I have shared some amazing real estate training tips and have changed many real estate agents businesses and careers.  Right here on the rain, I've shared, coached and given away training as if I were wealthy..its just the way that I am but now I need to call some favors in...not for me..

I have my health, my free will and an incredible group of family and friends that support me.  So if you read my blog, utilized the free listing presentation or gained anything from me, I am really asking you to pay it forward 

@TheREALClint     @LanceArmstrong     @livestrong 

When I first joined twitter, @therealclint was one of my first friends, we chatted about his kids, the love of Montana and all of the things that make him such a beautiful human being. I found him to be funny, sarcastic, cool I think u get it...I became a fan...

Clint Miller needs our help!

We have always talked about community here and pride ourselves of helping our own.

Yeah sometimes it feels like we have the weight of the world on our shoulders but nothing you can go through can compare to what Clint Miller is facing today.  He is facing his mortality and fights everyday.  His wife Angela is amazing as as she faces being a single mother her strength, courage and inspiration have touched many.  I can't help but cry for them..stand by them and...pray for them.  

I don't think I have to go into it too much as most know Clint Miller.  Yes he has the C word and everyday I think of him, his wife Angela and his beautiful children.  He is one of those that fight the good fights and is so inspiring and I am asking the community to help us out...help Clint 2 have a beer with Lance Armstrong.

He longs to have a beer with Lance Armstrong and while Lance has sent Clint two videos its not the same as a face to face...we've tweeted, we've Facebooked..we've called in personal favors to friends and family who might have the pull to fulfill one of Clint's dreams...

Lance fired back with a a video but imagine what having a beer with Lance might do for Clint's spirit, Angela's spirit and their sweet sweet children. This is big...big for this family. Big for those who support and root for Clint and Family! 

Why should we give up?

Please if you can do one thing send a tweet out or add a message to livestrong through facebook.  If you have pull with Mr. Armstrong, please help and spread the word.  We can make this happen but time is of the essence.  

To follow Clints progress go to the prayer group for Clint, its much more than a prayer group, its an amazing group of people pulling together to make life a little better for the Millers, a group that embraces the harsh reality that the Millers are facing today!  

Please feel free to repost, reblog, copy I don't care..please help to get the message out but more importantly help Clint to have that Beer!   And Yes I am openly asking for a feature!  Need traffic..to spread the word! 

Here is what happened when we orchestrated this a few weeks back! 

Lance Armstrong on twitter

Livestrong on twitter

use hash tags #weloveclint #helpclintmeetlance

This morning I woke up with a huge lump in my throat as I scanned through facebook and I can't seem to shake this feeling nor hold back the tears.  Missy Caulk and family need our words of encouragement but most of all this family needs the power of prayer!  

So I have a confession...yes I am a virgin...A ReBar Camp Virgin. While there have been numerous opportunities, I've either had to cancel or could not make due to previous obligations. I am so excited to finally attend one.  

I think one of the things that really interest me is the opportunity to see many of the tech savvy REALTORS who will be attending who have been my friends off line and online.  Not only see them but network and participate in a non-conference.  Very exciting 2 me plus go back to my old stomping grounds!

There are only 31 tickets left..and did I mention its FREE????  That's right to have the ability to hang out in Boca Raton Florida with some amazing people and learn the latest and greatest trade secrets for online marketing seems to excite me!  I hope that you will attend and that I will see you there!

If you are going, let me know..and if you are thinking of attending, don't think about it..just sign up and Go!

I am so excited because it will benefit my clients and always love the opportunity of learning something new and sharing..WOOT..and I know that I am guaranteed a good time, hanging with Grant & Gia Freer, Jeannette Neerpat, Chris Griffith, Cyndee Haydon and ?????????  

