With all the blogging that's going on around here, the photo bloggers might find this information helpful.  After posting a few Localism write ups, where I used Photobucket to make a slide show, several Active Rainers contacted me asking for instructions.

Well due to popular demand, I have prepared this tutorial on how to create and embed a Photobucket Slide Show into your Active Rain posts.

Begin by taking photos of your subject.  Process them and place them in a folder on your hard drive.  Typically I create a special folder so I can easily find it.

Login into Photobucket, it has both a free and Pro version.  At this point I only use the free version.

If you aren't a registered member, go ahead and register.

Follow these steps:

1. Upload they photos from your hard drive, click the radial box "my computer" click "Upload Images & video
2. Surf to the file on your computer
3. Pick all the photos at once by highlighting them. Upload
4. Once uploaded you need to "organize your uploads" you can move to an existing album or "add new" one
5. If you wish, you can tag and title each photo.  Tags are useful to the search engines, titles actually show in the slideshow.  It's recommended to do this but not required.
6. click "Share This" in the upper right corner.
7. The next pop up box will give you a choice to Share on the various social networks.  What you are looking for is the "GET LINK CODE" tab on the top right side.  click it

1. The next pop up window will give you a choice for the link code or EMBED Album slideshow.
2. Cut and past (CTRL C) the EMBED Album Slideshow code
3. It looks like this
   

With the code save to your clip board, place your cursor where you would like the Slide Show to be positioned.

I have found it is easier to write your copy first, when it's done then go get the code and place the slide show between your copy. (with cursor in place CTRL V)

You may not actually "see" the show until you Post blog entry as a draft or a public entry.

Note: you can also modify the show size to fit the size of your blog.  Choices are large (640x480), medium (480x360) and small (320x240) and tiny (160x160)

It this example I used the medium (480x360 pixels)

 

 

 

 

Photobucket is a great program.  As you explore you will find it has many features, from fun and colorful templates to tracking analytics on your slide shows.

Hope this tutorial helps you improve the appeal of your posts!

Social Widgets have been popular for a long time.

  We have many that track our cookies from one end of cyber space to the next.

 

New people just tuning into social media may wonder how and where to start.  I know it took me ages to figure things out. 

First there's the social MyBlogLog widget.  It tracks your digital footprints and show your picture when you visit blogs that subscribe to it.  Cheeky you say?  Maybe.  But then sometimes it's nice to let people know you stopped by even though you didn't have any valuable comment to post.  I know I appreciate the visit! 

Next are what the Active Boys call "outside blogs".  Tee hee, we all know Active Rain is the center of the universe yes?  Well anyway the outside blogs are those like Wordpress.  Ever notice the avatars there sometimes have an actual photo while others are blank?

 

How's Come They Have a Photo and I Don't?

Well if you want to show up with your picture, all you need to do is register with Wordpress.  That would be at Wordpress.com (not .org!)  When you register here, fill out your profile and upload the photo you would like for your avatar and you are all set!

 

Email Espionage

 

That's enough of tracking you, what about tracking people who contact you via email?

OK, admit it. We all know we Google ourselves. Yes, it's true.  We will even admit to Googling others, particularly the people who want to do business with us.  Well maybe not from the git-go, but eventually a thought crosses our mind and we just have to know!

Well now collecting data from others has just gotten easier! 

Chrome users who also use Gmail for their mail client (and why not it's FREE!) will be happy to know about Rapportive.  It's a plugin for Gmail users on Chrome

Here's an example of an email I received tonight.  I choose it because the person sending it has done an excellent job with her online profiles.  OK so she's the "Senior Marketing Direcctor at Metrolist" might have something to do with the fact her profile is not only good, but complete!  She sets a very good example for us, so let's copy shall we?

Note how all her information comes across nice and neat. 

• Job description
• Twitter @ and her stream of Tweets
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Flickr
• MySpace
  

If I didn't know Melissa, I could easily investigate her and see what's on her mind of late.  What a great way to strike up common ground with a person you want to affiliate with correct?

Now some will say this is an invasion of privacy or spooky or whatever.  Take note, all of this information is out there, all Rapportive did was aggregate it for our convenience.

