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Why Do You Think Readers Read Your Blog Posts and Who Are They ?

By
Industry Observer with Retired

Why Do You Think Readers Read Your Blog Posts and Who Are They ?

This may seem a silly question because most of us think we add value to people's lives with our real estate information, market updates, community assets and events, etc. but since we don't usually talk to most of our readers, how do we know what is attracting them and keeping them interested.

What if we don't add specific value, do consumers stop reading us? Perhaps some do but I think because value is subjective we may often build followings for other reasons.

Among our peers here in ActiveRain we don't always add specific value to their lives with our content so perhaps other things are taking place. Building a following sometimes starts with just reaching out and building a friendship. We can do that easily here in the Rain with our peers but perhaps that could also be true for the consumers out there. 

When you respond to comments left on your post, your tone and your way of expressing yourself tells a great deal about you. Even more than you might think. And the post content itself is sometimes not the most interesting part of the post. It might be the way others are responding and also in the way you are responding to them. If you were writing about a community event, many times there is not a lot of personal editorial about the event. But when people comment and you begin to express your community pride and your personal support or attendance at the event, the dynamics are much different than the post itself. 

The majority of us on ActiveRain are probably not going to be buying real estate anytime soon but I venture to suggest most of your reading of other blogs is about real estate, communities you have never been to, events you will never attend and market reports that you can't use. So what's the interest? 

Some do it because they want to be vital in the ActiveRain community itself. Some do it to support friendships. Some do it to learn how others think and do their business. Some like the entertainment value and some do it just for points gained. For most it is likley a combination of these things and the reasons are not always clear because the reasons change often. But to be sure everyone has their own reasons. 

I think the same would true for consumers. ( except for the points part). Seriously, we don't always know why but what most of us do not do is to invite consumers to interact with us more and actually give us the feedback that could be valuable. Yes, we all have contact information to be accessible included in our profiles linked in the post but how many times have you actually invited interaction by other than your ActiveRain peers?

As I have pondered this I realized that after 4 years of writing blogs, photographing community assets and events, I never actually asked anyone outside of ActiveRain to contact me with questions or comments that could be insightful for me to learn even more ways of reaching out.

Maybe we should have some type of a Call to Action contact form within our posts that invites consumer interaction. Actually allows them to comment or ask a question or get clarification. 

I think I shall rethink how I do things here in the Rain that could very well enhance my community presence both with my peers and outside readers in particular. I am a sponge and would love to soak up your insights as well as your personal experiences in this regard. 

 

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Comments (45)

Andre R. Aragon
Greater Tampa Real Estate Photographer - Tampa, FL
Real Estate Photographer

i enjoy interacting with the members William, and sharing photos and knowledge. i have learned so much already from this community, and it has inspired me to become more involved in real estate.

My Real Estate Photo Coach blogs most recent series is a result of direct feedback i received from an embedded questionnaire in my early posts. before that point i was posting what I thought pepole wanted to know about photography.

Google Docs now has Forms that you can make questionnaires from.

Jan 18, 2012 11:27 PM
Phil Leng
Retired - Kirkland, WA
Phil Leng - Retired

Hi William,

I still remember writing my first blog.

Where does it go? What happens to it? Does anyone read it?

That is the entire point of writing, is it not?

Thanks

Phil

Jan 18, 2012 11:39 PM
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

I wonder at times who, if anyone except those leaving comments, really ever read my posts.

Jan 18, 2012 11:56 PM
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

William, having a "Call to Action" in a post is a great suggestion. I will have to put some thought into this. Good one!

Jan 19, 2012 12:04 AM
Peggy Wester
Realty Executives Integrity - Grafton, WI
Real Estate Agent Ozaukee & Washington County

I have often wondered this as well. I do post most of my ActiveRain posts to my outside blogs, but the comments there are rare. I must be doing something right, though, because I do come up on the first page of a Google search pretty frequently. Great post  you have here!!

Jan 19, 2012 12:23 AM
Lisa Wetzel
RE/MAX Realty Affiliates - Carson City, NV
CDPE, SFR carsonvalleyland.com

Hey William ... Great blog!  You make some very interewsting points about writing thoghtful content!  I also post to outside blogs and rarely seee any effect!  I wish there were some clear cut answers!

Jan 19, 2012 01:14 AM
Cheryl Thomson REALTOR Ret Army
United Real Estate DC Metro Region (703.216.5635) cheryltee47@gmail.com - Prince William, VA
Associate Broker in Northern Virginia

Sure the blogs are being read.  Its human nature...folks will pick and choose the information they need and move on. I do agree that having some kind of feedback is warranted.  It will at least know if we are providing the right information and your questions are being answered.  I believe all of us do that pretty well.  Its just good to know for sure your contribution was valued..sort of like a validation.  Enjoyed reading.

