The Network Blog

Windows Movie Maker - Sometimes the BEST is FREE

David W. Bolick (Network Real Estate, Inc.) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:43:22 -0700

I started doing real Home Video Tours about 6 years ago and the biggest problem, and still to a degree, was finding a web host to upload the video to. The next biggest problem was finding a Video Program to edit the raw video shot to add some flair. After using a complicated program for about 2 years I finally went to CompUSA and asked the advise of the "experts" and they suggested a program that costs about $230 that was so damn complicated to use that I had to make notes on how I did things because the next time I tried to duplicate an edit I couldn't figure out how I did it. I fought this program for years until one day my 14 year old daughter (should have been the first one to ask) was making Home Movies from video clips and still pics on her computer with her friends and she had all kinds of fancy twists from one scene to the next, blending music and voice overlay, adding cool distortions to pics with zoom in and out features and when I saw her first one I was like WOW...how in the world did you accomplish that. She said she was using Microsoft Windows Movie Maker...a FREE program on her computer.

Folks...I'm here to tell you that I now use Windows Movie Maker and couldn't be happier. It is sooooo simple to use and has more features, whistles and bells than I care to use. It's amazing at just how easy it is to use and the learning curve wasn't but a couple of days. I highly recommend it. I'm still looking for a good quality video host though.

Here's my latest home video movie made with Movie Maker:

Facebook Networking - For the love of money...HIDE WHAT YOU DO FOR A LIVING !!

David W. Bolick (Network Real Estate, Inc.) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 06:13:00 -0700

It's amazing me how people jump into something without first analyzing it. I was in Facebook for about 2 years before I entered any bio info trying to figure out WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THE SIZE OF MY UNDERWEAR? Then I saw the potential and jumped in. If there's one thing I can't stand, that's somebody that is constantly trying to SELL something on Facebook on their wall, when it's a "socializing" place...hey...isn't that what eBay's for?

Then there's the Real Estate Agents on Facebook...their friends are 500 other "Real Estate Agents". What's that all about? Do they plan to sell them a house? And then there's the "Private" profile....how's that working for ya?

Here's all you need to know, and all you need to do to get your message out in Facebook:

Can you pass this simple TEST?

What does this Facebook guy do for a living?	What does this Facebook guy do for a living?	What does this Facebook girl do for a living?
What does this Facebook girl do for a living?	What does this Facebook guy do for a living?	What does this Facebook guy do for a living?

So...what does YOUR Facebook picture look like? Simply put, your picture should do the advertising.

33 Winterfern Cove, Little Rock, AR only $329,900 VIDEO TOUR

David W. Bolick (Network Real Estate, Inc.) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:21:23 -0700

Real Walk Through Home Video Tour

33 Winterfern Cove, Little Rock, AR only $329,900

David W. Bolick (Network Real Estate, Inc.) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:45:19 -0700

33 Winterfern Cove - Woodlands Edge V - West Little Rock, AR MLS Link#10238716 Priced Below Market @ $329,900
►Oversized Cul-de-sac Lot in Woodlands Edge V ► Approx 3,000 Square Feet ► 4 Bdrm + Office ►High Quality Carpet ► Hardwood Floor ► Ceramic Tile Floors ► 2 Story Den & Foyer ►18' Trey Ceiling-Master Bedroom ►Granite Kitchen Counters ►Custom Interior Paint ►Contemporary Design ►Mountain Top View ►Gas Log Fireplace-Den ►Private Greenbelt Backyard ► Level Slab Foundation ►Crown Molding throughout ►Zoned HVAC ►All Brick


David W. Bolick, GRI Network Real Estate, Inc. 501-960-8601 www.NetworkRealEstateAR.com	Click for Full Video Walk Through

Large Space Buy - 14001 Hinson Rd, Little Rock, AR $362,000

David W. Bolick (Network Real Estate, Inc.) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:08:15 -0700

14001 Hinson Road SPACE BUY !	Longlea Estates MLS #10233827 (click) $362,000
►5 Bdrm + Office, 3.5 Bath ► Approx 3,691 Square Feet ► Formal Liv Rm ►Formal Din Rm ► Lge Open Kitchen ► Hardwoods & Carpet ► Private Greenbelt Backyard ► 3 Bdrms Up ►Family Rm w/Wetbar & Fireplace ►All Brick ► Excellent Physical Condition


David W. Bolick, GRI Network Real Estate, Inc. 501-960-8601 www.NetworkRealEstateAR.com	Click for Full Video Walk Through

2 Betsy Lane - Little Rock, AR ESTATE SALE only $149,000

David W. Bolick (Network Real Estate, Inc.) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 09:10:15 -0700

WONDERFUL ESTATE SALE home 2 Bedroom 2 Bath, with 2 Car Garage + UNIQUE RV CARPORT, Family Room, Form Living Room with Fireplace. This home has been well cared for with all Brick, Sprinkler System, Private Back Patio with Metal Covered Roof with Gas Grill. Priced at only $149,000. See our Home Video Tour below for a complete walk through tour or click below for the MLS Listing sheet.

MLS Listing: CLICK HERE FOR LISTING INFORMATION

or Our Website Link at: CLICK HERE FOR WEBSITE LINK

Home Video Tour: Click On Template Below...

What IF...I were the New Presidential Housing Czar?

David W. Bolick (Network Real Estate, Inc.) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 08:28:00 -0700

What IF...I were the New Presidential Housing Czar?

Take this scenario...all the homes for sale in my city are foreclosures. All the agents became Federal Real Estate Agents under my employ by appointment of the President of the United States. My job is to Dispose of all the homes in the best manner, at the highest price possible in the shortest period of time.

My first day on the new job, I searched the MLS and found hundreds of homes by new and seasoned agents as well as broker owners of these companies that had the following problems:

(1) No picture in the MLS at all after 14 to 45 days.
(2) Blurry pictures that you can't even make out what the house looks like.
(3) Great homes in high priced areas with ONE STINKIN picture of the outside.
(4) Nice looking homes that have 5 pictures of the OUTSIDE ONLY. Not one single inside shot.
(5) Virtual Tours that are nothing more than a rotation of the same 7 pictures already posted.
(6) Virtually no description about the home. A 200 character description field using up 50 characters.
(7) Incomplete information on the MLS like whether or not there is zoned HVAC for a 3,500 square foot 2 story house...whether or not there is telephone service in a rural area.
(8) A large number of agents that have NO EMAIL address to communicate with.
(9) Get this...a home that the "City" field says "UNKNOWN". Give me a break...you don't even know the city and you enter 999-Unknown?
(10) REO or Foreclosure field and the field says "Unknown". Again, is real estate sales too much a "burden" for you?
(11) I pulled up "Contemporary" homes in a large area....found 77 and looked at each one....only about 6 were Contemporary. Oh...I get it now...IF it has a "vaulted ceiling", that makes it contemporary....Frank Lloyd Wright is turning in his grave.
(12) The "Original" listing price starts off at $124,000 and the "Current Price" is now $152,000. Are we starting our day without a Starbucks stop?
(13) The Showing Instructions say "VACANT" and "APPOINTMENT ONLY". Oh...do we not want to disturb the mice? Is this a "computer system error"?
(14) One listing field for the number of square feet in lot said "CONDO". Is my IQ just to low to understand that?
(15) The "Locator Maps": Those are the maps you click on to show the location of the house from the MLS listing in our area which the agent is suppose to "verify" by going there...confirming it and zooming in or out if necessary ... shows on most listings 2 streets neither of which I've ever heard of and rather than zooming out to show where in the hell in the city we're talking about. Again...let's not spend too much time letting somebody know where this place is.

I could go on, but WHAT DID I DO AS THE NEW PRESIDENTIAL HOUSE CZAR FOR MY TOWN ON THE FIRST DAY OF WORK?

Well, I called in 200 of about 300 real estate agents and I FIRED EVERYONE OF THEM. They are now out of a job. They might now have to ask if you want to Supersize the Fries with that order.

You would think that in the tough economic times we're in and the housing market being a key element of the erosion of our national economy that the Cream of the Crop would be left in this business and you'd see some top notch creative, efficient go-getter agents promoting the sale of their home for their client. But I believe what has happened is that all the hard working well-intended agents have left the business and left us with the "Don't Bother Me" agents that have a "Financially Influential Spouse" that gives them Referrals so it doesn't really matter if you do a good job or not...it's just whether or not you "know somebody". Some day, that may change.

12505 Pleasant Forest - West Little Rock, AR $189,500

David W. Bolick (Network Real Estate, Inc.) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 10:35:37 -0800

12505 Pleasant Forest Drive - Little Rock, AR
MLS # 10217457

$189,500

►Oversized Lot in Pleasant View ► Approx 1,982 Square Feet ► ALL NEW... ►High Quality Carpet ► Hardwood Floor ► Ceramic Tile Floors ► New Light Fixtures ►New Plumbing Fixtures ►All New Kitchen, Counters, Floors, Cabinets, Appliances ►New Interior & Exterior Paint ►Re-Designed Large Master Bedroom + ►Re-Designed all new gorgeous Master Bathroom ►Gas Log Fireplace-Den ►New Den Wet Bar ► UNBELIEVABLE Steel Construction Double Party Deck ►Lower Ground Deck with Fountain & Fish Pond ►Zoned HVAC ►New HWH ►Large Garage with Storage, Shop Area and Laundry ►Superior Craftsmanship ►3 Bedrooms ►2 1/2 Baths ►12' x 12' Bonus Room downstairs ►Fully Fenced ► Private Backyard ► Thermopane Windows

David W. Bolick, GRI
Network Real Estate, Inc.
501-960-8601
www.NetworkRealEstateAR.com

12505 Pleasant Forest - LIKE NEW

David W. Bolick (Network Real Estate, Inc.) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 17:20:50 -0800

Obama vs McCain - Are you aware of all this????

