Like many of you, when I am composing a new blog post here, I wonder if it will resound with the readers. With some of my writing, I am really hoping to strike a chord, and welcome a tidal wave of perceptive, interesting, and funny comments. 
Well, here at Active Rain, as in real estate, you must be prepared for surprises sometimes. Just as I am constantly amazed by which listings sell and which ones do not, I am also taken aback occasionally when I feel that I have written something exquisite, yet it receives a lackluster, lukewarm response.
This makes my 131st post, and I feel like I have hit a nice groove these days with my blog, mixing humor with business, coaching with personal stories, Localism with AR group information, and more.
I wanted to share with you which of my own "listings" have sold quickly and for top price here at Active Rain. In case you are not able to follow this analogy, I wanted to do a retrospective post on which of my blog posts have brought the most points and interest as of today. Perhaps we can learn something from this - who knows? If not, it will at least be interesting to me, and hopefully to you as well.
Let me clarify briefly - I am only going to focus on those posts that were at least somewhat successful. There is no reason to trot the bad ones back out
for another look. With that in mind, away we go.
Please keep in mind that some of the posts below are pretty lame compared to my current work, but I hope that it will show the newbies that there is some hope for you if you are just starting to learn how to blog. I started actively posting here on August 5th, even though my profile was set up months before that. When I started, I had no idea what to do.
Maybe you will spot an interesting title below and check it out, like my own personal Active Rain library. Or, if prefer going to the bookstore instead of the library, feel free to send me a check or a fist-sized wad of cash as a gesture of your appreciation. Either way, you should probably bookmark this, as it is a virtual treasure trove of valuable and entertaining reading (keep in mind that I am stating this not as the author, but as a disinterested researcher).
First, these are my moderately successful "starter" posts (scored 300-350 points):
Oldest business card photo? - this was my first attempt at humor on AR - 300 points
Funny quotes from my son - more humor - 300 points
Worst photo contest - first post of mine with over 100 comments - 300 points. This one actually made me some new friends along the way.
Business from Active Rain? - 304
Using Your Powers of Observation to Sell Homes (Listings) - 305
Odd marketing idea (restaurant) - 305
How it Feels to Lose a $213,000 Commission - 312
Integrity - 317 points - short and sweet - one of my first
Giving of your time, talents, and treasures - 317
Laughter is the Best Medicine - My Funny Children - 328
Texas Looks Like That? A Native Texan's Perspective - 332
Cake in One Hand, Eating it in the Other Hand - You Must Choose! - 334
Are you handling your clients like a phone company handles customers? - 350
Where is Art Linkletter when you need him? - 350
Good Dad, Bad Dad - What I learned from my upbringing - 350
This next group of posts are like move-up homes (351-399):
New Active Rain Group - "Family Ties" - Come Check it Out! - 371 points
Awkward? Maybe. Funny? Indeed. - 374
Radio Ga Ga - The Jukebox of my Mind and Life (The Early Years) - 375
How to Present and Use Buyer's Representation Agreements - 384
Your Chance to Make a $135,000 Referral Fee! - 386
Please Get to the Point Already! The clock is ticking.... - 386
Active Rain - Where everybody knows your name (or do they?) - 387
Three funniest things my kids have said this week - 397
39 Days in the Rain and I am Writing an Offer Already! - 397
Active Rain is Like a Big Co-Ed Dorm - 398
How Much Influence Should Outsiders Have on a Real Estate Transaction? - 398
These fall into the higher-end "blog property" tier (400-500 points):
A Couple of Useful Technology Tools that I Like - 400 points
What Can I Buy in the Austin Area for $600,000? - 400
Bad Day Brings Valuable Perspective - 400
You've Got them in the Car - Now What? - 400
Bad new neighbors - advice? - 401
How to Avoid Getting Sued - My Humble Opinion - 414
MORE song stuff - Am I hard of hearing? My Lazy Ear Syndrome - 422
A Day of Clarity for my Family - 423
Lessons from Terrible Clients - Part 2 - 434
The ER Nurse and the Convenience Store Employee - Where do you see yourself? - 446
Some Suggestions for New Active Rain Abbreviations - Do you LOL often? - 448
What Active Rain Can Do For All of Us - 465
What makes a man a real man? Lessons from my Grandpa - 472
These are my personal "luxury" posts, with over 500 points:
The Secret Ingredient is Empathy - Lessons from the Grocery Store - 517 points
My Friend David - 521
Because of Active Rain I Have Found 47,148 Kindred Spirits - 535
Freshening your perspective (a visit to the nursing home) - 547
Are you helping your clients through the maze, or are you a stumbling block? - 572
"Getting Better" Scenes from Movies - I wish we could use them with clients - 572
View from the broker's desk - what makes a good agent? - 575
A Watched Pot Never Boils - My Perspective on the National Market - 582
"High Property Taxes, Heat, and Tornadoes, TOO? Why would I want to move to Austin, Texas?" - 600 points for this Localism featured post
So, what can I glean from this information? Well, it looks like the very best posts that I have written manage to tie something from my life and family into my career. Five of my nine 500+ posts were inspired by my family in some way, and one of them is about my AR "family".
