Opening Disclaimer
I want to make it clear that I am offering things up as I see them. These are my opinions as a somewhat educated observer. I am not saying I'm better by any means. An extra pair of eyes on anybody's work, can offer up information that perhaps was once not fully considered. I myself and guilty of a lot of errors, and there's a lot of room for improvement in what I do. While blogging is not about being perfect, continuous improvement through constructive feedback can help everyone be more successful. I hope that my criticisms are seen as constructive, and I also hope that what I say is taken with some skepticism. I'm only one observer. Ultimate credit and responsibility lies with you.
General Observations
This weeks posts took a long time to adjudicate to say the least. And believe me sitting down to do this hasn't been easy. I took the liberty of offering critiques on both the blogs and the posts themselves. Things have changed over the weeks however so in most cases the blog from week 3 looks nothing like the blog today. The judging results for Week 3's rankings are only based upon the posts themselves. I did notice a number of consistent issues with all of the contestants.In my opinion a balanced business producing blog for those of us in real estate, is going to be one that includes elements of business, regional focus, and personal touch. In addition you've got to keep it clean for the reader. You're stuff has got to be easy to follow from both your writing, and your visual presentation.
Are you in real estate???
With a lot written this week there was a surprising lack of real estate business focused content created. This affected almost all the contestants somewhat. A really good example of the kind of quality, interesting and substantive posts I can point out were in guest posts on The Future of Commercial Real Estate Blog. I did not consider them for this week because there were not entries that weren't guest posts.
Read these posts as great examples:
Job Growth is the Key
Upward Pressure on Rental Prices
These posts are interesting, regionalized, personal, and very business oriented. If I'm looking for someone to do business with then these posts are doing it. Now don't get me wrong, not everything has to be business, it's got to be true to the bloggers sensibilities. But if real estate business is not in your speech then your business is likely suffering.
Where?
Business always happens in a place. If a client is looking for something they want it somewhere. So a regional focus is of course always important. I'm not saying this for SEO reasons either. I'm talking about your customer here. Most teams did a good job of keeping it regional this time.
Who are you?
The personal touch is one that's more difficult to talk about. It's also a tough one to overcome if you have an issue here. I have trouble here myself. There were a number of exemplary posts that kept it "real" in this way. Kevin's "Overpaid" post is a good example of that, and so is Tisza's "Rally 'Round The Swag." These are just two examples.
I don't follow.
While blogging is less formal, it's important that I can stay with you in your writing. In some cases I've had to go back and reread things because I missed exactly what your point was. I should "get the point." Without to much trouble. Developing a good writing style takes practice but it will help your ability to reach your audience.
See it? Get it.
While may or may not have written a masterpiece of writing, it's still going to be hard to get the point if the work isn't visually appealing. A mountain of words can be daunting and lead to a "click" onto the next website. Visual appeal offer's a quick overview of what's going to happen and it breaks things down into chunks so I can digest the information one bite at a time instead of being overwhelmed.
Results for Week 3's Judging
- Jackie and Jim were number one this week because every post successfully presented an interesting and consistent regional and real estate related focus.
- Tisza and Drew placed second this week based upon the posts "Don't Look, Dogs, and Swag." These posts combined presented interesting regional information, Tisza's personal job reflections, and solid real estate advice for home sellers.
- Mary and Frances placed third. Mary was by far the best "blogger" this week, but not the best "real estate blogger." She had A LOT of interesting quality regional content. All posts were interesting and there were a lot of them. The team took a large hit however because when reading the posts I did not connect customers to her business. I could very easily of have read most of the posts and not realized she was in real estate.
- Kelley and Joel place 4th. There was a lot of relevant local information on the blog. It was topical, and timely for Rancho Santa Margarita.
- Kevin and Ardell barley squeezed past Ines, Rick and Paul, with Kevin's fabulous post "I think sometimes I'm overpaid."
