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Looking for Last Minute Apprentice for Project Blogger

This marks my first post on the Active Rain network, though I'm far from new at blogging. I work for Zillow.com and am an active contributor on our corporate blog, the Zillow Blog, that focuses on all things real estate. In addition, I maintain my own personal blog, where I write mainly on the topics of business and web 2.0 technology. My passion is marketing in the era of social media, where traditional marketing tactics don't work like they used to. I'm excited to part of Project Blogger as a late addition to the coaching ranks and would like to thank Jonathan for the opportunity to compete. Part of what's so enjoyable about blogging is helping others - and Project Blogger is another great way for us to give back to the industry. On behalf of the Zillow Blog team, I'll be lending some of my personal time to help a blogging newbie learn to use a blog as a lead generation tool in their local market.

There are some very talented coaches in the group, so I expect a very competitive competition. But hey, what fun is a project without a little healthy competition? Though I'm a late entrant as a coach, I intend to put up a good fight with the help of an apprentice who is excited about the possibility of building their personal brand by blogging - and gaining some clients as a result. I think I have a fairly good strategy to make a good showing in the competition.

If anyone would like to be my apprentice, please submit a comment and state your case. All that is required is that you be open minded and willing to learn. You'll also need some patience, as blogging success doesn't happen overnight. With the competition slated to start April 9th, I'll be picking an apprentice by the end of next week so as to not get too far behind the competition. I look forward to your responses - put your best foot forward!

Posted by Drew Meyers on 03/30/2007 05:15 PM

Comments (64)

zillow, project blogger

64 Comments on Looking for Last Minute Apprentice for Project Blogger

MAR

2007

Drew, Can you tell me what kind of commitment you are looking for as far as time, ect.

Thanks

Neal

Can I play, Drew?

Drew, I know Tim Maitski blogged about wanting to get in on this project. Maybe this is his chance!

Drew-

I would be interested in this. I'm relatively new to blogging as I've only been on activerain a few months. I've already had 2 "featured" blog posts during that time.

I love putting blogs together, just haven't figured out how to make them the most effective for my business as of yet.

Consider this my job application!

Neal-

Being the competitive guy that I am, I want someone pretty dedicated to competing with the big boys - and that probably means a fairly large time commitment. The likes of Greg Swann are going to be hard to compete against.

Brian-

Sorry, someone with your experience can't play.

Darren-

What attracts you to blogging?

Drew

Just want to say welcome. The community will definitely benefit from your participation here.

Tony

me, me, me, me...... pick me! I love to learn and would be a good one to pick because I'm pretty new to this world of Blogging. Oh and by the way - Welcome aboard the Active Rain Train. I love to write and the time committment doesn't bother me either.

I'm needling you, Drew.

A real estate agent would do well to be "coached" by a media company executive. I think Drew can teach someone a lot about marketing online. Best of luck to you both and I'll be watching. I wish I COULD climb into zillow.com's mind for this project.

I know you're just needling Brian! I think you are giving me too much credit though.

Drew,

Go to Jonathan's top sticky entry in the Group. Plenty of candidates in there. Welome to the competition!

Drew,

I have wrote my first blog here on ActiveRain on February 3, 2007. Since that time I have spent much of every day trying to improve upon the product and have had 7 Featured posts.

My Goal is to be able to create a Blog that Not only has a compelling story line, but is SEO friendly. Ultimately I would like people to recognize me in the market place with the following comment. " Oh yea I have read your blog. "

Seeking to be Number 1

Herb

Okay, you need someone who needs teaching - my first question: what's a "sticky"?

You will have many, many to choose from - considering that there are at this very moment there are 686 members online (on a Friday night, I might add - ah, I for one, need a life!) I know I am very, very new to ActiveRain, have had only one blog so far (see http://activerain.com/blogsview/56042/Kermit-had-it-right ) so I am sure that others have already proved themselves worthy of your esteemed powers in the Rain-dom. However, I too, would like to throw my hat in the ring. And if not chosen, I look forward to seeing this as it evolves - should be interesting! Welcome, and good luck to all! Liz

Welcome to AR. I am new too. Or at least I feel like it even though I joined back in February. I am very much committed to making blogging a major component of my business. I take my post writing seriously, but somehow my voice isn't getting through or maybe I haven't found it yet. I've written 23 posts so far and have a measely 34 comments. My focus has been on localism posts lately because I feel more comfortable writing in that arena. Yet, I haven't had a single email or call from those either.

