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Celeste Salzberg, Realtor in Downtown Wilmington's Historic Dist. (Coastal Realty Associates, LLC)

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Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

There is a LOT to blogging.  Did I mention there is a lot to it?  The basics "for a 7 year old" I'd give are:

  1. Make it informative
  2. Keep it entertaining
  3. Use images
  4. Use proper formatting (headers and such)
  5. Don't make paragraphs long, 3-4 sentences is a good average.  You want that blank space to break up the reading visually for the reader
  6. Use charts and graphs where appropriate, but don't overdue
  7. Have a "Call to Action" (also called a CTA) in the blog.  A "Call Celeste Now" type of deal

Other than that, there is a LOT of debate about word length.  I've seen people say everything from "a couple hundred words" to 3,000 words minimum.  The best advice there is to write enough to cover the topic.

 

IF the "7 year old" wants to go grow up and go to college on blogging, Ahrefs has an incredible youtube channel that mainly focuses on SEO but also has a WEALTH of more detailed information on blogging (as a means to improve site ranking).  Moz.com also has good info as well as does SERPStat.  Those three will get you a solid "Bachelor's Degree" worth of info.  Then there are some real hidden gems of SEO experts out there (not Neil Pattel) and some focused forums and such if you want the "Master Degree" or "P.h.D." level info.

 

There is enough info out there for my one person shop to take on the 800lb gorillas and own page 1.  It's just a full-time job and a multi-year effort to get there.

Apr 04, 2019 04:36 PM
Rainmaker
1,052,211
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

Sure. Here's the most dumbed down version.

This is a blog site. There are literally millions of blogs on this site. All you need to do is read through a bunch of them, get ideas, and then use the relatively simple blog creation interface to pen your own.

If you're savvy enough to create videos to text, I suspect blogging will be a walk in the park for you.

Apr 04, 2019 03:33 PM
Rainmaker
508,318
Joseph Domino 480-390-6011
HomeSmart - Scottsdale, AZ
Real Estate Made Easy

I think that blogging should be about sharing. Sharing something you know a lot about, sharing something you feel might interest someone else, sharing who you are and what you stand for.

A lot of people use blogging as advertisement, like TV commercials. But I prefer to use it as a way of engaging other like minded people.

Apr 04, 2019 02:02 PM
Ambassador
3,169,508
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Hello Celeste,
For starters, blogging is most effective when you can answer a few questions and then target your blogging:

1.  Are you blogging for business or fun?
2.  If you're blogging for business, who is your target audience?  Consumers or other agents (if you live in an area with lots of out of towners coming in, referrals COULD be productive)
3.  If you're blogging to the consumer, what can you offer that is unique?  Blogging the "generic" stuff they can find anywhere while useful for building up your website content, isn't likely to cause someone doing a Google search to find you and then hire you.
4.  Is there an underserved niche you can blog about?  For our market, it's low maintenance homes (patio homes, condos, etc.).  A post to a niche can be about 10 times more effective than a general blog post.
5.  Blogging is a marathon and not a sprint.  It takes time to build up enough content to increase the odds that Google likes you and the consumer finds you.

If you look in ActiveRain's groups, find Ask An Ambassador.  There are many posts in there with specifics about how to blog, improve your results, etc.
Bill

Apr 04, 2019 04:29 PM
Rainmaker
4,456,506
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Celeste welcome to blogging,my advice is go to the Leader board and follow the top 100 active members. See what style they are writing which matches your style... follow and interact with them and amazingly enough you will find your voice, Endre

Apr 04, 2019 10:42 PM
Rainmaker
2,220,323
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

Celeste, you have many great suggestions for blogging. 

Apr 04, 2019 08:24 PM
Rainmaker
7,836,134
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Follow my blogs to see the dumbed down version. 

Apr 04, 2019 02:06 PM
Rainmaker
2,390,620
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

I would love to know how to send out videos via text so that alone would be a good blog post Celeste Salzberg . Other wise the best tip I can give is to do localism posts. Take a look at my blog for some ideas or Roy Kelley is also someone who likes to blog about what ever crosses his mind and Roy is The King of Active Rain.

Apr 04, 2019 02:00 PM
Ambassador
6,393,404
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Lots of good advice here already, all that I can add is, Consistency is key to success.

