Are you a new Active Rain blogger and unsure of how it works or if it even works. Well if you are unsure then take a tour of Active rain testimonials / active rain success stories. This will give you a glimpse of some of the individuals successes.
Some people get quick success on Active Rain. It took me over six months before it kicked in. Now I get from 20 to 30 buyer leads a week from the internet. How much is strictly from Active Rain I don't know. But I know I have over a hundred different blogs that show up on Googles first page that are active rain blogs.
That helps clients find me, and clients do call you from the internet. When it first started happening I thought the greatest and odd statement was "I found you on the internet". It was different for me I was 50 years old and I had become an internet geek. Blogging worked, Active Rain worked!
When I first joined I went by blind faith. I did it to try something new, I heard it worked. The more I read on Active Rain the more I learned. I feel even if you are a 20 year real estate veteran you will learn more on Active Rain about:
- real estate marketing
- blogging and seo
- photography
- internet marketing strategies
- social media marketing
You will learn more on Active Rain than in most seminars you pay for. And Active Rain reading is free. If you are new to Active Rain I urge you to go with the same blind faith I did.
Spend an 1/2 hour to an hour a day blogging and reading on the rain. It will improve your real estate career if you implement some of what you learn here on the rain. Internet leads now make up 50% of my business. There is nothing like getting the call "I found you on the internet". Good luck!
Russ Ravary your metro Detroit real estate agent
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My Month of April quote:
"Sometimes the only way to get to the far shore is to lose sight of the shore you just left"
Russ Ravary
"helping make your move easier"
your local Metro Detroit Realtor helping clients like you sell and buy homes through out the entire Metro Detroit suburbs. I love showing and selling Oakland County and Livingston County Lake front homes too.
Oh for the days of being new and less an addict to A/R
I agree, you are gonna love this site
I whole heartedly second everything that you said! Isn't this an amazing place to spend time!
Still getting my feet wet, just have been on for less than a month, but it gets addictive quick. DAC
It's my first hour of every day. I learn more here than I learn in my office most days! Great post!
Russ - It's great to hear about another ActiveRain success story. I'm still working on figuring out how best to use ActiveRain but it will be a big part of my marketing.
Russ, a very good post and testimonial about the value of ActiveRain. Getting 20-30 leads a week says it all. Thanks.
Russ,
I second that motion! And third, fourth, fifth, sixth... Love AR!
Mike in Tucson
Russ, I'm new to the Rain and decided to go with my old motto, "Fake it till you make it." I think I've written 70 blog posts by now, and I'm sure they're improving as I go.
Not only am I learning how to build a better blog and to get that google juice, I also learned how to send my AR posts to Facebook and Twitter -- a most valuable automation process that keeps me visible as a Realtor to friends and colleagues.
Definitely pay the money to have an Outside Blog! And ask questions! I have e-mailed individual Rainers for advise if I didn't quite understand their post -- have been pleasantly surprised how prompt and helpul everyone has been.
Good luck!!
Thanks for the encouragement. I spend LOTS of time on AR every day and the amount of wisdom that you can glean shortens the real estate learning curve by miles.
Active rain is a part of my daily routine along with my main web site blog and Facebook. It is not the only thing we need for internet marketing, but it is absolutely something that should be a part of everyone's web marketing campaign.
Hi Russ, Good post. Thanks for sharing.
Best - Sash
Excellent posting, Russ! You provided some great advice for new (and existing) ActiveRain members.
Russ you are on target! Active rain is a no brainer! I just received my biggest listing a week ago all due to Active Rain- 69 condo units in a luxury condo building!
Russ, This is great. I think everyone has that "kick in".
Good post.
Hey this is a value added post today.
You'll love the knowledge and value of AR.
Patricia Aulson/portsmouth nh real estate
Russ, I agree I have learned so much in such a short space of time...I could spend all day on ActiveRain.
David
Thanks for the great links and tips. Do you have an outside active rain blog? Is it worth the price? Why?
I have goal set to read 5-10 blogs per day and will eventually start bloging !
