Well Yes But Blogging
Won't Work For Everyone.
To me blogging is a creative outlet and Active Rain is a place where I can learn so much. I have more ideas from reading other blogs than I know what to do with and I really don't have the time to try them all, but I have ideas and I will keep trying them because of my blog on Active Rain. While others sit and complain that the market sucks I am trying new ways of reaching out and connecting.
But
You Have To Take The Time To Read Other People's Blogs In Order To
Learn From Them
As I was speaking with this person I said my oft' repeated word Passion! If you are new to blogging or trying out some new ways to market your business remember that people can see through to your inner purpose. Blogging could actually hurt your image if you are not careful. You see if you are not "real" in a blog post you will not get the results you are after. Whatever you choose to share must be something you feel passionate about. I have seen many people start blogging because it is "the thing to do" and get lost in a pile of rehashed ad copy from their regular marketing program.
Sure
You Can Sell Your Listings on Active Rain But You Have To Present Them
In A New And Interesting Way
You can't just post listings on AR and get ahead. When you present a new listing on AR it should be a celebration of the home, more than your postlet that is sent out to all the market outlets. I have been guilty of this myself but someone reading a blog post wants more than that, they want emotion and information presented in an attractive way that seems personal to them.
Yes
You Can Find Buyers And Get Referrals From Active Rain But You Can't Do
It On Someone Else's Blog
You can't try to market yourself through someone else's blog. It is against AR guidelines and it is in poor taste. We call it spam and it can give you a bad reputation and even get you thrown off the site. Besides it will not get you noticed in a positive way by the public you are trying to reach.
Re Blogs Are Great For
Spreading Good Information But Don't Make A Constant Stream Of Re Blogs
Your Localism Efforts
While I love that we can reBlog to get more people to see what others are writing, I don't know that I feel comfortable when I see 4 or 5 reBlogs in a row from the same "re-blogger" on Localism. I think that this will get you close to no-where and it feels dishonest to me. Localism should be about sharing your passion for an area not for merely trying to live off of someone else's labors. Put your reBlog on your blog space and if it is valuable by all means present it to your area on Localism but remember that Localism will succeed through our collective input and if we are not providing interesting original thoughts it will not succeed.
Share Your Passion For Your
Work And Rewards Will Come Your Way
When I read about the passion with which some of my favorite bloggers, Sally and Carole, bring to their profession in good times and bad I realize that those of us who have found passion in providing service will not only survive but will prosper. Oh we may have to retool and we may have to scale back but our passion and positive outlook will see us through.
Be
Passionate In What You Choose To Do. Don't Do It Because Everyone Else Is....Do
It Because You Believe!
In conclusion I hope that you will find your passions and share them with us. Use your passion to it's fullest advantage and market yourself in that way. Don't force yourself to blog. Don't force yourself to cold call. Don't force yourself to use someone else's tried and true method because if you don't believe in it others will not believe you.
I'm
Paddy Pizappi - Work with Me and You'll be Happy!