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I am a little disappointed in these blogs

By
Mortgage and Lending with Mortgage Financial Group, Inc (NMLS 219650) NMLS #359029

This is a two part entry...

First, why is that some entries get read and others never read at all?  I have posted several entries talking about loan programs, who they are good for, when to use them, who to trust, etc.  I am sure these are also over exhausted topics.  I am somewhat knew to AR and this whole blogging era and am trying to find out what it takes to get an entry read.  I did write one the other day that got featured, and I earned my first gold star.  But the comments I got were not really what I was asking for.  I posted another blog asking people to praise and compliment the people that they work with, whether they are a member of AR or not.  The person you are praising could be in the same market as someone else that is a member of AR and looking for a new person to refer business to.  I have received at last check 1 response.  I was kind of looking forward to hearing those stories of inspiration, but for now I guess it is me just writing to myself or the writing a note and putting it a bottle and tossing to sea to see if someone ever reads it and responds.

Everyone always has something to say about everything.  So what is it that you all want to hear?  What peeks your interest?  What will make you want to read an posting?

Second, I have notice from time to time that people respond to a posting, and it has absolutley nothing to do with what the person was asking.  For instance, Jeff Belonger asked how do you rate the blogs that you read?  The first several entries did not even address the question.  It was not until later when Jeff mentioned in the comments section that his question was still not answered.  Then, people started answering the questions.  It is almost like people start reading, form an opinion, stop reading once they are satisfied, and post a comment.  In fact, I think I will do that from time to time in my entries.  I will talk about something ,and somewhere in the middle or end I will pose a question that has nothing to do with the entry.  I want to see how many people actually read the entire thing and post a comment about that question.  I won't care if it is answered or if someone even says, "What was up with the question in the entry?  It had nothing to do with posting."  I just want to see if people are reading to read for knowledge sake, or if they are just making a quick comment to get a couple more points.

And this is the first one.  Hint, Hint.

Comments (20)

Ray Saenz
Exit Realty Laredo - Laredo, TX
Homes for Sale in Laredo, TX - Texas, Realtor

Jason,

It will be a nice idea, that instead of rate the post, it would be a check mark if you read it / not that blog, so at least you can know how many users read your blogs, they do not need to write a note / an answer on your blog, but at least  you are aware if someone read it or ignore it.

Also, I believe that some bloggers have great reputation here and that's why they get answers on their blogs, some of them because they have good relantionships on the network and just they write a comment because they know each other, etc.  

Do not get offend and take it easy, we are here to help us and to share our experiences whenever we can.   If I can help, let me know. 

:)

Best Regards

Ray Saenz

Oct 14, 2006 04:30 AM
Scott Gormley
Oak Valley Mortgage-California Home Loans and Refinancing - Chico, CA

I think it's a matter of putting information out there that helps people's business. Adding pictures to tie into the idea is good as an "eye catcher" and keeping blogs short and sweet is always good. The long, generic stuff sticks out like a sore thumb. Be original and show your personality....

Scott

Oct 14, 2006 04:30 AM
Maureen Francis
Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel - Bloomfield Hills, MI
Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel

Jason, it can be very hit or miss, especially when first getting started here.  Not many people read my earliest posts, judging by the number of comments.  There was some pretty good stuff in there, imho ;-)

People are commenting for points just like people are posting for points.  As a matter of fact, I just wrote something about just that on my blog.

Soon enough you learn who reads what you've written.  I had one guy make a ridiculous comment on one of my posts and a bunch of people saw it.  It was obvious he hadn't read what I wrote.  It became a joke with everyone who saw it. 

Oct 14, 2006 04:44 AM
Teresa Boardman
Boardman Realty - Saint Paul, MN
Blogging is social.  The more you socialize on line tha more people will read your blog.  There are so many out there that it is impossible to read them all so we fall into habits or reading the people we feel like we know.
Oct 14, 2006 04:49 AM
Boomer Jack Boardman & Carl McIntyre, the Codgers
Noted Curmudgeons - Saint Paul, MN

Fascinating, I just made a comment on another post, where I wrote, in part: “…We take a lot of time composing each post…there is no “times viewed” counter on our individual blogs, we have no idea if we’re reaching anyone unless a comment is made—and while points are nice, I’d rather know how large or small is our readership (that’s what makes it worthwhile)J!” 

 Jay
Oct 14, 2006 04:51 AM
Mary McKnight
Sacrilicious Marketing - Orlando, FL
Welcome to the world of blogging.  You do have to remember that most people just glance over a blog entry- then post a comment that is more about themselves than the post.  It's human nature, we are a selfish society.  But good observation about the "egomaniacle" truth of blogging.
Oct 14, 2006 05:03 AM
Anonymous
Anonymous

A big part might be timing, for example, I just checked the new blogs and yours came up and caught my eye. Although  I try to read a lot of different blogs, a lot of times I'm swamped and will end up reading what is new. Sometimes I get through a bunch of different blogs, other times,just one or two.  You might be posting at times when not that many folks are reading and when they get to it others have posted and you are lower down on the list. It doesn't mean that what you are posting isn't interesting, just that people might not get that far down in all the posts. Keep blogging.

Oct 14, 2006 05:10 AM
#7
Linda Davis
RE/MAX Home Team - Gales Ferry, CT

Jason,

Interesting observations and you make some good points.  I've been guilty of not reading to the end of some posts.  I have a pretty short attention span so I prefer the short, succinct entries.  Unless it is extremely fascinating, I'll never make it to the end of a very long blog.  I haven't been here that long but in the very beginning, I found myself responding for points because I thought it was so fascinating to see how the point system worked.  Now, I just respond if I feel it is something I can contribute to or answer or have an opinion on.  Sometimes 10 times a day, sometimes more.