I definitely have the patience to tackle the blogging world and improve my skills. So far I'm taking it one post idea at a time, but I would LOVE some coaching.

I've been thinking about this and I am ready to be considered as a potential apprentice. I had to be sure I would be willing to committ the time needed.

I was the first in our state to get our real estate website up and running late 94/early 95. While I'm not the first, I'm definitely one of the first in our state to get blogging up and running. Eventually I'd like to try podcasts and video, I just want to master blogging first. Wait, that's the wrong thing to say. I want to DOMINATE blogging. I want to be the one the 'experts' come to for 'expert' advice. I want to be the one that is referenced in everyday conversations about real estate (in our area) and real estate maketing (all areas). Yep, I have a big goal and I know I can fullfil it.

Blogging is an AWESOME venue to 'get my voice' out. I find that everyday there are things I wish I could communicate to 'all' of our clients and to the 'world' in general. With blogging, this wish has become a reality (YEAH!). One of the things I love about AR is that it allows me to not only focus our blog towards our clients, but to also participate within the industry (using members only posts).

I also love love love that I can actually interact with people. In a way it's similar to various web forums I've participated in. It just comes across as more focused (probably because my blog is about what I want it to be about - lol).

With that said, I'm looking for the right platform/design to get our blog hosted and integrated into our website. I want to use it for everything related to real estate. I'm actively watching Mary McKnight's RSS Pieces as a strong contender for the overhaul I hope to give our website. I think that every aspect of our website could be integrated into a 'blog' format, providing constantly fresh content for our clients/visitors, yet making it all easily archivable and searchable within the site itself.

Anyway, back to the blogging apprentice, I LOVE to share my thoughts and very much love the blogging arena. Actual physical talking exhausts me but my fingers and brain never seem to get tired :D

I'm competitive by nature and am up for a challenge. BRING IT ON! But first tell me what I have to do to win :D

Interesting comments. I really enjoy reading the comments as much as the blogs. The contest is going to be great because so much excellent reading is going to come out of it. Find someone who is willing to devote the time.

Good luck, Drew. We look forward to, and expect, great things...I'm sure you do too. Enjoy the competition.

Cheers,

Jeff

Hi Drew,

While I can't possibly top Christina's Post :) I'm still going to toss my name in the ring. Why? Well I am an official: Season V :: Real Estate Apprentice winner. Adversity? Not What's Experienced, But How It's Handled

I won this because of my integrity, uniqueness and of course my gift for writing. I beat out more than 2,000 applicants nationwide and I was one of only 10 to make it as a finalist and that landed me a $7000 prize package.

I am a rookie and still learning the trade but I respect and appreciate the power of the internet and the written word.

Good Luck to everyone.

Drew,

I would like to be considered for the position, You can probably make your best assessment by visiting my AR Blog, I am also in the process of setting up a local Blog of my own, the TCTicker, it is live but is a blank slate, I am trying to figure out how I want to set up the heirarchy.

The TC in TCTicker is Thurston County, I'm just down the road!

This will probably count for less than nothing, but I asked Greg Swann back in February to "Pick Me", no joy....his loss.

Thanks for your consideration, Phil

Welcome to A/R, Drew. Looks like you've got quite a few candidates to chose from .... Enjoy the competition & Good luck to your new apprentice.

Hi Drew,

Please consider this as my entry Throwing My Hat In

Drew,

If you want a true newbie- I am the guy! I have been using active rain for about a week now. I don't think I know what I'm doing, but I try everything and something seems to be working. My points are up and I am even the featured agent for my county now (I guess there aren't many active rainees in my area).

I would enjoy the challenge of learning and competing in blog competition (what do you call that)? That along with the fact that I need a personal brand and could use more leads and business make me a great candidate!

Thanks,

Rob Roebuck

Hey, Drew... you've got some tough choices here. Very exciting.

