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Turn Your Blog Into A Lead Generating Machine - Realty Blogging Review #8 (Chap. 10)

Realty Blogging Book

For those of you who've been following as the Lovely Ladies of Rain read and review "Realty Blogging", this is a continuation of those reviews after a very nice Christmas hiatus. This is the 8th review, with one more to follow!

Chapter 10 deals with making your blog work for YOU! For your blog to be an effective marketing tool, it's got to create leads for you. A blog is just a website, but one that constantly changes as you create and add new posts. You want all that work to become a workhorse for you, don't you?

In order for your blog to be effective, you need it to establish meaningful relationships with your audience. How do you do that? By providing reasons for your readers to keep coming back! You want to regularly provide good quality content, and avoid overt advertising and sales pitches. Nothing turns a reader off more than in-their-face sales pitches!

Blogs help to establish trust and familiarity by the personal nature of the blog and the writer. This helps to grow and develop your audience and your relationship with them.

As you develop your blog, you should have two goals in mind -
     1) to create a sense of authority and credibility in your market area
     2) to create and capture leads
                Any blog can draw visitors, but it's what happens with those visitors that matters.

You want your blog to show your readers your level of expertise in your marketing areas, and you want your blog to create a level of trust in you and your services. Here are some tips from this chapter that will help you be successful at generating leads from your blog:

          ~~ Use your blog as an on-line farming tool - focus on specific areas or niche markets.
          ~~ Write about local topics of interest - special events, homes for sale, etc.
          ~~ Write about national issues - housing information, interest rates, etc.
          ~~ Write editorials & opinion pieces - this builds credibility & authority when you take a stand.
          ~~ Offer information on properties for sale - this is what buyers want to see so provide it.
          ~~ Provide a way for readers to leave comments & feedback.
          ~~ Provide ways to capture contact information.

Position yourself with lots of great content, and you can't help but have your blog working like a workhorse for you. This quote from Chapter 10 says it all:
"Don't turn the blog into your business, turn your blog into a business generator."

For those of you who haven't yet read Realty Blogging, go buy it and read it! You'll be amazed at the wealth of information in it, and it's very easy to read. My book has cover-to-cover yellow highlighting, and I know I'll be going back again and again to reference it. I'll have to use a new color to pick out the second set of super-duper tips in there the next time around!

To read the earlier reviews of this great book, check out the links below:

Review # 1 by Carole Cohen        I Think Therefore I Blog: Realty Blogging Says Be a Groundbreaker
Review # 2 by Mariana Wagner   Your Blogging Voice... Where is it?
Review # 3 by Ann Cummings    So Far to Go, So Much to Learn....
Review # 4 by Ines Hegedus-Garcia   Branding through Blogging
Review # 5 by Monika McGillicuddy     Become an Expert by Building the Relationship
Review # 6 by Mariana Wagner         Have a Niche?....Scratch It!
Review # 7 by Carole Cohen             Bloggers are The New Woodward and Bernstein

"Your blog cannot help but be a lead generator when you have used it to establish yourself as the local expert .... Its purpose is to build you and your company to a 'top of mind awareness'.....that is the essence of effective marketing."

Good luck with your blogging!

Ann Cummings

Posted by Portsmouth NH Homes Condos - Ann Cummings New Hampshire REALTOR® on 01/02/2007 04:42 PM

Comments (122)

realty blogging, portsmouth new hampshire homes, blogging, ann cummings

Post is included in group: Active Rain Book Group
Post is included in group: RE/MAX Active Rain Bloggers
Post is included in group: Active Rain Newbies
Post is included in group: Blogging & SEO
Post is included in group: Realty Blogging Book Club
Post is included in group: Blogging Etiquette 101
Post is included in group: The Art Of Marketing You
Post is included in group: Active Rain Groups

122 Comments on Turn Your Blog Into A Lead Generating Machine - Realty Blogging Review #8 (Chap. 10)

JAN

2007

You make a lot of great points about blogging. Thanks for taking the time to share your insight into the blogging community. Do you think Realty Blogging is worth purchasing? Do you have any other websites or books you might recommend newbies taking a look at?

