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OK, I admit it, I got overwhelmed and forgot a few steps in getting readers to my blog

By
Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty LLC 200311024


Since December 8th, I have had a very tough time blogging and I even really stopped using Twitter and Facebook. But, what that really did is lowered my readership and even lost me a few local Twitter followers.

As many of you know, I’m not all about getting the most followers, but getting the most local followers. The only way to do that is to write about local events, family, hiking, restaurants and other local happenings. Getting followers from around the country, unless they are planning to move to Beaverton, isn’t going to do much for my business. (Or so I thought, people are trying to convince me otherwise)

But, what I forgot was by having Twitter (and Facebook), I was attracting people to my blog in those 140 characters. I was linking them back to my local blog and getting business from it and by stopping those efforts, I was really saying, “I don’t want your business”

In case some of you don’t remember, prior to December 8th, I usually had some 40 blog posts in reserve and ready to post at any given moment. I had a rhythm to what I was writing and posting, there was no pressure. If I didn’t write one day, I knew I had something in reserve and the next day I would write four or five posts. (It was easy.)

But, on December 8th, I was violated, my car was stolen along with my laptop that had all my wonderful pre-written postson it. Now, it was password protected, but that really didn’t help, as neither the car nor the laptop has ever been recovered. My hard work that was done with no pressure, was gone. It suddenly became difficult to come up with ideas on what to post about. I still haven’t gotten close to that 40 posts in reserve, right now I’m lucky to have 5.

This puts pressure on me to write everyday again, and because of that, I was letting my other social media platforms laps,and in turn, I was telling my followers there that they weren’t important enough to tell them what was going on in my life and my blog.

So, today, I’m back and hopefully this time for good. I will be trying to get back to the 40 posts in reserve, but I’m not going to let the pressure of not having 40 posts in reserve affect my other outlets for meeting people in and around Beaverton and Tigard.

 

Comments(24)

Lisa Hill
Florida Property Experts - Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Beach Real Estate

40 in reserve!?? Holy crap! My brain doesn't have that much creativity to spend all in one place. But I definitely had my Oomph in the early days/years here. It doesn't come as easily anymore. I wonder if many of us have already written a lot of our best work. :-/

Jul 06, 2010 04:50 PM
Dan Edward Phillips
Dan Edward Phillips - Eureka, CA
Realtor and Broker/Owner

Hi Todd, sorry to hear about the break in.  And Lisa, the best is always "yet to come"!

Jul 06, 2010 05:55 PM
Robert T. Boyer
FHA Loan, VA Loan, Jumbo Loan,FHA Loans,VA Loans,Jumbo Loans - La Jolla, CA
San Diego Real Estate & Mortgage Loans, Ph.D. | VA Home Loan

I had my car broken into once, and I understand the violated feeling.  I've also lost a hard drive (not at the same time).  I feel your pain.  It is great to hear you are getting back on track.

Robert Boyer
WJB Home Loan
Investment Property Search
San Diego Real Estate Homes for Sale

Jul 06, 2010 06:08 PM
Jim Hale
ACTIONAGENTS.NET - Eugene, OR
Eugene Oregon's Best Home Search Website

There is nothing like a personal crisis (any of which can easily affect your personal confidence) for creating writer's blogger's block.

 

 

See you at Rain Camp tomorrow.

Jul 06, 2010 06:26 PM
Fred Carver Real Estate Consulant
Retired BC Realtor - Victoria, BC
Accredited Real Estate Consultant

Hi Todd...sorry to hear you have not had a chance to build up blogs ahead..I was jealous and many times wanted to pick up the phone and say help me pre write(dictate to a voice recorder)...yeaks even the top blogger gets behind. Nice to know you're human, I too am back on Twitter and Facebook more...

Have a great week  and enjoy Rain Camp !

Jul 06, 2010 07:04 PM
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Sorry about the theft Todd.  I didn't know.  Good luck with getting back to your normal routine.

Jul 07, 2010 12:20 AM
Leesa Finley
RED Properties - Wake Forest, NC
RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate

It is always tough getting back into a routine when something has intetrupted it!  What a nightmare with your car and laptop.  I have at times neglected Twitter or Facebook for a period of time and, yes, it completely affects your web/blog traffic - gotta stay on top of it.  BUT, "knowing" you, it will be a breeze getting right back into it!

