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Blogging 101- The Big Fish Usually gets eaten by the Shark

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with CELLing Realty CalBRE #01445865

I'd be lying if I didn't say I like it when I get recognition for my writing, only if it's good that is.  And I believe all of us like recognition.  So how would you feel if you wrote a Post and it got Featured not once, but several times :) How would you feel if your Peers actually decided the Cream of the Crop.  Quality writing stands out, Regurgitated Writing gets old fast.  The Big Fish in the small pond usually gets eaten by the Shark sooner or later .

Blogging Writers Recognition

 

A Featured Post to many is a Coveted Prize

by it's very nature it is supposed to be the best of the lot.  But is it really?

Think about this....when you write for this forum, or any other forum, hopefully you put some effort into your work. Hopefully you have not just read someone else's stuff and then re-written it.

There is, or should be, real pride in good work. It doesn't matter the job as long as we can say we did our best. Whether we sell houses, flip hamburgers, make loans, or crawl under houses to see what might lurk under there.....we just need to do our best.

 

And the Company doesn't matter either as long as they take care of their employees. Remember back to jobs where the "Boss" favored a couple people over others, how did you feel? Did it affect your bottom line-your pay?

Now move to today's technology.....think about your Blog.Recently there was a big hulla-ba-loo over one Forum that didn't appear to have their members best interests at heart. A lot of work was put in by people that trusted "the boss", only to get shafted.

Think about another Forum where rumors were flying about "who" and "why" their blogs had issues......and then went offline. Do we really know what goes on behind the scenes of any of these forums? Whose interests are they watching out for?

And then we come to your writing, your desire to get your name out there for business purposes, and to also be "found".In any large Forum it's not easy for sure. And hopefully the Cream of the Crop does indeed rise to the top. With Blogging or any other Job we'd be lying if we said we didn't care if we got recognition for good work.

 

The Prize that some think of as the measure of quality, on this Forum, is the Featured Post. You decide if these are really the Cream of the Crop. 

Have you written anything on other Forums?  How well was it received?  Did you find that being a big fish in a stocked Pond meant very little in someone else's Pond?  When all is said and done, we all know who has risen to the top and why.......

By: Kathy McGraw-Broker/Realtor for  CELLing Realty in Riverside County CA

Mara Hawks
First Realty Auburn - Auburn, AL
Inactive-2012 REALTOR - Homes for Sale Auburn Real Estate, AL

Kathy - What a great subject to address...it's all about being authentic...you are so right about the reminder that 'there should be real pride in your work'...no matter WHAT it is you are doing...it's really like WHAT you're doing doesn't matter as much as WHAT YOU'RE THINKING about what you're doing...what YOU bring to your work, your writing, etc. (Tpday I got an email from Richard Weisser to post a recent blog on his Square Pegs Blog so he could feature it there... of course, I'm flattered...it was a brave piece from me-the-agency-mouse)...I do LOVE your voice here. It really makes readers look straight in the mirror and reflect on the truth of themselves. Thanks for inspiration, always. :-)

Jan 26, 2009 10:40 AM
Cynthia Tilghman, Realtor® Onslow County NC Home Specialist
Kingsbridge Realty, Inc - Hubert, NC

Hi Kathy,
I agree with you, we do all like recognition for our work but I believe  "some write for recognition" and "others write and just happen to get the recognition".  Once you have been here for awhile, you recognize who fits into which category.

Jan 26, 2009 11:01 AM
Ann Cummings
RE/MAX Shoreline - NH and Maine - Portsmouth, NH
Portsmouth NH Real Estate Preferrable Agent

Hi Kathy - a 'big fish' in this pond certainly doesn't equate to any kind of fish in any other pond.  I think that's why some just never venture out 'there', wherever 'there' is.  I remember before I ventured outside the confines of AR - it was scary to me, and I know to others as well. 

Comfort zones, we all love them and tend to nest in those comfort zones.  But there's so much more out there waiting to be found and enjoyed, as I've found out over and over again. 

