Wow. Great tips. I have never had a featured post.  Maybe soon!

featured posts can only be done if you know the topic really well though, I guess.  I will try to think of something that I know really well.

Wow - that's a lot of information that you obviously put a lot of thought and effort into!  Thank you.

Tina in Virginia

Faina,

Good points here. I think, as the community grows larger and larger, it will be more difficult to get that coveted featured post. Be relevant, be creative and be the source. Most of all, be yourself. Thanks for the post.

All very important thoughts. The most important thing, I believe, is the amount of time invested in your feature. It really shows. Well done.

Faina, your link to Copyblogger has an extra letter "p" in it, which takes visitors to an entirely different site.  I'm assuming you wanted to send them to http://www.copyblogger.com/ instead.

I also think that one of the problems is going to be that it will take TIME for bloggers to get noticed now.  Getting featured early on is difficult because the readership seems to be determining who gets featured.  People who read your post "flag" it for a feature if they think it is good -so having readership is essential, but it also takes a looooong time now because there are so many members.  You can't get around the raw numbers here.  And that is a problem for newbies. 

Btw, is the spell check going to be fixed soon?? Totally off topic, but I'm dyslexic (seriously) and sometimes don't see errors.  I really would like to have that feature back!  I'm not commenting as much because I don't feel like running comments through a spell check.

Faina - congratulations! This one is a real featured post. I will bookmark it and use it for the future references. Looks like it's good not only for blogging. Your valuable advice is applicable for anything we do in our RE career.  I love your thoughts on number 4. Don't give "half-advice", enough to get someone interested in your services, but not enough to do anything useful with. You are the best!

Great tips, I am starting notice that i am getting different amounts of points for seperate blogs. I have had 1 featured so far and did not really know why. I assumed it was just because it was getting alot of hits.

You do make some very good points. Thank you

Rich

I will be back to answer every comment.

Honestly...I do not care if my post gets featured...I just want people to read and give feedback..if it gets featured great.

That is quite a list, Faina! Good job. I agree with all of your points!

Sometimes we know when we are writing to talk - and know it won't be featured stuff.

I do have to say, I don't give it the one over with your outlines though - I don't give a whole lot of the detail thought. That's just my brain though :)    I just do it - if it gets a gold great - if not - that's ok too.

Great post!  As an agent new to the blogosphere I am constantly trying to 'raise the bar' in my writing and content.  Thanks for an informative and upbeat post.

Interesting post.  Have you noticed whether or not the length of the post has anything to do with being featured?

Faina - Your post is truly worthy of being featured.  We should aspire to right every post to meet this criteria.  Not just filler for points.

Faina - There are many great writers here who know their audience and can advise, instruct, inform, and stimulate thought every time they sit down.  The rest of us should print your post and refer to it every time we try to duplicate their success. 

Why, O Why does'nt my facinating and insiteful posts get featured? Your post gives me a few hints I can try to swirl into the mix. Your right, it's really about the flavor of the month sometimes. I'm just not the right flavor...YET! "Welcome to My Non-Featured World!" Diana

Aloha Faina,

Thanks for the pointers, I also might add that writing advice on getting featured gets you featured, congratulations.

Peace,

Faina,
Well you proved your point!  Great information for members. 

Great points...this clearly took a lot of time and effort and is very well done!

And this blog right here just goes to show what a featured post looks like. Way to go. Thank you for the helpful tips. I have had one featured and try to strive for more.

Chuck -write about inportant and valuable information to others and you would do service to your readers. Being featured on AR could come with time, but it's not the most important aspect of providing quality content. Good luck!

Dennis -something you know well, something you are passionate about, but most importantly something that would be of interest to others are good starting points. I am sure you have such stories, they just need to be told.

Tina -I hope it was useful for you. Thanks.

This gives all of us a platform to use when we write our posts. I agree with the comment that the goal doesn't have to be to get featured, but to always write well and have interesting content.

Andrew T.- I agree that finding quality content is not easy when there are so many contributors. Although my post was not about featured spots, but about "featured" quality content, you make a very valid point.

My suggestion for "being found" is to start with quality comments. They are in fact mini posts, and people who have smart and insightful things to add to the conversation would get noticed.

Terrie -I agree with you about the time needed to write quality content. This is not the opinion shared by the SEO and other blogging gurus for the following reason. The amount of time the readers spend on your post is very short -may be 30 seconds, sometimes even less. It is hard then to "justify" spending hours (at least that's how long it takes me, but I am slow), if you are looking for ROI.

If you are doing it because you want to give to the community, then it's like any volunteer work. You have to do it well, regardless of the time it takes.

