Real Estate Blog - Brainstorming - Why Do You Blog? What Do You Blog? How to Get Started Blogging? Plus???

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Brainstorming - Why Do You Blog? What Do You Blog? How to Get Started Blogging? Plus???

Az Blogging Network

As many of you know, the Arizona Real Estate Blog Network - founded by our very own Candace Robinson - will be having our first meeting next Thursday, April 24th - 9-10:30 a.m. to discuss the Hows, Whys and Whats of blogging.

I thought it might be interesting to get some input from our Active Rain Bloggers as to why blogging is so important, how to get started, and what to blog about. Sharing this type of information here on the Rain can be helpful and useful to all who reside here. Then, we can take your tidbits of insights back to our networking meeting. Brainstorming can be the segway into greater ideas!

1. How did you get started blogging?

2. Why do you blog?

3. What are some subjects about which you blog?

4. Which blogs seem to generate more interest?

5. What, Why, How, ?????

There will be a few people you might recognize at the Az Blogging Network Meeting on Thursday, such as:

Speakers

I think it should be fun and very educational. We all get to finally meet each other in person!! So if any of you can join us, we'd love to see you there. Feel free to bring a guest, but just let Candace know as indicated on her invitation. See you there!!!

Thinking about relocating to Mesa, Arizona or the Phoenix Valley? Call me at: 480.216-3334 for information on purchasing or selling a home in Mesa, Arizona or surrounding towns. OR email me: Teri@TeriEllis.com. OR visit one of my websites: HomesAzRE.com, MoveToSunnyAz, or AzLadyInRed, for photos of models, floorplans, new construction, resale and more.

Google Teri Ellis

Mesa, Arizona Real Estate. Call me at: 480.216-3334 for information on purchasing or selling a home in Mesa, Arizona or surrounding towns. OR email me: Teri@TeriEllis.com. Feel free to visit one of my websites: HomesAzRE.com, MoveToMesaAz.com or MoveToSunnyAz.com. Or stop by my blogs at: MesaAzRealEstateVoice; Phoenix and Mesa Real Estate Blog; Phoenix Valley Real Estate Blog

Posted by **Mesa, Arizona Real Estate** Teri Ellis, Broker, CRS, ABR, GRI, ePRO on 04/17/2008 12:00 PM

Comments (39)

Why We Blog in the ActiveRain Channel

arizona real estate blog network, real estate in arizona, homesarizona

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39 Comments on Brainstorming - Why Do You Blog? What Do You Blog? How to Get Started Blogging? Plus???

APR

2008

Teri--Your meeting sounds like so much fun!

1. How did you get started blogging? Just read an article about Teresa Boardman and started.

2. Why do you blog? To increase my business.

3. What are some subjects about which you blog? Real Estate. I look at everything and how everything affects property values and local communities.

4. Which blogs seem to generate more interest? My top hits on my website/blogs are lakeshore, how to do a final walk through, septic systems and how to make smoke alarms stop chirping!

5. What, Why, How, ????? What--Real Estate. Why--It's working, How--Whenever I have an opportunity!

Have an awesome time!!

1. Randy Prothero forced invited me and I finally joined AR after four months.

2. Networking and socializing with peers....blogging for business.

3. Area, Market, Real Estate, Life, Family, Thought patterns, success, fun, eye catching photos and on and on and on.

4. Depends on the individual who is reading it and writing it. I like all kinds. Usually ones that are appealing to the eye and not so busy.

5. What it is....Why it is...How it is..... It just is. :) Blogging for business is one of the top marketing tools the Real Estate Industry is using....and video is a great addition to it!

Teri, have a good time with your Arizona colleagues. I got started because it was easy on Active Rain and I like to write. I blog to share my ideas and to read others, and to increase my visibility on the Internet in Real Estate. Hopefully develop a nationwide Associates network too for referrals. I blog about buyers and sellers and my daily Realtor life and how this relates to life in general. The inspirational blogs of mine people like to read more than statistics. I try to blog when I can find the time in the morning or evening.

Hi Teri,

1. I started blogging upon the invitation of an associate who said "this will bring you business".

2. I continue to blog because it did, in fact, bring me business, and I learn SO MUCH from other people's blogs.

3. I blog about community events, some real estate and about my hobbies.

4. The community events draw a lot of interest and occasionally when I do a piece about the real estate industry I get some great feedback.

Your network meeting sounds like it will be a big hit, and isn't that another way that AR has brought you all together? Love this place! Have fun.

