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7 Hot Topics that will earn you a Featured Post

Okay, okay first the disclaimer: As an Active Rain newbie I have not even had a featured post. A good title will not assure anyone that they will be a "featured post". However, what I have done however is study the last few months of featured posts and tried to see some patterns in the titles that become Featured Posts. Here are some observations in no particular order:

SEO - Everyone wants to know how to be ranked higher on the search engines. Google in particular will draw a good bit of attention. These posts in specificly have to be written in a simple, easy to read format. Most RE pros are not web or computer gurus. If the tips are concise and easily executed, this is a big plus. (Recent topics: Meet the new owner of GOOGLE, Broker Bryant, Marketing your blog - Google Juice)

Active Rain - If you have something to offer your fellow Active Rainers, when it comes to communicating in this forum it will be well received. The "Week in Review" segment of course is always featured. You also might discuss great AR features and functions, How To's, or community questions. (Recent topics: AR - Are you Treating it as a Business?, Let's nominate...Active Rain!!)

Numbered Posts - What?!? Yes, people like to hear the top 10 reasons why...or 5 keys to a successful...These posts should have quick but useful insights, small chunks of information that can easily be digested. (Recent topics: 12 U.S. Laws that Impact Bloggers, 10 ideas for Localism Posts...)

Blogging - Yes, believe it or not blogging about blogging is a very popular topic. There are so many new people to blogging (myself included), it is always beneficial to share tips to help everyone to become more proficient and responsible members of the blogosphere. (Recent topics: Itsnoteasytoreadyourpostsifyoudon't Give Them Some Air, For a QUICK DIVE in Blog Readershi...Go on Vacation)

Rant - Topically, this can be very effective. A word to the wise on this, don't play the rant card too often or you will alienate your readers. Everyone loves to hear a sane person have a well deserved rant. But if someone rants all the time, it will reflect poorly on their attitude and professionalism. (I'm not giving recent posts on this, since most rants are "members only" posts and that should be respected)

You Tube - This is one of the hottest sites on the web. Many RE pros are wondering if they should make use of the capability to post videos on You Tube. If you have an opinion, a success story or even a warning on this, it is worth sharing. (Recent topics: You Tube Is Not a magic elixir..., more available to members only)

100th post - When you hit this landmark, let the community know about it. It is a great way to be featured and you will receive a lot of healthy encouragement to keep up the good work. (Recent topics: I suggest you go ahead and type 100th into the Search feature on the home page)

A few other notable ideas - Foreclosures, The Flat Guys (Ben, Matt, James, Jonathan, etc), anything "Green", Localism tips

Hope these prove helpful. Have a great week!

Posted by Eric Carlsen on 05/08/2007 08:30 PM

Comments (38)

active rain, blogging, marketing your blog, real estate blogs, google, you tube

38 Comments on 7 Hot Topics that will earn you a Featured Post

MAY

2007

Great stuff...worthy of a flag....I learned off of this.

Interesting. Not a real real estate topic among them. I've been on the wrong track all along.

Drat.

Lenn,.....very true observation....hmm.

Yip Lenn - it's not about Real Estate. It's fluffer nutter versus meat.

Fluffer Nutter seems to win in most cases.

Larry,

Thanks for the nod. Much appreciated.

Lenn & Abe,

Believe me, this was an educational little piece of research for me as well...(and I am certainly not saying my observations are stone cold locks). That being said, a few of those ideas could directly relate to real estate. For instance, top 5 ways to obtain qualified leads, or a rant on why subprime lenders have hurt the industry, or perhaps how your Google ranking has affected your reputation with potential clients. In any case, thanks for the feedback.

Rob,

In looking at your blog, it seems you have struck a nice balance. You address serious issues, like bills that could hurt local real estate. But you also talk about the Kentucky Derby and NFL draft. It would seem that a bit of social networking invites readers to check in on a bloggers opinion on more important matters.

Eric,I'm amazed anyone ever checks out my Blogs :^)

I am here to LEARN, to Contribute, to Network and to HAVE FUN. I probably have more FUN than the other categories... thus I have not nor ever will be featured.

Being a 'Title Guy' in the land of Realtors also does not help. Asking every few weeks why Realtors participate in ABA's with Title companies (thus send them all of their work - has not endeared me either, as Realtors refuse (?) to answer why they believe ONE TITLE company fits EVERY client they have).

AR is a really nice place to socialize AND interface on Real Estate matters.

I hope you get featured, but if you do - don't let it get to your head. I've read a few members that seem to think it's like winning a Nobel Literature Prize.

Keep on bloggin' and welcome aboard.

I am so tired of reading the "my 100th post", the "my 200th post", the "I hit 100,000 points posts", the "I hit 50,000 posts", the "how to get 25,000 points in ten day" posts.....no offense to anyone because EVERYONE is writing them on Active Rain so of course the new people have to do it because it does get a post featured.