MAR

2007

Drew, I too am new to Active Rain. I have just started on my blogging adventure and I would love the opportunity to train with you. Please consider me as your apprentice. We will have lots of fun and blow the competition out of the water...

Would love to know more...my email works well,
and so does my phones, txt and IM. Thanks!

Liz,

A sticky is an entry that stays at the top (or wherever you stick it) The start items of Jonathans on the Project Blgger Group dash are "sticky" and stay at the top as new entries are posted. I have sticky entries on my personal blog. Not sure where Jonathan got those sticky stars here in AR.

Drew,

Check out this new member, she just posted, her first blog post ever. I gave her a featured post. I think you are going to like what you see here.

hmmm maybe I could coach someone and you could coach me? So happy to have you here Drew, maybe you could give us a zestimate of how many hours we are going to put into this?

Well I've resorted to bribery, apple pies, and philly cheese steaks. I am in ... ready willing and able...

Hi Drew and Everyone Else,

Ardell told me to find you and tell you that she nominated me for this opportunity. I believe in the power of the written word and in the value of the exchange of ideas. Having the opportunity that a blog presents available to us is an advantage that has never before been so readily accessible.

I live and love to learn. In becoming a part of the blogging community, I have the chance to find others that feel and think the same way and the challange of a lively exchange with those that don't. Here, at last is the first level playing field. A world were your personal monetary wealth plays no part and where your ideas are judged on their merit and value alone and not on the kind of car they emerge from or the house in which they were concieved.

I love to read, love to write, am passionate about learning and want to share. I think I may have found a niche. Please take a moment to read my first ever blog post and let me know what you think. I don't know how to link to anything yet, but some folks were kind enough to make it a "featured post" (for which I am very grateful and of which I am extremely proud) so it is pretty easy to find.

Take care, help lots of people and have a wonderful day!

Tisza Major-Posner Neophyte blogger and apprentice hopeful :-)

Hi Drew!

Writing is a passion of mine that began long long before blogging! I write every free moment that I have, however the blogging world is completely new and intriquing to me. I want to be able to contribute new and fresh blog content as well as be able to put my "creative mark" on how it is delivered to the reading audience. Marketing and creating a leathal brand presence is also very key to me in my professional career, and I would be honored to have the opportunity to mentor and be coached by an expert such as yourself. I feel that my passion to continuously learn and perfect my skill will be very valuable.

Thank you in advance for your consideration!

Amber Steiner

I was picked as one of Donald Trump's 100 top real estate advisors in his new best selling real estate book. See: www.debbieferrari.com/DonaldTrumpBestRealEstateAdvice/index.html

My husband, Bill, and I started my blog about a month ago and have posted some 40 times. My blog of http://blog.DebbieFerrari.com is in my site and our hope is that it will make my site come up higher.

My site at www.DebbieFerrari.com used to be #1 on BOTH Yahoo and Google for almost ALL of the best real estate search terms (example: search for "san clemente real estate") but now the bigger directories have eclipsed me and now I want either my site or new blog to go back to being #1 on Google, Yahoo, AOL and MSN as it once was back several years ago.

I have had my web site since 1997 and am soooo eager to learn now how to blog well as a means to getting more home buyers. Currently, 95% of my sales come from buyers I get from my site. See more on me at: http://www.debbieferrari.com/deb.html

Bill and I are ready to pour ourselves into the apprentice task so please select me as I will be the best apprentice you could ever imagine.

Debbie Ferrari

Tisza! "Please take a moment to read my first ever blog post and let me know what you think."

Hurry, link it!! Go back to your blog article and click on the title to the article, now right click on the url to the article (not the whole blog url, the article/post url) and then come back here and highlight the text of "my first ever blog post" and then click on the chain link (the unbroken one) and right click and paste your post url into the space there and hit ok.

When you reference a post that is not the one above the comments, you link to it so the reader can simply click on the blue hypertext.

Red Hat

Drew....I need validation!

I need to show those who scoff that ....it's no matter I grew up with a manual typewriter,no matter that for my first computer class I learned DOS and Lotus 1-2-3,and definitely no matter that I have to write it all down!