Look it over and let me know what you think.  The program was only released just recently and of course like everything new it has a few bugs.

What it's making me think about doing is revamping & updating all my profiles.  If I'm going let it all hang out there it might as well look good!

Active Rain came to town! 

The room was full of people last week when the Rain Gang showed up.  They came armed with T-shirts, goody bags and a ton of great technology tips and practical applications for them.

This day wasn’t for the weak of heart, the information came with the force of a fire hydrant unleashed on a hot summer’s day.  No one complained we just wrote as fast as we could taking notes and hoping against hope we could remember it next week!

The excitment of learning is not the only attraction at Rain Camp, it's about getting to meet people you've never met in real life before. 

Anyone who spends their time on social networks will know this to be a fact, when you finally meet for the first time someone you've been reading or chatting with, they hardly seem like a stranger.  It's more like a big, happy family reunion.  Everyone is hugging and laughing and having a good time. 

So Raincamp goes like this, you arrive, stake out a place to sit then go find people you want to meet.

When the session started there was hardly time to take a deep breath, there was so much information coming at you it was hard, really hard to keep up.

Most find the best way to deal with it is to grab what they can and let the rest pass.  There will be time to fill in the blanks later, as what we did catch will take plenty of time to impliment, so why stress!

 

Here’s my Top TEN Tips from RainCamp:

1. Brad Andersohn’s presentation on the Top FREE Real Estate Tools 2009 http://slidesha.re/2rHprP
2. Find out what influencers are talking about on Twitter, use Klout
3. Active Rain now has a University where each day there is another interesting presentation you can tune into from the comfort of  your chair!
4. Agents are still using Archtelecom to capture leads with success
5. 74.1% of the population is  now online, 32% spent their spare time on the social web, 94% home buyers are between 24-44, 32% found their actual home online.  If you aren’t online you don’t exist. (I said that! So Google Me already!)
6. Ben Kinney is a real Pain you might want to friend him on Facebook and find out why. (hint, he sells a lot of real estate)  Ben likes to SaveAWorm  Facebook is really about building community and marketing your listings (not so much!).
7. Save time by syndicating your posts to go from one network to the next. Then all you need to do is show up and respond to the comments.
8. Twitter is a great way to prospect for leads, if you know how to set up searches. Geo chirp
9. Feed your website to Wordle, it not only gives you a cool looking graphic, but you can see what words you focus on. Hopefully the consumer and not egotistical you!
10. Build your brand, become and live the Purple Cow
    

Rain Camp will come back again soon.  They plan to branch off into other specialties so it's not always about social media.  The thought is next time we'll talk REO's or FSBO's or some current topic that will bring another fire hose of new ideas that come from actual practitioners and not some trumped up, sales trainer who never actually sold anything (at least in this millennium). 

Just bringing that up because I'm oh so tired getting fed the same old hash and rehash.  Give me fresh ideas, today's learning is about colaboration, community and sharing.  We know the business, now we want to learn how to leverage the tools of social media so we can provide better service to the consumer while keeping our sanity.

Raincamp was a good experience for me.  It exceeded my expectations, and I can tell you I've been to many industry events of the course of my years, I don't say that lightly.

Thanks to Jonathan, Bob, Brad, Lauren and Ben.  You out did yourselves, here's a pat on the back!

kk

P.S. After the session, @Mizzle was spotted taking the Purple Cow concept all the way! Go Mizzle!

Blogging is tough, yes? Blogging isn't always the easiest activity in the world. In fact sometimes the simple process of putting a word, one word on the page is agony.

Wouldn't it be great if we could record a few of the millions of thoughts we had all day long and process them painlessly into a blog? Oh my would I have some incredible blogs!

Of course that isn't possible. Instead I have to rely on my memory to kick in the next time I'm sitting in front of the 'puter. Ha. Another problem, what was it I wanted to blog about? It was awesome! Now what was it?

I need blog helper.

Well, there really isn't an invention yet to make blogging as easy as transcending thoughts to the 'puter. However, I have found a cool little tool that will help you with some of the tasks in a no-brainer seemingly sort of way.

You are going to love this!

