Finding Time To Blog

Finding Time To Blog

 

When speaking with clients, agents and other professionals ..I am frequently asked..

How do you find time to blog?

Here are a few of my responses

• 'Gee you look really nice, great looking outfit. How did you have time to put yourself together for this appointment?'

• 'Your hair looks great, when did you have time to go to the salon?'

• 'Did you take a shower today? How did you make time?' 

• 'You ate today. When did you find time?'

• 'Gas in your car?

 You get the idea. After a few questions and a bit of laughing my point is made.

You make time for what is important!

As mentioned on page 15 of my book  Real Estate the Rome Way  .... WIN is an  important acronym that works to focus my concentration.

It stands for What's Important Now. The more you use these three words, the more you understand the power of What's Important Now?

WIN is how I am

Finding Time To Blog

Others Are Too Busy (Looking For Business) To blog! Are you?

 

The beginning of the thirty day challenge started in August of 2010 when I read Karen Bernetti's  Journey to Becoming a Better Blogger .  Really thought she was a bit crazy to tackle such a huge project.

Karen was my inspiration. Who is yours?

Since I call one ActiveRain member each day my call to Karen, 2 years ago, was to give support. I would comment on her post each day for the next month.

  No way was I going to commit to a daily blog...uh uh. Way too busy!

 

But then I got caught up, looking forward to what she was writing and waiting to make my comment.

And then it hit me! If I could commit to her for 30 days, why not commit to myself?

That was The Beginning of My Thirty Day Challenge some two years ago. I  have not missed more than a handful of days during this time.

But how is that possible?

You are so busy...how do you have time to blog?

Too Busy to Blog Use a Photo Instead!

I am thankful to be  enjoying  real estate along with my life, blogging and listings and buyers and sellers and  agents and lenders and title people and ActiveRain members.

                                                             

And I still find time to blog each day and I still call one AR member a day. 

Others Are Too Busy (Looking For Business) To blog! Are you?

 

You Don't Have To Be A Member To Comment On My Blogs

When I called my seller to tell her about our first showing tomorrow on Stirrup Court,  she told me she read my blog and liked the way it was presented. Her son had called from out of town and had seen the blog and the MLS write up.

                     

 

When I mentioned that they could both comment right on my blog and join in with the discussion, she was surprised.

How do we make our sellers, buyers, friends, neighbors and the general public aware of this feature? How do we let others know we welcome their participation?

                                   Does anyone have a suggestion?

             You Don't Have To Be A Member To Comment On My Blogs

No Baltimore Blog tonight.

It has been a wonderfully busy and challenging day.

Just back with a new listing which needs to be blogged, posted in MLS and all the other fun stuff that goes with representing a new listing.

Here is one of the photos in the property. Made me smile. How about you?

                                 

Too Busy to Blog, Use a Photo Instead!

Too Busy to Blog, Use a Photo Instead!

Sometimes I am just too busy to write a feature worthy blog. When this happens, I take a look to see if there is anything interesting in my camera. This is the photo of a sign in the bathroom of a home I sold this week. 

There are plenty of these humerous items around.

 What are your favorites?  Please share!    

                                     

  Too Busy to Blog Use a Photo Instead!

                                         

A Busy, Productive and Enjoyable Baltimore Friday

A Busy, Productive and Enjoyable Baltimore Friday

You are so busy...how do you have time to blog?  It started with an early morning workout at the gym followed by a successful but long settlement of my  Custom Rancher in Hernwood Heights .

Right at the closing table, I was also doing  a bit of negotiating and received an email acceptance of an offer made for a buyer that I have been working with in Carroll County.  Thank goodness for the iPad. I was able to respond to the agent right from the settlement table and even send a missing page.

A bit later in the afternoon, Lee and I drove to Southern Maryland to meet up with ActiveRainers Cheryl Richie and The Bachmans.

We had a wonderful meal at Neptune's. The company was so good that we all forgot to take photos of the fabulous bounty of seafood and zuchinni straws.

After dinner we took a stroll on the boardwalk and even visited the colorful farmer's market.

 And the drive home produced a beautiful colorful Baltimore sky. 

  A Busy, Productive and Enjoyable Baltimore Friday

Oh No, I Am Behind in My Comments!