Apr 04, 2019 06:08 PM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I am not sure what you mean by "dumbed down" version. Version of what? Scroll through the posts here and you can see what blogging is all about in various forms and topics. Lots of how-to's for blogging on line if you go to Google. Videos via text and blogging are two totally different animals. And I'm one of those people who hates receiving unsolicited video texts. Unless it's a friend or a client, I automatically delete and block those senders.

Apr 04, 2019 02:04 PM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

The answer could fill many books and has filled many books. AR is a good online book.  Follow some of the top bloggers here and learn from what they are posting.  

Apr 05, 2019 11:43 AM
Ambassador
3,125,819
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

Welcome to ActiveRain Celeste! Get acquainted with the site and how it works by reading up on the information at the bottom of the page, it is easily understood. If you need help, ask for it.

 

Apr 05, 2019 06:06 AM
Rainmaker
1,844,301
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

This is a tough question. I 'hear' you saying I want the 'express learning' pressed into my head. I want to be successful at it in a month's time. That's all I'm giving it .....

People gave you good advice above. We used to have University vids & posts but I don't know if they are still there.

Apr 05, 2019 05:40 AM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

Have a point and don't suck.

Apr 05, 2019 04:46 AM
Ambassador
5,230,068
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

You have some great answers, Celeste! Welcome to blogging and ActiveRain!

I would upload those videos and type the words spoken in the video (for SEO) and post them here. Videos help your posts rank as well. Since you've already gotten some videos prepared, it's a great way to start.

Good luck!

Apr 04, 2019 08:06 PM
Rainmaker
2,241,053
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

Reporting from your home town corner of the world. You know where all the back road short cuts are, the best place for lasagna, who does good work, what's to do for fun... all of it. You tell the local story and embed video and images captured from the area you post about on a regular basis. So you are the go to habit as the local authority.

You engage people and develop a following when you blog post on worthwhile topics to the them. Save them time and money and offer something of value. You blog about what you know, you report from your area to help others thinking of moving or investing here to know what it is like if they follow your blog posts. Provide something you would want if brand new to the topic or area and looking to be educated on the unknown.

(Seven Year Old Version Explanation) Wide shot, natural lighting (Boy sitting at kitchen table drawing with magic markers and getting light headed) Slow zoom in on little boy's art work. NARRATOR "Once upon a time, there was a little boy. He was helpful. Can you say helpful? I knew you could."

Be a helper like Fred Roger's mother taught him ... and pitch in, provide information, graphic flash cards, home made everything to make life easier for others. The end. (Fade to black) That's a wrap... thank you people.. now help out with the set tear down.)

Apr 04, 2019 07:19 PM
Rainer
509,449
Susie Kay
Ultra Real Estate Dallas Fort Worth - Plano, TX
North Dallas Specialist

I don't think I'm that good with blogging.  I'm learning about it, too.

Apr 04, 2019 02:38 PM
Rainer
417,221
Caroline Gerardo
Licensed in 20 states - Newport Beach, CA
C. G. Barbeau the Loan Lady nmls 324982

Start with taking some cell phone photographs and think about a very short story you will write with the images. Keep the topic close to your heart, related to what you do, perhaps solves a problem... Add your contact information. These are posted and help find you on the internet.

Apr 04, 2019 02:05 PM
Ambassador
1,076,551
John Meussner
Mortgages in AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, IN, MD, MN, MT, NC, NJ, NV, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI - Fair Oaks, CA
#MortgageMadeEasy Fair Oaks, CA 484-680-4852

You write online so people will read what you write, and eventually, engage and reach out.  You can write to answer questions, you can write to just write/share something about yourself, or write to describe things that happen to you in your business.  The more you write, the more the internet sees your content and likes you, and the better things get from there.

Apr 04, 2019 01:41 PM
Rainmaker
564,494
Maria Sapio
Keller Williams of Central PA - Carlisle, PA
Real Estate Agent- Carlisle, PA. Mariasapio.com

I recommend starting with a topic that you are confident about and have something to share with others.  Keep it simple and include some graphics to add some visual appeal.  Don't over-think it...be authentic. 

Apr 04, 2019 01:38 PM
Rainer
344,438
Kris Collis, Associate Broker
Smart Way America Realty - East Stroudsburg, PA
Professional Results you Expect 570-801-5525

Celeste,

Just in case this is a typo:

REAL ESTATE AGENT

Celeste Salzberg

Realtor in Downtown Wilmington's Hiistoric Dist.

