It's an interesting thing...many write...but don't link...for me I have to reference...past posts...because no matter how you slice it...Blogging...Social Networking..is marketing too!
I've had my hand slapped for self promoting...by one silent blogger...
But for every one of those hand slapping bloggers..there are many who appreciate the extra links... and don't get offended by the self promotion...
After all that is what most bloggers are trying to accomplish...
Readers..Friends..Business..and opportunities..
Get Your Name Out...its a huge blogosphere and you want a piece of it, right?
Take into consideration..how many utilize the net...every day...every hour...every minute..
My goal everyday is to see.....at least 100 readers a day...so if I can't get in one blog post...
There might be two...but just because you may have under 100 readers in a day...doesn't mean people are not reading.....
I can tell you...
People sit on blogs and read a few pages if the posts are interesting...
If you provide a wealth of information..
I can assure you if you offer links to your past posts many of your readers will appreciate them...read them...and there is a good chance...
They will come back for more.
- Why not help it along...and link to some of your older posts...after all google loves it!
- Remember everyday new people join all of our social networks that we belong too
- Less than 1% leave comments...that tells me many are reading..
Yesterday I took a screen shot of mybloglog at about 4:30 pm...for me its my favorite tool...check out the statistics..and see for yourself...people are reading...and they will read more...if you link back to some of your older posts!
BTW according to mybloglog...I finished the day...
112 readers-441 page views- 20 off site clicks-not bad in a days work!
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by The Activerain Network and it's members and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of Midori Miller AKA Daytona Beach Real Estate Trainer and CENTURY 21 Sundance Realty. Midori Miller and CENTURY 21 Sundance Realty are not responsible for the accuracy or content provided by The Community.
Hi Midori - Mybloglog is one of my favorite tools for tracking where and what my visitors are reading. Anyone who does not use this service is selling themselves short. The funny thing is I think most believe it is just some "cute" thing that shows you what other people with a Yahoo account have visited.
Midori,
There are several reasons to provide links in a blog - and I can't think of any reasons to not do it.
As for self-promotion - if you are not gonig to promote yourself - then who is going to do it for you. ;)
Great post.
Hi Midori,
Thanks for the post. You are so right! I'm just learning how to utilize everything in AR and this is one more tip!
Midori - Thanks for the suggestion to link to other/previous posts.
Hi there Midori,
I've recently stepped up my twittering and social networking. I found this post on facebook. So, social networking does work. It's just incredibly time consuming to blog, twitter, network, and do actual work!!
Thanks I need to link to more of my past posts. I do it but not all the time. I never really look at my blog log here either. I do on my outside blog because I am still trying to build my readership. One person who I met here, follows me there and I was so greatful she contacted me on Sat and said she could not open my blog on IE.
So I checked and I could not either.
It was fine in FF and Safari, so I went to Twitter and posted the HELP and Danny Thorton jumped in and tried to figure it out. Brad Carroll said I might have a widget interfering and I took off my latest one and voila it worked again.
I will not check all the search sites if I add a widget or pluggin.
With most clients and customers using the internet these days, our online work is a must! Thanks for the great post!
Midori,
Terrific post. Very timely, especially for me. I am telling myself that I need to do it, but every time I am caught in rushing things and thinking that this time I will not go back and link, but will do it another time, and this never happens.
Will make it part of New Year resolutions.
Thanks
Hi Midori, I have been involved in the blogging/social networking less than six months, but I am loving it and am surprised so few of the agents I know recognize the importance of it. Oh well, it gives me a chance to get a big head start on all of them!
Bill-I love it and I love the stats!
Mark-my sediments exactly!
Dorie-I see you read a few of my posts today! Thank you! and welcome to the rain and if ever I can be of help.....you know where to find me.
Tracy-yes its time consuming...as a matter of fact..before the year is up..I hope to have all of my social networks cleaned up...with associates...with subscriptions...Wishing you and yours a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2009.
Midori, 99% of what I have heard on AR supports what you have said in your post. It's about social networking AND self promotion.
