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Do you make these mistakes with your blog?

Think about the reasons you blog (what are yours?)

To build a trust between you and potential clients
To provide information and knowledge about your industry and area
To network with clients and real estate professionals

If the first two are reasons you blog, wouldn't that lead you to the thought that you should be promoting the fact that you blog to your clients?

Do your clients know you blog?

As I mentioned in a previous post, does your email address have your blog url? Do you have a link on your website that directs people to your blog?

We all know that blogging helps with Search Engine Optimization, but how about the trust you are building with your audience (readers and fellow agents) by providing relevant, must read topics.

Think about some of the posts you have read, one that comes to my mind is Jason Crouch's post in which he goes through conversations he's had with clients or associates. He uses what naturally occurs in his day to relate to his readers and provide valuable information. In my opinion there's always something to learn from his posts and why I return often (and you should too.) Like Jason, are you using what happens in your day to relate and engage your readers?

If you are simply blogging to fill your day with something to do then I ask you to seriously think if you're time could be better spent doing something else. However, if you are blogging because you're interested and passionate about what you do and you have the desire to engage your clients and potential clients, then consider these things:

Do you have your target audience in mind? And are you providing them with relevant information?

First Time Home Buyers
Relocation Clients
Home Sellers

Grasping their needs will grow your readership.

Are you showcasing your local expertise? Are you providing relevant topics about your community, real estate, and your involvement in your community? If you mention you work with people relocating are you covering that topic?

For that matter - look at your profile (after you finish reading my blog) - do you have areas of expertise listed but you don't cover topics in your blog that are related to them?

Are you approachable? Do you write with a conversational style that compels your readers to want to engage in a dialogue with you? Do they continue to come back to see what you've written next.

Are you engaging in a conversation and sharing with them why what you're writing should matter to them?

Will your readers (home buyers, sellers and other agents) choose to work with you?

Other things to consider:

Write with the reader in mind.
Are you providing advice that you yourself would take?
Tell a story, make people laugh, provide solutions to their problems
Share who you are - be honest, be yourself not who you think your reader wants you to be
Pictures help tell your story - pick good ones that help you express exactly what you mean and that will have your readers relating to the topic.

Do you ever get discouraged after you feel you've created "your best blog ever" only to see that a blog about "popcorn" got featured? The important thing to remember when blogging is that you are providing an outlet for people to share ideas and engage with you, so don't get frustrated - keep at it.

Have fun when you blog. Engage your readers and provide them with a diversion from the chaos of their world, even if just for a little bit. Your readers will appreciate it and will return often.

I know this is not one of my typical blogs of providing you with useful tools and information on marketing, but I thought what the heck, share a little about my thoughts when it comes to engaging your reader (that does still count as marketing doesn't it?) I also speak from personal experience both as a recent home buyer, knowing the topics I would want to read about and as someone that reads all of your blogs.

Would love to hear your thoughts and comments on how you let your clients know about your blog and the reasons why you blog.

If it's not evident to you by now, consumers are very knowledgeable and computer savvy and are using the Internet to not only search for homes but for real estate agents and real estate professionals who they feel are like minded and can lead them to the results they are looking for.

As we all know, there are only 24 hours in a day to get it all done...are you focusing on the right stuff to grow your business and meet your client's needs? Contact us today to get started!

Lets Connect and Stay Connected:

Posted by Anne Marie Malfi, Real Estate Marketing Consultant/Virtual Asst, Bucks County,PA on 10/02/2008 10:41 PM

Comments (56)

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56 Comments on Do you make these mistakes with your blog?

OCT

2008

I am almost always surprised by which blogs that I write that get attention. I will write the most simple thing and it is covered... and then I will toss out a masterpiece (in my mind) and it gets nothing...

I had a CMA this morning and I said I write alot. I said I spend 2-3 hours a day learning how to be a better agent and writing articles so that I can teach other agents how to improve themselves. Then I said we as a company see the importance of training and it is what seperates us from other companies in the area.