David W. Bolick (Network Real Estate, Inc.) — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 15:35:20 -0700

I just received this email from a friend and I pretty much knew most of it, BUT, there are definitely some SCARY Real Estate Issues involved here folks. If you think any of this is inaccurate, let me know.

ISSUE	JOHN McCAIN	BARACK OBAMA
Favors new drilling offshore in USA	Yes	No
Appoint conservative Supreme Court Judges who interpret the law only	Yes	No
Military Service (Active and/or Inactive)	Yes	No
Time in US Senate	22 YEARS	173 DAYS
Advocates Socialized Medicine	No	Yes
Supports abortion (including 'partial birth')	No	Yes
Troops out of Iraq now	No	Yes
Supports 2nd Amendment Gun Rights	Yes	No
Supports homosexual marriage	No	Yes
Overall programs require large tax increases	No	Yes
Supports English as the official language	Yes	No
Social Security benefits to illegal felons?	No	Yes
HOME SALES TAX
MCCAIN	0% on home sales up to $500,000 per home (couples) and no tax increase for all other existing home sales.
OBAMA	28% on profit from all home sales, a MAJOR 'hit' affecting retirees downsizing for equity transfer to retirement.
STOCK DIVIDEND TAX
MCCAIN	15% (no change)
OBAMA	24.6% increase to 39.6%
GENERAL INCOME TAX
MCCAIN (no changes)	Single making 30K - tax $4,500 Single making 50K - tax $12,500 Single making 75K - tax $18,750 Married making 60K- tax $9,000 Married making 75K - tax $18,750 Married making 125K - tax $31,250
OBAMA (reversion back to pre-Bush tax cuts)	Single making 30K - tax $8,400 Single making 50K - tax $14,000 Single making 75K - tax $23,250 Married making 60K - tax $16,800 Married making 75K - tax $21,000 Married making 125K - tax $38,750 Under Obama, taxes almost double!
INHERITANCE TAX
MCCAIN	0% (No change to previous Bush repeal of Inheritance Tax
OBAMA	Wants to restore the inheritance tax, a HUGE hit to long-term family held business and properties lost due to inability to pay exorbitant inheritance taxes. Multiple properties going into receivership, often sell for 50 cents on the dollar.
NEW TAXES PROPOSED BY OBAMA
New federal 'luxury' tax proposed on homes that are more than 2400 square feet. Additional federal gasoline tax. New federal tax on natural gas, water and electricity. New tax on retirement accounts. New, across the board general taxes to pay for socialized medical benefits, including to illegals.

Above information may be verified at the following sites:

http://money.cnn.com/news/specials/election/2008/index.html
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/issues/issues.taxes.html
http://elections.foxnews.com/?s=proposed+taxes
http://bulletin.aarp.org/yourworld/politics/articles/mccain_obama_offer_different_visions_on_taxes.html
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/fact-checker/candidates/barack_obama/
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/fact-checker/candidates/john_mccain/

ACORN - Originally the ARKANSAS Community Organization for Reform Now

David W. Bolick (Network Real Estate, Inc.) — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:01:05 -0700

ACORN

Arkansas Community Organization for Reform Now

aka

Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now

With all the news going on about ACORN I have yet to hear any history of the organization dating back to 1970 when ACORN was originally created with the help of Wade Rathke, coming to Little Rock, Arkansas and inspired by a clause in the Arkansas Welfare Laws. Below are two paragraphs taken from some 20 pages of history from the ACORN website. You can see from the two red highlighted sentences, they exercised illegal methods, by their own admission to accomplish their means. That was almost 30 years ago. And look how it has evolved.

http://www.acorn.org/index.php?id=12447

"When Rathke arrived in Little Rock in 1970, he began a campaign to help welfare recipients attain their basic needs - clothing and furniture. This drive, inspired by a clause in the Arkansas welfare laws, began the effort to create and sustain a social justice movement that would grow to become the Arkansas Community Organizations for Reform Now - ACORN."

http://www.acorn.org/index.php?id=12445

"Turning adversity into opportunity, ACORN launched a campaign to obtain affordable housing. Long before it became fashionable to be concerned about the homeless, ACORN was fighting for homes for low- and moderate-income people. Noting that economic upheaval had forced many people to default on mortgages, ACORN sought to place needy people in the resulting vacant homes. This required the forceful and illegal (though logical and moral) seizing of the properties - squatting.

The squatting campaigns involved personal, community and political dimensions. The personal needs of people without homes attracted many to advertisements ACORN placed in papers asking "Do you need a home?" The squatting campaign required a personal commitment to move into a vacant, usually poorly kept house and refit it for comfortable living. It also involved the risk of arrest if local authorities refused them the legal occupation of the home. Nevertheless, the response was great."

MLM Training: What Leaders Do by Tim Sales

David W. Bolick (Network Real Estate, Inc.) — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:42:39 -0700

MLM Training: What Leaders Do
By Tim Sales

(Advanced Publication Article)

Having trouble getting your downline to be motivated, productive and follow your MLM training guidance and suggestions? Here’s 29 proven actions successful MLM leaders do, written by a leader with a downline of 56,000 people.

1. A network marketing leader doesn’t wait until he/she gets a large group before becoming a leader. It can’t work that way, because you would never get the large group if you’re waiting to be leader first! Nor does the leader wait until they feel they possess the knowledge to lead - rarely they do.

2. At events, the leader arrives early and reserves chairs for their entire group on the front row. What I’ve found is that there are very rarely more than two leaders in any room. Please understand what I mean by this. Once a person gets to a certain level of success they will stop doing these simple leadership things because of ego. They suddenly become “too knowledgeable” to sit and listen to a speaker that has less time in the MLM business than them. If you remain humble and hungry the world is yours. So is the front row, by the way.

3. A true leader realizes that there is a difference between being a leader and being a leader of people. More on this later.

4. Network marketing “works” under many conditions, but when those relationships between you and your organization become tight and a “esprit de corps” is created, there’s nothing like it. I do mean nothing.

5. Appearance is impeccable. Even in jeans.

6. A leader “appears” organized, much like ducks cruising smoothly across the water, however, no one sees or knows how radical and out of control their feet are peddling.

7. Leaders of people treat their people with respect. Respect means you have a good opinion of their character or ideas. Simply put, you are interested in your people - their ideas, their complaints, their fears, their successes - THEM!

8. As a leader you develop or find five “Top Producers.” Devote yourself to them. Find three qualities that you like about each person. Write those in your day planner. Review them frequently, thinking of how you can help bolster one of those attributes. Bolstering an attribute can be many things - from a good verbal acknowledgement, to giving a telephone headset to someone as a gift who is working hard at making calls, to being their friend when they have a personal crisis.

9. New leaders are let down often by those they devote themselves to. Why? Because you selected the wrong person to devote yourself to. You only get good at character choosing with experience. Track record is really the only place to look first. What has the person been doing with their time…and what does the person do with his or her time? Albeit controversial, do not sink yourself if doing so won’t save your mate. Cut away when you feel you’re being pulled under. If you help “able” people, they will help more people. If you try to help an unable person they may sink you on their way down.

10. The network marketing leader organizes MLM training sessions and gets the product or service “specialist” in front of their group - whether it’s in person, on a conference call or on an audio or video. Example: Your company carries a nutrition line created by Dr. Whoever. He specializes in human nutrition and created an ingredient that is in your products that is truly unique. The leader will somehow get that doctor on a conference call with his or her group to raise their belief in the products.

11. A network marketing leader always gives “back” more. Example: Let’s say that there’s a foul-up in processing distributor agreements in your downline. You get the distributors on the phone with a customer service rep that handles the situation. You know that that customer service rep really worked hard to help the situation. Yes, it’s their job…BUT, the leader will send that customer service rep a bag of M&M’s or flowers or something to say “thank you for going above the call of duty.” What do you think that customer service rep will do for your group now? Just about anything.

12. The leader climbs the ladder and finds out who the decision makers are at the company and gets to know them but never bugs them. This is positioning yourself so that opportunity can see you. This is different than you seeing opportunity. Suddenly you find yourself speaking at the convention…hmm, I guess it was just luck. Yeah, right!

13. At the company conventions the leader will introduce the corporate staff to their organization and vice versa. Even the order takers! Take the time to do this because it creates a sense of belonging for both the corporate staff as well as the distributors. Imagine the difference when a biochemist for a company has met 100 real people with dreams and passions about selling his/her product. Do you think that creates a stronger passion for the biochemist to create better products? Absolutely. All of this “belonging” and “passion” was created because of your leadership.

14. A leader in network marketing is the switchboard of information and communication. They’re not “in the loop.” They ARE the loop.

15. A leader can always be reached by fax, email and or phone. Returned communication will occur in less than 24 hours. If that’s not a possibility the message will indicate that it might be longer.

16. A leader never exposes weakness and fear to their organization. Some view me as being “inhuman” or robotic on this. What I mean by this is that the leader must always maintain their certainty about both the business opportunity and the MLM training system. I’ve never met a person in my life that doesn’t have fear and weaknesses. If you’ve got fears or doubts about your company get over them or get out. Fly to the company today and get your concerns handled. Come back and be a rock for your group. I guarantee they’ll follow you. Conversely, share with them your little uncertainties and they’ll be so relieved that you’re “human” and…they’ll also find another leader to follow.

