Do you know anyone wanting to jump on the blogging bandwagon? One of my pals has been following me on ActiveRain and although he is not involved with real estate, he is totally intrigued by our network of bloggers. Excited, yet anxious about the process, he's been contemplating a Wordpress blog while trying to pick up a few pointers along the way. Needless to say, he's extremely frustrated and having a little trouble getting started.
“Will you write my first blog for me? I just need one to get me started and then I'll take it from there." I wanted to answer "Yes!" however, the voice inside my head kept yelling "Tough Love! Tough Love!" At the onset, blogging is frightening and frustrating for all of us. Plus, becoming a great blogger is no easy feat either. “You make it look so easy," my friend said. Seriously? There is nothing easy about blogging. It’s an ongoing, learning process that seems to evolve continuously with each and every post. Go back and read my first blog and you’ll see what I mean. You have to constantly work at it, perfect your skills, and follow the ever changing learning curve in order to keep improving.
Most of us have difficulty clearing that first hurdle. Sometimes, getting the first blog under your belt is the hardest part. I’m sure there are a few Newbies on ActiveRain who have not yet written their first post. Like my pal, they don’t know exactly what to say or how to say it. Or, they're afraid the blog will be boring or sound silly. Well, first posts certainly come in all shapes and sizes, that is true. But, one thing I know for sure. Everybody can do it -- and there's no time like the present to get started. Go for it!
North Shore Suburbs & Chicago Real Estate - Evanston, IL
Jeff: Congratulations on getting that first one under your belt! And, good luck as you work towards your 2-3 blogs per week goal. You can do it :) Welcome to AR!
Doreen: Congratulations on your first blog! Yes, "Just Do It" ... that is the best advice! Good luck on your blogging journey and Welcome to AR :)
Mar 07, 2012 01:11 AM
Keller Williams Cornerstone Realty - Ocala, FL
The Ocala Dream Team
Hi Carie, I agree it is a ongoing learning process and your friend will learn more by doing himself.
Mar 07, 2012 01:11 AM
Re/max By The Sea - Destin, FL
Destin Florida Real Estate
For me the hardest part is coming up with something relavent. Maybe you find your hook and take it from there.
Mar 07, 2012 01:21 AM
KingOne Properties International - Pawleys Island, SC
Thanks Carie,
Yes, I am a Newbie trying to figure all this out. It is pretty intimidating when I read such informative and creative blogs every day. But, I have to agree that sometimes we just need to go for it. Trial and error...learning and failure. These things pave the path to success!
Mar 07, 2012 01:51 AM
North Shore Suburbs & Chicago Real Estate - Evanston, IL
Bob: Yes, we all learn much more by doing things ourselves, that's for sure!
Bill: I know what you mean ... finding a topic and then writing about it. It can be tough ... but it seems to get a little easier with time.
Rachel: You have a great attitude! Yes, it can be very intimidating but as you said, "trial and error ... learning and failure." That's what it's all about :)
Mar 07, 2012 01:55 AM
Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 - Mission Viejo, CA
Orange County & Lake Arrowhead, CA (949)510-2395
That's funny...I had someone start at AR and then want me to do the writing for her. "you'll get more exposure"...uh, no....I'll get you exposure and I'll be tired.
Mar 07, 2012 06:23 AM
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate
Carie: The main thing wrong with making sure your first blog POST is perfect before you submit it... is that there has never BEEN a perfect blog post. Which means that waiting for it to happen... means that it will never happen.
Blogging is a building process... which means that whatever your first post looks like, your second one will "build" on the first one, and the third on the second... and so forth.
My advice to your friend is... just DO it. If he can somehow force himself to write the first one... he will really be surprised how easy it will get.
By the way... I have written over 900 posts... and have YET to write one that I felt was perfect. I'm still learning, too.
Mar 07, 2012 06:35 AM
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes
Just start writing. Of course when I started I was led to believe that blogging was meant to be informal. NOw we spend a lot of time making it look good.
Mar 07, 2012 09:43 AM
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher
I would tell him to just jump in and swim so to speak. Blogging is not like a news paper where you have to be perfect. Go for it I say!
Mar 07, 2012 11:45 AM
North Shore Suburbs & Chicago Real Estate - Evanston, IL
Karen: That's too funny! You're right ... exposure for her and exhaustion for you :)
Karen: We may never write the perfect blog, but you described the process perfectly! It's a learning curve for all of us. And, you're right ... if we waited until every blog was perfect, we'd never post anything :)
Gene: "Just start writing" ... great advice! I like it :)
Laura & Carole: Kind of like jumping in when the water's cold. Get it over with ... and quickly :)
Mar 07, 2012 11:46 AM
Lakeshore Realty 208-714-4109 - Hayden, ID
North Idaho Realtor, Serving Coeur dnullAlene and Hayden Lake
Thanks Carie, good post. I just wrote my first blog about 10 days ago and it didn't hurt very much, so I guess it's nothing to be scared of. I am a little disappointed that there are only 2 comments after 10 days.
http://activerain.com/blogs/waynej
Mar 07, 2012 12:50 PM
North Shore Suburbs & Chicago Real Estate - Evanston, IL
Wayne: Congratulations on writing your first blog. Hang in there ... I'm fairly new myself but I've realized that it takes some time :)
Mar 07, 2012 11:47 PM
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer
Back in the 90's we used to say "Feel the fear and do it anyway." That's what your friend needs to do - just take a deep breath and...DO IT!
He'll feel much better once he gets started and finds out that no one is going to knock on his door laughing.
Mar 08, 2012 03:36 AM
North Shore Suburbs & Chicago Real Estate - Evanston, IL
Marte: "Feel the fear and do it anyway" ... I like that! Applies to other worthwhile things in life ... and not just blogging, yes?
Mar 08, 2012 05:16 AM
Realty One Group Mountain Desert 928-600-2765 - Flagstaff, AZ
Home Buying, Home Selling and Investment - Flagsta
Great encouragement for first time bloggers! It is scary getting started, but once you start, you'll find this community is very welcoming and helpful!
Mar 08, 2012 10:03 PM
North Shore Suburbs & Chicago Real Estate - Evanston, IL
Sylvie: It is scary at first! I have definitely found a lot of support and encouragement here :)
Mar 08, 2012 11:47 PM
PRG Real Estate - San Jose, CA
VA Home Loan Specialist - SF Bay Area
I love how the AR community is very helpful. Since I started blogging, I have contacted a few with general questions and they all responded. I guess it comes with time, this blogging stuff.
Mar 11, 2012 04:56 PM
North Shore Suburbs & Chicago Real Estate - Evanston, IL
Jairo: I totally agree with you. AR has the most wonderfully supportive and helpful folks. Like you, I have learned a lot from asking questions. And, yes, "this blogging stuff" takes time -- and is definitely a work in progress :) Thanks for your comment!
Mar 12, 2012 12:33 AM
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale
Carie, I was terrified to write my first post. I don't even think anyone ever took notice. Now this has become a regular part of my day. Not every post is fabulous but that's okay. It's easier now than when I started. Just post consistently and it gets easier.
Mar 23, 2012 03:56 AM
Professional Investors Guild - Pensacola, FL
www.professionalinvestorsguild.com
It wouldn't be a big deal to write one for him just to help him get going, but I definitely see your point...it could set a nasty precedent. Plus, blogging is supoosed to be from your heart, and your head, not someone else's. That's the great thing about it...it allows people to get to know, like, and trust you through your musings. I hope he's on board now, and not still talking about it a year later.
Dec 27, 2012 03:08 AM
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