The biggest question I get asked is...

How do you come up with stuff to write about?

I appear on several blogs, and generate around 15 posts, stories or articles each week.  This doesn't include the ones that are syndicated from one platform (like from LaneBailey.com or LilburnDwellings.com to Active Rain or vice-versa) to another. 

Coming up with the content is both the hardest and easiest thing that I do. 

It is easy in that there are millions of things to write about.  I am asked questions every day by consumers and many of them would make GREAT posts.  I hear things on the radio, see things at the mall and notice things while out and about that could all be worked into a post.  Ideas are endless...

But, the hard parts are remembering them for more than a fleeting moment, and keeping the blog "on message".  Writing about medium duty truck wheel conversions for my F-350 would generate some hits... but it isn't the traffic I am seeking.  Writing about homes in Lilburn, GA, the Gwinnett County Market and real estate issues that real people face ARE on message.  And for my Active Rain blog, writing about how Diamond Dwellings is the super grooviest brokerage and everyone should come join us is also on message... 

So, being a tool guy, I have a tool that I use that helps me stay on message, generates the right content and helps me build the desired traffic. 

HitTail

Every few days I wander in and see what my top searched terms are, as well as peruse my "long tail".  This helps me see actual search volumes and how they relate to my search volume.  By seeing what people are using over time to find my site, I can see if I am on message or not, as well as get suggestions for what else to write about, what to write about again and what to expand on. 

In some cases, I rank well on the search, in other cases I am not on the front page.  Where I don't rank well, I may look to update the post and include a few more keywords, newer content and expand on the original. 

The bottom line is...

That there are always some things that need to be written about.  Right now I need to do 5 Blog Anthology posts covering weeks from my other blog to post here on Active|Rain, 93 cars I must drive, Bloodhound Unchained, about a dozen consumer questions, REtechSouth 2009, Ken Cook's Internet Radio broadcasts (which I still need to join him on one) and a bunch of listings and home tours.  I obviously have stuff to write about. 

The harder part is finding the time and getting it down on the computer.  And then there are the thoughts of podcasts and Vlogging...