There's a website you can visit, cut and paste your blog into it, press a button and it will:

• suggest keywords
• provides a selection of photos
• brings up related articles from the blogisphere
  

Yes, that's true! No more bending of the burnt out brain to give your blog those necessary finishing touches that make it shine!

Oh, I suppose you would like to know where to go to get this awesome tool. Humm, should I share? I suppose if I don't you all will start spamming me 24/7/365.

Nah...I'm really not that mean. I will share with you, so now you owe me. Big time!

Go here: Zemata

I use the demo and don't even bother to download the program. Here's what You will see:

Now send me your Denver Real Estate referrals please! Thank you! :)

Enjoy!

 

Personalization of your Active Rain profile is easy to do with all the handy widgets available to bloggers these days.  One of the most popular (free) widgets is the My Blog Log.  Signing up for this bit of technology will allow you to see who is visiting your blog.  You will also be able to see which of your links are getting clicks and what blogs are sending you the most visitors.

If this is appealing to you keep reading!

First you must be a member of My Blog Log. Join here. (If you are a member already, follow these instructions skip to the Widget section.) Become a member, fill out your profile and upload your photo.  Once complete go to >My Home > Get Widgets > (see illustration below)

 Use the widget page to configure your widget to match your color scheme. Several style and sizes are offered by combining screen names (or not), full or half-size and number of rows.  You may also personalize the title to suit your theme.

NOTE: the graphic on the right shows your choices. Once satisfied click "Preview & Get Code".

 

My Blog Log offers several formats for your Log Widget.  Here are some samples:

 

Open the next window, check your work. If you don't like what you built, just go back to the previous window and start over again.  Once satisfied cut and paste the code. (Highlight code "HOLD CTRL C" to paste it to the clipboard.  (Next illustration shows Code)

NOTE: the code trails off the window, be sure you scroll over to get the COMPLETE code.  It will begin with an opening bracket "<" sign and end with a closing bracket ">" 

 

 

With your code still pasted to your clipboard, open your Active Rain Home Page. 

In the upper left you will see "My Settings" click on it.

 

 

 If you have filled out your profile, there will be words in the Description blog.  Place your cursor at the end of your text and "PASTE" the code.  Click "UPDATE."

 Your Blog Log will take a few seconds to populate.  Done right it should look something like mine on the right column of this page.

Good luck with making your Active Rain Blog pretty!

If you would like more Unofficial Tech Support Tips visit my profile page.  At the bottom there are links to various tech topics for building your AR Blog.

If you want to be the first to know about future tips, subscribe to my blog.

Colorado Licensed Broker ABR - Accredited Buyer Representative CIPS - Certified International Property Specialist CRS - Certified Residential Specialist The Berkshire Group Realtors 3801 E. Florida Ave. Suite 400 Denver, Colorado, 80210 USA	Mobile: 303-589-2022 Fax: 303-953-5362 kristal@tbgdenver.com Denver Real Estate and Relocation Denver Home Search
Selling Denver and the 'burbs

---

Social Networks have been around for many years.  Online social networks are making a big splash now that they come out of the middle school population and into the mainstream. The Active Rain Network is an amalgamation of blogging, social networking and viral marketing.  The combination of all empowers users on so many levels.  Addiction to the rain has become common place; many of us have been to the Betty Ford Center and will probably go back.  I don't know what it is about Active Rain, but one day my family will have to pry my cold, dead hands off the keyboard...

Until then folks you are going to have to put up with me.  My campaign of the day is to encourage the folks in the deep dark shadows of Lurkdom to come out.  Lurkdom is a crummy place to live.  It's a one-way street, dark and dingy.  Nobody knows you are there.  Hanging out in Lurkdom, you grow up lopsided.  Your body gets nourished from all the good information on Active Rain, but your mind doesn't grow, it atrophies into neutral, never going forth again.

 

 

If you are worried about coming out of Lurkdom, don’t despair.  There are plenty of resources here on Active Rain that will help you find your way.  In addition, you will find many people who are here, ready willing and anxious to help you.  So what are you waiting for?  Here’s how to get started:

• Pick a topic ~ choose something you are familiar with
• Write a blog ~ it doesn't have to be long
• Read it out loud ~ spell check it
•  If you are unsure about how to publish it on Active Rain read some tutorials
• Getting started on the Active Rain Community
• So you want to be a blogger?
• Who is your audience?
• The Official Unofficial Guide to Getting Involved on Active Rain
• Blogging for fun or profit? How about both?

