I visited Surf City, NJ this summer. I wrote a post to Localism/Ocean County/Surf City. My Darlin' and I found a wonderful little bayfront restaurant on the mainland in Cedar Run, NJ. Another Localism post. I think I've written posts to Localism for every town I've visited outside Arizona since July 2007, when I joined. It's a way of giving back to Active Rain, and to the Rainers I've met around the country.
I'm a "glass half full, and continuing to fill" kind of guy. Reflecting on the success AR has brought to me since I joined up...
I have a question. You may have the answer.
Does posting to Localism outside my home territory of Tucson, Arizona help fill my glass with Google juice?
I probably ought to just ask Karen George in Arizona; she's one of the brightest people on Active Rain on the subject of Search Engine Optimization.
It makes good business sense to rely on relationships we've cultivated--those we know to be reliable. I absolutely treasure those of you who, like Ms. George, fall into this category. You're the vein of gold in Active Rain's rich ore.
Arizona drew prospectors to my Tucson Mountains at the beginning of the last century because there was gold to be found, often near pockets and veins of quartz. Getting it took time and effort. So does mining the Active Rain Network.
One of my resolutions for 2008 (the word implies determination and an unwillingness to be distracted) is to spend time each day on Active Rain looking for additional resources of the human kind. With 63,440 members in Active Rain, I know you're out there.
I just haven't met you. Not yet.
Mike in Tucson,
Tucson Mortgage Lender
40 more people joined AR since you posted this blog, Mike. Our Nationwide referral network is growing by leaps and bounds so it makes sense to me to do localism posts anywhere you have knowledge.
I'm anxious to see what the SEO experts say about this as well.
Mike...I have been naughty! I haven't been on here in 3 days!! No google juice from that!
So consider this a comment on your last 3 Blogs
Hey Mike. I am consistently amazed at the knowledge here on activerain. Maybe we should set up a site for the government to share ideas on how to fix our economy :)
Marlene,
What a nice thing to say to start off my new year! Thanks for subscribing; you're a keeper!
Joel,
I'm in agreement; if you run for president, I'll vote for you! Thanks for commenting.
Gayle,
If you have an eye for the next boom in real estate, I'm subscribing to your blog! I'll look you up on NJ localism.
Joan,
A three-fer! That's a first. I apologize in advance for #2 (no pun intended.) And as for #3, I never thought about Google liking new material, but I'll admit I'm full of it. (New material. Stop laughing!)
Jem,
I pray for Karen every time I think about her, which is pretty often because I subscribe to her blog.
Terry,
Thanks for stopping by to comment. I'll do that!
Teri,
I hadn't thought about adding Tucson Realtor as a tag. Look for it; I'll do it! Thanks much.
Judy,
I'll look for your localism posts!
Amanda,
We've nearly doubled since I joined in July. I'm a little disappointed that the SEO contingent hasn't weighed in on the question; I'd expected more comments from the group Blogging and SEO. Send 'em over!
Carolyn,
You're the exception to my whining just now; thanks for the advice; I'll make it happen!
Jennifer,
I've referred out two pieces of business thus far, and AR is my only source.
Brian,
Long term, I think Localism will be more productive as a lead generator than Active Rain, although AR is an incubator of on-line talent, and a huge source of expertise.
Mike in Tucson
thanks, Shannon!
Happy and Successful '08 to you, too!
Mike in Tucson
Kathy,
I was just reviewing some of the Tucson Localism posts today with friends who came over for dinner. I won't stop posting Tucson stuff. Thanks for stopping by.
Mike in Tucson
Mike, I don't think it can hurt you to post about places you visit. I have done exactly that, although the jury is out regarding how much "juice" it's generated.
One of the great things about this site is the ability to experiment with optimization strategies. You just may stumble upon something the "experts" haven't discovered!