Missy-I've gotten rid of many of my widgets..the ones that I have will remain...and if you need them centered...call Brad...he is the king!
p.s. which widget was it that you removed????
Myra-you're welcome!
Jon-my Daytona Beach friend! :) Yes I make myself do it everytime...except if it is members only and I rarely write members only...only if I am ranting??????? Wishing you a very healthy, happy and prosperous 2009.
Ann-I've been saying the same thing...but as time progresses just like anything else more will jump aboard!
Barb-well at least I get it and so do you! I laugh because I have been scolded by a nameless blogger for self promotion...to me it was a huge compliment...the reality...marketing at its finest!
Midori ~ You are so right about the links. Sometimes in our rush to be noticed we forget blogging is about networking and providing value. By linking to blogs with good content, we offer value to our readers.
Happy New Year!
kk
KK-love when you visit! Thanks for you input.. I link after I write..and sometimes it takes me an hour or two to post...because of the links...but I love all the traffic! Happy New Year!
I am a firm believer in link-love, if you give , you too shall recieve and ultimately we are all looking for incoming links
My links your links...I love links! Thanks for commenting James and wishing you a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!
Midori,
I started blogging and working on Social Media in October. (After attending a Tech Seminar) What I dont get is WHY do I keep hearing negatives about self promotion and advertising? I do love to express myself and I can see the need to write interesting material to get people back.....but I am not a journalist or a writer....I am a Realtor and I am here to Network and PROMOTE myself and my products. Did I miss a Memo somewhere along the way?
Debbie
Last year my biz plan was blogging/building my main website. This year, among other things, I must pay more attention to the numbers. XXOO!
I would recommend a blog on your own website not just active rain - no one is reading active rain except other realtors. It's only a small percentage of clients finding and buying/selling houses because they saw your active rain blog. It goes back to your real estate exam days - find a farm area and stick to it! Buy a domain that fits the market your in and stick to it, blog on it daily about what's going on, etc. If you need help buidiing a site, imoria can do it for you and help you at only $29/mo! It's time to get serious about your real estate career again! Visit www.imoria.com
Self-promotion is part of the reason for blogging in the first place. I will have to check out mybloglog. I have seen it on many people's blog page but haven't gotten it for my own yet. Links are always good.
Hi Midori:
Absolutlely, Networking is all part of Marketing.
Whether you are blogging to your piers or to the public, it all counts!
Debbie-I think often times they mean blatant marketing like most web sites or advertisements! Social Networks..I believe..the name says it all! Links are a way to market but indirectly as long as the links are relevant....I know what works for me.
You don't have to be a journalist..I'm not...but you can take nice photo's...small blurbs...I think you do a great job...just be you...also it took me over a year to get my momentum going...in June I can officially call myself a blogger for 3 years!
Networking...is important...networking will get you encouragement...sometimes help and many times referrals! You'll see it gets easier and you will get better just don't quit! :) Call me anytime.
Midori
Excellent tips and I thank you; I am going to go back and make some changes
Sincerely
Tom Braatz
Susie-you and me both...plus I have to update and I am still updating...and you will see a few new things emerge for me this year! In time baby...in time! p.s. I love your blog..and I love the cowboys!
Hi Midori~ I see where you are coming from. I just never thought abut linking to any of my blogs, but I have linked to others..... thanks for the advice. I hope you have the best New Year Ever!
Real Estate Web Design
OK for starters..Welcome to the rain! It's a great place to be! Next you are so very right in regards to having websites and blogs...and I have a few..maybe you just didn't notice or maybe you did not read the entire post or even check out the profile......we are talking about...social networking whether it be your website...your outside blogs or blogs on other networks. LINk...Link...LInk...
Its not just REALTORS and its plain ridiculous to even make a statement like that! ...I've received business through here...new agents...listings.. and sales and referrals...you'd be surprised how many consumers contact me here..and on my posts...just read through and you will see...consumers hit the rain!
By you saying that its only REALTORS lets me know you are new here and haven't been here very long. Its great to jump in...but Let me share something with you.......check out my traffic and you will see its much more than REALTORS
Are you a REALTOR? I think that pretty much sums it up!
