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My First Blog: About Blogging...

By
Real Estate Agent with Balistreri Realty SL3281634

I have wanted to start blogging for years... I have had countless Eureka moments in which I wished that I had a blog, because there's no other way to tell the world about those moments, other than blogging. I'm very rarely compelled to post anything personal on any social media outlets. They're impersonal, and I'm not looking for cheap laughs or multiple 'likes.' I want a place to share personal experiences, and read about others. Blogging seems to be the best outlet.

So now, my blog is created, and I plan on sharing my experiences a few times a month. But my big question is, will my blog have a direction? It needs to, right? I would never read a book about everything. Although I did try to once. It was too much. Too vague. By Bill Bryson. Who is a prolific writer. If he can't captivate me with a book about everything, I can't expect to captivate anyone with a blog about everything.

So, I just answered my big question - yes, it will have a direction. I have other questions, though. I'm always questioning things. All my life. How often will I post? Will I feel obligated to write something if I've let a considerable amount of time lapse between blog posts? How often is too often? How infrequent is too infrequent? Who reads blogs? Who will read my blog? Do I really want to start blogging? Am I even going to post this blog? Or will I just write it, read and edit it eleven times, and then delete it - save blogging for 2015? Stop. Move along...

An obvious blog topic would be about my career. I sell Real Estate in Florida - Palm Beach County to be specific. There are great days, emotional days, terrible days - every type of day, it's life. But I feel like Real Estate agents really get a unique glimpse into peoples lives. Think about your own moving experiences for a second... whether Buying your first house, Selling your house, renting a new place, packing day, moving day... These are huge, involved experiences in our lives. As Real Estate agents, we're always in the mix of these large life experiences. Things can get a little nuts. They can get emotional. It's a byproduct of this business, that we get roped into some crazy situations, and find ourselves getting a bit involved. I don't like it... I love it. I wouldn't have it any other way. It's so fluid. Changing constantly. There are huge ups. And there are downs. No two days, no two deals, no two conversations are ever the same. Blogging will be simple. The blogs will almost write themselves. Life is absolutely stranger than fiction sometimes. And it's oh so entertaining. I hope to entertain with my future blog posts, and put my own twist on everything that I put onto paper. 

 

Posted by

Geoff Braboy, REALTOR®, Seller Representative Specialist

USMC, Veteran

Geoff.Braboy@gmail.com

Call/Text       561 699-3455

Your Military-Friendly Real Estate Professional

Helping You Buy & Sell Real Estate in South Palm Beach and North Broward County, to include Boca Raton, Boynton, Delray, Deerfield, & Pompano Beaches.

 

Kerrie La Guardia
ActiveRain, Community Manager - Kirkland, WA
Let it Rain!

Welcome to the 'Rain Geoff!  The first post can be the scariest so you've jumped that hurdle and it's all pie from here!  

Jul 14, 2014 01:47 AM
Debbie Walsh
SHAHAR Management - Middletown, NY
Hudson Valley NY Real Estate 845.283-3036

Welcome to Active Rain!  Kudos to you for already writing such a long and expressive blog!  You are miles ahead of some of us who hung back initially or only posted listings before even daring to put down a personal word!    :-)  You will do GREAT!

Jul 14, 2014 04:14 AM
Jill Sackler
Charles Rutenberg Realty Inc. 516-575-7500 - Long Beach, NY
LI South Shore Real Estate - Broker Associate

You've obviously given this a lot of thought and now you've begun your blogging journey. Enjoy!

Jul 14, 2014 06:09 AM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Goeff, first of all, getting your first post featured is a huge gigantic big deal.  It took me months to get noticed!  So you'll see, it'll just take on a life of its own. 

And welcome to ActiveRain!

Jul 14, 2014 09:09 AM
Drick Ward Property Management / Broker Assoc
NEPTUNE REALTY - Virginia Beach, VA
"RealtorDrick" - Experienced Representation

Great post, and congrats on the feature.  I think you described what many of us feel, wanting a clear picture of the outcome before starting, leading to analysis paralysis. Now hopefully we will be inspired enough to follow your example. Thanks  for sharing.

Jul 14, 2014 11:55 PM
Terry McCarley
Coastal Real Estate - Cape Coral FL - Cape Coral, FL
REALTOR, SRES, CDPE - Cape Coral, FL

Welcome to AR and congrats on the featured post!  Your already off to an amazing start!

Jul 15, 2014 12:05 AM
Ron Aguilar
Gateway Mortgage Group - Saint George, UT
Mortgage & Real Estate Advisor since 1995

Geoff, Welcome!

Jul 15, 2014 12:08 AM
Kristin Hamilton CA REALTOR
Berkshire Hathaway California Realty - Beaumont, CA
(909) 557-6966- Specialize 55+ Communties Banning

Welcome to ActiveRain and getting a Feature on your very first blog.....amazing.

Jul 15, 2014 01:05 AM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

Welcome to the blogging world.  ActiveRain is a lot of fun.  Thanks for the post.

