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Office Furniture

Executive Furniture including Office Desks, Office Chairs and Reception Desks

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General: [Sticky] Network moderation: Houseblogger Status

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      CommentAuthorJeannie
    • CommentTimeOct 19th 2007
     
    Hi all--

    I've been fielding questions in emails about our Houseblogs.net feed lately. There is so much good stuff about home improvement and DIY on there. And there are some blogs that others have been asking me about because they may not qualify as houseblogs anymore. As a reminder, here is the definition of a houseblog from the FAQ section of the site:

    Houseblogger - This is a designation for anyone writing a houseblog. A houseblog is any website in which over 70% of the content is about the construction, restoration or repair of the writer's own home, and which links back to Houseblogs.net.


    A blog that is 70% about construction, restoration, repair (and I'll even throw in decoration) of a blogger's own house is going to have 7 out of every 10 entries about these topics.

    We have been very casual about the link back to Houseblogs.net thus far. However, if you are a Houseblogs.net houseblogger and benefit from being in the feed, we'd like to ask that you link to us somewhere. This could be in your blogroll, you can use a button created by another houseblogger, it could be with the project tracking widget or through the Houseblogs Ad Network. Thanks.

    Now, about the 70% qualifications:

    In order to be fair to our readers who expect content related to home and garden, we're going to have to begin to contact those housebloggers who may not keep houseblogs anymore and ask them if they would like to change their status to member. Members still have access to most of the Discussion Forum, however, their blog entries will not run through the Houseblogs.net blog feed.

    If you have a houseblog that goes off topic more than 30% of the time, you also have the option of creating a separate feed for your house and garden related entries. That way, you can have the best of both worlds! You can retain your Houseblogs.net houseblogger status and write about off-topic items to your heart's content.

    Here are some links that discuss how to set up a separate RSS feed for certain content on your blog:



    If you are struggling with the separate RSS feeds/Channels issue, please ask us here in the forum for assistance.

    If we do approach you and ask you about the 70/30 rule, please know that it isn't a reflection on how much we love your blog or the quality of your content. It's entirely about being consistent so readers of Houseblogs.net get the content that they are looking for and that other housebloggers benefit from the traffic through Houseblogs.net to their sites.

    Thanks for understanding. Let me know if you have any questions at all.
    •  
      CommentAuthorChelseaSP
    • CommentTimeOct 20th 2007
     
    Thanks for the information! I've been wondering if there was a way to publish only my house related blogs on the houseblogs site, rather than sending through all of my blog entries.
  3.  
    I'm off-topic a lot and would happily do this, too--but I'm afraid that I've drilled through all 3 links provided on the RSS topic, and I still don't have a clue as to how to go about it. I don't use RSS or feeds or newsreaders myself, preferring to click my way around cyberspace, so I'm just not familiar with these tools. I'm going to need the ultra-'Dummies' tutorial to know where to begin.
    Thanks! (Doing this will make me feel less guilty about being off-topic so much!)
    --Brenda from Flatbush
    •  
      CommentAuthorJeannie
    • CommentTimeNov 4th 2007
     
    Hi Brenda!

    Since you use Squarespace for your blog, the categories feature for Squarespace might help you.  (I've not used Squarespace, so I'm just passing along research from other sources.)  

    According to this Squarespace user, you can generate a separate feed for each category you use on your blog.  You might want to send a note to Jessica Ek from Squarespace (here) with questions about how to separate out your RSS feeds into categories.

    Take care!

    jm
    •  
      CommentAuthorJeannie
    • CommentTimeNov 7th 2007 edited
     
    I'm reposting this in the public part of the site as a prospective member has asked for clarification:

    Here are other things that we include in that 70%:

    • Activities related to new construction, renovation or remodeling.

    • Woodworking projects related to the house or furnishings for the house.

    • Home maintenance projects.

    • Your relationships with any contractors who may be involved in your house and garden projects.

    • Your frustration with contractors who don't call back or who disappear.

    • Decisions and purchases you make regarding materials, appliances, tools, hardware, furnishings and other décor for your house.

    • How To information intended to educate others about home and garden issues.

    • Your thoughts about architecture, eco-friendly building/remodeling/maintenance, your hatred of living with drywall dust.

    • How your home and garden related projects are affecting you, your significant other, your kids, your pets.

    • Your neighborhood/community.

    • House history and previous owners.

    • Your opinion about political, legal or financial issues related to home and garden topics.


    That's not a conclusive list. I'm sure that I can think of more. As you can see, the spectrum is pretty diverse.

