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Should I Start a Blog? 9 Questions to Help You Decide

By
Mortgage and Lending with Central One Federal Credit Union NMLS #2136196

Should I Start a Blog?  9 Questions to Help You Decide

 

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Are you considering whether or not you should start a blog?  Regardless of the business you are in, or the hobbies you enjoy, there are several points to consider before taking on the commitment of writing a blog.  Here are  9 questions to help you decide whether a blog is the right project for you:

1.  Do you feel you have worthwhlie information to share with the world?   Y   N

2.  Do you enjoy the writing process?   Y   N

3.  Are you a good writer?   Y   N

4.  Do you consider yourself to be a natural networker?  Y   N

5.  Do you handle criticism and differing opinions with ease?   Y   N

6.  Are you willing to set aside time in your schedule to research and write your blog articles?  Y   N

7.  Are you able to invest in a possible monthly fee to publish your blog?   Y   N

8.  Do you have a digital camera to take photos and/or videos?  Y   N

9.  Do you have the skills needed to edit and upload photos and videos to a computer?  Y   N

If you answered Yes to questions 1 through 6, you are probably ready to start a blog.  Questions 7 through 9 have more to do with resources and training.  If you answered No to these, it means you may not yet have the skills and equipment needed for creating a robust blog.  But don't let that hold you back - these are obstacles that can be overcome.

Starting a blog takes time, patience, skills and, sometimes, money.  This is an activity that many start but few continue.  In order to build an audience, you will need to write well, write consistently, and write on topics of interest to others.  You must be prepared to adapt to changing technologies and also be ready to educate yourself on advancements in your blog topic.

Are you ready to start a blog? 

Written by Kathryn Acciari, REALTOR and Blogger
RE/MAX Professional Associates - Sturbridge, MA
Cell:  (508) 982-0686
Web:  sturbridgemahomes.com
Blog:  kathrynsells

 

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Text and photos copyright Kathryn J. Acciari unless otherwise noted. 
All rights reserved.

 

 

 

Sturbridge & Central MA Real Estate and More

 

 

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Kathryn Acciari, Mortgage Loan Originator
Cell: (508) 982-0686   
Email:
kacciari@archomeloans.com

Blog: Kathryn's Blog
Twitter: @kacciari

Susan Morrison
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Franklin, MA

blogging is so important today....I have only submitted one narrative, but my inventory is blogged weekly....I have received a listing from it via ActiveRain!!!

Aug 25, 2010 12:45 AM
Kathy Denworth
BHHS Keys Real Estate - Islamorada, FL
Realtor in the Florida Keys, Islamorada, Key Largo

After spending the day in RainCamp, the answer is a resounding YES! We all have something to offer. If you wake up breathing in the morning or  walk out your door you have your finger on the pulse of something, your community, your listings, buyers ideas, something to blog about!

Aug 25, 2010 12:53 AM
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

Static websites have little change for SE robots to glean, digest, help promote. Blogs are content, content, content. And not just words, but embedded full motion video, podcast links, image rich delivery of the good stuff on property, local community that the 85% of the population surfers are hungry for. And if they don't get it from you, there are a slew of other options, other blogggers working like busy beavers, little red hens to provide to cash in, make the sales.

Aug 25, 2010 01:02 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Blogging does really help the SE productivity on our web sites, and well worth the efforts every day!

Aug 25, 2010 01:30 AM
Kathryn Acciari
Central One Federal Credit Union - Shrewsbury, MA
Mortgage Loan Originator

Susan:  That has to be a record!

Valerie:  Great tip.  Flickr has a lot to offer, and bloggers need to be willing to learn where the resources are.

Kathy:  I agree - everyone has something to offer.  The question is, via what method?  Some of us are talkers, some are writers, some are doers. 

Andrew:  Great visuals - beavers and hens pecking away at the market.  Love it.

Joan:  Oh definitely - blogging helps us get found.

Aug 25, 2010 01:47 AM
Barb Szabo, CRS
RE/MAX Above & Beyond - Cleveland, OH
E-pro Realtor, Cleveland Ohio Homes

Kathryn, That is a great list of questions. And a new blogger can get their feet wet and "practice' on the other members by getting a members only blog. When they are ready to go public, financially, they will have a great head start.

Aug 25, 2010 02:28 AM
Malcolm Johnston
Century 21 Lanthorn Real Estate LTD., Trenton, Ontario - Trenton, ON
Trenton Real Estate

Kathryn, there's almost no excuse not to blog in this day and age. Everybody gets better at it as they go along.

Aug 25, 2010 04:14 AM
Kathryn Acciari
Central One Federal Credit Union - Shrewsbury, MA
Mortgage Loan Originator

Barb:  Those of us in real estate have an advantage by being on AR.  I've wondered if other industries have similar platforms.

Malcolm:  It's a matter of commitment.  Blogging requires time and planning, as does any business activity.

Aug 25, 2010 06:57 AM
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Kathryn, An excellent list to get the thought process started!  We lurked for a LONG time before we dove in this June.  There's no getting out of the pool now!

Aug 26, 2010 12:50 PM
Larry Lawfer
YourStories Realty Group - Newton, MA
"I listen for a living." It's all about you.

I think of blogging like story telling.  Just stopping by to share a story with a friend or co-worker.  Blogging does demand some of the disciplines you outline above..the good news is you get better and probably no one is reading at first anyway. Thanks for your post.

Aug 31, 2010 09:46 AM
Kathryn Acciari
Central One Federal Credit Union - Shrewsbury, MA
Mortgage Loan Originator

Liz and Bill:  Congratulations on taking the plunge!  It gets easier once you get in the swing.

Larry:  You are absolutely right.  You just need to have something to share.  Thank you for sharing!

Aug 31, 2010 02:08 PM