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Most Common Things that Reveal Your Blogging Worthiness

A while back I wrote a post with some tips on what NOT to do so you will continue to gain readership. We on ActiveRain who have been writing for awhile know that we have to have a certain transparency and courtesy for other bloggers. Why?

Without members subscribing to your blog how will you gain readership?
How will the consumer judge you from your writing?
How will you show your peers your professional attitude to create a referral network?

There is a fine line between giving an opinion and being opinionated because We All Have an Opinion... BUT (that dreaded 'but') sometimes we need to take a step back and be quiet for a moment and think before we pound the keyboard.

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The following may (or may not) help you all to understand the common things that keep members and the consumers from subscribing to your blog, unsubscribing or remaining faithful readers of your blog:

Cheating to get points or featured If you didn't create the post and let readership take its course for you to get those points then it's cheating (in other words...down rating another member's post or getting a bunch of "friends or a group to flag your post to get featured really isn't your own doing is it?) Neither is posting a few words just to get a post and 200 points in.
Lying about others (slander) is definitely wrong. A good example is the recent slander of two respectable members on an outside blog. Trying to beat the system by running hard over someone else with lies. Don't go and comment on others posts if you have an ulterior motive to cut the person down. It's soooo unbecoming.
Lying about self We all know that when someone continuously talks about me me and more me it is a sign to look at that sugar coating and realize there is more to the story than the person is saying. Leaving important truths out is still lying. Puffing up (exaggerating) about self is surely a self serving yet self defeating person.
Neglecting our readers Of course we won't have any readership or members who keep coming back to read if we do not follow the advise in this post: How can one expect to keep getting without giving? Keep in mind that we ALL get busy from time to time and I know it's been harder for me to get back to everyone with such a long subscribed list (you think I need to clean it out some?)
Stealing (plagiarism IS stealing) is not how to gain readership either. How can one be so blind to see that someone blatantly copies and pasted something and called it their own? Caleb emailed me and told me I copied and pasted a picture and that videos I had in my posts if not given permission were most likely illegal. I immediately took them off. ONLY WITH PERMISSION and with a disclaimer! We won't get into linking here because those who do it ...know it. (using someone else's pictures and words without permission is illegal!)
Negative and Unethical Behavior How many of you needed a code number to join ActiveRain? Then you best get it straight in your minds that ANYONE CAN BECOME A MEMBER. Real Estate Industry or not...anyone can join and anyone can see what you are writing. Now just what kind of consumer in their right mind will call any of those that are bashing or commenting in a negative manner for any kind of business? And why do people think that by doing so makes THEM look better? Is your Broker reading your stuff? Wonder. And see if you sleep well tonight.
Spamming members by Contact I learned a long time ago to mentally record in my memory bank the people who keep spamming me soliciting themselves through the contact form. They are not someone who came here to network...they came to solicit all the members. Shame on you! Not only that, READ THE ACTIVERAIN GUIDELINES!
Emailing and leaving mean anonymous comments Just know that if you are a member that your IP address is visible to AR. They will track you down. Again, a professional who acts like this reflects the way they act offline as well.

Giving support is the most valuable asset you can give others ...whether it be here blogging, within your office or even in your personal life. The other stuff won't get you anywhere but a weak reputation.

What kind of Legacy do you want to leave behind?.

Posted by Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman HAWAII Relocations & Real Estate on 08/10/2008 10:41 PM

Comments (115)

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115 Comments on Most Common Things that Reveal Your Blogging Worthiness

AUG

2008

Great post Celeste, thanks for the advice. This blogging thing isn't easy (for me anyway), but it's not hard to do the right thing.

Eugene: It wasn't easy for most of us ..but like you said....it's reall not hard to do the right thing....so we all can sleep well at night....KNOWING we did the right thing.

Hi Sally, not just great advice but also timely. Re "Of course we won't have any readership or members who keep coming back to read if we do not follow the advise in this post: How can one expect to keep getting without giving?"...

