Real Estate Blog - Ah! That Elusive "Featured Blogs"....How, What, Why, When, Which ???

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Ah! That Elusive "Featured Blogs"....How, What, Why, When, Which ???

Update - the comments below by others are definitely worth reading - a lot of hints and wisdom on how to be Featured posts and what featured posts mean. Check out comments from Broker Brad, Broker Bryant, Broker Karen, Broker Paul, Allison, Howdy Dale, Lisa Hill, Derenda, and all the others for the wisdom they provide!

So I stealthily passed that 100th mark and onto 103 posts without even noticing that I put much time into it....

My biggest accomplishment on Active Rain, of which I am very proud of, so far is getting the 2nd place for Eco All Stars August Localism Challenge by posting How to Achieve Highest Recyclable Collection Rate in Marin County. Of course, this is really accomplished by getting the support from my community - one of the criteria is to get local involvement, so my community jumped in and made comments.

But I have ALWAYS, ALWAYS, wanted to have one of those Yellow Stars for FEATURED BLOGs, but have not been able to garner one, not even with my little 2nd placed entry, sadly ... Sign :-(

So, Veteran Active Rainers ... If you are willing to share the secrets about Featured Blogs ...... All or Any of HOW, WHY, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHICH, etc, etc of your Featured Blogs ?

Provide a Link or TWO works also.....

And the powerful ones who choose Featured Blogs ...

Let us know HOW, WHY, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHICH - whichever made you choose those?

Does the blog have to be Meaningful? Funny? Support Realtors? Technical? Touching? Educational? Submitted after Midnight? On Monday? Most Popular? Real Estate Related? All the above?

Of course, Featured Blogs always have tons of comments. Do you get comments because of Featured Blog, or do the blog becomes Featured Blog because it has a lot of comments? - Does Chicken comes first? or Do Eggs come first?

Perhaps the SECRECT can be unveiled, and I MIGHT even get one, one of these days..... And many other Rainers might benefit!

Sylvia Barry
Marin, Sonoma Realtor
San Francisco North Bay
Frankk Howard Allen Realtors
website: www.SylviaSellsMarin.com
Blog: www.AllAboutMarinHomes.com

Posted by Sylvia Barry, Marin Realtor, MAS, ePRO on 09/12/2008 10:52 AM

Comments (73)

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73 Comments on Ah! That Elusive "Featured Blogs"....How, What, Why, When, Which ???

SEP

2008

Sylvia. I am not sure either. However, I just keep on blogging. Hope someday it will be featured. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Royal..

That is the Million Dollar Question! Just keep on blogging and it will happen when you least expect it!

Sylvia, congratulations on your achievement here in AR. I am new and haven't blogged much, but also would like to know :)

I looked through your blog and I see that most of your posts are about very local things. Once in awhile a local post will be featured but that isn't too common.

I wouldn't worry about getting featured. You probably will get more business by doing what you currently are doing.

It seems like you have a higher chance of getting featured if you write about an experience or topic that is relevant to real estate no matter where one is located.

I am not sure either. As others have said . . . just keep on blogging and perhaps someday it will be featured. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Hey, While I'm at it . . . what is the general sales climate in your area? Here in Hawaii, prices have still not dropped appreciably enough to motivate Buyers to jump in. OK . . . have a good week-end.

Aloha

Jim

Sylvia, Maybe this one will be featured! If I were the "decider", I would choose it. :-) It probably feels good to have your post chosen to be featured but I don't know if there are any benefits to it. Or are there?

Hi Royal: Thanks for visiting! I agree, keep on blogging and it will work - if you Build it, it will come, right! It is my motto!

Hi Meridian and Lourdes: I actually am just very curious. I searched on the Rain, but just could not find that. Thought many might be wondering about this also.

Hi Tim: That's kind of what I think. Yes, I do tend to do local info, With Localism (what Real Estate Truly is - LOCAL), I will definitely stick to it. I do think most depends on the contents. But how do you choose among so much wonderful materials?

