Active Brads Blog

RainCamp is Coming To San Francisco

Brad Andersohn ~ Community Manager (ActiveRain) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:23:12 -0600

RainCamp is Coming To San Francisco

The ActiveRain RainCamp Tour is Official! Our first ever RainCamp in Seattle was sold out in just two weeks. Now there's a demand by many of our members and non members to bring RainCamp to cities all across the Country. As you can imagine, this is a huge undertaking for our staff and team. There are so many details that go into setting up this event, but our members and guests are not only worth it, they deserve it.

The "Rainergy" and "Buzz" that comes from a RainCamp is like no other event I've ever experienced. You have to witness it for yourself to understand and grasp the full value and impact it will have on you, your Business, your relationships in your community, and the industry. Here's what a few of the folks from RainCamp Seattle had to say:

RainCamp is coming to San Francisco on December 2nd, 2009 for a full day packed with great content, presentations, and some of the most useful and applicable ideas and processes that you can implement immediately into your Social Media, Networking, and Blogging Business Strategy and Plan. The Location and Venue we've selected is once again a "Top Notch" off the hook spot.

How is RainCamp different from other Conferences?

Assess how you stack up in the modern market.
Listen to people that are practicing what they preach, and having outstanding success doing it.
Learn the methodology of a newer agent who has leveraged the Internet to become a 'Mega Producer'.
Walk away with executables you can put into action immediately.
Hard core real estate technology education. This is not a fluff event!!

What Do You Get?

An Action Packed Day: At a State-of-the-art conference and meeting room is just the beginning of our package at Mission Bay Conference Center at UCSF. They have Gorgeous meeting rooms with City and Bay views. Great layout with plenty of seating, wireless Internet Access, and much more. All the comforts and ammenities of a 5-Star Resort. "This is one of San Francisco's only full-service conference facilities."

San Francisco

Date: December 2nd, 2009

Time: 9:00am - 4:00pm
(registration 8:00am)

Location: Mission Bay Conference Center at UCSF
1675 Owens Street, Suite 251, San Francisco 94143
GOOGLE MAP | Yahoo Map | Mapquest Map | Microsoft Map

Facility: Wireless Internet Access and Power Available

RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOW!

There will be approximately 140 seats setup classroom style (with tables) reserved for attendees with laptops. It is all open seating so those seats are first come first serve the day of event. We are limited to only 500 seats max capacity, so register right away. There will be On-site paid parking available, street parking and/or complimentary shuttles from the BART and Caltrain stations. If you're wanting overnight accommodations, here's the Unique Venues Site.

RainCamp tickets are available NOW at a retail price of $159. However, we have reserved 50 tickets for our "early adopters" at a price of $99. This is a great value, so make sure you register today before they're gone, it will sell out.

"When is RainCamp Coming To Your Town?" We'd love to come to every Major City, and may do so eventually, but currently we are starting in San Francisco, then in no specific order, we'll be in Miami, Washington DC, Dallas, New York, Atlanta, Arizona and more. I'll be announcing those date and locations soon. We're still working out all the calendar and venue details.

This is our last West Coast event planned for a while, and we are really looking forward to coming to the "City By The Bay" and bringing the "Rain-Storm" with us. Just like in Seattle, we'll be hosting another exclusive "VIP" event/gathering after RainCamp, we'll have more details about that coming up later. It's going to be a day you'll never forget, I hope you can make it to join us. We put a ton of heart, soul, preparation, and passion into RainCamp, and we don't want anyone to miss out. So RSVP NOW! :-)

Check out the RainCamp.com Blog. Also follow the twitter stream using #raincamp.

Photo Source: UCSF Mission Bay

"RainMaker" Special - Signup Here and Get New Member Discount

The ActiveRain Point System

Brad Andersohn ~ Community Manager (ActiveRain) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:35:25 -0600

The ActiveRain Point System

ActiveRain awards members points based on participation and their individual involvement within the network and community. While there is a much more complicated and technical explanation of how the point system works, this post is to provide you a general overview of how points are earned and distributed that to ALL ActiveRain members.

ActiveRain points are earned based on a members individual activities and efforts. Points are accumulated over the duration of the Calendar week which "Starts Monday morning at 12:00am Central Time, and Ends Sunday night at 11:59pm Central Time."

The following are some ways you can earn points and move up the "Featured Member" ladder in your Local Area.

200 Points for each Blog Post
(Max 10 per Week) (50 Word Minimum Required)
25 Additional Points when Post is added to Channels with a Topic
400 Points for Featured Post on ActiveRain.com
(Excludes Posts Featured in ActiveRain Groups)
25 Points For Each Comment
(Max 10 Per Day) (Comments on Your Own Posts Excluded)
25 Points for Each Reblogged Post
(Max 10 Per Week - These do not Include Your Own Posts)
ActiveRain Profile Points
(Building Your AR Profile will Build points)
Received Comments on Blog Posts
(No Blog Post to exceed 475 pts.)
100 Points - Logging In To ActiveRain Each Day
(This applies 7 days a week)
250 Points When Someone Accepts Your AR Invitation
(Must Sign Up under Members Invite Code)
10% of Total Points Earned By New Members Invited By You
(IE: Invited Member Earns 1000 pts. - You Earn 100 Pts.)
ActiveRain and Member Approved Contests - Points Will Vary
(These show up as Bonus Points in your Point Summary)
Staff Awarded Bonus Points - These are issued by the AR staff
(Member Humanitarian, Paying It Forward, Helping Others etc.)

Weekly Point Scenario: The potential of points available per week, per member would be as follows: 1750 for max comments, 2000 for max Blog posts, 700 for logging in daily, 250 for adding to Channels/Topics, and 250 for max ReBlogged posts. The Weekly potential of points would be 4950 (this does not include featured posts, comments received, invitation and percentage points, contests, and staff awarded bonus points.)

Point Disclaimer: The Points System created by the ActiveRain Network was developed and implemented to motivate, inspire, and reward members for their participation and involvement within the community. These points are subject to change at the discretion of the ActiveRain Mgmt. Team, with or without cause, warning, or notice.

"RainMaker" Special - Signup Here and Get New Member Discount

Building, Managing, and Protecting Your Online Reputation

Brad Andersohn ~ Community Manager (ActiveRain) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:16:33 -0500

How Do You Manage And Protect Your Online Reputation?

A few weeks ago I was reading an article about "BIG Corporate Companies" that were missing the boat by not getting involved in Social Media. "They are missing out on the ability to track and manage their brands, their names, their business and reputations" or something to that effect. It got me thinking about how important it is to connect on-line and know what's going on around you at all times, or at least as much as possible.

"The On-line world is also the Off-line World making them both one in the same. What happens Off-line ends up online, and what happens On-line gets spread quickly Off-line and visa versa. It's known as "viral" in both worlds.

How do you manage and protect your reputation in the off-line world? In order to build, protect, or manage your brand or reputation, you have to interact so you can hear the chatter, the rumors, the buzz, the testimonials, or even the whisper when someones talking about you or your company? No matter what, whether it's good or bad, people do talk. In the social media world, even more-so. Good news travels fast, and often times, bad news travels even faster.

How do you know when someone is talking about you, your company, or your business in the on-line world? What are people saying or whispering on LinkedIn, Twitter, MySpace or FaceBook? What about your past or current clients, your sphere of influence, or even your competitors? Would you even know? I think many of the Larger Companies and Businesses DO know the power of Social Media Marketing and the importance of Networking. I see it more and more, they are wanting to stay close and connected to what's being said about their products, their services, their company and business, or even them as individuals.

Managing and Protecting your online reputation isn't just for the Big Corporate Companies....

...it should also be important to you.

Here's some ideas and suggestions that can help you in the new on-line social media and off-line networking world. Let's start with the simplest and basic of all tools. When was the last time you ran your name or Company using Google? Google Search. This is typically the first thing we learn and try to do regularly to see what shows up in the search engine results. This is a great and basic way to find out how about your online Internet presence. What shows up? I still do this on a weekly basis.

Next, there are some free and simple tools available to help you get a better handle on what's being said across the WEB. Start with Google Alerts, it's an easy way to setup specific keyword searches. Once those specific words or terms are found and indexed, notifications are emailed directly to you. Setup alerts for your name, your company, employees, your brand etc. Some even setup Google Alerts for their competition or other specific business topics or "interesting" terms and phrases. This is a good start to keeping yourself connected and informed.

Many of you will remember the "viral" video "United Breaks Guitars!?!" I wonder how long before United knew they were famous on Youtube? I bet they have multiple alerts setup now... maybe not... :-O

United Breaks Guitars

www.youtube.com

Full Story: www.davecarrollmusic.com - In the spring ...

Now you can stop reading right here of course, unless you'd like to go a little deeper....

Ok, you're still reading so you must want more. You should consider what happens and what gets said on sites like Twitter and Facebook. Let's be honest here, if someone wants everyone else in the world to know something, they post it on Twitter and Facebook. It's the fastest way to gather and spread information, but at the same time, it's the fastest and easiest way to build or destroy a name or reputation. Look what happened to Wal-Mart and Target last Christmas. A classic example of the "Thrill of Victory" and the "Agony of Defeat."

Search.Twitter.com is a tried and true method of finding out who is talking about you and what they are saying. Twittergrader, and Facebookgrader are a couple of other products you can check out from Hubspot. If you're looking for more of that "visual" display of your online presence, then check out spezify. This one is not only informative, it's fun and entertaining at the same time. Addictomatic is another one you should visit, you'll love the compilation of content it will pull up using various resources to do all the work for you. I always suggest starting with your name or company when visiting and trying these sites. You will be surprised at some of the things you'll find.

Now let's dig really deep for gold! Measuring your online presence and influence. Klout.com and OnlineIDcalculator.com each have devised their own internal way for determining your influential impact in the on-line world. SocialMention which is a similar service will “grade” your results based on your participation in a variety of places. The last site I'll mention is StepRep, this is one I use daily. You can receive daily email updates on the results Steprep finds, and the social networking aspect of it certainly can't hurt when building a positive reputation.

