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Writing A Blog Post 101. A Reblog and Trip Down Memory Lane.

Reblogger Lenn Harley
Real Estate Agent with Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate 303829;0225082372

"Remember in high school when we learned about outlines and essays?"

That's what I've been harping on (yes, I do harp) for years.

I recall learning basic composition, outlines, essays in 7th grade.  My teacher, Mrs. Kennedy, was very tough and for that, I thank her every single day.

I don't necessarily follow the classic formats simply because I've learned that COSMETIC English will hold folks' attention longer.

However, don't ignore the basics. 

Courtesy, Lenn Harley, Broker, Homefinders.com, 800-711-7988.

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Original content by Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner BRE# 01494165

 

Writing A Blog Post 101

 

I read a lot of posts about writing blog posts; how to write them, how to compose them, what the content should be. The basics are just that.....basic. So here is a simple to follow outline.

First of all, I rarely have the title of my post in advance. It normally comes at the end, and even if I THINK I have a title, I normally change it. So forget about titles when you start to write.

Next, put a picture into the post. Why? Because people like to see a visual about the point of the post. Are you wondering why I have chosen this picture to the left? Because it got your attention. Right?

Now you are ready to start writing. Pick your subject and just start writing. See if it develops. Begin by talking about your topic and what you think about it. Remember in high school when we learned about outlines and essays? "Tell them what you are going to tell them. Tell them! Then tell them what you told them."

Simple and still accurate.

So in the first part of your blog bring up the issue you wish to discuss and in very clear and easy to understand terms, give them your take on that subject. In this case, I'm talking about how to write a blog post. This is the part of my post in which I demonstrate that.

As far as how to write? That is a very individual aspect to posts. I can't tell you about writing style or content, per se. But I can advise that you choose a topic that means something to you. If you are not interested in your own subject, no one else will be either. I like to write as if I were talking to my audience. Generally my first draft is just one long train of thought. Then when I go back to read it, I make adjustments. In fact this entire paragraph has been rewritten since I started this post.  

Finally, you need to remind your reader about what you've already discussed. Sum things up for them. In this case, I'm telling you how easy it is to write a blog. It doesn't need to be more complicated than this. Write in your own words about something that interests you, and shoot it out. Read the post over, maybe a few times and use the spell check.

Oh and when you are done? pick a title that fits what you've written? I normally find it's easier to find one sentence that sums up an entire post rather than a post which sums up a sentence. :). And maybe the most important thing? Don't worry! Some posts are interesting, some are not. I've written some pretty boring posts, this might even be one of them. So what?!!! Write and keep writing!

 

 

 Karen Fiddler
Broker/Associate
The Fiddler Realty Team/eVantage Real Estate
Lic # 01494165

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Comments(13)

Carie Shapiro
North Shore Suburbs & Chicago Real Estate - Evanston, IL

Hi Lenn,

I know what you mean about Mrs. Kennedy.  I feel like I want to hug my English teachers every single day :)

Apr 17, 2013 03:24 AM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Hi Lenn. Remembering the basics for our English really helps when we start to write and compose our drafts to post to the public, and all the members of the community too. I am also very thankful for my Freshman College English professor too. I will always remember her famous words, "I am not here to teach you grammar, but I am going to teach you how to become a better English composition writer."

Apr 17, 2013 03:30 AM
Pat & Steve Pribisko
Keller Williams Greater Cleveland West - Westlake, OH

Lenn, I agree with you.  I like to write in my own style and love to write in incomplete sentences.  I think it helps the readability.  (And, the best part about writing AR blogs for me is that I don't think like an attorney, even though I am one.)

Apr 17, 2013 08:30 AM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Lenn

Great choice for a re-post, its very informative.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Apr 17, 2013 09:33 AM
Jill Sackler
Charles Rutenberg Realty Inc. 516-575-7500 - Long Beach, NY
LI South Shore Real Estate - Broker Associate

I'm not familiar with the term Cosmetic English but I believe I know what you mean.

 

Apr 17, 2013 11:36 AM
Thomas Santore Lic Associate Real Estate Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty/Coldwell Banker Commercial NRT - Yorktown Heights, NY
Realtor®-ABR-Land, Residential & Commercial Sa

Lenn-Nice re blog. Would have missed this one. I love to read this type of Blogs!

Apr 17, 2013 11:45 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

We spent a lot of time on the single paragraph, forming and writing.  We also did a lot of sentence diagramming - the old S-V-O!

I bet they don't do that anymore.

Apr 17, 2013 06:21 PM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Carie.  I didn't appreciate her at the time.

Jerry.  Those tough English teachers in our early years served us well.

Pat & Steve.  I am well versed in attorneyese and it's fine here, but real estateese will get more readers.

Lou.  Thanks.

Jill.  I learned it long ago when writing advertising material. Focus on the descriptive, not the form.

Thomas.  Glad you stopped by.

Jay.  I bet they don't either.  Sadly, many students today learn about their feelings, not how to write.  It was a trand I noticed about 20 years ago.  S-V-O would be too difficult and students would be stressed.

Apr 17, 2013 07:32 PM
Conrad Allen
Re/Max Professional Associates - Webster, MA
Webster, Ma, Realtor

Hi Lenn.  I have a different approach.  A title pops into my head and then I develop the blog from the title.

Apr 17, 2013 08:26 PM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Conrad.  I believe that my posts start with an idea, experience or inspiration from another blog post or news event.

Apr 17, 2013 08:35 PM
Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner
Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 - Mission Viejo, CA
Orange County & Lake Arrowhead, CA (949)510-2395

Hi Lenn, thank you for the reblog! I had that same English teacher, my kids obviously did not. I've had to teach them about how to write an outline. That they should not write in first person (normally). How to restructure a sentence so that it doesn't end in a preposition, and how to use "which" and "whom." It makes me crazy what they can get away with in AP English. They have thanked me as they have moved into college, law school and grad school. :)

Apr 18, 2013 03:54 AM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Karen.  Good for you.  I've been saying for years that the reason folks don't write is because they no longer teach writing in public school.

Apr 18, 2013 04:00 AM
Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner
Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 - Mission Viejo, CA
Orange County & Lake Arrowhead, CA (949)510-2395

You are so right! I like to think my writing style is conversational, but I still try to always stick to the rules of grammar.

Apr 18, 2013 04:14 AM