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If You're New to ActiveRain, Don't Worry About Points - Another Take

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Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Dallas Suburbs TX Broker 0513551

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Lenn Harley's blog today titled, "IF YOU'RE NEW TO ACTIVERAIN, DON'T WORRY ABOUT POINTS" got me thinking about ActiveRain and the reasons to be here.  It's not about the points or the featured blogs although most new members (myself included) focus on it in the early stages.

What to know the secret? It's about the long-tail search and SEO. It's about connecting with other like-minded people. AR has been the source of new business, media interviews, referrals, and new friends.

I write two kinds of blogs.

The first type is key-word rich and focused on a particular long-tail search. Google loves ActiveRain and my posts are usually on the first page of Google in less than 30 minutes. Want proof?

Google "Craig Ranch Townhomes"...go ahead, I'll wait!  My AR blog is number 6 and my personal WordPress blog is number 9.

Google "Preserve in Allen"...my AR blog is number 4.

The second type is personal in nature. They are designed to give people some insight into who I am and what I'm about.

Google "Dairy Queen Frisco TX"...my AR blog is number 6.

One more..."Dallas Jury Duty Scams"...my AR outside blog is number 1

Don't laugh; I've received phone calls on both of them.

My personal mix is about 75 percent of the first type and 25 percent of the second.

Don't worry about points. Post a blog every day! The points and featured blogs will come, but remember, that those things are not what ActiveRain is really all about...

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Tom Branch and Gina Branch, The Branch Team with RE/MAX Dallas Suburbs, service the greater North Dallas suburbs including Dallas, Plano, Allen, McKinney, Frisco, Lewisville, and Carrollton.  While Gina concentrates on traditional listings and buyer/tenant representation, Tom specializes in assisting distressed homeowners to avoid foreclosure.  Tom and Gina have published two books (Achieving Rock Star Status and The Field Guide to Short Sales) and are available for speaking engagements in the greater Dallas - Fort Worth Metroplex. Subscribe to The Branch Team Blog.

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The Branch Team - Texas Real Estate Broker 547597 | Team Members are Texas Licensed Real Estate Professionals
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Comments(15)

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Deborah Byron Leffler BzyBee Real Estate Lady!
Keller Williams Realty Boise - Nampa, ID

Great advice!!!   I think we do get caught up in the points more than the Google Juice some times!   LOL

Jan 25, 2011 04:57 AM
Li Read
Sea to Sky Premier Properties (Salt Spring) - Salt Spring Island, BC
Caring expertise...knowledge for you!

Excellent post...you sum up, very nicely, the entire point of blogging.   It is the "long tail" vista and the mix of information is essential.

Jan 25, 2011 05:00 AM
Tom Branch
RE/MAX Dallas Suburbs - Plano, TX
Broker, CDPE, SFR, ACRE, Plano TX Ambassador

Cool.  This blog is number 10 on Google for "Dallas Jury Duty Scams"...indexed and on the first page in less than 7 minutes...does it get any better?

Tom

Jan 25, 2011 05:04 AM
Bryan Robertson
Los Altos, CA

Good point but I think it's lost of the newbies because the points do carry some personal prestige value.  I used to focus on points but now I don't.  However, I'm also at a point where my points are high enough that I rank well in my state and local area.

Jan 25, 2011 05:05 AM
Tom Branch
RE/MAX Dallas Suburbs - Plano, TX
Broker, CDPE, SFR, ACRE, Plano TX Ambassador

Bryan,

Personal Prestige Value...interesting concept. Had we focused on key-words and the long-tail while posting daily, we would likely have more points, but more importantly more Google Juice...

I realize that each of us has to figure it out on our own...I always have to do it the hard way...

Tom

Jan 25, 2011 05:09 AM
Billie Hillier
http://702IsHome.com - North Las Vegas, NV
Savvy Home Realty Solutions

The points is a good way to gauge your participation when you are new. I knew if I didn't have my daily commenting points then i wasn't participating in conversations i probably needed to be.

Jan 25, 2011 05:16 AM
Kim Dean
www.GoSimplyTexas.com - McKinney, TX
Simply Texas Real Estate - Broker/Owner

Good "point" Tom! ;)

It's all about the Google Juice! I've recently tried to incorporate more of ME and my own voice in my blogs.  I think it's THE way that readers connect with you or not.

Jan 25, 2011 05:17 AM
Roseanne Campagna
John L. Scott RE Maple Valley, WA - Maple Valley, WA
Kent/DesMoines/Blk Diamond/Renton/Maple Valley, WA

Google Juice - full of antioxidants to improve the health of your business? I agree - if you google my name I'm always on the first page for many of my online presence links. It feels a little strange, but I think I'll learn to like it.

I'm not as prolific about writing articles as I hope to be someday - still too much on my mind for how to develop a focus on my business. My brain seems to be all over the place yet trying to learn to prioritize and few cohesive thoughts to communicate.

Jan 25, 2011 05:30 AM
Tom Branch
RE/MAX Dallas Suburbs - Plano, TX
Broker, CDPE, SFR, ACRE, Plano TX Ambassador

Roseanne,

Good start. Now start writing for the long-tail searches. Few people are going to search for your name initially...

Tom

Jan 25, 2011 05:36 AM
Tom Branch
RE/MAX Dallas Suburbs - Plano, TX
Broker, CDPE, SFR, ACRE, Plano TX Ambassador

Billie,

I agree that's it's a guage and most of us got caught up in it in the early stages.

Tom

Jan 25, 2011 05:38 AM
Greg Nino
RE/MAX Compass - Houston, TX
Houston, Texas

Tom,

If Lenn has a bowel movement, she's featured. Don't let it get under your skin.. I do like your approach, a lot.

Jan 25, 2011 05:52 AM
Susanne Brown
RE/MAX Realty 9 - Howell, NJ
I work hard to make real estate dreams come true!

I am rather new here at Active Rain and am really enjoying all the blog activity! There's always something to new to learn and the vast information available is priceless!

Blog on!

Jan 25, 2011 07:08 AM
Tom Branch
RE/MAX Dallas Suburbs - Plano, TX
Broker, CDPE, SFR, ACRE, Plano TX Ambassador

Susanne,

Welcome! Start by finishing up your profile.

Tom

Jan 25, 2011 07:18 AM
Loreena and Michael Yeo
3:16 team REALTY ~ Locally-owned Prosper TX Real Estate Co. - Prosper, TX
Real Estate Agents

I'm glad it's worked for you... Business is great but the connections we've made here is the best icing on the cake.

Jan 25, 2011 11:40 AM
Leslie Ebersole
Swanepoel T3 Group - Saint Charles, IL
I help brokers build businesses they love.

Points...google juice....rankings? I'm just here for the friendships.

Between you and me, I don't like the posts on "how to get featured" and "how to maximize points". Skews the focus on doing good work.

 

Jan 25, 2011 03:43 PM
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