We've all seen what can happen to a company or individual via the Social Networks albeit from a single tweet, a note on a FB wall, a Video on Youtube, a photo on Flickr, or even a Blog post or article on a website. There is great power in the hands of those millions of consumer messages that get transmitted over the cyber-lines each and everyday. No one can protect your good name or business but you. That was until now... there is online help. Sleep better at night knowing you have done your best to manage and protect your business and reputation.

Don't forget your ReBlogged posts, it's good to keep up with what others are saying and adding to them.

These may not be the catch-all, fix-all, but it's a start to "managing and protecting your online reputation."

"RainMaker" Special - Signup Here and Get New Member Discount

The Google Story - A Video Story Book

Brad Andersohn ~ Community Manager (ActiveRain) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:10:41 -0500

The Google Story - A Video Story Book

This just came out and was put together by the folks over at Google. A two minute video that I expect will go viral shortly. Takes you back from the beginning before Google, in 1995, when two mathematicians meet for the first time at Stanford. Then you're fast forwarded onto the present "Google Wave!" It's Creative, It's Brilliant... It's Google. :-)

"It's already had over 100 views!!"

Get ready, I think they might be about to "Turn The Page!"

"RainMaker" Special - Signup Here and Get New Member Discount

Top 40 Resources for Information and Education

Brad Andersohn ~ Community Manager (ActiveRain) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:38:02 -0500

These are my Top 40 Resources for Real Estate Industry Information and Education

Most of my reading hours are spent right here on ActiveRain. Your Blogs and Posts. Let's face it, one could sit at their computer ALL DAY everyday, and never run out of great material to read and learn from AR members. There is more information, education, inspiration, and entertainment here than you could consume in a lifetime. However, from time to time, I like to head out onto the Blogosphere SUPER-HIGHWAY and explore what else is out there.

When I first started working here at AR, I was reading folks like Seth Godin, The Scobelizer, Chris Brogan, and Guy Kawasaki. Then I discovered other great sites and resources like GeekEstateBlog, where I soon became a contributing author. The list kept growing over time. Now it has grown so large that I barely have enough hours in the day (or night) to try and keep up with all the great content that's available out there. I still try, but my efforts seem futile.

In the spirit of "Paying It Forward" I'm sharing some of these great writers, Blogs, and sites with all of you. The information and education available out there is very powerful and useful if you know where to find it, learn how to use it, and then apply it.

Here are my TOP 40 Favorite Blogs, Sites, Writers and Resources:

ActiveRain - TechCrunch - Mashable - Social Media Today - ProBlogger Blog Tips - ChrisBrogan - Blog World Expo - Social Media Marketing Strategy, Tactics, and Tools - Social Media Marketing - Daily Blog Tips - RE Tech Source - SEOmoz Daily SEO - SEO Book - Learn. Rank. Dominate - Matt Cutts - Transparent Real Estate - Google Official Blog - GeekEstate Blog - 1000Watt Consulting - The Real Estate Bloggers - Rain City Guide - Sellsius Real Estate Marketing - The Real Estate Tomato - RE Tech World - MyTechOpinion - 360Digest - Real Estate Opinion MAG - AgentGenius - About.com Real Estate Business - The Phoenix Real Estate Guy - Future of Real Estate Marketing - Inman News Blog - Realty Times - Copyblogger - Guy Kawasaki - Seth Godin - BloggingTips - BloggingPro - TechKnowBabble - The Scobleizer - Buzz Networker - OnLine Marketing - Realtor.com Blog - SEO Scoop

I'd be thrilled to make this a "Top 100" list, so if I missed any you think should be added, just let me know.

Top 40 Resources For Information & Education

I'm sharing this to try and "Pay it forward" to these sites and writers for all the information and education they've continued to provide me over the years. And to "you" for all that you have shared and contributed here as well. That's what it's all about, people Paying-It-Forward, so thank you. I've created my ALLTOP, where these sites and authors can be accessed from a single page. You can also create your own ALLTOP FAVS page to be shared.

So for those of you who ask me all the time, "Brad, Do You ever sleep" and "Where do you come up with all this stuff?" Well now my secrets have been revealed. Yes I do, and now you know. :-) The key is time management...and of course... a little speed reading. lol~

Hope you Enjoy, I sure have!

"RainMaker" Special - Signup Here and Get New Member Discount

How To Get Your Blog Posts "Viral" Exposure on Twitter and Facebook

Brad Andersohn ~ Community Manager (ActiveRain) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 10:29:32 -0500

How To Get Your Blog Posts Viral Exposure on Twitter and Facebook

As important as Location, Location, Location is to Real Estate, so is the importance of Exposure, Exposure, Exposure to Bloggers. Some Bloggers offer their subscribers, readers, and visitors the ability to "share" their content with others via Twitter or Facebook. ActiveRain has the ReBlog Option, just like Wordpress and Blogger are doing now, but that only works for other AR members. Here's a way to help get your "Voice Heard" and your "Posts Seen" on two of the other Largest Social Networks in the World, and here's how others can help you do it.

"Tweets" and "ReTweets" are quite popular as is "Sharing on FaceBook." I've just discovered a way that you can now do both. I think you're going to like this. It's simple. Just create and add a "Tweet" button, or a custom "Share" graphic, then create a link to it just like you would any other photo or image. You can even use text with a hyper-link. Here's the secret: you just need to replace the "BOLD" URL below with your page that you want shared. You will need to keep the underlined portion of the code below for each button to work.

Tweet Code: http://twitter.com/home?status=http://PlaceYourPageURLHere

For A ReTweet Code: http://twitter.com/home?status=RT%20http://PutYourPageURLHere

Share on FaceBook Code:http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=http://AddYourPageURLHere

Now some of you may be thinking, why not just use the "Sharethis" or "AddThis" widget? Well you still can, and they do have more options, but the millions of Social Networking consumers out there are probably more use to seeing the Tweet, ReTweet, and Share on FaceBook buttons. Familairity may play more of a role here than we think. Not to mention, using this method is quick, easy, and only "one click" away from accomplishing the readers goal. To Share!

So starting right now, you can begin letting the 100 million members that logon to Facebook each day, and the 14,590,000 Twitter accounts (guesstimation) share your great content with others on Facebook and Twitter. Word of Caution: This will not work for "Members Only" and "Associates Only" posts on AR. It will work on any "Public" Blog, Post, or Website.

Taking the idea one step further. If you have an AR Outside Blog, make sure that the Link you provide to your "Tweet" and "Share on FaceBook" buttons go to the post on your AR Outside Blog and not to your Internal AR Blog. This will help increase exposure and traffic to your Outside Blogs. All your "outbound" links should always go to your Outside Blog posts. Getting SEO and traffic to your Blogs is a great thing, but letting others share, and making it easy for them may be just as powerful.

Now let's talk about the 35 million members on LinkedIn?!? :-O

"RainMaker" Special - Signup Here and Get New Member Discount

How To Use Your "Existing" Domain Names on AR Outside Blogs

Brad Andersohn ~ Community Manager (ActiveRain) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 08:10:43 -0500

How To Use Your Own "Pre-Purchased" Domain Name on the ActiveRain Outside Blogs
This applies to members with Outside Blogs that want to use an existing domain name purchased elsewhere.

"Each new ActiveRain Outside Blog comes with a free custom domain name. But what if you've already purchased a domain name? Using your own domain with your new blog doesn't have to be a nightmare. Just follow your registrar's instructions for updating your domain's name servers. You'll need to point them at ActiveRain."

Here's a tutorial on how to setup your Outside Blog with your own Domain Name or URL in 5 easy steps. Keep in mind that when using your own previously purchased domain names, there can be nothing attached to it. No information currently residing on it. So for example, I just purchased my AR Outside Blog, I own a domain name BradAndersohn.com, (with nothing on it) and I want this to be the URL for my AR Outside Blog.

In this tutorial, I'll be using the GoDaddy Site since they are one of the Largest Domain Name providers in the world. The process in doing this with your registrar (if other than GoDaddy) should be the same or similar.

STEP 1:

Go to "GoDaddy.com" and Log-in to your GoDaddy Account:

STEP 2:

A list of your Domain names and sites will appear on the main page, click on the "Advanced Details" Link:

STEP 3:

In the GoDaddy Domain Manager, you will need to click on the "Manage" link located in the Nameservers section
(See Highlighted Area Below)

STEP 4:

Now you need to check the button "I host my domains with another provider" and also change the Nameserver settings to "NS1.AGENTSPACES.COM" & "NS2.AGENTSPACES.COM" then click on the "OK" button. (see below)

STEP 5:

Go to your AR Outside Blog and click on the "Domain" link located in the top toolbar. In the Domain Box, enter in the URL or Domain name and click on the "update domain" button. (TIP: Don't add http, or WWW, no spaces, no CAPS, no symbols etc. and include the .com)

You'll be able to access your blog at its new URL in as little as 5 minutes!
(on a bad day, it could take 24-48 hours)

ActiveRain provides you a "Custom Domain" name with ALL your New Outside Blogs if you don't already have one, and it IS included. There is no additional fee or charge for creating your own custom Domain names on AR Outside Blogs. To see what domain names might be available, just go to your Outside Blog, click on the "Domain" link located on the top toolbar, then enter your desired name in box #1. (IE: activebobstewart.com) Then click on the "Check Availability" link to see if your custom domain name is available. If it is, the "Claim Domain" button will become enabled, and you can claim your new Outside Blog domain name right then and there.

