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Joyeux de Blog (There's Gold in Them Comments)

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel

This morning I was musing about what is making AR so wildly successful.  I’ve been blogging for a couple of years (3 to be exact), and try to maintain a blog about Birmingham and the Oakland County real estate market.  But in the last few months I’ve found it challenging to post much.  I tell myself that I have been busy selling houses, but I know that is an excuse.  Have I lost “the joy of blogging???”  Unfortunately, I’ve been in something of a blogging slump.  Until Maureen McCabe turned me on to AR.

At the risk of sounding like a gushing suck-up (which I am NOT).  AR has put the joyeux de blog back into my life. 

What’s so different you ask?  Well, it’s really in the dialogues that are taking place here.  My other blog is admittedly a bit dry.  Market statistics aren’t that sexy.  Informative, yes.  Sexy, well, not the way I do them.  That blog does serve me well in driving leads and traffic to my main Oakland County real estate site, but it’s becoming a responsibility for me instead of something I really enjoy. 

Here is the problem.  Nobody ever leaves me any comments.  I am blogging in a vacuum.  I know people find me, and even read some of the things I write there, but they never say anything.  It’s hard to carry on a conversation with yourself for too long.  At least it is for me.

Recently Maureen McCabe and Lloyd Reed suggested that AR stop awarding points for comments.  I think that would be a mistake.  Frankly sometimes the comments are better than the original post.  If anything, I would suggest bonus points for great comments, along the lines of the bonus points for better blogs. 

Without dialogue a community is not much of a community.  It’s just a bunch of people with billboards flashing as we pass each other on the Al Gore’s information super highway.  Soon enough, we would stop noticing the billboards as we try to get to our destination more quickly.  But blogging, like life, is enriched by the pit stops we make along the way.

So, please, leave me a comment when you see one of my blogs.  I don’t care if you agree with me or disagree, just share your thoughts.  Make my day and add me as an Associate.  I am really happy to know you are out there!

Maureen McCabe
HER Realtors - Columbus, OH
Columbus Ohio Real Estate

Did you have a premonition of what Caleb was about to ask or as far as WITY when you posted "  Joyeux de Blog (There's Gold in Them Comments) ?"

I read his request and then your 'Joyeaux de Blog' right after.  You must be psychic!

Caleb wrote "Let me know your thoughts in your next blog posting. Identify your blog with the following tags so that it will be easily found and categorized. "

"ActiveRain Benefits, Social Networking, ActiveRain, WITY "

"On Monday, August 28th I'll be awarding 400 bonus points to my favorite posting on this topic so let's see those posts soon!"  

Does your other blog have to be dry?  Do you interact with other blogs?  It may be hard  to interact with other RE blogs within your market but you can interact with non real estate blogs in your market. And you can interact with other bloggers, I interact with Bonnie, Leanne, Gene etc. all the time about how different and the same our markets are. I have tried to interact with some of the others but they are either too busy or just don't "get it."  I hope they are too busy. 

Some of the most fun interaction for of all has been with Sellsius Blog.... things like their "You might be a blogaholic if"   Even their new unzillowable is fun. For the past couple of weeks about 8 to 12% of my Columbus Best Blog blog traffic is coming from Sellsius Blog.  That's fun.      

I have only been blogging a year...My blog's  Anniversary is August 27? All are invited to the virtual shindig....maybe two years from now I will be tired of blogging... but you are correct getting comments is a payoff on the AR blog.

  

 

Aug 21, 2006 08:29 AM
Maureen Francis
Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel - Bloomfield Hills, MI
Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel

Excellent thoughts, Maureen.  (If I were in charge, I would give you bonus points for your feedback...)

Nope, I didn't know what was on Caleb's mind.  Maybe I inspired him? I actually just added those tags, so hopefully he will read it.

The other blog doesn't need to be dry.  I've just tired of it, so its become that way for me.  It has some technical limitations that irritate me too.  

I look forward to virtually partying with you on the 27th.  Pour me a double.

 

 

Aug 21, 2006 09:59 AM
Shannon Moore
Green Lion Realty - North Port, FL
Realtor, Sarasota & Charlotte

OK I agree and disagree with the points for comments thing. I do like the idea of awarding bonus points for well thought out comments but I also agree with only awarding points for 5 comments.

Like I've said before I think that if you have something to say you should say it regardless of points. I also think the points on the comments were being greatly abused by certain members. Basically, comment spamming, which isn't good either.

As I said in my blog on "My Favorite Bloggers", you're one of my favorites. I really like your style.

Some nights I just go through a just read some of the blogs and some nights I decide to comment on a few. I really depends on what I have going on that night and how much time I can spend on AR.

And ya know I may even comment on a few during the day.

!GASP! Lloyd I hope your not reading this :)

Aug 21, 2006 12:31 PM
Alexander Harb
Knights Investing - Mesquite, TX
Dallas, Texas Real Estate Investing
I did add you both as associates...and I read your blog...just cause Maureen looks so darned classy and sexy....hehehehehe...just kiddin if ya think I'm hittin on her...ok?
Aug 21, 2006 01:29 PM
Maureen Francis
Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel - Bloomfield Hills, MI
Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel
Alexander, Maureen is classy and sexy and married to a very jealous Ukrainian.  I am kidding too.  Dmitry is not that jealous.  ;-)
Aug 21, 2006 01:41 PM
Sara Lipnitz
Max Broock Realtors - Birmingham, MI

I get the true joy of sitting in the office next door to this sexy lady and her jealous husband. How lucky am I??

Maureen was responsible for me being on AR... I'm enjoying this so much.  I've never been a blogger in the past.  I've spent some time putting thought into my blog entries... well, the first wasn't too great.  But I'm putting my heart into it.  Every time I log in I have zero dialog.  Maureen repsonds... but that's about it.  I've spent time reading many many blogs and sending my remarks.  Not for points, but because I felt it was compelling. 

I agree that we take the time with or without the points to support and challenge (kindly) eachother.

Great blog entry Maureen.  If you write it... I will read! 

xo

Aug 21, 2006 02:04 PM
Maureen Francis
Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel - Bloomfield Hills, MI
Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel
Sara, I am sure they are reading.  I've got posts out there with few responses to (except yours...)  But I have a feeling we aren't the only people reading each other's blogs.
Aug 22, 2006 09:47 AM
Sara Lipnitz
Max Broock Realtors - Birmingham, MI
Seeing how much we email eachother outside of this venue each day, I certainly hope that others are reading our Blogs.  It would be pretty sad if it was "just us".  I wouldn't have to worry about my bad spelling!
Aug 22, 2006 09:51 AM
Kate Elim
Dockside Realty - Spotsylvania, VA
Realtor 540-226-1964, Selling Homes & Land a

Maureen...Just read your post and I very happy to comment.  I agree with you and am trying very hard to get my comments to surpass the comments I have received. 

Kathleen

Feb 11, 2008 07:39 AM