I love this media! I am determined to stand out in my local Real Estate community by becoming a formidable presence. And I will definitely put in the effort! Hey, I figured out how to create and post a musical slide show on my blog...took me HOURS....but I did it! Me!!

Those around me pat my head and smile those tolerant smiles. I'd rather see respect and awe in their eyes...I need validation!

Hi All!

Woo Hoo! You can't see it in person, but imagine if you will, me in all my trusted Real Estate professional glory, dancing happily about in the vacant living room of the home I am currently holding open. Why am I doing the happy dance you might ask? Because, with Ardell's help and I just did my very first link!

You can now go to my above post and click the link to view my very first ever blog post! or you can click here. Boy, I did it again! I am starting to feel like a real blogging insider now!

Take care all, help lots of people and have a wonderful day!

Tisza-who-now-knows-how-to-link-so-watch-out-today-the-blog-tomorrow-the-world Major-Posner

YOU GO GIRL!!!

Wow - thanks for all the responses everyone! There are now many profiles for me to go explore in a bit more detail. Keep the requests coming -- I haven't made up my mind yet.

OK Tisza,

Now head over to Drew's Project Blogger post over at the Zillow Blog. And throw your hat in over there too.

You might want to write a friendly post about Zillow.com. Not only is it good with the search engines, but Drew just might need an apprentice who doesn't see Zillow.com as "The Enemy Amongst Us". Here's my listing on Zillow. If you have a listing, throw it up there and then do an article about your listing on Zillow and what a wonderful FREE agent tool it is.

Something tells me Drew's soft spots will be that you are a stand up comic AND a Chocolatier! What more could he possibly want in an Apprentice.

Hi Ardell,

I heartily concur! My chocolate truffles are to die for, and yes I do ship! As for the comedy, I got into stand-up because I couldn't afford therapy lol.

As for Zillow.com being the enemy, what a load of hooey! I welcome sites like Zillow.com. The more information a person receives prior to talking to me, the more important my position as a knowledgeable guide becomes when talking to them. I am in favor of utilizing every tool that gives folks a broader base of knowledge. The more they understand, the better we can communicate. What's not to like about that?

I shall continue to take your advice and trot over to Drew's post on the Zillow Blog. Wow, so much to see, so much to do, so much to learn. I feel like I have entered the Internet Smithsonian, a new experience around every corner and every one of them priceless!

Tisza

APR

2007

Hi Again All,

Well, I popped over to Zillow and boy did I learn alot! To read my post there click here then scroll down a bit. Basically, what I came to discover after trolling through the about us info among other things, is that there is a whole lot more going on over there then just home valuation.

This has been a heady two days for me. I not only found and got involved in the Active Rain community, I have met scads of new people, learned new skills (did ya notice that beautiful blue link up there, did ya, huh, huh did ya?) and found additional cost free ways to promote my client's listings and my business. What a deal!

Thank you all for being my professors. I can hardly wait until I have my very own listings to promote. I will be posting them here, there and everywhere!

Take care, help lots of people and have a wonderful day!

Tisza-who-needs-to-go-bedtime-night-night-sleepy-sleep-but-doesn't-want-to-miss-anything

Okay, I'm desperate! I need help...I've been an Active Rain member for about 3 weeks now and there is so much info, I'm totally lost. I'm a 39 year old real estate broker and I'm doing the best I can to wade through the great technology tips & info available here, but I need someone to help me focus and learn to best utilize what is available to help me create an effective blog.

I embrace the Internet and love Zillow.com, the best proof of that is to search listing in the Athens, GA market are on Zillow.com (proof - 26 days on zillow.com), I'm not just kissin' up...they were there before I knew this position was open, lol!

I recently sold my franchised real estate company (3 office, 60+ agents) and opened an independent office. I need to take advantage of technology to the fullest so that I can compete with the larger franchised offices in town. I am committed to learning (one way or another), but would love your guidance!

Ummm Drew,

LOL...After reading that you were going to read profiles, and then reading a blog by Ardell, I thought I better look at mine. Well, uhhhhh it was awful, a low 746 points. I have redone it :-)

If you get chance, please look at it again..lol Brande Bradford

Interesting,"...where traditional marketing tactics don't work like they used to."

