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Blog formats - PART I

As many of you know, one of my assignments for Project Blogger, from coach extraordinaire, Paul Chaney, was to write one or 2 posts using the different formats outlined in his book, Realty Blogging.

At the beginning of the assignment, Paul wrote about each format in detail and gave credit to Amy Gahran, for identifying these.

I have to confess that when reading about the formats, I found the information very helpful, but actually forcing myself to write in each particular format taught me a lesson, (actually a couple). The first lesson is that there are some formats that may not come to you easily, but they are useful and may convey a concept better. The second lesson I learned is that you may be more prone to writing in a particular way because you feel comfortable with it, but readers may prefer reading other types of formats which makes it crucial to expand your horizons.

Here's a list of the different posts written for this exercise using the different formats: Realty Blogging

LINK-ONLY - Historic Home Niche and Outside Active Rain drops
LINK-BLURB - Miami's Romero Britto
BRIEF-REMARK - Project Blogger in my wildest dreams
SHORT ARTICLE - How to register your customers and show absolute insecurity
LIST-FORMAT - 10 tips for writing good Real Estate descriptions and Why isn't my house selling?
LONG ARTICLE - Historic Preservation in Miami Shores - Mediterranean Revival architecture
SERIES POSTINGS - Blog formats - PART I and Blog Formats - Part II

I urge everyone to try out the different formats, I know a few of you already started like Mariana Wagner and Ann Cummings(my dear "ladies of the rain" buddies). I will warn you.....You will feel stretched, you will feel challenged, you may even feel uncomfortable.... but that's the whole idea, to become better bloggers and reach our blogging goals.

Please look forward to PART II of this series which will detail how I feel about each format and how each challenged me in a different way.

Posted by Rick & Ines - Miami Beach Real Estate on 04/21/2007 01:28 PM

Comments (29)

project blogger, paul chaney, blog, realty blogging

Originally posted at: Miami Real Estate Blog: Blog formats - PART I

29 Comments on Blog formats - PART I

APR

2007

You mean there's a specific format? And to think I've been just going with my gut on this!

Ines, Thank you for the mention! I love the examples that you have given for each of these formats. The shorter ones are harder for me, but I know I could post more often once I let myself be more brief!! I really look forward to your posts! Thank you, Ines.

Celeste - I asked the same questions. I think that by nature, we look at other blog posts out there and immitate what we like as well as use our instincts (which is fine....it's the way I've been doing it as well). But it is certainly helpful to know that there are specific formats and that you can even combine a few of these.

Mariana - I find the longer posts more difficult - we need to work on what doesn't come natural.

Hi, Ines! I look forward to each of your posts through project blogger! I really like the list format posts. Link posts are a lot of work, but fun for others to read and explore.

As for what style I use? I'm more like Sally, going with my gut!

Sarah - once you try (or should say "force yourself") to experiment with the other formats, you will discover that it is beyond "your gut", that you are actually using a particular format. (btw - totally unrelated...if I would have had a girl, I would have named here SARA).

Ines...

Cha Ching. That was the sound of your Blog making you money :)

TLW...ROAR!

7 different blog formats? Wow...who knew? I'll have to come back to check out all the links. Good job : )

Ines, I think there are a lot of us on here who blog by going with our gut, for some it works, for some it doesn't. But I do agree with you that even for those that it works for, the blog could be made better if we did follow a proven format. However, I don't know if an old dog like me can change his ways, but it is worth considering :)

I can't wait for part 2. I couldn't tell any differecne on this side. I need to read that book.

Ines, thanks for sharing with us. I am trying to develop at least several of the styles and am working away on a link only post now.

Ines... this does sound like a challenge. And I am up for it to better myself. But I won't be able to look at this until Monday or Tuesday. It was my nieces First Holy Communion today. Instead of a party, we took her to NYC for the weekend. Will be heading home tomorrow. Thanks for sharing this....

jeff belonger

TLW - I LOVE the sound of that!

Kelli - it caught me by surprise also, but once you see them, it makes sense.

George - what are you talking about? you're a puppy dog - with blogging, there are no bad habits, it's too new...go experiment....you may like it or better yet.....get better results!

Maureen - it's pretty straight forward...but I really recommend the book.