Details right here:

Facebook:  ReBar Camps - Big Ideas From around the Country

ReBar Camp Website

South Florida ReBar Camp

When: Friday, October 14, 2011
Time: 8:30am-4:30pm (Registration is from 8:30am-9:00am)
Where: Penthouse 2 at One Thousand Ocean located on the grounds of the Boca Beach Club 725 South Ocean Blvd., Boca Raton, FL 33432 
Why: To Share, to Learn, to talk about what makes us better real estate agents, brokers and business people. To connect with like minded social media marketers. Because there is something for everyone here, beginner to pro!
How Much: Unbelievable, but it's FREE!
Twitter Hashtag: #REBCSFL

Get your tickets while they last>>>>>>>>>go to Eventbrite

OK, don't laugh but I see this all over the net.  I guess I notice these things more since I am no longer a REALTOR and tend to look at the Internet marketing of REALTORS as a consumer. So lets dig a little deeper and without your REALTOR hat ok?

CRS,ABR,CDPE,ALC,CCIM,CRS,CRE -There is More Where These Came From

As a consumer?  What the heck is all that?  What does it mean?  They sound important but what do all the letters mean?  Why do some agents only have a few?  Could this be their license #? HUH?  

OK, I hope you get the point and I am in no way knocking designations! Many designations require true skills and actual experience, I understand and respect those that have taken the extra steps to better themselves but take a minute and look at it as a consumer.

REALTORS - if you want your designation to really work for you.  Let consumers know what the heck they stand for. I mean if you really look at it, its not impressive based on a bunch of initials..its rather silly looking but if you were to take the time and explain what the heck all those letters mean, it would help the consumer to understand the importance of your additional training, expertise and experience rather than bragging rights of something they will not know based on initials.  Do you think consumers will automatically Google it?  Do not assume anything!

Better yet..why not consider...

Creating a kick butt bio of yourself and a full explanation of your designations on a page of your website can always be very useful.  Add that link to all of your social profiles or go ahead and add your designations directly to your profiles.  I would pick the most cherished designation initials to sit by your name or at most two! Providing a full explanation of your real estate designations can help consumers understand what all the initials mean.

What do you think?  And do you think having 8 sets of initials behind your name really impress the consumer or does it confuse them?

The state of Florida is known for its large mansions, sprawling estates and luxury real estate. While Florida home prices have been slashed due to the number of foreclosures, short sales and bank owned homes that have sold. These types of distressed sales are impacting our local market.  Savvy investors and homebuyers are still searching and buying luxury real estate throughout the state of Florida.  

Daytona Beach Luxury Real Estate

In our neck of the woods, Daytona Beach luxury real estate is quite affordable compared to other parts of Florida. Being a Florida resident almost all of my life, I do believe that Daytona Beach luxury homes are affordable compared to other exclusive neighborhoods in the state of Florida.  But the question is, are these luxury homes really that affordable and is it easy to qualify for a mortgage?  It's an interesting to see who can afford these homes and I wonder how they feel about Daytona's prices.  Would they consider our luxury market affordable compared to other areas of Florida?  

Florida Sprawling Estates - Florida Mansions - Florida Luxury Real Estate

There have been numerous housing reports on luxury market trends, according to Laurie Moore-Moore, founder of The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing, "The number of wealthy household in the United States and world-wide is almost back to where it was before the downturn.  Add the fact that many high net worth individuals are reassessing their investments and rethinking how and where to invest.  High-end U.S. residential real estate is attracting many of these dollars, Euros and Rubles.  This bodes well for the luxury home market in the short term.  Luxury may well be the real estate segment that leads to recovery."  

South Florida Luxury Homes - Palm Beach Exclusive Properties 

Reports on luxury real estate prices in Florida vary as real estate in general is local.  Luxury real estate in Florida is no different and each piece of property's pricing varies due to size, location and exclusivity.  South Florida is one of my favorite luxury markets and I wonder how it has been impacted. According to a recent article on Palm Beach Premier Real Estate, "the Palm Beach luxury market is still in limbo."  Interesting, its just another reminder to get the facts from a professional real estate agent who specializes in luxury homes and understands market conditions and trends.  I wonder if the luxury market is impacted nation-wide? 

How is your luxury market doing and do you think this sector of real estate has bottomed out in your area and is it deeply impacted by say, distressed properties and the average price homes selling?  

