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As an Active Rain Blogger... What do You Value more ? The number of Featured Posts you have, or the number of Subscribers to your blog ?

By Karen Anne Stone

Real Estate Agent with New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County

December 23, 2011 10:45 AM

A few weeks ago Richard Yates wrote an interesting post titled Subscribers make you a Successful Blogger. True or False? In the post Richard bounced around some great ideas about how he finally made it to number 90 on the list of the Top 100 AR bloggers - by number of subscribers.

Many people do value the number of subscribers they have.

But... over the last many months... there have been many, many, many posts written about "Featured Posts." Some Rainers tried to explain their ideas on what would get a post "Featured."

Others have been very, very upset because they felt that some post by other Rainers got Featured, and (in their opinion) did not deserve it. And of course, along with that feeling... they were also upset... some very upset... that some of the post that they had written... did NOT get Featured.

On and on and on it went. I often found it quite amusing, and also quite perplexing, that such high degree of emotions would bubble over simply about being, or not being Featured.

So... we have two ideas, here. Being Featured, and having Active Rainers "subscribe" to your blog. Many things that bring about either of these "honors" are pretty much out of our control.

Sometimes it appears that the only thing we DO have control of... is the number of blog posts we write. But, then again, that doesn't necessarily bring anything except points. Many folks go bonkers over points... but what does a boatload of points really mean... if nobody comments on your posts... or if nobody even reads your posts, or values what you have to say, or... best of all... what good does a ton of points do if it doesn't result in lots of closings and commission checks ?

I believe the number of subscribers you have is an indication of how "readable" your blog posts are. Also... I remember back in the earlier years of Active Rain that there were some groups... perhaps you could call them "cliques..."or gangs of people who mainly commented on each other's posts. They also subscribed to everyone else's blog... in their little "clique."

By the way... I do not think that has been the case... ohhhh... over the last three years or so.

So, for me this beings a question ?

What IS a good indication of a "good" blogger ? Is it the points ? The number of Featured Posts ? Or the number of Subscribers ?

Do "good" and "popular" equate ? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. It's just another one of those questions where the best answer is... "it depends."

So... aside from the number of closings your blogging gets you... which do you value more ? The number of subscribers you have, or the number of Featured Posts ? Or... perhaps neither of them is important.

For me, the answer is the number of Subscribers. But, that is just me. That is also one reason why I am so amused by the tons and tons of questioning and argumentative posts about "who or what deserves to be Featured." Anything can be featured... but it takes a certain something to cause one's readers to subscribe.

What floats your boat ? The number of Featured Posts you get... or the number of Subscribers who subscribe to your blog ?

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Karen Anne Stone

New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX

Fort Worth Real Estate

Gene in #95: You mentioned that you cannot give a definitive answer... that you "waffle" back and forth.

Well, my friend, I know exactly why you feel you have to "waffle" back and forth. I am guessing that you must have stayed overnight at the Hampton Inn in Libertyville. I mean... have you HAD their waffles ?

Last year I had occasion to spend two nights at one of the Hampton Inns here in Fort Worth... and of course, had their "free breakfasts." I mean, they had these waffles for breakfast that were to DIE for. I took this little hot-coffee-type-cup... stuck it under the waffle-mix dispenser, and then waddled over to the waffle-maker.

I poured it in, flipped it over... waited for the light to go on... then flipped it back, opened it up, and VOILA ! Prolly one of the best, most tasty waffles I have ever had in my life. If they allowed me to go back there and just pay for breakfast... I would.

So now you see... I DO understand about the probable reason why you were "waffling." I would, as well. Yum !

So the next time I myself feel like "waffling"... at least I'll know I'm in good company.

Dec 25, 2011 06:02 PM

Anonymous

Bob Force

I belive it to be the number of subcribers. Yes, a featured podt may very well get some one to read yours for the first time, review previous ones, and then subscribe. But, the answer is ( like the public to your websites), will they keep coming back. So value here (like your website) is important.

Dec 25, 2011 06:19 PM

#98

Karen Anne Stone

New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX

Fort Worth Real Estate

Bob Force in #99: Bob, I see that your comment came through without a picture, so I checked, and yes... you are in Silver Spring, MD and have been with Active Rain for some time.

The reason your picture did not show up in your comment, is that you were not "logged in" to Active Rain when you made that comment. That is why you had to physically type in your name in the little box below the comment before you hit the "Submit Comment" button. That is also why you won't get credit for any points for your comment.

So... if you want to log in, and then re-write your comment and submit it, your picture and link to your profile at the bottom of your comment will show up, and you'll get credit for your comment, as well.

Just trying to be helpful here, Bob. Hope you had a Great Christmas !

Dec 25, 2011 06:32 PM

Karen Anne Stone

New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX

Fort Worth Real Estate

Karen in #90: Yes... I understand all about driving business to your website, and yes, that is the point for many Active Rainers.

This post, however, was born because of, or as a partial reaction to all of the screaming that has gone on over the past six months or so about "Being Featured..." or not... and all the baggage that goes along with it.