It's difficult to follow/comment on everyone we connect with online so I'm been trying to think of more tangible ways to thank people for their interaction, especially for my Rain blog. I haven't totally figured it out yet but I have a few ideas floating around. Thx for another excellent contribution to the group!

Sally It is unfortunate that you have to keep writing this type of blog over and over. However, perhaps with so many new members, it is necessary. These seem to sort of boil down to the golden rule!

Bad behavior is not beneficial to anyone. It sure will not help you business or reputation.

Good basic guidelines - using the golden rule always works, too:)

marti: Exactly! The entitlement issues run rampant with so many members and the bottom line is...work hard..put your OWN effort and everyone will be just fine. I'll look forward to your post because sometimes it's hard to connect with all I want to...darn time in a day gets in the way when business creeps in :)

thanks marti!

Joan: not unfortunate....hoping it's helpful. Besides, I keep adding to my old ones too :) Sometimes some are oblivious to right is in front of them (I'm not perfect either) but these helpful posts just may click a light on :)

It's important to reiterate these guidelines, but I sure wish you/we/they didn't have to! Seems like such common knowledge, but people forget ignore them all too often!

Randy: Nope.....not only that....personal life must surely be affected as well :)

Courtney: Some don't know what that is.

Sally - Your advice is even more timely as Localism rolls out. Consumers who are not familiar with AR can see your last several comments when they click the 'my blog' button. The last time I checked, this included comments on Member's Only posts. W/r/t slander, I am not aware of the instance to which you are referring, but attacking others always makes the attacker look weak.

Kim: Well, they don't think like me so figured my perception may help some? Who knows...made me feel better to remind me too :)

Sally, all good advice from your veteran blogger self. Since you have been around longer than me working with others maybe for newbies and veterans alike, give your insight into the "Feature" category of blogs sometimes. I am seeing more and more "stupid" blog articles featured, and I know it is so frustrating for newbies who I read excellent blogs and they never get featured. The point of a feature from what I see is they get more visibility. I think there's some definite gaming going on in this area with whomever is pulling that lever (like friends all flagging the post). It disturbs me highly that the little guy or gal is getting squashed like a bug.

Hi Sally,

You always say it so well! These are good guidelines for blogging and for everyday life, I'm sure thats why we get along so well. :)

Gary: That's cute. :) In any case, I have always believed that they try their best to get the good ones in...and just because they flag it doens't necessarily mean they get featured.

Suzanne: Ah....birthday coming up isn't there?

Sally, I wasn't aware of any slander and I think that things like that come back to haunt the person who does them....In the early days I had my share of mean emails and I can tell you they hurt and it's not necessary. This is a wonderful blog and I hope everyone takes the advice you gave.

Good reminders Sally. I love the one about subscribers.

I love my subscribers.
I love my subscribers.
I love my subscribers.

Did I mention that I love my subscribers.

I also acknowledge comments to my posts.

Sally, nice post, I have been trying to catch up with everyone here since I have only been posting for a short while. One of the things that we have to work hard against is taking a different opinion and automatically downgrading it. One of the responses you received cited "stupid posts" Seems like the response might have been as "stupid" as the responder. Regardless, we have an obligation to do our own work and respect the rights of others. I look forward to more of your posts.

Sally,

I try to drive this home to my kids...'Leaving important truths out is still lying.'...and the other thing that bothers me is the bloggers (some really good ones also) that don't respond to comments!!! Thanks, Fran

Sally,

I am new. What exactly am I supposed to do if I read a blog that I know was copied and pasted from another source?

HI SALLY!

I must say that I've gotten lots more spam mail since I've joined AR. I know that some are not holding true to that one!

Have a good week!

Well now... I see a lot of this behavior in the real estate world (unfortunately) and some even on AR but the standard seems to be higher, at least with the most interesting and successful AR folks!

It should be common sence to abide by these guidelines - It's a shame that some must be reminded of these common sence guidelines repeatedly. . . Stevo

Sally, this is wonderful advice. Everything you mentioned is so valuable. Once in print on the Internet, it's there forever. There's no going back! Have a great evening and thanks for the reminder.