THE TIME HAS COME FOR A SHAMELESS PLUG. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
Check out my group "Family Ties" to see some awesome writing on display, and please bring any suitable stories of your own. You won't regret it. We are a happy bunch!
Thanks very much for reading (or skimming through) this post. I sincerely hope you enjoyed it.
If you enjoyed this post, why not connect with me elsewhere or subscribe via email?
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,
I'll have to bookmark this post. It'll be like Hank Aaron's rookie card once you're famous. ;-P
I think you're on to something. You have to give the readers something to relate to, a gift you seem to have in great abundance. Thanks for your contributions. AR wouldn't be the same place without you.
Jason:
Great post as usual. Hope your are having a nice weekend. Talk with you later.
I have had conversations with my inner critic many times when disappointed by post "showings."
Me: Surely you can't be serious!
Inner Critic: I am serious, and don't call me Shirley!
That's called changing the rules of the game, Jason! Flipped the script and responded to my own challenge! I'm out of control!
http://activerain.com/blogsview/235376/Intracoastal-FL-1-1
Done.
Jason, I have read some of your 400 and 500 point posts and I have to say they are awesome.
I am joining the group. I have some old posts that are family related, I am going to post them on your group, but I don't know how far up they would come since everyone else's post is more recent.
ADAM - I thought it would be interesting to see what was doing well. I don't mind disclosing this, as I have no control over it. I guess I would be less likely to do it if all of my posts were getting 212 points! Good talking to you earlier. Thanks for your comments. As for the points code, I have no clue as to how it works. Just happy to be moving steadily up the ladder!
Jason...did I miss something? I went to rate your post and didn't find the rating thingee...what changed?
I've been gone from AR for a couple of weeks...working on creating some more balance in life. But when I'm on AR, you're one of my faves, for sure. Thanks for your friendship. and What? No 600s? ;)
Jason - My Jeff always says about listings...every Dog has it's day ( meaning that eventually with the right marketing, staging and price, every home will have a new owner :)
with this said - congrats on sooo many Blogs ...perhaps you will find that some of your older work with less points may impact ONE life substantially to change and learn and grow!
the ripple effect you have is not measurable yet.....but To be determined :)
Great work
Grace Safin
Great stuff!
BTW...I have your answer but I am doing it in a post tonight or tomorrow!
Great stuff!
BTW...I have your answer but I am doing it in a post tonight or tomorrow!
JESSICA - Thanks for your "10" - much appreciated! Did you get a chance to see my "movie" post?
"Getting Better" Scenes from Movies - I wish we could use them with clients
Oh my gosh, it's Raining Jason Crouch or Jason Crouch Rain! Caution: You must put away your umbrella, jump in every puddle and soak in every drop. Meanwhile you will find yourself laughing, learning and yes, shedding a few tears. Failure to follow these instructions will leave your heart and soul empty of inspiration, motivation and mental stabilitation (is that a word?) :)
Boy do I have a whole lot of catching up to do. Have you posted on balance?
