Blogging About Personal vs Business - Personal Wins!

Thanks for the insight! I have just started my own blog and am trying to incorporate more personal info...you have just motivated me to spill it! THanks!

http://homestyling101.blogspot.com/2011/06/homestyling101-blog-is-born.html

Hi Donna,

Even though I don't blog right now, I know I need to start and once you start you can't stop. When posting on FB and twitter it is best to keep it 80/20 personal/business respectively. However, on AR it could be a lot more even, like 60/40 or even 50/50 personal/business.

#80 Nestor & Katerina hit the nail on the head. I've always believed people do business with people they like. I agree with everything they said.

Thanks for the post.

Very thought provoking.  I need to find the right mix and blog with a plan.

You've inspired me to look into writing more of the personal blogs...Great research...Thanks for sharing!

Very interesting information, Donna. Thanks for sharing! I will have to give that a try.

Donna - People use professionals they know and trust.  One way to get to know someone is through their blog posts.  It makes perfect sense.  I tend to put the personal stuff in Members Only posts.  I need to rethink that and how much of myself to share with the public.  I don't even share much on FaceBook.  However, I think you are very right.

Those are some interesting numbers.  It is often hard to tell exactly where business is coming from. I often think lots of clicks does not often lead to lots of business.

Personally, I enjpy working with others who have things in common with me, either as an agent or a client.  So I think it is great to share some personal stories to have the opportunity to get to know others.  And sharing valuable real estate information is also important to establish you as an expert.

While reading your featured post, I had to go take a look at the topsy turvy blog.

I agree with Fernando #65, blogging is about creating a relationship. I would be one of those to muddy the waters some!!! ( I do like stirring things up!!) Community posts could be classified as both business and personal depending on how they are written. Business posts, that allow themselves, can be softened up some with our personalities added to them. Writting about activities around the area would be of interest to people who are new to the area so you could incorporate some of your "leisure" time into the posts. For reasons of identity theft and child preditors, I would be selective of how much "personal" information is posted. 

Donna,

I suppose like many here, I have chosen to keep business on the blog. I use email and snail mail for personal. I find your statistics very telling and interesting. Thanks for sharing it.

Donna, could it be that you are more passionate about the personal stuff and that comes through?

I have several blogs, but the one that gets the most click-thrus is the Things to Do in Louisville KY and Oldham County blog. It's all fun stuff. Of course, at the bottom I make sure to remind them who we are and that we are available should they need any real estate help.

Interesting question.  I have to agree that blogging about personal topics garners interest.  Maybe it's that people feel they know you, understand your topic, or it's just plain human interest.  I think I'll post more personal - great post!

A couple of my personal blogs have gotten the most hits, click throughs and constant high placement in google, but after a year I can't say anyone called me to buy/sell real estate because of it.

Interesting stats.  So far I still have a little fear of vulnerability of personal posts.  I tend to like to keep business and personal separate, but I know that sometimes people do like to choose a business personal that they think they'd like personally as well.

Wowsa Donna!  Great discussion here !  I think you are right in that people can relate to the personal posts in that more rapport can be established and a bit of a connection.  Bigger picture is that I do not think there is any exact formula that is right.  Obviously you are doing something right.  I dont think you want your blog to be too personal then folks would see it as being "too personal" and might think "when is this person doing real estate ? "  ... so if you are having success, if it is not broke, dont fix it ?  Or maybe tweak it a little to add a few more personal ?  Either way, keep on blogging !   Featured on " Build a Better Blog " group as well : )

Hi Donna - I write mostlly business posts that are directed toward the keywords I am trying to rank for.  Looks like I may need to rethink things and add some personal posts to the mix.

Hi Donna,

What a terrific post! I'm always wanting to blog more personal, but others have advised me not to do so.

Forget them, I'm going to listen to you and my gut! I recently came home from a month vacation in Sweden visiting my husband's family and friends and really want to do a blog on a "Swedish Summer Day." Keep an eye out, I'm going to write it today! 

BTW, I lived in Austin for 5 years and just loved it! I love Austin so much that I named my first child, my daughter, Austin! If you ever go to Barton Springs you can think of me. I was the first female lifeguard they allowed to work as a lifeguard there! 

Thanks again,

Penny