I have scratched my head at many a featured post, wondering what on earth the person featuring could have seen in some of those featured posts.  Cream of the crop - not necessarily, but it was featured, so some must think so.

When are the sharks coming around anyway?

;-)  Ann

Jan 26, 2009 11:20 AM
Kathy McGraw
CELLing Realty - White Water, CA
Riverside County CA Real Estate

Neal- Yes, we all like recognition...but as you said content and getting business is important.  I guess it all depends on why someone writes :)  You my friend as a staple here, and you know what it takes for you to get what you need.

Missy-LOL ...yep we know what you think about running a Brokerage :)  Most Moderators on here really do a good job, and as someone that has been moderating 4 groups, I know it isn't easy.  In fact after reading your comment I just sent an email to someone asking them to take over one of the Groups :)

Midori-You are one bright lady :)  Yes, anyone that has been here knows that a gold star does not necessarily gage the quality of a persons contributions.  there is absolutely no way that someone can read as many Posts that come across this Forum.  Also I want to say that I absolutely agree with your comments about the people here :)

Ann-You have become a great contributor here....and congratulations on the recognition you did get :)

Mara-Oh how I love to hear from you....you are the Gandhi of my Blogging experience.  How true it is that WHAT YOU'RE THINKING about what you're doing...is the most important, at least for a rational person :)  I want to know about that Post that Richard asked you to Post....can you come back and leave a link? 

Cynthia- I absolutely love your comment....we do indeed know who belongs in which category :) I am not so sure it is a bad thing to be in the first category as long as they don't lie to themselves and think they are better than anyone else just because they have more stars :)  Oh, and add to that that they don't expect anyone to pay them for knowledge they purport to have LOL :)

 

Jan 26, 2009 11:43 AM
R.E. Renée Hoover, Salesperson
Century 21 Geba Realty, Milford, PA; Licensed in PA & NYS - Milford, PA
Poconos, Pike, Wayne, Monroe Counties, PA; PA/NYS

I'm with you on this one Kathy - great post.  I'm still searching for my AR Points. 

I would love to have someone pay attention to my blog How to Measure your Worth in Today's Tekno Arena - Where are the Active Rain Points?                              

Jan 26, 2009 11:45 AM
Kathy McGraw
CELLing Realty - White Water, CA
Riverside County CA Real Estate

Ann- Hi there....well, you sure have a different take than the other comments.  So, let me change gears here and say "How right you are " :)  We have all seen people on here that think they are "All that and even more " . 

You mentioned about the safety of this forum, and how so many of us were afraid to venture out.  And again you are so right when you say, "a big fish' in this pond certainly doesn't equate to any kind of fish in any other pond."  It's a big, big ocean out there. And as to the Sharks.....they mostly stay away from my Posts.... LOL :)  That'll be $9.95 please :)

Renee- that is very clever.....I will be over in a minute to see if I can help you find your points....watch out for those sharks though LOL :)

 

Jan 26, 2009 11:57 AM
Monika McGillicuddy
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty - Hampstead, NH
Southern NH & the Seacoast Area

Very good points (no pun) Kathy. I need to be in control of my blog. I think once you get over the whole points issue it's a very liberating feeling.  :)

Jan 26, 2009 12:52 PM
Kathy McGraw
CELLing Realty - White Water, CA
Riverside County CA Real Estate

Monika- That was a good comment, we all need to be in control of our own stuff.  If not then how can we assume responsibility :)

Jan 26, 2009 04:29 PM
Russell Lewis
Realty Austin, Austin Texas Real Estate - Austin, TX
Broker,CLHMS,GRI

Hi Kathy, I do not post that often, because I have made every effort since about my 10th post to put out something I would not mind reading myself. If anything, my posts are too long and that's something I am working on. I have only recently begun to post neighborhood and market reports along with open houses so that my outside readership and SOI are seeing what I do and the areas I work. However I really enjoy writing about Local things and places and whatever pops into my mind. I am still learning to balance the two and have to say that I DO enjoy all of it! As far as featured posts, I do not really know how that works. I have been featured 11 times out of my 52 posts and that's extremely flattering but who knows what can happen on any particular day! Thanks for this post and have a great week!