Thanks again!

Hi Henry - thanks so much for reading my post and for your feedback - I really appreciate that!

I would highly recommend buying Realty Blogging! It is really full of well-written and easy to understand information. I'm thrilled I bought it, and I now have it as a reference to keep going back to when I need it. I bought mine through Amazon.com, and paid $16.88 including shipping and handling, and I think I had it in about 3 days or so. This is the only book on blogging I've read so far, so it's the only one I can recommend first-hand.

The next book we'll be reading is "The Weblog Handbook", and I bought that on Amazon.com for $5.59. I don't remember what the shipping/handling cost, but it wasn't much. I haven't started that one yet.

Henry, click on the links at the bottom of my post above and read the previous reviews on this book we did. I think you'll see from those reviews that it's a really good book to read if you want to make blogging work for you.

Thanks again for reading and commenting, and I hope to see you around Active Rain - commenting and writing posts!

Happy New Year,

Ann

Henry,

One thing I forgot to mention is the Active Rain Newbies Group you might want to join. Karen Hurst has done a great job with that group, providing some great posts for new menbers to AR to take a look at. If you look at the top of the page when you're on the Home page of Active Rain, you'll see a link for "Groups". Click on that, and then scroll through the various groups listed until you see "Active Rain Newbies". And you might also want to see what other groups there might have some interest for you as well. There definitely are alot of them to look through, so don't feel overwhelmed by all the choices. Pick a few and check them out and see what you think.

Let me know if you have any other questions.
Ann

Ann - like always....AWESOME!! I liked this Chapter a lot because it's what I'm lacking in my own website. I get lots of hits, but I don't convert those into actual leads. You always hear about "LEAD GENERATION" but no one is ever specific on how to get there. Page 144 has "expert tips" that I consider key:

1. Include your toll-free number on every page of your blog.

2. Provide a contact form so that your readers can contact you as the site sponsor, in addition to leaving comments on your blog.

3. Have an e-mail newsletter subscriber option.

4. Offer a free competitive market analysis

Henry - the book is a MUST READ - check out the rest of the reviews for great pointers on the book. And look forward to our next book review

Ann,

Wonderful review, and the fact that you have read the book has shown up in your blogging style!

These reviews have been so thorough, people almost don't have to read the book:)

Ines - Thanks for adding those points!

I have to confess - I had this post all done, and was proof-reading it when our server went down at work. It was down for awhile, and I lost my original post. I had to wait for it to come back up, and then recreate it. I apparently left those points out on the 2nd writing....I was pretty frustrated that I had to do it again, and my frustration must have made me forget that part. I thought those were really good points as well, and I'm glad you added them in your comments!!

Thanks for your comments!!
Ann

Karen - thank you so much for your comments!! I appreciate the feedback on my posts - I have been working to incorporate what I've learned into my posts since we began reading that book. There's still so much to learn & do........

I think I can speak for the other Lovely Ladies and say that we've really enjoyed taking part in these reviews, and it's been fun as well as very educational! I'm looking forward to our next book, too.

Thanks again, Karen!
Ann

Ann - there is so much to learn. I'm getting the book tomorrow and the weblog handbook. Keep up the good blogging.

Hi Kay - thanks for reading my post and for your comments! You're right, there really is so much to learn. This book will help you get a really good grasp on blogging and what to do and not do. I'm really happy I bought this book!

Thanks again!

Ann

Hi Ann,

Love the review! You brought out all the key points and made me think about them all over again! I think that book has helped us all!!! Thanks so much for the great review.

This post and the whole series is a real keeper! I enjoyed the book and this ties it all together. Kind of like the Cliff Notes.

Monika - I would agree with you about this book being so helpful! It certainly has helped me immensely.

Linda - thanks for reading and for your comments. Glad you enjoyed all of our posts on the reviews - we enjoyed doing them!

Ann

Ann- What a great post. Thank you. You made some very good points. That chapter is a must-read for anyone wondering how blogging can impact their business.

Ann - I'm glad I was able to add my 2 cents in - I'm sorry you lost your first draft - I HATE WHEN THAT HAPPENS!!

