I wrote this title to get your attention and to prove a point. Lists get attention and get magazines and website articles read. No I don't have 10 tips but I have one good one that will certainly get more visitors to your site. I have already proven it this morning.
My favorite television show, Sunday Morning had a story this morning about how our society is obsessed with "Lists" ie: "10 places to visit before you die" "7 fruits to help you live longer". I know all the talk is about Google but I love Yahoo because it is consistently adding new and fresh stories about life, science, politics, sports, etc. A day does not go by that they don't have a new list about many different subjects.
Consider this:
- Moses gave us the Ten Commandments (the first known list, LOL)
- There is a book called "The Book of Lists"
- Reader's Digest, Peoples Magazine, they all have "Lists to draw readers"
Lists are a "Call to Action". They encourage readers to read the article to find out the "Secret" that lies behind the headline. Everyone wants to read this new and fascinating news. I know they get my attention and they must work because lists continue to be used in every form of advertising and it attracts readers by the tens of thousands.
Why not use these lists or "Calls to Action" on our website blogs? About two months ago I started adding my website blogs to the home page of my website Search Idaho Homes. The number of visits to my site soon skyrocketed. Many visitors have told me they love my website blogs and have told their family and friends about them.
After viewing the Sunday Morning program, I was motivated to write the blog 7 Tips to make your next home purchase painless about three hours ago. Already this blog has been viewed 27 times inside those 3 hours!
If you don't have your blog on your home page give it some serious thought. You don't have to create these "Lists" all the time and you certainly don't want to overdo it but you can create other types of "Call to Action" type blogs and newsletters.
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Posted By: George Tallabas - Boise Idaho Real Estate Agent - Associate Broker
with RE/MAX Advantage, Canyon Counties #1 Brokerage in sales and listings
specializing in Boise Idaho Real Estate and Southwest Idaho Real Estate.
Good afternoon George - Thanks for the tips. I hope you have a great day and sell a home today.
No fair teasing us with the ten tips headline and then not providing them! I was all ready to check them out.
Great tip!!! I'm using it today. I represent a woman who gives nationwide seminars on letter writing, sharing tea and other Victorian era pasttimes, and her publicist suggested a list of 10 Tips for Handwritten Letters...we will use it! Thanks George!
Hi George, great idea, I"ve been in block mode. But this may inspire me.
Hi George, I fell for the headline! I really like your web site and the blog feature is a great benefit. Is there a reason you don't put all your posts from your site on AR? Does this effect your SEO? As always, thank you for being so helpful:-)
Okay, I was suckered in as well; I also love lists! It is that "cut to the chase" trait I have; just give it to me in a list, I don't need all the embellisment of the authors!
Hi George: SorrY I have been absent for a little while. You always write the most interesting and thought provoking blogs. I have missed reading them. This one is a winner. Now I will have to figure out how to best use it to my advantage as a stager.
Thank you again and have a wonderful Sunday.
Solaris Realty - Thank you!
Betty - I had to get your attention somehow! This tip will really draw traffic to your site!
Missy - Use your imagination and watch the difference! Good luck.
Matt - An SEO guro told me to just place a few AR posts with exerpts and it has worked beautifully!
Cindy - Good luck to you
Michelle - It is nice to see you and good luck to you. The opportunities in every industry, including yours is endless! Write something like "5 Tips to make your home sell faster" or "5 things you didn't know about home staging". Good luck to you.
Okay the list is not a bad idea
Steven - If lists didn't work Readers Digest, Peoples Magazine and others would not be using them. Good luck to you.
George, great post and I visited your outside blog. The tips and the use of the list format does work well.
Missy, last month was my turn at the blog block. Just like a vacation when you come back hopefully you have the time to write with fire in your eyes.
Frank - Thank you and try this tip. The ideas are endless and your readers will love it! I am already getting many of my website blogs read 80-100 times. I can only imagine what this new idea will do to draw more visitors.