17. Recognizing that everyone is growing, a leader never invalidates the efforts of anyone in his or her organization. One person brings six guests to a meeting, another brings two, and the third brings none. The leader is able to notice that person number three is there - which might have been a major growth step for them. So instead of criticizing them for not bringing a guest - they praise them for being there.

18. The leader is always searching for and praising something about his or her people. “Little babies love praise, but grown men will die for it.” Men in battle will risk their lives for a 1¼” x 1½” ribbon they pin onto their shirt above their left chest pocket. They wear this ribbon for the world to see. Forgo praise and you’ve missed out on the most powerful tool in your leadership arsenal. Praise for things they’ve yet to do, and you’ll create a person who withdraws from the group because you made them a fake.

19. If you share this list with your group - share whose content it is. If you don’t you will also be guilty of the last sentence of item #18. Seeking praise, respect, fame, etc. for what you didn’t do, makes you feel like a fake.

20. A leader uses and teaches new technologies in their organization - but only if it truly works. Don’t drive your organization down dead ends.

21. Leaders are ethical examples. If you “sneak” your people past the registration table you’ve just ruined their perception of you. They can never trust you and they shouldn’t. You’ve got one shot at doing this right.

22. A leader creates alliances with needed national and international (if applicable) groups to ensure their group has support and representation. If no group exists, build it.

23. Leaders are more concerned about the growth of their people than the growth of their bonus check. Focus on the growth of your people, your bonus check will take care of itself.

24. A leader never says what they can get others to say. Example: My company calls and says, “We’d like you to speak at the company convention.” I accept graciously, and then ask “Would it be possible for me to include a new leader named _________? They’re a good speaker and I would love to share the stage with them.” See, a leader wants his or her people to be leaders.

25. A leader never, ever speaks ill of anyone - even if they deserve it.

26. A leader acknowledges other leaders in the room. “We are honored to have in the room with us Mrs. 77. She conducts business meetings in the 44 area.”

27. A leader doesn’t get bent out of shape because they don’t get a return phone call from the corporate office - or the upline! More than once I’ve sent pizza to a department with special instructions to the delivery person telling them to say, “This pizza has already been paid for by Tim Sales. He asks only that after enjoying the pizza that you call him at 555-3797.” Everyone laughs and guess what? You get a phone call with the right tone in their voice for getting something done. Anyone can complain - they’re used to that. A leader finds amusement in creating more effective forms of communication.

28. A leader has a crystal clear vision about their networking marketing company and where they’re taking it. If the company doesn’t have something, they don’t complain, they figure out how to convince the company to get it.

29. A leader, after reviewing this list will print it out and does at least one item every day.

I sincerely hope this MLM training article has inspired you and given you some things to think about as you lead and build your organization.

There are more, but this should get you started.

With growing respect and admiration for you,

Tim Sales

Tim Sales helps network marketers gain the confidence and skills to be an <a href="http://www.firstclassmlmtools.com/training">MLM success</a>. Learn how to become a true network marketing professional. Sign up for his free MLM training newsletter and listen to free training at www.FirstClassMLMTools.com.

Brian Pearce
www.FirstClassMLMTools.com
o - (323) 344-8272
c - (818) 590-9680

Three Booby-Traps of Network Marketing by Tim Sales

David W. Bolick (Network Real Estate, Inc.) — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 06:22:44 -0700

The Three Booby-Traps of Network Marketing
By Tim Sales

(Advanced Publication Article)

Let’s start out with defining the word booby-trap: a situation that catches one off guard; a pitfall; a hidden hazard.

The reason I chose “booby trap” is because the subjects I’m going to explain to you can in fact catch you off guard and be a hazard if you’re not knowledgeable about their existence.

There are three phases that one goes through as they advance (if they do) in network marketing - each can be a booby trap to the individual.

Introverting

The first phase is what I call Introverting. Introverting is defined as: To concentrate upon oneself or what one is doing. So how can we use this definition in network marketing? Normally introversion occurs in the very beginning of one’s career in network marketing. The indicators of someone introverting are when one is greatly concerned with what he or she LOOKS or SOUNDS like to others. When they’re studying or practicing scripts they’re so focused on the actual words that they don’t communicate the meaning or concept to the prospect. What they say sounds stupid - like they’re scared or uncomfortable. Their voice shakes and they sound very unsure of themselves - which communicates, “I don’t believe in what I’m doing” to the prospect. See, they’re not focused on the prospect - they’re focused on SAYING the right thing. Therefore the concept of what they’re saying doesn’t REACH the prospect.

So if you’re a new person and you are constantly thinking about what other people think about you, you must get past it. Here’s how to get past it:

1. Drill - which means repeat something over and over, what you’re going to say BEFORE you get in front of a live person.

2. Focus all your attention on the prospect and

3. Get into such a high activity that you don’t have time to focus on your fears.

When you confront what you fear enough times, you fear it no more. As you CONTINUE to do this, you will start focusing on DOING IT instead of worrying whether you CAN do it or not. Then something bizarre will happen. You’ll sponsor someone in the business. And on that day you’ll realize you really CAN do it.

Distributors who do not get out of introversion end up trapped by it and either quit or don’t succeed. They are also the ones who say, “The business just isn’t for me.” Or they will claim the WHOLE industry doesn’t work. Every time I see or hear this I think, ” Wow, should I send my bonus check back to the company EVERY MONTH because somebody says the industry doesn’t work?” Of course it works. But the first barrier you have to get past is what other people think of you.

Okay, so for this discussion, pretend that you actually get past yourself (introversion) and into activity. You start bringing people into the business and you feel wonderful. You get real confident and it almost seems effortless to bring people into the business. The people that are still in introversion are almost mesmerized by your abilities and want to know your “secret.” When they hear the secret they’re shocked that it’s the same old stuff. There is no secret. The primary difference is one is out-of-introversion and DOING IT and the other is still worried about what people might think and are “TRYING” to do it right.

Doing It All

The next trap I’ve called DOING IT ALL. The success of being able to sponsor people eventually becomes a booby trap as well - and it is very well concealed. The person has sponsored several people and has been praised so much by his or her peers for the ability to sponsor people that they identify themselves as “the person who can sponsor a lot of people.” Meaning their identity gets stuck to that one activity. I’ve seen people sponsor 30, 50, 100 people and just keep on doing it - waiting for someone to be as effective as they are. Occasionally one might sponsor someone who has gotten past introversion in another field, but normally not. The symptoms of DOING IT ALL are statements like,

- “None of my people are doing anything!”

- “How do I motivate my downline?”

- “I keep sponsoring duds.”

If this is you - you’ve watched very valuable, very capable people fall through the cracks. You’re adding people as fast as they’re dropping off the other end. You are delusional to think you’re going to find someone who will get past introversion without your help! Stop it. You’re doing the industry a disservice because it generates a higher failure rate in the industry. You’re doing yourself a disservice because it can be very disheartening to sponsor all these people thinking you’re going to be making a ton of money on them only to see them quit within a month or two.

You must train the people you sponsor. If you’re unwilling to make a leader out of the person you’re sponsoring, don’t sponsor them! It takes great patience to train people. You have to sit through the pain of listening to them present. WARNING - don’t do this on an empty stomach. You want so badly to save them… you can’t - if you ever want to make a lot of money in network marketing. Doing it for them only handicaps them. You cannot do it for them - you must train, train, train, and when you think they will never get it, you train some more. They will get it when YOU get enough patience. By the way, don’t stop your training until you see that your distributors can properly train THEIR distributors. If you don’t do this step your organization will not move past the 3rd level. You won’t build a Christmas tree (better than saying pyramid), you’ll build a diamond. All your volume will be up in your first 2-3 levels.

Velvet Rut

The final trap is what I call the VELVET RUT. You’re making 3- 7 thousand dollars a month and the thought of going back to recruiting again is daunting. The reason I call it the velvet rut is because you’re making just enough money to keep you in the game - so it’s kind of comfortable, but because you’re not making the money you’ve dreamed of it’s still a rut, therefore a trap. Go back to work and sponsor 3 or 4 more and build them into leaders. GET YOUR DREAM.

I hope this is of some value to you.

Tim Sales

Tim helps people gain the skills needed to be a success in their own business. Discover what you must know to become a true professional. Find over 120 articles and sign up for Tim's 'Success Tips' at www.FirstClassMLMTools.com

FANNIE MAE / FREDDIE MAC POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS

David W. Bolick (Network Real Estate, Inc.) — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 21:49:16 -0700

FANNIE MAE / FREDDIE MAC
CONTRIBUTIONS

For those that hear conflicting "humors" about who got what, here is the complete list and web reference on the contributions from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to the "leaders" of our country. It's not much...they only paid off gave our political leaders $4,844,572. Hardly enough to cover a few minutes of interest on the Bailout "Loan".