SEP

2008

Hi James: Thanks for checking in. Actually, I am not that desperate in getting to be the Featured Blog, but have always been curious about that.

As far as the sales is concerned, in Marin County, our price has not dropped as much, and will probably not dtop that much. We do have short sales and foreclosures coming on the market, which drives the price down, but we are also seeing REOs going fast, with multiple offers. The sellers who do not need to sell, are taking their homes off market, stay put, or just renting them out until the market gets better. That helps with the inventory. Supply and Demand is the key and I think the supply side is stablizing and the % of pending starts to climb again

Speaking of which, another local statitic chart is due again!

Sylvia

Hi Sylvia

My best advise is Write For Yourself and to your audience. With so many posts appearing daily it is a daunting task and AR does it best to spread the gold stars around. I know for me, it is always and I mean always, a surprise if I happen to get one. In the meantime, keep blogging!

All the best to you!

Allison

Sylvia,

My opinion on the features is the mood of the moderator at the time they read it. Of course many many posts go unfeatured mostly (I think) due to timing. If a post is good yet it comes in the middle of a string of good ones, there is not enough room to feature it. I think a post gets featured when it is for the "good of all" in some way, either by location or subject.

That being said, I totally agree with the others that we should all write as if we are speaking to our client base most of the time and also take time out to network with other professionals here at AR.

Not that it will mean much, but I am going to feature you in the newbie group:) At least you will have a star!!

Hi Shirley: Thanks for the confidence vote - "If I was the decider, I'd choose it". I will yet to find out how it feels to have a 'Featured Star' next to me. I will let you know one of these days, or you will let m eknow one of these days! - Part of research here! :-))

He Allison (Founder of the AR Realtors Group,) - Thank you for replying to my email and give us your input about how to be one of the featured posts. I will certainly keep on blogging since I do enjoy doing this!

Sylvia ~ Now you are the featured blog!!! ~ We all learned something new! Congratulations! :)

Howdy Sylvia

I have been a member of this fine Active Rain community for over a year, Have written 298 blog post's. Had always hoped that the AR folk's would feature just one of them. After seen so many folk's in the community get featured by AR over and over. It's my belief that no matter what I write about, AR will never feature one of my post's. Thats ok with me, for the way I look at it. If folk's are reading and commenting on my post's, and finding something that is of help to them. Is truely worth more to me. And is more of a feature than some star, that AR it's self gives out.

Just write blog post's to help folk's and be sure you are having fun doing it.

God Bless America

Hi Karen: How generous of you! Like some of the others said, what a surprise to find out I have a Gold Star now! That's pretty incredible, especially since I know how difficult it is to get one. I do hope it is not a sympathy vote, but what an honor :-)

I do think I am probably not the only one who is curious about this; although it's quite obvious, in most cases, how one might earn this, but other times, also seem that some should have earned that, did not, and vice verse. But mostly, I think it's very fair.

I think it is a good subject for Newbies or Oldies (O.K. Seasoned Ones - I put New, Old, Older Parents on one of our Music Boosters newsletter, the TA was less than impressed, thought Seasoned is much better :-) ) = something to look forward while continuing Blogging!

By the way, I don't feel any different, but sure bring a big smile here.

Howdy Dale
298! Wow! And I am celebrating my 103, begging and getting a Gold Star. Now I feel GUILTY!!!

I am with you and that's why I have what Tim said a lot of 'Local Things'; that's what serve our clients the best.

I sometimes want to write more Realtor related things, but seeing how many wonderful entries there are, seem to be redundant for me. Maybe I will do that one day.

In the mean time, I will continue Blogging and have fun!

