that you're not the only commentor who has been adandoned. The thread is a graveyard of one-sided conversations, all victims of the 'Strafing Run Blogger!'

Just a fun, friendly reminder. ENGAGE your readers! Don't leave them hanging. Reward those who have taken valued time out of their day to read something you've written by actually taking active part in the discussion.

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social-media-is-a-conversation

Rich Jacobson is a licensed real estate professional providing knowledgeable empowerment and relentless representation for his clients of residential properties and vacant land throughout all of Kitsap County WA and portions of Pierce, Mason, and Jefferson Counties. You can also find him at KitsapLife.com, SOUNDBITEBLOG and Crabbing in the Hood, or e-mail:  kitsapagent@gmail.com

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Rich Jacobson is a REALTOR® and licensed Broker with Fathom Realty. He's a Crab Hunter, Clam Digger, and Oyster Shucker, skilffuly vanquishing anything in a shell! He is the Social Media Evangelist for Life on the Kitsap Peninsula & The Western Puget Sound in scenic WA State.

Comments(212)

Rich Jacobson
Fathom Realty West Sound - Poulsbo, WA
Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker
Pete - unfortunately, there will always be those who chase points and nothing else. Many of us have been caught up in that race, only to realize that it's really 'pointless!'
Jul 02, 2007 09:27 AM
Rich Jacobson
Fathom Realty West Sound - Poulsbo, WA
Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker
Ryan - I can see value on both sides of the debate. That's why I try to balance my posts. There are some who do 'teaser' posts every time. And I personally don't have a problem with that. They may not get as many readers as they would if the entire article was published here, but that's a risk they are willing to take. To each their own. Are they intentionally disrespecting this platform? I don't think so. In the end, I think everyone wins.
Jul 02, 2007 09:33 AM
Bill Roberts
Brooks and Dunphy Real Estate - Oceanside, CA
"Baby Boomer" Retirement Planner

 Hi Rich

Thanks for the insight. This is my first day on AR (also thanks for the abreviation it makes life easier) and now I must go back to my blog and acknowledge the comments.

I have a question though: How did they find me so fast to comment?

Bill Roberts

Jul 02, 2007 12:33 PM
Rich Jacobson
Fathom Realty West Sound - Poulsbo, WA
Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker

Bill - Welcome to the ActiveRain Community! Whenever you post an article, it pops up on the Blog Dashboard. Depending on how many people are actively posting at any given time, it could be up there for a while. People are awarded points for commenting on posts. You get 25 points per comment, up to 10 comments per day, so there is a built-in incentive for people to engage you and comment on your posts/articles. Let me know if you have any additional questions along the way!

Jul 02, 2007 01:32 PM
Bill Roberts
Brooks and Dunphy Real Estate - Oceanside, CA
"Baby Boomer" Retirement Planner

Thanks Rich. What is the blog dashboard? I might want to try that.

Bill Roberts

Jul 02, 2007 02:37 PM
Rich Jacobson
Fathom Realty West Sound - Poulsbo, WA
Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker
Bill - Up on hte top of the page, click on "Blog"...that will take you to the Blog Dashboard. The left hand column are all the most recently posted articles. You can sort them anyway you like.
Jul 02, 2007 02:39 PM
Rich Jacobson
Fathom Realty West Sound - Poulsbo, WA
Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker
Okay, so I just had to add one more to take it over 200....
Jul 02, 2007 03:20 PM
Bill Roberts
Brooks and Dunphy Real Estate - Oceanside, CA
"Baby Boomer" Retirement Planner

Thanks again. I'll be back!

Bill Roberts

Jul 02, 2007 03:44 PM
William Collins
ERA Queen City Realty - Scotch Plains, NJ
Property and Asset Management

Rich,

Thanks for the post. I beginning to see a common thread here, "Strafing Bloggers & Armchair Quarterbacks in the  Blogosphere". The art of a dialogue between active participants, now there's a thought!

Jul 02, 2007 04:13 PM
Kay Van Kampen
RE/MAX Broker, RE/MAX - Springfield, MO
Realtor®, Springfield Mo Real Estate
Being guilty of this (but not often), I go back and read posts several times to see if a comment has been left .  I spend more time reading than I do blogging and fogetting to rate or comment.  Great post.
Jul 03, 2007 12:37 AM
Rebecca Savitski
BSR Real Estate Group - Cary, NC
NC Real Estate Listings

Rich,

How do you become a feature blog? I have been reading many posts I have put some thoughtful blogs together and have not been very successful is the key to being featured being ranked in the top 10 of your state?

Jul 03, 2007 04:14 AM
Margaret Woda
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Crofton, MD
Maryland Real Estate & Military Relocation
203 comments to date!  My goodness, is that some kind of record?  I'm happy to get 10, ecstatic for 20...  and I feel that some of my postings have been really good.  'Guess I'm sill learning the secret recipe.  Congratulations on your comments, and thanks for your thoughtful suggestion about acknowledging comments.  I hope 200 more people read it and do it!
Jul 04, 2007 12:51 AM
delete account
Clayton, MO
Very true. I have actually stopped reading blogs because their owners can't be bothered to post a response to any question. Maybe I am to sensitive. :)
Jul 04, 2007 06:07 AM
Rich Jacobson
Fathom Realty West Sound - Poulsbo, WA
Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker
Pamela - it's not being overly sensitive. It's just common courtesy!...
Jul 04, 2007 06:27 AM
Rich Jacobson
Fathom Realty West Sound - Poulsbo, WA
Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker
Margaret - far from the record. I think TLW holds the current record with around 700 or so.
Jul 04, 2007 06:28 AM
Rich Jacobson
Fathom Realty West Sound - Poulsbo, WA
Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker
Rebecca - I'll send you an email with some thoughts and suggestions....
Jul 04, 2007 06:29 AM
Rich Jacobson
Fathom Realty West Sound - Poulsbo, WA
Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker
Kay - each of us needs to find what works best for us, and just commit to doing it consistently. Blogging successfully takes time and energy.
Jul 05, 2007 09:42 AM
Olan Carder
Fairway Independent Mortgage - Charlotte, NC

I think what Rob said is very true.  Sometimes its a comment that fans the flame but then that commenter is MIA.  I like to start debates, and I try to respond back when valid points are made.

Good post!

Jul 05, 2007 11:23 AM
Teresita "Terry" Pollard
Exit Realty Excel - Riverview, FL
Rich,  I thank you for commenting on my blog.  Like you said, it is always nice for somebody to make a comment on your writing since you have taken the time to write.  Like me, I am new to this but appreciates a lot of comments on my blog because it is so much fun when they respond. I try to respond as much as I can but if there are a lot of comments, of course you will not be able keep up with all of them.
Jul 09, 2007 10:04 AM
Neal Barnes
Starstate Realty - Killeen, TX
Broker, REALTOR, ABR, CRS, GRI, SRES, SRS.

Hi Rich

Great Post.  I've bookmarked it so that I can come back later and read all the comments.

Thanks

Apr 12, 2008 07:35 PM