Teri E: Thanks so much for your thoughts....I think I'll compile all of these and share at the meeting. ;-)

Sally, LOL, he forced you did he? Well lucky him. With all of the points you've accumulated, it's brought him up as well. We all enjoy your blogs, and thanks for your input. ;-)

Gary, thank you. it will be fun, I know. Active Rain is a HUGE reason I blog as much as I do. Prior to that, I had a blog but didn't communicate as frequently as I do now. ;-)

Linda, great stuff and I agree about learning from other people. I think that's one of my underlying reasons for being on the Rain. Where else could we be so well informed? ;-)

1. How did you get started blogging? I got started by coming across it through another site! Somehow I was guided here!!

2. Why do you blog? I enjoy the challenge it gives me with learning HTML...NOT!! I have learned so much from blogging and the knowledge is unmeasurable! Obviously to strengthen my online presence.

3. What are some subjects about which you blog? I do random blogging, just about anything. My goal is to have a system in place to blog about locations, areas of interests in the community in which I live and play!

4. Which blogs seem to generate more interest? It's a toss up, however many of my tutorials get frequented often. I have also the month (slacking in April) "Match Me" challenge!

5. What, Why, How, ????? What? It's a BLOG, look it up in the dictionary! Why? That's easy, because I have made such great acquaintances with other professionals and they have even agreed to say yes to speak at a monthly gathering!! How? Come listen to Teri, Shailesh, Tom and Paul on Thursday and you will learn how!

Thanks Teri for sharing the meeting. Can't wait to get together next week and monthly after that! Candace

Candace, great addition. We have some great ideas here!!! Helps make me think why, what, when, how!! You are welcome, my friend. Can't wait to meet everyone!!! AND hear what THEY have to share!! ;-)

How did you get started blogging? Mary Warren told me about blogging. She was blogging on Real Talk. I started there but wanted something more and read about Active Rain from someone there and then I ended up inviting Mary to Active Rain.

Why do you blog? Having my own brokerage it can get a little lonely but not anymore.

What are some subjects about which you blog? Probably 75% or more of my post are about my area. I throw in a members only here and there though. I get so much from the members and I feel that I need to give back.

Which blogs seem to generate more interest? I get more response from my members only blogs but I know that my localism blogs have helped me position my website at the top of the search engines.

I have to be honest I dont' really know what you want in number 5.

Teri, I forgot to tell you to have a great time. We just had our first Texas get together and it was so much fun getting to know each other. When my parents come back next winter maybe I can get a chance to meet you. They just got back to Colorado in time for some snow.

Marchel, thanks for your input. The last query was - about anything else you wanted to add! ;-) Sorry, I always have way more to say than the list would provide. ;-)

Thanks for the wish for a good time. I think we will, and I'd LOVE to meet you. We played golf today - middle 70's and the golf course was pretty much all our's. Beautiful!!! ;-)

Here you go Amiga.....

1. How did you get started blogging? At the recommendation of Allan Hainge of Cyberstars.

2. Why do you blog? To share the knowledge I have acquired and for the SEO benefits.

3. What are some subjects about which you blog? Mostly marketing and inspirational topics.

4. Which blogs seem to generate more interest? My inspirational blogs.

5. What, Why, How, ????? Blogging....because I love to share and recieve great ideas....by "Just Doing It"

Teri: I'm hoping that we can get a group started in our local area. Will park and see other comments

APR

2008

Hey George, wonderful list. Thank you so much.

Roland, come on - you have some reasons for blogging - what are they?

De Nada Amiga...Have a great weekend!

Thanks George - you too.....so I'm an Amiga instead of Amigos? ;-)

1. How did you get started blogging? Teri, I've been so immersed in the subject the last couple of weeks I honestly don't remember! I'm pretty sure it was hearing or seeing success stories from Cyndee Hayden via my By Referral Only membership - http://activerain.com/clearwaterhomes - and then speaking with her on the phone. Cyndee was extremely gracious with tips and suggestions.

2. Why do you blog? I made a gigantic lifestyle change this year. The story is too long for this post but my family web site says it all I think - The Mullin Adventures. My goal is to continue to drive my business on-line to maximize the hours in the day and to make for a mobile business.

3. What are some subjects about which you blog? I've just started - so far mostly industry specific stuff. My thought is that in order for people to be interested I needed to focus on one subject so I'm not bombarding them with stuff they don't care about. My current plan is to have two blogs - one for business stuff and one for my personal life.