I've had 12 AR features and I'm estimating about 7 Localism features. But I still can't tell you how a post gets featured. I've written posts that I've put hours and hours of effort into, and aside from NOT getting a gold star, I even ended up with very few comments. And then I've written posts that I wrote just because I felt it was something the people needed to know, or just because I personally felt like writing it, or whatever the reason was... I log in the next day and am very shocked to find more comments that I can possibly answer, and a little gold star. I actually went a few months with no features at all, then I got 2 in the last 2 weeks. Go figure. I guess we all need to just write from our hearts and eventually someone will notice. =)

SEP

2008

Hi Sylvia,

I have had far better luck with the Localism Features, I think the other is pure luck OR who can write about the SYSTEM! If your blog post is totally devoted to complaining about others, instructing others, or just listing all of the great sights on AR then your post will be featured. If it pertains to Real Estate in general, forget it.

Things that make you go hmmm... I have wondered the very same thing. But as one of your Trulia readers, I am delighted to find your AR blog. Your posts are "featured" to me!

All the best,

Margaret "Ginger"

Hello Lisa: That is very impressive, 12 AR features and 7 Localism Features; especially for us who hardly get a Featured Blog (unless you beg lilke I do :-)).

I went to your blog and looked for them; but it's really difficult to find. I will be compiling the answers and come up with another blog about Featured Blog. One of the suggestions I might give to AR is somehoe organize the Featured Blog and make them standout on your profile. Would be nice to read some of those and learn about the subject matter without searching for them.

Thanks for your input!

Hello Derenda: It is interesting to see some different answers. Nice to see that Localism Features are the standouts for you as I, too, tend to do the Localism more. I can see why Featured Blogs are awarded to some that write about the 'System', I guess that benefit more Rainers.

I sometimes wonder if the humor, the 'shock' value are part of the reason. Kind of why I am interested in this subject.

Hi Margaret "Ginger": So nice to see you on AR also. I really appreciate your kind words, as always!

I have been slacking on Trulia, busy on many fronts. Getting on AR kind of take some time away from that!. Don't we all wish we have 48+ hours a day? I invited Alan May "ELV!S" to AR. He seems to be enjoying the different dimention also :-)

Let's keep in touch!

Sylvia, I still don't understand the featured post thing, but looks like you got your star. Congrats.

Hello! Congratulations this is a great post and you have a star! It looks like you have many fans from the comments here! Have a great day! Brenda :)

Hi Bob: I guess what I figured out is its the combination of all of above - Sort of like Real Estate, helpful, insightful, good timing, build presence, be part of happenings where people actually pays attention to your blog, follows, and then will select it. Sometimes just pure luck- like Karen decided to give me one, I consider that very good luck!

Hi Brenda - I like that logo of yours :-) Folks are very nice on AR. I appreciate that!

Sylvia, the only way to have a featured blog from my understanding is to be #1 in your city. Most of us have a long way to go... While it's nice to be featured it's even better to be read by the consumers you're trying to reach because your content is relevant and interesting!

SEP

2008

Hi Sylvia - I just interviewed Rich on RAIN radio, and the topic was "How To Get A Featured Post on ActiveRain!'. The show was recorded, so if you're interested, feel free to take a listen. The button is right under my photo on my Blog. Congrats on the posts and points, now let's get you a gold star. :-)

Hi Garren: Thanks for the comment. Relevant and Interesting is definitely what drives people to the blogs, stays on and if valuable, probably featured... from what I read so far, it's few and in between!

Sylvia~

I have been posting here for over two(2) years...just passed 200,000 points...I am a moderator/founder of two(2) groups at AR...and for the most part, I write pretty good stuff from my own perspective. ..so I have been featured about 50 times...(mostly in the past before we hit the 100,000 membership mark)...

A year or so ago...there was a group of volunteer moderators here at AR. The AR volunteer moderators were dismissed and editors were hired as AR grew....but I can tell you from experience, that sticking to the subject...that is real estate ..as does BROKER BRYANT, who is probably the most featured of all of us, seems still to help. AND.....AR community builder, Brad has this advice...

http://activerain.com/blogsview/76774/Who-put-a-link

Hope this works for you.

Brad - Thank you so much for dropping in - knowing how busy you must be. I am also glad that you pointed the RAIN Radio to me. I listened to it and found it quite enlightning.