Oh No, I Am Behind in My Comments!

Like so many others on the Rain, I have been wonderfully busy. When you are fortunate to have your listings go under contract, there is  lots to do, including,  but not  limited to, attending the home inspection.

There can be many different inspections including a well yield,  water potability,  testing of the septic system, radon placement and pick up, the termite and other wood boring insects. There might be an oil tank that needs testing, a chimney, mold. lead and many more depending on property.

There are condo documents and Home Owner Associations to deliver because of right to withdraw, without penalty, within 5 days for HOA and 7 days for condominium.

There is staying up with the lender, the title company, the appraiser, the buyers questions, the sellers questions and the other agents questions. There is the Time is of the Essence clause...following up with dates of loan application, commitment letter and all the other dates that are specified in the contract. So now you know why I can say...

Oh No, I Am Behind in My Comments!

Which blog posts get lots of clicks? Go Check Yours Out.

   Which blog posts get lots of clicks? Go Check Yours Out.

                                                    

This is going to be a list of some posts that got lots of clicks on my ActiveRain Blogging. This was inspired by Bryan Robertson who was curious about the most views on Localism posts.  So in my spare time, I checked out the traffic on my own blogs in the past 2 years. All  listed below received over 1000 clicks.

And the topics vary....ranging in subject from honesty, to my waiting list, to real estate commissions, to my brilliant creative sellers, to home inspections, to selling a dirty home, to another reason why your house has not sold, to advertising, to a referral from a book review, to termites, to humor and of course how to find time to even blog?

 

Check out your own posts. Go to your home page, click "Traffic" and you will see the date, the blog title, number of comments, views and how many clicks. 

Date                                Title                                                                            Comments   Views Clicks Short URL Clicks

01/14/2012

Can I Be Honest With You? Nah... Lie Like You Usually Do!

77

2758

1139

62

04/24/2011

How I Use a Waiting List..Making Room for a Better Listing

127

4974

3613

61

07/03/2011

Real Estate Commissions Are Negotiable

98

3551

2023

06/20/2011

There is Another Reason Your House Has Not Sold! The Right Buyer has not seen it!

59

2806

1296

07/28/2011

As Agents We Love to Brag!

68

2549

1188

08/01/2011

It Did Not Smell Like Roses!!

72

2785

1402

01/07/2011

My Sellers Are Brilliant, Creative, or Very Talented. Happy Birthday Jerry!

16

2216

1451

04/15/2011

No Credit....But I Am Paying Cash!

65

2508

1055

—

05/31/2011

The Hospital is Only as Good as the Doctor Who Treats You!

93

2860

1362

38

06/29/2011

That's How I Sold A Dirty Messy House!

71

2595

1172

08/07/2011

How Do You Handle the Home Inspection Request for Repairs?

37

2449

1198

—

03/09/2011

A Referral Through a Book Review..How is That Possible?

46

2785

1355

03/20/2011

Termites in Baltimore Can Not Read!

41

2889

1380

03/14/2011

The Closing Gifts...that keep on giving!

73

4942

3255

10/22/2010

So forget print advertising ?.... NOT at this time.

98

2283

1110

04/20/2011	Margaret Rome Mentioned in Realtor® Magazine...The Answer Is Blogging!	68	2716	1363	—
04/18/2011	No One Was Supposed to Be At Home!	109	2941	1543

1/28/2012

You Are So Busy...How Do You Have Time To Blog?

16

1038

136

—

Check out your posts. Go to your home page, click "Traffic" and you will see the date, the blog title, number of comments, views and how many clicks. 

Which blog posts get lots of clicks? Check Yours Out.

Gold Stars and My iPad

                                                              

Gold Stars and My iPad 

Another Simple Way to Use the iPad When Commenting.

Oh no, not another gold star! (This old post received 170 comments and took  on a life of its own.)

I thought this featured stuff was all figured out. You just write a post that is good enough to get read but not good enough to get featured! When that happens...when that cute little gold star appears at the bottom of your blog, you better be ready for lots of comments and lots of time responding.

                                        

You get a load of comments from special people who take their valuable time to stop by and say hi, compliment you, agree or some other meaningful words of wisdom.

