Create a Google Knol account asap and add it to your repertoire of places to contribute content (Mahalo, Squidoo, ActiveRain/Localism and Zillow/Trulia - if you don't care about backlinks). Early research indicates that Google will rank Knol content very high (also check out this post). Blog here about your local community, similarly to how you would use Localism.
Hi Jonathan, I hope your trip to the Inman Conference was everthing you had hoped. This post is very interesting and I am checking it out now. Thanks for the advice.
Jonathan: I created my first knol article late last night. I agree, it will make a great addition to places where you can invest content...
I joined the day problogger announced it was out of Beta, but had problems "posting". It's another great new tool to keep up with.
Update: Thanks for the reminder - I just got my first one published :)
I noticed this recently but did not take the "time" to investigate much. Thanks for the reminder and recommendation. Looks like another great tool...
Hate to see you promoting this, Jon.
Real estate agents are filling it up with the same garbage that passes for blogging to most of them.
Search real estate at Google Knol and see what you get: blank articles, quasi-scams, stupid bio and property commercials, etc.
Tell people to stay away until they have something useful to offer. They're making fools of themselves.
Joe, frankly I'm offended - when searching "real estate" I'm coming up number 3 right now, although I'm sure that won't last long. Of course there will be crap posted like there is everywhere. The bio knol is automatically created when we set up an account, so what the h*ll are we supposed to do - leave it blank? My knol is full of authoritative links and info, market statistic links and more.
Instead of a negative comment lumping us all in the same boat, why not some constuctive ideas on how to best utilize the tool?
Joe: What are you doing here???....just kidding. Nice to see your mug around these parts, if only just to post the occasional comment. Joe, if legitimate bloggers don't contribute valid content, than the only thing that will show up is crap. Isn't half crap better than all crap?
Michelle,
A constructive idea for you ... Skip writing things like this when you're supposed to be writing about Athens, GA:
"I'd like to take a moment to introduce myself. I'm Michelle DeRepentigny, Broker of Success Realty and a Relocation Services Specialist."
You've lost your readers at that point.
And your bio! Have you ever seen an author, purporting to be an expert, write anything like you've written?
I'm sorry that you were offended by my comment, but Realtors are desperately in need of some tough love.
Joe, see how easy that was. The paragraph you referenced above is now gone - it's just habit for us to promote ourselves :)
I'm ready for all the tough love you can give, as long as you include suggestions. I'm not a writer. I'm a REALTOR. The bio needs work, but I have a compulsion to fill an empty page and no clue what to put on it. I'm really open to advice.
P.S. Jon - sorry to hijack your post
Thanks Jonathon! I hadn't heard about knols. I'm going to go write a knol that will make Joe proud.
Joe, this place could definitely use a few doses of your tough love. Coming back??? It's been so boring since you left!
I just read the whole reposts you linked too. I'm a little confused but like Aaron and he knows his stuff. So if we post on here for localism, should we do the same post and put it on Knol?
Michelle,
I don't think you / we are hijacking the thread, which is about whether to use Knol. We're talking about how to behave when we go there, and I'm suggesting that Realtors shouldn't use Knol until they have a solid grip on consumer expectations and more of a consumer focus.
Knol is a place to share knowledge and showcase expertise. It's not a place to advertise real estate services, and anything that smacks of advertising or promotion is going to be harshly rejected by people looking for information and advice.
Realtors also need to be sensitive to public perceptions about their profession when they visit Knol. Every post that screams "I'm a Realtor! I'm your local expert! Hire me!" eats into every Realtor's ability to earn a living by making the public think less of Realtors.
Bios are a risky area on Knol, since that's where Realtors are most tempted to talk about themselves. Don't do it. Just briefly state your qualifications to be writing about the subject. Knol allows liberal links to your Web sites. Anyone who wants to know about your qualifications as a Realtor can go there and learn them.
Rich,
Thanks for remembering me. I'm not coming back - too much to do where I am.
Good morning - I've just learned about Knol. I do write a lot of local content - and will be happy to try my best on writing the bio, etc!! What are the opinions are SEO on creating very similar content to what I do for Localism? I will try to change a little - but so many places to post....
I wrote my knol, las vegas real estate! I am still playing with it trying to figure everything out.
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