I have been here on ActiveRain for two years and two months (sounds a bit like the old Chuck Woolery "2 and 2" quote). During that time, I have been very pleased to see how many consumers have found my blog. I've written over 900 posts, and most of those are "public", meaning that they are indexed by Google and the other search engines. 
One of my posts, Austin Texas Relocation Package, was the result of a contest that was the brainchild of one of my friends, Adam Waldman, and backed by Bob Stewart. It has been at the top of Google for a long while now, resulting in almost 31,000 visits (see graphic from my "Statistics" page below). As you can see, it only has 36 comments, most of which came during the first month or so that it was up, but it has averaged about 1500 visits monthly since it was written in early March of 2008.
The post itself is a collection of links and descriptions for 26 other AR posts that I wrote back around that time, including a somewhat-informal introductory letter to buyers, and answers to the most frequently asked questions that I get from people who are considering relocating to the Austin area.
I send this one to most out-of-town and out-of-state buyers that I speak with, and it gets them much further along in the process with very little additional effort. Sometimes, I get calls from buyers who are looking at that post and calling it my "site", as in, "Your site at Activerain.com has a lot of great information." :) It's clearly working.This post is not the only example, but it's the most dramatic with regard to traffic.
Sometimes, when I have a buyer with specific questions, I make sure to send them one of my posts on that subject when I email them. In fact, I would highly recommend using questions from your clients to serve as blog topics. If one client has the question, it's likely to come up again, right?
Frankly, and this may sound a little cavalier to say, but it seems to impress clients if we are discussing an issue, and I tell them, "I actually wrote about this on my blog. Let me send you that article after we finish talking." I guess it's much like the old saying about "writing the book" on any given topic.
I have also used my blog to train and instruct the agents who work at my company. As a broker/owner, this helps me to better leverage my time, so that I don't have to cover the same ground over and over again.
Since I share all of my public posts on Facebook via the "Notes" application there, I often have friends from church or other acquaintances who mention reading stuff that I originally posted here. I am typically surprised by which people took the time to read my blog - I guess I'm less surprised than I used to be, however.
One additional point which you may find helpful came up the other day when I had lunch with Ian Greenleigh of DriveBuy Technologies. We both think it's a good idea to peruse blogs outside of AR in an effort to get additional exposure and gain more friends/contacts. If you comment elsewhere regularly, you can become one of the "regulars" there, too. I realize that there are only so many hours in the day - it's just an idea to get your name out there a bit more. This notion is also discussed in "Trust Agents", by Chris Brogan and Julien Smith. Whenever you do take the time to comment, make sure you link back to your AR blog (or outside blog) to gain more potential readers.
Thanks very much for reading!
Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/barnett/2836828090/
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If you're looking for a home in the Austin area, you can also visit my primary Austin real estate website at www.austintexashomes.com. If you're interested in social media training, visit 210 Consulting. Thanks!
Jason,
"Writing the book," is actually good indication you are not just jamming and riffing with them, but have given your profession and its issues and topics some thought prior to meeting the client.
And I don't hesitate to share a blog with a colleague if I think it is instructive or appropriate.
Mike - Right you are. It seems a lot more substantial to provide something written. :)
thanks for the great insights. I am going to have to check out that "austin guide"
Love the word cloud! I've half finished my post - but fear I don't have anything original in it - maybe I should turn it upside-down and have another look at it! :-)
Hi Jason. Wow.
31,000 visits to one post.
Great ideas all.
I am always chasing my tail!
Thanks for writing,
Ken
It has been at the top of Google for a long while now, resulting in almost 31,000 visits
That's truly remarkable activity! I've recommended your relo idea to several clients. It will take a time investment for them to set it up for their markets, but it's an exellent long-term strategy.
Bruce - Don't be afraid to share a link to that post with them. :)
Remarkable and impressive results brutha J ! ... I send various links from local posts from my blog to potential new buyers too - they always love 'em !
Cheers !
Sheldon
Amen! lol. My story's a bit different than yours, but I certainly use this platform to keep my customers informed! Working on my story right now =)
that is an impressive blog but it is still remarkable that you have had that many hits or visits.