The Reviews
Tisza and Drew,
Blog:
- Your side bars aren't organized right now. They are taking away from your posts.
- "Find Homes For Sale" These lead off to Realtor.com and Zillow.com with nothing coming back to you. You want a listings search but it's got to be Tisza's search. If someone want's to "find homes for sale shouldn't they be looking for you? This is a confusing message to send to clients.
- I like the property evaluation tools.
- I love the calendar of community events.
- I like your picture on the page but you've got an about, and an about me...keep the picture, change the title ad your phone number.
- The header could be a little smaller. I love the images though.
- Move recent posts to where your blog roll is.
- Put recent comments together with your recent readers if you're going to have that there.
- You've got your email address on your contact page. It'd be better to have it as an image like Vali has it.
Posts: I love the flow of your posts. You do an excellent intro then get into the meat and recap with an excellent close.
These are pleasant to read and help the reader. In "
Don't Look and it will hurt," I felt your section on switch plate covers was a separate post.
"I have definitely noted that my shorter posts do receive a higher view rate, so... I am making an effort to be more concise." You've got the right idea here. Being more careful to be concise can amplify our point. Extra writing can dilute effectiveness and potency.
In addition I would be sure to break things up a bit, add headers or bullets to break your post into sections. Your "Wrapping up What's going Down" Post is an excellent example of a post that would do better broken up a bit.
"Rally Around The Swag" was a hilarious post and an excellent celebration of the mundane and daily atmosphere of your work. This is a helpful post because it shows a lot about you, your attitude, and provides a small window into one aspect of what you encounter in your daily routine.
Kelly and Joel,
Blog:
- Your blog is very clean, and well organized, even though there is a lot to look at.
- I'd get rid of the Poll. "Do you like my site?"
- You've got a link off-site to listings.Any listings that you send customers to should some how be directed at giving you business.
- Your phone number is right there on the page, I like how you've done it.
- Maybe I'm missing something but I'm not clear on why the Trulia link is here.
- It'd be nice to have a description of what the image header is indicating.
Posts: I'm a sucker for posts that take inspiration from another post, provide your own perspective on it, quote from, and link to the original. That's why I liked "don't take that cash before you read this post." I feel that it would have benefited however from a little clarification of the main ideas and more thoughts from Kelly as to why it was relevant.
Your posts are well broken up and easy to read. But the writing style is a little scattered. I know what you're saying but the flow throws me off.
"Top 10 birthday party ideas" was great, thanks for the list of party places, this was a great idea for a post, I'd love to see a similar "parks" post.
I liked the Tijeras Creek post, especially the personal story, but I'd have like to hear a little more about the course itself. Or change up the title so I'm not expecting to hear more about how you enjoyed the course itself, as you've left it I'm thinking about your golf game more than the course itself.
The California Tesoro post was very good. It lets me know about a potential neighborhood and give me a back ground and understanding I couldn't have hade many other paces.
I also love the Rancho Santa Margarite Parkway post. You did a good job of inserting the info, and making it interesting, while making yourself a resource.
Wow, your project blogger homework post does an excellent job of laying everything out and making it clean and easy to get through, bolds, bullets, and numbered lists that are all appropriate.
Jackie and Jim,
Blog:
- This blog actually links to listings that at least stay on site. I can't tell if the Jackie get's the info then.
- The blog still has issues showing up under Firefox and Safari my browser. In Safari your listings search had some issues. I'm sure your blog works fine in IE, but I believe those scrolling images are throwing you off.
- I feel that the header isn't working. It isn't doing enough for the space it takes up. You can do more with that space.
- I still don't see quickly how someone would get the "international" real estate, other than knowing you go those places.
- I love the use of colors and images in this blog.
Posts: I loved learning about Gasometer City in Vienna. What's the pricing on those places?
They would be good to include. I was also happy for your short sweet and to the point description of
Prague real estate.
I would have included the current rate of exchange at the time you quoted the pricing.
Jackie one of the rare writers this week that used video.