JAN

2007

Ann,

Thanks for the post. Also, thanks for the invaluable tips on blogging and lead generation.

An excellent post. I've got the book and have begun it - the holidays wreaked havoc on my reading. Thanks for the reminder I need to get back on track with that book!

Great review, this is helping me to focus more and I hope in a short time I can have a blog that does generate leads.

Hi Ann... Boy how timely AND GOOD a message for me. If you noticed I fell way done on the dashboard (off in fact) because for the month of December I CHOSE not to blog on staging and marketing. I blogged MORE about blogging and ACTIVE RAIN. I did this because I wanted to save my "good stuff" for when staging would be more sought. My content went south and so did I. I see this morning there are now 25 postions on the dash... so I show up again (a nice gift) but the better gift was the lesson learned and what you write of here. SPEAK ON THAT WHICH YOU KNOW!

Your post is right on time for me. I just started blogging and love it. Your info will really help me.

Mariana - thank YOU for those comments, and I thought that chapter was a good one as well!!

Ines - ALWAYS feel free to add 2 cents or more - those were great points you added that I had forgotten to include!

Thanks to both of you for your feedback!
Ann

William - Thanks for reading, and I appreciate your feedback!

Kelly - I hope you enjoy the book as much as I have. I've gotten so much great information from it & I know I'll continue to refer back to it over and over because there is SO MUCH in it! Thanks for your comments!

Jennifer - Thanks so much for reading and commenting. I know you'll learn alot as you continue to work on your blog. The reviews that we've been doing are full of info & tips, and the book has so much more than we wrote about.

Thanks for all the comments and feedback!
Ann

Craig - Thanks for reading! I have to say I don't usually check out the dashboard until someone brings it up in a comment or I see a post on it. I just write my posts on things that I think will be useful and helpful to people. Your staging posts are always full of great info & tips - keep writing about that because you know it so well!!

Kathy - thanks so much for reading and for your feedback! I'm glad you found the review helpful and the other links I included in my post are also so FULL of great tips - make sure to check those out as well! Happy blogging!

Thanks for reading and for the comments!
Ann

Great post - for me this new year is about trying new things, such as blogging. It took me awhile to find out just what blogging was now I know where to find out more and actually make it productive. Thanks.

"The Lovely Ann"

I think we owe you money for this one? SVW.

I love how you added the other "The Good Ladies Of The Rain" Reviews. :)

That tells me a lot about YOU. :)

I was busy last night but I did go into "The Realty Blogging Book Club" and feature this post.

Now you have two stars for one post. :) Excellent review. Thanks for taking the time to write it.

TLW "The Lovely Wife"...Keep The Readers Coming Back. Good Idea. SVW. Again. ROAR!

Ann - just stopped by to Congratulate you on the DOUBLE FEATURE!! Woo Hoo!

Ines

Great post, Ann. Terrific information - I really need to get that book! It's on the list but for some reason...

I really like 'local expert' combined with 'trust and familiarity'. It's going to be fun tracking numbers from a whole new lead source this year. Now I need to go out and generate some more content. Happy New Year!

I just purchased the book, thanks for doing the reviews. I can't wait to learn a whole new way of looking at blogging and marketing

Tina - I, too, had NO IDEA what the heck blogging really was until recently. It's fun, educational, and hopefully business-building as well!! Good luck with your blogging and have fun with it!!

Ann

TLW - Hmmm.....money, huh??? ;-)
Thank YOU for the extra gold star - love it!!!

Ines - Thanks!!! Woo Hoo!!!

Ann

Jeff - Thanks for reading and for your feedback - appreciate that!!

So, take it OFF the list by BUYING it!!! You really will enjoy it and learn so much from it if you do!!! I promise!!

Ann

John - Glad you stopped by to read my post and I appreciate your comments. I liked the 'local expert' part, too. That's what we all are, or aim to be, so put that knowledge and experience to use on your blog - that's what I'm working at.

Steve - Congrats on your book purchase!! It's easy to read and yet so full of all that great info. I guarantee you'll learn MANY new ways to work with your blog......and you'll reap the rewards, too.

