The biggest obstacle to climbing the ladder to success is weeding your way through the crowd at the bottom. I'm
sure you've all heard that before but it is so very true.
Climbing the ladder to Active Rain success is not all that different and it is not hard once you push your way through that crowd hanging around on that first step.
In NH we currently have 513 members with only about 100 of them having posted a blog or two. The rest... the crowd at the bottom have done nothing but perhaps put up a profile. Some haven't even up loaded a picture or for that matter created much of a profile.
Sadly they are missing such a great opportunity, something that can truly help them stand out amongst their competition.
Working the Active Rain ladder to success is not rocket science but more like The Golden Rule...do unto others as you would have them do unto you. It's simple really.
I'm no expert...but here is my take on it, I know you didn't ask but...
Write posts that you would enjoy reading...hint if they bore you...they'll no doubt bore other people!
- Always remember who your audience is...are you talking to other real estate professionals or the consumer
- Keep your posts short if at all possible
- Don't steal other's blog posts
- Don't steal other peoples photos
- Try and write at least 2 to 3 posts a week
- Don't be a link freak...I've been guilty of this, but really nothing turns people off more than a post that is over dressed with links...linking every other word in a post just feels like a walking billboard
- Don't be a point whore... I'm sure this is controversial but write from your heart and not just to get 200 points
Do you like reading comments on your posts?
- If so then do unto others as you would have them do unto you...leave them a comment or two. AR is not a one way street.
Even a dog does not poop in their own play ground... Active Rain belongs to all of us ...keep the yard clean and be nice to your fellow bloggers. Think twice if not three times before you hit the "post it" tab...make sure your written words are conveying what you really want them to.
Remember hearing... Don't put all your eggs in one basket? Well it's the same with Blogging...get out there beyond the walls of Active Rain and travel the Blogosphere...start an outside Blog, read outside blogs but remember not everyone plays nice in the sandbox.
So blog smart!
There are some topics that should be off limits or at least proceed with extreme caution if your going to throw it all out there.
- Don't talk money...like in how much you charge unless your willing to feel the sting
- Don't throw sand at other agents...don't use names and real life events without disguising the people and the places
- Don't disparage others...make sure you know your facts if you're going to write negatively
- Better yet...why don't you look for the positive and write about that instead
- Do abide by all fair housing, antitrust rules and regulations, real estate commission rules regarding advertising, your company office policy (if they have one) about agents on-line presence
The Golden Rule applies to everything in life and while there is a lot more to blogging than a simple golden rule, like understanding things like SEO and tags ...if you don't have the Golden Rule part down, you'll never get to a point where understanding SEO and tags will make a hill of a difference.
You'll just be hanging around with the crowd at the bottom!
Monika McGillicuddy,REALTOR
Serving Southern New Hampshire and Rockingham County
Monika McGillicuddy Real Estate Training
NewHampshireRealEstateBlog.com
Prudential Verani Realty
Hampstead NH Real Estate
Follow me on Twitter.com @monimcgill
Posted by 
I am a fairly new member to activerain and I love your post. I am taking my time to write a post worthy of this community. I have referred several people to the site and already they are not participating. No picture, no bio you get the point. I have and will contiue to follow up with my referrals and enjoy this community and all it has to offer!
Thanks,
Kristin