As nice as that is...it is time consuming to answer each and every one.

There is a simple way to make it a bit faster using my iPad.

Are you ready for this simple tip?

READ YOUR COMMENTS ON THE IPAD AND TYPE ON THE PC!

Not very techie but it does save time not scrolling back and forth.

Now you won't hear me say: Oh no, not another gold star! (How would you like to answer over 150 comments?)

                                           

Gold Stars and My iPad 

Boot Camp With Bob...Lots of Good Stuff for Bloggers!

  Boot Camp With Bob...Lots of Good Stuff for Bloggers!

 

Today I took notes while listening to Bob Stewart tell us how to write a first blog or in many cases a next blog. I think I got more out of this session than most newbies.

                            




                                     

One of the new features is allowing a maximum of 70 characters in the title. Notice above there are 17 characters remaining.

When writing a blog decide...who is your audience?  Make the title engaging.

If the blog is for your peers...make it funny or edgy.

If the blog is for consumers...make it for SEO ranking.

His example today was written in  WYSIWYG. 

Just place your curser and start typing! Please make use of paragraphs to separate your blog...no wall of words or lack of whitespace.

With only 6 seconds to capture a reader, make it easy to read.

The "shift key" takes you to the next paragraph without a space...not the "enter key". I tried this and it did not work for me.  

Bob emphasized that  content is what matters...not fonts and colors. 

Here is a good way to start.

• Always write your words FIRST!
• Place the post in Draft Mode!
• Save it!

•  You can go back later to make  changes using the keys to

1.  italicize
2.  underline
3.  strike through
4.  BOLD
5.      indent 
6. • • Bullet
     • add photos
     • spell check

As for adding a link…I do it  the Rome way and it is much easier and it works for me!  May have to write another post about this.

                                                         

Other notes from Bob's session.

-Photos

•   Use vertical and horizontal space.
•   Grab the corners to re size.
•   Link photo from your blog.
•   Wrap text..constrain proportions use left or right..20..20 

-When using Tags, place a comma between each. 

-There  are many  recordings for video tutorials..go check out whatever  you need.

-You can disable your comments but.. why?

-Visibility is Public only if you are a Rainmaker.

-Share content…FB, tweet, google plus. 

-The recording will be in your group within the hour.

Don't forget to sign up for next week’s class. The topic is SEO! Bob thinks this is the most important class!

             Boot Camp With Bob...Lots of Good Stuff for Bloggers!

Today...I Am Not Writing a Blog Tonight!

         Today...I Am Not Writing a Blog Tonight!  

                                                                

Not because there is nothing to say! Not because I am lazy!

It is time to put into practice WIN...What's important now!  

Today... I was at the gym early in the morning!

Today... I  met an appraiser!

Today... I negotiated a home inspection!

Today... I made a bunch of appointments!

Today... I showed my  Heritage Crossing Listing at 712 George St. Baltimore, MD 21201 

Today... I wrote an offer!

Today I met with the buyers, got signatures and emailed the offer. Their  home is under contract and they  want to move quickly to accomodate the buyers.

Before you know it...that's a big chunk of today.

             Today... I Am Not Writing a Blog Tonight!

Just Too Busy To Blog Today.

                                   Just  Too Busy To Blog Today.

What do you do when you are too busy to blog?  ...you skip it. Well that's what I planned to do tonight. With yesterday's  ActiveRain MeetUp , a ratified contract, a home inspection this morning and another offer arriving today on one of my condos that needed to be presented. Thank goodness the seller is out of town and everything was done electronically.

Another offer was countered on a new listing and ...there were all the things to do to set up inspections, termite, radon, title etc.

Oh and there was that little three and a half hour RainCamp that I was listening to while making appointments and all those other details.

I am not a list maker but today... even I made a list. Just about got through everything.

Hmmm...what did I forget?

My Blog!.. Just Too Busy To Blog Today.

                                                     

The Formula: Becoming A Millionaire the Rome Way!

 The Formula: Becoming A Millionaire the Rome Way!

Back in 2006 when I joined ActiveRain, there were less than a 1000 members. I was number 845. From the beginning I was fascinated by this blogging platform. In all these years I have continued to log on daily.

