Comments on: Ask Yourself, Why Am I Blogging? The Most Difficult Part Is Having An Honest Answer.

By: Alexandria VA Homes

Alexandria VA Homes — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 23:28:30 +0000

Great post. I Blog regularly, but to be honest I still get a better return on my web sites.

By: teresa boardman

teresa boardman — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:49:49 +0000

You are right about having a goal. I like to think of it as a picture. I have a picture in my head of the area that my blog focuses on and even a picture of the readers. I look at that picture when I write my blog. They call it “hyper local” I would argue that it is very focused and designed to attract the kind of business that I seek. If I didn’t have that kind of vision I am not sure what would keep me on track, or motivated for that matter.

By: Clinton, UT

Clinton, UT — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 02:22:35 +0000

I often ask myself the same question, but I’ve been told hundreds of times and have learned from personal experience that the best way to become a better writer is to simply write. So I do 🙂 It also helps with professional development, like you say: since I started writing I have observed that I am a lot tidier in my thoughts about real estate.

By: Deb Dahlberg Rowland

Deb Dahlberg Rowland — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:59:02 +0000

This was really helpful for me to readjust my thinking on my blogging goals. Thanks for sharing.

By: Portland Real Estate

Portland Real Estate — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 22:19:45 +0000

I like the SEO benefit that I get, but the reason that I started was to provide valuable information to my clients and potential clients. There is an awful lot of cloudy unclear and just plain bad information out there, I wanted a place for people to come for the real deal.

By: Roberta Murphy

Roberta Murphy — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 05:06:40 +0000

Jim,
A singular reason for blogging? I guess you might say it’s whatever has bitten my butt on a particular morning.
I tend to be a morning blogger, and if I awaken in a competitive mood, I may go on a jag to write blogs laden with Google juice and SEO–and pray that I don’t bore readers over to a competitor’s blog. G-Page One is the goal, but this is routine blogging, and these mornings tend to repeat themselves until…
I awaken really pissed or inspired by something going on in our business. The resulting articles will usually be a catharsis that warrant second and third readings and careful editing prior to hitting the “publish” button. Though not intended, these are the blogs that are most likely to result in potential client calls–or contact from reporters seeking to develop their own related stories.
Some mornings I awaken feeling generous, and inspired to provide pages of information about San Diego. Those are perfect times to write the the obligatory information blogs/pages about our communities that are meant to inform readers–and perhaps indirectly convince someone seeking information about Holiday Parades that they should use me as a Realtor. That rarely happens, but occasionally garners phone calls from readers asking about other venues and parking for described events.
I don’t have a singular reason for blogging–other than the self-imposed obligation to feed and sustain this creation and extension of my professional self.
And now that I think of it, blogging isn’t terribly different from cooking. Sometimes that task is routine and performed at the sustenance level. Sometimes it is planned in detail–and meant to entertain and impress guests. And on rare occasion, the culinary efforts are sheer creative genius that might WOW even Alice Waters or Wolfgang Puck. Then , there are times that the only thing I want for dinner are…reservations (where someone else does the cooking).
Jim, I think you would like me to provide a singular reason or goal for blogging: Leads, relevance, writer’s catharsis, creative needs, public service, or recognition.
It’s probably all of these things–and more, depending on what prods me (or doesn’t) on a given morning. And that may explain the variance (and occasional absences) in my blogging–as well as the evolution of two business blogs.

By: Prince William Homes for Sale

Prince William Homes for Sale — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 23:08:31 +0000

Thank you for putting this all together. As a avid Blogger, I can say you are right on the money here! You did a wonderful job, and your points are well taken.

By: Jim Cronin

Jim Cronin — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 06:38:28 +0000

Roberta,
The exercise is to determine the main goal of your blogging efforts. What is the true, singular reason you make the time to put in the effort? Think about it. Zero in on what matters most to you about blogging. I would love to hear it.

By: Roberta Murphy

Roberta Murphy — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 04:01:00 +0000

Sometimes I blog to start a conversation or controversy. Sometime I blog to troll for buyers and sellers of San Diego real estate. And there are times when I blog as a community service, simply hoping to help those seeking arcane services or recreation in San Diego County.
More recently, I discovered that I cannot blog when I am absorbed with personal pain–as with the recent death of my father (and best friend) in late April. For six weeks, this loss stood as a huge boulder that blocked writing and blogging for me.
Relatively healed and put back together, I’ll go back to blogging for:
1) Attracting clients, readers and the curious;
2) Being among the first to share new discoveries;
3) SEO rankings for desired search terms;
4) Figuring out how to rank well with Bing. Suggestions appreciated!

By: Heather Rankin

Heather Rankin — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 16:30:13 +0000

Daniel
After I started my blog, had maybe had it up for a couple of weeks, I found yours. I love your blog, your writing style, and the local pictures. I showed your blog to all my kids and used it as an inspiration. Guess you never know who you’re reaching out there 🙂 Cheers!