Jan 19, 2012 01:24 AM
Melissa Zavala
Broadpoint Properties - Escondido, CA
Broker, Escondido Real Estate, San Diego County

I think that is a nice idea. ALl of the big Internet marketers have contact forms in the sidebar and at the bottom of their posts.

Jan 19, 2012 01:36 AM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Very thought provoding post William.  I am "still" of the opinion that our ActiveRain posts are primarily "agent to agent" talk. 

Localism, on the other hand, if well constructed can reach the consumer.

Jan 19, 2012 01:40 AM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

I agree with Lenn and this is something that should be addressed or at least discussed further...I have a post in mind thank you William

 

Jan 19, 2012 02:20 AM
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

This what I used to do on posts where I had a contact me form that came up. Just like you, there is only a subscribe button. Why not comments/hallucinations/any questions about the topic button?

I think that would be a fabulous idea! I also just did a 2011 compilation post over what got read the most for 2011 & as usual I was surprised (What my Peeps thought). There are many consumers out there that are asking questions - we should be sure to answer them.

Jan 19, 2012 03:21 AM
Dick Greenberg
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi William - Reaching out to our non-AR readers, assuming there actually are any, is a great idea. I too will have to think about an effective way to turn that into a call for action, particularly on my market report posts. Thanks.

Jan 19, 2012 03:53 AM
Gabrielle Jeans
WebTech Dezine, Gabrielle Jeans Real Estate Coach - Toronto, ON
Real Estate Web Solution, Real Estate Trainer and Coach

This my friend is the reason why i love active rain. Great minds produce great ideas. I do think at this point a call to action form is necessary for active rain blogs. I would be interested to see if this would be implemented. Great points you highlighted in your post.

Jan 19, 2012 04:43 AM
Debbie Walsh
SHAHAR Management - Middletown, NY
Hudson Valley NY Real Estate 845.283-3036

I think sometimes too they like that they can read and remain anonymous yet still be able to access whenever they want.  It would be nice though if they did feel comfortable enough to comment or ask questions.

Jan 19, 2012 05:26 AM
Evelyn Kennedy
Alain Pinel Realtors - Alameda, CA
Alameda, Real Estate, Alameda, CA

William:

I have a few members of the public comment on my posts. The posts are usually about event or things that have happened in my community.  That is exactly what I want, so I value those comments.

Jan 19, 2012 07:59 AM
Russell Lewis
Realty Austin, Austin Texas Real Estate - Austin, TX
Broker,CLHMS,GRI

William, this is so good and I have often thought the same thing. I was recently informed that my AR and my outside blog has a wide readership and was shocked at both the numbers as well as where the readers live.  Not sure why but it is gratifying that someone thinks enough to click and read a post!

Jan 19, 2012 10:01 AM
Mimi Foster
Falcon Property Company - Colorado Springs, CO
Voted Colorado Springs Best Realtor

What a wonderful post, William.  I got a lovely call today from a gentleman who lives in Denver and wants me to list his investment property here in my town.  After we spoke for a while, I said, "Do I KNOW you?  How are you so familiar with what I've done?"  He said that he had been reading my posts for months, but had just been a lurker!!!  So this post is very timely for me to read and is a great concept for us to really consider.  Thank you. 

Jan 19, 2012 01:28 PM
1~Judi Barrett
Integrity Real Estate Services 116 SE AVE N, Idabel, OK 74745 - Idabel, OK
BS Ed, Integrity Real Estate Services -IDABEL OK

WOW, Roy Kelley sent you a great big flower!  William, I've done different things such as having in my blog, "If you have questions, please call me.. or if there is a topic that you would like to see discussed in this blog, about real estate in Southeast Oklahoma, send me an email"   Outside comments are few and far between.  It always thrills me when the consumer comments. 

Jan 19, 2012 01:50 PM
Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices

William - there are so many reasons we are writing. One of them is love for writing. Some obscure thing (LOL)

By the way, your posts helped me learn a lot about San Diego. i feel like I have been there already

Jan 20, 2012 03:37 PM
Karen Kruschka
RE/MAX Executives - Woodbridge, VA
- "My Experience Isn't Expensive - It's PRICELESS"

William  I do get public comments on my WP blog, but not on my AR blog.  I may start soliciting them to see what happens

Jan 21, 2012 04:05 AM