Today I read a great post by Copyblogger.
The title is The Critical Mistakes that Keeps Bloggers Broke.
Excerpt:
It’s about your business.
Your blog and your business are different, yet related, things. The former is a sub-set of the latter. The difference is sometimes subtle, but it’s a critical one.
Your blog is a strategy, a branding and marketing vehicle, a means toward an end.
Your business is the money-making model. A product or service for sale.
Your blog isn’t for sale. It may be of service, but it’s a service you’re giving away for free.
Which means, if giving out free content is all you’re doing, or if your blogging has become the core deliverable of what you believe to be a business, your strategy is upside-down.
Go read the post, I think you will enjoy it and while there subscribe to the blog. Since we are a blogging community here on Activerain I wanted to pass along this post. I learn bunches from them everyday.
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Missy Caulk & Team can be reached at 734-216-2822 or email: Missy@MissyCaulk.com
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Thanks Missy! I will read it. I love blogging but have found that I also have to keep it in perspective and work on my business. It is all about that balance!
Hi Missy, I'll check it out as well although I have found personally that blogging and providing some information as well as some 'personal' type posts where people get to feel they know you gives them a confidence in the fact that they want to work with you. I may have spoken too soon, I did not yet read the post :)
Very good point... as a rookie I really need to keep that in mind.
Thanks Missy. I read the Copyblogger. I find I can pursue racking up points, but the main point is to generate business. I was reflecting just today, that I do not know if some of the most successful agents in my area even have blog. I am going to check that out. This is part of a strategy to build a business. Thanks again for this reminder.
Cal
Missy: I'm a huge fan of Copyblogger. Had not read that post yet. Thanks! Since I'm a marketing and PR guy, I tell my clients to try different tactics, including blogging. But if it doesn't bring you leads or business, time to change tactics. Thanks again!
Very good link, thanks, Missy!
Tom Larsen
Hi Missy - I read that article too, and it was a good one. In fact, you are the one who turned me on to copyblogger awhile ago, and I have meant to thank you. So thanks!
So True. Thanks Missy.
Hi Missy. I have been wondering about this...
Some of us seem to be becoming professional bloggers!
Thanks for writing,
Ken
Missy, I'm with Susan. You are the one that introduced me to Copyblogger. Thank you ma'am! Full of great info for all of us! I just popped over and read the link you provided. Great stuff!
Missy - Thanks for the heads up. We all need to take our blogs seriously.
Missy,
Great points. If your blog doesn't eventually bring you business...why do it?
Rich
Hey Missy,
Thanks for the heads up, I'll clicked over for a quick read, definitely worthwhile. Gave me pause to think about my own blog. Btw, I'm real bottom-liner and loved Larry's last sentence.
Thanks Missy, enjoyed meeting you at the Posterous seminar last week and admire your enterprise.
Missy, I always learn over here....will ready up and think about it...sounds like good stuff. Thanks for your usual level of excellence!
Good stuff, Missy. It's so easy, especially for new bloggers, to get caught up in the rush of comments and new friends and all of the other benefits of having a blog. It's also very easy to forget that we are (well, I am, anyway) blogging for business. Points, subscribers, comments, etc. don't mean a thing if you are not getting paid.
Hi Missy,
I have to admit my blogging does bring me money. Every now and then I do get great referrals!!!
Missy,
They are different, and I am surprised that the intent of the blog is business. Not only, not necessarily. Are we forgetting about love and affection among the peers? (LOL)
True!!!...
Helping you help others live their American dream...
I caught this from FB and the title intrigued me. Thanks for sharing this. I will have to check it out.
PS: Many times, I caught myself engaging my readership rather than my main purpose of blogging. I need some AR addiction cure. Please help me!
Sorry, I did not get one email anyone had commented on this post. Actually thought I had accidentially put in draft mode.
Thanks for commenting, if you read the whole post you will see it is about engaging. I thought it was interesting about not just throwing up content all the time.
HI Missy, I had read that article too. Love copyblogger. I have used my blog for business since day one. I'm not a social blogger and never have been. If course Brina has over 100,000 subscribers and has one of the most popular blogs in the world so I'd have to say his blog IS his business. Or at least a major part of it.
Missy - So true, like anything else, blogging is a tool. It is up to the individual to harness that tool and have it be an effective way to generate new business. A blog by itself is not going to do that !
Also, featured in "Build a Better Blog" group in Active Rain .
Brian, it is and he talked about that in the article. But, it is not my business, but it is a tool for my business...big difference.
My blog makes me money but as a tool for consuemers to call me. The business is real estate.
Thanks for bringing the article to my attention. I definitely would not be blogging - or spending time doing the statistics etc. unless it was a means to the end of attracting buyers and sellers. It takes a lot to find a good topic, write the post etc. - as a tool like you said - not for the joy of blogging.
I think the point of the article, that I agree with, is we need to be perceived as the expert for our "local blogs". There is nothing more thrilling than a caller's opening line of, "you don't know me yet, but I know you because I have been reading your blog. I'm calling to talk to you about selling my home."
On Active Rain, I am a little more about the relationships and learning and giving where I can so a bit different. Although lately I am very guilty of just reposting my local blogs, shame on me for not being more creative and giving.
I guess my point is that the platform may determine the purpose and it may be different based on said platform. Clear as mud?
Always good to hear your thoughts Missy!
Cindy in Indy
Thanks for the blog.
The main reason why I joined blogging is part of my business plan. I have to watch that I do not get drawn into massive blogging and stay focused. There are good ideas on blogs that I will investigate and implement.
Good points -- while I enjoy the blogging part, it's important not to be distracted from the actual business of real estate.
Thanks for posting this, Missy. I'll take a look. This is a great reminder.