How do you know your blog is working?
Maybe you start with a cat scan (rim shot)!
But there are better ways of determining if your blog posts are doing what you hope, because who in this business really has time to waste doing things that don't work?
1. You can check your traffic.
For ActiveRain: My Home>left sidebar My Blog> Traffic
And just like that, there's your post title, date published, counts for views, comments, likes and short URL clicks. You can sort by any of the categories.
Depending on your subject matter, your comment count will indicate if you're getting engagement from other Rainers.
Not every post's purpose is to gain comments, some have the primary mission of getting consumer contacts and any comments are just icing on the cake. But if you're consistently not getting comments on posts intended to generate comments, it's time to reevaluate.
2. Web Search
If you're writing to the consumer, then put on your consumer hat and Google away. But one caveat, Google likes to give you what you WANT, so if you don't run an unbiased search, you're going to show up VERY well in the results. Instead, try using Chrome incognito mode or other equivalent to see where you show up in the results. And if you're not getting page 1, there's more work to be done.
3. Are you getting calls and emails from consumers?
They're not always the type of call you WANT, but they're still coming. "Are you the property manager for Coddington Reserve?". No, but I know how you found me (and that you didn't read the disclaimer on the page that stated we are NOT the property managers).
4. You're getting referrals.
Calls from other agents, even non-Rainers, start coming in with referrals. Blogging can increase your digital presence, and with more content out there, you're more likely to show up in "Real Estate Agents in ________" type searches.
5. It's a pay to play world, and you're not paying.
There's one way to guarantee your ActiveRain blog will NOT work for you. Publish fantastic posts to give buyers and sellers all the information they need, BUT keep that info trapped inside ActiveRain's walls. If you have a RAINER account, every post is MEMBERS ONLY, and that's literally. You're not seen by anyone who doesn't have an ActiveRain membership. Not Google. Not the buyer who wants to attend your open house. And not the potential seller who lives right down the street from you. Either earn your 500,000 points quickly, or pay for a RAINMAKER account and let your posts be publicized.
Despite statements to the contrary, blogging CAN still work for you. Just like any tool, practice and having a plan helps.
Until next Tuesday, just Ask An Ambassador if you need help,
Bill & Liz aka BLiz
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