Katrina - this post ROCKS! - I couldn't agree more (and thanks for the kind mention :-) I am amazed when I see members posting nothing but copied jokes or silly  things -  I still believe it's our online  resume and the new business card of 2008. Let's all continue to put our best foot forward - Love Realty - what a concept! 

Katrina,

I'm working on making the content I post worthwhile and useful to my clients and/or the AR community as I learn how this community works.

Katrina,

Good post.  I try to keep it real, even if I am fairly new here.

All the best!

Hi Katrina....thanks for sharing--guilty as charged, I will pay more attention to what I post

Katrina, So, so true. This post needs to be read by everyone so I am flagging it for a feature.

You are so right There is alot of people writing junk in here Great Post

MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!

www.VipTopTeam.com

MasterMindGroup <------- Great way to share ideas and grow!

One 'Featured' post, coming up!

Couldn't agree with you more, posting good content is THE key to blogging!

I often wonder why some people post what they do...like, the market update stuff - we all know (or should know) this data - we can copy from the WSJ too - but choose not to - instead we write something worthwhile, experiential, or fun. Rock On!

Katrina, Well I guess I agree!! It's important that we remember the consumers are here in force and reading our posts. I know because i get emails from them daily asking me questions about what I write. I also get emails daily from my peers asking question. So I think I'm doing it right.

BUT....it's also important to remember that some folks struggle with writing. I feel folks just need to do their best.

Well done!!!  

I guess junk is in the eye of the beholder and I'm still relatively new here. I can appreciate good content. It's fun to come to AR for fresh viewpoints, reminders about why we're in this business and why we love it and once in awhile facts that are helpful in my business.  There's certainly no shortage of opinions in our profession and I look forward to watching more of your blogs!

My personal favorites (sarcasm intended) are the two-sentence multi-posts, or the ones that look as if the writer is keeping an online journal!  Who wants to read that?!

Great post, Katrina!

We're in an information based "biz", and I agree that topical comment is essential.   Thanks for your thoughts!

Li

Katrina,

Great post, I try to make my content relevant and worth while as well. 

You are so right. . ..I feel that my posts reflect my personality and whne they call me, they will not be surprised

I think market updates are important to consumers...If everyone had access to the information, they would all be Realtors!  You have to differentiate between the posts that you make for consumers and the ones you make for members.

I agree with the main post, though, quality shines through.

Katrina: You're the bomb!!! This is a super post.

There's a lot of poo-poo on AR to wade through at times, to get to the good stuff (and I've written poo, myself).  But once you're on AR awhile, you KNOW the poo-poo writers and stop wasting time by clicking on their posts. 

I write more and more (after learning the hard way) for consumers. As if I were one and looking to buy property in MY area.

Congrat's on the feature!

fantastic post! i am one of those "junk writers". I didn't graduate high school and basically almost didn't graduate from junior high school. Because of this fabulous business, I make more money than most doctors. I say this because, it's really hard for me to come up with topics that people would want to read because I am such a terrible writer. I type how I speak. Not grammatically correct and defineitley not politically correct.

I couldn't agree more! I have two local Realtors in my area posting junk and mls listings (not their own content) and just for the points aspect. sad

I have not been around this forum as long as yourself, but am learning.

Kat,  Great Post.  I would like to see ActiveRain have a filter of the junk post some how.  I do not know how this would be done, but that is why they are the techies.  junk post and jokes are just a waste of space. Relevant content is what really helps in the SEO aspect.  Great job.

I agree and more people need to be aware that there needs to be some sort of quality to the posts...so what do we do to stop the junk posts?

Katrina,  A thoughtful post!  Like the little boy who cried "Wolf", they eventually did not believe him.  If we merely post "fluff", after a while...

Katrina.. This is a great post.  I agree that one should think of AR as a resume.  Now with a resume, you not only convey your qualifications for the job, but also your interests. So, not only have I posted real estate related (hopfully informative too) blogs, but also blogs that are of intestest to me (recipes and restaurants) to give potential clients a more complete picture of myself to enhance my portfolio.