It does appear they liked some people more than others though. And poor John McCain...he didn't rank very high in their opinion. I am sure that the amount they contributed had no relevancy to anything they did "for" Freddie and Fannie though.

http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2008/09/update-fannie-mae-and-freddie.html

Name	Office	State	Party	Grand Total	Total from	Total from
PACs	Individuals
Dodd, Christopher J	S	CT	D	$165,400	$48,500	$116,900
Obama, Barack	S	IL	D	$126,349	$6,000	$120,349
Kerry, John	S	MA	D	$111,000	$2,000	$109,000
Bennett, Robert F	S	UT	R	$107,999	$71,499	$36,500
Bachus, Spencer	H	AL	R	$103,300	$70,500	$32,800
Blunt, Roy	H	MO	R	$96,950	$78,500	$18,450
Kanjorski, Paul E	H	PA	D	$96,000	$57,500	$38,500
Bond, Christopher S 'Kit'	S	MO	R	$95,400	$64,000	$31,400
Shelby, Richard C	S	AL	R	$80,000	$23,000	$57,000
Reed, Jack	S	RI	D	$78,250	$43,500	$34,750
Reid, Harry	S	NV	D	$77,000	$60,500	$16,500
Clinton, Hillary	S	NY	D	$76,050	$8,000	$68,050
Davis, Tom	H	VA	R	$75,499	$13,999	$61,500
Boehner, John	H	OH	R	$67,750	$60,500	$7,250
Conrad, Kent	S	ND	D	$64,491	$22,000	$42,491
Reynolds, Tom	H	NY	R	$62,200	$53,000	$9,200
Johnson, Tim	S	SD	D	$61,000	$20,000	$41,000
Pelosi, Nancy	H	CA	D	$56,250	$47,000	$9,250
Carper, Tom	S	DE	D	$55,889	$31,350	$24,539
Hoyer, Steny H	H	MD	D	$55,500	$51,500	$4,000
Pryce, Deborah	H	OH	R	$55,500	$45,000	$10,500
Emanuel, Rahm	H	IL	D	$51,750	$16,000	$35,750
Isakson, Johnny	S	GA	R	$49,200	$35,500	$13,700
Cantor, Eric	H	VA	R	$48,500	$46,500	$2,000
Crapo, Mike	S	ID	R	$47,250	$40,500	$6,750
Frank, Barney	H	MA	D	$42,350	$30,500	$11,850
Bean, Melissa	H	IL	D	$41,249	$34,999	$6,250
Bayh, Evan	S	IN	D	$41,100	$16,500	$24,600
McConnell, Mitch	S	KY	R	$41,000	$40,000	$1,000
Maloney, Carolyn B	H	NY	D	$39,750	$16,500	$23,250
Dorgan, Byron L	S	ND	D	$38,750	$30,500	$8,250
Rangel, Charles B	H	NY	D	$38,000	$14,750	$23,250
Miller, Gary	H	CA	R	$38,000	$31,500	$6,500
Tiberi, Patrick J	H	OH	R	$35,700	$32,600	$3,100
Bunning, Jim	S	KY	R	$33,802	$29,650	$4,152
Stabenow, Debbie	S	MI	D	$33,450	$32,000	$1,450
Chambliss, Saxby	S	GA	R	$33,250	$22,500	$10,750
Menendez, Robert	S	NJ	D	$31,250	$30,500	$750
Enzi, Mike	S	WY	R	$31,000	$27,500	$3,500
Van Hollen, Chris	H	MD	D	$30,700	$11,000	$19,700
Landrieu, Mary L	S	LA	D	$30,600	$20,000	$10,600
Murray, Patty	S	WA	D	$30,000	$23,000	$7,000
Clyburn, James E	H	SC	D	$29,750	$26,000	$3,750
Crowley, Joseph	H	NY	D	$29,700	$25,500	$4,200
Sessions, Pete	H	TX	R	$29,472	$24,000	$5,472
McCrery, Jim	H	LA	R	$29,000	$26,000	$3,000
Hooley, Darlene	H	OR	D	$28,750	$19,500	$9,250
Royce, Ed	H	CA	R	$28,600	$4,000	$24,600
Lieberman, Joe	S	CT	I	$28,250	$11,500	$16,750
Renzi, Rick	H	AZ	R	$28,250	$28,000	$250
Baucus, Max	S	MT	D	$27,500	$21,000	$6,500
Moore, Dennis	H	KS	D	$26,550	$25,500	$1,050
Coleman, Norm	S	MN	R	$24,690	$12,000	$12,690
Matheson, Jim	H	UT	D	$24,500	$24,000	$500
Schumer, Charles E	S	NY	D	$24,250	$1,500	$22,750
Durbin, Dick	S	IL	D	$23,750	$14,000	$9,750
Rogers, Mike	H	MI	R	$22,750	$21,000	$1,750
Lynch, Stephen F	H	MA	D	$22,500	$13,500	$9,000
Rockefeller, Jay	S	WV	D	$22,250	$5,000	$17,250
Smith, Gordon H	S	OR	R	$22,000	$20,000	$2,000
Mikulski, Barbara A	S	MD	D	$21,750	$16,500	$5,250
McCain, John	S	AZ	R	$21,550	$0	$21,550
Spratt, John M Jr	H	SC	D	$21,500	$17,000	$4,500
Brown-Waite, Ginny	H	FL	R	$21,000	$21,000	$0
Davis, Geoff	H	KY	R	$21,000	$19,500	$1,500
Velazquez, Nydia M	H	NY	D	$20,750	$16,750	$4,000
Baca, Joe	H	CA	D	$20,500	$20,200	$300
Alexander, Lamar	S	TN	R	$20,500	$20,000	$500
Allard, Wayne	S	CO	R	$20,250	$0	$20,250
Nelson, Ben	S	NE	D	$20,000	$19,000	$1,000
Neugebauer, Randy	H	TX	R	$20,000	$20,000	$0
Salazar, Ken	S	CO	D	$19,900	$17,000	$2,900
Jefferson, William J	H	LA	D	$19,250	$8,500	$10,750
Byrd, Robert C	S	WV	D	$18,500	$8,000	$10,500
Hatch, Orrin G	S	UT	R	$18,250	$12,500	$5,750
Miller, Brad	H	NC	D	$18,000	$16,500	$1,500
Sherman, Brad	H	CA	D	$18,000	$12,500	$5,500
Craig, Larry	S	ID	R	$18,000	$15,000	$3,000
Roberts, Pat	S	KS	R	$18,000	$18,000	$0
Waters, Maxine	H	CA	D	$17,800	$15,000	$2,800
Biggert, Judy	H	IL	R	$17,750	$15,500	$2,250
Gerlach, Jim	H	PA	R	$17,750	$16,500	$1,250
Reyes, Silvestre	H	TX	D	$17,550	$2,000	$15,550
LaTourette, Steven C	H	OH	R	$17,500	$17,500	$0
Brownback, Sam	S	KS	R	$17,300	$14,250	$3,050
Watt, Melvin L	H	NC	D	$17,250	$13,000	$4,250
Barrett, Gresham	H	SC	R	$17,250	$13,000	$4,250
Scott, David	H	GA	D	$17,000	$13,500	$3,500
King, Pete	H	NY	R	$16,750	$1,000	$15,750
Cummings, Elijah E	H	MD	D	$16,700	$10,000	$6,700
Grassley, Chuck	S	IA	R	$16,500	$14,500	$2,000
Cantwell, Maria	S	WA	D	$16,250	$0	$16,250
Domenici, Pete V	S	NM	R	$16,226	$7,000	$9,226
Herseth Sandlin, Stephanie	H	SD	D	$16,200	$4,500	$11,700
Putnam, Adam H	H	FL	R	$15,500	$15,500	$0
Feinstein, Dianne	S	CA	D	$15,250	$2,000	$13,250
Brown, Sherrod	S	OH	D	$15,000	$15,000	$0
Feeney, Tom	H	FL	R	$14,750	$13,500	$1,250
Sununu, John E	S	NH	R	$14,750	$0	$14,750
Hinojosa, Ruben	H	TX	D	$14,500	$13,000	$1,500
Capito, Shelley Moore	H	WV	R	$14,250	$8,000	$6,250
Burr, Richard	S	NC	R	$14,250	$13,500	$750
Jackson, Jesse Jr	H	IL	D	$14,000	$8,000	$6,000
Meeks, Gregory W	H	NY	D	$14,000	$13,500	$500
Cornyn, John	S	TX	R	$14,000	$12,000	$2,000
Collins, Susan M	S	ME	R	$13,000	$12,000	$1,000
Boxer, Barbara	S	CA	D	$12,750	$5,000	$7,750
McHenry, Patrick	H	NC	R	$12,500	$12,500	$0
Israel, Steve	H	NY	D	$12,050	$10,000	$2,050
Nunes, Devin Gerald	H	CA	R	$12,000	$12,000	$0
Davis, Artur	H	AL	D	$11,750	$11,500	$250
Martinez, Mel	S	FL	R	$11,750	$8,500	$3,250
Pryor, Mark	S	AR	D	$11,650	$9,500	$2,150
Roskam, Peter	H	IL	R	$11,650	$8,500	$3,150
Webb, James	S	VA	D	$11,550	$1,000	$10,550
Doolittle, John T	H	CA	R	$11,500	$11,500	$0
Harkin, Tom	S	IA	D	$11,450	$6,900	$4,550
Lee, Barbara	H	CA	D	$11,250	$11,000	$250
Thune, John	S	SD	R	$11,057	$1,000	$10,057
Klein, Ron	H	FL	D	$11,000	$11,000	$0
Mahoney, Tim	H	FL	D	$11,000	$11,000	$0
Schultz, Debbie Wasserman	H	FL	D	$10,750	$9,750	$1,000
Fossella, Vito	H	NY	R	$10,750	$7,500	$3,250
Thompson, Mike	H	CA	D	$10,600	$1,000	$9,600
Moran, Jim	H	VA	D	$10,500	$1,250	$9,250
Kennedy, Edward M	S	MA	D	$10,500	$3,000	$7,500
Clay, William L Jr	H	MO	D	$10,250	$8,500	$1,750
Payne, Donald M	H	NJ	D	$10,100	$5,500	$4,600
Dingell, John D	H	MI	D	$10,000	$7,000	$3,000
Lincoln, Blanche	S	AR	D	$10,000	$5,500	$4,500
Levin, Sander	H	MI	D	$9,800	$0	$9,800
Roybal-Allard, Lucille	H	CA	D	$9,800	$5,000	$4,800
Nelson, Bill	S	FL	D	$9,500	$9,000	$500
Barrasso, John A	S	WY	R	$9,500	$9,500	$0
Napolitano, Grace	H	CA	D	$9,300	$8,500	$800
Castle, Michael N	H	DE	R	$9,200	$7,000	$2,200
Drake, Thelma	H	VA	R	$9,000	$9,000	$0
Dreier, David	H	CA	R	$9,000	$7,000	$2,000
Bachmann, Michele Marie	H	MN	R	$8,850	$6,500	$2,350
Gonzalez, Charlie A	H	TX	D	$8,500	$5,000	$3,500
Lewis, John	H	GA	D	$8,500	$4,000	$4,500
Moore, Gwen	H	WI	D	$8,250	$8,000	$250
Knollenberg, Joe	H	MI	R	$8,250	$5,000	$3,250
Pastor, Ed	H	AZ	D	$8,100	$4,500	$3,600
Norton, Eleanor Holmes	D	DC	D	$8,000	$3,000	$5,000
Becerra, Xavier	H	CA	D	$8,000	$7,000	$1,000
Jackson Lee, Sheila	H	TX	D	$8,000	$0	$8,000
Larson, John B	H	CT	D	$8,000	$8,000	$0
Melancon, Charles J	H	LA	D	$8,000	$8,000	$0
Lewis, Jerry	H	CA	R	$8,000	$7,000	$1,000
Walsh, James T	H	NY	R	$7,750	$0	$7,750
Corker, Bob	S	TN	R	$7,750	$2,000	$5,750
Cramer, Bud	H	AL	D	$7,500	$7,000	$500
Cubin, Barbara	H	WY	R	$7,500	$5,000	$2,500
Ensign, John	S	NV	R	$7,300	$6,000	$1,300
Meek, Kendrick B	H	FL	D	$7,250	$6,500	$750
Wilson, Charlie	H	OH	D	$7,250	$7,000	$250
Leahy, Patrick	S	VT	D	$7,250	$2,500	$4,750
Cleaver, Emanuel	H	MO	D	$7,000	$7,000	$0
Thompson, Bennie G	H	MS	D	$7,000	$6,000	$1,000
Casey, Bob	S	PA	D	$7,000	$6,000	$1,000