THE FINAL STEP:

If any of these steps cause or give you nausea, headaches, diarrhea, vomiting, or any other out of the ordinary daily blogging symptoms, then disconnect from your computer immediately, put your feet up on a lazy boy recliner, take two aspirin, and then call me in the morning. I'd be happy to help you through it if you need! To get your own personalized and customizable Outside Blogs, CLICK HERE. :-))

"RainMaker" Special - Signup Here and Get New Member Discount

NY Daily News Reports From ActiveRain - A BIG Wordless Wednesday

Brad Andersohn ~ Community Manager (ActiveRain) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:09:44 -0500

Photo Credit and Source: NYDailyNews.com

"RainMaker" Special - Signup Here and Get New Member Discount

Social Media Buttons and Icons - Is Someone Pushing Your Buttons?

Brad Andersohn ~ Community Manager (ActiveRain) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:30:45 -0500

Social Media Buttons and Icons - Is Someone Pushing Your Buttons?

During these past few weeks, since adding the "Signature" option to ActiveRain posts, I've received so many requests, calls, and emails regarding how to add "Social Media Buttons and Icons" to the footers of Blog Posts. You've probably seen many of the various types and styles other members are using on their Blogs which poses the question, "Where Are They Getting These?" Here's some sites I've found that offer you these custom buttons for FREE. This includes for personal and commercial use according to their terms and guidelines.

Here are some Links to Literally Thousands of Buttons and Icons:

My Social Buttons

Royalty FREE Icons and Clip-art

WebTreats - 2000+ Buttons

Brian Brumpton "RainDrops"

DivaGeekDesigns - An Icon Overdose

The Value of A Twitter Search

Open Source Hunter

Instructions For Adding Buttons and Icons to the Signature or Footer of Posts:

Once you've downloaded the Social Media Buttons or Icons of your choice, you can add them to your AR Signature Page (including the appropriate links) by going to your "My Home" page on AR, then select the "Settings" link on the left hand sidebar. Just upload the button or icon into the "Signature" section of the page, add the appropriate link to your image, then click "update" to save. That's it!

One tip I would suggest is to be careful which Icons you select for some of the Social Networking Sites. If the Icon or Button isn't a familiar looking one, then visitors might be less likely to click on it. For example, the cow face, what Social Network or site does that one belong to? Maybe visitors would click on it just to find out? (LOL~) With all these Buttons and Icon styles available, one thing for certain is that your signature can be unique. So have FUN!!

This should give you plenty of options and creative ways to stand out from the rest of the crowd. :-)

Social Media Buttons and Icons - "The Buttons You Want People To Push!"

"RainMaker" Special - Signup Here and Get New Member Discount

Apture - The All In One Tool For Social Media Content

Brad Andersohn ~ Community Manager (ActiveRain) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:04:45 -0500

Apture - The All In One Tool For Social Media Content

Apture is a pretty nifty tool that allows you to select and control the start and stop times of Youtube Videos, Embed a real-time Twitter feed of a user or search phrase, Embed Interactive Google Street View Maps, and make your Blog posts and websites come alive with a single player and embed code that includes all the above and more. Apture now has a free online service (Builder) that will allow you to search and capture selected content, then place it into a single window that consolidates space on your Blog or site, and lets users select what they want to see.

In just a few minutes, you can select content from various sources to be displayed in the player, and Apture does the search within their custom builder. Many of my Blog posts are longer than I'd like them to be since I add video, RSS feeds, snippets, podcasts, and photos that take up a lot of space. It also takes me time to place each item in the post correctly so they look somewhat cosmetically attractive. I can see many useful ways Apture could be used for creating and posting Hyper-Local content, Listings and Community information, adding relative multi-media and more without taking up all the space on your Blog post.

Here's a sample of the Apture embed tool using various topics and links. As you explore the content options by clicking on the various windows, you'll see what I mean about saving space, time, and consolidating larger amounts of content into a single resource tool. Once you try Apture yourself, you'll see how easy it is and will most likely want to try it with your own topics, searches, and content. Just imagine how long this post would have been if I had included all these items individually.

Why embed only 1 video or slide show when you can include up to 7 items in a single player?

To see how Apture is best utilized, click on any of the images in the lower area of the window above. Each one will open a new window without leaving your Blog or Website. There will be a link to each item if your visitors want to see more. You can also use a variety of multiple content and topics from various sources. If you want to add custom or specific URLs to Apture, you'll just need to sign up for their FREE membership to do so. For more tips and tricks using Apture, see their Blog HERE.

CEO and Co-Founder of Apture demonstrates (using this tool) how to "Go Inside Congress" and create transparency by connecting tidbits of news, video, articles and information into links embedded into his Blog. Yet another great way to use Apture to create exciting Blog posts loaded with rich and useful multi-media content.

"RainMaker" Special - Signup Here and Get New Member Discount

My 14th Anniversary Surprise from ActiveBrad

Brad Andersohn ~ Community Manager (ActiveRain) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 19:13:33 -0500

Hi everyone, this is Debra Andersohn, Brad's wife. I wanted to sneak into his Blog to write this while he's away. A few weeks ago, Brad told me that he had a surprise for me for our anniversary and asked me to take off three days from work. I was planning on surprising him, but I was happy to just go with it. We left early Tuesday morning and headed for what I thought was Monterey which is our spot where we usually go. Little did I know what an amazing and creative imagination my husband really has.

As we drove, I realized we were not going to Monterey and I couldn't figure out where we might be going. We passed the exit to the airport so we weren't going on an airplane (at least I thought). A couple of exits down the road, we get off the freeway and drive around for a bit then ultimately turned into the park and fly next to the airport. I said to Brad, "Oh my Gosh, we are NOT flying are we?" He said chuckling, "I am tired of the traffic, lets take a plane."

We entered the airport and he went up to the kiosk by himself to get the tickets to keep it a surprise. We went through security, then had a bite to eat. We didn't go up to the actual gate (once AGAIN keep it a surprise) but sat down somewhere nearby. Brad excused himself for a few minutes, then returned only to be called to the gate by name, "Brad and Debra Andersohn, please report to Gate 6." WOW! We walked to the gate and the lady greeted us with "Happy Anniversary."

She pre-boarded us even before the pre-board. We walked onto the plane with another warm greeting from the flight attendant who sat us in the First Class section that we were upgraded to by Alaskan Air. I was completely blown away. She handed us a couple mimosas and said, "Do you have any idea where we are going?" "No" I said. She just winked at Brad. ;-)

The flight attendant and pilot were in on the whole thing. At every announcement, our destination was never divulged. As we flew, it became clear to me that we were headed north, maybe Oregon since out my window I could see the coast and snow capped mountains on the right. Very beautiful. I never knew where we were or going until we got to the rental car, and I saw the signs saying Welcome to Seattle.

The drive to our hotel was wonderful and when we pulled up to the Fairmont Hotel. I was not only speechless, I was stunned. WOW! This is over the top I thought. The complete rock-star, red carpet treatment all the way.

Our room was amazing and already had Champagne, 12 long stem roses, and chocolate covered berries when we walked in!!

Brad then told me that Jon and Bob needed him to be at the AR RainCamp function and that I would be able to spend some time alone the next day and that we would go out to dinner later that night. I was really excited at the prospect of window shopping, enjoying the hotel gym and spa etc.

That night we went to a great sushi dinner at a place called WASABI BISTRO...OH YUMMMMMMMMM!

The next day, Brad took off very early in the morning and told me to be ready about 4:00pm. So, I took the day and started off at the gym. Then I went to the Pike Place Market and window shopped. After that was Borders Book Store where I bought a book and then went to the indoor pool area for some reading. I treated myself to a nice lunch at a French cafe' called Belle Epicurean located in the Faimont downstairs. The day was so very relaxing and peaceful, it was just what I needed. Thanks Sweetheart!!

That afternoon, Brad took me to the "Black Bottle" where a lot of his Active rain friends met for a social. Before going inside, he showed me a video that he had taken at the RainCamp meeting. He said the members had a special message for me. He also said it would make me cry, and it did. (see video below) I met some really great people and was warmly welcomed by all. Some of them even addressing me as "PRINCESS." What great friends and colleagues my husband has the honor of working with!

After the AR social gathering, we headed back to the hotel to get ready for dinner. Brad surprised me and had us picked up in a Lincoln Town-car and taken to a Restaurant called THE PALASADE. Amazing and unbelievable atmosphere, seafood and wine. What a great way to end our 14th Anniversary Celebration Day. Then there was the Hot Tub...and then... (not for public knowledge...hehe) The entire time, my husband spoiled me rotten. Made me truly feel like a Princess. He is a very romantic man, a trait that some men do not possess anymore from what I hear. I've heard his buddies say to him, "THANKS ALOT BRAD" as if he was setting the standard too high! lol. Everywhere we went, I would hear the women say to him, "Can you talk to my boyfriend/husband?" I think ActiveBrad should give seminars on how to romance a woman.

I love my husband with all of my heart and hope he knows how much I appreciate his love for me, and his attention to detail.

I never did have a chance to really do anything for Brad for our anniversary this year because he said no presents, lets just go away together. He stole me away and took care of everything. I decided I would plan next year, and we agreed that we would take turns from now on every year.

I think I had better start planning now!!!! Any ideas? Help!

"RainMaker" Special - Signup Here and Get New Member Discount

ActiveRain RainCamp - Better Than SummerCamp For Kids!

Brad Andersohn ~ Community Manager (ActiveRain) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:10:44 -0500

Kids of ALL ages, It's Time To Send Your Parents To RainCamp!

That's right kids, if your Mom or Dad is in the Real Estate Industry, just hanging around the House or Office pouting, pacing, misbehaving, biting their nails, or cussing while sitting at their computers, it's time to send them to Camp. RAINCAMP! We can help your folks become more productive, attentive, and obedient if you send them to us. We'll even bring the "CAMP" close to you! (Watch for RainCamp Calendar Coming Soon!)

If you want to help make life normal again, and see your parents come home with smiles on their faces and doing the Happy Dance, then RainCamp is the answer. Just look at what these kids parents had to say who were among the first to ever attend "The RainCamp!"