Lane thats funny. I noticed I have written on the same exact topic as someone else and then theirs gets featured and mine barely gets a single comment. Not that I mind. I write because I like to. Glory is nice though sometimes :)

Being fairly new to blogging your post gave me a lot to think about. I think it's good to take a step back and see what your purpose is with your blog and if you're meeting your objectives. Thanks.

Excelent advice, and yes I do share that I blog with my clients

Lane - Hi, yes isn't it funny! I guess the mystery will never really be solved so we just have to keep blogging with the hopes that we are reaching our readers and making a difference for them.

Shane - That is fantastic . I think it's so important to not only tell they how you market their listings but how you market yourself to the public who will possibly be interested in their home and to other agents who will bring buyers. Also liked how you came back to comment on Lane's point. Funny isn't it but it appears we have the same philosphy about writing.

Justin - Exactly Justin - that was my point - don't just blog to blog but have it mean something - can be a mix of fun and informative. So happy you stopped by.

Marie - thank you and I think it's great that you share that information with your clients. The more they know that and see what you're writing, the more they may tell their friends who could become your next client!

I do have a link to my blog on my web site and tell clients about it as well. In fact had been posting to an internal blog on my web site long before I knew about active rain. I have getting views, but not comments. I like getting feed back. This was a great post and gave me lots to think about where I need to advertise that I have blogs.

Thanks

Hi Tammy, thank you for stopping by and commenting - like you I like comments and feedback and not ashamed to admit it :) I think it's great that you have had an internal blog and also take your writing to AR. I'm so happy that my post got you thinking about how to make things better so they are working both for you and your readers. I wish you much success and hope to see you here again. ~ Anne Marie

Great advice. The key to me being write for your audience. I tend to write about things that I think are cool or interesting or you need to know. The posts that are about something straight forward are the ones that get the traffic and the response.

Best,

Scott

Hi Scott, I appreciate you stopping by to comment and sharing how you blog - I'm going to have to go and check that out for myself. I couldn't agree with you more - if you truly speak to your audience and provide relevant information that they can relate to it generates relationships and response. Thank you again for stopping by. ~ Anne Marie

You mean I suppose to Blog for Business? Wow, I try to Blog to relax, have a down time with friends and associates on Active Rain. You know the expression....all work and no play....

I think that's why I have two blogs...I love to learn and meet people on AR and I write for business on my other blog (very specific to my area).

I love the line about a post about popcorn getting featured; I actually can relate to that and giggled out loud. I enjoy reading your posts Anne Marie!

Oh Nancy - you bad little girl. You can do both since you do them both well.

Cindy - It's always great to have you stop by and I'm thrilled that you enjoy reading my posts. I think it's great that you have a specific blog for your area but don't discount that they will find valuable information out here as well - you want them coming to YOU in all ways. And thank you for referencing my "popcorn" comment - it really is true and sometimes I just don't understand the whole features thing - I start thinking hey, so and so had a fabulous blog and THAT one got featured? Hmmm? Glad it made you giggle - made me giggle too :)

~Anne Marie

Anne Marie - Thanks so much for your polite mention here. I am usually inspired to write a post by some small stray thing that happens during my day, as you indicated here. Another great job by my new friend! Congrats on the feature!

Hi Anne Marie. Spectacular post!!! I have a link on my email signature. I also alerted all my clients to the launch of my blog and I send them updates when I post something I think they will really enjoy....I also have a link to my blog on the newsletter and items of value I send. My clients love my blog and have no problem saying something to me if they think too much time has lapsed since my last post. :)

Anne. I like to follow up on posts. I dont just make a comment and then forget about it. I almost always check back to see what people have said. It is a lot of work because I make a lot of comments but I sincerely want to know what people have said. I could make it easy and check that box that says notify me of new comments. But I guess I like to think back through the day of the comments that I made that I really wanted to hear an answer about.

