ActiveRain - Sidebar Links

Take a look over there on the right side of the screen (you may have to scroll up or down to see it) but do you notice the section of the sidebar called "Links"? This is an area of ActiveRain that is editable by you . It is important to use this area (and if you already knew about it, go back once in a while and make sure everything is current). Right next to the Links title, click on "add/remove" in order to edit what is displayed there. (note: you will have to be on YOUR blog page to have the add/remove link)

To add a link, you will need two parts: "Link" (the URL)and the "Link Text" (what the reader sees). When you type your Link Text, keep in mind that the sidebar is only wide enough for about three words (w/o wrapping the text and it is cleaner w/o the wrap if you can do so).

You'll want links to your website, facebook (business page), twitter, etc. If you are keen on SEO (you should be), this is also a backlink opportunity you don't want to miss. Google likes deep linking too. In other words, link to your home page but ALSO link to secondary pages. For example, "Search the MLS" link could take them to the IDX search page ON YOUR WEBSITE. (Don't send them anywhere but to you!)

But notice something else you can do... link to articles by TOPIC that you have blogged about in ActiveRain. See how I have done that with mine. I have written series of articles on Picasa, ActiveRain, and Graphics for Bloggers and have these linked via being TAGGED as such for future reference and here is a case in point.

I have written a couple of articles on tagging and perhaps you want to go back and check them out Tips on Tagging and Using Tags and Your Tags Are Virtual Folders

When you tag your articles with keywords, you will then have a URL that you can leverage like I am doing:
http://activerain.com/blogs/craigda/tags/picasa

Notice yours will be similar, you will replace your username and the specific tag you want to use:
e.g. short-sales, foreclosures, first-time-homebuyer, etc. Note that you don't need to type out the URL (in fact better that you don't in case of typos). Start with your tag cloud, and right click to get the URL of the tag you want to use so that you can copy/paste it in. (advanced note: spaces in tags create %20 codes and that gets a little messy so copy/paste you don't have to worry about it)

And after you review my articles on tagging, you might realize "oops, shoulda/coulda" It would take too much time to go back and edit all your posts... however, I do recommend that you go back to your BEST posts and fix those.

Think about the consumer that finds you and your blog. Do you want to impress them and have them hire you? Show them all the good work you've done. You ARE the best person for the job! :)