Parents Responses Prior To RainCamp:

JoSoss: @BrettTousley raises hand and jumps up and down! Me me me - going to #raincamp

rfleroy: Signed up to RainCamp in Seattle http://raincamp.eventbrite.com Wishing it was called SunCamp or HappyCamp...or better yet, BeerCamp!

BitsyKalkbruner: If you think you're at the cutting edge of real estate technology now, you WILL BE for sure after you attend raincamp.com

JoSoss: hahaha @campingworld is now following me -must be all my tweets about RainCamp! I am not a camper- lol! But I am attending RainCamp #raincamp

todderific: fully aware that my lack of recent tweets will make me a target at #raincamp tomorrow.

benkinney: Packing up for raincamp.com tomorrow in Seattle. I am ready, swine flu, and all.

alltechmortgage: Heading to Raincamp.com tomorrow....Hopefully learning new skills. Can they still teach old dog's new tricks...

JohnPayson: Looking forward to Raincamp today!

Parents Reactions During RainCamp:

mallinawilson: sitting in an active raincamp in Seattle! I should come out brilliant!

victoriarealtor: @CoachKaterina Wish you where Here :O)) Brad and Bob are awesome #raincamp

activebob: @bradandersohn never has a camera more than one foot from his reach #raincamp

pmcmortgages: At Active Rain's Rain Camp-lots of excitement! #raincamp

chrispenner: #raincamp just getting going here with Ben Kinney and Active Rains first ever raincamp. Rock on guys.

DuaneHopper: Sitting in Active Rain "RainCamp" Seattle Bell Harbor Conference center. http://post.ly/7c9v

JordanCoxRE: Just got picked to video RainCamp #raincamp

juliannahind: I accidentally entered the men's bathroom when I went on a much needed break at raincamp!

tara_camp: 67% of peeps are more likely to respond to Twitter, facebook, & linkedin than a email #raincamp via @benkinney

Lizmoras: Sitting at active rains first RAINCAMP in Seattle - with bob Kiney - bob stewart - brad andersohn - hey and scott leaf - amazing!

pmcmortgages: Ben Kinney is on stage-this guy understands social networking! #raincamp

victoriarealtor: Top 10 keywords are 19.8 % of all your search terms http://hittail.com twitter#raincamp

findrebecca: Go for the less commonly searched phrases for your targets to get the 80% of your clients that are not using most seared phrases. #raincamp

depmodechick: Wow, these fancy Aeron chairs at Bell Harbor conference center in Seattle are amazing! :) #raincamp #activerain

victoriarealtor: Wow...250 Realtors are at Rain Camp today!!!

mikelovesrobots: At #raincamp. This place is packed! Also, I've never watched an agent use Activerain before live! #spy http://twitpic.com/km8sv

JohnPayson: http://twitpic.com/kml4j - Panelist at #raincamp

elaineAcook: in the most fantastic workshop...Active Rain, raincamp! Ben is doing great! Fabulous information!

findrebecca: Listening to the Social Media panel with Jim Reppond, Rhonda Porter, Courtney Cooper and JO Soss #raincamp 2009 Seattle.

concentriconlyn: #raincamp Do you promote your blog posts on any social bookmark services such as stumbleupon or del.icio.us?

RealtorSandyN: @BradAndersohn sharing his wealth of knowledge at @ActiveRainCorp #RainCamp.

KitsapAgent: @jososs is one of the better examples of what you can do with social media tools. Her quality content dominates our local market #raincamp

clockhours: #raincamp showing Social media video.. fad or revolution.. always give me goosebumps!

RebeccaChandler: http://bit.ly/OIIs2 (expand) @danielrmccarthy embracing social media to increase consumer engagement - a new way of sharing #activerain #raincamp

jimreppond: Find what's happening at the moment right around you on Twitter with your iPhone using "Buzzd" app. #raincamp

urownlo: listening to @activebob about twitter. #raincamp twitter helps get out my information i enjoy to share

GabeSEO: Twitter TweedDeck tip: Use the filter button in columns to only display Tweets with "?". Result, only question related Tweets. #RainCamp

Design29: Very moving video. Ben Kinney talking about sharing with others, amazing stuff!! #raincamp

Parents Testimonies After Attending RainCamp:

pmcmortgages: Wrapping up the first ever Active Rain raincamp. It was invaluable! Thanks to all! #raincamp

ChristineandCo: Loving what i am learning at #raincamp

victoriarealtor: Brad...Sharing is a good and positive thing ...Thanks for Coming and sharing! :O)) #raincamp

dalekreiser: Great turnout at Seattle #raincamp. Good info to boot! http://twitpic.com/km1eo

Pamstages: The information here at Rain Camp is great, not just for Realtors I think it's for any small business #raincamp

chrispenner: @BradAndersohn Hey Brad thanks so much to you and your team for ripping up the #raincamp yesterday, just super.

DuaneHopper: @clockhours yep, another great show by #activerain at #raincamp. See you at the after hours for a video ;-)

victoriarealtor: Thanks to our Panel at Rain Camp Jim Repond, Rhonda Porter, Courtney Copper and Jo Soss with Active Brad #raincamp

clockhours: @DuaneHopper Hey Duane.. so you are in this crowd.. awesome conference, huh?! #raincamp

cheridiehl: #raincamp Looking forward to using what I've learned to sell Long Beach WA real estate

urownlo: i have so many great ideas from #raincamp that i will be implementing asap

jimreppond: @mortgageporter more like "getting charged" :-) #raincamp

RealtorSandyN: @benkinney The 10 Days of Pain for internet lead generation! You really missed a ton of info if you didn't attend #raincamp

eComprehend: #raincamp thanks for an awesome day of learning!

RollandJLS: Had a great time at raincamp, awesome to see so many positive good people there! #raincamp

kimcripe: #raincamp What a fantastic day! Thanks for making geeky sexy again....

RentonHomeFinde: #raincamp in Seattle social media and how do we sell Renton homes great stuff for our clients and business

depmodechick: My brain is percolating truckloads of ideas, thanks to the first ever Rain Camp in Seattle (put on by Active Rain). Thank you #raincamp !!!

JoSoss: No matter what level blogger you R- #raincamp has to be a must! I picked up lots of stuff Thx @activebrad @activebob @JonWashburn @BenKinney

Ricklie: Fantastic day of learning at Active Rain's Rain Camp. Thanks to all the planners & contributors for an inspiring six hours! #raincamp

JoSoss: Just posted on ActiveRain: ActiveRain- RainCamp - Thanks the Behind the Scenes AR Crew http://activerain.com/t/1274811

renefabre: #raincamp 1 Seattle... thanks Ben Kinney, Bob Stewart, and Brad Andersohn... AWESOME JOB! ActiveRain team, you're fabulous!

Dinah Lee Griffey Allyn - "I have seldom in my career been as inspired as I was today [at RainCamp]." http://bit.ly/luWJJ

skynnard: Most amazing day of learning and sharing. Thanks #ActiveRain for making #RainCamp possible. Well done everyone. Can't wait for the next one.

BrettTousley: Had a good time at Active Rain's #raincamp today. Great speakers and a lot of useful info. Catch it if it rolls through your town.

DaleKreiser - @JonWashburn It was good to finally meet you last night. Thanks for putting on such a great event yesterday #raincamp Cheers!

JonWashburn: I am gushing with happiness after seeing such a positive twitter response to #raincamp - http://bit.ly/4qqssZ

So as you can see kids, getting your parents to one of these RainCamp events is worth while, and will literally change their life. A Happy Parent is a productive, Socially connected and educated Parent. If you're still not sure about "RainCamp" or if it's right for your folks, just listen and watch this video below. Hopefully, you'll be convinced why you "MUST" get your parents to an ActiveRain RainCamp in your area.

We promise to take good care of them, and are committed to making sure that each parent who attends a RainCamp, will come out of it renewed, refreshed, energized and educated. They will never be the same parent again. :-)) Looking forward to seeing your folks at the next Summer Camp RainCamp for Parents. C'mon Kids, it's really all about them!

"RainMaker" Special - Signup Here and Get New Member Discount

FREE Online Technology Tools and Services for Your Business - 2009

Brad Andersohn ~ Community Manager (ActiveRain) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 13:28:19 -0500

Top FREE Online Technology Tools and Services for Your Business - 2009

Last year around this time, I created a Blog post with links to the "Top 200+ FREE Sites and Tools" for your Business. Hard to believe that was a year ago. This year is focused on some sites and tools I actually use more frequently, and think you might too. There are so many great sites that offer some fantastic services, it's a challenge to keep up with all of them, and try to tell you which ones are the best. You could spend more time learning and playing on the computer than actually getting your work done. (so be careful if you check out my top 200 from last year..)

With that in mind, I tried to focus these "Top Sites" on things you can actually use and apply to your business. For every site and service I mention here, there are probably 4 or 5 others that offer the same type of tools or service, and that's not to say they aren't fantastic, these are just my selected choices to share. The slide-show below (using slideshare.net) has the name of the site, a quick overview of each one, then a link to their site using their logo. Some of these you will have heard of, and might even be using already.

Top FREE Real Estate Tools 2009

View more presentations from Brad Andersohn.

You can download a copy of this from Box.net, a great site to store and share files with others. If you've come across some great sites, on-line tools, or FREE services yourself this year, and you'd like to share them here, feel free to do so. On many occasions, I have found some of the best stuff by just reading Blog comments on others posts.

In these tighter economic times, I hope some of these sites and tools will help save you some money, time, and contribute to improving your Blogs, Websites, and Service to your clients. Enjoy! :-)

"RainMaker" Special - Signup Here and Get New Member Discount

MLS TECH FAIR 2009 - New York

Brad Andersohn ~ Community Manager (ActiveRain) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 01:47:34 -0500

MLS TECH FAIR 2009 - New York

I am really excited that ActiveRain and the MLS of Long Island have invited me to be a guest speaker and part of their 8th Annual MLS Tech Fair this year. The days schedule will be filled with great speakers, topics, breakout sessions, and an exhibit hall full of new and exciting products from some of the Top Industry Service Providers.

