Comments on: Your Real Estate Blog is Your Newspaper

By: Mark Robinson

Mark Robinson — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 05:11:08 +0000

Jim –
Great point about the perceived value of a newspaper simply because we pay for it. Before long, however, “free” won’t be considered a questionable noun when considering the true value in “free” internet information, as well as blogs like yours that contain pertinent data.
Mark Robinson

By: Arlington Virginia Condos Real Estate

Arlington Virginia Condos Real Estate — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 04:02:31 +0000

Your post is right on. When you regularly post to several categories you develop a following of readers who are waiting for your next post on that category. Right on. Getting a series started that you write every other week is another great idea….

By: Ines (from the RICK & INES team in Miami)

Ines (from the RICK & INES team in Miami) — Sat, 07 Apr 2007 02:34:49 +0000

Ok – so I just realized by reading this, that my interpretation of your request for categories was wrong – thanks for posting this!

By: Athol Kay

Athol Kay — Sat, 07 Apr 2007 00:27:43 +0000

And for goodness sake you’re allowed to have some posts be short!
I’m about 50/50 real estate/ not real estate on a post count. But the real estate posts tend to be longer and end with about a 75-80/20-25 split if you count verbage.
Also you can just link to a page of condensed content of links rather than smoosh it all into a sidebar.

By: Merv

Merv — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 23:58:54 +0000

Jim,
Super advice. I have gone way overboard on subcategories on the Guide. I’ve wanted to reorganize for a long time and now I thunk (where did that i go?) it maybe time.
On another note, check out the blog we built for MA REALTOR Mollie Wasserman at The Consulting Times. We wanted it to look like a “newspaper.” Your critique is appreciated. Oh by the way, there are alternative business models that make more sense.
http://theconsultingtimes.com

By: Jim Cronin

Jim Cronin — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 17:58:46 +0000

Jonathan,
I don’t know that there is a specific number of categories that can be considered the tipping point…but I would say that if you have trouble recognizing the message that is to be outlined by your categories, then you have gone too far.
My struggle with categories lead me to redesign how I showcased the most important categories in the sidebar. I broke it down into Top, Other and Guest Authors (The Vine). However, you can see my much less organized mix in the drop down menu on the right. It’s kind of ugly in there.
One can certainly argue that sub categories can be employed to help organize… and if done properly I too believe this… but the tendency to over stuff a sidebar with category divisions will make for a cluttered mess.
Guideline should be: Start with as few categories as possible… just the pillars. Then as you work to find your voice, and your audience’s interest, add a few or trim a few depending on the path the message has taken.

By: Marty Van Diest

Marty Van Diest — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 16:31:11 +0000

OK…I went back and cleaned up my categories. Thanks for the reminder. That is one of my mental blocks.

By: Deborah Burns

Deborah Burns — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 05:30:44 +0000

Hmmm…humorous Home Horoscopes? House Hunting Horoscopes?
Gemini…investing in a duplex could be a wise decision in your immediate future…
Nice way to illustrate how a blogger could develop blog articles into a well rounded and hopefully well read and “subscribed” destinationn.