    Here is a list of things that we consider to be within the 30% non-houseblog content rule, but this list is not conclusive:

    • Personal life unrelated to home and garden.

    • Kids, significant other and pets in general and unrelated to home and garden

    • Religion and politics when unrelated to home and garden.

    • Cooking and recipes.

    • Day job when unrelated to home and garden.

    Again, that is not a conclusive list but should give you an idea of what we consider to be in that 30%.

    We try to be as inclusive as we can while respecting the
    expectations of the readership and community that is Houseblogs.net.

    This
    focus helps ALL housebloggers to get more readers as people who are
    interested in these DIY-related topics find their way here discover
    other bloggers. If the home and garden content is diluted and too
    difficult to find among other topics, those readers will go elsewhere.
    •  
      CommentAuthorKate H.
    • CommentTimeJan 1st 2008
     

    Hi, Jeannie,


    I've got one of the Houseblogs logos on my site, but I've only recently realized you can't click on it to get to the Houseblogs main page.  Can anyone who knows Blogger tell me how to do that?

    Thanks!


    Kate H.

    • CommentAuthorAaron
    • CommentTimeJan 2nd 2008
     
    Hi Kate, pasting this code in to your sidebar in Blogger should work:

    <a href="http://www.houseblogs.net"><img src=http://www.houseblogs.net/images/housetag1red.JPG border=0></a>

    That sould do it but let me know if it doesn't work.
    • CommentAuthorgregjsmith
    • CommentTimeJan 5th 2008 edited
     
    I use a category specific feed, but my blogging software doesn't support it. I used Yahoo Pipes to generate the feed.
    http://www.greginthedesert.net/files/43c64b9ae8e0011ddd104e947e19f211-1208.html
    • CommentAuthorAaron
    • CommentTimeJan 6th 2008
     
    Wow, I haven't used pipes much so that's awesome to know.
    •  
      CommentAuthorbecky
    • CommentTimeJan 7th 2008
     
    I'd like to do off topic writing on my blog, but I don't like the idea of having a hidden catagory.  Basicly I want to write off topic and have those entries show up on the homepage for people who link directly to see, but then want to some how only send the house relevent articles to houseblogs.  I signed up in feedburner and am at the point where they are telling me to place the feed address in blogger, but that would pick up all posts.  Right?  How do I seperate my writings out so only the house relevent ones get sent to that feed?  P.S. I'm pretty clueless when it comes to coding so please treat me like a moron when describing.  Thanks!
    • CommentAuthortfratzel
    • CommentTimeJan 11th 2008
     
    I've now set up a separate feed that deals exclusively with our home. I'd like to change my status back to house blogger if possible.

    Thanks! I certainly learned something new about feeds!

    Todd
    •  
      CommentAuthorKate H.
    • CommentTimeJan 15th 2008
     

    Thanks, Aaron!  I am now properly linked.  I copied and pasted that code into a Blogger HTML/Java Script page element, and it worked!  And the Houseblogs logo matches the non-linking one I had!  Three loud cheers for people who can advise you how to do things!!

    • CommentAuthorchadandali
    • CommentTimeFeb 13th 2008
     
    Thanks, Aaron, for the code you gave Kate H.  I had the same problem she did, so I pasted it on my blog and it works great.  Thank you!!
    • CommentAuthorBruce
    • CommentTimeOct 24th 2008
     

    The tough real estate market has made my wife, Melanie and I think creatively in marketing and selling our fully restored and modernized Victorian home in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />North Attleboro (see our website: www.modvic.com).<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />


    We’ve now gotten over 500 views from our unique Time Machine Home Tour Video: ‘Back Home to the Future’ on YouTube (www.youtube.com/modvic111).


    We’re also auctioning off our ModVic Time Machine on Ebay for $1,295,000 – and if you win the Time Machine, you also get our 4500 Sq Ft Victorian Italianate home in North Attleboro! (www.ebay.com – search: time machine. Sort on highest price)


    In addition, my realtor, Linda Dillon along with other realtors on the South Shore are putting together a ‘5 Historic Homes for Sale OPEN HOUSE Tour on November 15 and 16 (see attached brochure for the event). We are not intending to sell our own home in Sharon, however I’ve included it as part of the tour (listed for $1,995,000) to showcase the work we’ve done. All the ‘Homes for Sale’ on the OPEN HOUSE tour are at least 100 years or older and have been fully restored and modernized. To move people from one house to the next -- we also are doing an ‘antique treasure hunt’ where there will be clues at every home to solve and participants will be eligible to win a $100 AMEX Gift Card when they end up in North Attleboro with all the right answers.