Anne Marie... Great post... You have done a remarkable job here. We all would like to get featured although not all of us are going to. Yes I have had a couple that I really thought should have been and of course.. they are just like the rest.... Great reading material !

My clients know about my blog because I tell them ... all the time. Recently I had two clients ask me to address specific issues on my blog that they needed help with. And, it worked. They came back, read what I had to say, and called to thank me for addressing their question. It was great to get that feedback and know that my efforts aren't in vain.

OCT

2008

I've only been blogging for a few months and have been letting clients and others know about it a little a time. This is part of the reason I liked your idea of putting my blog on my email.

I like what you said about making others aware of your blog in your email, newsletter, conversations with clients, etc...

Anne Marie,

I really don't make too much out of it...I just try to write about things I know or stories that have happen to me...obviously some of my clients come from my blog so they must read it and then there are a few that were my clients in the past and also have started to read but some just don't have the time...but hey...I can't complain.

I have been so busy learning about blogging as a s sort of "on the job training" that Ihave been hesitant to include the link (to my AR outside blog) in my communications and on my website. However, I am now more comfortable with all of my content and will absolutely add it as part of my overall marketing. Thanks for the reminder!

What an excellent post.......Generally, I've written much more to Localism than to AR here. My goal is to find buyers and sellers and I know Localism is the best hunting ground. Thanks for a great job here.

Wonderful post and congratulations on the feature! Where do you get your cute, but not overwhelming graphics? I agree pictures add to a post, (expecially when they are my beautiful before/after shots), but sometimes they are too big/distracting/off the point. Thanks for the great reminders about why/who/what we should be blogging!

Quality post with quality content. I think this is a must read, especially for the NEWBIES!!!

Anne, great post. You know we all need this type of reeducation. No matter how long you have been posting reminders and tips are always encouraging.

Anne such good information and I love the think you wrote the best blog ever and then see one on popcorn got featured LOL that is true some days. Anyway my point is I am not making a big enough effort to share my blogging via email etc. I am going to work on this today. Thank YOU

Anne Marie: Good post and good reminder to promote your (our) blogs. I think I'll include the LINK on my emails! Thanks!

Hi Anne - does your email address have your blog url? In my signature line or my actual email address? I am going to the blog you referenced so I do it right. Thanks! KM

Anne - great point about telling prospects about your blog in an email signature. Excellent post, and congratulations on the feature!

Anne Marie, You are quickly becoming our AR star. Good for you. You have such good stuff to share with us. It is funny, things I think will get a lot of attention dont and then the most random stuff gets a lot of comments. It is all fun and positive to me. Look at the wonderful relationships we develop here.

GREAT STUFF, Anne Marie! I think that blogging is a skill that is honed through time and practice...just like most other skills. The great thing about AR is that we have the ability to get almost immediate feedback, from members of our same industry, as to how relevant our posts really are. However, there are times when (just like you said), you write your heart out and think...'THIS IS THE BEST THING I'VE EVER WRITTEN' without getting much response. That has happened to me before...more than once. It is important to not get discouraged...to keep on keeping on. There are over 111,000 bloggers here at AR. Finding relevant material that has not been 'done' 1000 different ways in NOT easy. That is another reason it is so important to find your own voice and share your personal experiences. No one else has had YOUR EXACT experience.

YOU are doing a fantastic job! Your posts are educational and relevant...and your distinct personality shines through. GBU, my friend!

Great ideas, I like the part about writing with the reader in mind. I email my blog report to my data base (with their permission of course). But most of my stuff is on listings that I consider at least 28% below market. Every now and then I come up with a good story but after putting on paper it doesn't look right. But when I grow up I will get it right by that time.

Anne ... reading through the comments you have created some good conversation here!

Excellent post, great information. Thanks for the post.

HI ANN MARIE!

Great question. I have mine linked to my website. I just recently added it to my voicemail message.

Have a great weekend!