Good work! Yes, catchy titles and well-crafted lists are great calls to action! I'm a BIG fan of the list and take advantage of that writing style all the time. More IS better...and providing options IS great! You rock!
Hi George - you're right about lists and drawing in traffic. I've done several list type posts and those always get a high number of readers. Thanks for the reminder to do some more!
Ann
Ann - Thanks my friend and you are very welcome. I hope you are having an awesome day!
Nicole - Thank you! Coming from you it's a great compliment! I hope you have a great evening.
Georhe = Good information. I do that also, and it seems to help in my google rankings
Yep Georgia...I too fell for it as well...good job and great post.
Larry - You go Dude!!
Patty - Thank you and have a great evening.
Great information as always George! That one great idea was worth 10 so-so ideas.
What did you mean by posting excerpts to your AR blog?
Pam - My SEO advisor simply told me to post a few of my AR blogs on my site. She told me to just post some exerpts with a link to the AR blogs so the readers can read the whole blog. Just another tool to give a variety to the viewer.
Lists are very good -- they DO draw people in! It is used on almost every website --Thanks for reinforcing the importance of lists.
Joan - You are welcome my friend. Glad you agree and have a great evening.
You're right this sounds like a good idea and I already have several ideas in mind. Ok, I like your first tip, now I want to see the other nine! Thanks, Cynthia
Cynthia - LOL...Go after it and write your best stuff!
Thanks George for the info. You are so generous and helpful.
George,
Always helpful as usual. Thanks for your for the insight! I love AR!
Thank you George, you seem to give some great advice here so I'll keep reading and learning.
"teaser" headline got my attention...I have to admit, I was a bit hacked that the 10 items werent in the blog, but the info that was in the blog made up for it. Thanks!
Pam - Thanks my friend.
Casey - Thanks dude!
Judy - I appreciate all of your support!
Clint - Thanks, have a great day.
Here I am posting a comment. Point well made
Charlie - Thank you
George, I am not sure if I have ever written any blogs in the form of lists, but I like the idea.
Great idea George. I think I start working on a few list for my other blog.
Congratulations Mr.George. Your post is definitely the chosen one today. You definitely got my attention with this post. I need to start wrting posts with lists. Thanks for sharing. And your website looks nice. Great post.
I guess the fact I'm even here is testimony enough to the power of lists! I'll add writing a list blog to my to do list today!
Great idea, I will keep this in mind next time I blog. Stay cool, it's so hot outside.
Thanks for sharing.
Fern Hamberger Your friendly NY broker at NestQuest
Thanks for the great information, I love list but had not thought about using it in blogs, a see a whole new blog coming out of this. "7 things to ask your next home inspector" I can see it taking shape now. Have a great week.
Great post, George. I was just reading a few other blog titles and wondering who the true audience was for those posts. They were public here on Active Rain, but the title was certainly meant for real estate agents. I think that a good title is essential to reel readers in, but the subject and writing will keep them returning!
George simply brilliant! Simple and effective marketing and you are right I never gave it much though but lists do attract traffic and I know I read the "lists" mostly everyday too, what a great post, thanks for sharing!!
George
Thanks for the tip. I will share a tip about driving more vistors to your site and it won't cost you a cent just ime. Hard work! Have a great week
I would have to agree with you. I get sucked into lists all the time. I am so curious to see how someone ranks things.
Tricky George! You're always out there spreading the word about the Google Juice. Keep up the good work!
Kudos to you for sharing another great tip with all of us!
In college, my very first journalism class focused on this a great deal. Every magazine cover you look at reminds us how true this is. The cover doesn't read: "Make-up Tips" or "Hot Looks for Summer" or "Get Your Home Ready to Sell" - they will ALWAYS grab your attention with "25 Must-Have Make-up Tips", "10 Hot Looks... you get the idea. Next time you're in the check-out aisle, take a glance and see what jumps out first.
Thanks for the refresher
I couldn't agree more, George. Lists simplify things and are a great addition to a blogger's recipe for success!
GEORGE - Great advice. I know that I find myself reading a lot of articles that offer a number of tips or list items. Thanks George.
