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How to Get Started Blogging for Newbies

By
Real Estate Agent with Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, TREC #0492321

How to Get Started Blogging for Newbies
I know we have many newbies out there in the Rain, who have been sort of just sitting back, and wandering just “How Do I Get Started with this blogging thing?”. One of the first things I would recommend to any Newbies looking to get going with their blogging efforts is to just introduce yourself, and tell our Active Rain community who you are and what is your niche or specialty. I believe that everyone has a story or two to share, and you could let us know about your home town, your state, your city, your favorite sports teams, etc. You get the idea. You could start out by just being personal.  After all, many newbies only have that Members Only subscription.Blogging Basics

Next, I would recommend Localism posts, since everyone should be very familiar with all the activities going on in their local neighborhoods, schools, cities, and their state. Look in your newspapers, or go on line to the Chamber of Commerce. Just about everything in online these days, and I am sure you can find out about upcoming events to share with us in Active Rain. Like I mentioned earlier, we all have a story or some past experience to share. It’s just a matter of putting it into writing. The more you write the better you will get at it.

Why not start to re-blog some of those excellent posts that you see from other bloggers.  Many newbies choose this route until they have the confidence to write their very first blog. I highly suggest that you seek out a few seasoned bloggers, and subscribe to their posts too. The more you read, the better you will improve your own writing skills. You will want to set a goal to read 20 to 30 blogs a day, and be sure to leave some meaningful comments on all of them. Yes, I know 10 is the maximum for your points each day, but it’s not about the points when you first start out, it’s about building those relationships, and letting others know who you are.
Blogging in the Rain
If you missed Brenda Mullen’s post about Tips for Playing in the Rain for Newbies, I highly recommend you go back a read her post. Joining groups was the best advice I was given when I started in January 2011. I have joined over 50 groups, and have over 200 blog subscriptions. My top 10 groups are Active Rain Newbies, Addicted to Rain, Introducing Newbies to Active Rain, Facebook Fridays Group, Two Truths and a Lie, Banana Tude, Don’t Worry Today, Dedicated Bloggers, Localism, and All Things Texas. Go back and look at one of my older posts,Newbies, Be Bold, It’s Time to Start Blogging. That post gave some nice information by Katrina Gasset on how to set up your name in your profile for SEO, and a great post from my friends, Bill and Liz Spear on Localism posts.

Comments (134)

Phill Tomlinson
Commercial Properties, Inc. - Scottsdale, AZ
(480) 330-8897, Commercial Sales and Leasing

Jerry, Great blog, very helpful, I think I will take you up on a blog on introducing myself. Thanks!

Sep 12, 2011 11:10 AM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

That sounds Great, Phill. I will be looking for your First Blog introducing yourself. Thanks for joining the Group.

Sep 12, 2011 11:55 AM
Caryn Baker
Realty Pros & Assoc. - Ormond Beach, FL

Jerry - leaders always help others - thanks.

Sep 13, 2011 05:17 AM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Thanks, Caryn. I have always been taught to lead by example. I wish to encourage you to get off the fence and start blogging. First, Let Me Give you a Big Texas Welcome to Active Rain! I trust many of these items will help you. Go back and take a look at my link to Newbies Be Bold, and Look for Katerina Gasset's video on how to enter your Name in your Profile for SEO.

I see you have blogged a couple of times. You are invited to join our New Group too.

Sep 13, 2011 07:09 AM
Jane Lund - Staging by Jane
Staging by Jane - Grand Rapids, MI

Thank you for the advice, love your blog too.  I've signed up and have yet to write anything...just gotta do it, you've given me encouragement.  Thanks!

Sep 14, 2011 12:26 PM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Jane, You just have to get started. I and any other veteran blogger will be more than glad to give some support whenever you need it.

Sep 14, 2011 01:33 PM
Tony Lewis
Summit Real Estate Group - Valencia, CA
Summit Real Estate Group Valencia & Aliso Viejo

My tip to Newbies is that there are 2 types of posters, those that give mainly local information and those that gear their post to the real estate market at large.  My personal style is to go national and promote local links.  Be yourself and express information from your heart.  Your personality eventually comes through your posts!

Sep 14, 2011 07:22 PM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Hi Tony. This is some great information for all Newbies. I encourage you to put this into a blog and post it into our New Group, Introducing Newbies in Active Rain.

Sep 15, 2011 12:33 AM
Anne Edwards Johnson
All City Real Estate - Austin, TX
Austin Realtor | HookemhomesATX (512)917-5260

Jerry - Do we need permission to re-blog other's material? Nice post:)

Sep 15, 2011 05:58 AM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

No, Anne. You may use that re-blog feature anytime, up to 10 times per week to get 25 points each post. Many Newbies start out re-blogging until they feel they are ready to blog on their own.

 

Sep 15, 2011 03:04 PM
Larry Bettag
Cherry Creek Mortgage Illinois Residential Mortgage License LMB #0005759 Cherry Creek Mortgage NMLS #: 3001 - Saint Charles, IL
Vice-President of National Production

Jerry....great post.  My other two suggestions are:

  1. Subscribe to other people's blogs to build relationships and learn from others; and
  2. comment on other peoples post to acknowlege that they've reached out to us and to build relationships.  My .02 cents!
Sep 30, 2011 05:40 PM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Larry, That's a great .02 cents worth of advice. I did exactly that when I started in AR, and I have 145 subscriptions presently. I will subscribe to your blog today.

Have a Nice Weekend!

Oct 01, 2011 02:35 AM
Karen Salmon
Royal LePage Benchmark - Okotoks, AB
Okotoks Real Estate Agent

Thanks for the tips! The first one is the toughest.

Oct 03, 2011 07:32 AM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Yes, Karen. I remember my first one back in January, 2011. The trick is to keep on blogging.

Oct 03, 2011 07:57 AM
Gail C. Harris
Resource Network, LLC SFR, AHWD, ACRE, SMAR Board Director - Chesapeake Beach, MD
Reach the BEACH with Gail C. Harris (cell: 703.868

My shout out to 2011 Newbies.  And congrats as a Newbie too, Jerry :)    http://activerain.com/blogsview/2585739/introducing-newbies-to-active-rain-joined-in-2011

 

Nov 03, 2011 02:25 AM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Gail, this is great, I will go over to check out your Newbies very soon. Disregard my email.

Thanks, Jerry

Nov 03, 2011 05:48 AM
Lehel Szucs
All Seasons Real Estate, Inc. - Covina, CA
REALTOR of choice

blog...blog ... blog .... I find it helps me keep up with more of real estate and be able share what I find and read ...  it is fund and keeps moving me up the rankings ... want to be on page 1 for my state

Jan 04, 2012 04:13 AM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Lehel, You have the right idea. Blog, Blog, Blog. Market Reports and Localism posts will help you generate more leads too.

Jan 04, 2012 07:26 AM
Katrina Thomas
Cedar Park, TX

Thanks Jerry for some "beginning" ideas that I will try to incorporate into my next blog!! I have written one on how I got into real estate but needed some more ideas on what to write my next blog about. Thanks again!

Feb 09, 2015 03:32 AM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

You're very welcome! Katrina. Welcome to Active Rain! I see you've already found one of my Groups for Newbies. I will be looking for your next posts.

Best Wishes for a successful 2015!

Feb 09, 2015 03:47 AM