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Laurie Manny Challenge ~ 3 Posts I Think You Should Read

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Shoreline - NH and Maine NH and Maine Broker


nest


OK, I admit it - when I first read Colleen's post on this 'outside blog reading contest', I thought there was no way I'd be interested in that at all.  Why?  Because I was too comfy right here in my own little comfy cushy quilt-lined safety nest here in Active Rain



I rarely venture out into the blogosphere unless something in a post I read here completely compells me to, or unless I go out to look longingly at some of the real beauties here from some of my AR pals.  But then I hurry right back here to my nice little nest.....

 

 

 

After much stewing and hemming and hawing about it, I decided I needed to get a grip and just get outside my nest, and see what's going on in the other blogging worlds out there.  After a few (more than a few!) pokes and prods from well-meaning friends, I did just that.Mountains


I checked out a number of them on the list on the contest post, and I saw some more great blogs in the list janeAnne put together for us.  And then.........I found a few more and a few more and a few more, and before I knew it, I was actually ENJOYING what I was doing!  Who knew????

 

 


So many great posts were bookmarked that I read, and I've finally culled them down to these three that I really wanted to share here with you.  And I hope those who take the time to check them out enjoy them as much as I did!



                                 DIstinctivePhoenix.com Blog

DistintivePhoenix.com has some great writing and really cool pictures on it.  I found an article written by Greg Swan, "Why didn't your house sell? Price, preparation, presentation - and availability ", to be a great read for sellers in this market.  It's concise and to the point, and states in simple terms exactly why many properties aren't selling right now. 

I know I like to give my sellers and potential sellers articles that will be of benefit to them and to me, and this is certainly one of those.  The old saying that "50 miles and a briefcase make an expert", can also apply in writings as well.  Sure, I can say what Greg has so succinctly written, but seeing it in print written by someone else lends credence to what you're saying.  Here it is, all done up for you!



                                                              
candy


RSSPieces.com
is just chalk-full of VERY helpful and useful information on blogging - what to do, what not to do, how to do it, why, etc.  Mary McKnight writes great articles that are helpful to bloggers of all stages, but especially to those of us who are still looking for a little help or a little encouragement that we're headed in the right direction.  And who can't use some tips and great ideas every now and then? 




I found this article, "The Ten Commandments of Blogging and Commenting" to be a great read to recommend to everyone.  This is the perfect 'how-to" post on blogging and creating great relationships around the blogosphere.  It's easy for some to get caught up in not-so-great behavior, and her post explains very nicely some great common-sense guidelines.

 



                                 BloodhoundBlog

The 3rd blog I read, BloodhoundRealty.com blog, was a little intimidating to me at first because it was so 'famous'.  But then, I found this article by Jeff Brown, Bawldguy.com, and it really kinda hit home with me. 

"Real Estate Bloggers - Why Are You Blogging? What Currency Does Your Banker Accept? " made me realize that although there are many people out there that are talked about as the 'experts in the blogging world', maybe some of them really aren't, and maybe, just maybe, we should really be paying attention to what our own blogs are doing for us, instead of what those 'experts' tell us we should be doing.  

Sure, Jeff talks about the last Inman Connect conference, but that's NOT really what spoke to me in this article.  It's all about measuring the success of your blog not by how the experts talk, but by the business you derive from it.  If you're getting business from it, ignore those who criticize you and tell you to do things differently.  Read the questions he asks - these will open your eyes if nothing else did!

He closed his post with these words, which I LOVE.....  "Real estate pros from all parts of the country, offering all the different but related services, might want to think about focusing on $EO a little more than SEO - you might just find your banker is happier to see you coming."   If you're getting business from your blog, you're doing something right - keep it up!!




clouds

So, after my beginner's journey out into the blogosphere, and finding these 3 articles to pass on to you, I can tell you that my "comfy cushy quilt-lined safety nest here in Active Rain" has just gotten bigger, and will, in all likelihood, continue to grow.....  and my thanks to Laurie Manny and Colleen Kulikowski for this challenge that prodded me to get outside my comfort zone!

 


  

                                                                                         Ann Cummings

 

 

 

 

 

Posted by

Ann CummingsREALTOR, e-PRO, GRI, CBR

Ann Cummings and Jim Lee formed a team in July of 2010.
Each bring over 30 years of successful real estate experience to the table so with Ann and Jim you truly do get two Realtors for the price of one. We’re dedicated to delivering exceptional service to you our clients and customers; past, present, and future.

Jim LeeCRS, ABR, GRI, e-PRO

Show All Comments Sort:
Ann Cummings
RE/MAX Shoreline - NH and Maine - Portsmouth, NH
Portsmouth NH Real Estate Preferrable Agent

Hi Sharon - many thanks, and I appreciate your feedback!

Hey John - thanks, and thanks for the work that went into the contest by you and the other judges!  In reading through the other posts, you all had some great reading to enjoy.  Thanks!


Ann

Aug 20, 2007 10:27 PM
Diane Aurit
LKN Realty, LLC - Mooresville, NC
Lake Norman Real Estate
Ann, beautiful post and great choices.  RSS Pieces does my personal blog and I highly recommend them to anyone thinking about creating their own blog.  Greg Swan is another one of my favorites!  Congratulations!
Aug 21, 2007 01:30 AM
Chris Lengquist
Ad Astra Realty - Olathe, KS
Kansas City Real Estate Investing
You should have won based on the bird picture, alone!  Nice job.
Aug 21, 2007 01:30 AM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services
Congratulations on your win. I love bloodhound -- I agree at first it is a bit intimidating. I was not aware of the other two blogs -- and found them very interesting.   Hope all is going well in Portsmouth.
Aug 21, 2007 01:58 AM
Angie Vandenbergh
Crye-Leike, Realtors - Memphis, TN
A Crye-Leike Blogger

I enjoyed your post. I think you found some good picks. I also like RSS Pieces. By the way... I love the candy graphic you included there :)

Aug 21, 2007 06:13 AM
"The Lovely Wife" The One And Only TLW.
President-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Kissimmee, FL

Ann...

