Blogging 101

Blogging 101
The What, the Where, the Why, and the How of Blogging (in one hour!)


What is a Blog?


What is a Blog?

A blog typically has all of the following characteristics:


What is a Blog?

✦ Web-based


What is a Blog?

✦ Web-based
✦ Can be anything from a personal journal, to news commentary, to local interest
items, to marketing strategies.


What is a Blog?

✦ Web-based
✦ Updated frequently (twice a month - 20x per day)


What is a Blog?

✦ Web-based
✦ Dated Posts


What is a Blog?

✦ Web-based
✦ Dated Posts
✦ Topical


What is a Blog?

✦ Web-based
✦ Dated Posts
✦ Topical
✦ Can be the entire website, or just a portion of it


What is a Blog?

✦ Web-based
✦ Dated Posts
✦ Topical
✦ Can be the entire website, or just a portion of it
✦ Has an RSS feed

Why Blog?


Why Blog?

✦ Content Building


Why Blog?

✦ Establish Credibility (you’re Published!)


Why Blog?


but primarily...


Why Blog?


but primarily...

✦ Search Engine Optimization


Why Blog?


but primarily...

✦ Build an Audience of Regular Visitors (or RSS Subscribers)


What is your Focus?



What is your Focus?


or, you could take...
✦ A Hybrid Approach


Examples of Focus Variations



✦ Subscribers/Regular Visitors: Seth Godin, Dick Morris
http://sethgodin.typepad.com/
http://dickmorris.com/blog/



✦ Search Engine Optimization: Mariana Wagner, Hubspot
http://coloradospringsrealestateconnection.com/
http://blog.hubspot.com/



✦ Search Engine Optimization: Mariana Wagner, Hubspot
http://blog.hubspot.com/
✦ Hybrid: SpringsBargains / Jay Thompson
http://springsbargains.com/
http://phoenixrealestateguy.com/


Is it Just a Fad?


Is it Just a Fad?

✦ Content Creation will never be out of style


Is it Just a Fad?

✦ Being a recognized expert will never be out of style


Is it Just a Fad?

✦ Getting found by google won’t go out of style in the foreseeable future


Is it Just a Fad?

✦ Having repeat visitors hanging on your every word is, likewise, a timeless
commodity


Is it Just a Fad?

✦ Having repeat visitors hanging on your every word is, likewise, a timeless
commodity

Interesting Survey - http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2010/Social-Media-
and-Young-Adults.aspx?r=1


Hosting Your Blog

Hosting Your Blog
Where do you setup a blog? What about your current website?


Where Can I Blog


Where Can I Blog

1.Independent Blog (Separate from your Main Website)
(vs.)


Where Can I Blog

(vs.)

2.Comprehensive Internet Presence (Blog as part of your Website)


Where Can I Blog

(vs.)


3.Only “Guest Post” on the RE/MAX Properties Site


Where Can I Blog

(vs.)


3.Only “Guest Post” on the RE/MAX Properties Site

Note: The 1ParkPlace Agent Sites do NOT Support Blogging


Blog Based Website Solutions



✦ Typepad



✦ Typepad
✦ Blogger



✦ Typepad
✦ Blogger
✦ WordPress (highly recommended)



✦ Typepad
✦ Blogger
✦ Other “Blog Based” Custom Websites for Real Estate



✦ Typepad
✦ Blogger
✦ Other “Blog Based” Custom Websites for Real Estate

NOTE: You can still use the 1ParkPlace home search functionality on most of
these custom sites! See example below:
http://circarealestategroup.com/buying/search-the-colorado-springs-mls/


Basic WordPress Setup



✦ Register the Domain http://netﬁrms.com/ OR http://godaddy.com/



✦ Setup a Hosting Account http://hostgator.com/



✦ Set the Nameservers at your Registrar per your Host’s Instructions



✦ Install WordPress on your Host
http://www.ehow.com/how_4698978_install-wordpress-hostgator-using-fantastico.html




✦ Login and Choose a Free Theme to start http://yourdomain.com/wp-admin/




✦ Login and Choose a Free Theme to start http://yourdomain.com/wp-admin/
✦ Start Editing and Have Fun


How To Learn How To


How To Learn How To

✦ Just try it. What is the worst that can happen?


How To Learn How To

✦ Read up. The “Visual Quickstart” Book Series is Excellent - I’ve reviewed the
WordPress book, and personally used other books from this series as well.


How To Learn How To

✦ Read up. The “Visual Quickstart” Book Series is Excellent - I’ve reviewed the
WordPress book, and personally used other books from this series as well.
✦ YouTube Tutorials are Amazing!


