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Featured Post or Featured Quality?

Yesterday I read a cute post from Castellum Realty in reference to featured posts! As I read through the comments I had to chuckle...hmmm...some things never change...and yes a few made reference to the fact people write to only get featured! I am one of those people...I am not ashamed or either embarrassed, I would think if anyone blogs it is in fact to get yourself featured.

Featured to be in front of as many people as possible!

Points do matter and in the manner in which you earn them!

Real Estate Blogging can and will be competitive!

The saying it's not what you know...it's who you know...has been around for years and that will never change. I count on that and swear by it...and live my life accordingly. No I don't use people but I try very hard to build relationships..vs. being a know it all...and constantly disagreeable and judging and waiting...waiting for someone to fall on their face.

You want to write featured quality? It's easy really...

Target your readers!

Write what interests them!

Use Strong Key Words To Be Found!

Link Baby Link!

Be Yourself..People will follow!

Few comments don't mean a thing, I promise they are still reading!

Lots of comments means there is a great conversation going on!

Build Relationships and Grow Your Readership

Activerain is a lot of things for a lot of different people...I don't write to localism as often as I should but I write to my friends on the network and to those who connect with me in the blogosphere...and what do you expect...I am a trainer...why wouldn't I write relevant posts to my readers?

Blogging has given me many opportunities incuding business...including..some very exciting new projects..including some grand marketing and some darn good friends.

Are you gonna tell me...that when you write..you just put anything up on the dashboard that is just mediocre..or average??????...Oh, I don't buy it...its the content that counts...

Featured Quality Content

I will admit I love getting featured and my goal...to write featured quality..every single time I post! If it doesn't make it on the main dashboard with a little star next to it...its ok...because ultimately I write to get featured...but not in the way you think...My goal always is to write featured quality and you know what? By doing so.... The customers will follow and your sphere will grow..

About the author- Midori Miller is a licensed real estate associate with CENTURY 21 Sundance Realty, Real Estate Trainer and Manager. If you are interested in a career in real estate please contact me! All calls and inquiries are confidential. CENTURY 21 Sundance Realty is located in Volusia County with 3 office locations to better serve the public. Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach and Ormond by the Sea. midorimiller@yahoo.com

Posted by Florida Real Estate Trainer | Daytona Beach After School Training | Midori on 10/31/2008 02:53 AM

Comments (56)

Quality Content in the ActiveRain Channel

featured posts, featured quality, who do you write for, naysayers, daytona beach real estate trainer, midori miller, web 20, activerain

Originally posted at: Daytona Real Estate Training: Featured Post or Featured Quality?

Post is included in group: Club Chaos
Post is included in group: Gadgets, Tools, & Extras
Post is included in group: Online Marketing Help Center
Post is included in group: POSITIVE ATTITUDE for the Weary Soul
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56 Comments on Featured Post or Featured Quality?

OCT

2008

Great info Midori - there's quite a lot of humorous/competition going on in the rain isn't there? As a fairly new member I enjoy plugging in a few posts here and there and reading what others have to say. I checked out Castellum's post and it was engaging. But you are so very correct in that AR is different things to different people. What a great community!

Your Raleigh Realtors

Thanks for sharing your thoughts Midori, especially since you seem to have a lot of featured articles.

Thanks for the insight, Midori.

I'm still new around the neighborhood and still feeling my way around here...a whole new set of guidelines to go by...

Thanks.

Midori, of course we all want to be featured! Who wouldn't - it's human nature. I would hope that the competition would push those who just "throw anything up" to take a second look at their posts and seriously ask themselves if it's the best they can do. If it is, hit submit. If not, think about your audience and MAKE it the best. Just my .02.

Midori this is a great post. I think just about anything in life will be competitive as long as their are competitive people. But sometimes we lose sight of the reason we are here and your posts brings us back to that. Thanks

I agree about contributing quality content. If people just throw posts up to get points they are not using this network to it's fullest potential.

Lee & Pamela -Yes I agree that Activerain is different for everyone! To me that is what makes the world go around...our differences...our likenesses..but the reality...we are not that different from one another. I love this place! :)

Hi Lisa-yes it is human nature but if you read the comments on the post you would think its unheard of and so so wrong...I try not to worry about what other's think and I think if we focus on what we are doing rather than what someone else is doing...it wouldn't really matter would it?