Marchant, Kenny Ewell	H	TX	R	$7,000	$7,000	$0
Solis, Hilda L	H	CA	D	$6,800	$6,500	$300
Gordon, Bart	H	TN	D	$6,750	$4,000	$2,750
Pomeroy, Earl	H	ND	D	$6,750	$5,000	$1,750
Tiahrt, Todd	H	KS	R	$6,500	$6,500	$0
Boyd, Allen	H	FL	D	$6,000	$5,500	$500
Capuano, Michael E	H	MA	D	$6,000	$5,000	$1,000
Marshall, Jim	H	GA0	D	$6,000	$6,000	$0
Heller, Dean	H	NV	R	$6,000	$6,000	$0
Whitfield, Ed	H	KY	R	$6,000	$6,000	$0
Klobuchar, Amy	S	MN	D	$5,650	$1,500	$4,150
Ross, Mike	H	AR	D	$5,550	$3,000	$2,550
McCarthy, Carolyn	H	NY	D	$5,500	$5,500	$0
Slaughter, Louise M	H	NY	D	$5,500	$5,500	$0
Hodes, Paul W	H	NH	D	$5,450	$5,000	$450
Cardin, Ben	S	MD	D	$5,300	$500	$4,800
Boren, Dan	H	OK	D	$5,250	$5,000	$250
Ackerman, Gary	H	NY	D	$5,000	$4,000	$1,000
Andrews, Robert E	H	NJ	D	$5,000	$0	$5,000
Davis, Lincoln	H	TN	D	$5,000	$5,000	$0
Hill, Baron	H	IN	D	$5,000	$5,000	$0
Perlmutter, Edwin G	H	CO	D	$5,000	$5,000	$0
Camp, Dave	H	MI	R	$5,000	$5,000	$0
Cole, Tom	H	OK	R	$5,000	$5,000	$0
Pearce, Steve	H	NM	R	$5,000	$5,000	$0
Weller, Jerry	H	IL	R	$5,000	$0	$5,000
Snowe, Olympia J	S	ME	R	$5,000	$4,000	$1,000
Wicker, Roger	S	MS	R	$5,000	$5,000	$0
Davis, Danny K	H	IL	D	$4,950	$2,000	$2,950
Honda, Mike	H	CA	D	$4,750	$4,000	$750
Chabot, Steve	H	OH	R	$4,750	$3,000	$1,750
Price, David	H	NC	D	$4,550	$2,050	$2,500
Hagel, Chuck	S	NE	R	$4,500	$0	$4,500
Lugar, Richard G	S	IN	R	$4,500	$1,000	$3,500
Kaptur, Marcy	H	OH	D	$4,350	$1,000	$3,350
McCollum, Betty	H	MN	D	$4,350	$0	$4,350
Carson, Andre	H	IN	D	$4,250	$4,000	$250
Obey, David R	H	WI	D	$4,250	$2,000	$2,250
Salazar, John	H	CO	D	$4,250	$4,000	$250
Sanchez, Loretta	H	CA	D	$4,250	$3,000	$1,250
Tanner, John	H	TN	D	$4,250	$3,500	$750
Cardoza, Dennis	H	CA	D	$4,000	$4,000	$0
Green, Al	H	TX	D	$4,000	$4,000	$0
Kilpatrick, Carolyn Cheeks	H	MI	D	$4,000	$3,250	$750
Murphy, Chris	H	CT	D	$4,000	$4,000	$0
Tester, Jon	S	MT	D	$4,000	$3,500	$500
English, Phil	H	PA	R	$4,000	$4,000	$0
Rodriguez, Ciro D	H	TX	D	$3,750	$3,000	$750
Donnelly, Joe	H	IN	D	$3,500	$3,500	$0
Matsui, Doris O	H	CA	D	$3,500	$2,500	$1,000
Wexler, Robert	H	FL	D	$3,500	$3,500	$0
Wyden, Ron	S	OR	D	$3,500	$0	$3,500
Paul, Ron	H	TX	R	$3,500	$0	$3,500
Price, Tom	H	GA	R	$3,500	$3,500	$0
Schmidt, Jean	H	OH	R	$3,500	$2,500	$1,000
Biden, Joseph R Jr	S	DE	D	$3,300	$0	$3,300
Gutierrez, Luis V	H	IL	D	$3,250	$2,500	$750
Harman, Jane	H	CA	D	$3,250	$0	$3,250
Kennedy, Patrick J	H	RI	D	$3,250	$0	$3,250
Hensarling, Jeb	H	TX	R	$3,250	$1,500	$1,750
Ryan, Paul	H	WI	R	$3,250	$2,500	$750
Schwartz, Allyson	H	PA	D	$3,200	$2,000	$1,200
Myrick, Sue	H	NC	R	$3,200	$1,500	$1,700
Udall, Mark	H	CO	D	$3,000	$2,500	$500
Bingaman, Jeff	S	NM	D	$3,000	$3,000	$0
Levin, Carl	S	MI	D	$3,000	$3,000	$0
Diaz-Balart, Lincoln	H	FL	R	$3,000	$3,000	$0
Lucas, Frank D	H	OK	R	$3,000	$1,500	$1,500
McCarthy, Kevin	H	CA	R	$3,000	$3,000	$0
Souder, Mark E	H	IN	R	$3,000	$3,000	$0
Stevens, Ted	S	AK	R	$3,000	$3,000	$0
Hobson, Dave	H	OH	R	$2,850	$0	$2,850
Johnson, Eddie Bernice	H	TX	D	$2,825	$1,000	$1,825
Berkley, Shelley	H	NV	D	$2,750	$2,000	$750
Jones, Walter B Jr	H	NC	R	$2,750	$0	$2,750
Ferguson, Mike	H	NJ	R	$2,700	$0	$2,700
Childers, Travis W	H	MS	D	$2,500	$2,500	$0
DeGette, Diana	H	CO	D	$2,500	$2,000	$500
Ellison, Keith	H	MN	D	$2,500	$2,500	$0
Oberstar, James L	H	MN	D	$2,500	$0	$2,500
Serrano, Jose E	H	NY	D	$2,500	$1,500	$1,000
McCaskill, Claire	S	MO	D	$2,500	$2,500	$0
Cannon, Chris	H	UT	R	$2,500	$2,000	$500
Keller, Ric	H	FL	R	$2,500	$2,000	$500
Shays, Christopher	H	CT	R	$2,500	$2,000	$500
Cuellar, Henry	H	TX	D	$2,450	$2,000	$450
Markey, Edward J	H	MA	D	$2,250	$0	$2,250
Smith, Adam	H	WA	D	$2,250	$2,000	$250
Butterfield, G K	H	NC	D	$2,000	$2,000	$0
Costa, Jim	H	CA	D	$2,000	$2,000	$0
Foster, Bill	H	IL	D	$2,000	$2,000	$0
Grijalva, Raul M	H	AZ	D	$2,000	$2,000	$0
Murphy, Patrick J	H	PA	D	$2,000	$2,000	$0
Olver, John W	H	MA	D	$2,000	$2,000	$0
Sanchez, Linda	H	CA	D	$2,000	$2,000	$0
Sires, Albio	H	NJ	D	$2,000	$2,000	$0
Tauscher, Ellen	H	CA	D	$2,000	$2,000	$0
Akaka, Daniel K	S	HI	D	$2,000	$2,000	$0
Whitehouse, Sheldon	S	RI	D	$2,000	$1,000	$1,000
Hastings, Doc	H	WA	R	$2,000	$2,000	$0
Moran, Jerry	H	KS	R	$2,000	$0	$2,000
Porter, Jon	H	NV	R	$2,000	$2,000	$0
Regula, Ralph	H	OH	R	$2,000	$0	$2,000
Reichert, Dave	H	WA	R	$2,000	$2,000	$0
Cochran, Thad	S	MS	R	$2,000	$2,000	$0
Allen, Tom	H	ME	D	$1,950	$0	$1,950
Stearns, Cliff	H	FL	R	$1,850	$1,850	$0
DeLauro, Rosa L	H	CT	D	$1,750	$1,000	$750
Towns, Edolphus	H	NY	D	$1,750	$0	$1,750
Hulshof, Kenny	H	MO	R	$1,700	$1,250	$450
Fattah, Chaka	H	PA	D	$1,500	$1,000	$500
Neal, Richard E	H	MA	D	$1,500	$1,500	$0
Diaz-Balart, Mario	H	FL	R	$1,450	$1,000	$450
Kucinich, Dennis J	H	OH	D	$1,349	$0	$1,349
Carnahan, Russ	H	MO	D	$1,250	$1,000	$250
Feingold, Russ	S	WI	D	$1,250	$0	$1,250
Alexander, Rodney	H	LA	R	$1,250	$1,250	$0
Wilson, Heather A	H	NM	R	$1,250	$0	$1,250
Coburn, Tom	S	OK	R	$1,250	$0	$1,250
Kyl, Jon	S	AZ	R	$1,250	$0	$1,250
Sestak, Joe	H	PA	D	$1,150	$0	$1,150
Linder, John	H	GA	R	$1,150	$500	$650
Specter, Arlen	S	PA	R	$1,100	$350	$750
Berry, Marion	H	AR	D	$1,000	$1,000	$0
Boswell, Leonard L	H	IA	D	$1,000	$1,000	$0
Boucher, Rick	H	VA	D	$1,000	$1,000	$0
Cazayoux, Donald J	H	LA	D	$1,000	$1,000	$0
Cooper, Jim	H	TN	D	$1,000	$500	$500
Ellsworth, Brad	H	IN	D	$1,000	$1,000	$0
Filner, Bob	H	CA	D	$1,000	$0	$1,000
Higgins, Brian M	H	NY	D	$1,000	$1,000	$0
Johnson, Hank	H	GA	D	$1,000	$0	$1,000
Lofgren, Zoe	H	CA	D	$1,000	$0	$1,000
McNerney, Jerry	H	CA	D	$1,000	$1,000	$0
Michaud, Mike	H	ME	D	$1,000	$1,000	$0
Mitchell, Harry E	H	AZ	D	$1,000	$1,000	$0
Ortiz, Solomon P	H	TX	D	$1,000	$1,000	$0
Rush, Bobby L	H	IL	D	$1,000	$0	$1,000
Schiff, Adam	H	CA	D	$1,000	$1,000	$0
Scott, Robert C	H	VA	D	$1,000	$0	$1,000
Space, Zachary T	H	OH	D	$1,000	$1,000	$0
Welch, Peter	H	VT	D	$1,000	$1,000	$0
Lautenberg, Frank R	S	NJ	D	$1,000	$0	$1,000
Blackburn, Marsha	H	TN	R	$1,000	$1,000	$0
Boustany, Charles W Jr	H	LA	R	$1,000	$1,000	$0
Calvert, Ken	H	CA	R	$1,000	$1,000	$0
Campbell, John	H	CA	R	$1,000	$1,000	$0
Conaway, Mike	H	TX	R	$1,000	$1,000	$0
Graves, Sam	H	MO	R	$1,000	$1,000	$0
Hayes, Robin	H	NC	R	$1,000	$0	$1,000
Latham, Tom	H	IA	R	$1,000	$1,000	$0
Musgrave, Marilyn	H	CO	R	$1,000	$0	$1,000
Smith, Chris	H	NJ	R	$1,000	$0	$1,000
Terry, Lee	H	NE	R	$1,000	$0	$1,000
Walberg, Tim	H	MI	R	$1,000	$0	$1,000
Wolf, Frank R	H	VA	R	$1,000	$1,000	$0
Dole, Elizabeth	S	NC	R	$1,000	$0	$1,000
Christian-Green, Donna	D	VI	D	$750	$0	$750
Inslee, Jay R	H	WA	D	$750	$0	$750
Duncan, John J Jr	H	TN	R	$600	$600	$0
Bishop, Sanford D Jr	H	GA	D	$500	$500	$0
Castor, Kathy	H	FL	D	$500	$0	$500
Edwards, Donna	H	MD	D	$500	$0	$500
Hinchey, Maurice	H	NY	D	$500	$0	$500
Pascrell, Bill Jr	H	NJ	D	$500	$500	$0
Sarbanes, John	H	MD	D	$500	$0	$500
Skelton, Ike	H	MO	D	$500	$500	$0
Stark, Pete	H	CA	D	$500	$500	$0
Wu, David	H	OR	D	$500	$0	$500
Bilbray, Brian P	H	CA	R	$500	$0	$500
LaHood, Ray	H	IL	R	$500	$0	$500
Mack, Connie	H	FL	R	$500	$0	$500
Pickering, Charles "Chip" Jr	H	MS	R	$500	$500	$0
Rehberg, Denny	H	MT	R	$500	$0	$500
Shadegg, John	H	AZ	R	$500	$0	$500
Smith, Lamar	H	TX	R	$500	$500	$0
Weldon, Dave	H	FL	R	$500	$0	$500
Graham, Lindsey	S	SC	R	$500	$0	$500
Brown, Corrine	H	FL	D	$450	$0	$450
Turner, Michael R	H	OH	R	$375	$0	$375
Hastings, Alcee L	H	FL	D	$300	$0	$300
Warner, John W	S	VA	R	$300	$0	$300
Arcuri, Michael	H	NY	D	$250	$0	$250
Carney, Chris	H	PA	D	$250	$0	$250
Dicks, Norm	H	WA	D	$250	$0	$250
Lampson, Nick	H	TX	D	$250	$0	$250
Watson, Diane E	H	CA	D	$250	$0	$250
Weiner, Anthony D	H	NY	D	$250	$0	$250
Sanders, Bernie	S	VT	I	$250	$250	$0
Aderholt, Robert B	H	AL	R	$250	$0	$250
Manzullo, Don	H	IL	R	$250	$0	$250
Platts, Todd	H	PA	R	$250	$0	$250
DeMint, James W	S	SC	R	$250	$0	$250