What can I do to help build your business?

I've looked into blogging briefly but haven't jumped in the deep end of the pool yet. One factor has been time. I don't mind putting in the time but I don't want it to be wasted and I don't know enough to be effective. I'm a lady of a certain age and have been in Real Estate for about a year. My partner is a technophobe who likes what computers can do as long as he doesn't have to do it. So far I have set him up a personal web page and taken our virtual tours in-house, among other things. I have good computer skills and adapt to new software well, but am completely self taught, which is what takes so much time. The whole 'trial & error' thing is going on. While personal skills will never be out of style, the internet is the absolute future of real estate. Those who can do. Those who can't better learn fast. I'd love an opportunity to learn faster than I can teach myself. Give me a shot.

Chris

Hi Drew. I am a new member of Active Rain and a new blogger. I have always considered myself to be on the cutting edge of technology, but I feel like a dinosaur missing out on the blogging age!

I would love the opportunity to be your apprentice and learn how to be a successful blogger. I am a very quick study and love to learn new things. I was once hired to create and manage an intranet for a very large growing company. I was given no staff and no web developers so I had to teach myself how to write HTML code, develop graphics and connect to databases from SQL. Quite a task for someone with a journalism and real estate background- but I did it!

I recently relaunched my real estate website and created a blog with it (my first!). Unfortunately, I am struggling on how to get started, so it only has one post. Click here to check it out. I posted to my ActiveRain blog for this first time yesterday- I would love to jump in full force!

Please select me and mold me into the next blogging guru!!

Ginger

Brande-

I'm not looking at points in profiles, that doesn't matter to me. I just want to read more about the people interested in being apprentice. I'm not exactly sure what I'm looking for yet, but I think I'll know it when I see it. Primarily, the interest to learn and someone who I feel I will get along with.

Drew,

I wasnt speaking of points at this point either. I was talking about content!!

My points comment was from reading a post by Ardell about the points on profiles :-) I think its the content that makes or breaks the points.

Drew: I'm still available as an apprentice :D - didn't want you to think I wasn't here and 'listening', I am :D

Ok, well that was dingy, I wasn't logged in. I wrote the "I'm still available" comment :D

Hi Drew and Everyone else,

I am so excited! I just logged in and discovered that I have not one, but two featured posts! You can read the first one here. And you can read the second one here.

Also, if anyone is interested I blogged a bit while I was at an open house today and the results are here.

Take a look and let me know what you think. I told you guys that once I learned how to link, the world would never be the same.

Tisza

Tisza,

Congrats! That is a great accomplishment. You already blog like a pro! I have read your blogs and they are dyno-mite!!

Way to go Tisza! I have one featured post, but for some reason it is not showing up on my profile page! AND here it is on Zillow.com for 27 days ! kiss up to Zillow

Hi Brande,

Thank you for your good wishes. I am a bit overwhelmed by the attention. I kind of thought I would be able to sneak in here and get my feet wet a bit before I went into the deep end. Not complaining, just an observation.

I read your profile. I have a step son in the Army as well. Good luck in the apprentice competition. I am dying to see who Drew chooses!

Take care, help lots of people and have a wonderful day and week!

Tisza

APR

2007

Hey everyone!

Just signed up with active rain. I guess the best thing that can happen to anyone and at the same time be a life changing tsunami...is to be mentored by the best! Which is why I''m guessing everyone but their grandmother is vying for the "apprentice" position! Well, I take that back....I think I recall reading a couple of grandmother postings, too. :)

It's not my intention to make light of grandmother's as I'm an ole' geezer myself. I'm about to hit 50 in a few short months here and if there's any chance any one of these hotshots would be willing to take on someone like myself....well, here I am! I don't come any greener! I know...that sounds like an "oxymoron" of sorts, huh?

Anyway, I'll end this posting with one of my favor..ite philosphers of all-time and her famous quote "I'll hit you! with my best shot!" I know that's not an accurate quote of Pat Benatar...but I've never been one for wanting to take a hit! That is...until now! :)

Hi,

Take up the challenge, Drew! Please help me become the blogging maven of the Boston suburbs! Most real estate blogs we see are in fairly big urban markets with a lot of relo business. Help me prove blogging can make a difference in a more typical market.