The list of Sponsors for this event is nothing short of impressive. If you happen to be anywhere near Long Island, NY this week, you should take a day out and spend it with us. Once you see their site and all that is being offered, I think you'll agree that this is the Grand Daddy "Tech Fair" of ALL Tech Fairs. Come join us if you can, I'd love to see you there.

"Discover Innovative Ways To Recharge And Grow Your Real Estate Business!"

Some of the topics and panels I'll have the pleasure of participating on include:

Plaza Room: 11 to 11:15

How to Use ActiveRain
Start networking with the largest online gathering of real estate professionals in the world.
Speaker: Brad Andersohn, ActiveRain

Blogging Tips and Strategies: Dirty Secrets Experts Know

Starlight Room: 1:45 to 2:15

There may be a lot of real estate bloggers, but are there a lot of GOOD ones? Hear from the experts what defines an effective blog. Learn how a commitment to frequent, newsworthy and content rich blog posts can expand your sphere of influence, generate trusting clients and transform your business. Get a chance to ask the experts your blogging questions.

Panelists: Dan Green, Bring The Blog
Brad Andersohn, ActiveRain
Marc Davison, Partner with 1000Watt Consulting

Leveraging the Power of Social Networking

Plaza Room: 3:15 to 4:00

Session highlights the strengths of the various social media platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, blogs, real estate community sites and real estate search/valuation sites and helps you choose what’s right for you and where you should focus your energies. Learn how social media sites enable you to reach large numbers of consumers in a powerful & interactive way. Hear the importance of managing your time, difference between networking & selling & how effective social networking today will plant the seeds for a successful future harvest. We’ll save time for Q&A with you.

Moderator: Brad Andersohn, ActiveRain
Panelists: Kelly Roark, FrontDoor.com
Sara Bonert, Zillow.com
Diallo Stevens,CRS,GRI,SRES, RECS,e-PRO – Century 21 Best
Rudy Bacharaty, Trulia

A very special thanks goes out to Jenny Natale and Katie Windham for helping put all this together and for getting me to New York in "style!" They are a couple of "first class" ladies that I'm really looking forward to meeting this week. Also thanks to Jon and Bob for letting me take a little break, and even though I'll still be working, you can bet I'll be having some fun too!

If you want to follow us and participate from where ever you are, the twitter hashtag is #MLSTF. There will be plenty of twitter updates I'm sure. I'll be using that hashtag to solicit questions from our audience and any other followers during the last session. (3:15 to 4:00pm) Anything you'd like to know or ask our panel regarding "Leveraging The Power of Social Networking? We'd love to hear from you. :-)

For more information, please email them at info@mlstechfair.com or call 631-661-4800 ext. 11.
Here's Directions To The MLSTechFair

"RainMaker" Special - Signup Here and Get New Member Discount

Real Estate Blogging - The Steps & Cycle For Success

Brad Andersohn ~ Community Manager (ActiveRain) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 19:27:22 -0500

Real Estate Blogging - The Steps & Cycle For Success

Are you a REALTOR or BROKER Blogging? Why are you Blogging? Who is your audience? What are you Blogging about? What are your ultimate intentions? What are your goals and desired results? Do you have a plan in place for success? Of course you do, or you wouldn't be here.

Here's a simplified concept that may help give a better understanding about the steps and process of Blogging. There is nothing worse than doing something for your business and not understanding the full process, or missing certain key steps, elements, and components that would ensure your efforts are worth while and justified. This is just one concept of many, that could help take your blog to the next level and add to your "Cycle of Success!"

1. Writing Your Best Blog Posts:

Writing your Blog posts to be discovered by search engines and consumers (intended audience) is the first step.
How To Write a Blog post for Search Engines and Consumers.

2. Getting Found vs Getting Clicked:

SEO is great, and being on the first page of Google is key, but it's not the end all be all. Getting found on the search engines by consumers and having them actually click on and read your post is the goal. Using a simple strategy listed in the post referenced above will help.

3. You've got Their Attention and Interest:

When visitors find your posts, they like you, your content, your experience and your area. Or Do They? Only they can decide this. You should write and be transparent. Just be yourself. Let them decide. The wider variety of content you supply consistently, the greater of an audience you will potentially reach.

4. Connecting and Establishing a Reputation and Rapport:

Now they are on your Blog or profile and decide to search for homes in your area. At this point you have no connection or way of tracking or contacting them unless they comment, email, or call you. This is where the importance of understanding the Blogging process comes into play. If you can get traffic and visitors up to this point, then you're already half way there...The virtual "Handshake" takes place.

5. Where do you take them from here:

If Consumers do a search for homes on your Blog posts or Profile, where do they land? Have you setup your Hit Router to direct visitors to your MLS, IDX, or Listings in your area? Are you maximizing the potential for exposure on where consumers are searching for homes on ActiveRain? 100,000 homes were searched in a single month here. If your audience is the selling and buying consumer, this step is very important. There are many folk's who miss this key ingredient and component on their Blogs. Having the right tools in place helps if you want to capture valuable traffic and leads.

6. Does your IDX Have the Proper Tools in Place to be Effective:

As consumers land on your designated Hit Router pages and IDX, are they setup properly? Make sure your traffic and visitors land on a site with the information they are asking for. This would not be a Blog, or a website, or an "about you" page. Those pages will get closed immediately. If they search for homes in Houston Texas, the next landing page should be just that. All the homes for Sale in Houston Texas. Period. To be sure, Do the searches yourself and use the correct URLs for your Hit Router and IDX linking. Don't make them try to figure out how to use your site and do the searches by themselves.

7. How Many Clicks Does it Take to get to the Center of a Lead:
(The world may never know...)

So now you have a great lead capture system and IDX setup using Hit Router but now what? Is it one, two, three, five, or seven clicks before you solicit their contact information for follow-up? This is a question that only YOU can answer. There is no right or wrong answer. Whatever you believe will work for you and your prospects, that is the best way to go. The problem is, some haven't setup their IDX lead capture and have nothing in place. Some IDX sites out there don't even offer or have the capability of creating a lead capture form. More importantly, some IDX sites won't let you setup direct landing pages to listings that are being searched for in specified areas. Ouch!

8. Once you Have the Lead Captured, do you Have an Effective Follow-up Plan:

Making sure you have the proper tools in place and follow-up programs are important. Now that you have them in your store, are you effective in taking your leads to the next level? Do you have a program or tools that will assist you in the follow-up process over the necessary period of time it will take to convert them to closings? If not, then what is the point in all the rest of the efforts that you're making to try and capture them as a lead or client anyway? Everyone knows that the key to any successes in any business is always based on the follow-up.

9. Converting Leads to Closings:

Once you have completed the transaction and closing, what do you do next? Using the many social media platforms to connect to clients, friends of friends, and SOI's is what it's all about. Have you researched all the ways you can use many of these sites to tap into new friends and potential clients? This is Social Media Networking and Marketing at its finest. What better way to grow your sphere of influence than by doing it through your past and future clients? Followers on Twitter? Friends on FaceBook? Associates on LinkedIn etc. All great resources for growth and expansion. Remember, I know 100 people that you don't, and you know 100 people that I don't. Let's both know 200 people!?!?

10. Clients for Life and Building Referrals:

Most clients and friends are for life. Having a good CRM and using your "Blog Library" of content is the best way to keep the cycle going and successful. Asking for referrals from the point of contract and tapping into others SOI will keep the pipeline refilling and the success cycle going. There is no better way to get in front of 100's, 1000's, maybe millions, than with your Great Blog and Social Networking skills.

Each of these Steps and this Cycle for Success are dependent upon each item and how efficiently you apply them to your Blogging and Business. As you continue to Blog, you will learn and inevitably grow in each area. You don't have to be an expert with the technical side of things, but understanding the steps and this cycle for success will really help. This is just one "Blogging" concept that I hope will help you in determining what you need to enhance or incorporate into your "Steps and Cycles for Success!"

Click Here To Download and Print

"RainMaker" Special - Signup Here and Get New Member Discount

Syndicate Your ActiveRain Blogs

Brad Andersohn ~ Community Manager (ActiveRain) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 09:41:10 -0500

Syndicate Your ActiveRain Blogs with RSS

What is syndication and why should you "Syndicate Your ActiveRain Blogs?" Driving traffic and exposure to your Blog is the primary reason. RSS - Really Simple Syndication is a great way to connect your ActiveRain Blog to other Blogs and websites. Members on ActiveRain have an RSS feed button located on the sidebar of their Blog. Click on it to see your options and how it can be used to expand your reach to a larger audience via other sites and locations on the web.

Adding an RSS feed to your ActiveRain Blog on your ActiveRain Blog is nice, but no where near the value and benefit of having an RSS feed in other locations. Do you have a website? Do you use an email signature? Are you utilizing online marketing? Take advantage of this tiny little tool so you can get BIG results. That's why it's here. If you're not familiar with RSS Feeds, Readers, and tools etc., here's a really good post that will give you more details and an explanation.

RSS is a great way to syndicate your Blog posts and get them out there and in front of a larger potential audience. Using RSS feeds is also a great way to have information and great content delivered back to you without having to go out and look for it. This will save you valuable time browsing the web for content and information that you might be interested in.

Personally, I use Google Reader for all my RSS feeds to the sites I like to get updates and new information from. This allows me the ability to scroll through hundreds of articles from various sites and blogs easily and conveniently without having to go to each site and see what's newly published. You can also share certain posts and articles with others that you follow, and they can share with you.