Sample YouTube Tutorial

Copyright 2010 Jeremy Isaac - CircaNowMarketing.com - #CircaNow - View Slides: Jm.p/CircaNow

Sample YouTube Tutorial

Find More Tutorials at:
http://www.youtube.com/user/
JonMrozMarketing

Copyright 2010 Jeremy Isaac - CircaNowMarketing.com - #CircaNow - View Slides: Jm.p/CircaNow

Content is King

Content is King
Content will make or break your blog


Content Attracts/Retains Visitors



✦ Content feeds google to get people to your site initially



✦ Content keeps people on your site once they arrive



✦ New Interesting Content keeps people coming back regularly



✦ Unique/Valuable Content can keep the same person coming back for the same
information over and over again. (This happens often!)



✦ Unique/Valuable Content can keep the same person coming back for the same
information over and over again. (This happens often!)
✦ Quality Content prompts inbound links (backlinks) and social sharing


Content Ideas


Content Ideas

✦ __


Content Ideas

✦ __
✦ ____


Content Ideas

✦ __
✦ ____
✦ ______


Content Ideas

✦ __
✦ ____
✦ ______
✦ Always Keep a List of Potential Blog Posts


Niches Are Good... Because...



✦ Perform Better in Search



✦ Stronger Appeal to Readers



✦ Establish Credibility Faster



✦ Gives you Clarity & Focus



✦ They Aren’t as Crowded



✦ They Aren’t as Crowded
✦ Corresponds with your Interests


Finding a Niche


Finding a Niche

✦ Real Estate is OK


Finding a Niche

✦ Colorado Springs is Good


Finding a Niche

✦ Downtown Colorado Springs is Better


Finding a Niche

✦ Historic Colorado Homes is also OK


Finding a Niche

✦ Historic Downtown Springs Homes is Best


Finding a Niche


... if you have enough content


Finding a Niche


... if you have enough content

Don’t get crazy - “Luxury Homes in Hanover” is probably a bad idea


Get Some Bling!

Get Some Bling!
Don’t be THAT ugly blog


Video is the New Text



✦ Consider doing a video only post



✦ Use personal video or embed youtube
videos to augment your post



✦ Minor video editing is easier than ever



✦ I highly recommend ﬂip video
cameras - http://theﬂip.com



✦ I highly recommend ﬂip video
cameras - http://theﬂip.com
✦ Video is a GREAT way to
add a more personal feel to
your website


Photography


Photography

✦ Unless your blog is REALLY good or
is ABOUT “minimalism” you NEED
pictures.


Photography

pictures.
✦ Use photos to break up sections of
text.


Photography

pictures.
text.
✦ Free Image Editing Software:
http://www.gimp.org/


Photography

pictures.
text.
✦ Free Image Editing Software:
http://www.gimp.org/
✦ Need Photos? You can use many
photos from Flickr under the creatvie
commons license.


Other Tools for Bling



✦ http://DocStoc.com



✦ MS Excel can make some sweet charts



✦ MS Excel can make some sweet charts
✦ http://cooltext.com/Buttons


Blogging Rules & Best Practices

Respect Copyright


Respect Copyright

✦ Unless otherwise noted, you can NOT use it (whatever “it” is)


Respect Copyright

✦ Make sure to appropriately credit sources


Respect Copyright

✦ Make sure to appropriately credit sources
✦ Carefully review Creative Commons License information if using images from
Flickr


Tips for a great Blog



✦ Be Concise whenever possible.



✦ SHORT Paragraphs - not more than 3 sentences.



✦ Post Consistently. Even if you’re busy, try to put up at least one short post
every week.



every week.
✦ Use 1 photo for every 2 short paragraphs of text.



every week.
✦ If you’re relaying a news item that has already been widely reported, be sure to
add to the conversation. Don’t just rehash the same thing.



every week.
✦ Link generously, but have them open in a new window.



every week.
✦ Link generously, but have them open in a new window.
✦ Proof read at least twice. Make sure it makes sense to the average person.


7 Sins of Blogging


7 Sins of Blogging

✦ Stealing Ideas from other blogs (and posting them the same day)


7 Sins of Blogging

✦ Reposting entire articles from other sources (even when crediting them)


7 Sins of Blogging

✦ Stiﬂing Comments


7 Sins of Blogging

✦ Not Crediting Others When Due (it’s even OK to credit another REALTOR on
occasion)


7 Sins of Blogging

occasion)
✦ Long Paragraphs


7 Sins of Blogging

occasion)
✦ Long Paragraphs
✦ Overly Formal Writing Style


7 Sins of Blogging

occasion)
✦ Long Paragraphs
✦ Overly Formal Writing Style
✦ Using Clipart


Jumpstart Your Blog


Jumpstart Your Blog

✦ Put up at least 3 posts right at the
start (one of them can be a
“welcome” message if you must)


Jumpstart Your Blog

✦ Have 5 more posts already written


Jumpstart Your Blog

✦ Brainstorm until you have a list of at
least 25 potential blog posts


Jumpstart Your Blog

✦ Brainstorm until you have a list of at
least 25 potential blog posts
✦ Make sure you post at least 2-3
times a week for the ﬁrst 3 months.