A few emails triggered this post, one of the questions I received is because someone doesn't use activerain anymore, should they delete their content.  I also saw a similar conversation taking place on facebook, I don't quite get it at all? 

You probably have a love/hate relationship with Active rain.  In my case...I do.

I have recently changed cities due to the office being located in Ormond Beach, while I am no longer a REALTOR,

I am a real estate agent who chose a different path.  To refer business and keep my license active and follow my dreams.  At this point I am at a crossroads with Activerain. Where do I fit in?

I did not know Jon, Caleb or Matt when I first joined Activerain, I didn't join Activerain because of them.  I joined Activerain because it promised me another avenue to connect with peers throughout the country that were willing to share information, their best trade secrets and build bonds. I can't complain..I have had a great run with Activerain and will continue to do so.  

Generating Leads - Still Building Relationships - I Still Love This Place - Its The Community Members That Matter And Not Who Owns The Site

Since 2006 there have been many changes and I imagine there will be more. For me a perfect example is  when Caleb left Active-rain he was replaced with Bob Stewart, it was difficult to give Bob a chance. Not because he was bad, evil or not likeable.  Bottom line he wasn't Caleb.  At that point I considered leaving and deleting all of my content. I got upset when Caleb left...but we all continued on.  

While I love and admire Caleb forever, I got the opportunity to meet Bob too, Bob Stewart earned my respect and friendship due to his own merits.  He has become a great friend and an awesome source of information.

My respect and admiration for Bob Stewart does not affect the way I feel about Caleb.  They are two different people and I admit I love them both.  

Cutting Activerain Loose - Is It A Business Decision or Emotional Decision?

This year we all got a jolt when many who are near and dear to our hearts changed career paths, moved on and continue to trail blaze through social media.  I'll always remember them, truly respect them and will find a way to connect with them whether they are here or there but still I ask myself where do I fit in?  It has nothing to do with Active rain changes

but my own personal changes.  It sometimes feels strange to be here and have questioned often should I just delete my content from Activerain?

I Can't - I Won't - You Shouldn't - To Each His Own

NO WAY..since links are cached on the web and what would happen if someone saw a link of interest and instead of your posts they received a 404 error where they click and there is nothing there. 

There are many readers of ActiveRain that are consumers who have been following your blog for a very long time. I've been here since the early days and receive emails and contacts to this day with the emails starting out, where have you been?  Is everything ok?  I have a buyer for you! I need a REALTOR.  I loved your post. Please write something..

My Personal Opinion and Reasons Why I Probably Won't Use My Content Elsewhere

The concept of importing your content makes perfect sense but why would you delete your content from ActiveRain? Although I have grabbed my content, it sits in a zip file. I posted a few on my site but I quickly realized these posts were written for the community, my subscribers and consumers who visit activerain.

Do you think by removing your content it will benefit you?  I will not remove my content unless the terms of service became unacceptable or content is a negative for me with google but I wouldn't throw my eggs in one basket either.  I did that for a very long time and now I stand wondering where do I fit in.  

Activerain Gives Me Lots of Traffic To My Own Personal Site

I don't think many realize the power of Activerain where the home page is a page rank of 5. If you check the variety of rankings for this site, it is better than most of the top dawg real estate sites and many real estate agents sites out there.

Check your own site..my site is a page rank 3, last year my site was a page rank 5 but this year I can probably count the number of posts written on both of my hands. Its sad but true and it applies here too in 2011 I wrote a total of 5 posts here. darn it including this one.  WOW what a bum I have been! Damn if that did not get me motivated!

Activerain Platform + Community + Your Site = Your Own Social Network

Even though you may not post as often as others do, the posts that sit here may give you additional business or make the difference of you or someone else in your local market being at the top of the search engines or #1 for your local market. Why would you want to remove it?

People Still Read Old Content If It Is Relevant and Interesting!

I have been here since June 2006.  Today I received two contacts from ActiveRain from posts dating back to 2008, a new comment was posted yesterday by a consumer on a post I wrote in 2008. 

