Anyone looking around here lately can't help but notice a proliferation of the nasties going on. For some reason this past week the aggravation level has gone from a little snow ball rolling down the hill into a huge avalanche. It's impeding our vision and suffocating our social network.
Why are we here?
I can only speak for my self, my objective is two fold;
How am I accomplishing my goals? By blogging. Sounds simple, yes? Well as anyone who has blogged or tried to put an original thought together it's not all the easy. First you have to come up with a topic, a reason to write. Your inspiration should be born from your goals...if the topic doesn't fit your goals then keep searching for one until you find it.- Network the network to learn, make friends and get to know worthy real estate brokers in other parts of the country
- Promote the interesting and finer points of my area (Denver Real Estate and Relocation ) to the consumer.
Now some people may say their goals are to gain points. That's a goal for sure, but there are better ways to go about getting points. You can post a blog and get 200 points and zero comments. You will be 200 points ahead. You can post as many as allowed in a day and rack up even more points, but what does that really get you besides more points?
If your content is weak, it won't gain you the respect or readership of any group. Your Mom might be proud to call you a blogger, but when all is said and done those are empty points. When faced with making a choice between points or respect...go for respect. The satisfaction will linger long after the thrill of points has faded.
Saying no to posting JUNK is the new trend.
If you craft your blog to elicit a dialogue by being persuasive and engaging, you will get comments, add value and develop a following. Who knows you might even start a new trend. Better blogs net more points, socially and mathematically.
Step Outside
Blogging is occurring everywhere. This weekend someone started the Faces of 2000 Bloggers. Go outside of Active Rain and take a look, click on a few of the faces, check out their style and message. Have they found "their voice?" Well it's the voice that carries a message in blogging, the voice does not come easy, (unless you are a trained writer). The good news is the Voice can be developed with practice. Perfection is not expected, effort is appreciated.
Most Importantly Be Original
Most of us have been told by our elders, "Be Yourself." Those words hold true in the blogging word also. Being yourself will attractive people to you that find you appealing for whatever reason. The good news is, when you meet on the basis of originality you don't have to pretend to be someone you aren't.
Copying the work of another to put on your blog or website or anywhere for that matter is not a good fit. Aside from the ethics of it, it's not you.
I issue a challenge to Active Rainers
Outside of Active Rain the the world of real estate blogging, we are looked upon as "lightweights." We are not being taken seriously. Why? Well look around and you will see there is a definite lack of original voice here. We have a lot of followers, lurkers and empty profiles, but we don't have is the respect of the blogging community. We are a social networking site. Guess that's OK, but it saddens me. I think we have more potential. There are leaders here that have the ability to influence, convince and persuade.
I challenge you to find your voice and use it in a matter to create something positive. We have the ability to change things, make them better. Instead of creating problems, let's find a way to solve them.
Picture is a photo of "Peace Chief" © Malcolm Furlow artist...from my personal art collection.
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