4. Which blogs seem to generate more interest? Too soon to tell.

5. What, Why, How, ????? Not organized enough yet but right now I'm blogging whenever the writing bug bites me.

Michael, great blog post. I can see that you will be very visible here on the Rain. Thank you so much for sharing. ;-)

1. A friend recommended a book on blogging to make money and drive traffic.

2. My site is www.InsuranceRenegade.com. I do it because of the lack of education most Arizona consumers have about insurance, drive business in my door, and bring up the level of understanding of the policy. While price is important the true price comes when you have an unpaid claim.

3. Insurance. Personal and business at Insurance Renegade. Just started one recently for health insurance (www.FindAffordableHealthPlans.com) that is still being worked on and will have a couple more for other niches I enjoy working with.

4. Only been up for the past month or two so I havn't been overrun with traffic but a quick look at the stats shows: Vacant homes, How much to insure home for, teen drivers top 3.

5. What, why, how? I love what I do and want to share. I'm the guy that's there at claim time. I want to share what's really important and why I do what I do.

Good questions. Thanks.

Matt, thank you for sharing. If you're not a member of AR, then you should sign up and share your blog posts. We have lots of real estate professionals here. If you are a member, you might want to sign in so I can respond on your blog post. ;-)

APR

2008

1. How did you get started blogging? My webmaster put a blog on my website - because I wanted more freedom of marketing my listings - he found AR and told me to check it out

2. Why do you blog? web exposure - sharing - networking -

3. What are some subjects about which you blog? localism - Oregon Real Estate -

4. Which blogs seem to generate more interest? on AR - blogs that help others - on my own site.... local events

5. What, Why, How, ????? Why- because blogging makes you the expert

Thesa, thanks for your thoughts on blogging. I think that those who do not blog do not even realize how far reaching and powerful a good blog post is. ;-)

Only 5 questions? ;-)

1. I had read about blogs for a few years- suspected they might catch on... but I didn't really see myself as a potential blogger until I found an easy way to do it.

2. I blog for clients. I see it as a great way to connect with people who might find me useful in their property search.

3. I like to blog about my area and interesting things that I find that helps potential clients as well as my fellow bloggers.

4. My "how to's" generate most interest from bloggers and my "about this place" posts of a local interest generates most clients.

5. What, Why, How, ????? The what is whatever I think works... the why is because it can be fun and the how is why we have the AZ blogger meeting... where I hope to be schooled by the masters. :-)

Chuck, schooled by masters? I doubt that - at least not from me. All of the above input sums it up nicely; however, I'm hoping those that don't know how or where to start will get some nice ideas from ALL of us! ;-)

Teri,

Wow, this comment is going to be short and sweet, but getting started is easy. You read blogs that interest you and make good comments.

As you comment, hundreds of blog post ideas will pop in your head. Pick one you like and run with it.

That's all I do ... comment ...blog ... comment ...blog! It's that simple!

Hi Teri,

Having just joined the Active Rain community, and in this busy and hectic time of my life, you pose some thought-provoking questions for us:

1. How did I get started blogging? My "computer guy" began talking with me about Blogs last year as a great and inexpensive way to market my expertise and involvement in the Real Estate industry. So when a local media relations administrator that I met at a recent EXPO asked me if I would be interested in doing one for the online paper a few months ago, I accepted the challenge.

2. Why do I blog? It's a potentially creative and affordable way for me to demonstrate my presence and knowledge as the "go to guy" in the community when it comes to Real Estate. More importantly, and with respect to more "seasoned" Realtors in AR land, to add credibility to us more recent "new kids on the block."

3. What are some subjects as to which you blog? Real Estate, local events involving Realtors, recent news affecting Realtors and home sellers and/or buyers.

4. Which blogs seem to generate more interest? My blogs on the "bigger picture" that give people hope of the economy long term, local stats, Buyer & Seller tips.

5.From what I see, in being extremely new at this form of online journaling, Blogging is a new communication medium that allows prospective buyers and sellers to get a glimpse of both your personality as well as your professionalism and education about what's most important to them...that they have confidence in your [my] abilities to either help them sell their home for the best possible price, terms and conditions or to help them find the new place that they will call home.

I will certainly do my best to join you on the morning of the 24th.

Thanks for helping me to clarify why I'm doing this.

Stephen Adams

Richard, thanks.........and you're right! ;-)

Stephen, thanks for doing such a great job of laying this out. I hope we have the opportunity to meet you on Thursday! ;-) AND welcome to the Rain. It is a GREAT place to learn and share and meet real estate professionals everywhere!