Thanks to both of you for your comments, and happy blogging!!

Ann

W O W

First I never heard of the boodk before and I have not yeat read the earlier posts reviewing the book - I know I have some late night reading ahead of me.

This is apparantly a great resourse - one that we should all become familiare with, as we - those who are PARTICIPATING on Active Rain, will no doubt be among the industry leaders on the web tomorrow, if not sooner.

Thanks for the great information

John Occhi, Hemet REALTOR
www.JohnOcchi.Com

JAN

2007

Hi John,

Thanks for stopping by and for commenting. This book is loaded, and I mean LOADED, with so much info on blogging, you'll be doing yourself a DISservice if you don't buy it. I have no connection to this book, other than the reviews we've done here on AR, so my recommendation of it is purely from reading it myself and knowing firsthand that it was a real eye-opener for me on the amazing potential blogging holds for those who embrace it and want to use it to boost their business.

You're very welcome for this info - go buy the book! ;-)

Ann

JAN

2007

Oh you guys! This sounds like an awesome book. It'll take me forever to catch up on the blogs not to mention starting the book. But I will do it!

Thanks for the eye-opening posts.

JAN

2007

I like the flow from blog to client meeting. No surprises. They seem to feel they already know and trust me. So I try to make my blog a true reflection of who I am. I can't always look like my photo, but I can always sound like my blog voice :)

Hi Ardell - thanks for reading and commenting. I've had that experience repeatedly from my websites - they find me online, and by the time we actually meet, they treat me as if they've known me for ages. I love that feeling, and I envision blogging to have the same effect as well.

Thanks,
Ann

Ann, I have always told my fellow associates why are you blogging and working your sebsite ? If it is not to generate leads then you are wasting your time. I came across your post and now I am going to get the book. It definately sounds interesting.....

Hi Doug - thank you so much for stopping by, and I hope you enjoy that book as much as I did. I learned SO MUCH from that book - hope you do, too!!

AnnCummings.com

JAN

2007

Wow. I just finished this book last night and found your post this afternoon. The book is a great read. I didn't know there was a book club about it. Now I am off to read all the chapter reviews. :)

Debi - thanks for stopping by! I really enjoyed this book, and hope you'll enjoy the reviews we did on that one.

If you haven't found it yet, we're now reviewing "The Weblog Handbook", which is another great book on blogging. Here's a link to the review I just posted last night. We've done the first three chapters, with the 4th review to be posted soon.

Thanks again for your comments!
Ann

JAN

2007

Hi Ann,

I just finished Realty Blogging (bought it at NAR and read it like a novel, then picked up the highlighter and started going back through).

So much information, implementation will take awhile. Thanks for your review and to the other contributors as well. I have not read them all, will definitely be making time for this. The reviews really do help us to digest all this great material! I will try to get a copy of the Weblog Handbook...yikes, I'm falling behind!

Hi Beth - thanks so much for reading and for your comments. That book really is loaded with all kinds of info, and it's so well-written and practical. My book is just full of yellow highlighting! I think you'll find the Weblog Handbook a great book to read, too. We're just up to Chapter 3, waiting for the Chapter 4 review. The reviews on that book should also prove to be helpful, too.

Thanks again for your comments, and have fun blogging!
Ann

JAN

2007

Ann,

Thank you for the insight. Those are very good points to keep in mind to keep my blog alive.

JAN

2007

Hi Ray - thanks so much for your comments! This book is just full of really useful information. Mine is full of yellow highlighter so I can easily go back and reference whatever section I need at any given moment. Glad you enjoyed my post!

Ann

FEB

2007

Some pretty awful advice here, if the goal is building relationships.

It's good advice if you want to position yourself as just another annoying Realtor.

The following tips are from a previous commentor:

1. Include your toll-free number on every page of your blog.

- Don't even consider this.

2. Provide a contact form so that your readers can contact you as the site sponsor, in addition to leaving comments on your blog.

- Provide an e-mail link and phone numbers on our (subtle) About page.