If you're looking for some ways to get back-links and Web Traffic, I just watched THIS VIDEO that explains how to do this using FeedAgg.com. You can see how many other RE professionals have done this already by Clicking Here. You can search their site for various Real Estate type RSS feeds that have already been added to the site. Why not add yours while you're there. It's just one more way to syndicate your ActiveRain Blog.

Teaching your clients how to subscribe to your Blog via RSS is a valuable tool, both for them, and for you.

DON'T FORGET TO DO THIS WITH THE RSS FROM YOUR ACTIVERAIN OUTSIDE BLOGS TOO.

"RainMaker" Special - Signup Here and Get New Member Discount

High Speed Social Media Networking - Better Fasten Your SeatBelts

Brad Andersohn ~ Community Manager (ActiveRain) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 09:30:47 -0500

"RainMaker" Special - Signup Here and Get New Member Discount

RainCamp - Our New Training Program - Starts In Seattle, WA

Brad Andersohn ~ Community Manager (ActiveRain) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:15:10 -0500

ActiveRain RainCamp - Our New Training Program - Starts In Seattle and you're Invited!

This has to be one of the most exciting announcements I've ever had the privilege to post on AR. I remember signing up that "rainy" day back in February of 2007. My first question was, "Where Do I find the Owners Manual for this place?" My next thought was, "How do I get the most out of Social Networking and Blogging here? Does this stuff really work?" OMG! My Journey began that day, and would turn out to be way more than I ever anticipated or expected. We have all watched the AR community grow in more ways than just our membership and business growth, we have seen it change peoples lives and impact the Real Estate Industry.

It's time to take the Network and Community on the Road. We are going to "Rain" in cities all over the Country. It's New, it's Exciting, it's Awesome, and it's called RainCamp. The first one will start in our Corporate backyard, the beautiful City of Seattle. This is a huge turning point for ActiveRain, and also for our members and those who attend.

RainCamp.com - "Because the way we do business has changed!"

Who: Join Seattle's most forward thinking real estate professionals to master the nuances of modern real estate marketing.

What: Six hours of cutting edge real estate technology and social media training.

When: October 7th, 2009 (Registration is @8:00am)

Where: Bell Harbor Conference Center in Seattle, WA

Why: Learn how to use the latest innovations to exploit this ever changing environment, and redefine your position as an industry expert and leader. Because you are a pioneer and because you refuse to be left behind.

What Do You Get?

The Venue: This is a High-end, High-Tech facility with stadium seating and comfy Aeron Chairs with plenty of elbow room. All the comforts you'd expect at the Taj Mahal. The setting is a top-notch environment where you can relax, learn and enjoy the day and program we have planned for you.

A single-track conference with quality content
Wi-Fi, professionally managed (Bring your laptop.)
Business networking opportunities
Conversations and experiences of a lifetime!

How is RainCamp different from other Conferences?

Assess how you stack up in the modern market.
Listen to people that are practicing what they preach, and having outstanding success doing it.
Learn the methodology of a newer agent who has leveraged the Internet to become a 'Mega Producer'.
Walk away with executables you can put into action immediately.
Hard core real estate technology education. This is not a fluff event!!

The "RainCamp" Schedule

Modern Day Real Estate Marketing (9:00a - 9:30a)

Find out where you rank before we kick off the day. How does your social profile rate against your neighbor? How can you expand that presence and create connections that are meaningful in a professional manner? Understanding where we are is the only way to figure out where we need to go.

Meet the Speaker: Bob Stewart

Search Engine Marketing (9:30a - 10:30a)

Advertising is undergoing a radical transformation. As advertising dollars make an exodus from print to online marketing, do you know how to position your advertising budget to get the most impact out of each dollar? As most of your potential clients go online to make purchase decisions, knowing how to target them in the places they reside will be instrumental in ensuring they do business with you.

Meet the Speaker: Ben Kinney

Break (10:15a - 10:30a)

Converting Leads Into Closings (10:30a - 11:30a)

It's one thing to learn how to drive traffic to your site, it's entirely different to actually convert that traffic into a commission. Learn the regiment required to get industry leading conversions with the prospects on your website. There is no reason the leads on your site should be treated like the rest of the industry treats theirs. Resolve to do something different.

Meet the Speaker: Ben Kinney & Bob Stewart

Lunch (11:30a - 12:30p)

Real World Social Media Success Stories - PANEL (12:30p - 1:15p)

Listen to real agents on the street who are using Social media to enhance their business. Let them tell you how they did it. Not every story is the same but the critical component is this: They took the leap and the rewards are well worth the effort.

Panel Moderator: Brad Andersohn

30 Technologies You Don't Know But Should (1:15p - 1:30p)

Does this really need an explanation? Yes it does, so you'll need to come and hear it.

Meet the Speaker: Ben Kinney

Becoming the Online Mayor of Your Community (1:30p - 2:00p)

The end game of all real estate social media strategies. Learn how to put yourself at the online center of your real community. This is market area "farming" and done by the cutting edge elite. Take full advantage of the resources available and create a plan to put yourself in the middle of the flow of information in your market.

Meet the Speaker: Brad Andersohn & Ben Kinney

Break (2:30p - 2:45p)

Hyper-local Blogging for Business (2:45p - 4:00p)

What is Hyper-local? Why does it matter? How does focusing on hyper-local content give you more qualified leads that are ready to act quicker? Find out how to target your next client by providing the information they are looking for when they are really getting close to buying.

Meet the Speaker: Bob Stewart & Ben Kinney

About The Speakers:

Ben Kinney, Mega Producer, Keller Williams

Featured: 2008 Realtor Magazines annual "30 under 30", RIS Media "Power Team" report, WCAR Realtor of the Year and Quarter

Bob Stewart, Director of Social Media Strategy, ActiveRain

Bob is responsible for growing and maintaining ActiveRain's vibrant community of real estate professionals. He has been actively involved as a member of ActiveRain from inception. Prior to ActiveRain, Bob was COO of Brio Realty and during his tenure he increased sales volume from zero to over $100 million a year.

Brad Andersohn, Community Manager, ActiveRain

Brad is the all around tech and member support services guru. His focus and goal is to make sure members are getting the most out of the network and community. He spends a great deal of time introducing new products, tools, and services with explanations and tutorials on how to best apply them to your business plans and growth strategies.

We're looking forward to your attending and participating in our newest endeavor. We're taking ActiveRain RainCamp on the road so you can take your Business to the next level. Check RainCamp.com for details regarding this and other RainCamps sprouting around the Country.

Register For RainCamp Below, but Hurry, these seats won't last.

Picture of Bell Harbor Conference Center courtesy of Josh Hallett

"RainMaker" Special - Signup Here and Get New Member Discount

ActiveRain New Members Welcome - Your "RainMaker" Invitation

Brad Andersohn ~ Community Manager (ActiveRain) — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 20:17:31 -0500

As the Community Manager, I want to "Welcome" you to ActiveRain,

ActiveRain is a place that supports you and the need to create a successful and rewarding Real Estate presence and Blogging portfolio. Just by being a member here, you'll have access to many real estate services, professional contacts, real estate opportunities, and best of all - the camaraderie of like-minded people. Now that you're a member, create your profile, tell others about yourself and why you joined. Invite affiliates and other Industry Professionals. See who else is already here and say hello to others.

Once you have the chance to explore ActiveRain, read some Blog posts, make a few comments, join a few groups etc, you'll quickly discover why so many of our members are here. This is a network and community like none other in the Real Estate Industry. As a FREE member, you'll be able to enjoy the networking, the sharing of valuable knowledge and experience, and be exposed to a variety of tools that our members are using to promote and grow their business.

There is Plenty of "Value" Here:
There are 3 primary FREE benefits that you derive from your involvement here on ActiveRain:

1.   Develop and Foster Potential Referral Partner relationships. For the most part, many of us refer 'out of area clients' in the blind. We don't always know the agent on the other end very well. Our members have cultivated some incredibly deep and meaningful friendships with other members they would not hesitate to entrust their valued clients.

2.   Having access to the sheer wealth of information that is being shared every day. It's like taking a drink of water from a fire hydrant. All of our members have learned more valuable, practical ways, using expert information here on AR that has had a direct and positive impact on their business. In some cases, more-so than some of the continuing ed classes they have paid for and traveled around the world to attend.

3.   You are afforded a safe, non-threatening, encouraging environment to get your Blogging feet wet, and to learn the basics of implementing social media and social networking into your Real Estate Business and Marketing Plan from some of the "BEST" Professionals and Experts in the industry.

A "RainMaker" Invitation for New Members

When you are ready to take your Social Networking and Blogging experience to the next level as a "RainMaker Member", here's a "no risk", "no obligation" test drive so you can experience for yourself the "value" and "benefits" the Rainmaker membership offers. Sign up for the first month for $5.00. This will give you full access to all that ActiveRain has to offer.

Give us 30 days to show you how you can benefit from the tools here, and if you're not completely satisfied with the results and rewards, then at least you'll have the peace of mind knowing that you didn't miss out on something that later you might have regretted. I'm 100% positive, you're going to be happy you joined. See what thousands of other members are saying.

The cost of having your content crawled & indexed by the search engines, and accessible to consumers is well worth the monthly subscription fee. Very few other platforms can empower you to achieve such excellent page rank as ActiveRain. The additional benefits of a rainmaker account including but not limited to your own "Multi-Authored - Custom Outside Blog", "Hit Router and IDX Lead Generating Solutions", and the "support and training" available from our staff, are just a few of the reasons that consideration to upgrade should be made by every non-rainmaker member.

You can't fill your car with gas for the week, for the price it costs you to be a Rainmaker per month. ActiveRain is a tool and vehicle to get the job done, and make life simpler, just like a car. In fact, you can be much more effective building business here than you ever could in your car, and at 1/4 the price. The value and power of the relationships you'll build here can't be bought at any price.

If you ever have any questions or need assistance here, please give me a call or email me. "I will respond and I do answer my phone." Enjoy your experiences and successes here. From the Staff and Support Team here at ActiveRain, we not only wish you the very best, we're here to help you achieve it.

