The Wondering Real Estate Weblogger

Greg Swann threw down the very gentlemanly gauntlet; create a weblog post that comes within shouting distance of perfection in under an hour, and take as its subject the challenges faced by a new real estate weblogger. No mean feat is that. Examples of near-perfection, and many more of not-even-close, can be found in the myriad real estate blogs that swarm in cyberspace. However, I am nothing if not inspired by a challenge. That must be the case, or I would not have begun the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area Real Estate blog, or joined Active Rain.

It sounded like a great idea, but the reality of regularly updating two blogs has been not nearly so pleasant. When you are new to blog writing, the dual challenges of time and inspiration are always ready to stop you cold.

Of the two, inspiration is the quickest to sap your resolve. Who am I to think I have something original to say? There isn’t a real estate topic that hasn’t already been written about; how can I possibly add anything without sounding like a “me too”? Regardless of any past success, the suspicion that I lack even a shred of creativity lurks nearby ready to sneer at my efforts.

Suppose I put a gag on that sneering inner voice, and write an article anyway. What do I hope to accomplish? What do I want my weblog to be? It seems to me that the best combination is based on the double E; Enlightening and Entertaining. If I can bring something new, whether a slightly different perspective, or even a new idea, to the discussion, that’s a start. Pointing readers to something I read – another blog or a news story that I found interesting – that’s another way to enlighten. Or perhaps consolidating information from several sources in a presentation that makes connections that create a sum greater than the parts. Even providing information that is available many other places, but in a unique way, can make a reader feel that your blog is worth a bookmark.

The second E is just as important. We all learn better and pay closer attention when we are entertained. That doesn’t mean a blog needs to make you laugh, but information can be presented as boring or fun. Take a table of market statistics and turn them into a colorful chart – that’s entertaining. Find an image that illustrates your point but has a bit of humor – that’s entertaining. Make a connection that is not obvious – that’s entertaining.

Oh, and one other point. I want my blog to generate comments and feedback. After all, the ability to converse with readers is a large part of the reward for the time and effort invested. So I should probably end some of my articles with a question.

What do you think?

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