3. Have an e-mail newsletter subscriber option.

- No again. Your blog is your newsletter, and people can subscribe to your RSS feed.

4. Offer a free competitive market analysis

- Can you be more annoying? This is screaming "I am just another Realtor. Avoid me."

This is tired, old-school advice that has no place in the process of building relationships and establishing trust. Doo that and all the rest follows easily.

These tips were simply cut and pasted out of someone's Web site tips playbook by someone who doesn't really have a grip on what holding a conversation in the blogging universe is all about.

Hi Joe - first, let me say thanks for stopping by and reading this post. As you saw, a group of us did a review of each chapter of the book, "Realty Blogging", and what we wrote about was what each chapter reflected. And the 4 tips you commented on came straight out of the book, which was just released this past November or so.

While I agree to some extent with what you're saying, I also believe each of those could be incorporated into a person's blog very easily and have it be presented in a manner such that the person doesn't come across as "just another annoying REALTOR". If a writer is creative and personable, I do believe that each of these in various forms could easily be part of a person's blog. Personally, I do think offering a free CMA would be a turn-off, but someone else might be adept enough to incorporate that in such a way that it doesn't scream "FREE CMA!!".

Again, thank you for your thought-provoking comments - very much appreciated.

Ann

Ann,

Thank you for sharing your reading. I don't get to keep up with what's being published and so would have missed it completely if not for your post. Seems I need to have that book close at hand on my own shelf.

Eloise Gift

FEB

2007

Hi Eloise - thank you for reading and for your comments. It is, indeed, one of those books to keep close at hand. My copy is full of highlighted sections so I can easily go back and reference different sections. I hope you find the reviews we did on this book to be helpful.

We did another book review after we finished this one, "The Weblog Handbook" by Rebecca Blood. This book is really good as well, and I would consider this one another "must read" book for those interested in learning more about blogging. I found it to be really helpful as well. The link above takes you to the last review of this book, and it has all the previous reviews listed so you can catch up on those.

Thanks again for stopping by, and I hope you enjoy your book reading!
Ann

APR

2007

I ordered the book. Thanks for the advice. Can't wait to get it. I've been looking for a single source to help me make sense of this and it looks like this book will be a good head start. lea

Lea Deo, Realtor

Hi Lea - I can assure you the purchase of this book will be well worth it! Of all the things I've read on blogging, etc., this one is one that I keep referring back to. And we're so fortunate to have the author of this book as part of the Active Rain community now. He wasn't here back when we did these reviews of his book, but he's here now, so check out his posts as well.

Thanks for your comments!
Ann

APR

2007

Thanks for the great tips Ann. Much appreciated and helpful.

Hi Greg - you're most welcome! This is a REALLY good book for those looking to learn more about blogging, and one I'm really glad I read.

Thanks for reading and for your comments!
Ann

MAY

2007

Excellent post, I think I will pick up the book. I always like a good read, especially if it helps generate leeds. Thanks.

Great post! Can't wait to get the book!

MAY

2007

Ann,

What a great artical. Thank you for all the information and I plan on ready the book.

Have a GREAT Day...........Pat

Steven - you will really be doing yourself a great favor by buying this book - it's the best book I've read so far on blogging. And I continue to use it as a reference tool.

Chris - Go get it!!! It's easy to read, and just full of great and very helpful info.

Pat - thank you SO much for this great feedback. We enjoyed not only reading this book but doing the reviews on each chapter for everyone. It's a great book!

Thanks for reading and commenting - very much appreciated!

MAY

2007

Ann, In my last post I said I was going to get the book, Well I have it and have read it. I think I will read it again as well as reading your posts about the book.

Thanks for stearing me to the book in the first place. Now if only all agents and Realtors helped each other as we do here on Active Rain our business would be AWESOME !

Thanks Again Ann.....

Ann, Thanks so much for sharing this information. I will be going to Barnes & Noble to pick up a copy. (love that place!)

Suzanne

MAY

2007

Hi Ann - Thank you for the tip!