Not sure where to start? Here's 3 Easy Steps: 1. Pick up the phone 2. Dial My Number 3. I will help you.

"RainMaker" Special - Signup Here and Get New Member Discount

CNBC Features ActiveRain Member and Zillow's COO - Spencer Rascoff

Brad Andersohn ~ Community Manager (ActiveRain) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 08:51:50 -0500

CNBC Features ActiveRain Member and Zillow's COO - Spencer Rascoff

The Discussion is the Country's Housing Market. CNBC - "One Year Later" focuses on "Hashing Out Housing" with guests Spencer Rascoff from Zillow, Armando Falcon from Falcon Capital Advisors, and Dr. Susan Wachter from Wharton Business School. The Good news, the Real Estate rate of decline is slowing, and the Boston Market appears to have hit bottom. What will it take and when will the Market be "Normal" again? What will that look like? A few hurdles ahead but the outlook is promising, it will be an "L" shaped recovery.

So How is YOUR Market Doing?

"RainMaker" Special - Signup Here and Get New Member Discount

It's Time To Update Your Photo - In HD

Brad Andersohn ~ Community Manager (ActiveRain) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 10:47:20 -0500

It's Time To Update Your Photo - In HD

Members now have the ability to upload large photos from digital cameras, crop and adjust endlessly, and save the resulting image as their profile photo. These new profile photos are of a much higher quality. So now you can update your photo on ActiveRain and also earn 1080 bonus points.

The new photo or image must be at least 600 x 600. Our new photo upload feature allows you to use any hi-definition or large sized photo taken of you. You know that picture of you in the crowd that you always wished you could use but there were other people in it, or it was just too big? Now you can dig out that photo from the BBQ last weekend, crop yourself out, and upload it. Don't just do it for the points! lol~

Now just because you look great in your College Cap and Gown, I would still suggest using a current photo, or at least one that is no more than 6 months old. I can't tell you how many events I've been to lately where I would've known you had your photo here matched. :-O I have taken the plunge myself, and even though this is not my best photogenic side, it's current and will have to do til I find a better one.

There's no need for a tutorial on this new feature, it's pretty simple and straight forward. Just be sure that your starting image is at least 600 x 600 or you will get an error telling you your photo is too small. Just go to your "My Home" page and click on the "Edit" profile link to add your new HD photo. I can't wait to see all the NEW and UPDATED faces around the community. Let's "FACE" it, you know it's time to update YOUR photo, why not do it in HD (Hi-Resolution) and get 1080 bonus points too?

In case you do need a tutorial, here's a two minute video that will walk you through it!

"RainMaker" Special - Signup Here and Get New Member Discount

How to Add Custom Links to Your Blog Sidebar

Brad Andersohn ~ Community Manager (ActiveRain) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 18:06:34 -0500

Jeff Dowler wrote a great post regarding "How To Use His Blog - A Road Map" showing Buyers, Sellers, and Visitors how to navigate his Blog on ActiveRain. This was a fantastic idea, so I wanted to expand on it, thanks Jeff. As with any Blog roll, as content is added to your Blog, the previous Blog is moved down the roll allowing for the most current post to be at the top of your Blog. In this case, Jeff's great post will eventually be pushed down the Blog Roll and end up off the page. (it's already dropped down to 3rd place)

In the event that you create a post that you wish to remain visible, there are two ways to do this.

First: You can create a link to the post using the "Add/Remove" links on your Blog sidebar. The only thing with this option is that the links appear down below the "Tags" menu bar on your Blogs sidebar. The more widgets and gadgets you have, the lower these links will be pushed down the side of the computer screen.

Second: You can create a custom link to remain at the top of your Blog sidebar, or you can place it wherever you feel is the best location anywhere on your sidebar. The choice is yours.

OPTION ONE:

To add a link using the "Add/Remove" links option:

1. Scroll down on your Blog sidebar till you come to the "Add/Remove" Links

2. Click on the "add/remove" link located next to Links

3. In the "Link" Box, add the URL of ANY page you want to direct your visitors to. IE: http://activerain.com

4. In the "Link Text" Box, add the TEXT that you want to appear as the Link. IE: Real Estate Network
(Suggestion: Use some enticing text that will create the desire for visitors to want to click on it)

5. Click on the "Add Link" Button and you're done. TIP: Be sure to always test your links to make sure they work.

OPTION TWO:

To add a "Custom Link" and "Text" to your Blog sidebar using the "Settings" page:

This is a bit more advanced, but you can do it if you follow these simple steps. I'll use my most recent post as an example of how to add this to the Top of the Blog sidebar. This will apply to any custom link you wish to create on your Blog sidebar.

1. Click on "My Home"

2. Click on the "Settings" link located on the left hand sidebar

3. Here is the secret and most important step. You will need to use this HTML code below to create a custom link. You can use any URL or web address where you want the link to go. Then just add the custom text you want displayed on your sidebar. The HTML must be exactly as shown. Just use YOUR URL or web address and text and replace what I have used as a sample below.

4. All the HTML Codes for custom links will go in the SECOND Box on your "Settings Page", see below:

Quick Tip: If Using the to Bold text or to make italics, they must be closed with these or 
EXAMPLE: Makes Text Bold and Makes Text Italicized

5. Now just click on the "Update" button on your settings page to save your work.

If you have other custom created widgets and links on your sidebar, then the placement of this custom link will depend on where you decide to place the link (code). Just place it above or below any existing links or widgets you may already have. The final result should be a link on your Blog sidebar that looks something like this.

See my sidebar for "Live" link sample. There is something new to learn here everyday that can enhance and add more value to your Blog. This may seem really advanced for some, but once you do it a couple times, it will make sense and be easy to do in the future. I hope this will simplify adding links to your ActiveRain Blog Sidebar. Jeff Dowler's post would be an excellent example of something I'd want to have a link to at the top of my Blog sidebar for ALL visitors to see. Thanks for sharing that Jeff, it's what inspired this tutorial. :-)

"RainMaker" Special - Signup Here and Get New Member Discount

ActiveRain Success Stories - What Your Blog CAN Do For You

Brad Andersohn ~ Community Manager (ActiveRain) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:38:34 -0500

ActiveRain Success Stories - What Your Blog CAN Do For You

Today I was talking on the phone with a New ActiveRain member ready to become a RainMaker, but wanted to know some of the successes and benefits that other members here had experienced from being here. I shared the "Success Stories" link located on the AR Homepage. Then, as I started looking for some Blog posts to share with her, I discovered that there are literally hundreds, even thousands of these success stories scattered all through-out the community.

After spending a couple hours scouring the network, I was able to come up with some really good examples of how other members are using AR to promote their business, connect with others, generate referrals, capitalize on our SEO, get picked up by the news media, grow their business, and in many cases, make hundreds of thousands of dollars just from their ActiveRain Blogs.

I joined ActiveRain, and here's what happened...

"I have roughly $2 million in contracts and potential business at the moment which is exclusively from people who found my AR posts" - Jason Crouch

"I just received my 43 referral from the rain" - Larry Bettag

"ActiveRain has put over $122,000 into my pocket, spread over 17 different buyers and sellers" - Donna Harris

"ActiveRain Does Not Rain! It Pours! $1,300,000 Closing Because of the Power of Active Rain!" - Katerina Gasset

"Just in the last 2 months, I have closed on 6 transactions just from blogging" - Jeff Belonger

"I have already placed three homes on the market, in the last 30 days, that were direct results of ActiveRain..." - Bryant Tutas

"At this point I am reaping the rewards of ActiveRain. Thank you Active Rain, it does work!" - Tinker Hulse

"What's Better than a Referral Form from ActiveRain?" - Kathleen "Kate" Elim

"Active Rain has put me on the map. I receive at least THREE calls each week.."." - Donald Bradbury

"This is a testimony to how ActiveRain has impacted our Business" - Mariana Wagner

"NBC picked up my blog... How do I EVEN BEGIN to thank ActiveRain" - Craig Schiller

"How Blogging Put Me On the Evening News" - Janet Guilbault

"I have been contemplating my "Rainmaker" status for a month or two" - Will Goodson

"So does blogging on Activerain bring business?" ***YES, YES, YES!"* *- Missy Caulk***

***"Brad Andersohn and Bob Stewart may actually know what they're talking about"* *- Suesan Jenifer Therriault***

There are so many great stories and testimonials from our members. It seems as though a new success story or "Victory" post goes up nearly everyday. These stories and testimonials should be persuasive enough to get you following successful members, subscribing to their Blogs, witnessing their successes, and following in their footsteps as rainmakers to create and build your own success stories here.

If you have a success story you've written about, we'd love for you to share it. Just leave me a link to your post. Hearing what other members have done here is great, but experiencing these successes for yourself is the REAL convincing factor, and WILL BE your motivation to Blog. YOUR unique stories will be YOUR greatest reward. Reading these, and seeing how and what these members did will hopefully help confirm your decision to be here as a successful RainMaker in YOUR area and community.

Here's to your success and the rewards you obtain from your efforts here in the "rain!" :-)

"RainMaker" Special - Signup Here and Get New Member Discount

Common Mistakes A Blogger Makes

Brad Andersohn ~ Community Manager (ActiveRain) — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 20:10:14 -0500

Common Mistakes A Blogger Makes

These are some areas that can have an impact on you and your Blogging experience. No matter who you are and what you do for a living, if you decide to start Blogging, here's a few suggestions that might help make your Blogging experience more enjoyable and successful. These following suggestions are NOT intended to isolate any one individual, network, or community. In fact, these suggestions come from an entirely different perspective which you'll discover at the end of this post.

Finish What you Start

Some folks simply don't finish what they start. They become inconsistent and give up too soon to experience the results and rewards that can and will come from their Blogging efforts. Don't give up. Stay the course. You will only get out of it what you put into it. A quitter never wins, and a winner never quits.