There is gold star in a group, such as the one Karen - Newbie Group Leader - gave me and the one that's chosen by the RAIN God, which goes on the Featured Link on the Rain .

Rich mentioned how the RAIN chooses Featured Blogs from many. Worth listening. Great insight! Thanks!

Thanks JaneAnne: Yes, I have always enjoyed your ECO - All STAR posts and have no doubt why you would be getting all those stars.

I have always enjoyed Broker Brad's comments. He is actually the one who got me onto the RAIN, not by invitation, but by example - I am pretty big on Trulia and Brad showed up there briefly. I was interested in his comments and started to follow him a bit (You did not know about this, did you, Brad), and stayed on.

Anyhow, speaking of links, here is the link to RAIN Radio which Brad mentioned.

Thanks!

I love the way you incorporate so many pictures and iceons into your blog, it makes it much more interesting to read. As a newbie to active rain, I have so much to learn....

I aspire to having a featured blog, but also to the yellow star....

Hi Vicki: Part of reason why I posted this.

I can't say I am new on RAIN, but effort wise, much less than what I spent at other places. Thought this might be something a lot of people are curious about but are too embarrassed to ask - I like to go right to the point. Also thought it will be an inspiration for others to write helpful, useful blogs; for users and PROs alike.

Pictures will come. Right now you will probably just concentrating on what you want to do; then you will have more time to do all the other stuff.

And of course, BUSINESS comes first.

SEP

2008

Sylvia - I do remember meeting you on trulia voices, I think you were the second one to comment on my question. I have a pretty good memory most of the time. lol~ Glad you followed me here to AR, and I'm happy you are involved in the community and on the network. It's a great place to be. :-)

Hi Brad: That IS pretty incredible. You even remember I commented on your question! Amazing - knowing how many fans you have. You jumped into Trulia at a pretty strange time, but that's that. I am glad things took a wonderful turn for you and seems to me that you are enjoying this much more!

Yes, I like the community, it's a very different venue; nice people! Just wish I have much more time to devote to both. Thanks for coming back and I will definitely contribute here also!

SEP

2008

I'm looking forward to all your contributions and successes, I'm here if you ever need anything. :-)

SEP

2008

Sylvia,

I look forward to some day reaching this goal. CONGRATULATIONS!!! I think this is wonderful. I wish you many more Rain Drops.

Hi Derenda: Thanks! Looking at your impressive profile, I am sure you will be able to have a featured blog much sooner than I ever would!!! If I missed it when that happens, please send a link my way.

SEP

2008

I'm sure it's been asked before, but how do you incorporate all your pictures, etc on your blog...probably in a blog that I missed...but so many blogs and so little time!!

Hi Larry: Thanks for stopping by. It's not difficutl to do. I promise I will write a little blog about it tomorrow and send you a link - it's a very busy day for me today!

SEP

2008

Hi Sylvia, I am a new subscriber to your blog and thought I best chime in on this one.

I'm not sure how it has happened but I have had 196 featured posts out of 498 that I have written!!! I know I'm sexy and every thing but this many features is actually embarrasing. Especially since there are many much better writers than I on AR.

Anyway I have written a couple of posts that may help answer your question,

http://activerain.com/blogsview/57104/I-humbly-submit-my

http://activerain.com/blogsview/A-peek-into-the-head-of-Broker-Bryant-?6428

http://activerain.com/blogsview/Is-your-blog-relevant-?1127

I hope this helps.

Hello Broke Bryant, the (Sexy Poinciana Realtor) - sorry, I can't resist: What an honor to have you subscribe to my blog! Another huge surprise.

Yes, your links definitely help! I do with others take the time to read through the comments on this blog to learn how to contribute and earn the honor of getting one of those featured; expected of not!

