Sometimes when you write often enough you do get ideas about another topic you would like to throw out there but then in your mind you determine that no one would really be interested. I have to credit fellow Associate and excellent Realtor from Myrtle Beach, SC Mirela Monte for encouraging me to write this one. It is entitled, "My Blogging Success Secrets."
I hesitated to write this because I don't consider myself a master blogger of the likes of a Sally Cheeseman or Jason Crouch. I don't want to tell others what to write. But Mirela said I knew enough about what worked for me, so to go ahead and share that.
So here are a few things that worked for me and pick and choose if it fits with your writing.
1) Make the topic interesting as best you can. Lenn Harley does great market reports but she adds commentary and color maps.
I had a discussion with Sondra Meyer that I COULD NOT in good conscience write about a new elementary school opening down the block because it didn't interest me. She suggested just be me. I would write it with an interview of a child or video taping the school buses rolling in and upload that. Please, BE YOURSELF. Some like market reports and ones like Patricia Beck have the best 3D bar charts I've ever seen.
Some are so good at details like Liz Moras I am still awestruck by her posts. But play to your strengths and make it interesting.
2) Answer Your Mail. This is done so infrequently in the Rain that Mirela pointed out that she liked that I did it. Comment on your comments as time permits. It is what makes a blog a conversation. If my faves could see the BIG SMILE I get when they first comment on my blog and next comment on my comments on their blogs they would do this all the time. If you get a FEATURE POST and get a bazillion comments you are excused on this one.
3) Circle Back to Read. When you come back to look at a post from one of your fave writers on another day, scroll down and see if they responded to the last comment you wrote on their blog. Don't miss this. It keeps you knowing what they are thinking about you and provides you more knowledge about them.
4) This one is especially for Newbies. Try to come up with at least one graphic or photo that matches the text of your thoughts. This draws the reader in and like a magazine article creates stickiness and initial interest in what you are writing about. Get them from your own stock, Photobucket, Photoshop, clip art, Publisher, your own camera, but do not use anything you know is copyrighted.
5) Avoid writer's cramp and come up with blog ideas from your own life, your interests, making notes along the way in your day, and even reading others' blogs, talking to them, or reading the comments.
6) Finally, find your voice. If you write enough a voice will emerge. Susan Mangigian and Carolyn Tann-Starr write some of the best Members Only posts. Dan and Irene Woodworth write great encouragement posts. Carol Culkin and Pat Kennedy write great day in the life of a Realtor posts. Carole Provenzale knows EVERYTHING about Feng Shui. You can't beat Jim Crawford for market trends. Barbara Duncan and Trey Thurmond and Deb Brooks know their backyards intimately and describe them so well. Leesa Finley knows historic homes and techy stuff. Lorrena Yeo talks about being a Realtor Mom while Charles Buell is in crawl spaces in Washington State telling us about inspections. Fran the Title Man gives us more info on the settlement business while Jason Sardi keeps us posted on mortgages. Military relocations? How about Cynthia Tilghman? Blurbs from the burbs? Judy Greenberg. Realtor in Idaho? Pam Pugmire. Vegas? Arina Hanciulescu. Alaska? My man Jesse Clifton. Long Island? Adam Waldman. Charlotte? Debe Maxell. Southeast Fla? Neal Bloom, Katerina, Broker Bryant and TLW. Virginia? Chris Ann, Kate, and Charles, Staging? Kathy Passarette, Cathy Lee. Hundreds if not thousands of other voices out there too that space here limits me.
The point in blogging is a circle of conversation going between all of us with respect, energy, humor, honesty, and what time you can give to it. It will be very rewarding to you if you work it. This is what I have found so far. My recommendation? Give it a go. It will take you places you have never been to before. And isn't that what life is all about? One big adventure!! Enjoy the ride.
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