Ask An Ambassador: My Blog Isn't Working

Not blogging enough.  And related, not blogging enough of the RIGHT stuff.  Blogging is a marathon, not a sprint.  More quality posts, more digital breadcrumbs for consumers to find

I think this is a great post - and sticking to long tail SEO makes a difference.  I got a call last week from someone who came to me because ChatGPT sent her my way - I was the only person (I am sure) to write about a particular community

Hi Bill,
#6 rung a bell with me. I can't tell you how many times I've had to "hunt" for an agents location. Including the city name without the state isn't helpful. Recently, I saw a post about Bellingham. I didn't know if it was from Washington, Minnesota, or Massachusetts. 

This is a strong and much needed reminder that blogging success is built on fundamentals, not shortcuts.

Your point about account type is critical and often overlooked. Agents expect consumer results while publishing only to peers. That disconnect alone explains why many believe blogging does not work.

I also appreciate the emphasis on originality, geography, and consistency. Blogging is cumulative. Each post is a long term asset when it is written with purpose, clarity, and local relevance.

Well said. This is practical guidance that newer and seasoned Rainers alike benefit from revisiting.

Practical advice like that can really be overstated. Being thorough like that Can’t be replaced easily,,

Good post. I do not think all those who have joined really understand the differences. 

It is always good to review what works and what one can change or tinker with to get better results.

Liz and Bill Spear 

Bill, when I first started blogging in 2010, it didn't take me long to notice there were ghost writers using material that anyone practicing real estate for as long as I was, since January 2003 was not who I recognized by name on ActiveRain or Profile. As they say, you can fool some of the people, some of the time, but you can't fool them all the time. 

I continue to get people who call me as a result of AR and it's nice to know there are people comfortable with who I am, and how I blog. In any business, you have to be YOU. 

I agree with all of these. Regarding #6, also, the town. There are 23 towns in the US named Monroe, and 13 named Carmel. Unless you know for sure that your town only has one occurrence (for example, Kalispell) then add the state when you're writing about the town.

It has not spend advertsing money on Google to parce names and realtor specialized area together. That is why one can not find them on the internet but shows it otherwise.

And a phone number.  WHY is your phone number a secret?  I can't tell you the number of times they didn't get the referral because their number isn't available to me.

Bill you made very good points.  I have been around for a little while as well, and I always get a kick out of people who do not post anything with substance but complain they are not getting any business from their blogs.

Consistency and engagement certainly do help here in the Rain. I am not always super consistent, but I do enjoy engaging with our members on this platform.

Hi Bill and Liz - thanks for these tips.  According to my billing information I have been on ActiveRain for 11 years (not even close to the time many of you have put in here).  In that time I only have 85 posts so, needless to say, I have not been consistent at all.  

I have started posting a little more and am trying to figure out what is effective for my area and real estate in general that, like you said, is not the same content as the portals and all the other agents in my area.  

Your post helps a lot.  Thank you.

You always provide great tips that will help people improve their blogging, which will hopefully lead to the results they are hoping for!

I have gotten a couple of sales last year for hyper local content. 

I really apprecuiated this blog...it is the first time I noticed anyone framing the AR experience this way!!

sometimes it seems that blogs here are indexed to Google and other times it seems only posting to the outside blog gets indexed...what is reality?

Hi Bill:

There is an abundance of good advice here, for those are seasoned writers but particularly for those who are new. As you pointed out there are plenty of ways you  can sabotage blogging success and perhaps not realize you are doing so.

Jeff

#4 is certainly my problem. 

I keep telling myself to do a blog and myself is apparently not paying attention.

Darn!

Really useful information here, especially for someone like me who is new to blogging on this platform.