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Taking the 'Hype' out of Hyper-Local Blogging - Blog Tips for Rain Drips

ActiveRain Founder/CEO Jonathan Washburn made a statement a while back in his ActiveRain blog article, "10 Steps to Localism Success":

5. Do not post a bunch of self serving marketing material on the bottom of your post: If a home buyer or seller finds your information interesting they will figure out how to contact you. Also, our editors highly downgrade posts with built in - self serving marketing messages.

I've covered this particular subject on a number of previous occasions:

"Removing Your Own SPAM" "How to Sabotage Your Own Blog"

"Don't turn Your Blog into a Refrigerator Magnet!"

Obviously, as you can tell by these articles, like Jonathan, I'm not a big fan of 'over-the-top' blatant self-promotion within the context of blog posts, especially ones that are written and geo-targeted specifically for consumers.

I enjoy reading Seth Godin. As someone who has been involved in marketing most of my professional career, I find his approach insightful and refreshing. One of the descriptions he uses for ineffective, old-school methodology is "Interruption Marketing." Today's sophisticated Internet consumer isn't duped with relentless 'white noise' real estate commercials. It's just elevator music to be ignored.

As real estate professionals, it has been deeply ingrained in us from Day 1 to 'brand' everything we put out there. We've effectively littered the local landscape with every conceivable form of self-promotion, from refrigerator magnets to grocery carts. If there's a flat surface somewhere, chances are our name & logo/website is plastered all over it!

As we transition into all things Web 2.0, it becomes rather challenging for some of us to leave old school marketing baggage behind. Incessant self-promotion is one of those old tricks making a very slow death.

Real Estate used to be 'Agent-Centric.' All of our marketing and promotion centered around us - my image, my website, my logo, ME-ME-ME! Glamor shots ruled the day!

Thank goodness the Internet marketing paradigm has shifted over to more 'Consumer-Centric' focus. Now our energies are better spent on creating/developing marketing/information that offers actual value/benefit to potential clients.

Unfortunately, there are still many out there who feel that conversational blogging = advertising. Their usual blog post consists of a few jumbled, barely legible sentences hurriedly thrown together. Then the remaining 3/4 majority content contains a business card on steroids, with every conceivable piece of contact information imaginable, endless Realtor designations, accolades, website links, snappy catch phrases, logos, banners, etc..

A well constructed blog will contain sufficient navigation tools to facilitate a reader's desire to contact you. Redundant links, banners, signatures, ad nauseum, only serve to clutter your content, 'interrupt' the flow of meaningful dialog, and distract your readers from meaningful content.

Creating good quality, hyper-local content takes time, effort, and commitment. There are no shortcuts. Good writing will attract your readers and keep them engaged, and coming back!

~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~

social-media-is-a-conversation

Rich Jacobson is a licensed real estate professional providing knowledgeable empowerment and relentless representation for his clients of residential properties and vacant land throughout all of Kitsap County WA and portions of Pierce, Mason, and Jefferson Counties. You can also find him at KitsapLife.com, SOUNDBITEBLOG and Crabbing in the Hood, or e-mail: kitsapagent@gmail.com

Posted by Rich Jacobson Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker on 03/01/2009 06:06 AM

Comments (111)

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111 Comments on Taking the 'Hype' out of Hyper-Local Blogging - Blog Tips for Rain Drips

MAR

2009

Rich, I had a client tell me a couple of months ago that they bookmarked my blog and read it because it wasn't fully of sale-sy hype. That one comment from one consumer (who became a client) really cemented that into my head.

Consumers want information. The delivery of the information is how they will get to know us. We don't need to write an "about me" ad in the articles.

Hi Rich, great information. If writing to the public and if utilizing seo techniques, it's important to make sure your blog post includes links to both your outside blog, home website, and your other posts within active rain. If writing members only posts, then this does not need to occur.

While we agree in part with what you are saying, you must also recognize that the public posts you are referring to will get cached on servers like google as stand alone topics and thus that advertising information you are pertaining to will become the only bit of information the user sees at first glance.(trulia blogs are a good example) Anyone can find somenone if they really want to, but the way you market a blog post can in itself become a selling point.