Be Creative With Original Ideas

Don't try to imitate other people. Be Yourself and don't be afraid of who you are and what you choose to share. You are unique and bring something of value to the table no matter who you are. Finding your own voice is really nothing more than using the same voice you talk to others with on the phone and in person everyday. You are original, now just be creative and share your originality.

Have a Purpose and Be Professional

Networking and Blogging require some time, direction, and focus. Avoid the pitfalls of being hurried, sloppy, and unprofessional. Your Blog and content are a direct reflection of who and what you are. Autograph your work with a signature of "quality!" Always be professional, ethical, moral, and kind towards others.

Mix it Up With a Variety of Content

Only posting charts, statistics, and marketing reports etc. will make your Blog seem like a marketing machine. Add a little color and flavor by creating a variety of personal, business, and hyper-local posts. You'll find that offering a variety of content on your Blog will bring you a variety of readers and visitors.

Know Your Topics and Share Your Experience

Not being informed about subject matter can be a "Bloggers Nightmare!" There's nothing worse than getting sucked into questions you can't answer. The research and time it takes you to find out about a topic or subject matter and get answers can be consuming and discourage you from Blogging again. Better to share what you do know and your experience, than to claim you're the expert at something you're not.

Engage Your Readers

Writing with no substance can be harmful or even fatal to your Blog. Writing content that draws the reader in and makes them want to come back for more should be the goal. Often, Bloggers will post articles that share only their view point and they aren't open for discussion.

Use Visuals To Make Posts Appealing

Try not to always write articles that are just a "Wall Of Words" No visuals or photos, or even worse... bad photos can do more harm than good. Having posts that are cosmetically pleasing to the eye will help to draw readers in and bring your topics to life.c

Be Careful Overselling - Everyone's a Buyer

Purely self-promoting blogging can come across to others as not giving anything of value, even though your product or service is the greatest on the planet. Remember that everyone wants to buy, but no one wants to be sold. This in my opinion is one of the key differences between WEB 1.0, and the new WEB 2.0 world.

Protect Your Reputation

You can't please all the people all of the time, but coming across in writing like you are scolding the reader, whether in a post or a comment, can lead to frustration and discouragement to both author and reader. Sharing your opinion just as I am here is better than creating deliberate conflict. Always treat others online as you would offline and in person.

Be A Blogger, Not Just A Visitor

Not enough content or consistency will slow down your traffic and returning visitors. Try to not be repetitive or let your Blog become stale. Finding the proper balance of how many times to post each week is up to you. I suggest a minimum of 2-3 times per week. Your readers will come back as often as you post. Whatever works for you, just be consistent.

Interacting, Conversing, Dialog and Threads

Being unresponsive to the readers and their comments will have a negative impact on your Blog. If you just "post & go" never returning to engage or converse with others, then the value of a good thread or conversation will be lost. Many Bloggers create posts where the greatest value actually comes from the dialog in the comments.

What's In A Title

Everything. Not just for SEO either. Having a catchy title can make the difference of whether someone wants to read your post or not. Taking a bit more time to come up with a good title that is relevant is worth the extra effort. Don't take title's for granted, and be careful using a catchy title that has nothing to do with your subject matter or topic.

Be Part of the Solution and NOT the Problem

Complaining, writing with negativity, and using a blog to attack others may be attractive to a certain audience, the question you have to ask yourself in this case is, "Is this the audience I wish to attract?" When sharing your opinions and experiences where there is a negative or questionable subject matter, try to find the roses and not the thorns, something that will help and benefit your readers.

Write With Transparency

Some Bloggers like to cut and paste from pre-written content that may not even be their own. Not being transparent can easily be detected in ones writing. Somehow that little 10pt font has a way of revealing more than you think. Be yourself, be sincere, be honest, and just be you. Don't plagiarize! As simple as this sounds, it is difficult for some, but must be overcome if you want to be a successful Blogger.

Participate - Read, Write, and Comment

This is a big and common mistake. Taking time to read will only help you learn and grow. Taking time to write will only better your Blog post quality and increase your traffic, visitors, and business. Taking the time to comment on others posts will only build your reciprocating visitors and traffic and will do miracles for building new and exciting relationships.

I share these thoughts, common mistakes, and suggestions with you today not because of what YOU are doing wrong, but because these are many of the things I have done wrong. I've had to learn much over the past couple years of Blogging. Call it trial and error, but most of what I have learned about Blogging was learned here, and by doing it wrong. At times, I do see others doing the same things. Sharing my own experiences and shortcomings might help you save some time and frustration as you press onward toward your own Blogging aspirations and goals. Making mistakes is how we all learn and grow.

"RainMaker" Special - Signup Here and Get New Member Discount

How To Add MP3 Files to your Blog

Brad Andersohn ~ Community Manager (ActiveRain) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:09:39 -0500

How To Add MP3 Files to your Blog

Marie Westerman, a REALTOR® member here from Georgia emailed me this morning and asked, "Brad how can I put a MP3 into a blog?" Knowing that there are probably other members wondering how to do this, here's a quick tutorial that will show you How To Add MP3 Files to a Blog Post.

VERY IMPORTANT TIP: Keep in mind that MP3 audio files should never be setup to "AutoPlay" on your Blog. Let your readers and listeners select if they want to hear it or not. If you set them up to "autoplay", you might scare the crap out of somebody when they load your post at 1:00am and their computer speakers are up full blast! lol~ This is the quickest way to get someone to close their browser on you!

Here's an MP3 player that is used for ODEO.com audio files and it works well here on AR. I used a funny example of an MP3 file just to make this Blog post a bit more fun and interesting. (It is NOT the actual AR Support Answering Machine)

Click the button on the player to listen.

This is the code you will need to place in the HTML tab when creating a new post. All you need to do is find the .MP3 file on the web that you want played, then replace the URL or web address you currently see in the HTML code highlighted below. Just erase the one that is there and replace it with the URL where YOUR MP3 file is located. For this type of MP3 embed, the file must be on the Internet housed on a server somewhere.

To use the embed code above, here's a site where you can copy the code to paste to your blog since the one above is only an image/screen shot and can't be copied and pasted. Click here to get the code.

Getting a bit more practical, here's an actual MP3 worth Listening to. It's a podcast MP3 by Marissa Mayar from Google talking about innovation at Google. This is the type of MP3 or Audio file that might bring more value to your readers listeners.

There are some other ways to embed sound files, MP3 files, podcasts etc. This should be a good start and easy way for anyone wanting to add "optional" audio to their Blogs and posts. Thanks for asking Marie, I hope this helped. Happy Blogging and Listening! :-)

If reading or listening just isn't your thing, here's a video that might help you more.

"RainMaker" Special - Signup Here and Get New Member Discount

Active Brads Blog

RainCamp is Coming To San Francisco

The ActiveRain Point System

Building, Managing, and Protecting Your Online Reputation

The Google Story - A Video Story Book

Top 40 Resources for Information and Education

How To Get Your Blog Posts "Viral" Exposure on Twitter and Facebook

How To Use Your "Existing" Domain Names on AR Outside Blogs

NY Daily News Reports From ActiveRain - A BIG Wordless Wednesday

Social Media Buttons and Icons - Is Someone Pushing Your Buttons?

Apture - The All In One Tool For Social Media Content

My 14th Anniversary Surprise from ActiveBrad

ActiveRain RainCamp - Better Than SummerCamp For Kids!

FREE Online Technology Tools and Services for Your Business - 2009

MLS TECH FAIR 2009 - New York

"Discover Innovative Ways To Recharge And Grow Your Real Estate Business!"

Real Estate Blogging - The Steps & Cycle For Success

Syndicate Your ActiveRain Blogs

High Speed Social Media Networking - Better Fasten Your SeatBelts

RainCamp - Our New Training Program - Starts In Seattle, WA

ActiveRain New Members Welcome - Your "RainMaker" Invitation

CNBC Features ActiveRain Member and Zillow's COO - Spencer Rascoff

It's Time To Update Your Photo - In HD

How to Add Custom Links to Your Blog Sidebar

ActiveRain Success Stories - What Your Blog CAN Do For You

"I have roughly $2 million in contracts and potential business at the moment which is exclusively from people who found my AR posts" - Jason Crouch

"I just received my 43 referral from the rain" - Larry Bettag

"ActiveRain has put over $122,000 into my pocket, spread over 17 different buyers and sellers" - Donna Harris

"ActiveRain Does Not Rain! It Pours! $1,300,000 Closing Because of the Power of Active Rain!" - Katerina Gasset

"Just in the last 2 months, I have closed on 6 transactions just from blogging" - Jeff Belonger

"I have already placed three homes on the market, in the last 30 days, that were direct results of ActiveRain..." - Bryant Tutas

"At this point I am reaping the rewards of ActiveRain. Thank you Active Rain, it does work!" - Tinker Hulse

"What's Better than a Referral Form from ActiveRain?" - Kathleen "Kate" Elim

"Active Rain has put me on the map. I receive at least THREE calls each week.."." - Donald Bradbury

"This is a testimony to how ActiveRain has impacted our Business" - Mariana Wagner

"NBC picked up my blog... How do I EVEN BEGIN to thank ActiveRain" - Craig Schiller

"How Blogging Put Me On the Evening News" - Janet Guilbault

"I have been contemplating my "Rainmaker" status for a month or two" - Will Goodson

"So does blogging on Activerain bring business?" YES, YES, YES!" - Missy Caulk

"Brad Andersohn and Bob Stewart may actually know what they're talking about" - Suesan Jenifer Therriault

Common Mistakes A Blogger Makes

How To Add MP3 Files to your Blog

"So does blogging on Activerain bring business?" ***YES, YES, YES!"* *- Missy Caulk***

***"Brad Andersohn and Bob Stewart may actually know what they're talking about"* *- Suesan Jenifer Therriault***