Great post I will add you to my watch list...I would be happy if my posts just got read. I have enrolled in a course at our local community college on blogging so I can better work with graphics and make them more readable. Thanks for the words of wisdom from a relatively new blogger.

This was a really good post. Well written and thoughful. Thanks for your extra effort

Anne Marie,

Don't forget one of the benefits of blogging is creating links to your business website. Two of the active bloggers in our area now occupy three of the top ten positions in Google. (You know who you are!)

And I'm betting they are there because of their blog posts and the linking that comes with those posts.

Your right about the featured blog point about popcorn. It is very discouraging but I try and remember why I'm blogging and that's for business! Accolades from AR is great but show me the money or are you a buyer? then let's go! I try and inform both buyers and sellers and offer a "Emma Bombeck" style that's sassy and smartass rolled into one. I've been told I've achieved my goal!

Hi, this was a terrific post for me! I really struggle with blogging. I'm new to it, I don't know what to say, I feel silly when I do. But your advice is very timely and helpful. I took notes and will put it to good use.

Thanks so much - Debbie Fiskum, Perfect Transformations Home Staging, Denver, CO

www.ptstaging.com

Anne - I used to go to seminars just to be remined to do things I knew about but had some how forgotton now all I have to do is spend some time on active/rain Thank you for the wake up reminder. I really appreciated the cost ... very little time and no outlay of that green stuff that is so scarce in todays market

Anne Marie, Such a neat post; you made me blow the diet. Look what I just made and it's all because of you!! Fresh popped corn!

popcorn

Anne....

Nice job of putting your thoughts together for us to share. It is something we need to always have on our minds when blogging. I tend to be very conversational in my blogs, and personal, just my personality. However people who don't really need to make the effort.

One thought on getting the message out that you blog and where. Send an e-mail to all your data dase, with one of your better blogs attached. Also everyone should be contacting their data base once a month, so everything you do put your blog site link at the bottom. Of course if it's on the phone simply remind them of the site. You also might want to get them involved by asking why types of thing, places and people they would like to see showcased on your blog? Also remind them if they hear of something significant happens in their world to be sure and let you know and send pictures. Liz

OCT

2008

I particularly appreciate the suggestion about blogging about conversations I have with clients and associates. I realized this when I had one clients that rode with me each time we went out (first time buyer) and the conversations we had would make good blog topics - however I don't do this and it would give me a lot more to blog about - and target the audience I want to attract. Thanks for the reminder.

Hello everyone! I must say that I'm so happy that this post generated much discussion and comments. I have learned so much from YOU, the contributors to my blog and I am inspired by your return visits and sharing. I hope my blog will always provide a welcome place to share and ask questions. ~Anne Marie

Jason, my friend, You're welcome - it's my pleasure as I have learned so much from reading your blog. I only speak the truth - I think there's so much value to referencing your blogs because you do talk about real experience and it's always so easy to relate to and learn from.

Hi Pamela - thank you! Wow! I love it. That is so fantastic that you do all those things to keep your clients involved with you. I'm very impressed. Thank you for sharing with all my readers and hope you will stop by again.

Shane - hello again. I love that you came back to follow-up. I do the same and think it's always nice to see not only how the poster responded to my comment but other comments left - I learn so much from the comments left and often that does get me thinking about my next blog.

Roland - thank you, I really appreciate your kind words. Yes, everyone would like to be featured but truly my greatest reward is having someone tell me that they liked what I read and it made a difference to them and how they would look at the way they do their job or a task. I have seen many posts that I was shocked didn't get a feature with all the comments they received and so I continue blogging with the hopes of just getting readers and contributors. Getting a feature does give you that feeling of acceptance but I think that the more people comment instead of just reading a post the more fulfillment will be received whether we are featured or not.

KMG - Wow, that's fantastic and I love the way you involve them in what you're doing. Thank you for sharing.

Christine - I'm happy that this post was helpful and that you are letting your clients know what you're doing. Welcome and best of luck to you.