Plus, what you are forgetting is, that many of us also have outside blogs or mediums to which we syndicate our blog posts to where one could not utilize the Active Rain profile or have the option to get more information about the writer of the post without clicking through a myriad of links which will just move the consumer to another medium altogether. So, using that rational, that spam you refer to, will allow the consumer to quickly access your websites or email which otherwise would not be easy to locate.

referring back to your removing your spam content post, where you asked if there was any seo value, yes we can tell you without a doubt, that as far as seo is concerned, it makes all the difference between it showing up on page 1 or 2 to not showing up at all.

It may not look pretty on some blogs, but it does work. Besides, with people paying 29.99$ for a blog that gets distributed to the public, people should be able to utlize their SEO. Otherwise what would be the point?

We understand ofcourse that less links on people's blogs keeps them on your network longer, but for a member, the "paying" point of having a blog on AR is to capture a consumer by sending them to your their own website where the transaction occurs.

We have seen in some instances, members who write 2 things and then have 50 lines of advertisements. Many of those posts are made by actual spam accounts.

Great article but it is a case by case basis. Keep up the good work

Rich - I think I've personally done two or three (one recent) blatant advertisements, my version of a listing from the mortgage side;) I subscribe to yours and Jonathan's thoughts on this subject, though. Consumer-centric is where it's at for a variety of reasons. One important one which will be key in my opinion going forward, is education. Ironic you write this on this fine morning. I just re-visited a blog from back yonder that dealt with the ME-ME-ME mentality. Selflessness is the best service one could ever give another. And our industry has everything to do with service.

good point on the posting - thanks

I will check out the posts you mention. When I write locaism posts I always write a sentence or two asking them to check out my web site and to email me for more information. But you are right I have seen posts where the post is just a few lines and the rest is self promotion.

Jonathan's statement said "Also, our editors highly downgrade posts with built in - self serving marketing messages." that was when there was going to be editing...

No editing.

All the cool kids are doing it.

Rich,

I just finished listening to an interview of Seth Godin by Success Magazine yesterday. I liked what he had to say so much that I listened to it several times. He's big on not treating social media as "free TV advertising." "Success through social media," he says, "requires a big dose of humility. People don't care about you. They just don't!" When he said that, it made me laugh because he was so emphatic. It also made me grateful for Active Rain, where a little humility in blogging made my phone ring three times this past week with new clients who "found you on the internet."

Mucho gusto,
Mike in Tucson

Rich,

Thank you sir for the reminder and how we should view our web presence. I know that I can use all of the help that I can get.

Rich, it's funny that I am reading this today. Only this week I began adding the promo stuff at the bottom of my consumer posts as I had seen it done in many many instances and I actually found it to look useful. I realize there's a "contact me" link somewhere in the sidebar but I don't find it offensive to add another one at the bottom of an informative post.

The other day I ended up on a website that had nothing to do with real estate and everything to do with women who lose their children to their abusive fathers due to the family court system. I read and read, became absorbed in their cause and nowhere was there a call to action button telling me how I could help. Had it been blatantly posted there, in my face, it would have been easier for me to do so.

It will be interesting to follow this and see where I end up on this issue. As of right now, I am not sure I see anything wrong with it.

maureen - you are downright hysterical!!! great comment! rich - I hear what you are saying but i have to wonder if it is true about the agent-centric - there is a TON of that here and it flourishes!

Rich I know you have shared this view for a while and I do agree that some folks are over the top and the stuff at the bottom has more meat than the article itself. It does make a HUGE difference in terms of SEO though. I echo much of what Castellum Realty wrote. I know I am dominating the internet search terms in my area largly because of my links back to my website and the fact the I name the towns that I cover in every post I write. I know this is not detering the consumer from calling me as I get a substantial amount of business from my blog.

Rich, I appreciate and respect your position and tried your way. Could it be coincidence that my placement in search engine results dropped significantly?

You may find it cluttered - and admittedly some are way over the top - but I've gone back to my "Call to Action" using either text or link buttons at the bottom of each post. I never had any trouble generating leads when I included more information at the bottom of each post... could that be another coincidence? I don't think so.

Yes, consumers can find us without all that self-serving hype... but we'd like to make it easy for them and not send them searching. Why do that, when we can provide it at the click of a finger?

Rich-this is an excellent observation but I believe that one of the things I have found is that sometimes...our blogs and websites cause us to miss opportunites because we listen to so many of the experts! I guess what I am trying to say ...is example...

I was looking for an agents info to give them a referral...went to their site...and guess what it was extremely hard to find their contact info...while the consumer wants info...if they want to make contact it should be visible to the consumer and easy to find.