Jason - you never cease to inspire me! I don't get the same results you do, but it is a goal to aspire to. Next time, lunch is on me.
Jason, with this many visitors you should start putting ads on your blog ;) . Your always make us come back.
Great stuff Jason. Love the Wordle too. The more of these I read, the more I learn. Once again, the power of the Rain shines on through.
Jason...the power of the Rain is just starting to come through. We still use a lot of pencil and paper up here inthe Nort.
2 and 2.. use to watch that show all the time (not sure why). Anyway, I think its great to get that many hits on a post and especially to have your friends check out your posts. I have two friends that are pretty good about checking out my posts, but not too many others yet. I'll work on that though by providing better content (with the exception of the post I just wrote... so, starting now).
Hey, Jason. Like you, I love it when I hear people say, "I read your Blog." It is a great feeling, Jim
Jason, thanks for a great post with good ideas. Never thought about sending old posts to new clients, now just to find the time to implement all the ideas from this one post.
Jason,
Cross posting to other sites, while consider heretical by some, it a must if you really want to boost your presence. Couldn't agree with you more.
That is one impressive blog, thanks for sharing great words of wisdom and something so sucessful!
Write about it once and re-distribute... No need to reinvent the wheel every time.
I think the most I have had on any one post is 400-500. Amazing.
I look forward to the day when I have enough blogs that I can use them in the same way.
This is exactly how we should be using technology. I think having a blog really helps credibility.
Thanks for the post, I hadn't ever thought of using my posts on notes on Facebook.
Thanks for the post, I hadn't ever thought of using my posts on notes on Facebook.
Jason, thanks for the inspiration - it clicked on a very bright light bulb and sheds yet another light on the benefits of our AR blogs, and ways to use the platform.
http://www.poconolandandhomes.com
http://www.poconosbloggin.com
:)
Jason, I took a look at that relocation package,and already commented there. Very impressive, i must say, and it has given me and others (I would safely assume) some great ideas on how to use our posts to enhance our existing relationships and develop new ones as well. One question that I want to ask is: how do you find the time to put all of this stuff together?
William - I think the quick answer is that I write very quickly. I don't spend time planning my posts once I have a topic in mind, and I don't edit them afterwards either. I just sit down and start typing. I also had more time last year for a lot of the content because business was slower, frankly.
Thanks for the info Jason. I bookmarked your Austin Relocation Package for future inspiration.
Great points. I need a library of content like you do to start doing more stuff like this.
jason, thanks for sharing that. I also have started to see and feel the difference from my over 200 posts and I think that getting it syndicated to facebook has helped as well!
Great way to use your Blogs Jason. I really liked your relocation Blog. Keep up the great work.
Thanks Jason for reminding me to refresh my own relocation blog. It's not as good as yours, but I keep trying! Inspiring as usual.
Jason,
31,000 readers for one post! That's more people than we have in our entire county!
Your dedication and knowledge are a real inspiration. Thanks for being here to share your experiences with those of us who haven't been in the 'rain as long as you have...
Jason, I wish I could "write very quickly." Baton Rouge oftens tries to be like Austin (probably a lot of cities do). Your relocation package is a real inspiration. This morning I'm learning about movie making in Baton Rouge, but I have to do the research first. There's a lot to learn.
Jason, What an AWESOME BLOG on the benefits of moving to a city!!!
So well thought out and researched.
I love where I live but I sell in such broad area. I think I'll start with my own city. YOU are so right with the Internet and all of the information at your fingertips, it is very easy to put it in one place for people wanting to move!
Really appreciate the Inspiration! Joy
Jason. in an attempt to mimic your success with this blog, I have been working on a similar post for my home area here in Vancouver Washington.
My first discovery is that it will probably take me several weeks to create such a post! There is so much great info in your post about Austin TX! Creating the post to link to from the main Relocation Package post will take me weeks.
My next discovery is that you are a great writer. As I attempt to write my own posts about Vancouver WA, I have been comparing them to yours. You have inspired me to be a better writer.
Lastly, I just wanted to say thanks. you have given me more direction with my blogging career!
Mark - Thanks so much for taking the time to say/write that. I really appreciate it - happy to be an inspiration to you!