JULIE - You are starting to give me too much self-esteem and confidence! Maybe I should make your paragraph into the description for my blog (or you could just make it into a post). :) I think you can be the president of my fan club.
I haven't posted on balance - I need to give this some thought.
I love it! It's all very genuine indeed.
The president of your fan club? That would be an honor. Can I bring all my roadies? :) They're all waiting in line to meet you and have a lot of laughs. You see, I only surround myself with positive people and you're one of them. So of course I'm one of your biggest fans and after spending a day being sick, I turned to my computer, logged into AR and started reading up on all the people that can bring out the positive.
Oh and thanks for subscribing to my blogs. Your support is so appreciated.
I'll be looking out for that blog on balance.
I will write a blog on balance if you write the blog I suggested. :)
Actually, I may write it anyway. Thanks for your rave reviews.
You have been very successful here and with good reason. You post on a variety of subjects and do it in an entertaining, interesting and educational way. We can all learn from you. Thank you.
Hey Jason,
I was wondering about this same thing over the weekend. I was thinking of giving up my weekend posts. For whatever reason, I talked myself into making Saturday's post, thinking that I would wait a little longer to make a decision about it. Not long after posting, I got an email from a Rainer, who I don't think has commented on my blog before. He said he appreciated my Saturday posts and had just gotten up the nerve to speak up. He reminded me that some readers don't leave comments, but they are there just the same. I've received several comments like this over the past few weeks, from readers who I didn't know were following. Then this morning, I found that you had featured my Sunday post within the Family Ties group. (Thanks again, btw.)
I guess we try really hard to hit them out of the park with every post, but base hits are okay, and sometimes you have to strike out. That doesn't make you a bad player. I like your posts as they are, mostly because you are showing your personality. I think you should just keep doing what you're doing. Don't go a-changin'.
AMBER - You were definitely successful in conveying that. One of my favorites is actually "She's Got a Way About Her". I also like "Piano Man" (who doesn't?) and "My Life", maybe because it reminds me of Bosom Buddies, back when Tom Hanks used to be funny.
As for me, I may have written this post with the wrong tone - I was just trying to share what was working best for me, but I have no intention of changing anything right now. I won't quit either - just not my nature.
KATERINA - I actually just commented on the post about your mother and featured it within "Family Ties". What a story! Thanks for your compliments - please feel free to steal this idea. I thought it would help for the links, provide some interesting information, and bring additional exposure to some of my overlooked posts from early on.
I did have posts in the lower range (mainly when I started), but I didn't want to include all of those here. Thanks so much for taking the time to bookmark and to read my older posts. I always get excited when I see your name on the "My Home" page. Have a great week!
BRIAN and JOEY - I met my goal. I had a featured Localism post that hit 600 points yesterday.
BRIAN - You still have me beat at 622.
I got a couple of 600 pointers; this was my fav.
JIM - It's funny that you stopped by this post today. I was just having a conversation with Bob Stewart on another post about 600-point posts. I have had one other one since this was written:
Top 10 Most Common Mistakes to Avoid When Selling Your Home - In fact, I'll throw in an extra one for you!
So, what can I glean from this information? Well, it looks like the very best posts that I have written manage to tie something from my life and family into my career. Five of my nine 500+ posts were inspired by my family in some way, and one of them is about my AR "family".
Hi Jason,
This is fascinating! If you survive your move. After your move is completed, I would love to see your current Top 10. I wonder if the same pattern would hold true?
Bruce - Good question. Since this post was written about two and a half months into my AR journey, I should take a look and see which ones fared the best in the first full year. By the way, shoot me an email sometime with your full name. I like you, and I would like to send you some business when you get your license.
I would like to send you some business when you get your license.
Thanks Jason!
That's very kind of you. I will return the favor. But I must warn you. My plans to get licensed have slowed to a crawl since reading posts by you and Jim Crawford. A while ago you wrote a good article for new agents. And Jim recommended having six months of income in the bank before jumping into real estate. I'm sure that's good advice, but it's not easy to save that much money!