We assume all consumers are tech savy...brilliant and advance users of the net! We have to make it easy for them. Some skim...some read from right to left...and others might start in the middle...I try to make it easy for the consumer!

Recently I have stopped placing my signature on all of my posts and guess what? SEO plummeting.

Maureen- you crack me up...I've been reading everything you have been writing lately..I've gotten a few chuckles...an education...and a few evil grins on my face! :)

What is hyper local blogging?

Good article, Rich. I think there is a pleasant compromise. I mean, I get where you're coming from and in theory your post would be read with all of your sidebar stuff in view. Still, it doesn't hurt to put a few links at the bottom of the post.

I see both here, those that do it seem to have good positive results from it. So I am torn. I haven't done it yet and wondered if I am missing the mark on all the call to actions.

There has to be a balance between the page being full of "about me" and the being able to get to us.

Sometimes the advertising at the end of the post is longer thant he post itself. I do for SEO purposes add a few line last paragraph to contact me but have taken out all of the logos and photos that I used to use.

Rich...

I get so confused all of the time. I have downplayed my copyright notice and outside links, but as the post is published and republished and fed to the dozen or so sites I want my ownership of the information to be recognized, as well as the SEO of the links being everywhere.

I admit that many go over the top but I'm please with where my minimal self-promotion is right now,

There has to be a happy medium. I will pay more attention on how this works from now on.

I love AR. This blog is a perfect example of information new to me. More research to do.

Thanks for the information.

haha this is great, I love the refrigerator magnet anaology. I do agree with a few that a few helpful and discreet items at the bottom can be helpful but that on some it has gotten way out of control.

I just wanna know one thing, was that YOUR glamor shot in the good ol days? ;-) JK!

Rich - this is a good post and agree that while some put lots of info at the bottom of their blogs, I think there has to be some call to action. I try and keep it simple.

Rich, I scrolled back through my posts and the only ones that I have added and "contact me info" to, are those that relate to open houses and market items. The majority of my posts are about all the fun things I like about Austin and I only have my name, subscribe and copyscape buttons! I completely agree with your points and plan to be careful as we head into Spring and I (finally) actually focus on more real estate related material. One thing for sure is that I do resemble my picture, I still laugh when I meet a realtor and cannot recognize the person from the pictures on cards in print and online! For today though, after church, I am headed to the 81st Zilker Park Kite Festival! A truly fun and weird event that is a blast for everyone who participates. Thanks again for your great tips and advice!

A great discussion. I think going too far one way or the other is not good. I think Bill, Midori and Margaret raise some good points about the need for some call to action or information. So, perhaps there can be a compromise between the two extreme points of view.

Rich, that was hillarious! A business card on steroids! LOL. This is great advice. Even I was turned off by some of the junk on the posts that were being pumped into Localism. I'm use to it. Imagine how the consumer must feel! Thanks for the reminder. We all need it once in a while. BTW, my business card doesn't offer a picture of me. It's just a memorable, quality card. All should be doing that.

Later in the rain~Deb

Great Post! I am learning so much from you guys! Thanks!

Rich - I have a pretty basic one with links to my website - and I get many hits to my listing page. Since that page doesn't come up in searches like my AR blog does, I am sure that is where they are coming from. And when I ask people where they found me, their usual answer is a blog post about something, yet they do not contact me from AR much, but from my website contact form.

Rich - Good article Rich. I am just getting into this blogging stuff presently as you know so I am learning a lot. Slowly but surely I'll get up to speed I'm sure. I {we} try not to go over the top with all about us at the bottom but links back to our sites is helpful in our opinion as people that do find you can find out more about you as they click away. You knew that it was Lisa doing most of the posts on our Hammersteam blog of course. She's the real writer in this family. :-)

Moderation and not all or nothing is the golden rule along with keeping it simple. A signature with a link to your real estate website is not a bad thing. Attempts to unbrand blog posts serve what purpose? If the 99% of offering above that link is quality, pertinent and timely, that is not a bad hand in hand marriage. Saying the reader if they like you will find you somehow...is like winking at a lady in the dark. You know what you are doing...she doesn't and why hope she will attempt to find you? Why make it hard and waste her time and make it more difficult? The traffic was part of the carrot on this dog and pony show and the reward. Each blogger shares uniquely and provides a local creative service but just happens to sell real estate, their area, their brand for a living right? We are all independent contractors and work for a living and not on the paid staff of a library or government agency right?

