How to Write Your First Blog Post

To all those newbies out there that took the Orientation class...way to go!  You've jumped in, well maybe just your toes are slowly entering but hey, you're here and you're ready to write your first blog post.  Congratulations on doing it, many are too timid of the unknown to do so.  I promise you that it does get easier as you go and even our most seasoned members look back at their first post and laugh so this journey will be a fun and fruitful one.

For your first post there is no wrong or right way.  When you start targeting your posts for consumers when blogging about listings and writing posts to drive organic traffic, you'll take Bob's ARU classes to learn exactly how to title a post using longtail keywords, links, tags, keyword density etc.  Today I would like you to jump in and write a post about the subject you know best.

What should I blog about?

To get you comfortable with the whole process I would like you to write a blog post about why you joined ActiveRain and what you would like to get out of it.  Keep it simple and write about yourself, an introduction if you will.

 
How do I do it?

Click 'My Home' on the top right of ActiveRain.  Under your photo on the left, click 'Write a Blog Post' and it will take you to your blank palette. 

Title your post in a way that allows readers to get an insight about the subject of your post.  In this case, maybe "Why I Joined ActiveRain" or "My First Post, Happy to Be Here" or "My 2012 Goals"....something that lets them know this post will be about you.

Begin your post in the Entry box.  Write just as if you were speaking to your buddy.  You'll learn your style as you go and be proud to share your expertise with readers.  Include a picture or two and keep the paragraphs short to appease the eye of the reader.  Bold the important parts or paragraph headers and keep your post around 500 words.  (If you're not sure how to include a photo, link or use the tool bar within the Entry box, check out the video tutorials breaking down each one).

Enter a few tags in the Tag bar.  Pick 3 main subjects about your post and enter them here separated by a comma.

Visibility should be Public (RainMakers only have this option) or Members Only once you're ready to rock.  Keep you post in Draft until you're ready with your final product.  If you need to save your work without posting it live yet, keep the visibility to Draft and you must hit 'Post Blog Entry' at the bottom (think of this as a save button).  When you're ready to come back in and finish up, click 'edit' next to the title Title of your post and it will open up for you to work on. 

Scroll to the bottom and click 'Post Blog Entry' when you're ready to share it with the world! 

Now what?

Have a cookie you just wrote your first blog post!  YOU DID IT!!

These posts will begin to attract readers and boost your clout in your area.  Blogging is a great way to become the "mayor" of your community.  If you start to dominate Google with all happenings in your neighborhood, people will begin to identify you as the expert.  And who do you think they'll want to sell their home...well, you of course because you've proven to them that you know it all through your blog posts.

From your 'My Home' page, click Traffic and you'll see what kind of exposure your individual posts are getting.  You're in the right place with over 2.4 million visitors a month on AR.  People will return to your posts if your topics interest them and find them helpful. 

Be sure to respond the comments if they leave additional questions.  Be present and let them know you are there and thankful.

As always, have fun!  You can do this, we believe in you!  Reach out should you need any help at all!  Let it Rain!!