You're talking about the elephant in the room that few acknowledge exist.  Quality content will beat folks that post for points in the end.  

Well-made points, thank you.  The idea of our posts being a resume is right on target but not one we necessarily think about when posting.  Thanks!

Great post. I would agree with making sure you only post information that you would want to reflect on you and how you conduct your business. Thanks for the reminder that sometimes no post is better than a "junk" one. Congrats on the feature.

Great post - usually I only have the time to read the featured posts and there is certainly no junk there!

I post stuff, but I often use members only.

EVERYONE - Thank you so much for visiting my blog, commenting and most importantly for FEATURING ME!  

YOU GUYS ROCKKKKK!!

Amen!

I think I'll add to that...try posting excellent content AND comments.  I see so many people commenting for points, without putting any effort into what they say.  I don't need a pat on the back for a posts I write.  I want someone to add to it or challenge it.  Again, Amen!

Yehhhhhhhhh, this post got featured.

Nice post Katrina. I mirror the compliments you have received thus far. Compelling content is a key to your on line presence. The better the site, the better the chance for repeat visitors and the better the chance you have to get people to link to you organically. If you post junk, web surfers are going to skip to the next available content. A better site can always be just a couple of clicks away.

Katrina

You raise an interesting point. Someone asked what we can do about junk being posted. The answer is, we don't need to do anything about it. This forum, just like the real estate market, will correct itself.

People who put less than usefull content into their blogs will get nothing out of them and will disappear. And one more thought, maybe we actually need the junk for perspective.

Such a great post!  I am always talking about this very subject with a friend from the office.  Blog for quality not for quanitity! 

One more note: I could care less about Active Rain points. Yes they are nice, but they are useless to me. The more I get my name out there, the better chance someone will see me. Whatever free advertising you get in this world, you take it.

Excellent post Katrina - It's nice to see a familiar face at the top of the list.  Keep up the great work!

Hey Katrina...

My Friend Kimberly Koehler is on here, the one who has done the forclosure bus tour.  I sent her a note to let her know you would be contacting her about it.  You can find her at activerain.com/blogs/mnhomesforsale

Let me know how it goes

-Crystal

www.mnlovelyhomes.com

But, the worst junk post ever (I think it is deleted now...) was almost a year ago.  It was a mall directory.  Seriously. 

Absolutely critical, excellent points. Quality posts show professionalism and when you clientele happen by, you'll be very glad you have great content.

I agree.  I am relatively new to active rain, but have fallen in love with it.  So much good and useful information on this site.  I am really enjoying it, but I sure am having to wade thru a bunch of "stuff" to get to the real pearls of wisdom.

Congrats on the Feature! I rarely go to the features section, and imagine my surprise =).

Well done and well deserved. And I actually know how to keep at least some quality content on here. It's done the same way we handle it on You Tube. The quality providers band together into a tight-knit group and adhere to a zero tolerance policy for anyone who leaves comments on your posts. And you absolutely refuse to subscribe to or leave one single comment, good or bad, on the posts of anyone who doesn't provide quality content.

If the crappy posts and posters don't get any comments, they don't get any Google juice, and the public will only see the quality content and professional side of our industry!

Maybe I'll blog about this tomorrow... since I've already left an entire post in your comment section =P

It really helps to write blogs with good content. I can see just from only a few weeks of ebing in AR and blogging.

Lisa - I do the SAME THING... If your comment is enough to be a BLOG POST in it's self.. roll with it and share the LINK LOVE!

Katrina Madewell

Katrina- I agree with what you wrote, you are so right! Thanks for the mention!

Katrina, one mans junk is another one's treasure.

Well, it sounded good...

I vote for good content. Later in the rain~Deb

Great post -- and I must say that I'm guilty on several counts.  Sometimes I get caught up in all the blogger gizmos and graphics and don't focus on the CONTENT.  Thanks for the kick in the pants.