                                           
                                           

The daily blogging habit started with a challenge from another member...Karen Bernetti. She decided to post every day for a month. I called her right away, thinking she had lost it. No one has that kind of time if they are selling real estate or if they have any other kind of life.

To support Karen, I committed to commenting on her post each day. Some days it was almost midnight before she posted. I had to call a couple of times to remind her.

If I could comment everyday on her post...why not take the same challenge and try posting daily?

It started with a month, then a contest to do another 30 days and then another. It became a habit..one I have not missed in almost 2 years.

My other habit is calling an ActiveRain member each day but I've never kept any records. No idea how many of these calls were made  but the friendships and networking have been beyond belief.

We were doing meetups long before we called them meetups. Sometimes it was  a simple let's get together for lunch, blogging about it and winding up with 10- 25 people. I have lost count of how many times we have gotten together.  I also will not name the people who have become so important inside my computer with virtual hugs and handshakes. You know who you are!

Calling a member when they write something that interests me or when they get their first gold star, or for any other reason...I will have them say they enjoyed the outreach. Many times thinking I work for ActiveRain.

I don’t work for ActiveRain but ActiveRain works for me!

The Formula: Becoming A Millionaire the Rome Way is pretty simple.

 Do what is necessary to list, sell, and settle real estate transactions. Getting the most exposure for my listings for special clients. Making sure my clients are my number one priority.

Then...by posting daily, by commenting daily, by signing in daily, by calling members daily, by writing about my days in real estate, by answering questions that help others, by doing all the things that are important to me...in other words... Doing it the Rome Way.

What do I write about? You really want to know? Go to the top of this page hit the search button and type in my name or HomeRome.

Thank you ActiveRain. Thank you to everyone who has touched me and thank you to those I have touched through this platform.

Note: That's doing it with no market reports, not following the SEO suggestions and not asking for people to subscribe to me. Maybe my next million I will do it another way.

                                   

 The Formula: Becoming A Millionaire the Rome Way!

                                                                     

Listen to Who is Following You!

Listen to Who is Following You!

Stop what you are doing! Look at your emails.  Listen to your followers.

The title could have been..."How to Get a Featured post."

  Yesteday's post got that little gold star!   It was giving some basic information about changing your address with the DMV and election board. But it was featured.

The inspiration came through an email from my  special sellers who thought it would make a good post.

So I stopped what I was doing, I looked at my email and listened to the people that matter...the special ones who are following me, the people who found me through my blog, the people who bought one of my special contemporary homes and sold their historic home with me.

 

                                      

It is not about the comments, it's not about the traffic, it's not about how many views. It's not about the SEO and it's not about the google juice.

It is about listening. Do You?

Listen to who is following you!

How many blogs does it take to get to the settlement table?

 How many blogs does it take to get to the settlement table?

The home was listed January 22nd. The contract was ratified January 30th.

And today February 29th... yes it is leap year, we had a perfect settlement. Thirty eight days but who's counting.

                                      

                                  

In the photo above, Leroy McLean(buyer agent), the excited new home owners the  happy sellers Jimmy and Dan with me. Dan is holding the check and I am passing the keys. This transaction was perfect from the beginning. Great sellers, great buyers and a very competent professionals all working together.

Thanks to Tom Shea, Sr. Loan Officer 1st Mariner for getting this FHA loan through in record time and  we appreciate Kim Gavlin Owner, KG Title Inc. for accomodating our schedules. It is the definition of TEAM...together each accomplishes more!

Below are the NINE blogs that got us from listing to settlement.

Blog #1 ...Too Busy to Blog

Blog # 2 ...10 Reasons to Live at 8930 Church Lane 21133 Baltimore, MD -

Blog # 3 ...Baltimore County's Newest Historic District

Blog #4...The Community of Fieldstone Blog #5...The First Showing Blog #6... Appreciative Sellers Blog #7 Clear To Close' Are Meaningful Words! Blog #8 Final Walk Through AND THE FINAL... 9 Blogs From Listing to Settlement..The Rome Way

                   

  How many blogs does it take to get to the settlement table?

You Are So Busy...How Do You Have Time To Blog?

You are so busy...how do you have time to blog?  My answer: "maybe I am so busy because I make time to blog."