Hi George!! I really love this post. You really have a point because when I saw this post I clicked thinking maybe I can get 1 or 2 new ideas for my blog or website. I think I will come up with a couple of lists. LOL
Love it :-) I fell for it as well. I too have my blog on my site. I just forget to blog enough. I appreciate the info. Have a great day!
Cidali Mendonca Matukas
Keller Williams Realty
Cidalia@kw.com
www.HomesbyCidalia.com
781-389-7252
Thank you everyone and thank you Lanre for the "Winner Trophy" LOL! Crista...You got the idea babe! This idea will surely get you more traffic in time. As people start reading your blogs they will tell more and more family and friends and more traffic will start coming in, I guarantee it!
Thanks for the tip - The list idea is golden!
I"m gonna borrow that.
Paul - You are welcome and good luck to you.
Someone i used to date lives by the lists. She creates them at will.
Robert - Thank you and thanks for sharing
Yep you got it right I started reading the first couple of words and I got stuck and needed to read more to see what was going on. Great blog,
George: What a tease you are! But, very valid points!
Susan - Thanks and have a great evening.
Debe - Just trying to make my point and I hope it worked.
Nice George. Am having tomato upgrade us outside, and then to focus again on adding things to AR. Truth is we've generated enough busy work so far, which proves the "prototype", and after a bit more than a year of this, we're ready to get serious. Very much looking forward to some of the topics at blog connect.
cheers
Somehow I feel a bit cheated that you didn't actually write a list. I agree that they are an easy way to get your point across and draw readers in.
Great post! I will write the list and make it my new blog project! Thanks for the idea but gosh - now I will be up till 2AM! :)
George, George, George...It I had a list of favorite TV shows, Sunday Morning would be at the top of the list.
Seriously, it is definitely my favorite. I am so glad it is yours also.
This past Sunday morning I drove about 135 miles roundtrip to watch one of my granddaughters take a 40 minutes horseback riding lesson (the lesson was for one hour but the heat got to all of us, including the horse).
Of course I had programmed my DVR to record Sunday Morning and when I returned home I got to watch it. I do not like to go without my weekly dose of superior TV programming.
Oh, about your post...I am going to look at your web site blogs.
Kathleen
Thanks for the tips George! I will bookmark this post for future reference.
You are absolutely right. People love lists. I think it has to do with the concept of brevity - cutting to the chase, so to speak.
I know when I'm researching something all I need are the highlights. I don't want to have to read 50 paragraphs just to grab a dozen or so keywords.
As always - great post, George!
Ah ha .. a teaser title. but a good post. You got everyone's attention. All the best.
Great idea here. I bookmarked it so I can go back tomorrow to reread it. It's way too late and well past my bedtime! I needed some good ideas to ponder.
Great suggestion, George. People seem to be drawn in to read lists, so it captures readers' attention. And it can keep you posts short and more readbale if you stay on topic. But I sure missed the 10 tips. I know thatMark MgKnight adn others have recommended posts (and titles) of this type. Thanks for sharing your perspective.
Jeff
Excellent Post. I bookmarked right for future reference.
George....great tips and an excellent post. You did keep us on our toes.
awsome info! I just read a book called "Positioning" and iot talks about this very same thing!
George, well it definitely worked. I wanted to know about the list, so here I am.
George-well done. A good hook will catch more than just fish
George - You're right! You caught me looking for the list. I believe that there is some truth to the observation.
Okey Dokey George...I will settle for one good tip...and if it works, you have now become an authority...folks will remember...buyers clamor, sellers flock and you will live prosperously ever after !
Thanks for the reminder George, lists are one of those things I love to read/forget to use!
Hi George,
I think you go every one on this one. Great post and very nice oint and i dea.
Thank you
Sharona Hannuka Du Rite realty.
www.sharonaduriterealty.com
Good teaser post and reminder about the power of lists and the "best of" posts.
Great Line George,
Suckered me in as well b/c I was looking for that 10 Quick Tips.
