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How to Become an ActiveRain Superstar in 3 Steps

By
Education & Training with Zillow Group Mortgages

We all know how it goes - we see a lot of blogs getting featured on the Leaderboard and homepage and wonder, "How do I get there?" Well, here's how you can build that organically. No cheating or special tricks are required. All you need is a good work ethic and dedication.

 

Let's begin:

 

1. Be active in the community and comment on other blog posts. You can even make mentions of your own blog posts when appropriate. For example, if someone else posted a blog about new loan restrictions, and you wrote a blog post on the same topic recently, you can mention that you posted a similar blog and had similar thoughts, thus striking a conversation with the other blogger. This will help to get more traffic on your own blog. Also, it's great to answer other member questions in the comments if you come across them since you never know who's reading! If you are an expert, others may visit your profile.

2. Keep writing. I know it sounds simple enough and probably not very ingenuous, but if you consistently blog and communicate with your readers, you will have a bigger turnaround on your blog in general. Having that consistency and a bigger belt of posts, so to speak, will compel others to continue reading, eventually to refer your blogs or even reblog your posts to share your post with a greater reach of people.

 

 

3. Eye-catching content. While the post content and copy are your main substance, you can think of fun graphics and pictures as being the frosting to a delicious cake. They break up the posts and make them more fun to read. While we do have to be careful about copyright issues, there are sites out there where you can get images for free or for a low nominal fee (including licensing and permissions for commercial use). If you don't have  a picture, videos are good too. YouTube allows for you to share videos for free, so get to searching!

 

I hope this is helpful for you.  Keep an eye out on your favorite bloggers' posts and see what they're doing in their posts. Maybe even use our templates (they're on the blog post compose page on the right side). 

 

Happy writing... and have a Rain-tastic day!

 

Mary

Show All Comments
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Mary - excellent advice.  It can be more than a little overwhelming in the beginning.  The first thing to remember is like Nike preaches -- Just Do It.  And then continue to keep doing it.  

Consistency in posting, commenting and reciprocation will bring the results. It's not always quick but I find nothing particularly worthwhile is usually an overnight sensation.   

Apr 28, 2015 06:00 AM
Julie Chapman
Julie Chapman Broker - Ormond Beach, FL
Daytona Beach Shores, Florida

Mary,

 

Excellent advice.  Please remember your Ambassadors - I am one.  We are here to help you get started and keep going.....

 

Apr 28, 2015 06:03 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Hi Mary, this is excellent advice. Eye catching content: I see too many blog posts without any color or flair. Small print, crammed together, turn us all off. Sadly, there might be some decent content, but it's hard to get excited about digesting it all. A photo, graphic, video do wonders to add another element of interest to posts.

I'm sure there are many people who will find these tips useful. Thanks. D 

 

Apr 28, 2015 06:03 AM
Michele Connors
The Overton Group, LLC Pitt & Carteret County - Greenville, NC
Your Eastern North Carolina Realtor

Hi Mary ! Thanks !!

I have been on AR since 2006 I believe..not too many features for me  but I did get a notice the other day that I landed on the homepage which made me happy ...even though it wasnt a Feature I knew readers liked my post :

 " I Wet My Plants ! "   

Apr 28, 2015 06:04 AM
Hannah Williams
HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA
Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

Mary Weiss  Blogging is fun be persistant use pictures . Comment on others make it interesting and fun ..Do not give up it does take time . When your phone start to ring  you feel great !

Apr 28, 2015 06:16 AM
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Are you sure about this Mary? I post like a wild man and the feature fairy very seldom makes a visit to my site.

Apr 28, 2015 06:34 AM
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Mary, I don't know if it's true, but I've also heard that sending Kerrie a case of Samoa cookies increases your odds of making the front page or the Daily Drop? 

Although some of the best phone ringer topics (market reports, subdivision posts with home searches, etc.) might never get a gold star, they'll put a gold coin in your pocket if you write enough of them.

Apr 28, 2015 06:35 AM
Mary Weiss
Zillow Group Mortgages - Seattle, WA
Trainer & Content Manager

Bob Crane You're already an AR Superstar, Mr. Ambassador! However, it's possible that the busy feature fairies haven't had much of a chance to read up on some of your best works yet?  Liz and Bill Spear made a good point though - sometimes you have to bring it to someone's attention.  Bribes couldn't hurt either.   

Apr 28, 2015 06:48 AM
Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

Mary - Thanks for sharing this information. Being active, consistent and creating interesting content are important steps towards becoming an AR Superstar. 

Apr 28, 2015 07:54 AM
Trumps Elite
Keller Williams Realty Acadiana - Lafayette, LA
Realtors/Career Consultant

Thanks for the advice. I'm trying to do most of these things in hopes to become an AR Superstar one day. :)

Apr 28, 2015 09:17 AM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

I think this is great advice, Mary.  But, people should be very cautious about linking in comments.  It's occasionally helpful if it's a link to a post that will help the author/author is asking for advice.  But, if it's self promotion, it's the surest way to get you comment deleted and lose followers.

May 03, 2015 10:35 PM
Frank Rubi
Frank Rubi Real Estate, LLC - Metairie, LA
FrankRubiRealEstate.com

Mary, thanks for the confidence boost today. So many of us write for the use of our audience. I believe in color and formatting my post. I don't get feature much but I do get the calls which have lead to closing. Thanks again for the advice. 

May 03, 2015 10:36 PM
Mary Weiss
Zillow Group Mortgages - Seattle, WA
Trainer & Content Manager

Debbie Gartner - absolutely! Linking isn't generally allowed in comments, but you can make mention that you wrote about something similar if and only if it's relevant, otherwise it comes off as tacky, insincere, and solicited. 

 

Frank Rubi, MBA The calls and new leads are the cherry on top of the yummy AR cake!

May 04, 2015 11:15 PM
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