FYI
From Website Grader
E. Traffic Rank: Top 19.54 % DaytonaRealEstateTrainer.com
Alexa is an online service that measures traffic for millions of sites on the Internet in a similar way to Nielsen television show ratings. Your website has an Alexa rank of 6,002,097 which is in the top 19.54 % of all websites.
Blogging is a great way to reach your target audience with your thoughts, opinions, and offerings on relevant topics.
B. Blog Ranking: Top 6.74 %
Technorati is a popular blog directory service. It measures the popularity of a given blog as compared to all other sites that have been submitted to its system.
This blog currently has a Technorati rank of 4,717,391, which puts it in the top 6.74% of blogs tracked by Technorati.
p.s. I have others....but I think I made my point! I'll see you on your posts!
Midori - I can pretty much echo Debbie's comments. I have signed up for BlogLog but have never used it. I will surely check it out. There just seems like an endless amount of things to learn/do/remember etc. Thanks for the tips!
Midori,
You raise some really important points. I'm all for obeying Google and keeping the Google Gods happy. Link more for 2009.
On my WP blog, I often link to past posts. Also, since I regularly read other agent's outside blogs, if I see something written on them that would interest my readers, I link to that post. I do this for the benefit of my readers rather than for the link love. You are right ... WP stats tells me that the public DO click on those links. Anything to make a blog sticky!
Hi Midori...I envy you the ease in which you manage to keep up with everything. I'm struggling a bit.
Good post and deserved to be featured.
Kate
Hey Midori,
Thats a great post. I cant even tell you how much time I spend a day on the internet marketing, blogging, and getting myself informed! It is an absolut must for me. Thank you for sharing that with us! I hope you have a great day and a Happy New Year!
Midori, Thanks for all the info, this week I am going to work on taking things to the next level and you have been very helpful, there is sooo much to do.
Midori, great post !!! I was introuded to mybloglog from a Bill Gassett post I believe which I see was the first commentor ! We signed up and use the service but certainly need to use it more. So those stats are updated daily ?
I link out to my Word Press blog all the time. Links and link love are a good thing as far as I'm concerned. I have seen some posts that are way over linked though and that can be a big turn off because it reeks self promotion. By over linked I'm talking about a link a sentence and in some cases more. Plus a big huge signature full of links all added to it and that is just over kill.
So I say keep on sending that link love...even if it's to yourself!
You go, girl! Your stats are interesting, I am not that good at that, but I do monitor my AR statistics pages to see what posts are getting views. Comments are important, and I love them, but page views and clicks are very valuable.
But I have been putting links in my posts to past posts, and yes, google loves it.
Midori: GREAT POST! I love it when a poster has links....and I certainly put them in almost ALL of my posts.
Happy New Year!
Midori, mybloglog is definitely a useful tool for me. I track it each day.... I, too, like the links...makes it quicker to check stuff out right there and then. ;-)
I've been a voice crying in the wilderness to my real estate friends who won't even join AR. BLOG<BLOG<BLOG!
In earlier times, my posts on AR gave me lots of Google exposure. I've added other self-hosted WordPress blogs and some still at Wordpress.com. I haven't really been in the real estate market. Yet, I believe that blogging is something that real estate professionals can truly benefit from.
DEFINITELY set up a blog outside your AR account. LONG ago, someone had the tip to write in one and link out with some pertinent discussion at the other. Gives you two shots at the same information, but sounds different. Listings are okay, but content is still king.
With the newer social networking systems, you can get a great deal of mileage out of your information and make it clear that you are there, alive and lively.
I agree what is the point if you can't get in a plugfor yourslef. Uthomelist.com Isn't that why many of us are here, to learn how to drive more business to us Uthomelist.com
Thanks for this chance to give my site a plug.
Have a great new year. May 2009 be your best year ever.
Johnnie
Uthomelist.com
Networking IS marketing. Especially when we network with consumers... And I know that the people that comment are in such a giant minority it isn't even funny anymore. But I love to look at my stats.
