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You Don't Have to be a Literature Major to Write a Featured Blog Or Even a Good Post

By
Mortgage and Lending with Mortgage Financial Group, Inc (NMLS 219650) NMLS #359029

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.

I'm in the dark on how to write a good postBut 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) :)

Comments (139)

Jason Price
Mortgage Financial Group, Inc (NMLS 219650) - Tavares, FL
The Mortgage Rider
Madison has several online Grandma's... I am sure she would not mind one more.
Apr 14, 2007 02:07 AM
Marc Blasi
Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Hi Jason-

Uh oh, Celeste found you!!!!!!!

You're lucky - she writes well and has a fantastic sense of humor.

 

Apr 14, 2007 05:02 AM
Jason Price
Mortgage Financial Group, Inc (NMLS 219650) - Tavares, FL
The Mortgage Rider

Oh, no... does that mean we have another Chris in AR?  This should be fun... Welcome to AR Celeste/Sally. :)

Apr 14, 2007 05:07 AM
Marc Blasi
Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Could we possibly be so blessed?

We're not worthy!!!!!!!!!!

Apr 14, 2007 05:10 AM
Jason Price
Mortgage Financial Group, Inc (NMLS 219650) - Tavares, FL
The Mortgage Rider

Marc, I think your last comment may have opened Pandora's box :)

Apr 14, 2007 05:21 AM
Chris Griffith
Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL - Bonita Springs, FL
Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
:: rearing her ugly head ::
Apr 14, 2007 05:36 AM
Jason Price
Mortgage Financial Group, Inc (NMLS 219650) - Tavares, FL
The Mortgage Rider

Look what you have done Marc... you have awaken "The Chris." :)

Apr 14, 2007 05:43 AM
Chris Griffith
Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL - Bonita Springs, FL
Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
Marc Blasi
Apr 14, 2007 05:56 AM
Marc Blasi
Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Chris-

TOO HOT!

I love what you did to your hair.....

Apr 14, 2007 08:19 AM
Jason Price
Mortgage Financial Group, Inc (NMLS 219650) - Tavares, FL
The Mortgage Rider

Marc,

I think that is supposed to be a pic of you when Chris gets done with you. (Scroll over the pic - it says your name).

Apr 15, 2007 03:47 AM
Melody Young
Milestone Motoring - Auto Broker/Dealer - Westlake Village, CA
Auto Broker-Milestone Motoring
Wow, I thought it was a great post and I just noticed when it was posted and it's still getting comments...it's a truly great post!
Apr 15, 2007 07:13 PM
Yvonne Brown
Century 21 Northwest - Gilbert, AZ

This is so well written! I always appreciate when others take the time to point out valuable posts in their own blog. It makes my job easier when it comes to finding the quality!

Apr 15, 2007 07:42 PM
Chuck Dellorto
Coldwell Banker - Serving INDIANA & ILLINOIS - Highland, IN
"Talk To Chuck"
You gotta love the blog. But whats up with the blogs that are like manuals and look like 20 page term papers? It is like reading a small novel. They are sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo long! Does anyone actually read them or are the bloggers just trying to rack up points?
Apr 15, 2007 08:10 PM
Jason Price
Mortgage Financial Group, Inc (NMLS 219650) - Tavares, FL
The Mortgage Rider

Melody,

Thanks.  I was shocked the other day when I got the new comment.  Because of that it shot the post back to the top for new readers to view.

I see that you are pretty new to AR... WELCOME!

Apr 16, 2007 04:47 AM
Jason Price
Mortgage Financial Group, Inc (NMLS 219650) - Tavares, FL
The Mortgage Rider

Yvonne,

It does help when there are other blogs that are along the same topic referrence each other.  As normally, we tend to build off of each other.  By providing the links, one can see the whole picture and formulate their own view on the discussion.

Welcome to AR.  You have been pretty active for only being a member for a little over a month.  Keep up the good work.

Apr 16, 2007 04:52 AM
Jason Price
Mortgage Financial Group, Inc (NMLS 219650) - Tavares, FL
The Mortgage Rider

Chuck,

I often wonder why those dissertations are written as well.  I also notice that they hardly even get commented on.  If others are like me, I skip the long ones just because I do not always have the time or patience to read them.  If they were going for points in writing them, they would be better off breaking them up into smaller topics of discussion and writing them in parts.

Thanks for stopping by and welcome to AR...

Apr 16, 2007 04:56 AM
Shane Sarae
Honolulu, HI
Thanks for the great info! I signed up awhile ago, but only now started to get active.
May 31, 2007 07:12 PM
Yolanda Hoversten
Self Employed - O'Fallon, IL
Referrals for O’Fallon, IL & the Metro East

Hi, Jason!

I'm so late adding my comment here, but it's a great post (proof: 130+ comments!).  It's an incentive that many of us who haven't found our 'voice' need to just blog away.  I'm familiar with the names that you mentioned above and they are inspirations to newbies like myself.  Thank you for the encouragement.

Jun 18, 2007 07:55 AM
Mark Alder
Salt Lake City, UT
 Nothing like being the 131st comment.  The problem I have with blogging is my perfectionist personality gets in the way and I don't want to write anything unless I put a lot of thought and effort into it.
Aug 08, 2007 04:00 PM
Brian Jones
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Laguna Beach, CA
Realtor, Coast Real Estate Specialist
Real golfers don't cry when they line up their fourth putt. I just posted my first blog yesterday and it just happened to be about golf. Nice to see another "hacker" out there. I'm bookmarking and going back to check out your previous entries for more golf anecdotes.
Aug 08, 2007 06:49 PM