I ask myself, where do I fit in? 

I still generate business, I still have many of the friends that I had before on the network and its shocking to me that I even considered removing all my content. 

My Personal Opinion

Do yourself a favor and think twice before taking every piece of advice out there on the web.

When you focus on SEO too much you lose a huge portion of the human side of yourself, your audience will notice the mechanical writing that goes with it! 

Its just like repeating the title of a blog post in the first sentence of your post, I get it but sometimes it sounds ridiculous and other times condesceding. 

For me, its not just about SEO, you can still write SEO friendly content and sound like a human being!

Some statistics for Activerain.com

I have to face the fact, I am one who doesn't post often but the past will continue to haunt me on the search engines and my own sites!  Its a tough problem to have...NOT!

Let's face it times are tough and some Volusia County children will not have the basics they need to have a very happy and productive school year. 

Let's just forget about school for a minute and think about the lives these same poverty stricken children lead as they go without undergarments, proper nutrition and things so many people take for granted such as toothpaste, deodorant and 3 squares a day. In most cases these same children are put down, held back and ridiculed.  For children, being poor is not a choice its what they were born into, life happened and the children are the ones that suffer the hardest and will continue to do so until someone steps in and helps.

According to Census Data 16% of children of Volusia County under the age of 18 lives in poverty. 

When I think about the children in our county as well as across the globe who suffer from poverty and at no choice of their own.  It hurts me..it makes me sad.  Let's face it, every child counts regardless of race, religion and income.  Some of the most prosperous contributing adults I know today come from a background of poverty. It surely doesn't have to be that way!

If you do not know much about poverty, its hard work.  For the parents who work hard to try and keep food on the table and for the children who are made to feel as if they are nothing due to circumstances beyond their control!  Please do what you can and extend your hand in helping others to become a productive part of society. 

ADOPT A CHILD BACKPACK PROGRAM

The Daytona Beach Area Association of REALTORS proudly presents

A CHARITY SOCIAL @MARTINI'S CHOPHOUSE RESTAURANT

1815 SOUTH RIDGEWOOD AVENUE in DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA

Live Entertainment: STONY SIXMA ON ACOUSTICS

Considered to be one of Volusia's foremost entertainers.  Stony keeps packing 'em wherever he performs.

MARTINI'S CHOPHOUSE RESTAURANT HAS AGREED TO DONATE 10%

OF SALES FROM THIS SOCIAL TO ADOPT A CHILD BACKPACK PROGRAM!

WHEN: FRIDAY JUNE 3, 2011  TIME: 5:30 P.M. UNTIL ??????

HELP US RAISE MONEY FOR THE CHILDREN * ENTER TO WIN GREAT DOOR PRIZES and 50/50 * SUGGESTED DONATION/ENTRANCE FEE OF $5.00

Its been some time since I posted but I can't help to think this is the perfect place to send my mom Mothers Day wishes and ask my friends for a little help.  This Mothers Day is really different with a lot of happiness and a little sadness.  I have to share and want my mom to know just how much I love her.

My mom and dad took us in when we were little and raised as their own.  They had 5 kids of their own and gave us all a good life but it seems my mom and dad have been through so much yet they will never stop giving and caring about people. 

Giving and caring to their friends and family, to total strangers and to the community. I love her so much for that, if anyone ever understood pay it forward, yes it is my mom, many of the traits I have come directly from her. To me she is amazing and I think many would agree. 

Thank God, for my mom, they don't come any tougher than her. She takes such good care of my dad and the family in Alabama.  She won't hesitate to lend a helping hand to those in need.  My mom has to stay busy...she is in everyones business...in a good way..reaching out..loving and giving.  It's what she does.  That's my mom.

My mom is a great grandmother not once but twice so far.  The joy these babies bring to her is simply divine..there are no others words to describe it.  If you don't know my mom and dad live in Alabama and is surrounded by some of the family. 

