So, first off let me formally introduce myself. My name is Chris Martin. I am basically the man behind the scenes. I’ve setup and customized numerous websites, blogs, and forums. I’ve run communities of upwards of 5000 members and established a network of people, prior to this social media revolution. So let me just say… it’s not to hard. Takes a little bit of time, perseverance, and naturally the right platform to sustain it.

We here at Mad Mortgage World have received numerous emails regarding the great debate of which blogging platform to use. Most of us are going to be biased in our opinion because of the fact that this great site runs off of Wordpress. My official opinion, because of the large bribe sent by Wordpress is that no other platform has the community and support around it quite like our dear friends. (Kidding about the bribe)

To be blunt, Typepad and Wordpress are both equally great platforms, but I believe I can count up to about 30 other platforms well worth our time. For time sake and peer pressure, we’ll stick with the two of the biggest guns. The features of both Wordpress and Typepad are virtually identical. There are thousands of posts comparing the two if you do a simple search on Google. No side will win the war, it’s just a matter of preference and convenience. I do suggest sticking to one of these two, just because they are going to be the easiest to get into and will provide the most amount of support due to the large communities attached to them.

A few things to note however:

• Wordpress.com discourages commercial use of their free hosting.
• Typepad overall has been known to have a more user friendly interface than Wordpress.
• Blogger displays ads at the top of blogs and also provides a link to the “Next Blog” at the top, which could link straight to a competitor. In the past we have recommended Blogger for beginners, however our stance is rapidly changing on this issue. I would now personally suggest Typepad.
• Typepad charges a fee of $4.95 a month for their hosted service.
• Wordpress.org is completely free, however be ready to pay $4.95 a month for Hosting.
• GoDaddy.com Rocks! If you host your website through them, they provide a “one-click” install for Wordpress, Typepad, and host of other great applications (Helps save a ton of time and it’s SUPER EASY). Also GoDaddy provides a Google test that will analyze your site for Search Engine Optimization FREE!

Again, I’m not telling you which way to go, but I will at least narrow down your options. I didn’t want to go into any real technical details on this post, because honestly, who has time for that?! Test them both yourself, let me know which one you prefer!

More Info:
Problogger.net conducted a survey of the preference of it’s users in regards to blogging platforms.

Blogging Platforms:

Typepad
Wordpress.com
Wordpress.org
Blogger

Get More Blog Subscribers! from Daniel Martin on Vimeo.

I have listed out some of the blogs I subscribe to that seem to consistently have relevant information. They are categorized by the Google Reader folder I have them in.

How to Change the World - Guy Kawasaki gives us much needed wisdom on navigating the new age of digital media and creative
ProBlogger - I can’t begin to tell you how much I’ve learned from Darren over at ProBlogger. He consistently delivers “how-to” advice for bloggers everywhere.
Copy Blogger - This guy belongs to the Church of Content. If you want to know how to deliver incredible edible content again and again just read. Then rinse and repeat.
Paul Colligan - Wanna develop a podcast that can be monetized. Paul dives deep on the complex world of monetizing your podcast in a no-holds barred type of way.
Podcast Academy - This is the feed that publishes all the session from the Podcast and New Media conference from 2007. I have listened to every episode and can tell you there is gold in “them thar hills.”

Web Strategy/Social Media

Marketing

Christopher S. Penn
New Media Leader

Think you know about Social Media? Follow Daniel Martin and Christopher Penn as they “take the red pill” and wake up in a world where authenticity rules and customers are connections. Christopher Penn dives deep on Social Media philosophies and gives the Mad Mortgage World Community a roadmap for successful integration of Social Media in the Mortgage Industry.

Read Christopher Penn’s Full Bio Here.

Subscribe in ITunes!
Download the MP3 Here! (Right-click and choose save target as…)

Show Notes:

• Running Time: 35:07
• Audio comment line: Sound off and let your voice be heard by the Mad Mortgage World Community at +1 303-468-0570
• Please send in questions, comments, suggestions, snide remarks, kudos to iammad@madmortgageworld.com
• As always you can connect with your Host Daniel Martin via:
  • Connect via Twitter
  • Connect via Linkedin
  • Connect via Facebook
  • Connect via Email
• Place to find Christopher Penn
  • Christopher’s Blog - Awaken Your Superhero
  • Christopher’s Financial Aid Podcast
  • Christopher’s Marketing Over Coffee Podcast
  • Christopher on Twitter
  • Christopher on Linkedin
• Recommended Reading
  • Dan Ariely’s Book Predictably Irrational
  • Seth Godin’s Books - All Marketers Are Liars
• Google Reader - Try it out!
• Recommended Blogs/Podcasts you MUST subscribe to: (don’t know how click here)
  • Dan Arialy’s Blog
  • Chris Brogan’s Blog
  • Marketing Profs Blog
  • ProBlogger’s Blog
  • Bryan Person’s Blog
  • Mitch Joel’s Blog
  • Ted.com
  • Garr Reynolds’ Blog
• Podcamp.org- Check out all of the upcoming PodCamps
• Building Your Personal Brand Through Podcasting - MitchJoel

The old saying goes, “they don’t care how much you know unti they know how much you care.”

It doesn’t work that way. Ever.

I know this topic may seem like a bit of a downer but, we have always been taught to “let them know that you care.” Many of the old guard will still swear by the “good ole boy” system.” The “I gotta guy…” system.

As The Millenials (Gen Y, Baby Boomers the Sequel) turn 30 this year the one thing they want for Christmas is: An Expert. They are begging to be intercepted by experts. They only care about how much you know, and it better be more than them. Allow me to explain.

Greater thanIn 2005, 40% were Generation X and 39% were Echo Boomers ” that’s 8 out of every 10 new homebuyers and 70% of all home buyers begin their search online.

A search by definition is a journey of discovery for a specific peice of information, location, etc. When we search we have an idea of what we are looking for but, we don’t know where to find it.

Enter today’s loan officer.

As more and more people begin their search online, loan officers have more and more opportunity to intercept the searching with their mortgage industry expertise. What are the steps in this quest for the expert’s interception?

#1 Start with a blog!

When you have signed up, received a username, and realize you have no idea what to blog about, do some research. Search for terms like “blog, social media, social networking, journaling, writing,” get intercepted by experts out there in those categories. Discover what it it like to be on the receiving end and remain aware of your impressions.

#2 Listen and Learn!

If I were you I would stop by Chris Brogan’s Blog and check out his Social Media 100 Experiment. I would also do a drive by on the following sites to garner some wisdom from those who have gone before you.

http://www.ricardobueno.com/ - Loan Officer Ricardo Bueno’s Blog
http://www.themortgagereports.com/ -Loan Officer Dan Green’s Blog

I would also make sure I visited Lenderama to discover what other Real Estate Professionals are saying in the blogosphere.

#3 Act on it!

Write, just write. Get personal. Get professional. Get busy. If you can’t think of anything or just don’t want to write,  utilize a tool like “Bring the Blog.”

Email me your blogs as you get them up and running! I want to see your success. As always you can reach me at daniel (at) madmortgageworld (dot) com.

More About the Author Daniel Martin.