There some I am sure, that could produce something very good very quickly. I am not one of such lucky people.

Very good post.  However, I feel it has a whole lot to do with who you know.  Actually, it's more about who knows you.

If nobody sees your post, it won't get flagged for feature.  I wrote a post not too long ago that was good enough to get featured in the Carnival of Real Estate when it was hosted here, but only good enough for 3 comments from the AR Community. 

I'm absolutely fine with that.  I'm using my blog more for Localism these days and just don't have the time to establish the necessary relationships here on AR with people around the country.  I'm just working on my market right now.

I'm not saying that my post was wonderful or that it deserved to be featured.  The point is that content means nothing in a post if it's not seen.  And the only way to be seen is to be in the right "circles" or to get lucky.

Eric K. -thanks for having my back:)

Ruthmarie -the spell checker is not working? I though I got fewer typos:) I will be back to answer the point about the number of people and how to get noticed. Got to run to a meeting.

Faina:

You weren't supposed to link back to our conversation!  People might find out we agreed on something! =]

I think you offer some brilliant insight into how to write to be "featured" for your target audience.  Yes, I read every word of it too.  I'm not a very technical writer and it would be difficult for me to follow your outline. But it was still good information and valuable to people that may struggle with writing.

I just sit down to write and it all comes out.  The good.  The bad.  And the ugly! Some of it makes its way to Active Rain.  Some of it will begin showing up on my new blog for random thoughts and opinions.  I'm probably going to get in some trouble about that one...HAHAHAA.  I love it. 

It's funny...every post that I've ever written that I thought was feature worthy on Active Rain was bypassed for the feature...the ones that I didn't were selected.  Go figure!

There is probably some method to the madness of selection around here but I haven't figured it out.  I've been over to AR several times and I can honestly tell you...there aren't any blindfolded chimps throwing darts at posts.  So, there is no truth to that rumor. Unless they hide them when I come over....  =]

Just kidding.  All of the AR gods work very hard and do the best that they can to provide us with good content on the home page.  They care about the network a GREAT deal.

I enjoy reading posts likes yours where YOU GIVE BACK to the community.  Some will say that, "Ohhhhh she just wants to be noticed." But you and I both know why we do it...we don't mind giving back to a place that has given so much to us.  It's the least that we can do.

And just think....I still only get 25 points for such a comment! =p 

Real Great Post.  Thanks for all the wonderful information.

Hi Faina - wonderfully laid out blue print for writing great posts.  And I think this would work for other REALTORS and for consumers, too.  We all like to read nicely formatted, attention-getting posts and articles.

Great job!
Ann

Faina - Wow I am floored and impressed with the effort you put in your post, did you preconceive the notion about being featured yourself ;) Well anyways love the information, thanks!

Faina, you certainly thought this one through and you did spend hours on it. You deserve the gold star! I agree with Jessica, it is a big place. I just discovered Jessica the other day and I wonder where I've been all my Active Rain Life!

Now, I have been reading your posts for quite some time and I feel I know you personally. You are truly a "thinker". I'm more like Jessica. I just turn my fingers loose and go back to see what came out! Sometimes it's good and others....well? Anyway, you spent a great deal of thought and organization on this.

Thank you. You have always been a joy to read and you are easy to identify with. This, I think, is one of the objectives...can others see themselves in your writing? If they can then there will be a connection. Thanks for listening to me ramble on.

Later in the rain~Deb

There's a reason certain people are featured. With countless (great quality) posts they deserve the honor. A lot of us *want* that audience but as an audience member I only want to read good material. It is this reason I'll never be featured...it isn't a passion to write my hearts content.

WOW! Great information to get us thinking

Hi Faina - You make a very important distinction in your opening paragraphs about the different audiences that we write for. Our intended audience is probably the most important factor to keep in mind if we want them to keep us in mind.

Ruthmarie - I am back from a great Twitter meet up. We left off on the point of how to be discovered, when there are so many people.

My suggestion for newbies is to write smart comments. Make your comments a mini post. Don't highjack it or spam it with self promotion, but provide thoughtful ideas and feedback on the post. Writing a thoughtful comment requires time, but it could be worth the investment on many counts: makes one think, makes the discussion more meanningful and gets the Post authors to notice (or so I think) smart comments. They will come to see who that person is, and presto - "you are discovered".

Svetlana -wow, thanks for the good word. You "got" my meanning and that's important. The fact that you can see application beyond this platform makes me very happy. Thanks, friend.

Andrew B. - I can't tell you why your post got featured. it was probably vry good and useful to others. That's the simple litmus test. Good luck in the future.