I just popped in to Congratulate you. Nice work.

I think you "Good Ladies Of The Rain" have outgrown the rain :)

TLW...ROAR!

Aug 21, 2007 07:12 AM
Ann Cummings
RE/MAX Shoreline - NH and Maine - Portsmouth, NH
Portsmouth NH Real Estate Preferrable Agent

Hi Diane - thanks for the very nice compliment, much appreciated!  I would agree with you about Mary and RSS Pieces - I'm working with them as well.  Thanks again, and congratulations to you as well!!

Hi Chris - you're funny!!!  I thought that bird picture was so perfect for how I was feeling, all nestled in here in AR!  Congratulations to you!!  And thanks for the comments!


Ann

Aug 21, 2007 09:02 AM
Ann Cummings
RE/MAX Shoreline - NH and Maine - Portsmouth, NH
Portsmouth NH Real Estate Preferrable Agent

Hi Joan - thank you and I'm glad you enjoyed the 2 blogs you hadn't read before.  I really enjoyed all 3 of them, and will definitely continue my journey!  Time is going to the problem, I can tell already!!

Hi Angie - I really appreciate your comments, and I'm glad you enjoyed this post - I had fun putting it together! 

Hey TLW - thanks!!!  And I don't think that will ever happen.....!!!    ;-)))   Too much fun and too many good friends!


Ann

Aug 21, 2007 09:06 AM
Gary Bolen
McCall Realty - South Lake Tahoe, CA
CRS - Lake Tahoe Real Estate Information
Ann, congrats on winning the contest. Like Diane and Chris, we read every word and followed every link of yours.
We even just wrote about what we got out of the contest with links to you and your work. This was a real pleasure for us to observe and it is most appreciated.
Aug 21, 2007 09:29 AM
Ann Cummings
RE/MAX Shoreline - NH and Maine - Portsmouth, NH
Portsmouth NH Real Estate Preferrable Agent

Hi Gary - thanks for your comments, and for the mention in your post, which I just finished reading.  Glad you enjoyed the contest - I certainly did!

Ann

Aug 21, 2007 10:28 AM
Cyndee Haydon
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL
727-710-8035 Clearwater, Beach Short Sales Luxury Condos &Homes
Ann - Congrats on a great post - love RSS Pieces myself and the others look interesting too. As always you do a great job!!
Aug 21, 2007 01:36 PM
Irina Netchaev
Pasadena Views Real Estate Team, Inc. - Pasadena, CA
Pasadena CA Real Estate
Ann, great choices!  Congratulations on your win!
Aug 21, 2007 03:32 PM
Irina Netchaev
Pasadena Views Real Estate Team, Inc. - Pasadena, CA
Pasadena CA Real Estate
Ann, great choices!  Congratulations on your win!
Aug 21, 2007 03:32 PM
Caroline Dunn
Rossman Realty Group, Inc - Cape Coral, FL
Realtor Cape Coral Florida

Cute picture of the bird! Congratulation Ann!

Aug 21, 2007 11:13 PM
Ann Cummings
RE/MAX Shoreline - NH and Maine - Portsmouth, NH
Portsmouth NH Real Estate Preferrable Agent

Cyndee - many thanks for your comments!  I enjoyed checking out all the various blogs I visited.

Irina - thanks very much!

Caroline - when I saw that bird, I knew I had to use that picture!  Thanks!


Thanks for reading!
Ann

Aug 22, 2007 03:48 AM
Sue Argue
Staged First Impressions - Hampton, NH
NH Home Stager

Ann,

This post was a lot of research to put together. Your graphics and candid approach are excellent. I learned a lot reading thru the blogs you chose; each writer has a very different style, which is nice to check out. Thanks for taking the time to broaden my horizons in the blog world with 3 great choices. And congrats on feature :)

Aug 22, 2007 04:42 PM
Mike Jones
SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ
Mike Jones NMLS 223495

It's too late at night.  I have to bookmark this and come back tomorrow.  The comments are as good as the content.  Thanks for the blog post!

Mike in Tucson

Aug 22, 2007 04:52 PM
Ann Cummings
RE/MAX Shoreline - NH and Maine - Portsmouth, NH
Portsmouth NH Real Estate Preferrable Agent

Sue - many thanks for your comments, and I'm glad you enjoyed these blogs as much as I did.  It was fun, time-consuming, but fun and quite educational.  Thanks!

Mike - thanks for stopping by and I hope you get a chance to check out the articles I wrote about.


Thanks,
Ann

Aug 23, 2007 06:13 AM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

Come on I get to a great blogger like yourself and you give me homework? That is what I love about your posts, most of them give back to the community in a way of your thoughts or draw attention to other blogs that need to be noticed by others. I look forward to reading these blogs and learning, because if you learned from them, I know I will also!

Sep 26, 2007 06:03 PM
Ann Cummings
RE/MAX Shoreline - NH and Maine - Portsmouth, NH
Portsmouth NH Real Estate Preferrable Agent

Hi Todd - wow, what a really nice comment to find from you!!!  I so appreciate what you wrote, and I'm humbled by it, too.  I hope you found those blogs as great to read as I did.  I am continually learning from so many here on AR!!

Thanks for your comments, Todd!
Ann

Sep 28, 2007 03:43 AM