So... the question I asked... was to pick one of these two choices. Is getting Featured of primary importance to you, of would you be more "appreciative" perhaps... of folks who, as a personal response to your writings... Subscribed to your blog.

By the way... strangely enough... you and I joined Active Rain in the same month... August of 2007. My first post was August 24, 2007... and your first post was August 28, 2007.

I remember those "cliques" I spoke of... very well. Sure, it was a mutually beneficial thing, but that is part of the definition of a clique. They were often "snooty"... often condescending... and were often pretty blatant about it. It was especially blatant when they would just decide to "invade" someone else's post... someone not a part of their little group... and pour tens and tens of inane comments into that person's post. I know for a fact that they drove quite a few Rainers to actually quit Active Rain. Thank goodness those days are long, long gone.

I know present Active Rainers wouldn't even dream of doing something like that.

Karen, I hope I did not offend here... and I do NOT remember you having anything to do with the activities I described. I was just giving a little "history lesson" about the "old days" here... by someone who was on the "outside" of those little groups.

You have always been very professional, and I have always felt that if I had someone to refer to the Wayne County, PA area, that you would be at the top of my list.

Take care... Miss Karen. I hope you had a Great Christmas.

Dec 25, 2011 07:28 PM

Margaret Woda

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Crofton, MD

Maryland Real Estate & Military Relocation

I joined Activerain to generate business, so that is my measure for success here in the rain. Along the way, many new friendships developed both near and far, and they have actually turned out to be the best thing about Activerain. Featured posts and subscribers are much appreciated, but I don't consider them to be a measure of my success. (But keep 'em coming because they make it more fun.)

Dec 26, 2011 01:09 AM

Liz Wallace

Century 21 Sherlock Homes - Rockville Centre, NY

Broker C21 Sherlock Homes, Rockville Centre, LI, N

I am almost never featured and I don't care. Actually the first time I was featured I had no idea what it meant. Just a nitwit roaming through AR. I am happier with subscribers. It means that sometimes I write something that makes someone want to know me better and read my posts again.

Dec 26, 2011 04:21 AM

Rodney Mason, VP of Mtg Lending

Guaranteed Rate NMLS# 2611 - Atlanta, GA

AL,AR,AZ,CA,CO,FL,GA,IN,MI,MS,NC,NV,SC,TN,TX,VA,WA

I only have two Featured Posts, so I would have to say its the number of subscribers. Many of the Features are often just about someone complaining or about a controversial topic. A subscriber saw something of interest and thought you provided valuable information.

Most of my posts are just about boring stuff like mortgage program and guidelines changes. Those are the ones that generate the actual business from consumers though and that is the most important.

Dec 26, 2011 05:47 AM

Jon Gosche

Jon Gosche Real Estate - Boise, ID

What I want is to have blogs show up on Google key word searches. Making connections with Realtors around the country to have a network to refer to and get referrals is important to me. But even more so is having local Boise area people find their way to our IDX page, (the best in Boise), where they come back over and over again so we can develop relationships with them.

I have had some success with this already in my short time on ActiveRain. I wonder though, and my question to you all is: how many real estate consumers actually subscribe to real estate blogs or participate? We have been very successful with our Boise Real Estate websites, but I have not had consumers comment on blogs. Normal people don't buy multiple homes or properties in a short time. We get a few investors, but most consumers are looking on the Internet largely because they want anonymity and do not want to com-mitt to any Realtor, or have much involvement at all until they get to a point where they are ready to act. Is this wrong?

One of the benefits I do find in blogging is if you are blogging about things of substance you are forced to do some research and know what you are talking about.

Dec 26, 2011 06:13 AM

Gene Riemenschneider

Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA

Turning Houses into Homes

What I want to know is how you find the number of subscribers for myself and others. I think it is a good measure.

Dec 26, 2011 06:59 AM

Karen Anne Stone

New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX

Fort Worth Real Estate

Gene: To find the number of subscribers to your blog, you need to click on the My Home link. That can be found in either the column on the left... on your profile page, or at the top-right corner of just about any page on Active Rain. It will give both the number of subscriptions you have signed up for, and the number of AR folks who have subscribed to your blog.

As far as I know... there is no way to find out how many have subscribed to the blogs of other Active Rainers. Years ago... when the "My Home" information was more complete... that information was there for all to see if they looked. Right now, all you can learn about anyone else is what you see when you click on their "points summary" which can also be found in that column on the left side of each of the Active Rainer's Profile Page.

The closest you can get as far as information about the number of subscribers others have... is by going to the link I have inserted at the top of this blog post... clicking on it, and then clicking on your state to see where you rank. I wish it went further... to show your rank in your county, but it does not.

For me, it is something that is fun to know, although I do not follow it religiously... if that makes any sense. I just like knowing, so I know where I stand.

What I DO like about it, is that it is something you have to EARN by the quality of your blog posts... rather than just cranking out quantities of posts... just for the points and the points rankings. Hope all this helps.

Dec 26, 2011 04:40 PM

Bob Miller

Keller Williams Cornerstone Realty - Ocala, FL

The Ocala Dream Team

Hi Karen, Great question and it really made me think. But not sure.