Jul 15, 2014 02:10 AM
Christi Farrington
Dagny's Real Estate - Wilton, CT
~ Your representative in Fairfield County, CT

Geoff, welcome to ActiveRain blogging. We all share and learn.  I understand your dilemma.  There are times that I just want to share a 'moment' and then second guess myself.  After reading all of your responses, maybe I should just write .... 

Congratulations on your feature!! 

Jul 15, 2014 03:34 AM
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Welcome & don't forget to answer your comments! If I might suggest a way to organize the possible 'unorganized thoughts'.  Write a series & then link the series together.

Jul 15, 2014 04:54 AM
Doug Fisher
Hutchinson, KS

Geoff,

I enjoyed reading your post/blog because I am in the same boat as you were.  I have thought about writing a blog, but haven't yet.  So, you're actually out of the boat now, and I'm still here; kudos to you for jumping ship!    

I'll watch for your next post.  

 

Jul 15, 2014 06:01 AM
Geoff Braboy
Balistreri Realty - Delray Beach, FL

My apologies for not responding to everyone individually - I've read each comment at least 3 times, and they've all provided some insight. 

Lyn - Thanks for the reminder to answer comments!

Drick - Analysis Paralysis. Brilliant! Haven't heard the term in a while - it describes my social media persona more often than not. In time I know I'll learn to just Write it, Post it, and move on to the next task at hand.

Patricia - thanks for the recognition that a feature is a 'huge gigantic big deal'. I didn't expect that coming out of the gate. 

Thanks Lenn, Richard, and Bett for the kind words, and everyone else for the warm welcome and constructive comments. 

Jul 15, 2014 06:27 AM
Diana White-Pettis
Bennett Realty Solutions - Upper Marlboro, MD
GRI, CDPE, CNE, WHC Upper Marlboro Homes for Sale

What a great first blog post.  It can be very intimidating at first - even for those whose write well.  But I'm glad you took the plunge and I will be looking forward to reading more from you in the future.  Welcome to the Active Rain family!

Jul 15, 2014 12:22 PM
John DL Arendsen
CREST "BACKYARD' HOMES, ON THE LEVEL General & Manufactured Home Contractor, TAG Real Estate Sales & Investments - Leucadia, CA
Crest Backyard Homes "ADU" dealer & RE Developer

Great first feature. You've received some great comments from some of the best leaders in the AR lineup. I might also suggest that you get to know Kerrie Greenhalgh and Bob Stewart. Two of the most remarkable AR staff members in the lineup.

Also take some of Bob's free webinars on blogging and other comments. But most importantly get involved. Get to know other AR mambers. Join some groups that may be of interest to you.

I'd be happy to invite you to join mine as well. http://activerain.com/groups/manufacturedhomes and http://activerain.com/groups/letitraininsandiego

But do get involved in groups that you have an ardant interest in and that will serve you well in your growth in real estate.

But most importantly when you write a post, especially one that gets featured, take the time and show the courtesy to those who've taken time out of their busy day to read and respond to you.

This will make you more AR friends and generate you more exposure than just about anything else you could possibly do on this platform. You're off to a great start. You shouldn't have any trouble getting the hang of it and by all means take time to get to know some of the wonderfull leaders who've taken the time to get to know you. Congrats

Jul 15, 2014 12:53 PM
Kimo Jarrett
Cyber Properties - Huntington Beach, CA
Pro Lifestyle Solutions

Congratulations, you've taken the first step that I have yet to take with your first post. All the best to your success.

Jul 15, 2014 09:09 PM
Jeff Yeats 918.855.9256
McGraw REALTORS in Owasso, Oklaoma (918)855-9256 www.haywoodhometeam.com - Owasso, OK

CONGRATS on the Featured Blog!  I am new to Active Rain myself.  I posted my first blog a couple of weeks ago.  Twelve hours after posting, I got a call from an agent in Arizona.  I am already building relationships with fellow members.  This group has helped me tremendously in getting started in my career already.  I'm confident you will find AR to be a great resource as well.  Enjoyed reading your blog.

Jul 16, 2014 04:55 PM
Dawn Brenengen
Dawn Brenengen - Trailwood Realty - Raleigh, NC
Sales and Management

I keep telling myself to blog more.  I'm such a lurker.  I read everyone else's blog but I rarely write one of my own.  I need to get back to it!!

Jul 17, 2014 02:56 AM
Captain Wayne - Rowlett Real Estate School
Rowlett Real Estate School - Panama City, FL
Rowlett Real Estate School / Owner and Instructor

Good Luck with your blogging and welcome to ActiveRain.

Jul 31, 2014 01:31 PM
Jane Chaulklin-Schott
TEAMCONNECT REALTY - (407) 394-9766 - Orlando, FL
TeamConnect Luxury Homes - Orlando, Florida, 32836

Welcome to the ActiveRain Sandbox, Geoff. Sometimes we just play in the sand and sometimes we walk in the rain, - but together. Congratulations on posting. Happy to meet you; glad you joined us. Good post.

Aug 30, 2014 04:05 PM