Home > Blogs > Carla Harbert > Blogging with Carla - Lorain County, OHIO REALTOR

What ONE Tip would you share to a Newbie Blogger?

By Carla Harbert

Real Estate Agent with www.LorainCountyHomeSales.com

March 24, 2008 02:37 PM

Are you willing to share just ONE tip? I only ask this because I was there...back in late 2006, joining active rain...was able to partially fill out a profile..including a picture. Then I was stuck. I guess if I was to share one tip, I would tell anyone just joining, to go to the home page of activerain. Click on Getting Started and READ...then seriously think what you could write about yourself, about your business, and don't be afraid to jump in and post something. I am such a perfectionist, I procrastinated - didn't do anything (much) until March 2008, afraid of turning someone off, not wanting to come across like a know-it-all (which I am far from, experienced yes...but I think we will never know-it-all being in the real estate industry because it is always changing) and unsure what I really should post. After all, this is a public site...thousands of viewers are online here. This is far from any MSN Chatroom! I plan on helping anyone joining in the Lorain County Area of Ohio, if they are interested. It will be my way of giving back here on activerain.

So come on, I humbly ask of you, would you please reply back with ONE TIP, that I can pass onto my Lorain County OHIO activerainers, who want some tips & hints to get started.

I know I can always count on my real estate famiy and friends here on Active Rain for help. Thank you. -- Carla

Comments(33)

Comment

Show All Comments

Sort:

Denise Shockey

RE/MAX Aerospace Realty - Cocoa Beach, FL

Cocoa Beach, Brevard County Florida Real Estate

Stay focused on what your goals are and keep an open mind. There is so much to learn here, even when there may be a little attitude at times. Everything needed can be found here, and last, don't give up!

Mar 24, 2008 03:53 PM

Chuck Willman

Chuck Willman - Alpine, UT

NewHouseUtah.com

Can I give more than one tip?

Blog about areas of the market you find most interesting- if someone finds you through one of your posts that's the kind of business you'll be transacting.
Challenge yourself to write in a way that your audience will appreciate- people will identify your voice... hopefully they'll notice your helpfulness as opposed to a sales pitch.
Be consistent- but not at the expense of business. I make sure to accomplish by business related goals before my blog goals. I see blog contacts as an added bonus- not a sole source of business.
Take advantage of "localism" .... I've discovered that my localism posts bring me more leads.
Give back- write for the members... I've learned so much from other bloggers that I try to post things tha may be helpful to them.

Mar 25, 2008 08:15 AM

Keith Vincent

Maxwell South Star Realty - Calgary, AB

Advice.....two words, Patience and Perseverance.

Write good things, alwayes be positive, keep doing it and have patience, good things will happen. Too many of us on the internet are into instant gratification, something our parents would scold us for, don't lose perspective on the whole thing. You get out what you put in.

Mar 25, 2008 08:22 AM

L. Wayne Denton

Denton Properties, Inc. - Loganville, GA

I have a handle on your market!!!

The best advice I would give is to jump in with both feet, bot arms, both eyes, both ears, abd your whole brain. It is not hard, not even real time consuming, just fun and productive. If you are willing to write, then write something positive and make sure of your facts. Let people know if you need help by asking for it, share help you get, and acknowledge where the help came from. Anything we as a group of individuals put out for public consumption must reflect the planned professional positive place we present to the public.

Mar 25, 2008 09:44 AM

Mark Organek

And the United States of America - Mesa, AZ

It's not a game, it's your life.

Although I haven't been able to transition to it yet, add a personal touch to each post. I've noticed that the members with the largest subscriber bases/comments are those that have a great personal touch.

Mar 31, 2008 07:24 AM

April Hayden-Munson

Brookfield, WI

Brookfield Wisconsin Real Estate

Read, Read, Read. By reading the posts in the Newbies group - you get oh soooo many tips. And limit your time, don't let your other business suffer. It can be addicting!

Mar 31, 2008 09:06 AM

Carla Harbert

www.LorainCountyHomeSales.com - Avon, OH

RE/MAX Omega: Lorain-Medina County Area

I'm excited! These are EXCELLENT points to share! Thank you ever so much for sharing your ideas & comments. Greatly appreciated and will be shared to many. -- Carla

Apr 09, 2008 06:53 AM

Nancy Kent

RE/MAX Hill & Valley - Granby, MA

RE/MAX Hill & Valley, Western Mass

Hi Carla ~ My tip is: Be sure to remind your family that you love them often! They are going to see you "working" (blogging on AR) more than ever. Yes it is an addiction, but yes, it does pay off!