MAY

2007

Doug - sorry I missed the notice that you had visited this post! I'm really glad you got the book, and enjoyed it. I've gone back to mine numerous times to review certain things here and there. I think of all the books I've bought in the last couple of years, this is the one that I've gotten the most out of and the one that I'll probably go back to time after time.

And wouldn't that be nice - if in the real world everyone was treated as we treat each other here in the Rain with regards to sharing and learning from each other!!!?!?!? We can hope....

Ann

Suzanne - I hope you've gotten your book by now and are well into reading it. This is, by far, the best book for really useful and helpful information that I'd bought in a long time. Hope you find it just the same!

Rob - I'm sure you'll really enjoy this book if you did go buy it. It's a great resource to keep on hand as it's full of really useful info for blogging.

Margaret - you are VERY welcome! I'm glad you found it helpful and I appreciate your comment.

Ann

MAY

2007

Hi Ann, Thanks for the review. I just ordered a copy online and expect early this week. Thanks.

Ann - Thanks for this great info....everyday I learn something new and it makes me want to get it all done NOW! I know it's not possible, one step at a time. I've been blogging by the seat of my pants but I know I need to get a good foundation under me to make it more effective. Thanks again.

Thanks for sharing this is great info for the newbies as for anyone looking to include blogs as part of their business plan.

Thanks for the post and for the link to the book. Plan to read it.

All great comments and info for this blogging neophyte. So many things to learn and consider!

Steven - thank you for finding this post and reading it! Glad you ordered this book - I've read and re-read mine a number of times.

Joddie - this is a terrific book full of tons of great info. I'm like you - want to know it all now! This book will go a long way toward helping you do just that.

Kelly - you're very welcome! We had a great time reading and posting these reviews.

Judi - you're welcome, and I hope you enjoy the book as much as we did.

Rebecca - thanks for reading, and glad you enjoyed this post!

Ann

MAY

2007

Great post Ann and very informative. I'll have to go out and grab a copy of that book myself.

Hi Ricardo - thank you, and I do hope you buy that book. It is so full of great info for blogging - I continue to reference mine, and it's full of yellow highlighter!

Ann

JUN

2007

thanks for the recommend - I'll running, not walking to Barnes and Noble!

Kate - thanks for reading, and I'm sure you'll get as much out of this book as I did. I keep it right on my desk for handy reference. Paul Chaney, the author of this book, is a member of Active Rain, which is pretty darn cool!

JUN

2007

I am new to the site and blogging and I just want to thank you for your helpful comments and information you have provided. I will be sure to keep this all in mind.

Hi Lisa - Welcome and I'm glad you found this post! This book is just FULL of all kinds of great and very useful info. I keep mine on the shelf right beside my desk - it's a great reference book to keep handy.

Ann

This is the blog that just won't die. I remember when you kind ladies were doing the reviews, I was brand new to AR and thought I needed the book. Now that I have been here 7 months and established myslef, I think I need it more than ever - sto see what I could be doing better.

Thanks again for a great series to you and all of the other nice ladies in the reain. Any more reviews coming soon?

Now Have a Blessed Day,

John Occhi, Hemet CA REALTOR
Hemet CA Real Estate

Hi John - I am continually amazed and pleased that this post continues to be read! This book meant more to me after I'd been blogging for a bit - just as you wrote. I had a little bit of background, and this book just helped me even more because of that.

Thanks for asking about any new reviews! As a matter of fact we will be working on a new one just as soon as Project Blogger wraps up. Should be ready to start in about 2-3 weeks, as I think that's when things wrap up.

Thanks for your very kind comments, John!
Ann

That is so very true I have not read that book but I do understand the importance of blogging and how to do it right.

AUG

2007

Hi - I wanted to stop by and say I enjoyed this post and I think it has some great ideas. I wrote a post recently about ideas for blogging and I included a link to this post. Just thought you might like to know that it was referred to in another post. If you would like to see, it is here.

AUG

2007

Ann, What's your ROI with your blog in terms of hours spent compared with hours spent working your SOI?

AUG

2007

Makea - many thanks for reading this post. This book is really a good read, and has a lot of great info in it, even for those who've been blogging for awhile.