You bring up a good point.
Thanks for making it quite obvious.
PS. I like the blogging attached to the web site. I have heard of this and it is helpful to many as well.
http://RealEstateProsTeam.com
Not 10 but I can use this one thanks, Darin
Good morning everyone and "Thank You" for all your comments. I hope wish you all well with your blogging ideas!
Grea tips, thanks for sharing.
Have A Great Day
Like most of us, I am always looking for new ideas to increase traffic and leads. This was an excellent post in that regard. Thank you for sharing George!
Ok George - I'm flopping around on the deck of your blog boat! You hooked me with the title and reeled me in with the content. Great job and great post too!
BTW George - I love your header of your blog. Somehow it looks vaguely familar. :>)
Bobby - Thank you very much. Coming from you that is an awesome compliment!
Great Tip! I'm already thinking of ways I can use this advise! Thanks
George, You're obviously a quicker waker-upper than I am. Sunday Morning's my favorite show, too, but I didn't get motivated to do anything other than grab a second cup of coffee. Now I know better. Thanks for the nudge.
Lisa - You are very welcome. I have learned a lot from "Sunday Morning" over the years and I just love the show and it has become my favorite T.V. program as I mentioned. I can guarantee you this tip will draw people to your site like nothing else. Good luck to you.
George I love a tease and You are right about the pull. I often do this and try to alliterate the tips as well, i.e. Three Terrific Tips To Yada Yada Yada!
George, your so right, numbers to pull us....
George, your so right, numbers to pull us....
George, Tip #1...you proved your point and got me and about 90 others to read this post. Now where are those 10 tips...still looking. Thanks for sharing!
Joeann - Good mornig and thank you. Have a wonderful day.
Jack - Thanks dude
Margaret - Can you give me a year to write the other tips? LOL
George, clearly I found this a bit late! I have read similar ideas on CopyBlogger...lists and how-tos are great attention getters. I like to write series...typically about 5 parts...and not all at once but over period of time. Thanks for sharing about your successes!
Diane - Thank you for your great wishes and have a wonderful weekend.
Three Reason Why This Post is Good:
1.) You can implement the message right away (hey! I'm doing that now!)
2.) It's reusable - marketing brochures, online, email
3.) It's easy to understand and concise
I hadn't thought about lists before but I do seem to find myself writing them all the time. I guess I never associated blogging in list format but I will in the near future.
The sad thing is that I actually own a book called "List Your Life." ;)
I like the idea of the call to action. I'm going to implement it into my website!
www.pippamac.com
David Letterman's tried-and-true top 10 lists have been replicated at nausea to bait clicks. But a headline is also a promise -- "that you have to keep," Copyblogger notes. "If you can’t, you and your headline revert to completely unbelievable as soon as you let the reader or prospect down." As an advocate of Permission Marketing, deceptive headlines erode trust. A blogger risks his credibility if the headline does not fulfill its promise.
Sarah - Thanks for sharing
Pippa - Good luck to you and let me know when you add it!
Ann-Marie - Thank you and good luck to you
George, you are so correct that the content of our headlines is important to real human readers, and not just the bots at Google, Yahoo, etc.
Kathryn & John
Kathryn & John - Yes, this one blog alone has has been read 250 times now since I wrote it on Sunday and has driven tons of traffic to my website. Have a great day and weekend and thanks for your comment.
George,
Great idea, did you have someone add the blog to your website, or did you do it. I am interested in how you did it and how you chose each different blog.
Don - Good afternoon. The blogs in the middle of the page I wrote myself and is part of the Point2Agent site. The Active Rain blogs on the left side of the home page are blogs from Active Rain I inserted myself. With Active Rain it is a breeze to do.
So uh, you mean there's no traffic driving tips??
LOL..
Kevin - Thanks for the chuckle and Happy Fathers Day.
What happens then after you settle and move in with your family and then a sexual offender moves into the community, do you pack up and move?
George, I would love to have this on our Optimist Board. It's very good!