    From what we’ve seen – these creative marketing/selling approaches (combination of hi-tech and low-tech, on-line and off-line, in-the-box thinking and out-of-the-box thinking) have not been used anywhere before to help sell fully restored and modernized historic homes. We are trying to get some press or a story on all the creative work we are doing to help sell historic homes in a down real estate market.


    Please let me know if you know of any media outlet that would be interested in putting together a story (especially for our 5 Historic ‘Homes for Sale’ OPEN HOUSE Tour)? Any help would be greatly appreciated.


    I also recently wrote a blog article on the subject that is below.


    The Magical Marketing Power of 3.


    It took me a little while to figure out -- but 3 is the magical number in marketing and selling of a unique home in a down real estate market.


    Usually 3 is associated with negative outcomes. 1) Two's company -- three's a crowd; 2) Third Place: Win, Place and 'Show' and 3) Don't light 3 matches (in the war trenches -- the third soldier would usually be in the line of fire because the enemy would see the first light, get ready to shoot on the second light and fire on the third).


    In marketing (especially direct marketing) -- it usually takes 3 communications or "touches" to get through someone's attention (wall) barrier. When you are direct marketing -- the first two mailings will soften up your prospect -- the third mailing is more likely the one to effect a response. If you want to really make an impact, you need to think "campaign" in your mailings vs a solo shot.


    I've now taken this concept and applied it to creatively marketing and selling our unique Victorian Italianate home in North Attleboro. However, all 3 marketing efforts have to be interconnected and should have some combination of being "online and offline". Here's the 3 plan:


    1) BACK HOME TO THE FUTURE -- ModVic's Time Machine Adventure


    Pictures speak a 1000 words. Moving pictures speak a 1000 words x 10. Home tour videos can be one of your best marketing and selling tools when you're trying to find the right person for your home that can live anywhere in the country or for that fact, the world. Virtual tours have their place (I've done that too), but they do not provide the human element or the lasting expression of a human story or history connected to your special property.


    A home tour video with a realtor or owner walking through the property is the next best step up than a virtual tour -- but we wanted to go one better -- to come up with a creative storyline to entertain along with presenting our unique Victorian Italianate home in its best light. The story of 'Back Home to the Future' www.youtube.com/modvic111 was born and came to life with the help of some friends and family.


    Here is the storyline:


    An original 1877 Victorian Homeowner travels forward in time to see his restored home modernized in 2008. In the home’s restoration, Bruce and Melanie Rosenbaum, owners of ModVic (Modern Victorian Home Restoration) find the plans to build a time machine in one of the home’s walls – put there by the original owner, Benjamin Stanley Freeman – a wealthy jewelry manufacturer who did his own Italianate transformation in 1877. Mr Freeman wanted to see what his home would look like 100+ years after his “remodeling” – so Bruce and Melanie build the time machine and bring Mr. Freeman forward in time to view his own home at 390 Mount Hope Street in North Attleboro MA – 131 years into his future.


    The unique home tour video helps to give people a real sense of what the home is like and the history of its owners -- but how do you get people to watch it? In the digital age, the best bet now is YouTube.com. It's free and you can start off with telling your family and friends to watch your video and build up your "views" to induce a viral marketing campaign. We already have over 450 views and we're hoping at some point the right viewer will end up being the right buyer.


    2) Win a Time Machine and Get a FREE Victorian Home Italianate Home!


    I don't expect someone to come to Ebay looking to purchase a Time Machine, spend $1.3MM to win the item and move into their new Victorian home shortly afterwoods. The idea is to get attention and get people talking about the creative approach in selling a unique home. Again, trying to get viral in your marketing efforts. We've also listed our website and the YouTube link to our home tour video so the marketing "touches" are connected and helping to feed off one another.


    3) First Time Ever -- 5 Historic 'Homes for Sale" OPEN HOUSE Tour on the South Shore of Massachusetts


    It helps if you can make the sale of your home an "event" that gets people excited to attend and enjoy. Some realtors have had themed Open Houses that combine specific homes in a development, neighborhood or area that prospective buyers can save time by viewing the homes right after one another.


    As far as I know -- no one has offered a Historic 'Homes for Sale' OPEN HOUSE Tour and used an "antique treasure hunt" theme to get people from one historic house to the next. All the antique homes on our tour are at least 100 years old and have been fully restored and modernized. Our Historic OPEN HOUSE Tour will start in Easton MA at a grand Victorian Italianate mansion and estate, then to Sharon, Foxboro, Mansfield and ending up at our Victorian Italianate home in North Attleboro. The person who is able to get all the answers correct from the clues left in the homes -- will get a $100 AMEX Gift Card.