Apr 09, 2008 08:09 AM

Vicente A. Martinez

Prudential Douglas Elliman Licensed Real Estate Salesperson - Woodhaven, NY

Realtor, Brooklyn - Long Island - Queens Homes

Hi Carla.The one tip I would share with newbies is... there are thousands of tips, tools, and tricks of the trade here.

Apr 09, 2008 06:56 PM

Carla Harbert

www.LorainCountyHomeSales.com - Avon, OH

RE/MAX Omega: Lorain-Medina County Area

There are so many wonderful, talented, knowledgeable people here on Active Rain. All of your comments posted are appreciated. I still have so much to learn regarding blogging, and every week it seems like something new & exciting develops here. One thing is for certain: if you don't know how to do it, you'll find out how - somewhere on Active Rain.

Apr 14, 2008 03:28 PM

Mesa, Arizona Real Estate Mesa Arizona Realtor

Homes Arizona Real Estate LLC - Mesa, AZ

AzLadyInRed

Carla, one tip I would suggest: always comment and respond to comments, and reciprocate by going to the commenter's post to find something about which to comment. (Now that's a lot of comments, huh?) ;-)

Posting blogs and commenting a lot helps get you known and helps you see how others write.

Apr 14, 2008 05:42 PM

Carla Harbert

www.LorainCountyHomeSales.com - Avon, OH

RE/MAX Omega: Lorain-Medina County Area

Thanks Teri for commenting about commenting! You are exactly right there, not only can you build great relationships here - but learn more about others, getting different opinions, insights, & oh so much information about a variety of subjects.

Apr 15, 2008 03:46 AM

Rob Graham

Windermere Real Estate - Seattle, WA

Rob Graham

Ok, I am a numbers guy so I am going off the board here. I recommend you add a stat counter. It helps you track who is hitting your site and from where. Maybe most importantly, it lets you see what key words people are using to find you so that you can be more specific in the future.

One more bonus thought. Never loose sight of the potential client. What would a buyer or seller like to see and read.

Apr 15, 2008 04:14 AM

Carla Harbert

www.LorainCountyHomeSales.com - Avon, OH

RE/MAX Omega: Lorain-Medina County Area

Rob, how do you add a stat counter? I am into numbers also... sounds like a great tool to have!

And you are absolutely correct about "who we are trying to attract & write for here". Thanks, Rob!

Apr 15, 2008 04:28 AM

Esko Kiuru

Bethesda, MD

Carla,

By joining AR members largely wish to improve their Internet marketing punch. To be successful takes time, like any project would, so one has to be consistent and patient.

Apr 15, 2008 04:41 AM

Carla Harbert

www.LorainCountyHomeSales.com - Avon, OH

RE/MAX Omega: Lorain-Medina County Area

Esko, great point to add, it does take consistency & patience. - thank you.

Apr 16, 2008 06:40 AM

Kevin O'Shea

Coldwell Banker - White Plains, NY

White Plains, NY Real Estate

I am a newbie, but many of the comments above seem to be right on.

Don't say anything on a blog that you wouldn't want someone else to see.

Write from the heart. Put a little emotion or a personal touch. Don't worry about being perfect, but do check your spelling :)

Write about things you know.

Good Luck!

All the best!

Kevin

White Plains, NY

Apr 16, 2008 07:58 AM

Gary Woltal

Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX

Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Carla, I would comment to join groups that are of interest to you and read a lot before you write. And of course comment on the comments left for you.

Apr 18, 2008 03:11 PM

Carla Harbert

www.LorainCountyHomeSales.com - Avon, OH

RE/MAX Omega: Lorain-Medina County Area

Kevin, glad to see you joining activerain, and hopefully these tips will be a plus for you - as a newbie, soon to be pro in no-time! Thanks for commenting! - Carla

Apr 19, 2008 03:28 PM

Carla Harbert

www.LorainCountyHomeSales.com - Avon, OH

RE/MAX Omega: Lorain-Medina County Area

Gary, you are absolutely correct about joining groups that are of interest - and I am very guilty of not commenting back to those who have left comments. But what I started doing this week was, after someone commenting on my post - I have gone to their blog, & taking some time to browse through their posts, then leaving a comment on one I found interesting. It seems all of you that have posted a comment here, I have jumped to your site. Most of you have very very interesting blogs! Some have really "wow'd" me! So, still learning as I go. - Carla

Apr 19, 2008 03:36 PM

Older Post

Newer Post

What ONE Tip would you share to a Newbie Blogger?

Comments(33)

Carla Harbert

Real Estate Resources

Additional Information