Lenn.... You got it!!

makes you think

Right On Maureen !

Great comments by everyone. As with anything else, being balanced is always the best course. A select few have made it a point to complain about those who are constantly featured. On the other hand, featured bloggers have pointed out that it takes time to establish a good reputation in any community.

The fact remains, that some topics will interest more readers than others, and this post was simply to acknowledge that fact. From my limited time on AR, I have seen a slew of great posts with fantastic content and plenty of feedback that are not featured...so you certainly don't need to be featured to be successful on AR.

Thanks for the tips Eric, I could use some more featured posts

Thanks Ann,

I liked your post on Global Warming.

There is no Global Warming

http://activerain.com/blogsview/82129/Global-Warming-does-not

Hey, That 10 ideas for google maps/localism was mine :)

Good organization here... I think there is some truth to what you've put together. I think there is a flux in topics - a topic that is more popular and/or less popular or the conversation of the moment looks to be a factor.

Nice work Angie!

Obviously I enjoyed your post as well. Good point about hop topics fluctuating, I think that trend will certainly continue as new ideas, technology and applications hit the market.

MAY

2007

Eric: Fascinating--and worthy of a feature flag. Many of these topics are hot with real estate professionals because we recognize the importance of SEO, networking and Web 2.0. A catchy headline also helps!

Good Job this will definitely get you to be featured , good luck.

Roberta,

Thanks for the encouragement. Still learning the ropes.

Thanks Paul,

Featured or not, I hope it proves helpful for those looking to see what topics may be hot at the moment.

Eric, thanks for your study and research. I often wonder how to get a feature post. I knew as many do that the average real estate person is not a tech guru. I can use any insight.

Frank,

SEO is something that most of us are constantly trying to understand. Part of this is because sites like Google have to change how there search engines rank sites, due to the fact that peole are always looking for ways to "beat the system" to be ranked high.

As for featured posts...only time will tell if my observations are valid. I believe the hot topics will always draw a fair amount of attention. Thanks for stopping by.

Great post Eric,

What's hot today may only be due to global warming. OOps, did I say that?

Alaska Don

Thanks Don,

At least it's a bit cooler out your way.

Eric, thanks for the mention on nominating THE activerain boys.

Maureen, I hear ya ! hey my 100th post will be in the next couple of days. tee hee.
Seriously.

Missy,

You definitely had the right idea...this community is a testament to all of the hard work that the creators have put into it. Happy pre-100th post!

Nice post. Useful take on the difficulty to understand how some of this really works. But it is fun to play here.

Steve Gladstone Home Inspector in CT.

Both of my featured post were very short, and to the point. I wrote both blogs in less than three minuets.

Eric - Very Insightful! I think I will stick with writing for and about my community, that's what gets me clients and a paycheck!

MAY

2007

Thanks Stephen.

Beth...good advice for all of us.

Paula, That is what blogging is about. Finding your voice and sharing your knowledge.

MAY

2007

Its pretty funny you write a post about how to get featured and of course they don't feature it which they should... :-P Geesh the feature person has been asleep this week.

I wrote a post about my first lead from active rain and it got denyed as a featured :-P

Welp you've got my vote! Good Post :-d

Jordan,

Thanks for the compliment. Yep, it's a strange world out there, and AR is no exception. Not being featured is no problem...I did happen to hear that this post made the "Week In Review" which I guess is cool.

MAY

2007

Well, maybe one day I will write something that will be considered a featured post. For now I will lump along at my own speed till someone (higher-up) discovers my brilliance! lol

MAY

2007

You and me both Lizette.

Is this a place of an Ego parlor? - I think not

I'm new here, but so far my observation is that it's a place of a bunch of professionals sharing ideas, experiences and themselves. A refreshing change from some other networks I have been part of where it's all about selling each other something.

I personally do not care when I'll get featured. When I do it will be the perfect time and it will be great, If I don't it will be great too!

I do enjoy every ones sense of humor.

To Your Success,

Coach Steve
Tune into Real Coaching Radio-It's all about YOU!

Steve,

Thanks for your comment and you candor. I certainly understand your sentiments when it comes to featured posts. They will not define your success as a blogger or member of this community. That being said, many in this community are curious why some posts are featured and others are not. It also stands to reason that featured posts give individuals an opportunity to be seen and heard by others who may not otherwise have taken notice.

Every post need not be a featured post, but each one can be meaningful and help you reach out to community members.

Great post! Thanks for all the tips! Each one will be helpful to all bloggers.

Interesting observation and I would have to say that is the same impression I got. I would like to know what kind of information attracts more consumers, that would really be interesting.

MAY

2007

Great ideas. Thanks so much.

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