Thanks again. Sylvia

SEP

2008

Thanks All so far, for great comments/answers from Featured Blogs owners, some with links - see above - Active Rain Community Builder Brad Andersohn; ECO Broker JaneAnne; Broker Bryan ; other inline comments from Allision Stewart, Realtor Group Leader, Karen Hurst, Newbie Group Founder, the smart choice Lisa Hill , Derenda Grubb

You get my point about reading the comments and clicking on the links!

Sylvia,

Congrats on your gold star.

Of course, we still don't know what criteria is used.

Aloha Sylvia,

My first remembered exposure to the "star" system of encouragement was when I was 6 years old while taking piano lessons. With each composition I learned, I was rewarded with a colored foil star of my choice: gold, silver, green, or red. It was a simple process, I didn't get a star for nothing at the same time there was no arbitrary ambiguity about it; learn the song, get a star.

Peace,

Hi Brenda: If you ask me, I think I asked how to be a Featured Blog and Karen, the Newbie Group Founder probably thinks it is a good idea to Newbies to have something to strive for.

My blog itself is not that great; it is really a place for others to come in and comment and for the seasoned Rainers to share their experience.

My gues why this blog is selected for Newbie' group (of course, it could be a sympathy vote :-))

I am not so concerned about whether I receive a gold star or not. I am wanting to know that what I write is relevant to who I am writing to. I want to provide information that helps people and clients who are in real estate, and am very selective when it comes to writing posts. I am not so concerned about the points either.

By the way, congratulations on your post becoming featured. It must be an honor because there are not too many people that receive them. Your posts are very good.

Sylvia - seems silly to address the question now that you have your star, but you have discovered the secret. Ask how to get featured, advise others how to get featured, announce a contest, announce contest results, write a post about how Active Rain cured your bout with cancer, be a sponsor, be affiliated with Zillow, write about a new gadget or social networking opportunity ... you get the idea. Features are silly things and should not be mistaken with a symbol of top quality. I'll confess that I rarely bother to read the feature roll unless a title or specific topic grabs me. I look for the writers I subscribe to for the consistent quality I crave. Sorry guys, but too many loose particles get through the filters to make the feature dashboard relevant.

Hi Kimo: I have to say that your piano teacher is a wonderful teacher who knows how to inspire and encourage the students. The impression she has made on you started when you were only 6 years old will probably lasts a lifetime. Do something nice, accomplish something, then you are rewarded. Very clever!

Hi Troy: Yes, you have the right attitude about writing a blog. As the saying goes - If You Build It, They Will Come. If you have good, relevant, helpful information, people will come to appreciate. That's how a 'REAL' Featured Post comes about, I am sure.

Thanks for the kinds words and, yes, it is an honor and very unexpected to be featured. Makes you want to do better all the time!

SEP

2008

I am not sure why a blog get a gold star. I have not yet ventured in to blogging but one of my associates at the office started last July. He has written 30 blog posts and has already been "featured" (received a gold star) 5 times.

Is that what that gold star is all about? I really had no idea...I guess you can tell I haven't gotten any!

Sylvia,

Not exactly sure what justifies getting a featured post or a star by your post, but I would think that after 100 + posts you would get featured somewhere. I'm personally going to reward you with 3 Golden Stars for all of your achievements!

Congratulations,way to go Sylvia! Love your pictures of the Golden Gate too!

Continued Success!

Hello Paul: Thank you for stopping by - long time no see.

I agree, some of the features are really not that top quality but all depends on the premises when that is awarded. Sort like the old thumbs ups and thumbs downs, you know what I mean.

I got a few comments here wondering why my post would be featured. I would not know either, but it is something to raise awareness of the existences of such and perhaps by some of the wisdom, such as yours, provided here, makes this post worth mentioning.

Part of what others should do is really reading through the comments from Seasoned AR contributors and figure out what they should do for their posts to get 'featured' or 'reconginition' whether by a gold star or just by general vote of confidence by all readers!

See you soon!

Hi Michelle - Would be interested to know who your coworker is. It does take a lot of time and effort to create a nice post to be featured.