Oct 14, 2006 05:10 AM
Jason Price
Mortgage Financial Group, Inc (NMLS 219650) - Tavares, FL
The Mortgage Rider
Thank you for your comments.  I look forward to hearing what others say.  I guess I am just a upset because earlier in the week I offered all the realtors a chance to win weekly a free listing advertisement on my site.  They would be the featured realtor of the week and could post a listing during that week.  There are actually two winners : a commercial listing and a residential listing.  I got no takers, comments, or anything.  You try to help... Oh, well.  Live and learn.
Oct 14, 2006 05:31 AM
Kristal Kraft
Novella Real Estate - Denver, CO
Selling Metro Denver Real Estate - 303-589-2022

Jason,

It helps to network a little by commenting on other blogs.  I too find it very difficult to read large blocks text/paragraphs.  Try breaking them down or use BOLD TEXT to aid in skimming the content.  If it's appealing they I will stop to read it.

Sometimes I get a message from someone, asking me to go visit their post, I enjoy that and usually go take a look.

The blogs are getting harder to keep up with.  If you miss a day , you miss a lot.

Keep trying..

kk

Oct 14, 2006 05:37 AM
William J. Archambault, Jr.
The Real Estate Investment Institute - Houston, TX
Jason,

Without a hit counter you have no idea how many have read your post.

Have you considered that you say some things so well there is no need for us to comment?

Keep Posting,

Bill

William J Archambault Jr

The Real Estate Investment Institute

http://www.reii.org

Oct 14, 2006 06:23 AM
Jason Price
Mortgage Financial Group, Inc (NMLS 219650) - Tavares, FL
The Mortgage Rider

Bill,

I wish that were true. But thanks.

Oct 14, 2006 06:37 AM
Scott Daniels Florida Real Estate 2.0. Agents Earn 100% Commission.
Florida List For Less Realty, Inc. Broker/Owner. - Cooper City, FL

Jason,

welcome to the A/R community....There are many different types of people who have formed a bond and professional relationships here... So will you..

Oct 14, 2006 07:33 AM
Bryant Tutas
Tutas Towne Realty, Inc and Garden Views Realty, LLC - Winter Garden, FL
Selling Florida one home at a time

Hi Jason, I agree with Teresa's comment, that blogging is a social thing. Especially AR. For example if you werre to look back over your activity you will see you have written 9 blog posts and commented only 12 times on other's posts. The folks that seem to be the most actively communicating and forming friendships and bonds are the ones whose posts do the best.

But having said that, more comments does not necesarily mean better post. There are several long time members who post very informative information but rarely get comments. Why? Their posts say it all. 

The best way tp blog, in my opinion, is be honest, try to write about something that hasn't already been beat to death, make your post eye appealing and easy to read and most importantly interact with others. And as in anything else it takes time. Some of us have been here for months and have already connected with each other. This didn't happen overnight, as Maureen pointed out.  We just kept at it and viola!!! Overnight success.

Blogging is a growing process. Be patient and get into the game.

Oct 14, 2006 07:48 AM
Maureen McCabe
HER Realtors - Columbus, OH
Columbus Ohio Real Estate

It's social... If you had not stopped by and commented on Maureen Francis' blog with the funky old photo and written about your daughter I probably wouldn't have read this as I am sailing through a bunch of stranger's blog entires.   I did not remember your name or whether you were a real estate agent or a lender but I remember your picture and thought "what did the proud young father write about?"

<>Keep blogging... Keep reading others and comment when you can... It is better to give than to receive.. we all want lots of comments but I think even before there was an Active Rain the conventional wisdom for bloggers was to be social.  Out in the blogosphere if you are  spam commenting it shows.  On AR if you are commenting for points (and some are... that may be why they don't respond appropriately, answer questions) it shows...   
Oct 14, 2006 08:27 AM
Rich Jacobson
Fathom Realty West Sound - Poulsbo, WA
Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker

Jason,

There have been a number of entries here that are helpful in learning how to create good blogs.  I would read through these and take time to learn what constitutes a good blog.

Also, read the blogs from AR's top bloggers. You can learn alot from them. Find out who is generating the most comments and read those comments. What is it about there topics and what they write that creates such interest?

Don't be impatient. It takes time. You will never get alot of response from each and every blog. Don't take it personally.

Meaningful, relevant, practical, heartfelt information.

Rich Jacobson, www.KitsapLife.com

 

Oct 14, 2006 09:16 AM
Carole Cohen
Howard Hanna Cleveland City Office - Cleveland, OH
Realtor, ePRO

Ditto to all who commented about blogging being social. One awesome thing about blogging is that you can read something and when you comment is spurs something else in your head so you comment about that too.  For me, I think it means an open dialog, and Jason if this happens on one of your blogs, you can look at it to mean that people are feeling comfortable about blogging with you.

Secondly, welcome to AR and congrats on the fact that you say you are new and you already have a featured post! Excellent!

Oct 14, 2006 09:41 AM
Jason Price
Mortgage Financial Group, Inc (NMLS 219650) - Tavares, FL
The Mortgage Rider
Thank you all... I will try to make my posts a little less formal and more social.
Oct 14, 2006 10:07 AM
Marc Blasi
Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Ah, was there a question?

 

Oct 15, 2006 02:13 AM
Ray Saenz
Exit Realty Laredo - Laredo, TX
Homes for Sale in Laredo, TX - Texas, Realtor

Jason, now you see that we all saw your blog and We make comments when we can, there are many blogs and sometimes  I miss a day, I missed a lot as said Kristal  I try to do it when I have time, my problem is time, I always running and when I am sit in front of my computer it is because I am doing a contract / some other work in ms word, etc    I try to stay here present, but it is not easy.

Hope to see you often

Ray Saenz

Oct 15, 2006 07:47 AM