Wake Forest NC House Chick

Jul 07, 2010 12:56 AM
Julia Odom
Select Realty Professionals - Chattanooga, TN
Chattanooga Homes for Sale

Yikes, color me impressed with ANY posts in reserve. I write mine as drafts on my self-hosted wordpress blog so unless it got hacked and they were deleted they couldn't get stolen.

Congrats on getting your blogging mojo back.

Jul 07, 2010 01:09 AM
Pat O'Reilly
RE/MAX..214-289-6176 Irving and all of Dallas Fort Worth - Irving, TX

Todd..40 in reserve..now that is a challenge and a great goal. Thanks for the post...

Jul 07, 2010 01:09 AM
Cal Yoder
Keller Williams Elite - Lititz, PA
Homes For Sale in Lancaster PA - 717.413.0744

I hope you begin to implement back up plan for your laptop. Even with your challenges you at least would be able to recover the data on your laptop.

Best,

Cal

Jul 07, 2010 02:12 AM
Craig Rutman
Helping people in transition - Cary, NC
Raleigh, Cary, Apex area Realtor

I don't know what is worse, having your car stolen or your laptop. In either case, both are horrible. Glad to see you're getting back to your normal routine though, as difficult as it may be.

Jul 07, 2010 02:27 AM
Lee & Pamela St. Peter
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices YSU Realty: (919) 645-2522 - Raleigh, NC
Making Connections to Success in Real Estate

Todd, I don't think anyone had any idea of your trials over the last few months!  You are so good that even something like a stolen car and laptop -  loosing 40 some posts doesn't slow you down!

There's an old expression I'd like to share:  don't show me what you've achieved, show me what you've been through to get you there!  You are an inspiration my friend! 

Jul 07, 2010 03:19 AM
Michelle Gibson
Hansen Real Estate Group Inc. - Wellington, FL
REALTOR

Todd - Every since I read one of your posts about "blogs in reserve" I've been trying to do it myself and some weeks I'll have 4-5and then other weeks I'm struggling, but I'll continue trying and you're right we need to stay on top of all our outlets, like twitter and facebook.

Jul 07, 2010 04:13 AM
Tammie White, Broker
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale

Wow, 40 posts in reserve.  That's my problem...I don't have any.  Good luck.

Jul 07, 2010 04:44 AM
John Cannata
214-728-0449 http://TexasLoanGuy.com - Frisco, TX
Texas Home Mortgage - Purchase or Refinance

Its tough to get back into the swing of things. Blogging is one of those MUST DO things in order to keep business flowing. Many forget that its a part of your marketing plan (I myself lost focus too). I don't quite write each day, but I do need to write more often than I have been over the last 3 months.

Glad to hear you are getting back into the swing of things. See you around the Rain.

Jul 07, 2010 07:22 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

Hey Todd, I know when your laptop was stolen that really set you back in so many ways but you will get back to speed in due time. I have faith in you!

Jul 07, 2010 10:32 AM
Bryant Tutas
Tutas Towne Realty, Inc and Garden Views Realty, LLC - Winter Garden, FL
Selling Florida one home at a time

Todd. I did not know you were robbed. That must truly suck. You are certainly a prolific writer. I have ZERO post in reserve and I'm luckly if I can 3 a week.

I do send my posts to Twitter and faceBook but not sure how much it affects my traffic. I never track this things. I just write, post and answer the phone :)

Jul 07, 2010 11:17 AM
Melissa Zavala
Broadpoint Properties - Escondido, CA
Broker, Escondido Real Estate, San Diego County

I'm also sorry to hear that your laptop was stolen. I have no posts in reserve, and always find it hard to 'get a rhythm going', so I can feel a little bit of your pain. (Not much 'cause I still have my computer--knock on wood.)

Jul 08, 2010 04:45 AM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

I now realize what I should have asked for here is everyone's Twitter addresses.

Nov 06, 2010 01:32 PM
Adrian Willanger
206 909-7536 AdrianWillanger-broker.com - Seattle, WA
Profit from my two decades of experience

Todd-good post, it's about quality. I learned about localism, thanks.

Adrian

Dec 14, 2010 02:58 PM