Running out of ideas.
There comes a time in every blogger’s life where it seems as if the well has run dry. There’s no ideas, there’s nothing exciting to report, and one more photo post will drive them over the edge. Recently, this hasn’t been the case with me, but I have had it happen. As a new real estate blogger it happened a lot. Who am I and what do I have to contribute to a world overcrowded with real estate blogs (and some darn good ones at that)? On top of the numbers of blogs out there (just wait until more agents begin blogging), there is the “I’m new, who’s going to listen to me?” factor.
It took me awhile to get over those feelings, but I did eventually. The secret? Stop fearing and start blogging. I just sort of dove in head first and let the rest sort itself out. I learned what I liked along the way and found my “voice,” but it took posts that I look back at now and wish I hadn’t written (which reminds me, I should take those concepts and write them again, now that I have more confidence as a blogger).
There are ideas everywhere.
I had this reinforced by Kristin Moran the other day while we were talking about a particular experience that had her a bit riled up. We were laughing about the situation and she mentioned that when she goes home with news – good or bad, her husband often says, “You should blog about that.” When I heard her say it, I passed over it as just part of our conversation. The other day, I had a bit of a situation with Flickr that had my panties in a bunch. I was complaining about it to Kristin when she reminded me of her husband and his reminder to her – “You should blog about that.”
And so I did. I wrote about it over on ActiveRain and the response has been incredible. I didn’t write for much more than to blow some steam and express my frustration, but I wrote it none the less. Sometimes the most obvious things that we don’t write about are the things that people want to hear. Writing it was my way of getting it off my chest, but it turns out there were other people out there that wanted to talk about it too.
Isn’t that what blogging is all about? Finding a connection, relating one thing or person to another, opening up a conversation? And once we’ve done that, we can get down to the rest of what it is we do as agents. But the first step is opening up the lines. When you’re stuck, in doubt, or just want another post – look around you. What happened today? What questions were you asked? Where were you? Who taught you something new? Ask questions and you’ll have an answer – “You should blog about that.”
photo courtesy of nicasaurusrex
Loading ...
Consumerism, Geo-mapping columnist
Marketing columnist
Twitter
They say in screenwriting that you should set a goal to write X number of pages a day, regardless of quality. It’s about learning the process, learning your element, what you’re good at and not so good at. I do both, blogging and (attempted) screenwriting, so I think the rule applies to both.
I find the best way to blog about real estate is to read a lot about it, both pertaining to my home market of Metro Washington, DC, as well as the industry in general.
I think a good way of keeping your blog ideas running is to determine a specific nitch. I am interested in international real estate lead generation, international property marketing and shows. My content possibilities are endless with at least a couple of dozen update e-mails a day on international real estate issues, marketing tips, new property show information. I don’t so called rewrite those e-mails, I apply that information to my local business coverage and provide a lot of marketing tips for fellow real estate professionals.
I am just starting my blogging and social networking experience. I know this is a lot of work. What are the best websites to start real estate related blogging?
@Tim – here is a great place to start!
@Matt – I’ve hit that wall a couple of times, and you and other AG contributors have helped me climb it. I’m actually four-up on my golf foursome – have won the last three outings, and might blog about that!
All kidding aside, while I was thinking about it yesterday (after delivering a solid – 7-stroke victory with a birdie at 18 – pat pat pat my own back), I though about the need to take personal time and degauze. We all have found ourselves having to work harder and smarter in the Shift, and if you don’t “force” yourself to take a breather, it can literally affect your health. Never thought about blogging about it – now thanks to you I will!
Navy Chief, Navy Pride
My problem isn’t running out of ideas. My problem is actually writing them out. After playing around with Scribefire and Windows LiveWriter, I am just using the Typepad interface directly. Also, all this typing hurt my fingers so badly I will be going to a doctor specialist tomorrow..
Ian – I think you can really apply it to a lot of things. I used to get better at guitar the more shows I played in a row. Have a day off? My skills seemed to drop off a bit. It’s about comfort and confidence.