I say it all the time and as much as we would like to we cannot be everything to everyone all the time. Blogging is no different than real estate sales.....you will have the good...the bad...and the ugly...I just prefer not to be the ugly but maybe...just as I am saying...I may very well be.

getting featured and how it is chosen seems to be as elusive as the holy grail of SEO , being on the first page of Google

Featured @ Club Chaos

Midori - You right about the key ingredients to get featured and I did read Castellum's humerous post. I love reading featured blogs and one day I may be the one that will get included. But here is the thing that puzzles me the most - there are well written posts that were or are not featured that have all the key ingredients.

How do the AR gods pick and choose?
Is it favoritism?
Is there a maximum of posts they allow to be featured?

Hi Petra- I noticed that I go in cycles and I think that if more used the flagging feature besides flagging for themselves...it might get noticed...I don't think they have a method to their madness but maybe they do..could it be favoritism..well it could just like I have my favorites..and I am sure you do to but I doubt it since I know a few feature..

As far as the maximum.... based on Castellum's posts...it seems its irrelevant...after all Broker Bryant has over 200...and I joined the network before him. For the longest time he has been one of my all time favorite bloggers...he is appealing and people are drawn to his great writing.

Everyone has to remember there are only 18 spots to be featured on the main dashboard that is why its important to join groups...enter contests.

I would never want to have the responsibility of featuring posts...there will always be someone offended..upset or in disagreement...its the nature of the beast...that is why when I write...I go for the gold everytime...with featured content more so than feature post..but I can tell you I admit I love when my posts get featured!

Carolyn-Thank You! :)

You are very welcome. Excellent post! :-)

Hi Midori,

Wonderful post, thank you. Like everyone else I an elated when one of my post gets featured in a group and/or on Rain. Believe me, I don't get featured because of the people I know. Those that feel that is the only criteria used shouldn't bother associating themselves with the likes of Rain or any other site that features.

My opinion anyway.

I agree Midori. I think that if you write crap, eventually it will all flow back to you. I read your blogs for the information and knowledge to be gained. I write for the same reason or just to share my opinion.

I love features :)

Quality is always better than quantitiy.

Midori - Hey thanks for the follow, these were the things that jumped into my head when reading all these posts about feature. There is no doubt that it gives a boost when a writers blog get featured - I probably jump off my roof top :)

I did not know there were only 18 spots - that alone gives me a perspective considering the amount of members.

The responsibility of featuring posts would not be my cup of tea either, which you did come close when you did the "Bloggers Choice".

I only been here a short while and always working on my blogging with great content for my audience, which always be continued process.

I think if people want a real taste of it...featuring posts that is do the WEEK IN REVIEW one time! It will blow your mind as to how many posts are posted everyday! I will promise you...you will have blurry eyes and the weirdo that I am I love doing The WEEK IN REVIEW!

I like that phrase "featured quality." It all begins with quality which requires effort!

You hit it right on the nail or err post button.

Here's our top 10 reasons why writing for a feature works and makes sense.

You force yourself to write high quality posts with a larger degree of content
You end up researching topics more in order to have valid information
Forces you to write to a higher constituancy
Due to heightened expectations from your readers you try harder each time
To stay consistent at a higher level above others
Allows you to use that resourceful content on other blogs/sites you own
Keeps you focused on the bigger goal, to dominate by points (joke)
To keep up with the jones'
To up the anny'/Raise the bar/Improve Active Rain
To keep Brad Andersohn and Rich Jacobsen busy / Job Security (truth)

I think #9, is the primary reason why the feature should continue and yet another reason why it improves Active Rain as a whole.

Thanks for the mention Midori, i will be sure to pay it forward to you in short time O.o\ :)

Btw: i have to apologize in advance as i flagged this post for a feature. Now the whole world will know the truth about Midori's posting habits.

Castellum Realty -That's funny you should flag mine because I flagged yours this morning or even last night! I think if you want to see what you want to see on the dashboard start flagging blogs..featured!

and by the way..you paid it forward already...with links..and a post and thoughts that triggered this post as well!

Petra-keep blogging ..I like your stuff..and you are so social..I may not always comment..but I read your posts..and you are an agent I would love to refer business to...so if I feel that way I can bet others feel the same way!

Fred-Touche! :)

Sally I hope you are feeling better!

OK. I'ts on!! No, I'm serious now. It's on! Stop writing such good posts! LOL

Oh all right. I'll be magnanimous and tell you you did a good job. *sigh* Why do I have to be nice to my competition? =P Oh wait. I know why. Because some competition I actually like! =D

Lisa Hill- you are my bud! :) I am proud to work in the same area as yourself..but I admit defeat where defeat is due...your localism rocks the house! I say it often..even I learn things about our area because of your posts!

