The Second Commandment of Blogging (Learned the Hard Way)

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The Second Commandment of Blogging (Learned the Hard Way)

We all know the First Commandment of Blogging: CONTENT IS KING.

'Not sure if I learned this the hard way (through the School of Hard Knocks) or the easy way (someone shared their wisdom with me), but I've known for a long time that good content attracts both google and readers. It has been the "secret" to selling Crofton Maryland real estate in this market.

When I headed to Texas in June, my broker-owner Ed White was covering for me here in Maryland - After about a week, he said "This is crazy... Are you always this busy?" I was sending him about one or two leads a day - all generated by my blogs. This continued for another week, 'til I lost regular Internet connection when my daughter moved into her new house. She had procrastinated on ordering Internet service for home, since she enjoyed access all day at work. That's when I learned...

The Second Commandment of Blogging: CONSISTENCY IS CRUCIAL.

No Internet connection After two weeks without Internet access for blogging consistently about Crofton and real estate, those leads from blogging nearly dried up. Checking email on a cell phone is one thing; blogging is another! I realized, for the first time, the huge impact of CONSISTENT blogging.

At that point, my daughter shared her air card with me (a device she uses for Internet access when traveling on business). That helped, and I posted a few times, but my place in google search results for "Crofton Maryland Real Estate" dropped from one and two for my Focus On Crofton and ActiveRain blogs to five and six during the six weeks I was away. Even more important - new leads weren't coming in from ActiveRain, Localism or FocusOnCrofton.com at quite the same pace!

Next week, look for me to get back on schedule: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for FocusOnCrofton.com.. weekly (or more) for Localism... and, of course, ActiveRain. If I wasn't convinced before, I know now that CONSISTENCY is just as important as CONTENT in blogging, even though I have a pretty substantial inventory of past blogs posted.

Yes, blogging is a big investment in time - but it pays a huge return! People who live in the Crofton area seem to be riding out this market in place, so I can't count on local repeat and referral business. Relocation buyers are searching online for a community, a home, and an agent... and they find both Crofton real estate and me through my blogs.

'Guess I'd better get started. 'LOTS of catching up to do, and many new posts have been inspired by my trip, starting with my visit to another Crofton - Crofton, Kentucky!

PHOTOS: Istockphoto

DISCLAIMER: Information contained in this post is deemed reliable on the date of publication, but it is not guaranteed and it is subject to change without notice.
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Margaret Woda, REALTOR and Associate Broker
Direct: (301)346-2923 or click on EMAIL

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Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., 2191 Defense Hwy., Crofton, MD 21114 (410) 721-1500

Posted by Margaret Woda, Maryland Real Estate & Military Relocation Services on 08/06/2008 01:02 PM

Comments (117)

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117 Comments on The Second Commandment of Blogging (Learned the Hard Way)

AUG

2008

You are so right --- content and consistency WORK. Thanks for a terrific blog. I always enjoy reading it.

Margaret,

I think you're right on with your assessment, especially the consistency part...I was without access last week...missed it! BTW, What do those 'air cards' involve costwise??? Thanks, Fran

Margaret, I have to agree on the consistency portion. We have to stay current with posting and commenting. I was busy in May with graduations and weddings and all kinds of kid stuff. I paid for it June. Business did slow. For the last several weeks business pick up and I feel know there is a direct relation to my AR involvement. Picked up a new listing, from Hawaii just yesterday. Now as far a my content goes I am still working on that. It could always be better. Good job with helping Jim Crawford.

Margaret-welcome back! Hope you had a great visit with your daughter and I know you probably have lots of fodder for new posts.

Black Eyed Susans I was out in the country on Sunday and while waiting for my client saw these black-eyed susans and snapped a picture with my phone. They made me think of you!

I was wondering where you had been, Margaret! Nice to see your smiling face back at the top of my subscriber list :) With advice like this, I'll never get rid of my AR addiction!!