I dont understand this either. Every post that we write here sits out in Google LaLa land to be found in a search. Each post stands out on its own and has basically no information on the page without us putting it there by hand each time. To me there is a big difference between blatant spamming and anything the majority of us are doing. The spammers should be targetted and thats it. I use a stock bottom to my posts because thats what everyone does basically and its far too hard to spend 30 minutes rewriting this every time I post. I include relevant links to my site so that if someone from my area is reading the post they can be directed to my site. The links on the side are too hard to read and are not easily found especially if you have a few widgets and I only have a few. I cant even find them half the time and I know where to look.

The SEO side of this is another story. Some of the first articles I read here were do you have links and things to that effect. I remember reading many posts by AR staff on this topic and telling us how to build links. I just dont understand what you are saying now. That we shouldnt be doing this? Are you punishing those who are? Are you diminishing link value or even just shutting off the tap so to speak to those you feel have gone too far?

I guess I dont even begin to understand. We were told to build links and now we are told not to?

Or if thats not the case look at the regularly featured AR members here. Name one that doesnt have an elaborate blog template that they use for each post. Why do you think so many people mimic that? They want to look like the professional featured AR members here. If this was a problem then why were they featured this way? Why werent the leaders told this a year ago or more to set the example?

One other thing to put this in perspective. Not everyone is Seth Godin and not everyone is a blogging expert. Many people who might stumble on a blog post dont even realize they are reading a blog. I would say a very large percentage of people dont even know what a blog is. Thats not even a joke. So when they come across a blog post I am almost positive that some are probably very confused thinking they are looking at a website. If they arent directed in some way to even know who wrote it let alone why they wrote it or where the heck they even are in world of Google then they are just going to hit that back button and find something that makes more sense. I am saying they need direction. Without someone directing them where to go they are lost. They are the bounce rate on our blog posts. I just dont see any other way of doing this.

Actually I have one more thing to say regarding this "I'm not a big fan of 'over-the-top' blatant self-promotion within the context of blog posts, especially ones that are written and geo-targeted specifically for consumers."

If I am not allowed to "blatantly" self promote myself then why the heck am I even writing blog posts?

I mean that seriously. Why would I even go through all this work?

Rich, I think that people may tend to ignore the banners at the bottom and only contact if they need or want to, that's what I do on other sites and industries.

Rich: Darn... does that mean I should tone mine down? I love the "stuff" on my post... light-hearted self promotion I call it. :)

Hmmmm..... I am confused now. At first I thought all the self-promotion at the bottom looked really "busy" and a bit annoying and then I noticed those doing it were the more successful agents here in the rain so I started thinking about doing it myself. I am still up in the air on this one.

Exactly Kristi. They are the most successful. Each link at the bottom counts as a backlink to their site. The more of these the higher their website ranks. They are crushing their competition. It serves a dual purpose of directing traffic from the post to the website and link building. This is a core component of "SEO"

This was one the most trumpted features of posting on AR. The holy link juice. This was sounded over and over again. I'm sorry but we were told this was one of the biggest benefits of posting here on AR. Thats why so many people do it. Thats why so many people stay.

Rich, Marketing with humility, the humble realtor, is this possible?

Rich,

Excellent post. I too love to read Seth Godin. "Interruption marketing" is on the way out, to be replaced by "permission marketing". Give people well written, quality information, and they'll sign up to get it from you. People that sign up to hear what you have to say will generally listen. You're correct...it takes time and commitment. But it's what creates the best relationships.

Gracious Rich...

The General Public is so sick and tired of the RE MeMe attitude. If they want attitude they can just go talk to their teenagers :)

TLW...ROAR!

Seth Godin is famous because he's Seth Godin. None of us are going to be Seth Godin. If I become as famous as Seth Godin I won't need to promote myself. Even Seth Godin promotes himself. He just does it in other ways. He puts his name on his blog posts. Until my name gets as famous as his I have a lot of promoting to do.

I truly believe there is a way to do both, but in a tasteful, not in-your-face-mr. consumer way. How? I'm still thinking about that.

All in all I agree you though, as I am tired ... way tired ... of self-serving posts all over the web from realtors who are just simply the REASON realtors are held in such contempt by the general public. Makes me CARAZZY!

Over on Trulia Voices I actually saw an "answer" from a realtor in florida who offered to write an offer for an Ohio buyer whom she had never met. She suggested he could "wire her the money" and they could do contracts via fax or email. Talk about zero concept of fiduciary duty.