C'mon go to NAR..and to the Activerain Party! :)

p.s. I appreciate the fact..you understand blogging and you actually do it..now that's a concept huh? Maybe we should keep it a secret. LOL Although I saw one of our associates had recently put up a post!

Hi Midori! Now THIS should be featured! I just want you to know that you use this forum exactly as it's meant to be used--you write quality material that focuses on your business and also includes tips for both professionals with a 'dab' of personal--you're a well-rounded writer with a heart and we ALL look forward to your posts. Keep 'em coming girl!

Hi Midori :)

Hi midori- I'm all for the build relationships and for writing good quality, but only once have I ever researched for a Post....maybe cuz I don't do a bunch of stat type posts. Anyway...good point here.

OCT

2008

Midori, back in the day you were my first subscriber, just goes to show that putting faith in someone, will, in the end, pay it forward ten times over.

BTW: for those interested, the post midori referenced to in the first line focused briefly on the top 10 members with featured posts, well since then we've expanded that list to the TOP 40 Active Rain members (based on # of featured posts). go check it out!

Oh and Midori, congrats on the

I have never wrote to get a featured post. I just write and comment to connect with others and learn.

Midori, I've had more consumer content come from articles that weren't featured. In fact, I can't think of one featured post that caused a buyer or seller to pick up the phone and call. (I'll have to go back through my notes...)

Excellent article Midori.

Show me someone who doesn't like to be featured. They are probably not willing to put forth the time and effort.

They remind me of the agents who say that they don't sell real estate for the money, but to help people. If that's so, why don't they contribute their commissions to charity.

Midori...

I have written many a post that I felt should be featured, only to have them passed over.

And then I write some that I don't really care for and they wind up on the dashboard! So, I gave up trying to be featured and started writing feature quality, and if it happens, it happens.

While it's nice to get featured....it's also nice to just know that the content you write is good. Sometimes AR will not feature every post that might be great but it doesn't mean it won't get the same exposure. If its a featured members only post then only people within the network will see it anyway. If it's featured in the public view most readers out there do not understand or even know the difference.

Featured posts will definitely generate lots of comments and you'll probably gain a few more readers than if it isn't but it all depends on what you are looking to accomplish. Of course if your a regular featured blogger .....it's nice to get the recognition....call me humble but I'm on that list so I appreciate the fact that I'm looked at here as one who writes decent articles people want to read and that's a compliment to me but there will always be people who feel they don't get the recognition here but in my opinion...if you want to be noticed you also have to contribute in other ways first....kind of like feeling your oats or taking your lumps first I guess.

Midori that is one thing I am never going to worry about. Are there days I shake my head at what gets featured?... you bet ya! Some of the stuff is not worthy yet gets featured because of the ole boy network.

I write to get business which I have gotten a lot of from blogging. As you know a number of my posts are strictly to help others like the one about Associated Content. Not to pat myself on the back but that is a great site and the post should be featured because it could help a ton of people better their business. Oh well Happy Halloween:)

Midori,

Thanks for the helpful post---Yes, it's all about content, quality and LINKS.

Thanks for sharing Midori, I just write what I feel at times and must to be too good because I don't get featured but what the heck I'm preparing for the book I am going to write one day. Your thoughts are always good and to the point as well as easy to follow.

I'm with Bill. I write from my heart and yeah there are many many times that I shake my head at whats been featured.

Truthfully, I stopped struggling with that a long time ago. I'm not sure how many points I have...I know it's over 200,000 and I'm not sure how many featured posts I've had...maybe around 30 or so all in a 2 year time frame. Maybe my stuff is crap...I dunno...but what I am doing works for my bottom line. And really that is what I came here for originally...to help my business grow. Oh course I love the community and the friends I've made here but ultimitly I blog for business.

Midori: I think the issue of FEATURED posts will always be a big controversy here in AR. I do BELIEVE that every one of us WANTS to be Featured. No doubt about it. But I also understand why some folks write a post complaining wondering how, and why, the same people are featured over and over, when sometimes--some stuff really is NOT feature worthy. The reason this happens, I feel, is because certain people have a big following... and THAT takes a lot of work to get to that place. You MUST Write GOOD content is the main key!!! and you will begin to gain followers who also become friends... and those friends/followers CLICK on the little "flag" at the bottom of the post and they FLAG it for a feature--I THINK that is how it works.