We all get busy and blogging almost becomes a second full time blog. Lately family and work have taken front seat for me too!

I agree! I have been bad and not kept up with blogging and I feel it has hurt me. I now work hard to keep my name out there!

Yikes, Margaret -- I am going away the last week of this month!

Great post, and very true. So many people have jumped on the Blogging Train thinking that if they throw a few lines on a page, business will come storming in. You have to provide value in your blog if you want people to return!

Margaret, Your post is right on. I schedule blogging right in my calender with seller follow up and touching base with my sphere everyday. (only after I realized that I needed to be consistent)

Margaret - you are absolutely correct, and I also try and write good content. I too have been more active, and if you are not it is interesting that you page rank changes.

You are right on Margaret. I've been sidetracked with business a few times and it's hard to get back in gear. I've definitely noticed a direct correlation between leads and a lack thereof when I'm blogging or not.

After two weeks without Internet access for blogging consistently about Crofton and real estate, those leads from blogging nearly dried up.

Hi Margaret,

I'm stunned by how quickly you noticed the change. Thanks very much for the heads up. In the future, what do you recommend? Everyone needs to take a vacation once in a while. Would you consider a guest blogger?

Good point Margaret. If we stop producing contet for folks, they'll move elsewhere. Fresh content is what they're after and without it, we lose our relevancy! Welcome home!

Hi Margaret, I agree with you and is a goal that I have been working towards for months now. welcome back, I look forward to reading more of your posts.

Hi, it's GREAT to be back! But boy... do I have some catching up to do. Everything from foot-high grass to foot-high mail and several blogs to write. Probably the thing I missed most was the reading and commenting, so I'm looking forward to that, as well.

Using blogjet, I timed blog releases a few weeks ahead for my outside blog. I'm gonna have to figure out if it works on ActiveRain and Localism. If you know the answer to that, please let us kinow.

I agree - consistency and content is King. Although I have know this for years I have only recently committed to blogging and doing it consistently. To help me with my commitment I solicited the assistance of an accountability partner. In addition to blogging - I report to my accountability partner each week on the status of my blogging commitment. It has helped me stay consistent. Because my word is a promise to myself and others this means NO excuses.

You will be back on the top in no time at all.

Great post Margaret and very important point about consistency. I can't believe how quickly the SEO changed.

Margaret--Wow! Dried up completely? I try to post consistantly and when time is tight I focus on posting localism and not leaving as many comments. Good information.

Margaret-I'm a A/R newbie and am learning a lot of stuff so this post was very beneficial. Thank you for a great post.

I could not live without my air card and laptop. Even a day without internet would drive me crazy.

Margaret - I still have along way to go in respect to content. I am sure it will come. Consistency has not been an issue. The amount of replies to this post are a testament to your ability to write informed blogs.

Thanks for your thoughts on consistency which is something I hadn't really thought of.

Thanks for the pointer! I have been away for a while because of too much business as well (and a little vacation). I am going to be coming back here much more often too! Congrats on hitting 200k by the way...

Margaret, I too am surprised at how quickly the lag in blogging reduced your inquiries… I’m still in infancy stages here in the rain but it’s been fun and so educational!

I’ll add a third commandment if I may to your two – it’s back up regularly. A computer crash will put you out of business for weeks – mine was a nightmare that lasted about a month. Not much time to blog (and let me also add it’s a very quick way to kill any creative writing thoughts as well). Glad you’re back to being connected!

Raleigh Realtor – Pamela St. Peter

I could not agree more. After my brief time here it I have decided to slow down only post well thought out qualitative articles. There are so many examples of "just stuff" but at the same time, my favorites often do not post a massive amount but the information is always helpful and compelling. Thank you for also mentioning "consistency"; just like anything else if you are out of site too long you are soon out of mind!

You are so right- it is an investment of time and it has to be done all the time to make it work well.

It is shocking that you dropped in the rankings that quickly - I find it hard to balance posting information for each of my main focus areas, but I know I need to do it!