May you have a Happy and prosoperous New Year!

Dec 26, 2011 09:43 PM

Sylvie Stuart

Realty One Group Mountain Desert 928-600-2765 - Flagstaff, AZ

Home Buying, Home Selling and Investment - Flagsta

I think when looking at the big picture, that the number of subscribers is more valuable, since as you said, there is something about the way you blog that gets people to subscribe to you, not just give attention to one post.

Dec 27, 2011 12:14 AM

M.C. Dwyer

Melody Russell Team at eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Felton, CA

MC Dwyer-Santa Cruz Mountains Property Specialist

Hi Karen Anne,

For me, having been on Active Rain for a year or two, I would be quite happy with either new subscribers or a featured post. Neither points nor featured posts nor subscribers necessarily indicate a good blogger ...but I do track the featured posts to read what AR bloggers have to say. I hope to find within the featured posts someone who has interesting points of view and can write well, and who can stimulate a lot of thought-provoking comments.

In the end, what is most important to me is getting a comment from a consumer, or better yet, a new client from my blog.

By the way, I just loved some of YOUR comments!

Dec 27, 2011 05:29 AM

Former Agent

None - Adak, AK

Hi Karen. Outside of AR, I would say that the number of subscribers (either via RSS or email) is an indication of blogging success. Ultimately, I think the goal of Internet presence and social media integration (for any business) is to gain clients and/or solidify existing client relationships.

Dec 27, 2011 06:07 AM

DeeDee Riley

Lyon Real Estate - El Dorado Hills CA - El Dorado Hills, CA

Realtor - El Dorado Hills & the Surrounding Areas

I'm with you Karen, in that I would choose subcriber's, though featured posts are always a treat too!

Dec 28, 2011 06:45 AM

Mark Delgado

houses for rent, Solano County & Glen Cove - Benicia, CA

Benicia and Vallejo, Property Management, rental h

Well, not to disagree with your exceptionally well written post, but I think that the measure of a good blogger is the quality of their wrirting and if I learn or newly appreciate something after reading that blog author. You, are an excellent example of some one that I consider to be a good blogger and this is solely due to the quality of your blogs and has nothing to do with features or subscribers.

Jan 07, 2012 01:36 PM

Karen Anne Stone

New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX

Fort Worth Real Estate

Hi Mark: First of all... what a boring blog post this would be if everyone agreed with me. Disagreeing is great... as long as it is professionally done, which, of course, yours is. So... I welcome your "disagreement."

Thank you for your very kind words.

My question in the post was not to question what my readers found to be the measure of a good blogger. And, I agree with your assessment. The point of the blog post was asking each individual blogger whether THEY got more warm fuzzies personally from having an individual blog post of theirs "featured..." or if they got more warm fuzzies from having someone read their blog post, like it, and then, because of that post... that reader would subscribe to the blog.

So, basically... you gave a great answer to the wrong question... <impish, Peanuts-comic-strip-like crinkly grin> Basically, that means we were both right. We win ! LOL.

By the way, Mark... I always appreciate your comments. Always well thought-out. Thank you so much. And... may I be the first to wish you a Happy and Joyous Elvis Presley's Birthday celebration. He would have been 77 today, January 8th. I hope you had time to put your Elvis Tree up. Remember... at the top. No star. Use a jelly donut.

Jan 07, 2012 06:47 PM

Brian Rugg

Rugg Realty LLC Sun City Texas 512-818-6700 - Georgetown, TX

Sun City TX Real Estate - Georgetown, TX Real Est

Hello Karen - I don't have a lot of either, so I'm not sure I'm qualified to answer. My blogging is 90+% to connect with buyers and sellers in my local market. Localism posts are my mainstay and admittedly not too exciting for the general or AR population.

Jan 10, 2012 02:46 AM

Kasey & John Boles

Jon Gosche Real Estate, LLC - BoiseMeridianRealEstate.com - Boise, ID

Boise & Meridian, ID Ada/Canyon/Gem/Boise Counties

I didn't read all the comments, but I think that the number of subscribers would be better - that means that more people are reading your blog on a regular basis and not just when you are featured. However, I will say that a good feature could help on that subscriber list. Currently I only have 26 subscribers. I know that I am not the most dynamic writer, and I don't write posts very often (trying to work on it but it's hard!) but if I did get a feature (I've only had 1) I bet my subscriber list would jump up at least a few people....better get to writing I guess :-) Kasey

Jan 14, 2012 08:56 AM

Matt Robinson

Professional Investors Guild - Pensacola, FL

www.professionalinvestorsguild.com

I think the true measure of success for a blogger is the number of leads or referrals that turn into cold, hard cash...otherwise it's all a big social club and somewhat of an exercise in futility. I don't have a lot of subscribers, but I'm assuming that if you have a lot of them, you are more likely to get a referral from one of them. However, a lot of posts targeted to consumers can also generate a lot of leads, regardless of whether anyone on ActiveRain is subscribed to you. So, I guess they're both valuable.

Jul 30, 2012 02:36 AM