"ActiveRain is a place where real estate professionals can network with their peers and discuss industry insider topics. It is also a public forum where consumers can pull back the curtain and see what the real estate industry is really about."

Last year I sold one of my listings and the represented buyers started following my blog.  They came to one of my open houses and invited me to their open house..all through ActiveRain. Again  We tried to get their agent involved in ActiveRain. I talked about the benefits, about the business opportunity and offered to get her set up with some private sessions. I encouraged her to post her clients home for sale.

Being a dual career agent, her time was limited and she did not want to engage and never took me up on my invitation to join.

Her clients  continued following my daily posts and frequently commented. They tried to convince her to blog. It one of the first times that I've seen the public encourage blogging.
 
After seven months, I received  an email through my ActiveRain  account. These same people had already  terminated the listing and asked me if I would consider representing them. They knew I would not discuss their home while still listed with their friend and agent.


You are so busy...how do you have time to blog? My answer: maybe I am so busy because I make time to blog.       

My 11 Favorite Blogs From the Year 2011..How Many Have You Read?

                            My 11 Favorite Blogs From  the Year 2011

Last year one of our members, David Popoff, suggested taking a look at our  Top 10 Posts of 2010

And I wrote...'Posts with the largest amount of viewings may have only a few comments. So there are a lot more  people reading than you might expect. This will be interesting to do again next year.'

Here it is a year later with many more posts written than in previous years and these eleven posts seem to be interesting to more viewers.

 

                                              

  # There is a Lot of Paperwork When Getting Ready to Sell! 14 4074 684 —

  # Real Estate Commissions Are Negotiable 95 3181 1692 —

  # Hospital is Only as Good as the Doctor... 91 2571 1104 

  # Are They 100% Sure They Want to List With Me? 26 2109 377

  # How I Use a Waiting List..for a Better Listings 127 4549 3291

  # No One Was Supposed to Be At Home! 109 2676 1330

  # No Credit....But I Am Paying Cash! 65 2363 939 —

  # Termites in Baltimore Can Not Read! 39 2539 1032

  # A Referral Through a Book Review..How is That Possible? 46 2540    

  # The Closing Gifts...that keep on giving! 73 4721 3071 —

  # How Am I Going to Relate This Photo to Real Estate? 41 2026 617 —

 

  My 11 Favorite Blogs From  the Year 2011...How Many Have You Read?

Who's Reading My Baltimore Blog? Who's Reading Yours?

Who's Reading My Baltimore Blog? Who's Reading Yours?

 

First Reader:

Last week I wrote Welcome to Baltimore Hon! and this morning I received a comment plus an email from Charlene Osborne:

"OMG!!!  THANK YOU!  You are so kind and thoughtful.  I love it!  You just made my day...  I have a dozen Hons headed to Annapolis tomorrow for a book signing and Hon fun....Would love to see you there." 

Of course I had to share this with Martha Brown hoping she will go meet the 'Baltimore Hon' in her city of Annapolis.  Would not be surprised if there is another post tomorrow.

                                                                           
                                                                                    ===================

Second Reader:

Yesterday I received a phone call from Jennifer Porter in Milwaukee asking permission to use photos from Celebrating 50 Years..Glen Burnie Transmission. 

''Margaret:

Thanks so much....for allowing us to...share with our own blog audience at ETE REMAN...

Jennifer Porter''

 

You can read what Jennifer posted on her own blog...

Congratulations to Glen Burnie Transmissions on 50 GREAT Years!            On December 2nd, 2011, Glen Burnie Transmissions celebrated their 50th year in business. That’s an impressive milestone in any industry, and we are very proud to call Mark Schwartzman and his team friends. Wish you had been at the big party? We do, too! At least we can all [...]''  

 

Now I know people in Baltimore, Annapolis and even Milwaukee are reading my blog..Who's reading yours?

Blogging Might Get You Some Dessert at Donna's in Baltimore's Cross Keys! It Might Also Get a New ActiveRain Member!

Blogging Might Get You Some Dessert at Donna's in Baltimore's Cross Keys! It might also get a new ActiveRain Member!

   
                                               

It was late in afternoon when we finished an appointment in Baltimore's

 Village of Cross Keys.