I target first-time buyers moving from Boston to the suburbs. They don't know which towns are right for them, how they'll take to suburban life or how far their money goes in each town. This target is ripe for blogging, and I want to help.

My husband runs the blog distribution platform Feedblitz (www.feedblitz.com), which aggregates all the blogs you subscribe to into a single email, and soon (like next week), skype, twitter and IM for daily delivery. It's a matter of family honor that I blog!

I'm a former journalist, advertising writer-producer, and I ran worldwide marketing for Monster.com before I become a realtor. I can write, I have a million ideas, and working with you would be a great experience--I hope for both of us.

Choose me, and let's use this opportunity to take real estate blogging to the mainstream markets!

Drew,

I am interested in the job. I have been working with blogs for over three years and would love the challenge. My primary experience is with Typepad - Outer Banks Real Estate and recently my activerain account.

I wrote a post about the local MLS and their lack of willingness to work with other sites to list their property. The chair of the local MLS found my post and I am making a presentation to the board this Thursday.

Wow, some of the coaches (Paul Chaney, The Real Estate Tomatoe) have already started training! Drew, please choose soon and put all of us who are waiting out of our misery! ;)

APR

2007

Hi Drew and Everyone,

I just put up a new post and had a bit of fun. Take a look. I, like everyone else here, really want the opportunity that this contest offers. I am also anxious to see who will be selected for this honor. If it is not me, I will be rooting for them and if it is... Watch out AR, you ain't seen nothing yet!

Take care, help lots of people and have a wonderful day!

Tisza

I think everyone is pretty anxious. It will also be a real honor for who ever the lucky person is. From reading the other posts from those chosen, I would have to venture and say that they were contacted ahead of being announced. Thinking this, I would love to be able to stay close to the phone today, but I have a funeral to attend.

I did prepare myself, as I started my own blog last night. I have a lot of tweaking to do, but I am excited about how it is headed. Regardless of the results of the apprentice blogger selection, we can all learn and compete from behind the scenes :-)

Best of luck to everyone.

Thanks for all the responses everyone! It's obvious there are many passionate about learning to make blogs work for their business. I'll be spending a couple hours today sorting through everything and will aim to pick my apprentice by Thursday morning (hopefully, tomorrow though).

Wonderful.....only 1 more (hopefully) sleepless night to go before we all hear who the "choosen one" is! We're all excited!

I hope it is not too late to throw my hat into ring. I would like to be considered for your apprentice. I am new to blogging. I would love direction and guidance to get my blog to the top. I am driven, competitive, and like to do things correctly so I make a good student. Thank you for your consideration! :)

Hello Drew,

What a task you have before you, taking complete Real Estate blogging novices and turning them into skilled, blogging executors. Good on you! This contest could promote a Real Estate trend which revolutionizes how we do business here in the States. Maybe the EU, maybe ... Drew here's the deal, I love what Zillow is doing and I aspire to work for the company in some manner.

I have an intense desire to learn the art of blogging and come to the table with an open mind ready to learn. My life is at a POB, you know the old metes and bounds point of beginning. I am able to devote a great deal of time to this project. My commitment goes even beyond the numbers and winning, in my heart of hearts I have to know inside myself that I give MY BEST TIME, MY BEST TALENT, and MY BEST TREASURE.

For TIME, I can offer you forty hours per week, more as needed. For TALENT, you'll see in my profile my background covers a wide range, I tend to reach for the stars and keep my feet flat on the ground. For TREASURE, your can expect I will provide all material goods necessary to carry out your plans to win this contest and further the wide open field of Real Estate Blogging!

APR

2007

I believe he's already picked his apprentice... a published author no less. How hard is it to blog when you are a published author? Newbie or not, does a professional writer need to be apprenticed? And, the writer had other coaches promoting her as well, coaching her on how to 'get Drew's attention'. How right or fair is that to other people who are on their own? So she had a coach to help her get coached? Not kosher.

What is done is done. Dont stay mad, get glad!!

Come over and join us in the Non Apprentice Group and together we can use all of them as coaches without the stress!!!

I am excited about what we can acomplish together.

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