Hi Margaret...I realize that every time I travel to Connecticut it happens to me. However, I go up there to spend time with my mom and, although I have Internet access at her home (now), I use it mostly for responding to e-mails and other business related things. The reason I am there is to be with my mom and blogging does interfere with that so I do as little as possible.

Glad to know we'll have some more posts to read.

Kate

So true! I have GOT to get back on a schedule of blogging my "ten blogs" a week!

I've been slacking off the last couple weeks!

Have a great week!

I was gone almost six weeks, so that's a little different than taking a week's vacation - but it does prove the point to me that blogging is not a "sometime" thing, if we want it to really work for us.

Some folks don't rely as much on blogging for their business as I do now, so it won't really matter for them to be inconsistent. It all depends on your own goals!

P.S. I have never posted 10 blogs a week to the same platform - 3 or 4 is usually my max, but I diligently maintain an outside blog as well as ActiveRain/localism.

Margaret: Can't imagine being down that long without internet. Glad to see you back!

You are so right. I was consistant in blogging and got 5 phone calls within 3 days and when I slacked off for the summer, the phone went dead...Hence, I am back now :)

Oh goodness...that is spot on. I heard an agent say the other day "I have been so good about blogging. I'm doing at least one a week." I almost fell over.

Dustin Curlee

excellent motivational blog Margaret! You are so right!

I guess I'm going to have to jump on the "bandwagon" and start consistently blog on a daily basis, if not every other day. My blogs have been on various topics; market analysis, environmental and politics.

Thanks for the insight!! I will start using it...

;>)

Consistency is important. I need to be better at scheduling time to blog 2 or 3 times a week.

True, that!

Margaret - that was the best post I've read in a long time! We just got back from 2 weeks vacation and the people covering for us had the same responses (lol) - can't imagine doing things the old way. :D Hope you enjoyed your vacation.

Great advice, I always new content played a huge role in lead generation but I did not think about the consistency. It is great to hear you are so busy in your neck of the woods.

I just realized that with my next closing, I will have made more money this year already than I made all of last year. I attribute that to blogging. People are finding me through google searches and hiring me because of what they read. I don't blog every day, but I blog consistently week in and week out, and that seems to do the trick.

Wow Margaret! What a great reminder! Makes me wish I could turn back the clock and make up for my inconsistency! But I will be sure to remember this from now on! Thanks for the post!

Thanks ,so much for the informating

I wish my business could be consistent so that my blogging could be consistent! Sometimes I can bang out 8 posts in a few days, then other times I have too much going on to even post one! I think my next project is to focus on better time management!

Thanks so much for your advice, good to remember on those long vacations or when we are just in a lazy slump.

Great point. I went away for two weeks and got away from posting. I did feel like I was missing something. I did comment and check email, just did not post. I have not been posting as consistantly and long as you, so I did not notice a lag from client contact? Thanks for the great advice.

Well, I was "consistently" reciprocating to the early commenters... not sure I can keep up with it since this was featured. Obviously this topic hits a nerve with a lot of people!

You know, some days and even some weeks just don't lend themselves to blogging. That's when it's good to pull out one you have in draft mode and tweak it for publishing. 'Done that many times on ActiveRain/Localism and I use Blogjet on my outside blog to write days ahead and post on my pre-determined schedule. Take advantage of "down" time to at least start a blog, because you'll be happy to have that in the hopper on another day!

This article is a great reminder as well as encouragement to keep up the blogging. I have been lax this summer with my kids at home and have just started to get back into this. I hope someday to have as much business as you.

Ditto to what you just said above, Margaret, about 'draft mode.' I'm fairly new at this, but I have predetermined to have blogs written and stored for times when writing isn't convenient. I'll have to look into Blogjet, that sounds like a useful tool. Others have mentioned that on Wordpress you can also pre-date and post a blog when you want to. Amazing that you are getting that many leads, how great is that?