Total				$4,844,572	$3,017,797	$1,826,775
Includes contributions from PACs and individuals. 2008 cycle totals based on data released electronically
by the Federal Election Commission on Sept. 2, 2008.

Total Democrats	$2,770,352
Total Republicans	$2,045,720
Total Independents	$28,500

Are Interest Rates Headed UP for 2009? How do we prepare?

David W. Bolick (Network Real Estate, Inc.) — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 10:30:32 -0700

Are Interest Rates Headed UP for 2009?

I was rather surprised that with all the mortgage guys in the Rain, I couldn't find any current blog on where they think our interest rates are headed. I have a bad feeling that it's possible we're headed back to the days of 10%+ rates and if that's possible, personally I'd like to start preparing for how I'm going to deal with that now.

Here's a historical interest rate chart, courtesy of Mortgage-X.com http://www.mortgage-x.com You can clearly see how long rates were above 10%. I don't relish those days again.

So for the Rain Brains of the Financial Market out there...just where do you really think we're headed and why?

MLM: Should You Advertise? Some Say No!

David W. Bolick (Network Real Estate, Inc.) — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 18:27:53 -0700

MLM: Should You Advertise? Some Say No!

I've been reading up on "Marketing" since the real estate business needs every edge it can get right now and continue to be fascinated with a guy named Tim Sales who is a highly successful semi-retired MLM Multi-Level Marketing guru. The more I read and hear about his systems for success, I see how the same sales concepts can be applied to Real Estate. Click on this link and then on the audio "Listen to Tim call a prospect". http://www.firstclassmlmtools.com/training When I heard this, I though WOW, if that was a real estate prospect, I'd be locking in a sale. At the bottom of this page, click the link to his main website and browse around. It's very interesting.

Below is Tim's latest eNewsletter article:
--------------------------------------------------

By Tim Sales

I get great questions from people all the time.

Kristin asked this:

Tim, I have a background in sales and marketing. When I came into network marketing I did what was asked of me in regards to working my warm market. Having gone through my warm market I asked my upline what I should do now. He said, "Talk to people at the mall." I asked my upline if I could advertise and he recommended against it because it's not duplicatable. Could you give me your thoughts on the subject?

Thank you, Kristin

Hi Kristin,

First off, I won't go against your upline. You should talk to them and find out why they feel talking to people at the mall is a better idea (to them) than advertising. See if their answer works for you.

I will also answer this question in another way and perhaps you can explain it to your upline.

Let's go all the way back to the definition of MARKETING. It means "to make known in such a way that your product or service appears desirable". You have a business and a product that need to be made known. That is what you do for your company. So in my view any method that accomplishes this (and is legal and ethical) is fair game. I'll also add below some comments on being "duplicatable."

The truth is, I've seen very successful people in network marketing who have ONLY worked their warm market and the warm market of those they sponsor. I've seen very successful people who have built their business from advertising in newspapers. I've also seen people who have been successful building with direct response (post cards, door hangers, street signs, etc). And, I've had people in my downline who walked up and talked to strangers on the streets of New York City and were very successful.