Richard -thanks.

Team Dimuria -this post wasn't about getting featured on AR, just about writing quality content. If you are doing it, I am sure you get satisfaction +you help others.

Kim -thanks friend. Not every post turns out to be a masterpiece, that's a fact of life. My suggestions may also not be for everyone. Spontaniusly written, or not - good writing has to do something positive for readers.

Ben - I hope these suggestions would be helpful in developing your writing. Good luck.

Robin - interesting question. I don't think the length of the post contributes to quality. In my view it doesn't have to -as long as the other criteria are met.

My posts tend to be long, because I want to examine an issue from different perspectives. I don't know how AR considers the lengths of posts.

Debbie -thank you. If you want to have readers - write quality content. Those who want points - could pretty much write anything:)

Erik H. -it's easy and everyone can do it. Quality content is not limitted to the Dostoyevsky's among us. This platform gives everyone an opportunity to improve their skills. Many "real" writers don't have a built-in audience like we have here.

Diana -I am not sure about "the flavor of the month". I write about ideas that come to my head and that I think may be of interest to others. I do not correlate it with anythings else, unless it is inspired by something I read, or saw. Point me to your post you think is great, I would be interested in reading it. Thanks for your thoughts.

Great Post! I will take some time to try an apply what you have shared in my future posts.

John Thomas - Certified Mortgage Planner

Kimo -I am not sure that writing about featured post gets you featured. In fact, I have no idea what gets you featured on AR. The point of my post was about writing great content, useful to your readers. It does not always equal being featured on AR.

Cynthia -thanks, friend.

Diane -I am glad you liked it.

Heather -congrats on your featured post. Don't stress about being featured on AR, just write great stuff -the AR features will come.

Michael -you and I agree. Thanks for your comment.

Rick -thanks for stopping by.

Kimo, you are very astute. We've all thought of doing the same. Later in the rain~Deb

Jessica - i'll keep it tightly under wraps -the fact that we agreed to agree:) It's interesting that most comments are about getting featured on AR, but you got my meanning (I am keeping our agreement really quiet now:)

The way I write is first in my head. I kind of talk to myself. Today it was a 5 mile walk with no I-pod or cell phone. It gave me a lot of talking to myself/thinking time. Then I sit down and write. Then I organise my writing so it's logical an makes sense. Sometimes it flows and is easy, sometimes it's "constipated"  (for lack of better description) and comes out contrived. When it's contrived, I don't like it and often delete it. Sometimes I post it without great satisfaction. 

Being a spontaneous writer, does not mean you do not follow these steps. You may not even realise it. If the end result is useful for people then -you got quality writing.

As to being noticed, you and I know, it does not pay the bills. Like you said: "we don't mind giving back to a place that has given so much to us.  It's the least that we can do." (shh -i am not telling anyone, we agreed to say the same thing:)

I agree with you faina. You want to write great posts that will stick in your readers mind- for a long time and keep them coming back. I haven't gotten any leads here yet even though I have been blogging over a year. But I am not discouraged. Mine will come hopefully soon. Great post.

Hi Faina - I liked your point about getting featured in the readers mind. It is important to know who your targeted reader is inorder to write to him.

Faina, This is definitely a quality blog.  I loved what you said about blogging not being a soapbox but a conversation.  Very good!

Kevin -thanks for your sincere comment. I agree that if no one finds your post it wouldn't be read, i.e. it's quality would not be unoticed.

I am under impression that AR staff reads everyone's posts, or am I wrong? I don't know a lot of people, and I am not sure if a lot of people know me. So, I can't agree or disagree with the concept of "who you know" being a significant factor.

Like I said, no one has an obligation to write for or engage with the members of the AR community. If your goal is your community -that's great.

This is a great blog and lots of good "content".  You are featured in both regards.

 Hi Faina, what an intelligent original and practical way to look at the concept of "featured".

 Being featured in our readers's or prospect's mind is much more important than any group or even the AR dashboard!

You are on a roll, girlfriend. Just got you twit reply to good morning, been out all day and evening. So good morning and good night. Yea, we should aim for being featured to our readers....excellent point.

These are fabulous tips! It's very true, content is key to getting your stuff read. And you hit it out of the park when you mention "don't hard sell people." I hate reading blogs like that.. yuck :)

Thanks for great reminders and advices!

Cheers,

Cindy

Faina: Great Post here. This is a great example for all to follow

I'm a new Realtor in the NW Florida area and I can't thank you enough for the detailed information you provided. I hope that you'll feel your  time was well spent after reading your many comments. Your message helps, Thank You !