It's where my mom feels at home and it's the happiest I've ever seen her.  To me its seems to be a hard life but its not to her, I know she wouldn't trade it for anything.  Well I'm not sure anymore.

Cullman Alabama was struck by tornadoes, for a bit I was freaking out but thanks to text messaging I learned my family was safe. 

Fortunately they now have power and they have each other.  My mom doesn't need much more than that but I am sure that she is crying inside witnessing the loss, devastation and sadness that her friends and community are experiencing today.   I could use a little help from my friends..and so could the folks in Cullman Alabama.  Here is how you can help:

1.  Post a heart felt comment to the folks in Cullman Alabama and let them know they are not alone and remind them the good people of the world truly care and whatever they do, DO NOT to lose faith and hope.  Feel free to re blog, share it or copy..it doesn't matter to me..I just want the message out there.  For my family and for my family's community.

2.  Wish my mom a happy Mothers Day in the comments below...if you know her and she has impacted your life in any way..please let her know of if you don't please send her some good cheer.  My mom's name is Ruth Terwilliger, she will respond to mom, mother, momma, ma, nanny, grandma, honey and occasionally she'll remember her name is Ruth. :) 

3.  Do what you can to help the good people of Cullman Alabama, join the fanpage and see what they need. I think its the best way as they are fully aware of where to ship goods, send money or help those who are in dire need.  Tell them the proud daughter of Ruth Terwilliger sent you or better yet Ruth Terwilliger sent you.

I love you mom and miss you all very much..and to you good folks in Alabama, you'll be ok..ask my mom, she tell you that whatever obstacles u go through in life..you have to keep the faith and always be hopeful and whatever you do...keep going!

This is really a test post but I must admit there is some truth in the title.  For as long as I have been on Activerain I've marketed myself as the Daytona Real Estate Trainer, in many ways I still am but I am moving...moving...moving...

Daytona Real Estate Trainer Says Bye Bye

OK Online That Is - It's a Strategic Move and the Daytona Real Estate Trainer says bye bye to ActiveRain.  In the next coming weeks my online presence will change here on ActiveRain and so will my location.  Stay tuned as I plan to be #1.  I have enjoyed the first spot, the second spot and now the third in Daytona Beach but now its time to move out and move on!  

There Are Benefits In Being In The Top Two Spots on ActiveRain

I am going to share with you one final thought as the Daytona Real Estate Trainer on Activerain.com.

Email Marketing - if you want to get those valuable email addresses, the phones ringing off the hook and leads, leads, leads that eventually buy or sell through you.  Give something away...seriously...think of something you could give away that is cost effective.

You Give You Get - Floyd Wickman Taught Me That and Lesson Learned on Activerain

Example:  Jeannette Neerpat and I participated in the Makeover2Takover Contest on Active rain.  Because we appreciated what the contest did for us, we decided to offer a copy to anyone who requested it.  We gave away what she did for the winning presentation to whoever requested it.  I posted my email address and in turn I receive request to this day.  I have probably over 1000 email addresses from this alone.  See how you can work this type of strategy into your marketing, find something valuable and give it away!

I have stored all the email addresses and have never done anything with them except to send the presentation to people but it goes to show you..one important thing in marketing...you give...you get...everyone wins! 

How To Receive The Winning Pre-Listing Presentation and 180 tasks of a REALTOR

If you should read this post and have requested the pre-listing template and the 180 tasks of a REALTOR and you never received it   Please accept my apology and I have made it simpler to receive.....go to the sidebar and click on the links..in order to download the presentation you have to go to slideshare.  Chances are some of you were called spam, the others I missed, truthfully I could not keep up with the requests. :(    Isn't that a problem all REALTORS would love to have? 

WOW not that feels good I haven't wrote a post for myself in ages.

Brandon is the son of a local real estate agent, Keith Kiel!  Please feel free to reblog, repost or say thank you to Brandon...I am no fan to war whatsoever...but I love my freedom and feel protected and privelidged to live in the U.S.  W e appreciate your service, we appreciate your beautiful music...we appreciate you!