I've always rather prided myself on the fact (yes, fully verified) I do not have an addictive personality. Nope, drugs and alcohol never snared me, not even in those hippy-dippy days of my youth. Smoking? I tried it, and I did inhale, but that was painful and tasted terrible. Definitely not for me. Gambling? No, never found a game I couldn't walk away from. Then along came this silly little thing called Active Rain.
I heard about Active Rain months before I ever tried it. Maybe it was the slow market of November 2007, or maybe it was because my pipeline slowed to a trickle during those weeks before the holidays. Perhaps it was those pricey newspapers and glossy magazines failed to deliver the same bang for the buck. I needed a change, something new, something edgy with unlimited potential and the capability to take me where I'd never gone before. Something that worked. Yes, I was searching for a new high, something I could get, well, addicted to.
Like most addicts, our relationship had a casual beginning. I signed up and AR gave me points just for joining. (They know how to hook you on the substance they're pedaling) I liked the instant gratification and I found myself wanting more. Those, my friends, are classic junkie patterns. I explored the offerings, cautiously commented a time or two, and with that came more points and another high. Then, wanting more, I knew it was time to post--I was ready to go where the big points and big players frolicked.
While still a novice, one of the stars of AR noticed me. I began to play in the "rain" on a more regular basis, but not until I had my "real" work done for the day. Then one morning (yes, I now needed a second fix in the morning) I received an email from Patricia Kennedyselecting me as her Newbie of the Week. I was hooked--hit me again! And that first email from a consumer, well, I was over the top. There was no turning back. Suddenly, I sneaked a peek between phone calls, on lunch break, and worse yet I sacrificed sleep for just a few more comments, and a late night visit to my favorite bloggers.
Like any addict worth his salt, I'm very good at justifying my habit. I enjoy a challenge/game so the point angle drew me in, then the social aspect of comments connected me with other members, later my writing endeavors were rewarded with valuable comments from the AR community. I found myself turning to AR with professional questions and for professional support. If I've had a rough day, I know I'm not alone. If I'm struggling with a difficult transaction, many others are in the same boat. There is strength in numbers, and a whole lot of support.
After months of building a library of posts, accumulating points and a few stars, the real reward and object of participating emerged: Google found my content, consumers found my blog and I'm generating business.
Who says you can't find an addiction that works for both business and pleasure?
More Active Rain related blogs from Norma.
Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800
South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate, property, houses and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.
Find Norma on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn - Email Norma
Palos Verdes Real Estate Blog - Palos Verdes Home Website
Palos Verdes Home Search - More information on Palos Verdes
Subscribe via ActiveRain - Subscribe via Email - Start your own blog on activerain!
Comments(6)