What do you want!? I talked with a client the other day about ActiveRain and they couldn't figure out why all thefacts or fluff in blogging? fluffy posts get tons of comments and the solid facts get passed by. "What's the Deal?"

I think it's all in the delivery.

Well, maybe that's not entirely true either because I personally read a lot of SEO blogs that are nothing but content. Very little fluff; i.e. graphics, bullets or comic relief. And yet I walk away with more knowledge than when I started the post.

But then again, you can get a post on here that's simply a flower, or funny cat and get 50 comments without blinking! There are several people on here that write easy to read posts, quips and quick rants that we know we can get in and get out and on with our day. We may or may not leave a comment but we know this post from this person is going to be a quick laugh.

Are you looking for comments?

Commenters are your avenue to subscribers. More subscribers = more comments and better exposure on your blogs as you go. So is it better to hit them with humor before the facts? Or solidify your expertise with the facts and throw in the fluff every so often?

I personally feel it's the balance. I recently talked about this balance in advertising and how it's a juggling act at all times between advertising and keeping up with current clients.

I think this is somewhat the same. We must draw our readers in with humor, wit, and facts on a regular basis. Obviously there is hundreds of folks on AR every day and you must try and appeal to the majority of them with a variety of blogs.

Are you trying to advertise to ActiveRain or to your clients? Both? Then you must find the balance.

funny or factual blogsIs it OK to throw in a members only rant once in a while? Probably if you are trying to appeal to the industry side of your peers. Is it OK to throw in a funny video or picture once in a while? Sure if you want to appeal to those read and dash type of blog readers. Is it OK to give a well-thought out map of facts about your area, market, listings and business? Absolutely! These are where true clients come from.

We want to know you're human and have a softer side, yet we want to know the facts when we get down to it.

  • Can I use this information in my business or my life?
  • Would I trust this person with my finances or buy something from them?
  • Am I generally interested in this person's expertise and knowledge and do I want to know more from them?
  • Would I share this information with someone else?

These are valuable questions when writing a blog, article, website page or post. Google's Panda update that switched over in full in July is looking for this type of content. Stay up with it... whether you are funny or factual or a little bit of both.

Happy Blogging!

 

ActiveRain and SEOTammy Emineth is an expert in custom content and original articles for blogs, website, press releases and more. Contact me anytime and feel free to subscribe to this blog to stay up to date on my latest blogs and informative information. Email me or contact me for Real Estate Website Marketing and SEO Content Writing.

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42 Comments on Do You Want the Facts or Do You Want Fluff?

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

JUL
11
2011
620,899 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

There are definitely writer's here that cater to the ActiveRain community and get lots of comments and start nice discussions, and there are also people who post a lot in order to get a dialogue started with the end user, a buyer or seller.
1:54pm • #23
199,702 Points 5 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Good Morning Tammy,

I enjoy reading all kinds of different posts and even some of the fluffy ones have truth in them that might ring a bell with the reader or create a yearning to know more about the subject matter.  I know that when I begin to read posts that are tight, too legalistic about the subject and what might be many pages I will move on unless it is a subject I really want to know more about.  I think too much intensity is difficult for the average reader and the writer will lose them in a short time.

I have only been with Active Rain since the end of January and hope that when I write a post especially in Localism that the outside readers will want more.  Difficult to know yet that is one of my hopes.  Get my name out to John Q public in my area and become more well known.

This was a good post and well worth reading.  Thank you.

Mary
2:57pm • #24
104,235 Points 1 Featured Post Called Shot Master

Thanks for your post, good information to consider.  As to the facts or fluff, either can work.  Sometimes you want steak, sometimes ice cream or even cotton candy ;:-)
3:04pm • #25
370,620 Points 71 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Thanks Bill! Yes, trying to think out of both sides of our brain to appeal to the majority is difficult at times :)

Eileen, there really are! And that's ok, to a point, if referrals are your market then it can be very lucrative. If you are trying to appeal to your clients then you must branch away from the AR only readers. Thanks

Thank you Mary for your well thought out comment! I am in total agreement with you... and like you said, unless it's a subject I really want to know about. We value our time to much and to spend it on something too frivolous for long is costing us. Thanks so much!

Greg.. YES!! cotton candy.. or as my son always says "candy cotton" hee hee!! Thanks so much!

