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Ask An Ambassador: Tips To Increase Your Blog Post Engagement

By
Real Estate Agent with Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.WarrenCountyOhioRealEstate.com SAL.2002007747

Take a quick scroll through ActiveRain's blog roll and what do you notice?

How many of the 20 posts on the page make you want to click the post?  Probably not many of the 20 made the cut, so how do you increase the odds that YOUR post is one that gets seen and opened?

Consider the blog roll your storefront.   Block after block of other writers trying to grab attention from a sea of people making snap decisions about how to spend their time.  If you know human behavior, there are things you can do to catch their eye and increase the chances you get the click.

There are three key elements for your post on the blog roll

1.  Feature photo

You can believe content is king (queen, jester, and the rest of the royal court) but many (most?) humans are visually driven, so having a Featured Photo is step 1 in getting attention on the blog roll, and it's easy enough to add when you're creating a post.  Just click "Choose File" and upload.

Now I'm not saying just ALL featured photos are created equally.  Whether you use pixabay.com, an AI image creator, or something from your on camera, having something that is eye catching is key.  And bonus tip, Featured Photos are required to have a Featured post.

Bottom line, if you skip adding a Featured Photo, you lose a huge opportunity to catch attention.

2.  Title

Here's your chance to grab attention and give an indication of what is inside.  You can go sensational (Why I Punched My Client!), factual (3 Tips To Improve Your Blogging Results), bait and switch (How To Make Your Bedroom Life Better (with tips from your favorite home stager).  You can break the rules of don't talk about sex, religion and politics, or go all in. 

Bottom line, a title is the bait on the hook.  Right bait gets a nibble.  Wrong bait gets ignored.

3.  Author

Reputation matters. 

If you're a 10 post marketing report blog roller, comments turned off, repeat every day an have no interaction with the community, odds are VERY VERY low anyone but the consumer is going to click is low.

If on the other hand, you consistently supply posts that provide education, entertainment, value to other members, interact with the community, etc., you have a much higher likelihood of having any post you write gain engagement, even if your title isn't on point and you didn't add a featured photo.

Bottom line, reputation isn't established overnight, but is a product of sustained performance in the community.

 

If you can hit the trifecta of a good featured photo, a good title and a good community reputation, your odds of your post being clicked and read are significantly better.

Until next Tuesday, just Ask An Ambassador if you need help,

Bill & Liz aka BLiz

Posted by

Serving Warren County Ohio & Adjacent Areas

The Liz Spear Team of Transaction Alliance
Elizabeth Spear, ABR, Ohio License SAL.2002007747

William (Bill) Spear, Ohio License SAL.2004011109  Kentucky 77938
Ask for us by name if you visit the office!

EHO
Bill Direct:  513-520-5305
Liz Direct: 513-265-3004     
Fax: 866-302-8418

MailTo:  Liz@LizSpear.com

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Comments(13)

Show All Comments Sort:
Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes

It is funny how important a simple title is. If I do not like it you are 90% eliminated.

Jan 14, 2025 09:14 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

It definitely matters.  I need an indication of what is inside, and the title establishes that expectation.

Jan 14, 2025 09:38 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Bill (and Liz too) - creating a storefront is a good visual for the subject of AR "post" engagement.  Although, marketing expertise may not lead to non-stop engagement, one may be more likely to find it in store when it is better prepared to meet the consumer.  

Jan 14, 2025 10:56 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

I almost went into the facts of our local small town.  The downtown is full of shops, and very tourist based for sales.  Lots of appealing storefronts to catch your attention, and they need to be to pull people in.

Jan 14, 2025 12:38 PM
ROBERT THIBODEAU II
EXP REALTY - Old Orchard Beach, ME
eXp Realty Maine | Luxury Homes & Local

All great tips 

I started blogging last November, and this platform, along with the incredible bloggers here, has been such a valuable resource for me. It’s amazing how much I’ve learned in a relatively short time—from writing techniques to engaging with an audience. Blogging has not only improved my online presence but also helped me connect with like-minded professionals. Thanks for sharing your insights; they’re always a great source of inspiration!

Jan 14, 2025 12:14 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Welcome to the ActiveRain Community ROBERT THIBODEAU II !

Jan 14, 2025 04:02 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

Robert, it's one of the best things about this community, people are very willing to share what they know, what works for them, to help other members.  As long as people play nicely in the sandbox, things go pretty well.

