I'm new to blogging, unless you want to count subscribing to numerous BBS's in the late 80's and posting to forums, message boards and running several different MSN and Yahoo Groups throughout the years as kind of a "pre-blogging".
I don't even remember how I stumbled on to Activerain. I think it was an article that I read on Inman News, but it doesn't really matter, I'm here and I'm hooked. I'm laughing before I even type this.....I'm the kind of person when confronted with the task of putting together some piece of furniture or installing software that I just skim the instructions and then wing it. Most of the time it works out just fine; I'm much better at the software with no help than the furniture building, but the point is, I am definitely not the type to sort and count out all those little nuts and bolts first. This drove my ex crazy by the way.
So I sign up for AR having no clue what to expect and instantly I'm sucked in. OK, these are two of my favorite things rolled up in one (real estate and creative computer stuff) and I can do it all with my PJ's on. I'm off and running and never ever once bothered to read anything about blogging, or anything about AR, nadda, nothing. I'm just reading blogs, typing and having a good old time. My points are growing, I'm linking my websites, I'm inviting people, I'm posting, I'm commenting and heck I'm having more fun than when I first tried instant messaging.
So yesterday, I had to drive to Hollywood during rush hour and as the cars are inching along on the 101, I have time to think, and it dawns on me, "I never read the instructions". What the heck am I supposed to be doing? Can consumers see my posts? I wrote some blogs that are cool for someone in the business to read, but what about my clients or my future clients? My head is spinning....I did a few benign posts to Localism that were meant for consumers, but the rest of my posts were really for professionals.
The second I get home, I run to my computer and RTFM! And hey, there is so much "AR help" information that I cannot believe I missed this stuff. There is the entire Newbie group that I joined on my first day but never got around to reading. There are blogs on how to write posts, ideas for subjects, and all sorts of tips and tricks. I was blown away. Hmm, now I'm back tracking and re-reading my blog to make sure that it's really OK. Is my meme to much of an expose'? Is admitting that I have a shy side bad for business?
After my initial panic and mini AR blog crash course, I've decided not to change anything. What I did is take my posts and edit them slightly and then publish them to my personal real estate blog which is geared more to consumers. This is the blog that I linked to my website. How do the rest of you handle this? Do you write two versions of the same post if it's a little too technical for a consumer, or do you just post some things to AR and some to your regular blog?
Comments (10)Subscribe to CommentsComment