Don't worry if your first blog isn't a master piece.  It is more important that you get started.  Once you have gone through the process a few times, it will become like second nature to you.

Next thing you know you will be making a journal with all the topics you would like to blog about, just so you can remember them all!  Trust me, it WILL happen!

You will also find times when you can't string a bunch of words together to make a sentence, much less one coherent thought.  We all hit that wall, so don't worry about it.  Right now, it's time for you to start.

HOW TO GET NOTICED 

After you have published a few blogs, hopefully you will get comments on them.  If you don't, keep trying.  We all didn't start with a million comments coming out of the shoot.  In fact my first blogs went unnoticed for a long time.  Of course back then we had a couple hundred people not the thousands we have now!

Here are a few hints on how to get noticed:

• Leave comments on other blogs.  Follow up on how they respond to you.  Making friends is the best way to get noticed.
• Join a group or two or ten.  The Newbie Group is a perfect place to start.  Getting in on the same level as others is instant affiliation.
• Show up regularly
• Build your profile, be sure it is clear who you are, what you do and where you do it.
• Use a photo we can identify as you.

Once you get in the swing of writing a blog, you will progress to a higher level. Start adding links, photos and items of interest.  Be sure not to copy other's work, unless of course you like being ridiculed and ostracized in public.

Here are a few blogs to assist you in sprucing up your blog:

• How to Add Pictures in Your Blog
  
• Unofficial Tech Support ~ Adding side by side photos
• Unofficial Tech Support ~ Adding photos and wrapping the text
  

 Most members of Active Rain agree, there is an abundance of information published here to help you get started.

We all have "Our First Time" jitters so don't feel alone when you do.  Just come on in, enjoy, make a new friend and tell us what's on your mind.  We would like to know!

kk

P.S. If you are part of the Real Estate Industry and are NOT a member of Active Rain, you can SIGN UP HERE! 

 

P.P.S.  I really am NOT tech support.  I am a Realtor in the Denver Metro Area, who loves your referrals and will treat them with the care and respect they deserve.  Please remember me... 

Colorado Licensed Broker ABR - Accredited Buyer Representative CIPS - Certified International Property Specialist CRS - Certified Residential Specialist The Berkshire Group Realtors 3801 E. Florida Ave. Suite 400 Denver, Colorado, 80210 USA	Mobile: 303-589-2022 Fax: 303-953-5362 kristal@tbgdenver.com Denver Real Estate and Relocation Denver Home Search
Selling Denver and the 'burbs

---

Blogs with properly placed photos mean a world of difference in presentation.  Nicely lined up photos without a lot of white space are more appealing and attractive to the viewer.   

When adding photos it's fairly easy to add one at a time, embedding the cursor into the text (not the other way around).

Adding photos that need to be placed right next to each other is a little more challenging.   Why?  The simplest explanation is this; the format of Active Rain is fluid in size.  Everyone is viewing it on a different size monitor.  What works on your computer screen will not work or even look the same in another. 

Frustrating?  Yes.  But it is possible to place your photos side by side using HTML and setting the photos in a table.  

The table is the framework that will keep the photos inside of each frame, so they don't travel to weird places on your blog!  

The steps to organize the process are important.  Taking time to follow the same routine will save you hours of frustration.  Here is how I do it.

• Choose the photos to use
• Process the photos so they are all the same size.  I used width of 350 pixels.  Keep in mind you don't want photos that are too large for the screen. When viewers have to scroll right and left to read your blog, it is a bother.  They will move on. NOTE: I honestly don't know if this is a good size.  Please if you have to scroll, let me know! :) NOTE: PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS is a good program to use.  There are free ones on the market, so do some research if you don't care to spend the money.
• Write your blog first.  When you are finished with the text portion, it is time to add the photos.

Here's how to begin:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click on the "HTML" button on your Active Rain Tool bar.  (see demo above)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A new window will pop up.  If you have text, it will appear here, probably looking like gobblygook; if you aren't used to looking at HTML code.