Faina -

Incredible, in-depth tips!

I have been in the AR Community for nearly six months now, and have had six featured, and for that I am grateful.

However, I try to write from the heart, with topics of greatest interest to the community, and to those wanting to know about Chicago, where I come from.

Features just come, every once in a while - but my focus is on interesting, involving content, rather than simply "getting featured."

But they do go hand-in-hand, of course.

Again, much thanks - let's talk sometimes!

DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO

Faina, not that's a very detailed great post.  It's not about the dashboard.  It is about the readers and why they tune into you.

These are great things to remember so that the post is remarkable!  I will bookmark this.

Thanks for sharing the road map. It's surely something I sorely needed.

After several blogs and few responses I need all the help I can get. Thanks!

Faina, you certainly hit it on the head with this post.  The bottom line is that quality content is what matters most!

Lanre - you are raising an excellent point about correlation between quality writing and getting leads. This was a post about quality writng with the audience being AR members. If this is your audience, your leads would be referrals from other members.

Even if you write Masterpieces every single time, you may not get the referrals. Do not equate the quality of your writing with getting referrals from members.

If you want leads, my suggestion would be to focus on consumers. These readers are looking for something very different then, AR members. You would be writing very differently for that purpose. It would be very SEO driven.

Ann -thanks. I think that writing for consumers requires a bit of a different approach. It also needs to have quality checks, but it has to be heavily SEO driven, or else they won't be found through Google. I need to think more, if I could develop a blueprint for writing for consumers. If I could, AR would be the first to know:)

Justin -thanks for the compliment. I wish I knew, but I absolutely don't, how AR selects and decides on what to Feature. Hey, I don't even know how they could read everything that's written here. Sorry, that I can't help you on this one, friend.

Deb -thanks a alot, friend. I love listenning to you "ramble". This is the fun part of AR. Writing on "my own" blog is a very solitary affair. There are very few comments and no one to talk to. Consumers usually are reluctant to leave comments.

I write what's on my mind. The topics come to my head at random times and are also random, usually prompted by something I am trying to sort out for myself. Like I said before, the blogging gurus would advise against spending a lot of time writing your post, since the reades spend only a few seconds reading it. It becomes hard to justify in terms of ROI, even when writing for consumers.

I do not know how to write fast and good. Need to work on that one:)BTW you can visit me at the new Princeton Real Estate to keep me company:)

John - I couldn't say it better then you did: "Our intended audience is probably the most important factor to keep in mind if we want them to keep us in mind." I may add one other thing -quality tests would apply to writing for any aduience. The blueprint may be a bit different.

Dorris -thanks.

Alan -you said: "it isn't a passion to write my hearts content". I am not sure if by "hearts content" you meant personal posts. If that was your meanning, you don't need to write personal stuff for it to be good.

If you meant that you don't have a passion for writing -then don't. You really nead a passion, in my view. If someone is getting tons of business from their writing, they may not need passion (it's business). If it's not the case, passion is needed, or how else could you sustain the effort?

Pam -thanks for getting the jist of my idea. I wasn't intending this post to be about AR feauturing, since I really don't know how they do it. The only correlation - they try to select the best quality writing. The comments seemed to be more about the AR featuring, which is fine. We could all learn from each other.

Ricki E.- if we don't make our posts and comments into a conversation, it turns boring real soon. I know some people get tons of comments, and it takes a lot of time to answer, but it's not an excuse not to. Conversation is the point of blogging on this platform -my 2c.

The caveat, if the comments are not engaging and thoughtful, it becomes difficult to answer in a thoughtful way. I appreciate everyones time to leave a comment, no matter how short, so I answer them all.

Marti -I can't say it better then you did:"Being featured in our readers's or prospect's mind is much more important than any group or even the AR dashboard!" Thanks for the kind words.

Will be back to answer all comments. Have to go to see the clinet's furnace being serviced.

You have provided a very clear checklist here, and I appreciate all the work that went into it. If I ever succeed or "shine" in some regard, it, to me, seems more unintentional than directed.

Missy -thanks, friend. Writing on my new blog has been very lonely:) Had to come back to participate here. Come and visit me sometimes at my new Princeton Real Estate place.

Cyndee -you and I think alike. Thanks.

Roland -thanks.

Kristy - it's worth the time if I was able to help someone in some way. This is the only reason I do it. Writing for consumers is somewhat different. Thanks for your kind words.

Dean - I would love to chat. Give me a call anytime.

Ray -yout got it.

Pam -thanks a lot.

Vickie -I would be very happy if it he