Later in the rain~Deb

Hi Carole! So glad your home is coming along fine....and hope your health is back to par! I've had my share too...and funny...some of those people are still getting high praises yuk! In any case, we pay attention to how we conduct ourselves and no need to worry about the next neggie person because they get their fair share of retorts I'm sure. :)

Lenn:

I think I would add a couple more "I love my subscribers" lol. Thanks for the support and as you....I always try and get to my commenters and return an acknowledgment.

Dale: And there's no sense to go back and forth. I don't think Gary meant it to be malicious although I agree there could have been a better choice of words ... or maybe our perceptions are different :) In any event, the bottom line here is showing respect and courtesy to each other....just because it's the humane thing to do :)

Great advice! I try my best to respond to people who comment on my blogs. If they take the time to write something of substance, not just "great post" then they deserve my attention.

I just created a group called "Saint John ENERGIZERS", now my question is How do I get more subscribers?? Especially, locally from the Saint John area. Blogging is new to this area, many have joined just to put their names in ActiveRain, but don't blog too much. I personally e-mailed all of them and only got 4 responses.

Let me know if you have any tricks up your sleeve....

;>)

Fran: I do believe it's called Lying by Omission. And sometimes people get so busy they can't return the comments all the time. Then there's some that don't return them anyway. Whatever the case, we do what we do in the amount of time in a day that we can possibly squeeze it all in....

Carol: Click on the little flag and when the box pops up you can flag it for plagiarized content...and there's a space to put the link for the source of the material.

Yvette: There will always be some that use this site as a way to spam people...no consideration at all.

Russell: There's all different kinds in all walks of life...true...but we can hold ourselves to higher standard and set a good example to follow. :)

Steve: Because some are exempt from the rules LOL! I know I know....

Deb: A great reminder for all :)

John: Yeah...I still acknowledge them anyway.

Anne: Group subscribers differ from individual blog subscribers..if you founded the group you can invite others. If there aren't any others to invite from your area then it might be a mute subject :)

Sally, I love your statement "There is a fine line between giving an opinion and being opinionated". Unfortunately those that this applies to are to blinded by their own wisdom to see it :)

That is some great info. Thank you!

Hi Sally, I appreciated reading your post and being able to say "check" by each one of them; knowing I am following the rules of AR. It never even occured to me to get people to check the boxes of "featured" to get a post featued. I don't understand all this blogging/reblogging, plagerism, etc....developing relationships, venting, discussing what you know, helping someone with a question; there is plenty of writing one can do without taking someone else's written word. It just baffles me that people would do that and that you have to write about it...where are the ethics of people?

Sally, Excellent post. Thank you for sharing your wisdom here in the Rain for us. Have a great day.

George: It's so highly understandable that we all have different thinking... therefore, different opinions. But when some try to force views (politics regardless where it is....including AR politics :) is when it becomes opinionated with some control issues going on :) And you're right 'blinded by the light"

Brooke: Did you find something useful?

Cindy: It's ongoing no matter what world (area) we live, work in ....including online. Up to us to display appropriate behavior.

And thanks to you Bob!

Congratulations on the feature Sally. This was a great topic your brought up.

sally, what irks us these days is getting solicited for the next "good idea" out of AR. Every time that happens we copy those that be. Have not seen much else that's negative, tough do know it exists.

cheers

Thanks Sally. I enjoyed the information you shared with all of us. I am new to blogging and every bit of information helps! Thanks again, Tim Lewis

Sally~ Congratulations on the gold star.... again... Thank you for putting it all all down in such a easy to follow and understand format. Some people really just don't know!

Sally.....this is an excellant post and at the perfect time. You do so well with words and your photo's are to die for. congratulations of being featured.

Hi Sally, You always write with honesty, eloquence and from the heart. It is unfortunately the subject needs to be frequently reiterated. Sad that people don't realize that a negative or an untruthful post will haunt them later.