This is a really good discussioin post. I think the posts need some kind of promotion. but not a paragraph (as I've seen on some). Thanks for the reminder and how we should view our web presence. As Missy stated "There has to be a balance between the page being full of "about me" and the being able to get to us."

hahahah @ TLW. I'm right along with you guys. And to solicit each other with links in the comment section is so uncool.

As a dedicated supporter of Localism....I know mine are read...but to have all the blatant ads and such at the bottom of ones post ...with a couple sentences is really playing hog the dashboard. I know I know....you keep reiterating to me about the content and they won't get read...but if they are writing 10 posts like that within an hour...they have the whole dashboard.

Content means so much....and we're not just talking content with a bunch of junk.

Victor: While I do agree with some of your points, I think the primary issue here isn't necessarily SEO as it is reader-engagement. Obviously the two must work together. You can have the most SEO-effective blog in the world and pull up on Page 1, but will there be anything valuable or meaningful there to encourage consumers to stick around?

Rich - I contemplated back and forth on whether or not I should be including self-promotion in my local blog posts and your post summed up my thoughts exactly. I figured if people like the info I'm providing, they will contact me.

Shane: Calm down, man! If something is working for you, then by all means, keep on doing it. This post was directed towards those who try to shove a round Web 1.0 peg into a square Web 2.0 hole. Today's Internet savvy consumer is more sophisticated than ever before. They're impatient. They're looking for meat and substance. By all means, take whatever steps are necessary in order to achieve good ranking. But at the end of the day, there better be something good for them to digest.

Hey Rich,

I wish those egocentrics didn't devour the market but sadly in many cases they absolutely do. I personally believe that we all must do what feels right.

Lisa

Rich, It's interesting the different thoughts on this. I've been using one paragraph and a link to my website; I don't think it's overkill but leaves an easy way for people to get to my site if they are interested. I'll be looking forward to see how some other blogs come up after this!

O.K. that does it I am cutting my blog footer down to one sentence. But I do need to know where you got that picture of that hairdo, do ya think that wig may help my blog???????

Im calm sorry lol. For me its weird because I am the only agent in a 100 mile radius who uses AR. I am the only agent who has posted on localism except a single post by one agent about 3 months ago. So its just me. I guess I feel lonely and dont know what to do with it. I feel like I was supposed to do something special with localism but since its just me it came out all weird. It would certainly be better with more content from more agents.

But the other issue is that I dont know that any consumers from my area use the site. With only me advertising it there is less consumer interest. I can only reach so many. So again with out more contribution from other agents I cant even tell that anyone is even using the site but me. It really feels like that echo echo thing in a canyon.

So I guess I dont know what we are talking about either. Just posts on localism or AR blogs in general?

Shane, you might want to have one or two less cups of coffee...

I just think it's great that you started this discussion as we've ALL probably learned something new:)

Well I was on my 3rd I think and not much sleep.

Rich I just wanted you to know that if you ever need a great real estate agent in Salem Oregon just give me a call. I am amazing, awesome, and I totally rock as an agent. Really...why use anyone else?

Heh...heh...

I wanted to share this with your readers since this came on my outside blog just yesterday and it ties in with your post...This was an email I received from a reader...

In my search for credible info on Salem Real Estate without obligations I ran across your web site. Kudos! ... If we decide to buy housing for investment, I will contact you for your services, as your 'on the up and up' web site speaks well of your professionalism.

You don't have to sell yourself to sell yourself. Really...people WILL contact you if they like what you have to say...

Shane: I've been through Eau Claire many times, so I know what you're dealing with. Personally, I think you're doing an outstanding job of differentiating yourself from the other agents in your market. You are planting seeds that will take root and produce a huge harvest down the road. The only advice I would give to you is to try to wean yourself away from using scripts in your videos. Try to be more informal and conversational....more relaxed and just yourself. Shoot some videos when you're out and about, as opposed to being behind the desk all the time. Get a Flip Video camera. They're very portable and easy to upload.

Melina: I would not hesitate to refer to you because you do such an awesome job of establishing your credentials and capabilities through your content!

To All who have commented:

It's obvious that there needs to be a balance between SEO tactics and offering valued consumer-centric content. You should employ proven methods to ensure that your blog ranks well in the search engines, but also, make sure when your readers arrive, that there's something worthwhile for them to read, and encourages them to stick around, and eventually contact you!

Good post Rich - This is definitely something I'll keep around for reference in the future.