    The OPEN HOUSE tours will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2008 from 9:00AM to 5:00PM and Sunday, November 16, 2008 from 9:00AM to 5:00PM. In the marketing of the Historic OPEN HOUSE tours (newspapers, brochures, website) we also will mention our home tour video on YouTube.com. You can also email me at bruce@modvic.com to learn more.


    There it is -- the magical power of 3 in finding the right person to buy our unique Victorian Italianate home. Please spread the good word 'virus' and hopefully the marketing magic will be performing at a theatre close to you.



    •  
      CommentAuthorJacci
    • CommentTimeDec 11th 2008
     
    Hi, Aaron and Jeanne :) Thanks for the great site! I became a member on December 1st. I was wondering if I could get my status upgraded to homeblogger. My blog is very new, but we've literally *just* moved into our house... there's plenty to come.

    Thanks!
    Jacci
    • CommentAuthorAaron
    • CommentTimeDec 23rd 2008
     
    Hi Jacci - I upgraded your account.  Welcome!
    •  
      CommentAuthorWhy S?
    • CommentTimeDec 30th 2008
     
    I've noticed that when my new posts appear on the Latest Blogs page, the code is visible instead of the text of the post.  This is fairly recent.  How do I avoid this?  Is it an issue with Blogger?
    • CommentAuthorarlos
    • CommentTimeJan 1st 2009
     
    troll alert!!!!
    • CommentAuthorAaron
    • CommentTimeJan 4th 2009
     
    @arlos - Thanks, I deleted that comment.
    @Why S? - That's a technical issue with our site I need to work out.  Hopefully it will be fixed soon.
  20.  
    Was wondering how long the review process is? I set up my profile here on Feb 13, and was wondering how long it would take to get houseblogger status? http://www.termitehall.org/blog/index.cfm?Fuseaction=blog
    • CommentAuthorJulieC
    • CommentTimeFeb 28th 2009
     
    Hi,
       Just wondering why when I log onto Houseblogs that I see page after page after page of the same blogs posts from the "FourSquares" blog site?

    Julie C
    •  
      CommentAuthorLaurelO
    • CommentTimeMar 10th 2009
     

    A few weeks ago we changed our blog banner and uploaded it but unfortunately both the new and old banners are not visible.  Is there something else we need to do in order for one of them to show?  Thanks in advance.

  23.  
    Hi there,

    I have tried several times to upload my banner under the blog settings. Everytime it looks like it is going to save it but then it still isn't there when I look at my blogs. I still get the "coming soon" picture. Also, just wondering how long the review process takes? I am anxious to be a "real" houseblogger. :-)

    Thanks,
    Heather
    • CommentAuthorFoxcroft
    • CommentTimeMay 19th 2009
     
    It would appear that the "blogspot.com" domain is having problems? I can't access Foxcroft (my blog) or any other blogspot.com blogs today. Anyone else notice this?

    -Mike
    •  
      CommentAuthorsaluebbert
    • CommentTimeMay 24th 2009
     
    May I please have houseblogger status.  I feel incomplete.
  26.  
    Hi there,

    I am still waiting on houseblogger status... pretty please can someone update me?

    Thanks :-)
    • CommentAuthorAaron
    • CommentTimeMay 31st 2009
     
    @saluebbert and @heather102581 - You've both been upgraded to housebloggers.  Welcome!
    @laurieIO - Email me the banner at aaron [at] houseblogs [dot] net and I'll see if I can get it in place.
    •  
      CommentAuthorlukspencer
    • CommentTimeNov 2nd 2009
     
    I think I finished everything including the link for houseblogger status I was wondering if there was anything else I need to do 
    thanks
    Luke
    •  
      CommentAuthorrylehome
    • CommentTimeNov 5th 2009
     
    I've added a link to my blog, and we've just (finally) moved in and are starting to blog a lot more about our home improvements & renovations, would like to be upgraged to houseblogger. Thanks!
    •  
      CommentAuthormikkimg
    • CommentTimeNov 6th 2009
     
    Could The Einsel House be granted houseblogger status?  www.einselstonehouse.blogspot.com
    • CommentAuthorAaron
    • CommentTimeNov 6th 2009
     
    @lukspencer, @rylehome and @mikkimg - Done, done and done!  :-)  Welcome to houseblogs.net.

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