This is a great post and congrats on the much deserved featured post.

We put most of our blogs on Localism because we write about things that are happening in our community. 

The trouble is that comments get you google juice and sometimes garbage sells.  My best posts rarely get much in the way of acknowledgement or comments.  So I play the game.  The vast majority of my posts are content-rich.  If I weren't trying to retain a position, I'd write less "stuff" but the rain God's aren't doing a good job of rewarding content, so the junk will build up.

I love localism and feel it is one of the best tools that works for me!  I tell people over and over how to do it IRL and it is like they want me to do it for them or something :shaking head:

The concept is easy, share what you know and you will become the local expert!

Great post, your experiance shows. Hopefully with time my post will be as well laid out. I am a learn by doing type so forgive me for now, my skinned knee's remind me of my shortcommings

Hey Kat...

  Good for you... a feature...Must say I don't post junk but I could sure be better about pictures...I am just learning...as you know how to be a better "Princess of the internet" and soooo lucky I have a Queen like you to teach me !  Blog On !

I'm, for the most part, always thinking business when I'm on AR and as such really only belong to the more serious groups.  I honestly haven't seen the "junk" you are referring to but I'm sure it's out there.

I hear you! The wonderful world of the Internet is full of SPAM. It comes in all formats video, email, blogs, websites, etc. and it is nothing more than self-promotional junk with questionable objectives. While SPAM is annoying it is easily dismissed and forgotten.

I am here to connect with my target audience and market. I attempt to do that by showing my expertise and commitment in a helpful manner. Writing thoughtful posts and comments shows a commitment to the community.

I also have experienced through reading the great deal of effort the senior members of this community put down to lay a foundation for something exceptional. We should all take note and follow their lead.

Points will not generate one bit of community good will or client leads.

Katrina, this is an excellent post and we can only hope that those who are trying to take the easy way out and just garner points will (one day) wake up to the opportunities that are in front of them.  It continues to amaze me that with all of the information and success stories and how-to posts right here in the rain that some people still don't get it.  Content is king, so local content must be emperor! 

Hi Katrina,

I am a new ActiveRain-er...and I already noticed how many posts are irrelevant or just simply silly and "whiney". We need to "weed out" some of the unrelated and beside the point postings from this wonderful forum...Staying local and informative should give people lots of ideas about what to write ...

I also have a newbie question...how do you customize the look of your blog? Like your header and added widgets on the right? I tried to find some information but most of it is either outdated or not detailed enough and it doesn't work.

I appreciate your time.

Bo Kociuba

Katrina...

This doesn't really apply to me .. Does it? Wink. I know Members are posting junk for points. They've been doing it since the very beginning. Will that ever change? I have no idea...But...We can hope. Lisa has the right idea. I've tried telling Members that very same thing. Just don't comment on the junk. There really is no point except of course the points. Okay. Back to 'The Crap-A-Rama' I go :)

P.S. I still think posting jokes for points sucks. It seems so unfair to the Members that actually take the time to write quality content.

TLW...ROAR!

Well deserved featured post. 

I so agree about good content.  I get so annoyed with the blog entries that are two sentences long saying something along the lines of "I'm feeling so happy today.. have a nice day."  Then there's the same 200 points awared that someone else may have spent hours to achieve.  Of course its not about the points its about the content.

Great post.

BO - Brad Caroll in NC started this here is the link to do that.

There is even a FAQ section on Brads BLog.  This was just a free size project he sort of gave the Active Rain Commumity.

PS I know you are new, so I wanted to let you know it is considered RUDE to link back your domain in SOMEONE ELSES blog post.

A general rule of thumb, is to add to the content that the writer posted, you NEVER want take away or 'link out to YOUR site' or anything that would not ADD TO the VALUE of that blog post.

Does that make sense?   GO ahead and edit your comment (PLEASE).  If you did this regularly, many people would DELETE your comment, or repost it WITHOUT your links.   Again, it is considered offensive to the writer of the BLOG to HiJack their Blog post.

