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How do you get 400 Points and 100 comments on a single post?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with UtahDave.com Neighborhood Experts

Wow.   2 Blog postings helped me receive 400 points per blog and appx 100 comments.

So Of course, we all want to have a blog that people want to comment on and a post that many many people read.  Well what key elements must we have in order for people to read?  Here is what I have found so far on here.  MAYBE you might have even more input?

 1rst.  The Header.

Okay, so the header is the main thing. JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER.  People evaluate people within 5 seconds.  People evaluate blogs within 2 seconds!  The header attracts people to click on your post.  This is the intial thing...it is a must attention getter.

So what type of header are people clicking on?

Ive found it to be 2 part.  One, they are looking at headers where they can give their own opinion and two, they are looking for a header that they can be passionate about.   For instance, when I blogged the following:

04/15/2008I dont have an agent...BUT weeks later...I want you to give my Brother 35% Referral Fee.1051264829

This obtained 829 clicks and 105 comments and over 425 points!   This drove a feeling home to the reader. It instilled a passion into the reader to comment.

 However, people also are looking for headers that Peak curiousity, Benefits them, Makes them money, Get something for free, makes them laugh, or see something that would cause them to think...how dare they!

Another Post would be offering something new that no one else has seen such as

Jessica Horton's "My New Super Awesome Video Blog"

 

2nd. The Content

As I have looked around on the web the blogs that get the most clicks do happen to be featured posts many times.  But they become featured posts due to their content/comments and the amount of attention they are getting or by the network they have. But the network is the 3rd post.  Lets talk about content.

The type of posts that dont get much attention are the tiny short posts of a couple sentences, the listings, or advertising of your services.

The type of posts that do get a lot of attention are posts that other people can relate to.  It's finding the pains that people are experiencing.  The content must drive emotion.  What drives emotion.  Its when others are having problems with their businesses. People can relate to that and want to offer advice.

The other type of posts are when someone specializes in one thing.  They have such a unique specialty that no one else has the same type of advice.  An example of this would be:

Mary McKnights Specialty at SEO

3rd. The Networking

Okay, so Im new at this and have just been starting out in blogging and commenting on people's profiles.  I dont have huge networks or know millions of people on ActiveRain like these two people....But look at people's blogs like this.

Jason Crouch's Blog that received over 140 comments.

OR Lenn Harley with Homefinders

So what do these people do?  If you look at their points they are constantly blogging, meeting people, socializing, learning, sharing, teaching and enjoying others.

 

Jack Canfield, Author of Chicken Soup for the Soul Series had a couple secrets how he became successful.  They did certain things every day for 2 years.  You can read about this in his book "The Power of Focus."  After diligently prospecting every day for 2 years, he made his million bucks.  The same holds true for us. Heres what we need to do consistently every day to build our network. 

A. Post 10 comments on others blogs. 

B. Make your own post every day.

 

Anyone know any other secrets Im missing?  This is what Ive learned so far on Blogging on Active Rain. 

All I know is that I want to relate to others, post comments daily, post blogs daily and get to know people. Its funny, I dont think the people with high points are soley motivated by points.  I believe they are soley motivated by VALUE! The points just show a reflection of how much value they give.

Blog on Bloggers!

Comments (21)

Utah Dave
UtahDave.com Neighborhood Experts - South Jordan, UT
Homes for Sale - Utah
LOL Yes, the header is a key.  Blog on!
Apr 22, 2008 06:32 AM
Bob Edwards
Coldwell Banker- The Real Estate Group, Inc. - Appleton, WI
Fox Cities Real Estate Hotline, SFR- Appleton, WI
Good post Dave and I have to agree with you that successful people are motivated by value. You don't see successful people wasting their time with anything unless it has value and I do believe here on AR you'll find the active ones more likely than not are successful in their occupation and personal lives.
Apr 22, 2008 06:45 AM
Katie Graham
Cherry Creek Properties, LLC - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate
Too true Dave. I really need to work on my blog both in content, number of posts and eye catching headers.
Apr 22, 2008 06:50 AM
Utah Dave
UtahDave.com Neighborhood Experts - South Jordan, UT
Homes for Sale - Utah
Thanks Bob and Katie.  Yes, Ive even been tinkering around with the html background today.  Give it a look.
Apr 22, 2008 07:33 AM
Bryant Tutas
Tutas Towne Realty, Inc and Garden Views Realty, LLC - Winter Garden, FL
Selling Florida one home at a time

Utah Dave, I think you summed it up nicely.

Participation in the network is very important. Blogging is all about marketing yourself to others. You have to get noticed. Then of course you have to have the content to back it up. My goal has always been to start a conversation. I don't want to put every thing I know about a topic in a post. If I did that then folks wouldn't have anything to add(comments). So I try to leave them hanging and also make them think.