Just yesterday I was thinking that I need to try to link to my older posts more often. I have so many that I've written for Localism and I think readers would benefit from the additional links. Great post!
Also -- thanks for the link to mybloglog. I've heard of it, but just haven't tried it yet.
LOL Kinda funny cause I'm here because of a Google Alert for "kim wood" but I'm not sure where it came from. I don't see "kim wood" anywhere on here. Are you hiding links as well ??? :)
Nice to stop by and say hi regardless - MWA !!!!
Kim
thanks for reminding me to do that. I don't do that enough
I have had people give me a hard time about self-promotion, but I have never listened to that nonsense, nor do I intend to. It works for me, and it brings lots of business. Enough said!
Whatever we write is promoting our business. I'll keep blogging....I make friends too :)
HI Midori; Hard to imagine someone scolding for a blogger putting links to a writers older posts and/or to their website!! I also list my tech posts on my bio page so they are easier to find amongst my localism posts.
Midori: Great post here. I agree... Links are a vital part of the social networking.
I never thought of that approach. Setting a goal of a specific number of people per day that you want to find your online efforts. I like it. =D
These blogs are absolutely informative, I enjoy reading them and learn a lot by simply reading through my favorite bloggers.
Midori, thanks for the post. This was very beneficial to me in more ways than one!
Midori, nice post. The thing about self promotion in blogs is like joining in the conversation at a party. It's like the virtual pop by. As soon as you introduce yourself... that's pretty much self promotion. In our world today (and fortunately so) if you blog, you are the media. Happy 2009 and blog on!
Rene'
You are correct, everyone ought to be linking at the end of blogs and responses. The markieting books also repeat this over and over. I own and set up Community based social networking sites.
http://www.westernmontanagrapevine.com
http://www.grapevinecommunities.com/sales
Good morning Ma'am,
I am always looking for ways to improve and I have another way. Thank you
Thanks for the reminder, Midori! I often will write something and have ZERO links in it. I need to post more PR type stuff...
Midori,
Great post. I read your posts nearly every day. One of the biggest reasons to link is to drive readership and take advantage of the "social network" that exists for your content. I recently challenged a social media guru to come up with the top 10 things CENTURY 21 Real Estate could do to leverage our network in this space. Within the first two weeks the post rose to #6 on Google's organic search. A big contributor to the post's success is because the author, David Meerman Scott, has over 60,000 back links connected to his blog.
Keep up the good work. I'll be reading!
Matt Gentile
Director of PR and Brand Communication
CENTURY 21 Real Estate LLC
That is awesome that you have so many readers and able to track that information. You are right - it is about getting us out there in front of others (developing a readership), and I really like the idea of linking to old posts. Great post here!
Wow. I didn't even know about bloglog. I am learning so much about all of this. I think you are doing an amazing job with all of this and I appreciate the links!
As you know my friend...there will always be different opinions on this subject so just do what you do and don't worry because if someone doesn't like it then they should just move on. Happy New Year PUNK! Better call me one day!
Hi Midori, great post and since I am a shameless promoter of ME here is my link: www.yourpoconohome.net. The Poconos rule!!!!!
It's all one big cocktail party....and you don't have to have a couple of drinks to have the courage to go chat with a new group.
Midori, I almost missed this the first time around and it's chock full of really great info and insight! Thanks and congrats on the well deserved feature!
I will echo the "if you don't promote yourself who will?" Because of my blogs, I have been quoted, referenced in books and had magazine articles written about my home staging business. Free and very valuable advertising.
Hi Midori,
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Thanks!
Midori,
I have to tell you. One Dec. 29th I made a comment one this blog. I was being a bit of a smart a.. anyway I put like 3 links to my site in about 2 sentances. Today I was looking at my site info on Google Analytics and I have had 8 visits from my links on your blog. Just wanted to say thanks.
Johnnie Rosser
Uthomelist.com have to put that in here:)
Hi Midori
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Midori, not two minutes ago I was commenting on another of your posts how much I like your links to your other posts and then I click on this one... perfect! I agree with everything you said.