Hello Margaret,

Just out of curiousity, did this happen during the latest round of Google updates?

Great tip about using draft mode and staying on schedule!!!

Margaret - I was just thinking about this today - it's like "time to make the donuts." You have to keep blogging in order to keep reaping the Google juice benefits.

Boy - the timing is a month too late for me but lesson learned all the same. I was out of town 3 out of the last 4 weeks. I was shocked at the drastic change in traffic. The good news - I seemed to have picked up again after not too long.

Boy can I relate. A week in Cape May NJ and a week in San Diego with only my Treo for emails...I was having withdrawal symptoms :-)

Margaret - Great post. Althought I'm new to Active Rain - already I've seen the benefits of regular, blogging with good content. There seems to be a hole in my market and I'm going to fill it.

Margaret- therein lies the dilemma. If you choose to use blogging as a way to generate customers, then you must have consistancy. It is not something you can turn on and off. That is for sure as you learned.

Now in the future this can be transformed into a totally different method- it would be interaction with the consumers, where they will participate on your blog/site asking questions and contributing content, which then would become a powerful google juice builder itself, like what Localism is going to morph into. The problem with this model becomes liability, so disclaimers must be strongly in place. I will expand on this further as I apply this method to another website I have. Then you could go on vacation and the leads would still come in.

Margaret,

Thanks for the post. Good humor and noteworthy suggestions for getting the most out of blogging.

Thanks for the pep talk and the advice! I am finding that blogging is sort of like exercising. Not completely necessary to do it every day, but the more you do it, the bigger the return!

Dear Margaret, excellent post. I also find is sometimes a little hard to blog consistently, but it is my goal to get into a blogging routine. Thank you for pointing out the importance of the "2nd Commandment of Blogging"!

Great food for thought and I am sure you are quite right. My question to you, as a relatively new blogger, is - How does one get exposure to her blogs from the search engines, so that we notice the difference when we are not consistent? Any suggestions are appreciated!

Margaret~ I think that it is interesting that you noticed a difference so quickly! I guess I better start blogging more regularly....

The extra ponts you get and the fact that you move up, possibly even obtaing a "Featured Agent" spot certainly doesn't huret either!

I wouldn't be too quick to jump to any conclusion about your Google rankings changing. It takes some time for Google to get new pages indexed and I can't see how it would change so much when you already have so many posts. It's something to note in the back of your mind. If you see the same thing happen again on your next vacation, maybe you might be on to something.

I really have to push myself to gt back to blogging when I've been away. Those creative juices don't always operate for me.

I'm actually looking to back off the quantity, but keep up the consistency. I've been blogging my "other blog" daily for over a year... Google knows where I am, so I might back off to four days a week... But I will be consistent about it.

Margaret..

Thanks for sharing how critical this has been for your business. Keep those fingers going.. your an inspiration to us all...

Stan Stepak

Real Living / Realty One

Northeast Ohio 440-476-0234

#1 in Avon Lake, Ohio

Excellent points, and some great reminders about the benefits. Some very interesting comments also. The draft idea is great.

Margaret, All great points! I have come a long way with my blog, but have much further to go, that's for sure! I hope you returned from your trip well rested! Have a great week.

Thanks for the valuable reminder.

I'm amazed that the leads slowed down so quickly! A great piece to teach us about consistency!

Great post. Thanks for sharing.

Margaret, Thanks for sharing these 2 big blogging commandments. Mike

Okay, for the benefit of doubters, I concede it may be coincidence that leads dropped off after several weeks of blogging inconsistency. Who can say for sure? I trust my instincts on this, and I WILL be consistent again, now that I'm back from my trip. Let's check in 5 or 6 weeks, and see if I'm back on top...

Margaret....you've got a great point that I'm working on tackling! When, where why and How to keep up with my blogging! Especially since the Tomato Plunge is on the horizon!