Hi Elkhart - No big deal, if you care, you will get one soon!

Hi Michelle: Thanks for the gold star, THREE, no less. That'd last me 300 posts :-)

Just in case you all missed this, Broker Jason has a post "ActiveRain 101 - A Wealth of Tips for Newbies and Veterans Alike'

In there, it talks about how to get Featured Posts. And how you should let people know if you think one should be recognized.

There are also tons of other great tips. Worth reading and for sure a Featured Post!

SEP

2008

You were right- there is a lot here! Including in the comments! Thank you for posting this! I have bookmarked it for when I have time to sift through all the links. Great job & good luck!

Hi The Dunn Team - Yes. these are really great fellows, they love to share and help! Probably why they get the Featured Posts all the time

SEP

2008

Hi Sylvia, he sits next to me in our office and here is the link to his profile:

http://activerain.com/russellmlewis

Thanks for writing this post, it generated a lot of helpful comments and you got your STAR congrats!

SEP

2008

Hi Michelle Keahey (AvenueOne Properties): Thank you so much for including the link to your coworker, Russell. I read the featured posts he has and i can see that they are well written and content rich. Even with a local event, he included many pictures, etc. Sure looks like a very festive thing. No wonder he gets featured.

By the way, I love Austin; what a wonderful and fun town.

I look forward to see your blogs one day!

OCT

2008

sylvia - a very fun, light, entertaining and engaging post.......I really enjoyed the spirit of your quest!:-)

Congratulations, Sylvia for a well deserved featured post. Mostly, I am happy that more Active Rainers will benefit from readiing your blog. Great job!

Great post.....I will put a lot of the info to use. If I can just figure out how to bookmark it.....new to this thing ya' know.

Congratulations to your featured post, well deserved! Maybe, maybe, in the far future, I might get one too!

Hi Liz Moras - Chilliwack (Vancouver, B.C.) Realtor (Real Estate Associate Broker for ReMax Nyda Realty): It's amazing how you found this post after a month. Since then I actually was awarded an 'Active Rain' featured post http://activerain.com/blogsview/716884/Stay-Calm-Stop-the-Domino-Effect - If you read the PROs comments, there are two kinds of 'Featured' posts, one awarded by the group and one awarded by ActiveRain board.

It was a surprise to get that. That's a post written after the congress rejected the bail out plan the first time around. I guess the timing was right and the message was appreciated; so the Active Rain Gods picked that one. Just my assumption. Unfortunately, we are still waiting for that light at the end of tunnel, but I do see things moving in Marin!

But there you go, anybody and everybody can get the Featured post.....

Hi Margaret Margaret Mitchell, York Maine Real Estate (Coldwell Banker Yorke Realty):

It so nice to see you visitiing again. I have been busy lately with work and volutneer work, haven't been on Rain or Trulia for a long time, but sure is nice to get the email about your comment! I do hope this will inspire the newbies and others alike to contribute with a benefit of being featured - probably why this is featured by Newbie Group Leader!

See you soon :-)

Hi Mike and Cindy Mike & Cindy Jones (The Jones Group, Keller Williams First Coast Realty) You are already way ahead of me. It took me a long, long time before I even notice there are something called featured posts. That's part of reason why I decided to write this post so others can learn from it. Remember to send me the link to your featured post!

Great post Sylvia and obviously enjoyed by many others here on AR. I am very jealous at your use of pictures in your post!! Still trying to learn all about that myself. Certainly makes it more fun and interesting to read---sort of like the difference between watching a movie with or without the music!

Thanks Pat Pat Haddad, ABR,CRS,e-PRO,GRI Indianapolis (The Haddad Team, Keller Williams ): Somebody elee asked me the same about pictures and I shall write something about that. Will keep that as one thing on to do list. Glad you enjoy the post!

I'm a stealth blogger. I think I'm too shy to want to be featured!

Hi Joetta: That's what I do 99.9999 % of the time. It is fun to beat the odds sometimes. Have fun and stay low :-)

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