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What is a BLOG?

By
Real Estate Agent with thredUP.com

Real Estate Blog PadDo you get asked this question?  I do.

As many of you know I am working on my 'Operation Localism' where I am posting weekly as many things as possible for my area.  I have had the opportunity to meet many people while taking photos.  In conversation they want to know what I'm doing and I say, of course, "It's for my BLOG."  The very next question 9 out of 10 times was "What is a blog anyway?"

Well, prior to becoming a member of Active Rain, I had no clue what a BLOG was. So needless to say, hearing this question made me relieved that I was not the only one who had not jumped into the internet saavy world.  I always heard it on the news, "What is everyone Blogging about today?" and I would just think "Heck if I know, what is it?"

I realized then that I at least needed to have an answer to this question. 

After doing some research, didn't take much,  here are some definitions.

  • Online Publication in the form of a Diary or Journal
  • A Personal Online Journal
  • A WebLog
  • Publicly Accessible Journal

Now that I came across this site, Active Rain, which I now refer to many of it's members as part of my AR Family, it didn't take long to realize what BLOGGING was all about. 

It's about speaking from the heart, writing about what you know and what you want to teach, writing for support, writing as a tool to reach consumers on a level you may not reach them otherwise and sometimes just writing for fun.

Truly, it's a Personal Online Journal of anything and everything that you have a passion for and wish to write about.  So, cheers to my BLOG and I am so glad to have been able to share it with you! 

What does your Personal Online Diary behold? 

By the way, BLOG is a contraction for Web...Log

Comments(20)

Eric Bouler
Gardner Realtors, Licensed in La. - New Orleans, LA
Listening to your Needs

Story about something.

May 06, 2007 12:29 PM
Stephanie Edwards-Musa
thredUP.com - The Woodlands, TX
knitwit at thred UP
Thanks Eric.
May 06, 2007 12:30 PM
Missy Caulk
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate
I just posted a similiar story.
May 06, 2007 12:33 PM
Stephanie Edwards-Musa
thredUP.com - The Woodlands, TX
knitwit at thred UP
Really, took me forever to write this because of my son.  19 months and was stopping every 2 minutes to get him out of something.  Ok, just stuffed a DVD in the VCR...
May 06, 2007 12:34 PM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

You're not likely to hear that in my neighborhood.  Lots of high tech folks here.  I mention that "I might blog about that" and they don't blink an eye.

Now, if I say that to the average real estaet practitioner around here, their eyes will glaze over.  Kind of like when you ask an agent if they have qualified that buyer.

May 06, 2007 12:42 PM
Stephanie Edwards-Musa
thredUP.com - The Woodlands, TX
knitwit at thred UP
That's cute Lenn.  Blogging and other internet marketing is not huge in Houston yet.  We sort of seem to be behing the times. Everyone has a website, but I don't see much blogging here. That's ok, I just got a head start.  :) Even though I'm still trying to figure everything out. Thanks Lenn.
May 06, 2007 12:47 PM
Christina Lackey
Coldwell Banker Prime Properties - North Syracuse, NY
Syracuse Central New York Real Estate
It's funny that you wrote this.  I actually gave up saying "Blog" and started saying "this web thing I'm doing."  Maybe I'll adopt some of your beautiful definitions!  Thanks for letting me know I'm not the only one.
May 06, 2007 01:03 PM
Stephanie Edwards-Musa
thredUP.com - The Woodlands, TX
knitwit at thred UP
Haha! That's great Christina, I have actually used that line!  Sometimes just easier...Thanks.
May 06, 2007 01:05 PM
Ann Cummings
RE/MAX Shoreline - NH and Maine - Portsmouth, NH
Portsmouth NH Real Estate Preferrable Agent

Hi Stephanie - I've given up trying to explain what a blog is to most people.  Buyers and sellers seem to know what it is, as I've had compliments about it from them.  But other agents - as Lenn said, they just glaze right over.  Fine by me!   ;-)

Ann

May 06, 2007 01:15 PM
Stephanie Edwards-Musa
thredUP.com - The Woodlands, TX
knitwit at thred UP
Yes ma'am! I agree!  I haven't been on AR long enough for it to make an impact with clients but I think it will if I keep on keepin' on! Thanks!
May 06, 2007 01:18 PM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Totally awesome blog. With your permission, I like your answer and if it is OK with you, I would like to answer the question just the way you did. My compliments.

Sincerely,

William Johnson GRI CRS e-PRO

May 06, 2007 02:11 PM
Stephanie Edwards-Musa
thredUP.com - The Woodlands, TX
knitwit at thred UP
Thanks William and absolutely! No Copyright here!
May 06, 2007 02:13 PM
Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE
I know.....THE BLOG!  Yup, as you I got sucked into the lifestyle of the blog.  Wo is us....(what's does blog stand for?)
May 06, 2007 02:58 PM
Stephanie Edwards-Musa
thredUP.com - The Woodlands, TX
knitwit at thred UP
I googled it but I didn't find it being an acronym.  I just read Erion's post about google's txt tool. Maybe I'll try it.
May 06, 2007 02:59 PM
Ana Connell
G & C Properties - Burbank, CA
Burbank Real Estate Agent
Great post Stephanie....by the way I can relate firsthand to your juggling act, with your 19 month old!  I do it all the time!!!!
May 06, 2007 04:16 PM
Stephanie Edwards-Musa
thredUP.com - The Woodlands, TX
knitwit at thred UP
Hi Ana, They keep us busy!  He is starting he Terrible Two's.  Oh my! Thanks.
May 10, 2007 03:17 PM
Angie Vandenbergh
Crye-Leike, Realtors - Memphis, TN
A Crye-Leike Blogger
I get asked what blogging is too. I have a hard time explaining it, because people inevitably want to know why you do it and the purpose of it all in that same answer. I haven't come up with a quick answer yet.
May 12, 2007 02:31 PM
Stephanie Edwards-Musa
thredUP.com - The Woodlands, TX
knitwit at thred UP
Hi Angie, it's a tough one to answer! Not sure I've figured it out yet! :)
May 12, 2007 02:35 PM
Jeff R. Geoghan
Coldwell Banker Realty - Lancaster, PA
REALTOR, Marketing Manager
Are you finding that Google is picking up your Localism posts about areas?
May 14, 2007 04:56 AM
Stephanie Edwards-Musa
thredUP.com - The Woodlands, TX
knitwit at thred UP
Hey Jeff, yes Google is picking it up.  I find the ones I can post to AR as well rank higher though.
May 14, 2007 05:03 AM