Special offer

December 2022 Challenge…5 Tips 

By
Home Stager

December 2022 Challenge…5 Tips 

 

When you’re starting your business or want to grow it,  you’ve probably been told or read that you need to blog. Good advice but does anyone ever tell you how to go about blogging??

 

Many of us learned how to blog or at least how to blog effectively here at ActiveRain. 

 

 

I owe whatever I learned about blogging to this platform, Bob Stewart and Brad Andersohn, and the ActiveRain Webinars we used to have.

 

There are so many tips I could share with you but I’ll keep it simple.

 

ONE…

Read as many different blogs as you can. 

Don’t copy them but by reading different posts, you’ll find styles that resonate with you and those that don’t! Pick what fits you. 

 

 

TWO…

Find your voice. 

 To attract and keep readers,  you’ll want them to connect with you. My advice is to write in your own words…well… your own words with correct grammar. 

What works for me is to write as if YOU were sitting across from me and I was talking directly to you. 

 

THREE…

Be original

Everyone's time is valuable so make reading your blog worth their time. Use your own material.  Constantly “lifting” from another source without your own comments will not engage your readers. 

 

 

FOUR…

Learn to spot blogging topics

This is something I learned over time. Finding topics to write about (besides market reports and listings) can be hard. 

The more you blog…the more you read other blogs…and the more you get out into your world, you’ll learn to spot topics that would be blog-worthy. 

 

FIVE…

Blogging on ActiveRain is not a One-Way Street

This doesn’t have to be tit for tat but the success of this platform has been due to its members and the relationships we form. 


If you never comment on another member’s blog... if your comments are drive-by only…if you don’t acknowledge comments on your blog…you’ll still have a blog but think how much more you’ll have if you build relationships with the others here. 

 

Happy Blogging!

 

This is my second entry in the December 2022 Challenge- A Guide for Blogging Success hosted by Jeff Dowler, CRS and Brian England .





Posted by

Kathy Streib
Retired Home Stager
and Interior Redesign

In Person Consultations in Texas
for Houston & Harris Counties
and
Virtual Staging Consultations
for all states


Follow My Blog for Practical, Creative,
Easy-to-Do Styling Solutions
Whether You're Selling
or Want to Fall Back in Love
With Your Home
 

561-914-6224
Call or Text

Email Me

About Me
My Blog
   Facebook
Instagram

 

Comments(33)

Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Great tips for anyone looking at the value and purpose of blogging. As a web author for many years, these are some of the tips I’d endorse. Finding your voice and purpose is the key, your content will attract and grow your audience and with that comes amazing relationships being created and built over time! 

Dec 15, 2022 07:07 AM
Kathy Streib

Hi Brad Andersohn wish we could have you back here heading up webinars or at our Zoom meeting!!!!!   

Dec 15, 2022 05:15 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

And you Brad Andersohn are the why and how we all got started all those years ago! Love ya buddy!!

Dec 15, 2022 08:12 PM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

You know Kathy, there are still those on this platform that do their "drive-by" comments every day. Never reading the topic, never writing anything different, and only the names have been changed!

Dec 15, 2022 07:27 AM
Kathy Streib

Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400 I don't know if that will ever change but I have learned to ignore them. 

Dec 15, 2022 05:16 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Kathy,

I couldn't agree more with your 5 tips on successful blogging. Personally I feel finding your voice and purpose is the key to writing your posts.

Dec 15, 2022 07:47 AM
Kathy Streib

Dorie Dillard Austin TX Thank you!  It's actually a lot easier to write when you do use your own voice. 

Dec 15, 2022 05:17 PM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Kathy and great information to share with us here in the Rain.  Make it a great day!

Dec 15, 2022 08:28 AM
Kathy Streib

Thank you Will Hamm I just saw your weather..BRRRRR!

Dec 15, 2022 05:24 PM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

Great tips and I can certainly work on some of these in my own blogging. I totally agree about having a nice mix of content- market reports are great, but I find it's more engaging when there's also some personal topics mixed in

Dec 15, 2022 09:15 AM
Kathy Streib

Lise Howe I think having a mix of blog topics allows your readers to learn more about you. They will form relationships because of this. 