THIS IS FEATURE WORTHY! :)

Good post. I want to be featured!!

Always a 'starring' issue that featured subject is!! I'm writing for localism, with lots of market reports. Haven't figured out the 'trick' to features as some of the featured posts amaze me; however, not on my priority list. My Google juice is!

Midori ... cute post, thanks and congratulations of the feature! pippa

Midori - You are correct; most of us are writing to get "featured". The question is who are we hoping to get featured by. I am hoping to get featured by my clients; if along the way I was to get featured by Active Rain...well that would be nice as well.

Happy Halloween!

Midori - Nicely stated. I will also readily admit that I love getting featured on the main dashboard, but I know that a lot of the really local stuff that I write (Austin made a new list, market reports, etc.) is not worthy of featuring. Thanks for providing some good food for thought!

Hi Everyone-to me..again..I don't worry about who gets featured or what gets featured I focus on my writing...my readers...and my pockets. I live by not worrying about things I cannot control! I have enough things to worry about every single day. Again I believe if you want something featured...hit that flag button.

I can tell you that I have no idea whether the featured posts have anything to do with all the opportunities I have recieved and am still recieiving today...but I will say this...

Featured posts keep you on the main dashboard with more views...more google juice.....if I am going to write..I am always going for the gold...quality content...featured worthy content in my eyes!

Sometimes it works and other times...it is a dud but I gauge in a variety of ways.

I write what comes to me...but always I try to make it worthy of reading by many and not just a few...quality content..I have many posts that have never been featured with more comments and views..so to me..again I stress quality!

Don't let it fool you...I may not blog like many but I can tell you...all of this has changed my life...mentally...financially and in truth you have not seen anything yet! :) As far as making friends I can tell you...yes we have gotten referral business..isn't that what a huge part of what we do is all about? For me it is...

18 spots only on any given day

To the Lovely Wife-glad to see you girl! :)

Bill-you write so much good stuff..I just subscribe to you and I can learn the entire net thing from you!

Lenn-you are a super hero! :)

Neal-quality content you got it going on.

Kat- of course I tend to agree with you it will always be an issue but we have to remember we have over 100,000 people on this network and we cant be everything to everyone all the time.

Susie-I just go to your posts for the beauty! I love your photo's and I can't wait to meet you and talk to you about an idea I had for you! $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Pam-yes I agree and I do...and I think that being featured on the main dashboard a group dashboard is just an extra shot of google juice!

I have to come back but thanks everyone for the comments I will see you shortly ....time to go train again! :)

Midori, This post is now #89 on the list :)

HI MIDORI!

Boy, this sure is a hot topic this week!! Quality is the key! Thanks for sharing,

BTw: The number of spots which get rotated for a feature seem to have been shuffled through the years. in doing research i came across numbers such as 14, 20 and others.

Great post! I am like you - unashamed that I write the best articles I can so that I will get readers - and hopefully a feature or two. Features increase readership (read "exposure"), and I have already had one lead generated from a blog reader.

I like being featured, also. I never have really written to be featured, but always hope it happens!

Hi Midori - points? featured posts? what on earth?? ;-)

Since everything we write is online all over the place, why would any one not want to write the best they can? If going for the gold garners featured posts, then that's just as it should.

I'm with Monika and Bill - here for business. I used to pay far more attention to points and features, but now it's for exposure and business. Many potential clients do their research on line before even making a phone call to an agent, and when they go online to check me out, I want them to find things I'm proud to put my name to - that's what I write for.

Ann

Well... congrats on the featured post !!! LOL... your blog is awesome - I agree if everyone focused more on their content there would be more featured posts. I think the reason why some people have much more featured posts than others is clear - they wrote great posts/blogs ! Like you do !! : ) ~ Chris

Midori- Great post glad it was featured! I think you really covered the bases very well. Thanks for posting another great article.

Best,

Scott

Midori, when I grow up I want to write just like you ... especially featured quality posts. :)
I really enjoy reading you - even if I rarely comment. Keep those posts coming. :)

NOV

2008

I think the idea of writing featured quality posts each time is a very sensible goal.

NOV

2008

Congrats on another featured post! I think the one piece of advice that may be the most important is "be yourself".

APR

Midori, one of your other, newer posts had me going back to this post - I love how you feature yourself by links in your posts to past posts - well done! I will try to emulate you more in the future - imitation being the most obvious form of flattery and admiration...