When I first started blogging, I had thoughts that many new bloggers had: What will I write about? Who will read it? Is it really worth my time? I had these concerns and I hadn't even started yet. I'm very thankful that I did start.
I'd like to start by saying that ActiveRain Members have been great! I've asked many questions and I've received many responses that help guide me in the right direction. After each post, I would check google. Why? No good reason. I didn't really understand SEO at the time (and I am still not very clear) and thought I could find my post right away. That is wrong... very very wrong.
After trying several times, I realized that it did not happen this way. To make myself feel better, I would google my name. Obviously I was able to find myself, but who is going to search for John Cannata? ummm... no one. But if they did, they would find a Boxer by the name of John Cannata listed first. That's not me!
I just kept at it with posting and commenting within ActiveRain. My daily/weekly routine is to post two or three posts a week and comment about 15-20 times a day. This keeps my networking active even if I can't find myself in google.
Well, after several weeks of not checking, I finally checked google today.
My first search was "Frisco Texas Mortgage". To my surprise I was #5 on the first page. I was very excited, so of course I had to tell my wife. I know I would not be found under "home loan Frisco" or anything similar because those phrases are all bought up by some bigger companies.
While sharing with my wife, she thought I should check "Frisco Texas Refinance". Can you believe I was listed #2. NUMBER 2 !!
I'm not sure who will use those phrases when searching for a mortgage, but I'm hoping to find out. If I do, it goes without saying that I will post about it.
Thank you ActiveRain! I am still unclear how it all works, but have continued to learn each day. As of now, I am very pleased with the results because I have made great contacts, great friends, and look forward to further success!
UPDATE AS OF 11/3 @ 8:15 am = I have moved to #1 for Frisco Texas Refinance and I am officially 'on the front page' (#7) for Frisco Texas Home Loan.
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Are you looking to purchase a Texas home? Perhaps you love your Texas home but would be interested in refinancing your Texas mortgage to a lower interest rate?
I'll help you get pre-approved for your Texas home loan and even suggest some very knowledgeable and professional Real Estate Agents in your area of choice. If you are available to talk, I am available to listen. Give me a call or visit my website for more details.
Do you want to know all of your mortgage options? Call me today and let's discuss them further.
Always available for your Texas Mortgage and Home Loan needs!
John R Cannata P#214.728.0449
NMLS # 322646
The views expressed on this site are mine alone and do not reflect the views of my employer.
John! CONGRATULATIONS!
I'm trying like heck to make it up the pages, but I'm still on Page 2. One day! I'm also not on top of my blogging like I need to be. I've put together a notebook of ideas/topics, etc so I'm not at a loss for those items. It's just making/taking the time to stay on it. Maybe I will call it "Now In November!" My action plan to get my action plan going!
Keep it up..the rewards are worth it!
I am totally enjoying AR! The best part, I am meeting people that I want to meet in person. I am getting great contacts and getting to know people I would send a referral too. I am not worring about the SEO yet, but one day....
You should do some key word research so you know exactly what people are looking for and write blogs and titles using those words. You will notice a dramatic result. Your competitors are probably going to try the same but you just have to work harder and smarter than them!
The AR Team has built some incredible SEO into this platform. So just by consistently posting good quality, targeted content, you should quickly gain a strong presence on Google. With the results you've had so far, keep doing what you're doing -- writing, commenting, asking questions -- and you'll really be surprised how far you go in the next few months.
Very cool John, keep up the good work and keep moving up in Google.
John....I have started googling clients now just to see what comes up. When I have googled myself I come up about 10+ times. The more you are on the internet the more your name pops up. It can be both good and bad.
Thom and Ray - Now is better than never. Good luck! As you stated, it is worth it.
Sherry - Im like you. Met many good people/professionals. The SEO will come in time.
Shane - That is certainly the goal. I know you can check stats and see what is being searched a lot and what may be more unique to me. Im still learning the whole process. So far so good.
JL - Thank you for the comment. Hopefully I can do searches with other key words in the near future. I'll take what I get for now.
John - AR definitely has built a great platform. As I mentioned, this has happened without me really doing anything. I know once I get more involved with SEO and have a better understanding, I can be the top of a few searches.
Roxanne - Thats funny. I have never googled a client. Perhaps I'll have to try it and see what happens. Thanks for the idea.
Congratulations on your ranking. Good luck . Hope it means more business.
Gita - Thank you! I hope something comes of it. I do not expect quick results. I'll just have to work hard at maintaining my status.
Keeping your posts key word rich and making sure you tag them is so important John. I am still learning myself after 2 + years here and you caught on quick. The beauty of it is that it's really free except of course for the time invested, but you can make it work for you as you have. For my market I want to be found in : home staging collin county, plano, north texas, and I am!
John - Great job! This is certainly a testament to the time and effort that you have put into blogging.
Karen - I have read some really good posts about SEO. My goal is to learn as much as I can so that I can finally finish up my website. Its STILL not done. I think I'll work on it tonight finally.
Erik - Are you saying I have spent way too much time on ActiveRain?? Have you been talking to my wife? Kidding. I have tried to put in my time. ActiveRain has some really good processes in place already. Once I learn more, I can only image what will happen to my rankings in other searches.
Honestly, I haven't really had time to look at my Google ranks and Google Analytics which I should. I might just set some time aside for that today.
Loreena - Let me know how you do. I have found you a few times when searching Friso, but I do not recall the searches I performed. At the time, I was not looking for you, but I do recall seeing your link.
Go John! That's wonderful. Effort is always rewarded.
Thank you Trunda.
John.....I have found some pretty interesting stuff on my clients by googling them.
Roxanne - I didnt have any luck with some of my previous clients. I'll keep you posted if I come across anyone 'interesting' LOL
Great post. I'm right there with you, trying to figure it all out. I've actually been able to pull my name up quite a bit in the market where I live and that is exciting. Ok, they say there are no dumb questions. WHAT IS SEO, or an SEO? What does that stand for and what is it? Does it have something to do with the search engines and being pulled up when you google something. THANKS IN ADVANCE!
Loreena-You are all over the place, at least on Active Rain. What do you do?
Thanks for the response Sellers. It is VERY exciting to see your name, especially when just doing a random search. it was easy to find a ton of things under John Cannata - but when my name appeared on the 1st page of 3 different searches, very cool.
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. Basically, it is key words that your blog or website can be found when searched through Google, Yahoo, or any other search engine site. There are many helpful people here in the rain that can help. Justin Smith is known as an expert, perhaps his blog would be more helpful. Also, there is a group which probably has a LOT of great posts. Here is the group In no way am I an expert. Im still learning for sure.
I strongly suggest following Loreena Yeo. She provides excellent information for new and tenured real estate agents.