There is already a link at the bottom when you comment.

THANKS TO ALL THAT COMMENTED AND FEATURED ME, YOU ARE THE BEST!

That is good advice Katrina. Well deserving to be featured. Keep up the good work.

Katrina,

There have been several post, even blogs in general, that I have read that I will not return to.  They were not, in my opinion, the way I wish to spend my precious time.  The best way to reflect your opinion is to walk away, so to speak.  I shudder to hear many participants jumping on the band wagon and saying, "How can we make everyone write the way we think demonstrates the best taste or imparts the most information?"  Why don't we just concentrate on making sure that each one that expressed that opionion does just that and avoid the post of those who do not.  Maybe they will catch on by example or if not - the purpose of ActiveRain is to give everyone a chance to express him/her self.  Even if it would embarrass some of us to have that as a representation of our thoughts.

I haven't blogged at all yet (being an AR noob and all). NOw you have me afraid what I have to say might be considered junk! I'm hoping I can add something worthwhile!

Katrina,

I apologize for the "honest newbie mistake". I already deleted the links.

Thank you for taking time to find the links to Brad's posts.

Bo Kociuba

Hi Katrina.

I enjoyed and appreciate the post.   I am also new to blogging and after reading the post and all the comments on this post, I just wonder if this intimidates the new blogger.

It does me a little.  I am second guessing the post I have  written, especially the one's with few comments.

I plan to keep learning as much as I can. Is it possible that the inability to measure up to the experience of the season blogger could turn a potential good blogger off to even trying?

I  do agree the some of the comments are really not rich in content and are just a pat on the back, but maybe they are spotaneous sincere support of the post and just not for points.

I agree with the comment about being in this for business purposes. At this trying time in our market it is crucial we put extreme value on our time and on re-evaluate how to survive in real estate. A good part of this I am doing, is learning from the experts who certainly know a lot more about the business than I do.

Katrina, it's even hard to find a blog to comment on! This is a good one. I strongly agree with you, there are many things going in my area, and I will place close attention to blog about rich content. Thanks

Congrats on the well deserved feature.  Keep it up.

Katrina, 

Good comments.  It got me thinking.  I'm a very newbie and haven't posted a blog other than a short intro and a listing.  I've been too afraid of posting something that isn't worthwhile.  I really like your comments but now I'm even more hesitage to start.  That's not a bad thing - just need to make sure I do it right when I get up the nerve to do it.

Indeed, congratulations on getting a feature! Great work!!!!

Katrina,

I try to post original material that will enable my clients or AR community to see more about real estate or about myself. But, you also have to remember. Alot of people are brand new to this, and one of the stages of beginning learning, is to put something rather than nothing out there, so they can start learning.  It was a Great post, thanks

BTW THANKS to everyone that posted a comment here, and like I stated above in my "revised - update". This post should INSPIRE others here, not intimidate you or anyone.

THANKS to those of you that said... Yeah I took this as a challenge... and I'll do better!

...AND this was INDIRECTLY targeted at a few certain individuals, not mentioning any names, but they KNOW who they are ... and funny I don't see ANY of their comments on here.  <smilie>

Katrina: great post... very good information on writing great post

Katrina, What a timely post for me. I'm in the Makeover2takeover challenge and this week our project is writing a good "localism" post for our blog. We are to make it interesting and fun to read. I'm "fairly" new to AR and still learn each day.

I may have some short comments at times, but if I don't like the post, I won't comment at all.

How about all the inside jokes?  I read alot of stuff here that makes me think I'm just not in the "in" crowd here on AR.

Katrina:

As one who is new to blogging I have been trying to figure out, or to understand, what I can write that will inform and help others. As a Senior Move Manager I do not fit the mold but can be of assistance to realtors. In my wondering I have noted the pictures on some blogs. This blog has helped me to see more clearly what I need to do to help others and