APR

2008

Teri,

Love the look! RED is one of my favorite colors to stage with. In fact I did a whole video tour show on the topic.... oh so long ago now.

Keep up the good work...

Hi Craig, thank you!!! I love red too - can you tell? I'll have to go by and see if I can find your tour on staging with red.

APR

2008

I get the feeling that I could blog forever and still feel I've not completely figured it out... that, in a way, is what's so compelling. It's nice to be able to see what appears to work... as well as to discover what doesn't. I'm encouraged that one needn't be perfect to be able to find new clients by using the blogging format.

1. How did you get started blogging?

Desperation. Had a great website with lots of content in FL. Moved to CA. Had to change domains. VeroBeachValues.com doesn't work well here...

2. Why do you blog?

My SEO coach wanted me to build custom content for my website. Along the way I discovered the value of long tail keywords and I was hooked!

3. What are some subjects about which you blog?

I try to blog about developments and new neighborhoods, throwing in a little about fun things to do/events.

4. Which blogs seem to generate more interest? new construction, hands-down!

Chuck, you're right.......it's an ongoing "learning" process. I just haven't even been in the mood for the past week to post a blog. I'll be thinking about Thursday tomorrow and preparing something. I think just being yourself is what is important. That definitely is what people are drawn most to. See you Thursday? I'm looking forward to meeting you. ;-)

Vickie, great input. Obviously WHAT you blog about is bringing success! ;-) Thanks for sharing.

Teri,

I started blogging at a CyberStar summit meeting because it is such a creative way to talk about and share what we do. I like to relate everyday life with my real estate experience whether it is about an actual listing, how I got a listing, how I market a listing or whether it is about feeding the birds and relating that to advertising. Seems like personal stories generate the most interest.

I know you will enjoy your Arizona Real Estate Blog Network Can't wait to hear about it.

Have fun and thanks for sharing.

Margaret, thanks so much for sharing your blogging experience. Right on the money and very succinctly put. Our new networking group will be awesome, I am sure. I suspect one or all of us will be sharing photos, etc. for all to see here - especially Candace. She'll even be videotaping..........;-)

Thanks Teri! Awesome Blog... Very bright and eyecatching! I really don't have a lot to offer at this time, but I'm learning all I can by blogs like yours and the countless others I read on a daily basis. ~ Denise

Denise, thanks for stopping by and reading - and - thank you for your nice comment. ;-) We're all learning all of the time here on the Rain! ;-)

MAY

2008

Terri, I am not a GURU or star, but here is my nontheless:

1. How did you get started blogging? I was spammed by a long forgotten AR member. Sorry, I don't know who to give the glory to.

2. Why do you blog? In members only posts, when I receive comments--I learn so much about the way others think. My last 2 were eye openers. When I post for consumers I hope to attract interest, I hope to positively portray the renaissance of the Gulf Coast.

3. What are some subjects about which you blog? REAL experiences

4. Which blogs seem to generate more interest? Members only. Oops, wait a minute. Members only gets comments, but if I look at stats, anything with (Photos!) in the title seems to get more hits, though seldom any comments.

5. What, Why, How, ?????

I tend to blog to our area, with little expectation that anyone other than residents may find it interesting. (I'm nurturing relationships)

Consumer oriented blogs help keep me "in touch" and remember that bottom line, real estate is about people, neighbors, families, pets, chatting across the fence and on the front porch. Real Estate is our environment. Hopefully, I have inspired a few people to: A. Want to live here. B. Appreciate living here. C. Realize we are recovering and if you have orders to move to the MGC, it could be a good thing.

How--I steal my moments. Sometimes late at night, sometimes early in the morning. If I am stressed for any number of reasons, I will drop in and read. For instance, right now I am on my screened in front porch. I hear several different kinds of birds, neighbors across the street, frogs, crickets. Any time now, the train will come by. I used to be annoyed with the trains until I realized how vital the trains are to the Gulf Coast--when we had several months of silence. Its a simple life.

I came across AR when I was researching a topic online and have been addicted ever since. I hope to get more online business, of course, but truth is, I gain to much knowledge here, it's amazing! Thank you all for sharing!

MAY

2008

Suzi, what a delightful comment. It sounds so "you." Love the idea of sitting on your screened in front porch with the sounds of birds, etc. I LOVE the sound of a train - far off in the distance. ;-)

Abacus: Yes, for sure, Active Rain can be very addictive and amazing......I'm starting to get a little past that since I don't have as much to say anymore. ;-) You're welcome, we all love to share. ;-) Thanks for dropping by.

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