30 Posts in 30 Days – Pros, Cons, Recap, Thank Yous, Lessons Learned

30 Posts in 30 Days – Pros, Cons, Recap, Thank yous, Lessons Learned

By JC Kiadii, Internet Marketing for Mortgage Professionals

In August, I set a goal to blog for 30 days straight. Towards the end of the month, I wasn’t able to blog for several days. Then, Karen Bernetti, CT Realtor and Home Stager contacted the powers that be at Active Rain to initiate the 30 day blogging challenge. Thanks, Karen!

Yes, I know this seems shallow, but with 5,000 points on the line there was no way I wasn’t going for it! So, I started the blogging process all over again.

Finally, it is done! Whew! There were some days that I didn’t want to hear the words Active Rain, but I persisted anyway.

A few lessons learned and benefits gleaned from the challenge:

• Meeting some really good bloggers in the Rain.
• Speeding up my blogging so I am no longer the slowest writer on earth.
• Proving the blogging tips in my mortgage marketing blog and  mortgage blogging webinar really work. On the days I really didn’t want to be bothered or could not come up with one topic idea, I simply took my own advice.
• I finally received another featured post. (Thanks!)

Disadvantages of 30 posts in 30 days challenge

• There were times I spent blogging when I really should have been working on a higher value activity (such as finishing work, prospecting or following up).
• My blogging wasn’t as focused as it should have been. Despite the fact that I know better, there were days I just posted an article to get it done, instead of posting an article that would have helped with my marketing or SEO.
• There were some days I didn’t have the time to comment on other blogs. I think commenting, sharing, and forming relationships is far more valuable than earning points. On the days I didn’t have the time to comment, I felt as if I missed out.

Here’s a recap of my blog posts. On the days I made more than one blog post, I just chose one.

1. 30 Days of Blogging – Reboot. Restart.
2. Outlook 2007 Tip – Assign a Category in One Click
3. Marketing your Mortgage Business on LinkedIn – Tip 1 of 5
4. Marketing your Mortgage Business on LinkedIn – Tip 2 of 5
5. Mortgage Marketing Tip – What’s Involved in Closing More Loans?
6. Marketing your Mortgage Business on LinkedIn – Tip 3 of 5
7. Stumped for blog ideas? Thar’s gold in them thar comments! (Update)
8. Making the Case for Mortgage Email Marketing
9. When Your Accountability Partner Makes You Drink Cod Liver Oil
10. Do you have a “bright idea” book?
11. Marketing your Mortgage Business on LinkedIn – Tip 4 of 5
12. Did you know – you can export your LinkedIn contacts?
13. Task List Thursday
14. Localism Post Idea
15. Do you survey customers after closing a loan?
16. Want to quintuple your closings? 2 words you should live by.
17. 7 Signs – It’s Time to Upgrade from Excel to Access
18. Outlook 2007 Tip – How to Create Templates (with Attachments & Text)
19. Outlook 2007 Tip – How to Use Email Templates (with Attachments & Text)
20. Productivity Tip – 15 Minute Friday
21. Excel 2007 Tip – Highlight Duplicate Values
22. Marketing your Mortgage Business on LinkedIn – Tip 5 of 5
23. Mortgage Marketing with LinkedIn Answers – Time Saving Tips
24. Maybe the reason you aren’t getting enough done is – you don’t have the time!
25. What’s the most valuable thing you can do on Active Rain? A question for Ambassadors and all Active Rainers.
26. My #1 Tip for Smart Saving on Business Spending
27. The most valuable thing you can do on Active Rain
28. Dare to Dream – If Your Business Was Perfect, How Would It Look? Feel?
29. A Few Favorite Browsing Shortcuts
30. Mortgage Social Media: 5 Places to Use Keywords in your Social Media Efforts

In closing, I’d like to say “Thank you!” to all of you for commenting on my blog posts.
Your encouragement kept me going.

http://www.twitter.com/mortgageva

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JC Kiadii, Mortgage Internet Marketing Services . 770-469-7385. Are you reaching out to the 87% of new buyers who start their search online? Our team provides results-driven mortgage Internet marketing services. Visit our website and sign up for the More Closings email newsletter to receive the report 6 Steps to More Referrals.