Best, Dan

Rich, you took this post to the next level my friend. Great job and congratulations on the feature!

You know me... I believe less is more... ha ha. Am I on the naughty list?

Rich: My goodness! Looks like you have struck a nerve or two.....

One interesting point is that people are people and will be attracted to sites and information based upon their individual connection with the content. If they like bling, they will gravitate towards bling. If they are more conservative, then they will move toward that.

I am quite new to this whole social network environment, but I do know that my SEO would not be what it is without the links. My personal website traffic has tripled in the last 3 months and better yet, my conversion rate has quadrupled.

Good content Rich and great comments. Thanks all.......

Rich - Wow, there is quite a discussion here. Is a very interesting topic. Not sure if I have enough expertise here to really know. I think what I am picking up is that CONTENT IS KING. So even if you come up on page 1 of Google, but your content is crap, it does not matter.

On the other side, you want to be able for folks to find you. So I do a agree that some outgoing links may make sense or if it is valuable content, having a footer similar to what Bill talks about in his post makes sense too.

I will look to learn more on this one ! ~ Chris

I think the goal is to be found, so following SEO to make one's posts and content found should be the first goal, and then to make the content so compelling, that a consumer will want to call you. Great advice Rich.

Consumers do not find me by searching Localism. Localism does not have good google rankings. Consumers find me by searching key words. So I for one will keep promoting myself at the bottom of my posts, it has been working for me.

It also cuts down on the number of calls I receive from consumers looking for a travel agent : )

Rich, eventually the agents who only blow their own horns without providing useful information, will in turn be blown away with the wind of change.

Rich, I just read Bill Gasset's blog and at first it sounded like you didn't want any call to action buttons and info at the bottom of any posts. But if I read this correctly, I guess you would be saying that AR will downgrade those posts that don't say much, but have lots of links, info about the author, and call to action buttons. If this is the case, I applaud that, because the crap, 5 sentence blogs, with more info about the author, truly always ticked me off. But if it is quality stuff, it's okay, right?

Secondly, I didn't read all of the comments, but I do believe that you need to have some links and call to action buttons, because many consumers want to know how to contact you now, not searching and searching. The little e-mail link on the side, not everyone sees that. You will always have experts say one thing... and other experts say something else. And Seth Gordin is a marketer. I do what works for me and that is write quality blogs, which gets me plenty of business.

Overall, what I dislike the most are those that place their links in the comment sections. I meant to say this to you all, but maybe you should make our names appear as a link. Yes, it is a link, but you don't know this unless you click onto the name at the bottom of the comment. Just food for thought... thanks

Jeff Belonger

PS... Rich.. and I agree with Teresa Boardman.. what is Hyper-Local blogging? Is that a new term? I see that some people have written about this, but google doesn't have it listed with a definition.... so to me, it sounds like to words put together with a meaning, that is just an assumption.. just curious.. thanks

Jeff Belonger

Rich-If everyone in sales followed Seth Godin, nothing would ever get sold. We would just be order takers. If he thinks promotions and emails are interruptions, what about the door to door Fuller Brush man?

I like to use my posts to direct traffic and gain SEO and rankings though I agree the post should be about more than just marketing.

Once again.. another great converation topic... I can see it both ways... I agree Margaret..... Of course there needs to be a way to do it without it just being another ME ME and still get the SEO power too

Nice to know that I can just be me without all the glamour stuff and still have a chance at success!

Hey Rich, Who's to say which is the right way? I can attest that the posts with more contact blah, blah, blah than actual post is really tiring to read...

It's been incredible to read all of the diverse opinions on this subject. There is truth on both sides of the discussion. It's definitely about SEO, but at the end of the day, the client is all that matters. So, my take is... show me the content! Build something great and they will come!

Hi Rich, while I agree that great content is key, I don't see anything wrong with some branding information at the bottom of your post. Thank you for the thought provoking post.

So I was sittin here drinking some coffee ...

MAR

2009

Rich,

I kind of sway back and forth with putting self-promotion at the bottom of my posts. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. It all depends on who is my target audience and the topic. I put links to my foreclosure listings on my website and that has increased leads a bunch.

Hi Rich!
I think the work that best describes what you are saying is "Professional". I am anxious to go back to your blog now and go into a couple of the links. I am just new enough at this to commit some errors, so I am going to take advantage of your lessons. Thanks!