I felt that they added a dimension to give me a better sense of the person who's blogging.
The international thing is still not fully explained. I'll say it again that I don't see an quick way for me to learn more about what an international real estate specialist is. So a casual observer might not "get it" (me) and that hurts your efforts in my opinion.
Vali and Teresa,
Blog:
- You've got a listings link that goes to your website, this is perfect.
- Your contact information is readily available. Excellent. Just a direct line and an email with a link to your profile. You've used an image for your email address to protect from spam, this was smart.
- Your aesthetic use of images and white space are pleasing to the eye making your blog over all an enjoyable experience.
- You've got the trees to separate post. I like how it works.
- I don't like the subtitle "real estate info page." Somehow the energy of that phrase sucks some of the stuff out of your blog. Same with "contact information." There could be something phrased a little better.
Posts: Pointing out www.ofheo.gov as a resource is excellent, but how to utilize it is another question all together.
I feel readers would benefit from some elaboration in a separate post.
Your inclusion of a slide show on "Red Rocks Trail" was also good. These are two posts that are good for readers. Over all it's going well.
Rick, Ines and Paul
Blog: I'm critiquing Miamism.com event though it wasn't around on week 3.
- This is a fabulous name. Miamism is terrifically brandable and salable. Very good stuff.
- Images at the top, while wonderful, take up a lot of real estate.They really do look good, but take a look on a smaller screen and you'll see you might want to make some adjustments. One particular example While it's good to get subscribers, the RSS image you have is huge. This is an important thing. Just don't push me away before I get to see what you've got.
- Even though it's huge, Search for properties is prominent and effective. It's branded to you, very good.
- Your featured neighborhood sections are superb. I love the concept. This simple to-do concept is awesome. If I was scoring on blogs and not just posts this week you'd have it serious bonus points with this. Other's you can do this with your sidebars, tag bars, and "categories" lists.
- It's pretty clear to me right away that this is a real estate site.
- Why is there a large amount of white space between the first post and the titlebar?
- Like London and Pat you've got a good menu system.
- Somehow the orange on the left is "big." Maybe I'm nuts but I'm just offering what comes to my mind.
Posts: I loved
Miami's hot list.
Not only does the title (hot) feel appropriate but I love the concept.
I realize this is borrowed from the Miami Herald's review, but it's still good for a blog.
I'm not sure what was in the original article.
How much was yours vs theirs?
I would have added more of my own opinions and reflections to the list and made it clear so that I was really adding to the conversation started by the original review.
I would also link to the Herald's list if it's online.
"
Green"
was a good start to a post, but it's hared to find your thoughts in the writing in here.
Thanks for sharing your background in architecture.
I do believe this theme should be a consistent one in what you post.
Each blogger should bring to their unique perspective to blogging, this is clearly one way for you to do so.
I would have loved to have heard more real life examples of this in the post.
(I hope the following makes sense:) To sum up the core issue I see in these posts is, in this observers perspective, a lack of groundedness.
When something is hypothetical or almost "in the air" then it's not going to affect people.
That's why I said it'd be good to have some real-life examples in
"Architecture and Real Estate." The impact would be so much greater with more of that element.
To be honest, this is I feel one of my own biggest faults.
Kevin and Ardell,
Blog: I'm critiquing your SB Real Estate Blog, even though it wasn't there on week 3.
- You've got this bar at the top of the screen Home | My website | Condos....etc. I love it. No one has anything quite like that. Your bar is very good. I hope everyone sees this.
- "style. substance. results." I don't get it and I should if it's there.
- Mobile edition? Kinda cool. I don't know how useful it is but it's definitely a positive. I know I'm looking at blogs all the time on my phone.
- Having your email displayed on your front page can attract spam, I don't know if I'd do that. Your phone number is on there though and that's good.
- The "Condo" in South Beach Condo Blog helps me know you're likely talking real estate here, and that's supported right away with the rest of the blog.