We stopped to have a late lunch (or really early dinner) at Donna's. It was relatively quiet and our waitress was a delight.  I ordered the roasted vegetable salad and Lee ordered the grilled cheese and tomato bisque. Oh no...again  forgot to photograph our meals. I asked Janine to bring us a plate of food before serving so I could show you guys. She came by with this avocado and crab salad. Does this  look yummy or what?

                                             

Of course, that got the conversation started about blogging and real estate.  Can you guess what Janine does?  Yep she is a real estate agent with Weichert and had not heard of ActiveRain. Just happened to have my iPad so I could show off a bit, got her card and invited her to join. Do you think she will?

Asked permission to take her picture so I could make her famous tonight. She was a good sport posing with TLH.  Janine has a wonderful outgoing personality and is into interior design. We talked about staging and I suggested a couple of domain names. Her enthusiasm was showing and Lee told her about my book "Real Estate the Rome Way".  Just happened to have a copy that I shared with her.

                                             

We thought we were finished and ready to go when Janine said: "Wait, dessert is on me." She proceeded to bring out this luscious piece of coconut strawberry cake. Again I "almost" forgot to take a picture. Can you see where Lee took a bite, just before I said "hold on!"

                                             

 

Blogging Might Get You Some Dessert at Donna's in Baltimore's Cross Keys! It Might Also Get a New ActiveRain Member!

How to Get Back Into the Habit of Blogging!

Karen Bernetti wrote a post   NOT in the Mood .... Who's Got the Cure?    (This was a 'members only' post so many of you may not be able to read it.) She was asking for help. How to Get Back into the Habit of Blogging!

Here is the comment I made on that post:

''Karen, It was you that inspired the heck out of me over a year ago. I thought you had lost your marbles when you took on the challenge to blog every day for a month. Ha..because of YOU I have not missed a day in over a year. Now that is some kind of motivation all because of you....''

Karen is the ActiveRainer who set a goal of blogging for 30 consecutive days. At the time I thought Karen was insane for taking on that challenge. She must not have any business or was bored with nothing else to do. NOT!

To support this new ActiveRainer, I decided to comment on her post every day. Little did I know that  Karen would be an inspiration for so many, including yours truly.  Karen posted every single day and I commented on each of her posts every single day. Then it dawned on me...if I could make a commitment to her posts...why not to my own. I started to blog with regularity...one day at a time... one month at a time.  There is a group called  the 365 day challenge ... I was  the second person to join. Can you guess how many members are in this group?

Could I do that?  If I made the decision...of course!  Just recently that goal was met....have not missed a day of blogging in over a year! My count started  September 3, 2010!

Over a year of  blogs, not reblogs. not market reports, not wordless photo posts or MLS listings. I have written every day for over a year.

The questions that others ask...how can you find the time as busy as you are?  With a  maximum of 15 listings,  a Waiting List,  a half dozen in escrow, a few  future sellers,  the solo Broker/Owner of HomeRome Realty with a family, friends, home, social life and  I Still Make My Own Appointments!

My response...Maybe I am this busy because I blog.

I speak to other agents...Why I Blog.... NOT...Why You Should Blog!

The friendships here are numerous..just go read about some of our ActiveRain gatherings like this one last week.

Here is another helpful person giving advice  on How to get back into the habit of blogging? On  my recent iPad post  ..William Johnson made this comment to help others.

''I know you are having the best time with the new iPad. In fact I am going to step out on a limb and say something that may be questionable for some. If agents are having trouble with business right now  or things have slowed down too much, get an iPad. It will kick-start some great new enthusiasm and help get business activities going again. Some times we just need something fun to get us re-motivated or to stay enthusiastic when things may be slowing down or if business is suffering. And it has an inspiration element to it as well. You start thinking of the possibilities and the first thing you know, business and making contact with your sphere is a bit more fun. More enthusiasm can many times equate to more business. ''

No you don't have to go out and buy the latest gadget but you have to put some enthusiam in your life every day. Otherwise boredom sets in and who wants to work with a boring person? Who even wants to be with one?

So find what it is you love to do....write about what you do. Just check your emails, your phone messages, the conversations during the day, look at the photos in your camera, keep connecting with others.  And just go write!

That's How to Get Back into the Habit of Blogging!