Hi Once More!
Okay...now I have read your links and the other comments. I have to say, I am now relieved! I thought I was missing something by not putting all those clever "buttons" at the bottom of my post. Now I think it was karma...I am fortunate that it always seems someone is watching out for me - I didn't learn how to do it before I read your post...now I will just put a link to my website. Thanks!

I had to come back and keep up with the discussion. Great topic, by the way!

Rich, your comments seem to indicate that it's OK to do "what's working" as long as there's quality content in the post. I am guessing the "what's working" is the promo stuff at the bottom of the posts, based on all the comments from folks who do it and gain traffic from it. Thanks for the blessing! I'll proceed with my newfound buttons and links =)

Rich, as mentioned those spam posts by new members, that have 10000 lines of links are going in the wrong direction. If however, by putting a picture or 2 with some links in the footer, coupled with good content, as we do, is wrong, and if you then dowgraded our blog for it, then that is not a position that we will agree with. Let us know what exactly you are referring to(via email if possible) and what your end goal for this post is.

Oh, this post is the catalyst of a new post that I am now creating in my mind. I agree totally with Bill Gassett and I am glad that his post as a response to this was featured.

Moderation in all things.

If I did not have a call to action and my phone number on all of my posts I would not be getting all the listings I am getting. They call from the # that is at the bottom of the post. They are not going to look for my on the sidebar, sorry, it is not true that if they want to find you, they will- especially if they don't know where to look.

For heaven's sake I still have sellers who put our website address in the google search bar instead of the address bar! It is relative to your market.

I had this talk with Brad a while back.

Seth leads tribes that are mostly of the thinking of all for the higher good and from my experience on Squidoo which is one of Seth's tribes is that they frown on people making money and if you do make money it should be given to charity. His theories all sound great in an online eutopia. Sorry, but I got bills to pay and babes to feed. The fact remains that people don't change or evolve to the point that they do not take action on a call to action.

Of course, I do believe that this all should be done very tastefully with permission based marketing and not interruption marketing. Katerina

Rich, I worte a post about something very similar to this a while back, and it just happened to be my only feature I have ever received. This topic seems to always stir up a lot of emotion. I never even thought of promoting myself on my posts until I read all the comments on your post. It seems as though people are getting great Google juice by adding their contact info to the bottom of each post. To me, when I read the posts, it's annoying, but on the other hand, if it creates Google juice, perhaps I should reconsider.

Victor: What you, Katerina, and Bill are all doing is perfectly fine. Why? Because at the end of SEO trail there's quality content that offers value to the consumer.

Wow! Your blog certainly generated a lot of comments and opinions. I am new to this and have been wondering what I should do in terms of contact information ,etc. after each blog. After reading all of this, I see the points that both sides have to offer.

Rich,

I agree that content is paramount and a good page will have sufficient links to contact you. However, a good salesperson and that is what we are all wanting to be, must always, in a very nice way ask for the business. Be that as it may, a footer with a simple link with an appropriate anchor, should lead potential customers a bit in the right direction.

Richard

Hey, Rich - Since you hate advertising at the bottom of blog posts, and presumably Jonathan and others at AR do too... how about having a conversation with Growth Leader about the positively ABSURD button ad we're expected to put at the bottom of our blog post.

Love the comments on this and Bill Gossetts blog.......there are the extremes on both ends......and then there is the stretch in between.........a creative balance is possible.......and I love Seth.....And you need to follow what works for you.......experiment and see...

MAR

2009

Rich, I am still trying to cool off after reading about this policy here in your blog

"5. Do not post a bunch of self serving marketing material on the bottom of your post: If a home buyer or seller finds your information interesting they will figure out how to contact you. Also, our editors highly downgrade posts with built in - self serving marketing messages."

This in my opinion is RIDICULOUS!!!!

Judge a blog on its content and not on the footnote. To award the same number of points to at five sentence blog with nothing of value as you do a blog that is well written and informative to the public, just because it has a footnote with information about the writer, is as I said before RIDICULOUS. This does not make any sense at all to me.

gee whiz George I did not think that the point system was that sophisticated... that it could measure how commercial or un commercial the last paragraph at the bottom or not at the bottom of a post is Nor the quantity or quality of what goes into scoring a post... 50 words minimuin....

There are no editors....

This has nothing to do with points does it? Anyway points aren't good for anything at all are they?

"Also, our editors highly downgrade posts with built in - self serving marketing messages." is just left over from when there were plans to edit Localism.... isn't it?