Promote It!


Promote It!

✦ Comment on Related Blogs


Promote It!

✦ Use Social Media to Spread the Word


Promote It!

✦ Offline - Business Cards, Brochures, ALL Advertising


Promote It!

✦ Email Signature


Promote It!

✦ Email Signature
✦ Guest Post on other Blogs


Taking it to the Next Level

Taking it to the Next Level
I’ve got a blog. Now where do I go from here?


Study REALTORS® Who Blog (well)



✦ Our very own, Rick Van Wieren
http://livingcoloradosprings.com/blog/



✦ In this town, Mariana Wagner



✦ With the help of his wife, Jeremy Isaac
http://thecircagroup.com/



✦ With the help of his wife, Jeremy Isaac
http://thecircagroup.com/
✦ That Phoenix real estate guy, Jay Thomson
http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/


Read Blogs about Blogging


Read Blogs about Blogging

✦ ProBlogger - http://www.problogger.net/
✦ CopyBlogger - http://www.copyblogger.com/
✦ Graywolf - http://www.wolf-howl.com/
✦ Real Estate Blog Lab - http://www.realestatebloglab.com/


Learn Basic HTML


Learn Basic HTML

✦ HTML can be used to edit blog posts
almost anywhere. You can even use
it to edit your current 1ParkPlace
Website.


Learn Basic HTML

Website.
✦ <tag> content </tag>


Learn Basic HTML

Website.
✦ Study Resources for HTML 4 or 5


Learn Basic HTML

Website.
✦ Resource: http://www.online-html-
editor.org/


Learn Basic HTML

Website.
editor.org/

Sample HTML Document


Learn Basic HTML

✦ HTML can be used to edit blog posts <html>
Website.
editor.org/



Learn Basic HTML

almost anywhere. You can even use <head>
Website.
editor.org/



Learn Basic HTML

it to edit your current 1ParkPlace <title>
Website.
editor.org/



Learn Basic HTML

Website. Your Page Title

editor.org/



Learn Basic HTML

</title>
editor.org/



Learn Basic HTML

</title>
✦ <tag> content </tag> </head>

editor.org/



Learn Basic HTML

</title>
<body>

editor.org/



Learn Basic HTML

</title>
<body>
This area will contain everything that will be visible through a web
✦ Study Resources for HTML 4 or 5 browser, such as text and graphics. All of the information will be HTML
coded.

editor.org/



Learn Basic HTML

</title>
<body>
coded.
</body>
editor.org/



Learn Basic HTML

</title>
<body>
coded.
</body>
editor.org/ </html>



Google Analytics


Google Analytics

✦ Install a Google Analytics tracking script for each site you have


Google Analytics

✦ Setup Google Analytics tracking URL’s for Email Campaigns, etc.
http://www.google.com/support/googleanalytics/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=55578


Google Analytics

✦ Setup Google Analytics tracking URL’s for Email Campaigns, etc.
http://www.google.com/support/googleanalytics/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=55578

✦ Start watching key stats - Bounce Rate and Traffic Source (Search Engine,
Referral, Direct, Email Campaign, etc) are a good place to start.


My Rules for the Company Blog

My Rules for the Company Blog
These “rules” have not been reviewed or approved by RE/MAX Properties, Inc.


Jeremy’s Rules for the RMP Blog



Just do everything else I’ve already told you to do, AND...




✦ Don’t Post Duplicate Content to the Company Site!!!




✦ Include an Image or two (oops, I already said that)




✦ Make them shorter, and with shorter paragraphs (oops, I said that too)




✦ Make them shorter, and with shorter paragraphs (oops, I said that too)
✦ Link back to your personal website with your contribution credit


Thank You!

✦ If you found this class beneﬁcial, Please Recommend Me (as Trainer for Circa
Now Marketing) on LinkedIn:
j.mp/RecJeremy OR www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyisaac

✦ My List of Agent Technology Resources:
j.mp/CircaNow OR www.circanowmarketing.com

✦ Consulting is available for $65/hr on a very limited basis.


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