Blogging Is All About Networking

Blogging Is Networking

Preface

This is my first post in the Challenge, "A Guide for Blogging Success," hosted by Jeff Dowler, CRS, and Brian England.  In this post, I will highlight what I do in my blogs to create a pleasant viewing experience. To me, ActiveRain is a professional real estate social media platform. The word professional should be highlighted. The people who blog on this platform do an exceptional job of providing high-caliber content.  I have learned much through osmosis in the 11 years I have been using this platform.  A considerable amount of information and tips have been discussed in the posts that have already been written.  

What Is the Meaning of Success?

In the challenge, we are asked to provide blogging tips that you should be doing to lead to success.  Success means something different to each of us.  To go further, this definition will change over time as you reach your definition of success. 

When I started on the AR blogging platform in 2011, I aimed to achieve a robust internet presence.  AR had a robust Internet presence which would help my google ranking and SEO.  I already had a website, but I needed to get that SEO moving in the right direction. 

Learning Through Osmosis

The more I used AR, I could see another benefit to blogging, and that was networking. I realized that commenting on blogs and keeping my comments positive was how I needed to develop my ability to network with others.  I picked trendy blogs to follow.  I looked at the points and the comments on these blogs. I also looked at the content.  I continued to learn through osmosis.  What seemed to work and what I wanted to avoid. 

My Tips

• Create your website - Don't rely on your Brokerage. If you leave that brokerage, your website goes away - along with your content, blogs, and clients.
• Be an ambassador for your area. I am an ambassador for Sedona.  I love where I live and work.  I love our weather. I love our red rocks.  If you follow my blogs, you will see professional images. Many clients ask me about the weather, so I blog about the weather.  It is easy because Rick creates the content.  He has a weather station and loves to document the weather. It became a "thing" when he learned to fly. 

The  image above was the view from a lot I was scoping out for a client. Would you like this for your view? This image has numerous red rock formations: Twin Sisters, Madonna & Child, Elephant Rock, and The Chapel in the Rocks. 

This image below I took from a helicopter tour. It is looking into Boynton Canyon. The middle of the image shows the hidden side of Capital Butte. This is the side that most tourists or visitors do not see!

• This leads to taking QUALITY pictures.  You would be hard-pressed to find an image that has not been edited and is picture-frame-worthy.
• Meta tag your high-quality photos and use a call-to-action website link. (Watermark). 
• Use videos every chance you get in your blog.  Build a YouTube Channel if you do not already have one.  GIFs work well, also. 
• Rick uses Movavi Suite 23, an annual subscription with every program included. 

Create An Internet Presence Using Your Blog

I recommend having at least a few domains that link calls-to-action or web pages you want people to visit.  Rick has quite a few domains to link directly to web pages or blogs we create.  

Here is a small sample besides my primary domain of "SellSedona.com":

Sedona-lifestyle.com - Sedona-weather.com - redrocksfever.com - sedonamarketreports.com - sedona86336.com - sedonaluxuryhome.com, lifeinsedona.com, etc. -

I include these in my blog (or on images) where appropriate. 

In a private window, I googled my name just a moment ago.  "Who is Sheri Sperry?". There were twenty-nine entries in a row, as well as pics and videos. 

Note: The first link to ActiveRain was 19 down the list with only one entry.  Its power in google is not the same as it once was before Trulia bought it. 

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Another Tip!

The Internet is forever!  Keep your blog positive, your Internet presence positive, and put your spin on your blog.  Do your best to keep consistency in the format and remember to network and comment on others' blogs.