Posts: Apogee does sound mind blowing thanks for sharing.
What's the pricing on these places?
Are there any available?
How many units are there?
"Overpaid" is an excellent post. I really appreciate your candor. You're not pitching at all yet, the story helps me see why I'd want to listen to you.
You've provided an interesting story that's beneficial to any potential buyer or seller.
"When you hire a professional to assist you in the sale of your home, do your best to take advantage of all that professional has to offer you. " That's a terrific quote. It goes a long way. This is my favorite post for week 3.
Julie and Jeff,
Blog:
- Your tabs at the top are excellent.
- You've got contact info right there on the page
- The blog is clean and the included extras are helpful and well placed.
Posts: Thanks for sharing from your story on Trevor Kott. I feel you story was honest and well written. I think that even though no real estate interests are conveyed it gives your buyers and sellers insight into the person they are interested in hiring. The Plainfeild Pool post, I feel, is an excellent example of a blog that ties you to the town and allows you to offer something up to your buyers and sellers.
On your "GREEN" post on AR you do a terrific job of being open. Openness can be important things, in my opinion for blogging. Keep writing like this.
I've had to say this for a lot of writers this week, where's the real estate? I remember a post a while back about Julie's experience as she went to a new housing development, telling us about the development etc. What's going on in the local job market and what does that mean for housing?
Theresa and Gregg,
Blog:
- Exploring Huber Heights, brick by brick...I love it.
- I still don't understand the dog. From just looking at the blog. I'd expect to see "The Brick Ranch" house there.
- I don't see your contact info on the blog. Phone number should be right up there in my opinion. If I want to get a hold of you it's gotta be easy.
- The "MLS search-image of flowers then clickable search the complete Dayton-area MLS system" setup isn't working. One button that leads to a branded search page would be much more beneficial.
- I'm still loving the "get published" section allowing others to join up. You're not a compelling thing here yet though. To spin it better us less verbiage and encourage more action. Very good stuff, it's just not being executed. I see you talking about it in "Now we get to the good stuff" but the results are shown.
- Show us your house is also terrific. You could definitely do a lot using this to involve your local audience.
- I don't know why it's a leaf, but that leaf setting up each post is excellent for separating one post from the next.
Posts: Like the Flat Daddy project. It's tying you into your town and area happenings. "Second best would be to hang with some like-minded fans at a loud and rowdy restuarant that serves great wings and nachos." Did you have a place in mind?
If I was in town I'd definitely stop by Conn's. 15 million Canadians probably needs an explanation for a non-local.
Once again I have to ask, where's the real estate? This is very local, and good information all around but there should be a real estate expert somewhere in this blog. "I have done nothing to promote my blog locally as I don't think it has enough interesting content yet" I have to say you're doing fine with the local content. Your blog promotes itself. But you've got to bet more real estate in the mix.
Mary and Frances,
Blog:
- You've got your own property search link on the page great! It doesn't however stand out quite enough.
- Your contact info is right there very good. Is your office your primary line? If it were me I'd have my cell phone since I'm never in the office.
- You've got 2 sites your linking to which is fine, but how do they fit in? Which do I chose as a reader? Sometimes and perhaps in this case, less is more.
Posts: Wow I loved the Real Estate Shows tour , it really comes off well. I also like how you presented it as "this is what I did yesterday." All of your posts did great in presenting the town and include elements of who you are and what you're about. You've really tied yourself to the town, when describing the history through 107 and Going...and Same as in 1900. Your consistency is terrific too, you just keep posting on both blogs, consistency is a strong attibute.
You are connecting well with fellow professionals in a few of your ActiveRain posts. It's really good in these cases (you'll get the most input.) to say, this is what I am doing and this is how it's going. I personally don't like the "read more at my other blog" type posts unless you've really presented something on the blog I'm reading and you're showing me yet another aspect to what you've already said. Don't point out something only to have it be something you could have just as well taken care of where I am.