What's my point? My point is that ANY method that makes your business and/or products KNOWN and desirable...works! This is absolutely proven - case closed.

Let me do a slight direction change and discuss a little bit about duplication. Duplication is the concept of creating a series of successful methods and then everyone in the downline can do those same methods. The franchise industry has been used as an effective comparison. A burger in Florida is the same burger in California.

Being "duplicatable" means, WHAT YOU DO MUST BE DOABLE BY EVERY PERSON IN YOUR DOWNLINE. This is fine on paper but quickly becomes problematic when real life comes into play.

If I sponsor a personal fitness trainer who has influence over her clients so that when she recommends for them to take a product, they take it, is that duplicatable? No, unless everyone she sponsors is a personal fitness trainer. So should I tell her not to sell products using her influence because it's not "duplicatable?" Absolutely not.

Someone in my downline was the owner of a large clothing manufacturer and was running ads in the newspaper using his (very successful) name - he was sponsoring a lot of people with that ad! Am I (the upline) supposed to tell him that he can't do it because it's not duplicatable? That would be rather stupid.

I could list several hundred examples off the top of my head but I think you get the picture.

My conclusion as an upline on this was to pull back from the specific methods people use to make their business and product known but teach them a "duplicatable system" that encompasses any method they want to use to promote their business.

Those of you familiar with Professional Inviter have witnessed on the recorded live calls with prospects that I used every method that a person can use to get prospects - friends, family, purchased leads, post cards, walking and talking, newspaper ads, etc. Yet, I use the same "duplicatable system" throughout every call.

As an upline, it's very important to have a duplicatable system... but not limit a person from doing the business the way that best fits what they feel comfortable doing. If YOUR duplicatable system is talking to people at the mall, you've limited your business to only those people who are willing to talk to strangers at the mall.

As an upline, don't get in your downline's way of the definition of the word MARKETING - let your downline make their (and your) business and products known!

Thanks for your question Kristin - I hope I've helped you and many others.

Tim Sales

Tim helps network marketers gain the confidence and skills to be a success. Discover what you must know to become a true MLM professional. Sign up for his free MLM training newsletter and listen to free training call at http://www.firstclassmlmtools.com/training

PROFILE: I could care less if the U.S. economy fails !!

David W. Bolick (Network Real Estate, Inc.) — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:30:17 -0700

PROFILE: I could care less if the U.S. economy fails !!

Regardless which side of the fence you're on with respect to the "Bailout" of Wall Street / Main Street, there are some valid arguments on both sides of the fence.

All of these "constituents" that are calling their representatives and saying "Vote No" obviously have some congressmen concerned about their re-election and their own job and think they need to "Step Up To The Plate" and "Be A Man / Woman" and "VOTE JOB FIRST...COUNTRY LAST"

The bottom line is that serious damage has already been done to our economy and it's going to take 2 to 5 years to undone the damage. Doing nothing will most likely delay that recovery for 10 to 15 years.

So the question is WHY are there so many "constituents" that say VOTE NO? Well, here's my summation of their profile:

(1) They are primarily early to mid 50's
(2) They are financially sound and don't have to rely on Social Security
(3) They have no mortgage on their home and don't have to worry about a foreclosure or house payment
(4) They have the "FDIC" insurance on funds under control in separated accounts
(5) They only use a credit card for convenience and pay it off each month anyway
(6) They pride themselves for being frugal during their career by saving and get some satisfaction that others haven't
(7) They already shifted their retirement funds in safe investments and virtually unaffected by a stock market crash
(8) They are completely satisfied with the home they're in and don't plan on buying another one
(9) They think that the government, politicians, greedy get-rich-quick and ignorant deserve to be punished to a degree

So what do you think?

Do you think this pretty much sums up the profile for those that say VOTE NO?

And if so, is it the right way to feel about the rest of the country, just because they won't be hurt even in a virtual depression?

Have you ever heard of the company "Brilliant Compensation"? About MLM's

David W. Bolick (Network Real Estate, Inc.) — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 11:07:56 -0700

Have you ever heard of the company "Brilliant Compensation"?

Here's the genius behind the company....

Tim Sales

THE MAGIC DVD!

Tim Sales is the founder of Brilliant Compensation which is a large company devoted to educating salesman how to maximize and increase their efficiency in the MLM (Multi Level Marketing) business. You might ask...ok...what's this got to do with Real Estate?

Actually a lot. See the article in About.com "Real Estate Business" (owned by the New York Times) ...and read the sub-story on fast growing national real estate franchises, Exit Realty and Keller Williams that both produce a "residual income" for agents. http://realestate.about.com/od/franchisingoptions/Information_for_Deciding_on_a_Real_Estate_Franchise.htm
CORRECTION: KW's market their growth on a modeled of the MLM concept to produce residual income for real estate agents whereas Exit Realty has a formula as pointed out below by Susan Harrison below- "The EXIT Formula is not actually based on the concept of MLM but rather on concepts similar to royalties paid in the music business or residuals paid in insurance."

MLM's have been around some 30 years and those that have a negative feeling about them like me are "behind the times" because the industry has changed. Just because a product is bad, doesn't mean the business model is.

DONALD TRUMP even jumped on board and is touting an MLM company and said on Oprah that if he were to start his business all over again, he'd do a MLM model.

I brought the Brilliant Compensation DVD on the new MLM industry after a friend showed it to me and was very impressed. Even though I'd already watched the 1-hour video I still purchased my own copy for $10 to watch again. I'd highly recommend anyone to purchase this DVD (I don't get anything out of it) because if you have negative thoughts on the industry, you owe it to yourself to see the other side of the story. I learned they even have College Courses on this now.

If you're interested in buying the DVD, go to: http://www.brilliantexchange.com/brilliantcompensationdvd.aspx

ONE TRILLION BAILOUT? Give me a Break!!

David W. Bolick (Network Real Estate, Inc.) — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 16:37:43 -0700

ONE TRILLION BAILOUT? Give me a Break!!
$1,000,000,000,000 ??

I am SO Sick and Tired of all the media hype, lies and half truths to sensationalize anything and everything!

I hear on CNN and Fox both late today, that the "tax payer ticket" is probably going to cost the American Taxpayer $1 Trillion Dollars to bail out the "bad loans"...that's about $3,600 for every working American they say. Then they interview people on the street asking them stupid questions like we were actually going to get a "bill" in the mail from the government!

Now I say that is CRAP! Are these naysayers saying there is $1 Trillion in "Bad Debt" that has to be foreclosed on? Are they saying that 100%...that's as in ALL of the loans in trouble are IN DEFAULT with ZERO hope for making any payment? Are these naysayers saying that 100% of all these homes will be Foreclosures AND will bring in ZERO DOLLARS in a sale and we will have to "eat" the $1 Trillion?

Any person with a GED and IQ of 75 could figure out that the total bad debt does not convert directly to tax-payer out-of-pocket loss!! How Ridiculous! How Ludicrous! How Stupid!

So what do you think the "actual" cost will be? Are these bad loans going to take a 30% haircut after foreclosure which means we eventually lose $300 Billion? I'm not saying $300 billion is a small amount...don't get me wrong, but that converts to $1,080 per tax payer and NOT $3,600 !!

So...what's the realistic loss going to be and why do you think so? Or am I just totally misunderstanding what they said?

What Makes a BETTER Listing Agent?

David W. Bolick (Network Real Estate, Inc.) — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 08:12:29 -0700

What Makes a BETTER Listing Agent?

It's not too difficult to see how a Buyer Agent does a good job....

--They do a good job explaining to their buyer the process of buying a home
--They "listen" to the buyer and find the homes that fit their parameters
--They are always available when the buyer needs them, showing homes and answer the phone promptly
--They negotiate a good deal in the eyes of the buyer
--They take care of any problems along the way and see it through closing

But what about the Listing Agent?

There are a lot of "What We Do" proclamations on websites, in person presentations, etc. but as a consumer, if you look at the reality of what is actually being done, what is being done that is so great or "better"?

--They explain the selling process including how to prepare your home for sale
--They enter you in the local MLS system
--They enter you in their personal or company website
--They take the maximum number of pictures allowed by the MLS
--They take "good" quality and representative pictures
--They put up a sign
--They install a lockbox
--Some do Open Houses (for whatever that's worth)
--Some do fancy Realtor Open Houses
--They occasionally pay for some "newspaper" or "in house magazine" ads
--Some enter you in additional internet websites
--They are skilled at negotiating and keeping your price high
--Some mail postcards to the surrounding neighbors
--Some do some direct marketing to nearby apartment complexes
--Some do some TV advertising (when everyone is asleep)
--Some send email brochures to other agents
--Some do Video or Slide-picture Virtual Tours
--Some have company agent tours

But where is the "WOW"?
          Where is the "BETTER"?
                    What sets an agent "FAR BEYOND THE COMPETITION"? and most importantly...
                              What is MOST EFFECTIVE in selling the home for THE MOST AMOUNT OF MONEY and the FASTEST?

There are over 1,200,000 licensed agents in the country and only about 60,000 agents in ActiveRain,
so I'm calling on all the Professional Rainers to
"share your best examples" of how to represent a seller
so we can all start doing a "WOW, BETTER JOB"

Are Your 08' Deals In The "Bermuda Triangle"?

David W. Bolick (Network Real Estate, Inc.) — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 09:47:34 -0700

Are Your 08' Deals In The "Bermuda Triangle"?