Apr 05, 2019 04:52 PM
Rainmaker
1,045,440
Dave Martin (703) 585-4687
Fairfax Realty - Fairfax, VA
Making Realty Dreams a Reality #WeWillGetYouHome

Tons of info and methods to this write it from the perspective of the consumer. 

Using graphics, videos, images to make it easier and more engaging for your target reader.

Most believe in writing longer posts 1000 words +

Don't write too technically they say most people prefer to read below the 8th grade reading level and follow things more easily. 

I'd be happy to share more if you'd like to you can contact me directly I'm an agent just like you.

Apr 05, 2019 08:46 AM
Rainmaker
634,531
Jason E. Gordon
CMG Mortgage, San Diego, CA - San Diego, CA
Sr Loan Officer, CMA, CMPS, CDLP, CDRE, RCSD, CDPE

My advice is to write content that you know is correct within the scope of your knowledge & expertise.  There is so much "noise" and misinformation online...especially about real estate & mortgage lending. Being known as a reputable & reliable source of accurate content builds credibility and is reinforced with each blog you post. 

On a side note, I'd be very interested to know how the video texts are working out for you if you're willing to share!

Apr 05, 2019 07:17 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

just write what you know..... that's the advice I received from Lenn Harley....

Apr 05, 2019 05:40 AM
Rainmaker
1,197,152
Peter Mohylsky, Beach Expert
PMI. Destin - Miramar Beach, FL
Call me at 850-517-7098

Stay faithful to active rain.

Apr 05, 2019 03:54 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

"That's all I've been doing."

This statement suggests to me  you have a great deal of information and have been 'doing blogging stuff' but are unable to interpret what the website analytics is telling you.

What you are asking us to do is suggest how to fix they MS blue screen without sharing what preceded the event there fore the answer is always, pwr down, unplug then restart. Those who ask you no questions are suggesting a reboot.

The dumbed down version is simply rally your tribe on FB. However, if being a relateable human being is important, your blog needs to serve a purpose of solve a problem........for the reader NOT THE AGENT.

Let's start with building your business and blogging around the topics related to your perception of why you have been given breath to walk the earth.  Real estate is the vessel you ride to achieve your purpose in life. That purpose should NEVER BE the next transaction.

If you understand, then the birds of the air will seek shelter beneath your tree of wisdom. Why? Because everyone else is asking the exact same question you are...."Why are my efforts not bringing to me the fulfillment I need?"

That $600 an hr advise should have opened the door through which even a 7 year old will find transformation.

Apr 04, 2019 06:00 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

I agree with Joseph Domino 480-390-6011 

Apr 04, 2019 04:43 PM
Rainmaker
3,626,530
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Write about something, no matter what that you are interested in.  I write about history, nothing real estate related.  

If you don't write about what your passionate about it shows

Apr 04, 2019 04:07 PM
Rainmaker
5,216,398
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Write a blog about using video text messages. It would be well received!

Apr 04, 2019 02:45 PM
Rainmaker
1,751,129
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Celeste, the videos sound awesome. Since you're already doing that, blogging will be a piece of cake. Here is a simple outline of how to blog effectively:

How to create a smooth flowing blog

I would have outlined it here, but I didn't think the readers would appreciate that much text. 

Apr 05, 2019 01:28 PM
Rainmaker
2,781,173
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

In the same way you have asked this question, make a statement in writing. This is called posting, blogging or commenting. You can then take your subject matter and apply this to it: Who, what, where, when, why & how....

Apr 05, 2019 07:22 AM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Joseph Domino 480-390-6011 nailed this one!

 

Apr 06, 2019 07:10 AM
Rainmaker
2,071,025
Evelina Tsigelnitskaya
SIB Realty - Sunny Isles Beach, FL

Great answers. 

Jun 18, 2019 04:07 PM
Rainmaker
1,598,452
Valeria Mola
SIB Realty - Miami, Sunny Isles Beach - Sunny Isles Beach, FL
305-607-0709 SIB Realty Condos for Sale and Rent

No idea. 

Jun 18, 2019 03:42 PM
Rainmaker
5,868,544
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Do blogs on the neighborhoods you service, talk about what services you offer.

Apr 20, 2019 06:34 PM
Rainmaker
4,936,677
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Listen to Ryan, he nailed it.

Apr 08, 2019 07:19 PM