Patricia, so happy that you found this post helpful and hope it increases your readership.

Hi Neal - that's great that you're writing about the information that naturally occurs in your day which I'm sure your readers will be able to relate to.

Russell - You're so very welcome. You make a great point - when you're first learning and getting started it's hard to put yourself out there with the fear that it won't be well received, how you will come across or if what you're writing will provide value. I'm so happy that you're finally feeling comfortable enough to share and hope it increases your blog visitors.

Diane - thank you and that's great that you focus on Localism. Don't ever discount the greatness of AR though because it provides networking opportunities with other agents and real estate professionals who will get to know you and your services which could just bring you your next buyer or seller.

Margaret - thank you my friend, I'm so happy you found this post helpful. Thank you also for your little note - much appreciated. I will share my secret with you and will send you a note with info.

Michael - thank you and I appreciate you stopping by to comment. Yes, I agree and hope newbies will gather as much info as they can to get themselves established.

Frank - thank you and yes, much of what we need and should be doing simply goes back to the basics and reminding ourselves of the simple things we can do to reach our clients and provide exceptional customer service. You're never too old or too experienced to learn something new - great point!

Shannon - thank you and yes, my popcorn reference is something that many of us can relate to. I'm so happy that you're going to make "marketing your blog" a focus - why keep yourself a secret right? Hope to see you again soon.

Kat - thank you and that's fabulous - I truly hope it works magic for you.

Kristin - Hello! If you go to your email's options, under signature you can have your name, phone number, email and blog info which makes it all part of all the emails you send or reply to. Hope it works and brings much success.

Sharon - thank you for your comment and compliments. Yes, why keep yourself a secret? Much success to you.

Audrey - Hello! Oh, thank you - I really owe it to the fact that I read everything especially all of my favorite bloggers posts to get thinking about what's important to them and how I can help bring a positive and helpful message. You always have such a great attitude and it comes through in your writing. I must tell you and any of my readers - Aundrey posts such great and informative posts and provided me with the best laugh I've had in a long time - it took me 5 minutes to get composed - go visit and see if you know which one I'm talking about. Report back if you find it! Thank you Audrey!

Hi Elizabeth - THANK YOU! Your words and advice are so true and I hope the readers of my blogs who are new, or those who are currently feeling down and discouraged about their blogging will read your comment and feel inspired to keep blogging and sharing. I know you have inspired and encouraged me. I also like your comments "find your own voice and no one has your exact experience." So true! Thank you again for your compliments and friendship. GBU!

Charles - thank you and I'm happy you could relate and find this post helpful. As Elizabeth says above find your own voice and story and share it to help your readers (fellow agents and buyers and sellers = your readers and clients) to relate to you. Wishing you great success.

Pippa - hello! Yes, I agree with you. I truly get such satisfaction from helping someone get back to the basics in their job and helping them better manage the day and tasks so they can focus on what's most important. Always appreciate your visits.

Jeff - thank you and appreciate you stopping by.

Yvette - Happy you stopped by and that's great that you have the links to your website and voicemail - excellent!

Hi Tracey - very nice and very much appreciated. I hope you will visit often and find great value for you by reading my posts. I wish you luck in your class and encourage you to read and comment on blogs out here to learn more as well.

Guy - Thank you - I really appreciate your compliments and the effort of putting a blog together like this is my pleasure. I truly love sharing how people can make their job and tasks simplier and get them focused on the "right" activities.

Hi Jon, I agree - AR actually even provides you points to creating those links and the results will be seen in google. That's fantastic that they are having such great success and hope you do too.

Lyn - That's fantastic that you have found your own style and that you don't let yourself get discouraged - I applaud you.

Debbie - thank you and I'm so happy that you found this helpful. Again, I will give you the advice that has been given to me - keep reading and making comments, pay attention to what's happening in your day and then find your style and put it into a blog. I wish you much luck and hope you will stop by again.