Jan 14, 2025 12:39 PM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Liz and Bill Spear there are blogs that I might never stop to read, but if they have a catchy title there is a good chance I will click on it.

Jan 14, 2025 12:27 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

Same here, a title might pull me in even if I don't recognize the writer as someone I normally read.

Jan 14, 2025 12:41 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good evening Bill,

I like your reference to your blog role as your Store Front..what a great analogy. Titles that are catchy always draw my attention so I get what you are saying! 

Jan 14, 2025 03:29 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

We've all learned, some things work better than others.  As we learn, we adjust, and hopefully gain productivity and results.

Jan 14, 2025 07:55 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
Retired Broker/Owner - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Bill all excellent points. And you know I always thought of my blogs were 'storefront's per se and wanted to make them to want people to 'come on in'!  Just never put it into  those words. And photos......holy smokes they can and do make a huge difference as well as titles do.

 

Featured in BananaTude!

 

Jan 14, 2025 04:05 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

It's one of the puzzles for me,   If writing about something local, use some local pictures.  Show you've been there, done that, and the post isn't written by someone on the other side of an ocean.

Jan 14, 2025 07:56 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Exactly - give it the personal, friendly look!

Jan 15, 2025 04:51 PM
Leanne Smith
Dirt Road Real Estate - Golden Valley, AZ
The Grit and Gratitude Agent

Yes pictures are so important. I just read this quote:

"A picture is a poem without words." Quintus Cornificius

And I agree with the other points especially not commenting. Trust is a two way street. Those who like your postings, comment consistently indicate you are building trust ad at the same time a positive reputation.

Jan 15, 2025 03:40 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

It's obvious some people are just here to use this as a posting site.  Rote blog posts, comments turned off, etc. and that's okay, just signals to me where to spend time building relationships and where not to.

Like the quote!

Jan 15, 2025 07:11 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

Hmm, this is good advice and I think that I do a good job in all three areas but I could be wrong, haha.

Jan 15, 2025 05:10 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

Your featured photos are generally eye catching.  Trish's drop captures are interesting even if nothing else was there.

Jan 15, 2025 07:12 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

You are absolutely correct on all three tips. I scroll by a lot of posts because there are six from the same person, or the title is not interesting, or the feature photo is totally consumed by an agent's face. We have to write for the readers, whoever we want them to be.

Jan 15, 2025 05:37 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

I get branding, but sometimes it comes off as more about them and less about the reader.  It's a fine line to walk.  Flooding the blog roll is fine if you're putting out evergreen content for the consumer, but not so good if you're trying to get attention from Rainers.

Jan 15, 2025 07:26 AM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

Great advice. I am still working on my titles, I think I succeed with my photos and with my subjects usually. Thanks for the advice.

Jan 15, 2025 06:12 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

Nick, you regularly catch my attention on the blog roll.  I may not always stop and comment, but I know you've posted.

Jan 15, 2025 07:26 AM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Excellent advice, Bill. Blogging is definitely a learning process. I'm thankful for the blogging wizards here in AR that have encouraged me along the way.

Jan 15, 2025 11:00 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

Mike, that's one of the best things about this community, there's no shortage of people willing to share what they know to help others.

Jan 15, 2025 01:09 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Bill:

You can't argue with the basics that work year after year for encouraging engagement. Thinking of the AR blogroll as a storefront is a great analogy to keep in mind. And there's a lot of potential competition.

Enjoy your weekend!

Jeff

Jan 17, 2025 05:26 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

Fundamentals don't tend to go out of style.  We keep chugging along doing what works for us.

Jan 19, 2025 06:17 PM
Melissa Brown
Helen Adams Realty - Charlotte, NC
Realtor - South Charlotte NC Homes for Sale

Hi Liz,

Thanks for the great post!  I haven't been on AR for a LONG time, and want to come back with posting.  I can't remember how to place photos in the middle of a post so that the text wraps around it.  Whenever I ad a photo, it just goes in the middle.  I'd like to have a photo off to the side, with text on the other side, if that makes sense.

Jan 23, 2025 11:17 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

 

Hello Melissa, Welcome back!
For formatting text to photos, use the selections in the blog editor I circled below.  Click on your photo, then select left, center or right orientation.  If the photo doesn't take up too much page width, your text should justify to the opposite side.

Jan 23, 2025 11:27 AM