Dec 15, 2022 05:25 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Kathy great post.  Not complicated, follow these tips, pay close attention and start blogging!  I figured out early on that I saw dozens of titles/topics to write on on a daily basis.  We used to joke around the office - well that would make a great blog! Sometimes I'd simply start a new post with just a title so I wouldn't forget it.

 

Featured in BananaTude!

 

Dec 15, 2022 09:52 AM
Kathy Streib

Anna Banana Kruchten Phoenix Broker I actually just did what you said. I read a comment here that would be something I'd like to blog about so I went to Google drive and jotted down my thoughts in a new document which will be continued later. 

Dec 15, 2022 05:29 PM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Hi Kathy,

You always have smart words of wisdom on any topic you discuss.  This is no exception.   If a blogger only followed these five points, they would have a successful blogging experience.  This is a great entry into the challenge. 

Dec 15, 2022 09:54 AM
Kathy Streib

Sheri Sperry - MCNE® I truly appreciate your very kind words. Thank you. 

Dec 15, 2022 05:58 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Exactly Sheri Sperry - MCNE® !! Follow Kathy's advice!

Dec 15, 2022 08:11 PM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

Great tips and well worth taking to heart.

Dec 15, 2022 09:56 AM
Kathy Streib

Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543 Thank you. I really do miss the webinars we used to have. 

Dec 15, 2022 05:59 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Kathy:

There are plenty of great tips here for those starting out in blogging, as well as perhaps needing to step up the game and have more success.

Thanks for your 2nd Challenge entry!

Jeff

Dec 15, 2022 10:36 AM
Kathy Streib

Hi Jeff Dowler, CRS thank you and Brian England for hosting this challenge. It's one that is helpful for all!!!

Dec 15, 2022 06:01 PM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

Looks like your post got the attention of  Brad, Kathy! Wonderful tips that anyone who is thinking about blogging, they can benefit from this sage advice.

Dec 15, 2022 12:24 PM
Kathy Streib

Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can! I've been trying to get him to present at a Zoom meeting and we've played telephone tag as well. 

Dec 15, 2022 06:02 PM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!

That would be fantastic, Kathy!

Dec 16, 2022 06:51 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Kathy this good advice.  Easy to follow and to do.

Dec 15, 2022 01:41 PM
Kathy Streib

George Souto i'm all about keeping it simple. 

Dec 15, 2022 06:02 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Those are all very valuable tips for blogging success, Kathy.  I still remember my first steps in blogging.  They were filled with both fear and excitement at the same time.

Dec 15, 2022 04:51 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

CONGRATULATIONS Kathy, on having this blog FEATURED in the Old Farts Club group!  

Dec 15, 2022 04:52 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

It is funny how you can eventually recognize a blogger from reading a post without knowing first who wrote it.

Works on all social media...sometimes I amuse myself by scrolling through fb and seeing how many of my friends I can identify without actually seeing who wrote it first.

Dec 16, 2022 02:58 PM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

So many of us started out the same way with those early challenges meant to be teaching lessons. Along the way we found our individual voices and the results were there. 

Commenting on other's posts also gets more exposure especially if keywords are used

Dec 17, 2022 05:54 AM
Buzz Mackintosh
Mackintosh REALTORS - Frederick, MD
“Experience, reliable, leadership”

Great tips   , I stayed on the sidelines for many years until I came out of my shell and found my voice in the blogging world of AR!

Dec 17, 2022 06:38 AM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Kathy Streib - we should talk, I’d be happy to do something after the start of the new year?

Let’s connect and brainstorm on some content ideas that will change the World!👍❤️😎

Dec 17, 2022 10:22 AM
Kathy Streib

Brad Andersohn absolutely!!! 

Dec 17, 2022 10:28 AM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Anna Banana Kruchten Phoenix Broker

Love you too!!! 🙏❤️

Dec 17, 2022 10:34 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Good entry with your five tips for blogging. I would love to hear Brad Andersohn, on any topic, on a Tuesday zoom!

Dec 17, 2022 07:55 PM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876
I would love (and be honored) to jump in on a zoom call one Tuesday. Please provide me a link or some intel if possible? I miss you all, thanks Margaret 🙏❤️
Dec 27, 2022 09:08 AM