Funny you mention not having Internet. Ray and I are off to North Carolina for a couple days (first time away since LAST November for the NAR convention in Las Vegas) and we cannot stay at the best hotel in town (Harrah's Cherokee Casino) as they have NO INTERNET IN THE GUEST ROOMS...OR ANYWHERE IN THE HOTEL! Scare me! We have a free room, but are using it at a Best Western, just so I will have Internet access. Heck, when I went home to Montana, I made sure there was a coffee/internet cafe in my little town since my Mom does not use a computer. I was lucky enough to pirate off of someone's wireless in her neighborhood, and sat at the dining room table to do my work!

How DID we function without aircards, cellphones, wi-fi and efax? Good Grief! LOL!

It's too bad that even if you produce relevant content and are consistent, your success still hinges on Google. I've been doing regular consistent posts and ended up losing page rank and dropped to page 2, after being on page 1 for a good 4-5 months.

cool Margaret, we noticed a drop off too when we were out of pocket for a while. did remain more consistent on main blog, but it stil had a dip as well. doesn't take long to bring that back though.

hope your time away was eventful and fun...

Margaret -

We are getting ready to be out of town several times over the next month and a half and I am already checking wireles access in every location to make sure our posts don;t lag. In fact, I may even start a new category - On the Road!

Thanks for the timely reminder.

Michael Bergin, Alexandria, VA Real Estate at GWSleptHere,com

Margaret ..... great post. yes, blogging can be a full time job and it can be so much fun. <:)

you are so right but you generally are - I really need to be more consistent - I think I am getting close

I have been SO inconsistent lately - I feel guilty everyday I don't post but it hasn't helped me to keep posting - thanks for the kick in the tush.

AUG

2008

Margaret, I agree. I would also add that follow up whether it is a reply to a comment, an email or a phone call would be the 3rd rule. This is social marketing. AJ

Morning Margaret,

Welcome back. Good post, as always. I read and comment every day, however posting isn't plentiful. I suffer from ""Topic block" and try as I may, just can't get beyond it.

Margaret, Welcome back. Great post. I know consistency is important but when I go to visit my family in India I do not get a chance to blog i only comment on a few posts . This year maybe I will write one post a week.

I haven't seen that return on new clients yet. But I will. Its alot of hard work when you have a active family and an active life.

Thanks for the post on blogging. I have invited some new AR members and I will make sure they see this post also.

Great information.

Thanks for the wisdom.

Margaret; I have to say that I learned early on that quality and consistency (as well, as persistance) pays off. It really does make a difference when there's a break in the chain.

Excellent post for us. I think there's an AHA in there!

Hi Margaret,

So true! How often do you blog?

Catherine

Many thanks to everyone for your comments. I have read them all, and appreciate your thoughts. However, I have deleted two ads for services, poorly disguised as comments, and encourage the authors to read ActiveRain guidelines - a link is on the homepage.

Catherine, your question is answered in the body of the post.

You are so right. I have been absent from my blogging (ActiveRain and my own blog) due to some health issues and it is amazing - it is like starting over. It is a huge time commitment (I have a personal blog as well as professional) so I could easily spend all of my free time blogging. But it is worth it and it should be scheduled into the day, just like any other task!

keli

Thanks for pointing that out - I notice it really helps to update the old website consistently too.

Hi Margaret - No question that content and conistency is key. I am not surprised by your success at all - You do a GREAT job!!

Yes definitely - I have issues with consistency based mostly on my available time. With business sometimes crazy and other times allowing me more time to blog, my blog clearly reflects that.

AUG

2008

consistency in anything we do in business is critical. thanks for a great post

Wait. We need good content? Oh man. I may have going about this all the wrong way. :-)

I love blogging because I've always been a writer, but I was never a professional writer. I can write about any topic on my mind. Finally, I've found a place where I can write until the cows come home, and I don't even have any cows, so I'll be writing for a long, long time.