There are folks that write really good stuff but they don't leave room for other's to have an opinion. That's a mistake if you want comments. It's more of a lecture than a conversation. Blogging is all about the conversation. You don't have to be a good writer but you do have to be a good communicator. At least in my opinion. 

Apr 22, 2008 08:49 AM
Maria Mastrolonardo, IL Probate Specialist
RE/MAX of Naperville & RE/MAX Enterprises - Naperville, IL
Illinois Probate Realtor
Dave - I agree with all your points, great title, great content and network :) BTW - I like your new look :)
Apr 22, 2008 09:05 AM
Renee Coakley
Solid Source Realty GA - Snellville, GA

Ok I will agree the header did make me read your blog. You win!

Apr 22, 2008 09:36 AM
Audrey June-Forshey
RE/MAX Realty Services - Darnestown, MD
GRI, Gaithersburg, MD
Hi Dave, I am newer as well.  I am just trying to stick to the formula you said, make my comments and try to put out a few posts a week and develope relationships.  I have done pretty well on most of them.  I just need to keep at it.
Apr 22, 2008 10:27 AM
Abacus Properties, Inc. DBA Apple Dream Homes
Abacus Properties Inc. - San Diego, CA
Great post! I guess I need to work on my contents
Apr 22, 2008 10:52 AM
Utah Dave
UtahDave.com Neighborhood Experts - South Jordan, UT
Homes for Sale - Utah
Yes, we all need to keep at it.  Thanks Maria.  I appreciate your nice comments. :)
Apr 22, 2008 12:07 PM
Nyles Courchesne
Peskin, Courchesne and Allen, P.C. - Springfield, MA
Massachusetts Real Estate Attorney
Great post - I think graphics are a good idea too. . .  Got any ideas on easily including graphics? 
Apr 22, 2008 12:10 PM
Nannette Turner
eXp Realty LLC - Lynchburg, VA
Online Marketing Home Ownership Advocate Specialis
Dave some folks are better at this than others.  I believe it was my third post that made the "FEATURED" list.  I've had quite a few since.  I continue to strive to be better and do more. 
Apr 22, 2008 10:39 PM
Brad Taylor, REALTOR® for Toledo, Ohio
DiSalle Real Estate Co. - Toledo, OH
Thanks, its hard to get info on adding to your points total.
Apr 22, 2008 11:58 PM
"The Lovely Wife" The One And Only TLW.
President-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Kissimmee, FL

"Utah Dave"...

Would it interest you to know that the average Blogger has the attention span of a flea? :)

That being the case...Short...To The Point...

And a Graphic that speaks a thousand words can go a long way :)

TLW...ROAR!

Apr 23, 2008 02:18 AM
Tina Merritt
Nest Realty - Blacksburg, VA
Virginia Real Estate

I like your blog design.  Your header certainly got me!  I think the content has to give people something they can use and refer back to.

Tina in Virginia

Apr 23, 2008 02:23 AM
Doug Fritchie
DOUG FRITCHIE-Silver Legacy Properties,Inc. - Portland, OR
Hey Dave~Thank You for the insights on making a great post. I for one, am going to give it a try.
Apr 23, 2008 02:35 AM
Bill Gassett
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Hopkinton, MA
Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate
Hi Dave you are right on the money with all of your points about blogging. I know there are certain subject like Seo that will always draw me in.
Apr 23, 2008 02:49 AM
Debbie Hodrick, PMP
Crystal Coast - Salt Lake City, UT

Dear Famous Dave!!! You are now my idol. You got both Broker Bryant and Broker Bryant's WIFE to comment on your post. They are the most famous bloggers on Active Rain. Have you seen their stuff??? It's great!! I kneel before you!!! By the Way....How did you change your blog to look so HOT?

Apr 23, 2008 04:05 PM
Utah Dave
UtahDave.com Neighborhood Experts - South Jordan, UT
Homes for Sale - Utah
lol  Debbie you are funny.   Changing the blog was using the link underneath my picture that says active rain blog customizer.  I just threw my web graphics on it and pazzam. Its just an upload thing so you dont have a lot of control.....but it gives it a look. :)
Apr 23, 2008 04:15 PM
Virginia Hepp - Mesquite NV REALTOR
Desert Gold Realty - Mesquite NV Homes For Sale - Mesquite, NV
Mesquite NV Homes and Neighborhoods - Search MLS

Hi Dave - Really good points .  Your blog looks extry good!  Broker Bryant has a good point about leaving room for comments or asking a question.

One thing to add, and you are very good about it - acknowledge comments.  Sally Cheeseman is the best at that, she always makes me feel like she is glad that I commented. 

Apr 23, 2008 07:53 PM