You always write such great blogs! Informative, to the point, optimistic.
No wonder you are in the top 100 AR bloggers - you are actually in the top 50!
I have a good role model, don't I?
Mirela - Thank you my good friend. I thought about you today and sent you some emails this evening. I loved our conversation last night and I hope you had a wonderful day! P.S. Your wish is my command :-)
George,
Thanks for the information. I am going to have to try this out.
Don - You are welcome...good luck to you.
Thank you George!
This is now a featured post on our Optimist Board. I'm hoping all our members will read it!
Mirela - "Thank you" my friend. Be blessed and have a wonderful evening.
Great point.
Stephanie - "Thank You"
Just one look at the number of hits (then the number of comments) speaks volumes.
Kathy - So very true...thank you and good luck
The "top 10 tips" sure caught my attention. Really need to incorporate my blog into the company website but so far it's just AR!
Penny - Go for it and watch the traffic to your site grow leaps and bounds.
Now that is an awsome tip I will be using that alot
Thank You so much, I hope you had a great day
I like your background good choice
Paula, Cedar Lake, IN
Paula - Thank you and I hope all is well.
You did prove your point. How do you put your blog on your homepage and are you referring to the homepage of your real estate company's homepage or do you mean your active rain page? How do you get those links to your listings and the mls to appear on your blog?
Sonia - Point2Agent allows me to write blogs and place them easily where I want to. It also allows me to open up windows for the middle or sides of the home page which is what I did to add exerpts of my Active Rain Blogs. Let me know if I can help you in any way.
Lists are great because they are focused and can be reviewed more quickly than a lengthy post, great reminder!!
Patricia - Yes they are my friend. Good to hear from you.
George, caught me looking over a month later! Point well taken. Thanks
George: I'm bringing this blog out of retirement. It's back at the top of our Optimist board again!
I keep forgetting that I need to make a list of favorite things to do and make some changes to my Point2Agent website. Hopefully I will get around to it this week. Great post.
Thanks, George--I'll try it out!
I'm famous for my lists! My to do lists are always being written, checked off and re-written...now I had never thought of lists for my posts but that is a great idea!
Tim & Pam - Better late than never! LOL
Mirela - Gracias!
Lanrae - Good luck my friend
Paul - Try it...you will be glad you did!
Sonja - I am not talking about YOUR to do list. I am talking about creating the interest of readers. Try it and I know it will draw traffic to your site!
Sunday Morning is a must watch in my home. The segment you based your idea on also mentioned the use of numbers to grab attention. Uou incorporated both, numbers and a list.
Lorie - Thank you. I never miss Sunday Morning. It is my favorite program!
So simple but so true - great stuff!
1. Make a list
2. Make a list
3. Make a list
Good point. Very true indeed.
Alright George you got me to. Very clever on your part. Great tip! I will start working on my list.
Thanks,
Ken Asher
I think every one of your blogs, that I have read, have all been chock full of helpful hints. At least that is what comes to mind when I see your name. Thanks for the thoughtful insights!
Larry - Yup...the KISS system is awesome
Paul - Keep it going!
Ken - Good luck
Evelyn - How very sweet of you. Thank you and have a great weekend!
George..Great advice..love reading your copy.
Bobby - Thank you and good luck to you. Have a great day.
Hi George.... I was busy last Spring and missed this Post too...Great Post! I have a points2 web site and put the blog on my front page last Early last Spring...you are correct reader love it.
Cheers, thanks for sharing your success and ideas with us all here.
Fred - Go get em my friend!
Ok, you got me!!! But good thought and certainly true we want a quick list to fix all our problems...
Kelly - This tip has paid me big dividends. Go for it!
Hmmm... I have my blog linked in the navigation bar - but few people click on it. So will feature it on my home page and start adding the "numbers". I use it elsewhere but not in my blog. Thanks!
Eileen - Good luck to you!
Great point! I have often I need a more obvious link to my Blog from my web page. I like what you did with the box and a couple of sentences.
Brien - Thank and good luck to you.