Angie - thanks for including this post in your list. I just checked out your post, and it's a great list you have there. I bookmarked it!

Joe - I've not gotten into that as yet, however I do get a good amount of business from my SOI. Blogging has brought me referrals and leads that I'm currently working, so we'll see how that pans out. I don't post as much as I think I should, but I'm working on that, so I'm hoping to see a boost in the ROI on blogging before too long. Thanks for reading.

Ann

Ann - thanks for this post. I will definitely be reading this book. I'm relatively new to blogging (2 weeks), and my goal with this blog is position myself as a leading expert in my area. The book looks like a great start in helping me to do so. Thanks again.

AUG

2007

How do you think this compares to the Gooder book: Real Estate Rainmaker Guide to Online Marketing?

Great book report in this blog!

Hi Adam - you're very welcome and I'm sure you'll find this book to be a great resource for you for your goals in blogging. Good luck and I hope you achieve your goal!!

Hi Ann - I have to say I've not read the "Rainmaker Guide" so I can't give you a comparison. The Gooder Group certainly puts out some great products. I've used some of their other products over the years, and have always found them to be great quality, and I would imagine this book to be of that same caliber. Maybe I'll go check it out..... thanks for mentioning it!

Ann

SEP

2007

Thanks very much for this post. I need to get this book! I realize you posted in January, but I just found this today in the "book" group. Great job!

NOV

2007

Hi Ann: I guess my finding this post almost a year after you posted it kind of proves the old adage "better late than never." I will anxiously read all of the "installments" you listed in your above post, and I will stop by Border's tomorrow and order this book. I am wondering if you can refer me, or direct me to any additional posts that have been made that you might recommend since you made this post ? Thanks so much... I appreciate all your work, and then your sharing it... :)

Hi Karen Anne - I'm glad you found this post, and that you had a chance to read the other reviews we did on this book. We loved this book! It's an easy read, and it's one you'll keep handy as a reference for blogging.

We did do another book review, and that book is "The Weblog Handbook" by Rebecca Blood. This is the last review on that book, there were 7 total. This one lists all of the reviews and I thought it would be easier for you to find them that way. Review #7 - Weblog Handbook.

We're talking about doing another one, we just haven't picked the new book yet.

Thanks for reading, and I'm glad you enjoyed these reviews!
Ann

NOV

2007

This one goes way back to January but it certainly is timeless. I'll put this on my shopping list for Christmas. Who knows - I may even learn a thing of two.

NOV

2007

Hi Tracy - this really is a great book, and it's an easy read, too. I still refer back to mine, and it's covered with yellow highlighting, too. I hope you get it for Christmas - I know you'll enjoy it!

Ann

Ann, thank you for this great review and post. I am going on-line and buying both books. Great stuff and so helpful. I appreciate your hard work on the post and the relevance. I am excited to bring my blogging up a notch or two and have it begin to yield some return. Although, I have to say I have just plain been having fun. Leads would be good, however. Thanks again!

NOV

2007

Thanks, great information. We have to refer back to this often! With the vast information that we have discovered after starting blogging, our heads are spinning. Greatly appreciate your post.

Hi Brian and Rita - this book made far more sense to me after I'd been blogging for awhile. If I'd read it when brand new or before being even brand new, I'm sure it wouldn't have made much sense to me. I do love this book, and I've referred back to mine numerous times. It really is full of yellow highlighted sections!! Glad you enjoyed this book and this post!

Hi Jeanean - I'm really glad these reviews were so helpful to you. These books will certainly help you go to the next level and beyond. Best of luck with blogging and have fun, too!

Ann

Thanks for the information. For me, a newbie, its most helpful to begin my journey as a blogger.

Thanks again.

NOV

2007

Hi Nicholas - that book is a treasure-trove of great info, for folks new to blogging as well as to those who've been around a bit. I still refer to mine from time to time. I'm glad you found this info helpful, and I wish you all the best in your journey!

Ann

Thanks for the posts. I have bookmarked it and have to read all the chapters. I might want to print it out as I find it easier to read than if I am reading from the monitor.