Your cursor should be in the area where you want to place the photos.  Don't worry about spaces, HTML doesn't recognize spaces, so give yourself some room to work. 

 Cut and paste this code into the HTML

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is how the code will look in the HTML editor.  You will need to delete the <!--BEGIN TABLE--> and <!--END TABLE--> I used it as an example for you to see the beginning and ending of the code.

When you are finished adding the code, click "UPDATE".  The window will close and take you back to the Active Rain "ENTRY:" area.  Your table will resemble the example below:

If you have a table that looks like this, you did it right!  Now all you need to do is place your cursor inside of each individual "box" and add your photos.  If you don't know how to add photos, check out my previous blog on "How to Add Pictures in Your Blog" (tricky title!)   NOTE: When you are adding the image URL, in the "appearance" tab, be sure to align the images all the same.  In this instance, I chose "middle."  

See how the first photo enlarges the box?  The next box shrinks...don't fret, just add your cursor and photo, like normal.  Keep going with this same routine until the table is used up. When you are finished your blog should look like this:

THE REST OF THE SCOOP

Of course you are wanting to know the HTML code.  I used this code to build 3 rows with 2 columns:

Just cut and paste this code.<!--BEGIN TABLE-->

<!--END TABLE-->

Learning HTML is not as difficult as many believe it to be.  If you are interested in learning more, pick up one the the many wonderful "how to" books.  Start off by doing, you will be surprised at how much you can learn and thus control your own destiny! 

GREAT RESOURCES

HTML and CSS by Molly E. Holzschlag

Head First HTML with  CSS & XHTML by Elisabeth Freemand & Eric Freeman ( I love this one because you do it in a classroom fashion. )

Inspiration for this blog goes to Stager Val Allocco in NY ~ VAL asked me how to do this yesterday, so I whipped up a post.  Thanks VAL!

 

Colorado Licensed Broker ABR - Accredited Buyer Representative CIPS - Certified International Property Specialist CRS - Certified Residential Specialist The Berkshire Group Realtors 3801 E. Florida Ave. Suite 400 Denver, Colorado, 80210 USA	Mobile: 303-589-2022 Fax: 303-953-5362 kristal@tbgdenver.com Denver Real Estate and Relocation Denver Home Search
Selling Denver and the 'burbs

---

AS the unofficial tech support person, I occasionally have the pleasure of being asked to help explain various "how to stuff" on AR.  The following is an email I received awhile back...hope you find my response helpful.

"Hope all is going well for you. I was reading your blog on adding photos -- It is excellent. If you have a moment, I am having trouble finding out how to get the text to near or wrap around the photo. Can you point me in the right direction. Every time I upload a photo there is a lot of space and I don't know who to get the text next to or around the photo. Thanks and I look forward to reading more of your blogs."

Funny, I see blogs where the photo is surrounded by white space and the text doesn't wrap.  I suspect the reason for that is in the way the photos are added.  I've never tried to add photos that way, so I really don't know how or why that happens.

I know how I add photos and it looks OK, so I'll share my method.

First I write the blog, from start to finish, then I go back and add the photos.  Take the cursor and place it where the photo where it should go.

The next step is one I have found is frequently forgotten.  Many people haven't noticed there are actually TWO tabs on top of the photo insertion box.  Both of these tabs need to be opened.  NOT ALL of the settings are necessary, but some are:

• Alignment & dimensions are both critical
• Vertical and horizontal space are optional
• Border can be used if you want a border around your photo
• Class & Style are not features I use.  In fact someone else will need to explain what they are.  I haven't got a clue!

 

It is not necessary to set the vertical/horizontal space.

Setting the Alignment is very important.  If it is not set the photo doesn't know where to go.

Playing around with the vertical/horizontal settings here is easy to do.  As you change the  number the example to the right will reflect the setting you use.  This is great for people like me who get vertical and horizontal mixed up.  :)

  

Once you have configured the settings in both tabs of the box you can input the photo.  If it doesn't look right, you can "right click" on it  and "cut" to remove it.  Then start over.  The biggest mistake I make is not setting the "alignment" for right or left.

