Ask An Ambassador: Secret Tips Grab Bag
Sometimes I reblog a blog to further the conversation. Sometimes I reblog a blog because it fits the message we try to convey to potential clients and customers. And then sometimes I reblog a blog because I value the advice so much I want to be able to find it easily and frequently for my own personal review. This is one of those reblogs.
Certain things they don't necessarily teach you when you join ActiveRain, and with a little luck someone cuts you in on the "secrets".
Some things aren't secret if you read and heed, things like picking a niche and growing your business or writing what the CONSUMER wants to know and not necessarily what we FEEL like writing that day (yes, some days blogging IS work), and other things you might not know, so here you go!
1. How to avoid trouble with picture uploading: Make sure your photo size is below 1 MB total (VERY important to keep in mind how many consumers are mobile phone users!). Also, your photo's file name matters. Don't use special characters like $, %, &. You CAN use numbers and underscore _ without issue. And for free pictures, check out Pixabay.com. It's just one website that has FREE, non-copyrighted photos you can use in your posts.
2. Curious what gets you subscribed to? Take a cruise through the Top 100 Subscribed To List for ActiveRain. Yes, some of the Top 100 have been AWOL for years, but reading through the folks putting the "Active" in ActiveRain should give you a good idea of what Rainers value.
3. Having trouble with finding something you read or even posted? Use the AR search function and here's the trick: use the following format Author's Last Name: search term (e.g., want to find out what we've written about our patio home niche? Spear: patio home in the search bar should do the trick).
4. ActiveRain Outside Blogs may be cosmetically unappealing, not very customizable, but they can still be VERY effective if you target them properly. Develop a niche and ONLY post the posts that fit the niche to that AR Outside Blog. That focus brings good search engine results. We have one dedicated to patio homes and it works for us as a good traffic driver to our WordPress IDX pages.
5. There are Blogging Blueprints that will give you a huge headstart on creating content. Market reports, subdivisions, listings and plenty more.
6. You DO NOT have to blog every day, but think of it this way. The longer you take to build up a body of PERTINENT work, the longer it takes to have those pesky search bots think of you as a subject matter expert. Sow the seeds, enjoy the harvest later. And yes, you need to KEEP planting seeds. It works, just be patient.
7. And one last secret. Assume NOTHING here is truly secret. Members Only means nothing in a world of screen capture. Any post, any comment, ANYTHING left here could wind up places you might not like, so think seriously about what you and your keyboard leaves behind.
Until next Tuesday, just Ask An Ambassador if you need help!
Bill of Liz and Bill aka BLiz
Serving Warren County Ohio & Adjacent Areas
The Liz Spear Team of RE/MAX Elite
Elizabeth Spear, ABR, CRS
William (Bill) Spear, CRS
Ask for us by name if you visit the office!Two locations: Lebanon & Mason, OH
Direct: 513-520-5305
Direct #2: 513-265-3004
Fax: 866-302-8418
MailTo: LizSpear@Go-Concepts.comSearch Homes: Http://WarrenCountyOhioRealEstate.com
Our Website: www.LizTour.com
OUR SERVICE AREA:
View Liz Spear Team of RE/MAX Elite Primary Service Area in a larger map
Comments (1)Subscribe to CommentsComment