Hi Gita - Thanks for reading! I find that I print out a number of posts here that I find especially helpful. I like to have it in my hand so I can refer back to it easier than trying to find it online. Plus, I can write on it if I print it out, too! ;-)

Ann

NOV

2007

Talk about a post with legs... I am in the process of reading this book right now... ok, not RIGHT NOW, I'm writing this, but I am in the process of getting this book read. So far it hasd been pretty good. What sucks is the amount of work that is in front of me in regards to optimizing my blog and my site...

Hi Lane - yep, it does have legs, doesn't it? ;-)

This book is just full of great info! I know what you mean about the work you feel is ahead of you - I felt, and still, feel that same way. No matter how much work we do on my sites and blog, there's still more to do. But we just take a 'this is fun' attitude about it, and then we really do have fun tinkering with it all.

Thanks so much for reading!
Ann

MAY

2008

Ann - thanks! I bit the bullet and ordered the book

Hi Jackie - I KNOW you'll really enjoy it and there's so much to learn by reading it. That's one book that I'm glad I bought and spent the time to really read it.

Thanks for commenting!
Ann

MAY

2008

I know you from Twitter but just found this great post. Thanks for the information & inspiration. Great post.

Hi Karen - Twitter is making our world smaller and smaller, isn't it? Glad you found this post, and check out the book - it's a terrific resource and full of great tips.

Thanks for the comment!
Ann

MAY

2008

Thank you for sharing that book sounds great I need to get it. Thanks again!!!

This is great information and thanks for sharing. Looks like it would be worth the time to check out.

MAY

2008

Hi Andy - Get it!! It is so full of great info, and it's written in such a way that it reads quickly and you get what he's saying right off the bat.

Hi Leslie - thanks for reading, and it is definitely worth it!

Ann

MAY

2008

Thank you for sharing! This is a great book and great advice for anyone.. Have a great week!

MAY

2008

Sounds like a great book. How beneficial will this book be for a non-realtor? If most of it is directed toward that audience, would I find as much value in it over another book? If another book -- any suggestions? Thanks. Kevin

Thank you for the great tips on blogging and the book reviews.

Enrico Pozzo, Coldwell Banker Bain: Seattle Condos, Lofts, Houseboats and all Seattle Real Estate Listings

JAN

Ann,

I'm a newbie on Active Rain, but one thing I really love about it is seeing familar names from the old realtalk listserv. I always read your comments back then. I'm enjoying doing so again.

I have bookmarked this page. I'll have to get this book and check it out. I am really new at all of this so I appreciate all the help.

JAN

Hi Julie - hi and welcome! I still read and lurk on RT, but haven't really posted in a good long time. Thanks for the nice comments.

This is a great book - it's quick and easy to read and understand, and really was a great help to those of us who took part in these reviews. If I can be of any help to you, let me know.

Happy New Year to you!
Ann

Hi Kevin - I'm sorry I missed your comment back when you read this post. That book is a great guide for blogging in general, not just real estate. And if you are still interested, I'd say get and read it - it's a great guide to start off correctly and give you a really good roadmap for your blog and posts.

Thank you for having found this review.
Ann

JAN

I'm a little late reading this blog, but better late than never. Sounds like a useful book with lots of good ideas. Now to check out the other reviews. Thanks!

Ann-It sounds like a great book, also Thanks for the blogging tips.

Hi Colleen - it's a great book to read. Mine is full of yellow highlighter because there's so much helpful information in it. I hope you enjoy all the reviews we did on this book.

Hi Joseph - you're very welcome, and I hope you get a chance to check out the other reviews as well.

Ann

Well for some basics on how to register, write and where to put your blog so that you increase traffic - www.mlsblogresources.com has some pretty good links - you've got to go through and check out the different pages - there are some real good links to some good sites.

APR

Thanks for the info and the book details. Active rain has been great no only for the advice, but as a way of getting SEO assistance.

JUN

Hi, and thanks for such a great post! I have learned a lot, and will try and implement the ideas into my blog. I am just learning the blogging business, but love being able to talk to all you real estate agents!

thanks again!

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