Just in the last two days, you may noticed that some members of Active Rain are trying to get newbies and less active members more active. Rich Jacobson wrote "BLOG, or Get Off the Pot!" asking members to write to the group. Stop lurking in the cyber alleys watching others go by. Hop out into the main stream and build a persona for yourself.
Kristal Kraft wrote today, "The Official Unofficial Guide to Getting Involved on Active Rain..." to help teach how to post an article to the network. She used screen prints to illustrate each step on how to create and post the blog. Very informative for those not so technological people that are out there.
But with all this motivation and help to get you more active in the Rain, there is one thing missing. How to write a post that will get you noticed? I have seen people write over 100 posts and not once get featured. I have seen some people get featured with their first or second post. So what makes them get noticed? Matt Heaton touched on this breifly the other day with "The rhyme and reason behind featured posts." The format for getting featured is changing from what it used to be... but old habits are hard to break. I am not saying that the same people will continue to be featured, but I am saying that Matt and Caleb and those who help determine what gets featured like to feature those posts that they like to read and think others will enjoy reading.
To get featured or to even write a good blog, you do not need to be a Lit. Major. What you do have to do is write how you like to read? Let me give you an example... I like informative posts and comical posts. I like posts that have to do with golf. So, how do I write? I write often informative posts and throw in there when I can a little humor and golf. Does this mean I will get featured? No, but it keeps my posts uniform. People will begin to remember me. Look at the Old Codgers... a group of not so grumpy old men sitting in a coffee shop talking about just about anything that comes across their minds: weather, coffee mugs, getting comments, etc. (Hey, I am trying to promote you guys... yes, this is a blatant attempt to get a comment from you old codgers.)
When you write, create a persona for yourself... humorous, informative, critical, trouble making, etc. You need to find a persona within your style of writing that can attract eyeballs. Some have created a persona for themselves and not even known it. They may not like that persona, but it is getting them noticed. Don't get upset if after 10-50 posts you still don't get featured. Keep trying, but mix it up if you are not seeing comments. That is the biggest factor to determining if you are writing effective posts.
If you are getting comments, then you are doing something right... (Hint: Return the favor; comment back. And go to their posts and comment) Marc Blasi, Chris E Griffith, Jeff Belonger, and several others regularly read my posts. Why? Because I read their posts and comment. Often times, you will find us going off topic in the comments and start joking around. We are building a relationship that started with an on topic post that turned humorous. That is where the real networking comes into play. Just remember comment more than you post!
So you now have no excuse for not posting a blog or two... Rich Jacobson set the challenge. Kristal Kraft gave the tools. I have given the insight. Write away my fellow ARians... talk about what interests you and tie it to real estate, mortgages, staging, etc. Draw us into your world. We are waiting... (Oh, more hints: We frown on "Cut and Paste" posts and short posts that are clearly written for the purpose of gaining a couple more points. If you are going for points, the real points are in writing good posts that get lots of comments.) Who knows, your next post could be a hole-in-one. (I knew you were wondering how I was going to get golf in there) :)
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Hey Jason, Very well written and excellent advice. Blogging is all about being yourself and being consistent with what you write. Readers have to know what to expect. Good job.