Michelle - don't be afraid to add your link to the comments here so we can take a look!

Jeff - Congratulations to your niece ...talk about an awesome First Communion gift!

thanks..... I am tired though... a few more comments... probably submitting my blog and off to bed. thanks

jeff belonger

Ines ~ I think we are all going to learn by watching you. At the end of this day I am too tired to read anything other than the inside of my eyeballs. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Ines I feel like I was just given an assignment, I will try out each format over the next few weeks. It has been a pleasure following you through this process.

Ines,

Another great post - thank you for all the examples of different types of blog posts - as you know I have practiced a few but have more to try. Keep up the good work - and tell Rick to get ready to just count the money - write it and they will come - that's what I predict anyway for you ! :-)

P.S. Seems all your blogs are ending up in my bookmarked file (lol) - go figure!

APR

2007

Thanks for sharing - after reading several of your post - I am heading out to find the book...

I have a seen a number of great ideas as I read through some of your posts!!!

All this and you have taken under your wings also.

kk - hope you had a good night's sleep!

Jennifer - you will definitely see how advantageous this exercise is and will be able to see what you are comfortable and not comfortable with.

Cyndee - you are so funny - and thanks for the predictions....I like it!

Nick or David??? I am totally confused...I see NIck M's signature and David's profile????

Ines - I sent you some "link-love" this morning - did you get it (lol) It's only a small thank you to you - but your support has really meant a lot. I feel you have the wisdom of an AR sage but the humility and likability of the girl next door - that is a sure fired recipe for SUCCCESS in my book!

P.S. In my lastest blog I used links and lists and yesterday I did a 2 part post - it's getting scary here in River City! (Ok really we're in Clearwater not River City for the purists :-))

Ines - as a newcomer this post is very helpful in defining what each type of blog is. I guess I have a homework assignment! Thanks for the info

Dang. Just when I thought flying by the seat of my pants was okay...

Nice post. Thanks.

Cyndee - thanks so much for that - what a great post and may I add...You are on FIRE!

Beth - if you are new to blogging, I truly recommend the book as well - some of us did a review here in Active Rain under the Realty Blogging Bookclub - the last post of the review is Intranet WHAT?? Internal Chit Chat revived (Realty Blogging, review #9) , but you have all the links for the rest of the reviews of each chapter at the bottom of the post. Really easy read and great tool.

Buddy - I do think you can fly by the seat of your pants...but you'll hit a plateau eventually....or will realize that you can reach for bigger and better things...either way....good luck to you, and don't forget to have fun.

APR

2007

Ines, I am simply in awe of you. I admire how you are not only participating in Project Blogger, but are doing it so well and keep up with your work and family too! It's amazing. I really appreciate the fact that you have taken this project to heart and made it easy for us to follow along and learn with you.

It's interesting that our writing generally fits into one of the formats. I really do need to work on trying the different styles on for size. What a challenge! Thank you again.

Ines, GREAT POST. I have Realty Blogging on my desk. It has been in the car with me all weekend, been to a broker's open last week and two open houses yesterday and the day before. But I have been so busy that I have yet to move past page 30!! Thanks for the list. I love that. Very helpful to me as I'm learning the blog ropes.

Maggie - the most difficult format for me was the long one, but you'll read about in in PART II - thanks for acknowleging the effort - it's hard work!!

Mary - you are doing awesome at learning the ropes - I can relate to the amount of work, add 3 boys and a neglected husband to the mix with baseball and track meets, and that's me!

Ines - love how you linked all your posts on this project here. And I just love following you through this project - you ARE the best! I appreciate the examples you provide for each style, and like Little Butterfly, I have a hard time with shorter ones. I need to work on that. Keep teaching us, lovely lady! Thank you for the link, too!

Ann

Ines-great blog and links.I am going to look at this closely.It is interesting to see different styles for different subjects.The sky is the limit.

APR

2007

Ann - maybe we should get our brains together, I have a hard time with long ones...guest appearances on each other's blogs....not bad!

Lloyd - most of us were not even aware of the different formats, it's a learning experience, that's for sure!

Rick and Ines, but what gets the best results? You may say that it depends on what you are offering, okay. Let's say we are marketing New Homes. From what I'm seeing it really depends on the topic, but I would appreciate your thoughts. Thanks.

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