Thanks Gary

Richard: Don't understand...solicited for the next good idea from AR?

Sally,

Congratulations on a great post. These are all things that we need to keep in mind and very well stated. It is always a pleasure to read, but then that was the point of the post wasn't it.

Tim: Welcome and just so you know...when I started on AR i was definitely new to blogging :)

Vickie: Hope it gives some insight to the ones that need some tips :)

Pam: I think so too...too much hoo haaa...and not enough ahhhhh lately :)

Leolinda: For some reason that point doesn't seem to penetrate....... WE ARE NOT hidden from view even if it is posted for Members Only. ANYONE CAN JOIN AND SEE WHAT'S WRITTEN. Geez. What part of online don't some get?

Derenda: Sure was and hope something clicked in the minds of those that didn't understand.

Great Points and Lead by Example. You know there is nothing Secretive or Magical about what you said, these are mainly common sense guidelines but its pretty sad when people don't engage these guidelines. Kudos to you in brining up these points, you may not change the world but if one surely follows then this post has done its job.

Justin: Sounds like something I learned before...if it helps just one....then it was all well worth it. Thanks Justin.

AUG

2008

The key is to be professional, if you call yourself one act like one...

Not only did that need to be said, but you said it very well! People like you are one of the reasons I joined AR.

Thank you for the recommendations. I believe I have been following the guidelines and try to give back. Guess I'll keep on working through your suggestins.

Ok, some of you mentioned responding to people who respond to our blogs, but I do not know how to do that. Also Really great guide lines!!! Thank you!

Sally,

Yes..this is all very good information, the bad portion is those that are not abiding by what they should aren't reading it! Instead they are working on trying to cheat their way around the system to get more traffic and noticed themselves. Thanks again for the great guidelines!

Mahalo Celeste~

Thanks SO much for sharing your valuable blogging do's & dont's.

I am kinda new to blogging, and AR blogging seems to be even more meticulously inspected.

I look forward o reading your posts!

Thanks again~

Liz

Paul: Simple advice...long term effects.

Lisa: Enjoy this place...theres more positive than negative...for sure!

Christine: Good for you! The support doesn't stop :)

Anna: When someone comments on your post you can go right in the comment section like I'm doing now to respond to the commenter.

Thanks for the blog. Do onto others as you would do...well let's just say: It's NOT difficult to do the RIGHT thing...thanks for the tips. Best of Luck to you!

Clint/Mindy: Oh, they read....they just don't respond and sooner or later they may get it.'

Liz: I like it being 'inspected' because if it weren't it'd be like all the other ones and it would become a free for all. I like the structure because we are a REAL estate network :)

Great Post! You are absolutely right in your tips for more success in bloggin. Definitely bookmark!

Great points here. I hope everyone reads them. My blog more than anything is a reflection os self. You don't need to talk about yourself if you are blagging about topics that you are interested in. Allow the blog to talk for you. Great post Sally!

Sally: Wonderful advice and you write so well too. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you for your post. I was a Service Manger for 10 years and these things just became second nature. So just about every item you wrote I was thinking to myself "Isn't this the way business should be conducted anyway?" But I guess there are those that need an occasional reminder. I could some up all your points into two words: "Prefessional Courtesy"

Cheers.

Amen, Sally. I don't know why folks just can't follow the Golden Rule of life. Common sense and good manners, where are they these days? Here, here to you for keeping us in line.

Audrey: Here here to you all for just doing it the pro way:)

George: I know what you mean....and you would think..but reminders are good...for even me...I think that's why I like to write stuff like this too....to keep my own self in check :)

Thanks Dianne

Casey: Yes, that is the basic principle....write a little as if they are walking right along side of you.

Thanks Freddy.

Rebecca: Well, some don't know better when they first start and the old way was advertise self....now it's like we not necessarily brag about self...but show the consumer what we can do for THEM.