I've had my share of Good Deals Gone Bad. For example I had a sale many years ago where the buyer, about 90 years old, was getting on a plane to come to the closing and DIED before the plane took off. I use that example a lot in telling agents "DON'T spend the commission until it's IN HAND". And everyone has had those newbie first time buyers that you show them 100 houses in 8 months just to find out they "Bought from another agent".

See...they know something we don't know...."ALL Real Estate commissions nationally go into a "COMMISSIONS POOL" ... then the NAR divides the checks and mails them to all the agents equally" ...right?

I have a real estate friend that had a great year in 2007 but in 2008 he's had the following happen:
L A newbie real estate agent didn't disclose he was an "agent" and had my friend show him a house 4 times and then told him he wanted to make an offer and THEN wanted to know if he was getting "his" part of the commission"
M Then he had a 3 house sale transaction where the 1st buyer in line lied about being preapproved and crashed 3 sets of sales all because he "thought" some "other" agent could get him a loan when he'd already been turned down.
ä Then he sold one of the same houses in this 3 transaction deal that involved 2 houses and the 1st buyer in line doing a VA loan backs out 3 days before closing because he said his "salary and position" changed and he no longer qualifies for the loan. This is after my friends seller he represented paid for a survey and made a bunch of special request repairs.
… Then he had a listing from someone that lives out of the country and after going to hell and back over 4 months getting it sold, thought a second listing from this seller would be easy and he spent over 4 months just getting it on the market. He figures IF it sells he'll wind up with less than McDonald's wages.
D Then he gets a listing on some land that the owner said it was located in one place when all indications were from 2 separate surveyors that the land was in a totally different location. It's taken almost 4 months now for him to get the seller to pay for a survey, but only after he sells off a small piece of the land for enough money to pay for the survey. His commission on that is a whopping $300.
· Then he has another land and mobile home sale between a relative and a seller client and what was supposed to be a easy, fast closing has turned out to be the deal from hell with all kinds of title problems to work out and after working on it for over 3 months and 3 delayed closing...he MIGHT get it closed.

WHEW...it gives me a headache thinking of the bad luck he's had this year alone! It's almost like the Bermuda Triangle has shifted over any area he has been working on this year. HAVE YOU HAD MORE DEALS GO "SOUTH" THIS YEAR THAN NORMAL?

Do Buyers Get a Better Deal with the Listing Agent or Buyer's Agent?

David W. Bolick (Network Real Estate, Inc.) — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:39:25 -0700

Do Buyers Get a Better Deal with the Listing Agent or Buyer's Agent?

You would expect an analysis of sales would reveal that a Buyer's Agent would do a better job of negotiation and get a price significantly less than an "in-house" sale where the same company represented both the buyer and seller. At least that was my assumption until I took a random sample of typical sales in a large area of our city since January of this year on listings from $200,000 to $375,000 that have closed since January.

There were a total of 195 sales with an average of $6,672 below the asking price. I then divided this group into one where the listing company was also the selling company and a second group where the listing company and selling company were not the same. The "in-house" sales represented 29% of the sales.

In that comparison, the group where homes were sold "in-house" and the listing and selling company were the same, that average discount from the asking price was $7,278 compared to where there was a Buyer's Agent, and that discount to ask was only $6,672.

Granted, the difference is not that much, but one would surely think that if you represented only the buyer, that you'd be more successful getting the price lower than the listing company. My conclusion here is that either the listing company KNEW it was listed too high and knew how much less the seller would take, and did an "in-house special" OR in representing their own seller, they don't do near as good a job.

Does this analysis surprise you? It's possible I need to do another analysis with a different price range and different period of time and include more homes. Regardless, it would be a difficult argument to say as a Buyer's Agent, you do a "Better Job"...at least in this sample test.

Little Rock Metro Property Owners Association Website Listings

David W. Bolick (Network Real Estate, Inc.) — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 12:46:09 -0700

Property Owners Associations - Dues & Websites
A Public Service for the Little Rock Metropolitan Area

www.LittleRockMetroPOA.com

Many new homeowners get very upset when they purchase a home and later find out there are POA (Property Owner Association) dues and were not told about it.

A real estate agent in the process of listing a home can only rely on the seller to inform them of any association and related dues and many times that information falls through the cracks OR is not accurate information. After listening to my little 96 year old neighbor complain for years about not being told about "dues" and how she doesn't even use the "park or pool", I decided to do something about it.

After spending almost 2 years in gathering information making phone calls, letters, prior listings, websites, agents and mostly private Title Company "in-house list", I put together a comprehensive webpage list of every property owner association in the metropolitan area, including condominiums. Through the years I have promoted this site to real estate agents, the associations and title companies and everyone has been real good in providing updated information.

As far as I know, this is the only such website you'll find in the country. I hope it helps the public and potential homeowners with regard to associations and their information. Just click on www.LittleRockMetroPOA.com and you'll find close to 350 POA's.

Sara Palin - BAD REPUBLICAN and BAD POLITICIAN ??

David W. Bolick (Network Real Estate, Inc.) — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 16:26:00 -0700

Sara Palin - the Pit Bull with Lipstick

I must admit, after watching Obama's speech, I was impressed and thought, hey this guy is really going to finally make a change in Washington after all these years.

Then I watched Palin's speech and thought WOW (spells MOM upside down) and thought, now THIS is the person that can really make change in Washington.

But after listening to all the "experts" at CNN, MSNBC, NBC, ABC and CBS I completely changed my mind. They are RIGHT. Sara Palin is NOT a good Republican OR Politician either one!!!! The reason(s)....Simple:

#1: Just like how cops protect cops, and even prison inmates don't "snitch" on another inmate, Sara Palin had the audacity to GO AFTER CORRUPT POLITICIANS and not only CORRUPT one's, but REPUBLICANS!!! That's her OWN party !! Would YOU want a person in Washington that goes after Corrupt Politicians...unless they were of the opposite party? Of course not!

#2: She is NOT an Attorney!! If you're not an attorney...you have no experience in "double-talk" and "legal mumbo jumbo" which means a common person could actually understand a law. Wouldn't you rather have things so complicated that it takes thousands of dollars and years to make a decision on?

#3: She has ZERO experience in "meddling in the business of foreign countries". How can you possibly have someone in Washington that is only concerned about AMERICANS? I care a lot about spending billions and billions of my tax dollars for corrupt foreign country government officials. I don't want that money being spent on AMERICANS do you?

#4: She has only been in charge of a small State Military Reserve Unit and has NEVER attacked another state or even another country! She has absolutely no experience in how to attack another country and blow up people in other countries. How could you have someone in Washington that doesn't know how to blow up other countries?

#5: She has an 80%+ approval rating in her state. That's totally not normal! How can you trust someone that is so deceiving to please that many people? A good politician can only please about 50% of the people.

#6: She has cut and eliminated pork barrel spending in Alaska. How can you trust a politician that doesn't lie and cheat to sneak in useless federal money to your friends and buddies if they don't believe in doing it? And she has NO favoritism towards Special Interest Groups!! You have to take kickbacks and favors from Special Interest so they will make your friends and relatives rich and those that support your campaign. You can't trust anyone in Washington that doesn't know how to steal their fair share of the FREE TAX PAYER MONEY!

#7: She's run a small business, been a Mayor and a Governor having to deal with budgets, etc. You DON'T want anyone in Washington with Business Experience!! They might treat the government like a business and actually make it run smooth and profitable which would mean a HUGE LOSS of jobs of all those people that get paid doing nothing! Is that fair? If you had a high-paying government job like the Bush's first FEMA Director (you know, the one with the horse judging background), do you think it would be fair for him to lose his job JUST BECAUSE HE WASN'T QUALIFIED? What sense does that make?

Bottom line is, you don't want anyone that would go after corrupt politicians, reduce spending and treat government like a business that cares more about the U.S. than foreign countries. Sheriff Buford Pusser in Tennessee tried cleaning up corruption and it doesn't work, so why try?

AR Newbies - Tap the Best ActiveRain Blog Brains in 15 Minutes

David W. Bolick (Network Real Estate, Inc.) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 16:04:31 -0700

AR Newbies-Tap the ActiveRain Blog Brains in 15 Minutes

Being a new member of ActiveRain can be a bit overwhelming trying to figure out how you find out what you don't know to find out and how to get points and why, etc.

The secret to becoming an instant AR Blog Brain is to SUBSCRIBE to the blogs the brains subscribe to. The way you do this is simple...

(1) Go the the homepage of ActiveRain. Click on the right side where it says Real Estate Agents (56644) This pulls up all the Realtors "in order of the most points", which means they've either been in AR the longest or are the most active.
(2) Next click on each name one at a time and look at the names of the "Groups" they belong to. Scan through the one's that sound appealing to you and click on the group. Then read the short description of the content and purpose of the group and if it still sounds interesting then click "JOIN GROUP". Proceed through about 10+ of these to power agents and you'll notice many of them also belong to the same group. That's because a lot of people are members and there is a lot of activity in there.
(3) After you've joined about 15 to 30 groups, click on each one, one at a time and read the headings of the top 10 or so new blogs. These are most likely the top blogs in the top groups. Also check the Featured Blogs at the top of each group for an interesting blog. If you see a blog post that's had 100+ views and only 1 or 2 comments...it's probably not interesting, but any blog post with 10+ comments is probably a blossoming new post.

If this is all you do, you'll be plugged in to the best blogging going on in less than 15 minutes, short of a specific subject search. And if you're interested in "points"...when you're in that Realtors blog, click on his points and you'll see where his points came from. It varies a lot from one person to another. About the easiest points to get is inviting new members under your AR name and sit back and collect the 10% of what they earn.

Good Luck and Happy Blogging!