~T
3:24pm • #26
862,918 Points 174 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I shifted a lot of my articles away from "members only" to public and spend far less time with fluffy posts because I want most of my content to drive traffic to my website.  You make a great point about subscribers, they want a little humor and fluff but also good content.  A solid balace will drive a lot more folks to subscribe which means better overall exposure.  However, it has to be sustained.  If I spent a week writing garbage, I'll bet I'd lose a few folks.
4:06pm • #27
370,620 Points 71 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

So true Bryan. We have to keep that balance up. I have unsubscribed to a couple when I realized the majority of the posts didn't apply to me at all. Some people do a great job of both all the time... almost to the point that I don't know how they could spend time doing anything else! HA :) Thanks for commenting

~T
4:17pm • #28
190,949 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

HI Tammy, a very well written post on a timely subject here in the rain....I have been having this discussion with my wife recently and in my head as well, I think we would all agree, stick to the facts, what is the ultimate consumer coming here for, information about real estate, right?  But at the same time, by throwing in some off topics occasional post we give that person an insight as to who we are as a person, warm them up to us....great post again.
4:56pm • #29
370,620 Points 71 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Thanks John!! That's exactly right!! Couldn't have said it better. Thanks so much! :)

~T
5:17pm • #30
1,126,750 Points 90 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

There are different audiences we write for -- clients, consumers, other agents, vendors ... each post is different for me. 
8:47pm • #31
565,033 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Tammy ~ I think we have all asked ourselves those exact questions.  There is no definitive answer unfortunately.  Balance makes the most sense, I think.
8:51pm • #32
370,620 Points 71 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

So True Erica!! I think that balance is what we all need to strive for.

Dawn,  I think so too... It's those that only post to consumers that wonder why they never have comments that gets me.. if you want comments HERE you have to write for US HERE. :) Thanks !

~T
8:54pm • #33
353,052 Points 39 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Tammy, As you know, I am serious all the time and seldom allow any room for humor on my blog.  Hopefully, I can change that in the future.  Sure, I may be Ranked #1 for SEO...by Google, but, being a specialized SEO Expert is not enough.  I need to branch out and become more versatile.  I will leave the "REAL" Hard Core SEO stuff to you, and seek out topics that will allow my humorous side to blossom and grow.  I can always count on you to give me exactly what I need, whenever I need it, and look forward to each new post.  Keep up the excellent work and best wishes always for your continued success.  ;-)
10:24pm • #34
1,375,556 Points 151 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

My silly stuff does get the most comments.  My stuff that gets very few comments gets me the most real leads!  I think it is important to have a balance here (like Nate Tutas mentioned) in order to get the full benefits of this network - from web leads to realtor referrals!
11:21pm • #35
JUL
12
2011
1,158,300 Points 29 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Tammy balance is certainly the way to go.  Knowing your audience will make it easier to achieve this.
12:26am • #36
438,013 Points 79 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Tammy, I have been reading about the Panda update. Very difficult to figure out Google. I agree with the balance. A few I write specifically to make myself happy, a few for AR and the bulk go out to my clients. Google seems to really like the Localism postings but I'm more than that. If we let it all hang out once in a while I think it's good for our psyche! This is a great community!
2:38am • #37
682,390 Points 52 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Tammy, I so agree. That's why doing those 30 in 30 challenges mess up my regular blogging. I quit doing the SEO posts because I run out of time.
12:02pm • #38
370,620 Points 71 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Richard, I have no doubt that you'll be hard core before we know it!! ;-)

Renee, RIGHT! It's those referrals, leads and paycheck that really matter. REgardless of the comments, it's what gets the job done.

Jennifer, absolutely. That sometimes is the tricky part.... who do you market to? Well, as agents it's probably easier.. :) Thanks

Deb, it really is! Google is looking for sites and pages where there is actual traffic and buzz. Those questions at the end (bullets) really are what Google want to see if you expect to get noticed.

Connie, Yeah, I haven't done those yet... I can't come up with something every day nor do I have the time to blog every day. I would like to.. but I also like to stick to the stuff I know.

Thanks so much folks!

~!T
6:43pm • #39
300,008 Points 7 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

I'm all for the balance in reading different types of blogs. In fact, I enjoy the creative freedom of blogging fluff a lot more than the serious stuff. However, I think the features should mostly be serious information and once in a great while-- fluff.
6:49pm • #40
JUL
15
2011
1,156,977 Points 17 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hello Tammy and VB missed this post, I really like it and congrats on the feature from "The Gods" and ...

Your wonderful post has been featured at one of my favorite groups at AR ...

SUCCESS AT ACTIVERAIN

   

Bgpic08042008125736_l

Vegas Bob ;o)
10:53am • #41
JUL
25
2011
130,156 Points Hit Router Called Shot Master

Nice post!  A lot of it is in the delivery I think.  Have a great rest of the day, Tammy....back to reading more posts :).
5:40pm • #42

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Tammy Emineth

Marysville, WA

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Personal SEO - Website SEO and Real Estate Marketing

Address: Marysville, WA, 98270

Office Phone: (425) 344-0677

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We do a lot of things! In addition to writing dozens of articles and blogs each month we offer assistance to real estate agents with their websites and all types of commercial and personal websites. We do marketing and online promotion through various social media and blogs. My AR Blog showcases what we do and how you can do it too!


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