In your ActiveRain blog you say this:
"And of course, the topic of real estate must be interwoven into all of this. So from time to time, I like to discuss the character (and history) of a neighborhood, real estate housing market information and stats, and so on."
This is very true of what I read this week from you on Living Los Gatos. They are all real estate related But when I read the posts I don't get that you're selling Los Gatos real estate. There needs to be more business on your blog.
Michael, Barbara, Joe and Rudy
Blog:
- I've got the same criticism here as I do for "Future of Commercial Real Estate", What's Beach Hamptons Blog About? Yeah I get it it's bout Beach Hamptons, but what's the angle?
- I love that there's a calendar that show's when you've made a post. This is a cool tool.
- There are way to many categories in this list. A tag cloud would be more effective.
- My readers seems out of place. I'd like something else featured at this position. Like your phone number?
- I can't get a hold of you through your blog except through a contact form. I should have a phone number.
- This blog assumes I know you sell real estate. But I don't from looking at it all i know is you are somehow involved in real estate.
- This blog is well localized. I know where I am looking through the content. I love how well localized things are here.
Posts: Your
1st quarter Manhattan Report is my favorite post of yours, but all over I'd say you've really got to do some more work on bringing out your own thoughts in all these posts and relate them to your market niche.
Madison and Dustin,
Blog:
- I liked that you've established a solid theme. Based around celebrity, which is really tied in well (in the blog) with the area. The "Celebrity Blogs" list on the right for a blog roll seems actually more appropriate than say a blog roll of real estate websites. This is the best and most appropriate blog roll of all the contestants. Admittedly you've got more than this one. But this one is working for you.
- You included a branded home search, excellent.
- I'd move my "recent comments" up a little. If you're going to use it it should be more prominent.
- There's not easily identifiable contact info on the page. It should highlight working with Madison as a real estate salesperson more.
Post: This is an example of some of the best niche blogging of the week. The connecting with your community post was a good post. It just needs to be surrounded with more stuff.
I see you attacking the celebrity angle which is an interesting strategy. There are two issues that hold this blog back.
One there's not nearly enough real estate substance here.
Looking at it I would assume Madison is more concerned with celebrity than real estate. "Is this guy in real estate?" crosses my mind from reading the posts and looking around the blog.
London and Pat
Blog:
- I like that your blog is simple and clean. There isn't so much clutter that I can't see the content.
- I think the "Find a commercial broker" stuff is terrible, simply because some of it doesn't do anything. It's got to do something useful if it's going to be there. I also don't like how it's the same as Search for articles by area. Pick one of these and use it.
- While the content of the post was good, the blog itself does not have enough to set up the site. I need back ground information. "who" is this blog. What is it about. "The future of commercial Real Estate" I see that, tell me more please. Your about us is a good pay to do it, but right now it's just about London, not the blog. Adding a subtitle to your header might also do.
- Your links on the top right work beautifully (categories, archives, meta, syndicate this blog). They provide info without cluttering up the page. They do it with style. I love it.
Posts: You've got two guest posts this week. I really believe you've got to have at least one post of your own per week of the contest. Despite that these are awesome articles and very appropriate. They are very related to Real Estate and business, they are also very interesting. These are top notch posts.
It's too bad they are both guest posts, I'd wish to see more from London.
Sales people should be celebrated. There are bad sales people I know. But they don't represent what I did when selling. They shouldn't be able to ruin the profession for me, or any other honest hard working professional out there. There are a whole lot of sales people who are making a difference in this world. They are doing a lot to assist people making important and life impacting decisions. In my recent past I took great pride in telling people I was a sales person. Sales is terrific and it makes the world go around. I have to say that as a sales person I took great pride telling people that I was in sales.
Today the polls open for audience voting in the Project Blogger competition. As many of you know that the infamous Poll Daddy experiment resulted in voting improprieties. It was flawed and abused. In order to correct that we ceased Poll Daddy voting. 
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