Soci@l Challenge on ActiveRain, growing and learning!
Of course I couldn't be left out of the challenge. Besides, the inducement of 2000 points AND the possibility to win a free iPAD? Color me there! I downloaded the book "Soci@l" by Ben Kinney and Jay Papasan, read and re-read. So far my favorite chapter is Chapter 6, "Effective Blogging - Writing content that ranks and gets read". Or let me rephrase that, so far the chapter I need to really focus on is Chapter 6.
According to the book there is one blog for every 11 people in the "connected" world. That means that I better know what I am doing when I go out fishing in my blog. Times have changed, in the beginning it was "I blog therefore I am". The book points out it has morphed into "we blog, therefore we rank". And ranking is what it is all about.
I know what I have to work on, I am not good at titles. I often get too wordy in my posts, I don't think about keywords when I am writing. I need to focus more on that, perhaps I should put some sticky paper on my computer screen reminding me of why I am blogging in the first place.
Positioning yourself as an expert in a field or geographical area is a very important idea. Not only injecting my own personality into my blog, but making sure that it is high quality, hyper local information that will draw readers in. It must also show that I know what I am talking about, very very important. I don't want to draw them in and show them I don't know my arse from my elbow now do I?
Lastly the hardest thing for me is the knowledge that all roads must lead to andreaswiedler.com. I need to create a highway from my blogs to my website and i need to do it now. I don't know why this is so difficult for me to do, I need a better plan for my informational highway to me.
After reading "Soci@l", it is so very apparent to me that I need to work even harder to get where I want to go. I am thinking this book has just replaced all the others I have as my newest "favorite, best and brightest book" I have in my arsenal. Great job, but enough talking. Now I need to get back to work!
This blog post is a review of Soci@l: Attract Friends, Followers and Connections to Your Business. Soci@l is a free download written by Ben Kinney in conjunction with ActiveRain and Jay Papasan. In exchange for downloading the free copy of Soci@l and writing this review, I have a chance to win a free iPad and I'm getting 2000 ActiveRain points.
Download a free copy of Social here and find out how you can have a chance to win an iPad and be guaranteed 2000 ActiveRain points.
Andrea Swiedler, Realtor® & Liddy Adams, GRI, Broker Associate
Cell: 203.460.1775 Email: andrea@andreaswiedler.com
Swiedler & Adams, we know real estate!
Prudential Connecticut Realty, New Milford & Litchfield, CT
Swiedler & Adams
Call us at 203.460.1775
© Andrea Swiedler, 2009 - 2012
Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest. - Mark Twain
Andrea, you have gotten a great jump on getting there. After you attend Raincamp Boston, you will be that much further along.
Nice post, I just downloaded the book yesterday and have not started to read it yet. Based on what I just read here, I have a funny feeling that I will be like you and need/want to work on Chapter 6. Good luck with your posts!
I like the idea of you calling it a highway and all roads lead back to you. That makes a nice picture in my mind. The book was a wallop of information - and I think all of us, no matter what stage we are in our Soci@l journey, can absorb tips from it. I enjoyed reading your review - every opinion I read helps another part of the book sink in just that little bit more.
Thanks for the share. It is all good
Good post, Andrea! I'm also reading this book and learning a lot from it. It's great to read after doing a couple of Rain Camps.
I really like this post Andrea and I think it might just go some where, thanks for the read!
VB;-0
Andrea, suggested as a feature...I have downloaded the book, but not read it...but, after reading this post...I AM ...!!
Uggghhh, I am the worst when it comes to keywords. I just can't seem to make myself use words that don't sound exactly right - even though I know it's important. I've been looking at some keyword analysis of my sites and I'm just going to have to bite the bullet and make sure that every time I write something I go back and look for keywords to work in.
Thanks for the reminder.
Thanks for bringing this to my attention!
Featured in BananaTude!
Andrea, I'm with you - the Soci@l book is awesome and inspiring! We have a lot of work to do, don't we?
I downloaded the book and got side tracked with my website. I am in the process of doing a much needed website overhaul and it has been my focus. Hopefully I will have it up within the next 2 weeks and I can spend my time somewhere else. It is too late for the points but once the website is switched I will need to read the book.
You gotta her done! Great post as always Andrea! Hope you are enjoying your July 4th!
Ed, Boston is out of the question this time around. I have too many obligations here to leave even for one day, at least for the next 12 weeks. I am crying on my laptop...
Steve, thank you! Yes indeed I need a plan, a map so to speak. I am too haphazard in my posting I think. My problem is that I am having too much fun blogging!
Cara, thank you, glad you liked that take on it. Really, this is a must. It isn't just getting an idea and writing it, the whole thing should be planned out. I have to work on that.
Lori Bowers Group, thank you!
Pat, thank you so much! I would love to combine it with a trip to Raincamp, just not this time. Now I will cry again..
VB, why thank you. I think there were others far better than mine, but I so appreciate your compliment.
Rebecca, you are too kind. And you will love the book I am sure. It is packed with great information.
Julia, those reports are the worst, really. There is not enough info for my area to get a good list, but I have tried. Just frustrates me to no end. Good luck!
Hi Anna Banana, why thank you! The book is great, take a look!
Maria, we have way to much work to do, LOL.
Marchel, the book is good. I need to really make myself a road map. I also am overhauling my website, doing it myself means it takes too long. Good luck to you!
Hi Al & Peggy, I did geter done! I almost didn't, I have been busy lately. But I did it, and I should be working hard at it. Thank you!
Andrea - Nice post. I need to work on the titles and the sticky too. Soci@l was a great read. I need to go back over much of the material again and start implementing the advice.
By the way, I like the new look of your website.
Andrea,
Awesome job! I missed the deadline.
Ann Hayden in Wildwood, MO
Andrea, there is so much crammed into that book ~ it is my new project for the summer! Glad to have read it before going to RainCamp next month :)
Hi Judy, thank you! That website needs even more of an overhaul, but I will never be happy with it, LOL. Work work work...
Hi Ann, I am sorry you missed the deadline, but read the book! Lots of great info there.
Hi Sharon, there really is, it will be my new best friend for a while. I am so busy right now that I will have to put it to the side and study it again as I can.