Thanks for giving this great commentary and advice. You are right. Doing the right thing should not be hard. I have gotten a few spams in the past few weeks from my featured post of folks trying to sell me something. Thanks for sharing!!

Brian: Isn't that always the case? They start with ...hi are you sally? I saw your blog on AR...and then the sales pitch comes. Real Slimey with me thinking it's a 'friend' on AR or something.

Requiring a code to join would actually be a pretty nifty idea, me thinks. Membership by endorsement.

Thanks, Sally. I am new to blogging and it's great to have these reminders. I'm going to do it the old fashioned way - just try to write good content and see if anyone notices :) Looks like it's worked pretty well for you so far, hasn't it?

Jesse: Hmmm...you just may have something there :)

Sharon: Yes it has...took a year and a half to get here :)

AUG

2008

Sally - This has to be one of the best blogs that I have read with AR. Full of information and full of truth, you are truly a expert at posting blogs. And that is the reason you have so many comments and a featured blog.

" Great work and I look forward to reading more "

Robert Swetz

Great post Sally

Sally - Wow, it never ceases to amaze me the lengths people will go to with cheating... that seems sooooo much harder than just simply doing the work - Thanks for the list - I can't believe people do these things, but I guess it's true!

Sally,

One month on AR and you are still my favorite. It is not just that you are so eloquent and geat at writing. You write with depth, caring deeply about your profession, your peers and the AR community.

I continue to always look forward to reading your next post again and again. Thank you for the inspiration to be a better me!

Sally,

Very nice post. It was easy to read and made a lot of sense. You keep getting better and better.

Sally - really enjoyed this well-deserved feature. And what a nice round of comments and compliments. You have, once again, given everyone something to think about and keep in mind. Perhaps a few who are guilty will see themselves and mend their ways.

Jeff

Great Post, Sally, and so true. Anyone can become a member and read a post and comments, one never knows who is lurking, it could be a potential client, broker or even the Real Estate Commission.

Very well thought out post! I always enjoy reading your posts, but don't always comment due to time constraints!

Great advice, thank you!

AUG

2008

Hi Sally,

Great info and Congratulations on your Featured Post! I am amazed that people actually use others contnet or not honest in their blogs. It is hard enough just to keep up with my own life, business and then writing anything that will help someone else. That is usually my perspective. Sometimes I wrtie about how I see life and check to see if others have encoungtered that challenge or perspective.

I must admit since joining AR, I have had an increase in Spam, unfortunately. Fortunately, I have a pretty good Spam filter, some days it is on an hourly basis of increased spam which is not fun to see. Nevertheless, AR has taught me alot about the industry, others and the current trends. Thanks again!

Have a Colorful Day!

AUG

2008

Thank you all for your thoughtful comments. Just know that you will all sleep well at night.

AUG

2008

Sally- as always you have done a fine job with this post. Too often people get so wqrapped up in looking for short cuts or quick content they forget it is their reputation on the line. I love your message and the way you conveyed it.

OCT

2008

Sally,

Great post! Being new to ActiveRain and to blogging it's nice to have veteran bloggers point out what's acceptable and what's not! I am a new subscriber to your blog!

Regards,

Tony DeLuke, ABR, GRI

Being negative or taking someone else's work is no way to do business and it will come back to haunt you....

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I love my subscribers to! Great post, but I do agree that its a shame that some people just don't get it!

Mega diddos, Sally. Let's clean up this network, and keep it clean!

DEC

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2008

Thanks for the post. I like the way you put pictures in to accent your content.

DEC

2008

Hi Sally - Great advice. My primary interest in this forum is to learn as much as I can from my fellow Rainers. I have seen disagreements and even, perhaps, some abuse on posts that tend to be opinionated from the beginning. Certainly politics is on area where we see opinions run rampant and I have even commented on some of these even though it's not something that excites me. In my experience in these areas I was pleased to see that the atmosphere was cordial even though there was disagreement on points of view. I guess I was fortunate to have been on a couple posts where the writer and people submitting comments were all professional in their approach here.

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