When adding mulitple photos, I tend to look at the text and judge how much space (text) is needed for the photo to look good.  Usually a paragraph or two will consume the area around a 300-400 pixel photo,  Try it out and see how you like it.  If it doesn't look good, cut the photo out and do it again.

Like most things this takes a little bit of practice.  After a few tries you will be placing photos like a pro!

 Kristal Kraft's Active Rain Toots

If you are having trouble with the various aspects of Active Rain Blogging I have written other tutorials.  Perhaps you can find the answer you are looking for here;

The Active Rain Dummies Guide for Boosting your Points

The Official Unofficial Guide to Creating a Blog

How to Create a Link

How to Add Pictures to Your Blog

Who is your audience?

So You want to be a blogger?

Blogging for fun or profit?  How about both?

Getting started on the active Rain Community

My First Time

Think About the Future...ADD VALUE

Hello Seattle someone has me confused with Tech Support (or how to add clip art)

DISCLAIMER~  I am not assoicated with the OFFICIAL ACTIVE RAIN Tech Support.  I provide this information as a public service, occasionally I am rewarded by Active Rain via Genuis Bonus Points...points we all know are redeemable for ......

 

Colorado Licensed Broker ABR - Accredited Buyer Representative CIPS - Certified International Property Specialist CRS - Certified Residential Specialist The Berkshire Group Realtors 3801 E. Florida Ave. Suite 400 Denver, Colorado, 80210 USA	Mobile: 303-589-2022 Fax: 303-953-5362 kristal@tbgdenver.com Denver Real Estate and Relocation Denver Home Search
Selling Denver and the 'burbs

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A picture is worth a thousand words and it certainly enhances a blog.  Pictures get attention and help illustrate a point.  Sometimes pictures have no point, but then some blogs are pointless too!  :)

Before adding a picture, you need to know if it is protected by copyright.  If it doesn't belong to you, you can but the rights to use it, or you can use your own photo.  Using a photo that does not belong to you is stealing, plain and simple. 

Where can you find pictures to purchase? 

Doing a Google search for "royalty free photos" will yield many sources for photos. Please note, just because the photo is "royalty free" doesn't mean it is free.  You will need to pay for the photo.  You can buy a catalog of real estate photos, or a single photo.  I like using

IStockphoto

Stock.xching

Corbis

Most of the time, I prefer to use my own photos of sites in and around Denver, Colorado.  I take tons of photos and have a collection of pictures from many places. So when possible I use my own stock.  You can do the same.

Instructions for uploading Photos

 I keep my photos on my hard drive in a folder called, "MY Pictures"  Within that folder I have additional subfolders named after what ever the photo is about. When I use a photo in my Blog, I keep that photo in a folder named "blog pics" just so I can easily find it. 

Once you have written your blog, you can add a photo. While in the blog composition box, you click on the tool bar at the top.

After clicking on the "picture of a tree" another dialog box will appear. It looks like this:

The red arrow above shows where you need to click, It will bring up a "search box" that looks like this:

The next step; click on the "Browse" button. Now you need to know where the photo is on your computer.  Surf to the proper file.

My photo file looks like this:

 

When you find your photo, click on it.  The file will then load into the "File Name" box.  Click "open"

The picture file is then loaded into the "Upload box" that looks like this:

 

 

Once you click on the "Upload Photo" box, the next box you will see will be one that requires you to adjust the photo's attributes for positioning on the page.  You will also give the photo a description (to aid impaired viewers & a title)  Be sure to pay attention to BOTH tabs at the top.  See the illustration below.

The Appearance tab looks like this:

The second tab is very important for placing your photo on the page.  If you don't give the proper instructions, you end up with a mess.

