1. Write on a topic "Slightly Controversial".. No one wants to fall asleep while reading .. at least not you.
2. Write on a topic YOU Yourself would definitely respond to..
That way you attract "Like Minded" people.
3. Write about 3 or 4 short, concise paragraphs. That way you hold the reader's attention.
4. Write in short groups of sentences. Repeat yourself only to emphasize, and end when you end, Period.
5. Include a picture if you can.
6. Try being a little "flippant"... If you're a boring person let them find out AFTER they're "sucked" into your blog LOL..
7. Never say with "Blah Blah" what you can say with "Blah"...
8. Use your own personal experiences when writing.
9. Never lie!
10. Be respectful of replies, and don't attack, but don't let yourself get slapped around too!
11. Life is a game! Don't take yourself TOO seriously.
12. Always make sure your "1 minute elevator speech" is in all your posts! Your "USP", (unique selling proposition)...
13. Make friends on ActiveRain. You can't win them all, and making friends doesn't mean being a "Yes Man".... ,but have a good attitude and it will reward you.
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Jim, I LOVE these tips.
I tend to be wayyyy too wordy when I blog, and tend to pick "safe" topics.
This is exactly why I don't get many responses.
Great food for thought!
Now, I get to work on my writing!
Cheers from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada!
Jim-Great points! I think my favorite is "Never say with "Blah Blah" what you can say with "Blah"...I tend to blah too much, lol.
Jim, I am probably one of the more boring ones, and I should be working on that.
You began my day with a laugh and a nod. You get my 5 stars for passing these wisdoms forward ever so lightly...
Great suggestions, I always write things that are too "safe". Maybe I need to write things a little on the edge.
Writing about something slightly controversial is also a great way to get comments. I didn't find any controversy in this blog though... :)
Jim, several good points for keeping a blog interesting. Thanks for the reminder.
Excellent Points - I always shoot for non-boring and somewhat controversial....
Super tips. I just reblogged. I need to be doing more of this.
All great tips Jim, especially the 7. Never say with "Blah Blah" what you can say with "Blah"...
Jim: Just found this on Debbie's post. This is a great list. I just have some problems with #10 - not what you said but how to respond to being attacked. Thanks for this post.
Funny picture. I tend to toss in a lot of technology just because gadgets and such fascinate me anyway.
This is great! I have to work at using fewer words. Each point you make is right on. Thanks and have a wonderful day!
It's hard to keep my blah's in check :-). Interestingly enough, your suggestions are similar to what 'news (reporters) entertainers' do nowadays. To be followed on TV you have to be on the edge, not just reporting the news. Who likes that? :-)
All great points. I especially like your point(s) of making your work concise and to the point. People do get bored on the long stuff. Quoting laws and ethics are too much even though the end point is so crucial on those posts.
#8 is my personal favorite. That's when I really get to know the blogger and see how they handle their business. Very important for the referral aspect.
Excellent stuff, Jim. Consise is very good. Blah instead of blah, blah. I like that. All of us can talk about our selves. But can we talk about our audience?
Jim: I love this post and can use some of the points myself. Thanks Jim!
Hi Jim: I hope I am not one of those to hit the back button ! Nice post. Gay
Jim...
This is a very concise list of excellent tips to gain readership!
Great tips. I think an important thing is to blog about what is important to your target audience. I like to take questions that my buyers often ask and turn them into a topic for a blog post.
Thank you for the guidance. I have a pretty short attention span myself so I need to focus more on what I would be willing or have the patience to read.
Learning to fine tune the "blog" and eliminate the "blah" is always worth hearing about. In addition when I find I have a lot to say when composing a post, I also consider making it a two-part post as one long one just scares people off no matter how worthy it is....thank you
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ....LOL
Thanks for the homework, this might be a toughy to come back and get A plus.
Thanks for the tips. Layout also makes a big difference. When you don't have much time to read, you don't want to start reading a post that's too small, too long, too crowded.
Jane Pacheco
Hi Jim - Great post - really good tips for blogging. Thanks!
Great advice. I grow tired of Corporate Carl who thinks that every word he types has to be like he's writing for the President of the United States. Jeez.
Jim, thanks for this helpful post. I especially liked the point about including your USP.
A good way to find out what people like to read is to find out who has the most subscribers, and mimic some of their qualities - whatever you're comfortable with. After all, we each have our own style and that should be reflected in our blog posts.
It seems I've been following your suggestions for a while. I'm definitely no stranger to controversy as some of my posts have been pretty blunt about soem very sensitive topics. It's all there to inspire conversation.
Good points here about blog posts, and keeping your readers attention. I believe in shorter paragraphs as well. And sometimes I bold items for people who are scanning.
Good points. Thanks for the info.
Use photos, use scribe fire, and write about fun topics! That will keep your readers interested
My goodness! Thanks for the comments, everyone!
Now, why would anyone fall asleep while reading about new real estate policies and procedures throughout America (LOL)?
Jim: not a boring post! I like all your points. Can be challenging to write the post that doesn't put other agents to sleep.
Great tips! I need to be more controversial.
Thanks for the pointers, though I think I am still months away from being ready to blog, myself.
This is a great post Jim! To echo what your saying in regards to content, 500 to 600 words is generally a good word count to reach for. However, no less than 300! Happy Blogging.
Great tips Jim! I've never had to try to be controversial. It somehow just always came natural for me : ) I have tried to tone that down a bit in my posts, but maybe I should just let it fly???
Blah instead of blah, blah. It took me four of journalism school to nail that down.
Jim,
Excellent list. Somedays I just get stuck wondering what to write about. Others ideas flow. (I've started getting smarted and writing drafts in WORD, then using them on non-thinking days.)
All the best, Michelle
Hi Jim, Don't forget the SEO basics or else you run the risk of nobody seeing your tremendous writings !
Those are good points. I did not fall asleep reading this post. Good luck!
Jim, these are definitely words for the wise to follow. Many do, but even more should.
Thanks Jim - I need to work on #12. Take Care.
Like many other commenters, we are pretty boring in our posts. I will try to spice it up a few times to break that habit and see how it goes. Thanks for the inspiration.
Jim, good points! I also like that you were not afraid to make it a list of 13 - or is it a leftover from Halloween? KIdding!
BTW, was talking to an engineer the other day, and he mentioned he had to redo some plans for certain customer, because stairs had 13 steps, and customer said he absolutely can't have a house with 13 steps... Very strong superstition in that culture.
What a terrific list--I try to accomplish most of these most of the time...
Excellent posting, and I agree
Relevance, 250 to 400 words, and a few pictures here and there will do the trick
Or you could just write lists. Everyone loves lists.
Love your post so many insights, thanks for sharing it :)
Love your post so many insights, thanks for sharing it :)
Jim, Thank you for the tips on blog posting...I think you are right on target. It certainly caught my eye!
Photos are so important in a blog. I hate to admit it but I usually don't read blogs without pics unless it's featured with a million comments.
Thanks for the tips and fun. Margaret C.
Great suggestions Jim! I think it boils down to showing some style and flava'! By the way, Laurel and Hardy are great! I grew up watching their shows when I was a kid.
Hi Jim -- I could easily do a better job on some of these points, well taken, thanks! :)
I love these tips, especially 7. Economy of words is big. Less is often more.
Thanks Jim. These are great points.
I especially enjoy #7 - never say with "Blah Blah" what you can say with "Blah".
Jim~ "Wordy" yep that's me tend to have way too many words for what needs to be said... I am continually working to do better!
It is a great article. This is my important purpose in blogging
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