AUG

2008

I'm more of a reader than a writer. I could sit here all day long and read these blogs. Some of them are quite creative, inspirational, funny, etc., just a joy to see people enjoying life.

After 5+ weeks away AND launch of the new Localism - consistently posting is not going to be my problem. Being consistent is another matter, though. Gotta come up with a plan that includes a schedule, and gotta post about REAL ESTATE most of the time.

Margaret I was "out of the water" for 3 months and really noticed the difference - like you I've got to develop a plan and follow it consistently, Karen

I took a look at your blog and it is great! I love your ideas and your town sounds so inviting! I have recently started a blog and hope to be entertaining yet informative to people moving to our area or those who call Elizabethtown Kentucky home already. Thanks for sharing your experience!

AUG

2008

Margaret:

I enjoyed your blog article about Content and Consistency needed for results. Thanks.

Harrison K. Long, Explore Properties Group

Welcome back...thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Harrison, I do appreciate your reading and commenting on my blog, but...

Unfortunately, in order to be consistent, I have to delete your comment as I always do when I see a comment that conflicts with ActiveRain protocol. Please take a look at the ActiveRain guidelines (link on the homepage) for an explanation.

AUG

2008

Margaret, thanks for sharing this with us. I have always had the feeling that I didn't keep up with my writing and posting that I would loose ranking and leads! Now I am even for committed to keeping up my pace!

Interesting blog

Margaret, how do you get leads from your blogs? I am missing it for sure

Matt, that's a very good question - I'm going to write a blog on that very topic sometime this week (after I finish all my market studies).

AUG

2008

Hi Margaret,

I'm curous to see how quickly your lead flow increases, now that you are consistently blogging again.

Margaret, what great words of wisdom. I am blogging as much as possible to try to get to the single digits in Dallas. My ultimate goal is to be #1!

Welcome back Margaret. You brought back a great gift blog. Seven tips for generating real estate leads through blogging -Great information. Thank you very much for writing it.

Hi Margaret,

You make a very valid point about consistent blogging. I have been so busy lately starting out two new divisions and getting creative in a tough market. I am going to try to catch up since I have not had time to get on for almost two weeks. I feel like a lot has happened and now trying to figure out where to start. I just have to make the time to at least get on more frequently to have clear thinking to write consistently. Thanks for the reminder!

Have a Colorful Day!

AUG

2008

Hi Margaret and thank you for your great tip. I am new to the AR and the blogging world but I noticed right away that if you want to do it, there is no middle ground: either you blog or you don't. You want to be out there on a regular basis, same as we do with any other advertising. You want to be in your potential customers' view whenever they're searching your area or your profession. So, I guess I'll be saving at least an hour every night to take care of my blogging.

Meli - Welcome to ActiveRain. I hope you enjoy the same success that I have! Just do it whenever works for you! Sometimes I blog at night, but I usually get up a little early to read and comment for a while every morning.

Irene - Consistency is more important than frequency, although blogging on a consistent schedule is good. I've rarely posted more than about 3 times a week (some exceptions) on ActiveRain - posting the maximum 10 in a week only happened once, in the middle of a contest.

Lanre - Hello, how are you? Love your new market studies!

Diane - At the time, I really didn't care... I had another focus. But it's been hard to get back in the groove. I'm either drowning in blog ideas or have none, and I definately don't have much time for it!

Allen - Thanks for the warm welcome... 'good to be back.

SEP

2008

Excellent post and reminder that consistency is the key...I don't think we realize the value in blogging until we take a break from it...

OCT

2008

Margaret, you are right about Consistency. Blogging can be hard work and time consuming but well worth it when leads start trickling in!

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Margaret Woda, Maryland Real Estate & Military Relocation Services

Crofton, MD

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Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., Crofton, MD

Address: 2191 Defense Hwy., #120, Crofton, Bowie, and Davidsonville, MD, 21114

Office Phone: (410) 721-1500

Cell Phone: (301) 346-2923

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