This morning I was looking for a past marketing letter and I ran across the rough draft of a blog I'd written July 2, 2010. It was all about what I'd learned in 26 days of blogging.
Wow.
It was fascinating that by that time I'd already published 48 postings, whether as a Member's Only, or reblog of a few. I was a blogging machine. I don't blog as often nowadays, but I do 10X the business...
It made me reflect on what I've learned about blogging in almost 6 years and close to 2 million clicks! Here's a few comments from that earlier blog and my thoughts to follow:
“I don’t know HOW to set up my account!” Help me!! Trust me, as you get into being a “rainmaker”[and actively blogging] you’ll find all sorts of sources for your business goals. ACTIVE RAIN AMBASSADORS - priceless. ACTIVE RAIN UNIVERSITY - priceless. Find your voice and go from there.
I’ve learned the bloggers voice isn’t a blueprint – there are listings, poems, songs, cartoons, complaints, photos, videos and posts just saying “I’m not having a good blogging day, and that’s human too”. Blogging seems to be the quickest way to let consumers know who we are.
Authenticity, transparency, love of your career and your community - these things draw clients and referrals to you!
The power of linking and networks – Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, YouTube, Yelp – to name a few, and how back links work. I think the "spiderweb" on social media and online creates tremendous "google juice". 33% of my closed business already this year came from "I found you online through Google"
I’ve learned that online, your social and business sides WILL merge, so keep your comments and blogs to what you’d say in front of your mother. I was at a meeting yesterday with some of the top agents in our town. A quote I've heard before was shared, "People do business with people they know...like...trust" EVERY lead from my blog is a warm lead.
I’ve discovered my community. Suddenly I have reporter’s eyes. I’ve been driving around my area subdivisions. I carry my camera constantly. I’m reading and subscribing to area blogs, newsletters, circulations and e-brochures. I've got a line of brand new RSS feeds. It’s like I’m falling in love with my surroundings all over again. And what better way to share it than through blogging.
I have kept this focus and become a "neighborhood", "niche" specialist. It helps people find you, identify with you, and most of all, trust you.
It’s only just begun. The optimism I feel at discovering all of the above and more, is better than any feeling I’ve had in my business career thus far 2010. I aim to finish the year differently: Better.
You can too. If you’re hiding in the shadows of Active Rain, or simply a member and haven’t moved to “rainmaker” status – I urge you to give it a try. Where can YOU be 26 days from now?
Another thing I heard at yesterday's panel meeting. One has a friend that says every year that they want to do a decathalon. And every year they don't. They never started a plan. She needs to run a mile a day, or SOMETHING to get started on her goal. Likewise, blogging. Take a photo and add 50 words. Share a community event. Talk about something you learned, or taught to a client.
Where can you be five years from now???? Where can you be 30 days from now???
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