Brandon – Some of my best posts were written immediately after I had read something. Whether it was the actual facts or just the feeling a post gave me, I had to sit down and write.
Kristin – I was going to use Trevor’s name, but wanted to clear it with you, but didn’t want to spoil the surprise of what the post was about. I hope you likes the fact that he keeps you thinking – and now me and a bunch of other AgentGenius readers as well.
Sal – I agree and disagree with you. I think having a niche is good, but allowing your topics to cover a wider spectrum allows for a wider audience. Someone might not be googling “international real estate” but if they came across it, they might pay attention, because it’s something they’re interested in.
Tim – I’m sending you an email to discuss some ideas a bit further. I was checking out your site and had some questions for you as well, so I figured it’d be one of the best ways. PS Joe’s point of here being a great place to start is good too!
Joe – And that sort of post is the one that will let a reader say, “Hey, I like this guy. He reminded me that I’ve been a bit overloaded lately and need a few minutes to myself.” Trust Factor – 1. Remaining an anonymous blogger – 0.
Jim – One of the things I hear the most is lack of time or focus to write so much. Some of us are blessed with a way to squeeze it in there, some aren’t. You just have to make the time and maintain the focus. The more it happens on a consistent basis, the easier it becomes to fit it in. As for the typing – I know what you mean.
I find that my best posts originate from ideas that I’m passionately happy/angry/excited/disappointed about. When I write just to write, I usually end up with warmed up leftovers and let’s be honest who wants to read those. But practice definitely improves your writing so I say pick content from your life that you are passionate about and write about it consistently.
I keep a running list of topics to write about; and I have tons of rough drafts started. When I just can’t think about what to write; I go back and look at my rough draft folder and just get one of my “half-finished” posts, finished.
I’m with you, when I get a little flash “I should blog about this” inspiration I jot it down in my little black moleskin or scrap of paper. Usually what afflicts me is “doubt”. “Doubt” that what I have to say is worth reading.
I was kicking around with Lynsey Planeta at ICSF and we were chatting about this very subject. We concluded that sometimes you just don’t feel it. When that the main thing is not to beat yourself up, don’t quit and like Ian shared, just write.
Cheers.
Erion – Passion in anything you do will make life a lot better. Diving into something without passion can make for a dull event. It’s the passion that makes it enjoyable and pushes you to work harder.
Kathy – I typically don’t write much of my ideas down. Sometimes I do forget them because of this, but when they suddenly come back, I write about them with a passion much like Erion mentions. It probably wouldn’t work for everyone, but it works for me.
Ken – I’ve written a lot of posts that I thought “is anyone going to read this?” They tend to be the surprise posts that everyone loves and has a comment about. Funny how that works. I think the takeaway will always be “just write it.” Not every post will be a smash hit, but everyone of them leads to a total body of work that is.
Matt – great advice for all of us who struggle with the time factor. I have read it before to jot down ideas – Mariana has mentioned it, as has TBoardman.
My problem – taking my little book out of purse and leaving it near my computer. Now, I know I need two or three little books for ideas. With little ideas written all over the place, it may help make the writing part easier.
I’ll let you know as soon as I find my little book
Delicious | Flickr | Facebook | Linked-in | Twitter
Matt, that was a great post on AR.
We all go through dry spells. I set up a folder on Mail. When I read something or an idea pops in my head I drag it to FUTURE THINGS TO BLOG ON.
Sometimes when I look back the inspiration is gone for that topic but then something will jump out at me.
Paula – I too struggle with having things to jot ideas or notes down in, but then leaving them in the place that I’m not. I always keep scrap paper nearby – although not as efficient as a notebook, I have learned to organize the scraps. It doesn’t look pretty but it works.
Missy – That’s a good idea. I keep a lot of mail and I often find inspiration in it (or even send myself emails of things I want to remind myself of). Keeping a folder like that would probably work well for me!