Jan 26, 2009 11:06 PM
Rebecca Levinson, Real Estate Marketing and Online Advertising Consultant
Real Skillz-Clear Marketing for Your Real Estate Vision - Lake Geneva, WI

Kathy,

I don't remember ever blogging for points, but I certainly have learned in my journey to blog my mind.  Some of my most frequented posts don't have the most comments.  Some of my most personally cherished posts are far from being featured.

If I don't feel it, I don't post.  When I am overwhelmed by words I post.  If that translates into others liking or resonating with what I have written all the better.  I love reading too.  I read and comment one whole day each week.  Listening is key for me.

Jan 27, 2009 05:03 AM
Kathy McGraw
CELLing Realty - White Water, CA
Riverside County CA Real Estate

Russell- I know what you mean about writing too much, or too long a Post :)  Your numbers for being Featured tell me that "someone" sure likes what you have to say :)  I would have to agree that I like your style.......

Rebecca-If I were blooging just for points, I would be way further up the ladder than I am now.  Like Russell, I like to think I have something to say when I press submit :)  And like you, it has to feel right for me to even write.  Listening is indeed the key to so much, and just as important as writing if not more so :)  Translated: comments are important, supporting others more than working a self-serving agenda :)

Jan 27, 2009 05:49 AM
Anonymous
Anonymous

I have only been featured a couple of times. THe funny thing is, it was nto for the stuff I thought would get featured. It was the stuff I wrote when ticked off or not very happy. Who knows the rhyme or reason.

Jan 27, 2009 06:54 AM
#27
Sabrina Kelley
ERA Herman Group Real Estate - Woodland Park, CO
Woodland Park Colorado Mountain Homes and Land

It looks as if your post has inspired some very thoughtful words. Kudos for stirring up some brain cells.

Jan 27, 2009 08:42 AM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Kathy, I have been here awhile like yourself, and I don't know how featured posts work. I think there is no rhyme or reason to it, and obviously many excellently written ones will be ignored. I just don't worry about it but we do all like the attention, you are right.

Jan 27, 2009 09:08 AM
Kathy McGraw
CELLing Realty - White Water, CA
Riverside County CA Real Estate

To not logged in:  Rhyme or reason appears to be subjective to the who, what,where, when, why and how of the moment :)

Sabrina- One of my favorite parts of AR is the people, and how we share ideas.  I am glad to see that you found some of the comments stimulating.

Jan 27, 2009 09:09 AM
Nannette Turner
eXp Realty LLC - Lynchburg, VA
Online Marketing Home Ownership Advocate Specialis

Kathy I am sorry it took me this long to get back to this post.  You are right I don't write to get featured. I have amny more important things to think about.

Jan 27, 2009 10:07 AM
Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE

Recognition....ahhhh...it does feel good. Usually it's due to the content or the topic one writes about. All I know is I have made plenty of friends here...one of them you :)

Jan 27, 2009 03:22 PM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

My goodness you really got some good comments on this post. I enjoyed reading them.  I haven't had a featured post, but one day I WILL.  Keep writing, but mainly enjoy doing this.

Jan 30, 2009 11:50 PM
Kate Elim
Dockside Realty - Spotsylvania, VA
Realtor 540-226-1964, Selling Homes & Land a

Hi Kathy...Well, there's a silver lining in every cloud so they say.  At least I'll never have to worry about the shark coming after me.

Many of us don't spend time thinking about recognition.  Most of the time it is not going to happen so when it does it's a treat.  Good enough.

Like you, I write because I want to. 

Kate

 

Feb 03, 2009 01:47 PM
Jim Lee & Janet Holt Edmond Oklahoma Luxury Home Realtors
EXIT STRATEGIES REALTY - Edmond, OK

In the last several months I've read hundres of the featured post.  So are really great but I do wonder how some got there.  Is the old adage "its not what you know but who you know"?

Feb 14, 2009 12:14 AM