Once this section is complete, click INSERT.  In a few seconds (be patient) your photo will appear on your blog.  If it doesn't work, keep practicing.  Usually if it fails it's a user error.  I know about that, trust me!  :)

 

Colorado Licensed Broker ABR - Accredited Buyer Representative CIPS - Certified International Property Specialist CRS - Certified Residential Specialist The Berkshire Group Realtors 3801 E. Florida Ave. Suite 400 Denver, Colorado, 80210 USA	Mobile: 303-589-2022 Fax: 303-953-5362 kristal@tbgdenver.com Denver Real Estate and Relocation Denver Home Search
Selling Denver and the 'burbs

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(NOTE: I am not trying to preach to the choir!  This blog will be linked from the Listserve for the WCR Mile High Chapter.  I thought inviting the group to our neighborhood would be a great way to demonstrate the wonders of blogging!) kk

Blogging is a buzz word that is not always understood.  Learning how to blog has benefits beyond just having a website.   Blogging tends to be more current and topical.  In today's world the speed of news and knowledge is a critical component in being relevant to consumer needs.  Those that do it have learned the ropes and you can too.  The following outline was prepared to give a basic overview of blogging, what it is, how it can benefit you and your business.

Why  Blog?

1. generate leads and referrals
2. drive traffic to your website
3. improve website ranking
4. social networking
5. provides speed and relevance to a constantly changing marketplace

Definition of Blogging

The term is a contraction, coming from weblog.  A blog is actually a website where the entries are made in reverse chronological order.  Blogs elicit comments from readers, sometimes spurring conversations and additional ideas.  Bloggers "link" their blogs to other blogs, depending upon topic, friendship and interest. 

What's the point?

 As a vehicle for social networking, blogging is a wonderful way to learn how others solve the same problems you come up against.  Publishing your thoughts to the world, empowers others insight to you and how you do business, bringing a new level of intimacy to the realm of the business world.  People like to do business with people they like, who have helped them with support, concern and knowledge. Social networking sites like this one on Active Rain achieve that goal.

Additional benefits involve the backbone of the Internet, search engines.  As you blog about your business, the search engines index (catalog like an invisible librarian) your words.  As a consumer keys into the their computer a query, you and your business will come up.  That is the ultimate marketing result you want...and it's free.

Push vs. Pull Marketing

Blogs are pull marketing. The difference being best illustrated by analogy, "Consumers do not enjoy or want advertising pushed in their faces, until they need what it is you are marketing.  By blogging you can be present and available for those consumers when it's time for them to find you.  And it's free.

Is Blogging Difficult?

Absolutely not!  Today's blog platforms (tools to blog) make blogging as easy as sending an email.  You log on to your blog, write some thoughts and push a button to publish to the world.  You can include photos and link to other sites, check your spelling, any number of things, it's very simple.

Where can I find a Blogging Tools?

There are a variety of programs available for blogging. Beginners can get their feet wet using a Free Blog.  As one becomes more dedicated and serious about blogging, other blogging programs are available for a small fee.  Some choices are

Blogger by Google (free)

Typepad by Six Apart  (has 3 basic levels; Basic, Plus, and Pro)

MovableType by Six Apart (for business blogging)

Vox by Six Apart

WordPress (free)

Real Estate Industry Blogging Platforms

ActiveRain is a combination of blogging tool and social networking group.  This relatively new phenomenon started this past summer (2006) and through viral marketing alone has over 6000 members. It's free, fun and incorporates the benefits of blogging into a responsive and supportive real estate community where you can learn new skills and share your expertise.  Blogging on Active Rain can be directed to consumers, on a local or national level and/or to the industry users. 

Participates on Active Rain have taken to calling themselves Rainers.  The Rainers post blogs about events that occur in their lives, business situations and how they should be solved.  Much advice is dispersed on Active Rain, with the various points of view taking on some controversy.  It is  not unusual for a Rainer to share suggestions for improving one's personal website content or positioning.  Real estate is discussed more often than not, but other topics relating to the business are welcome.

For many blogging has become a way of life. It is fulfilling a need to communicate, learn and be part of a community.  IF you would like to get started or learn more about blogging on Active Rain follow this link.

 

Colorado Licensed Broker ABR - Accredited Buyer Representative CIPS - Certified International Property Specialist CRS - Certified Residential Specialist The Berkshire Group Realtors 3801 E. Florida Ave. Suite 400 Denver, Colorado, 80210 USA	Mobile: 303-589-2022 Fax: 303-953-5362 kristal@tbgdenver.com Denver Real Estate and Relocation Denver Home Search
Selling Denver and the 'burbs

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