Kathy - You're so very welcome and yes, sometimes we just need a simple reminder.

Margaret - thank you and I'm very sorry that I took you off track with the popcorn - I'll be more careful next time - LOL.

Hi Liz - thank you - excellent points and I appreciate you sharing them! I really like the idea of using your blog as an excuse to talk with your clients about what's important to them. Next thing you know they are visiting your blog to see if you wrote about what they said to you. Excellent!!

Cathy - You are so very welcome and you bring up another great point about time spend with potential buyers and blogging about all the possible things you and that client can go through and putting it into a blog.

I thank everyone for contributing to this discussion and providing such great comments and advice that we can all share and learn from! ~Anne Marie

Ann Marie- This is a topic that can never be blogged enough about. We get 2 listings every week from just our Active Rain blog. We turn down listings too. Naturally agents email me wanting to know how I make that happen. I speak to our audience, we niche in 3 areas. This is huge. People speak too generally, their posts are boring, and they wonder why their phone does not ring. If all you put out is your listings and market reports; you aren't giving your prospective sellers a chance to get to know you, like you and trust you. Katerina

OCT

2008

One big way I let people know is through our website. Most of our clients begin on our website, so I make sure there is a link to our blog on it.

OCT

2008

Nestor and Katerina - thank you for stopping by to comment - it's always appreciated. You are so right - it can't be blogged about enough. Wow - that is fantastic and I have to say I'm not at all surprised by your success. It truly is about letting your audience (clients and other agents) get to know you and build that trust with you. Thank you for hitting that point home.

Muldowney Team - thank you for stopping by and sharing how you let your clients and potential clients know how to find you and what you're doing. I wish you much success.

If you are after comments, you may browse the different "Groups" and choose to post your blog entries in the more active ones.

I do things a bit differently sometimes. Some of my best blog entries that are written for consumers are purposely left out of Groups. I'm not writing for agents and sometimes their comments distract the reader. I still want comments active so the public can post to the blog entry but I don't necessarily want 150 comments from agents on that blog entry.

OCT

2008

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho - City by the Lake Ann Marie, I am certainly glad yours was featured instead of the Popcorn one! Great Blog, but then again all of yours tend to be on the great side. I always find something to think about and/or to help me out when ever I read your Blogs. This one is no exception! Thanks again!

Also, thanks for commenting on my Blog!

Hi Benjamin - thank you for stopping by and I appreciate the advice. I think I understand your comment which was a general statement to all bloggers that if they're looking for comments to their blog that they should post to specific groups - is that correct? I myself, try to do some of both. I think it's great the you write with your clients in mind.

Pam - Hi nice to see you today. LOL - thank you, me too. I appreciate the compliment and I really appreciate that you find value in visiting my blog and you can get something from it - that means a lot to me. And you know I always love visiting your blog (pay it forward) :)

OCT

2008

I try everyday to blog about what my clients want and need to know. I have found when I get someone in my network that is an expert in his or her field I get more appreciation than when I do it myself. People love to see that I have a network of experts and they appreciate me connecting them together.

JAN

2010

Anne Marie,

Congrats on the feature. You do a wonderful job covering topics.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge,

Ann Hayden in Wildwood, MO

JAN

2010

Hi Ann, thanks so much for your kind words - it is my pleasure to share great ways of making sure all aspects of an agents marketing and connection with their clients is maintained. I appreciate you're stopping by and that you were able to find this post even from last year :) ~Anne Marie

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Anne Marie Malfi, Real Estate Marketing Consultant/Virtual Asst, Bucks County,PA

Yardley, PA

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Malfi Marketing Solutions ~ for real estate professionals

Office Phone: (267) 793-0373

Email Me

A “Marketing” Virtual Assistant that will partner with you to increase your online and offline marketing. This blog is where I will share everything from helpful marketing, branding, time management tips and solutions to tons of advice, motivation and inspiration so that you are working smarter - not harder! I look forward to getting to know you and your business more.

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