Brother George: No need to get hot under the collar. It was never a 'policy' per se, more like a guideline. And as Maureen so astutely observes, it was from the short period of time when we were editing content being published to Localism. Since we no longer have that editorial process, it really doesn't apply.

I think the intent at the time was that we were trying to populate Localism with good local content that would attract consumer traffic, in preparation for the public launch, and that we didn't want a lot of blatant self-promotion cluttering up the landscape.

However, having said that, I wish that our point scoring system was sophisticated enough to recognize those people who insist on posting two or three sentences of meaningless drabble, followed by a plethora of rendundant self-promotional banter. And yet they get points. It's really not fair to those who take the time to generate good, quality content. So we're definitely in agreement there.

Maureen I disagree and I will explain in my comment to Rich.

Rich, if that is the case then why have I seen a major change in the way my blogs have been scored in the last two weeks. Prior to two weeks ago, when I finally add a footer to my blogs, I was receiving on average 350 to 450 points on my blogs, even on a recent meaningless ME ME blog that I wrote on 12/24/08 I got 453 points. But since adding the footer I have written four blogs with better content and valuable public information and the points have been 249, 257, 265, & 225 which are less than points than even the lowest points on before the footer. As you can see I have seen the change first hand. If the change in points scoring is not do to downgrading points because of the footer, than tell me what has caused the change.

Rich I just repiied to you and Maureen and I got a message saying that my comment was put into a folder because it was identified as posible spam. First time that I have gotten that also.

Rich - Wonderful blog! I have a problem, the network is not letting me make comments to members blogs!

3-3-2009

Great food for thought Rich,makes perfect sense to me about not turning your post into a billboard

Looks like your comment came through George

Is there a change in scoring Rich?

What counts in the scoring? comments? clicks?

Are the posts with an advertisement on the bottom dinged points?

Maureen: No changes that I know of. Very few people know the exact algorithm that 's being employed, which is probably best. I know it takes into consideration the amount of comments received, and probably the amount of clicks. The posts with ad ad nauseum don't get dinged.

MAR

2009

Rich, I'm glad marti featured this as I had read several posts responding to this but now I have read the original post. I passionately agree with you. I hate hard-sell looking blogs, posts and comments. What I do at the end of my post is suggest several related articles that readers might find interesting which then takes them to my own blog. It works for me!

I agree with some posters here, that a little bit of advertising on the bottom of my blog goes a long way.

Rich, You made some great points in your blog. I plan to do my first blog soon and will keep the information from your blog in mind when writing it.

MAR

2009

It all makes sense. Consumers want to know what's in it for them!!!

I have been reposting my info on the bottom of my posts because as some of commentors mention, it may be the only lead back on other servers. . .

MAR

2009

Excellent advice

MAR

2009

I agree. I get partly through some blogs and I move on without commenting. Sorry, that's the way it is.

I agree completely - blogging, in the final analysis is about communication. If we can write intelligent, interesting posts and keep people coming back for more, then as you say, they will figure out how to contact us is they want to.

I have started spamming myself... an itty bitty line on the bottom of posts if I can remember to do it. Usually when I post it I think this is silly... it is right there over on the side of my post... am I insulting their intelligence... am I insulting Google. It is a test. It is only a test.

MAR

2009

I am still not sure which way I will go. I will bookmark this post, as it is full of information from you and the comments. Gotta run now

MAR

2009

It's all fun and games 'til somebody moves the blog button.

JUL

2009

I agree with Amanda! I want to know what happened to the Bookmark button!?!? Great info in this post, I am paring down my information on the bottom of posts. Thanks!!

AUG

2009

Rich,

Great post for creating a discussion; I learn so much more from a conversation on active rain which explains multiple perspectives. Although I agree that quality of content is key to keeping the consumers' attention and earning their respect, it is clear that the less-sophisticated consumer needs an easy link at the bottom of the blog if they want to find you after reading and those links do make it easier for consumers to find your writing in the first place!

SEP

2009

Rich - Great information and great comments, also. I believe in self promotion but MODERATION is key.

JUN

I like the reference to the business card on steriods because it is so true. I am relatively new to the industry and struggled when I started to place so much value in my picture. I am now considering replacing my picture on my business card entirly with a QR code. Great post- thanks for the tips!

Kim: For some folks, a QR code would definitely be an improvement! But for you, I think both would be perfect. You have a great smile!...

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Silverdale, WA

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