Nice insights here, Russ. Like any component of our marketing plan, it takes consistency and focus. 20-30 leads per week is a great reward for your efforts!
I am definitely new to blogging on ActiveRain..and this is my first response! I must say Im very nervous. I figure if I can Facebook everyday then I might as well join the Real Estate blogging world of ActiveRain.
I have been in Real Estate for only a year and if I ever have any questions concerning any Real Estate matter I know I will find it on ActiveRain. Thank you ActiveRain members for all your answers to my stupid questions!
So here's my next question..How do I get leads from blogging?
Russ - GREAT post. Between Facebook and AR, my face is practically glued to the internet whenever I get the chance! Congrats on the feature.
Hey Russ - Congrats on the Feature!!! Great advice! ActiveRain is a cool place to learn...
Helping you live your American Dream...
Russ great post and Active Rain so so works if you work at it! I normally spend at least and hour or so in the early am and now that I'm addicted I come back (sneak back in when nobodys's looking lol) and read and comment some more. I too have been getting leads and giving and receiving referals for buyers/ sellers around the country. Good Stuff People!
Anna Banana
Hi Russ, great post...and I do enjoy this Active Rain network.
Hi Russ -- Great advice, so many topics, so little time.
I spend each morning with a cup of coffee, reading the new posts. It's a great way to get motivated.
Great info. I am new to AR but set a goal of reading a minimum of 5 each day to get me started.
Good post..I am still working on making this site work for me..
Russ I could not agree with you more. Active Rain has become a staple in my life over the last few years. It is a great place to share and learn.
Russ,
I posted on a recent success today but never thought to put a blurb in that little box at the bottom of my profile. Guess where I'm headed?!
Definitely, Russ. I have learned so much here, that it's really unbelievable. The thing is, anyone looking to get any results with blogging here need to stick to it for quite a while in order to see the results from blogging as far as getting leads...oohhh....brainstorm!...Off I go!
Hi Russ . . . I love it when I hear "I found you on the Internet!" I also love when people say "I read your blog about _____________". It makes me know my voice is not unheard!
Nice advice for newbies too!
When I meet someone and they say, 'oh, how is your little dog?' or refer to something else on a post - it makes me realize how many readers I have. I love this place. And it is a place. Full of real people.
Well, I found this post and so I guess I am learning something.
Russ, Just found your post by reading Jon's post What is ActiveRain? Congratulations and I found you on the internet!
Russ, Great information. I know i'm addicted to Active Rain.
Karina,
Outside blogs are just one more tool in your arsenal of internet marketing. What you should have after/with your active rain blog is a good personal website. That is where you should put your money first. Get a website that you can add your own original content and that has "landing pages" and you can have IDX search on. Join and read in the SEO and blogging groups if you don't understand what I mean or just call me.
You should be hyperlinking back to your own website, and linking to your landing pages so you get your own leads.
Once you have your own personal website then you drive traffic and potential clients to login, or call you while visiting your website.
An outside blog is one more tool to drive the traffic to you site and is worth the money. Under $500 of internet marketing that will be there for years. Feel free to call me or email me with questions
Thanks Russ! I'm in my first year of RE and am just starting to put a few of they key pieces together. Time blocking each day to catch up on AR is just one of my recent A-ha's :).
Russ, I missed this when you first posted it. I have no doubt it has helped my website and traffic also. Although one of the biggest benefits for me is all the friendships that I have made. I have my own brokerage and was very lonely until I found AR.
Hey Russ,
Like Marchel, I too missed this one when first posted. Your comment about "even if you are a 20 year real estate veteran you will learn more..." I'm one of those long-in-the-tooth when it comes to r.e. 38 years full-timer, and I continue to learn.
Equally important, I can't think of a time I've posed a question that couldn't be answered by someone else out there in the Rain.
Dear Russ -
I enjoyed this post very much. I am TOTALLY crazy about ActiveRain. Like Marchal Peterdon (#40), having my own brokerage left me at the desk where the proverbial "buck" stopped. Having AR allows me to "consult" with others 24/7 - just by reading!
Have a happy day -
Lynn