"New client called me from co. website...I was the only one in my office w/my profile filled out!"  This was a quote that came through my twitter stream earlier today from my friend Kristina Cusick.  She was so thrilled to receive a new lead straight from her company website.  Why? Because she had taken 10 minutes to fill out her profile completely. 

Each day as I navigate through ActiveRain I come across profiles of members that are left vacant.  Most do not even have a profile picture.  This saddens me because it sends off the impression that either they are incompetent and do not know how to complete the profile, or the member is just too lazy to take time and fill it out.

On twitter, I see friends say all the time, "If you don't have an avatar, I am not following you!"  The main reason for that statement on twitter is that people are constantly making spam accounts that are used to just push junk on clients.  If you actually took the 3 minutes to fill out a twitter profile and upload a photo, you will gain confidence in people instantly.

Then, while writing this post, I came across another post on Sara Bonert's blog that she just published about Terri Lussier's Awesomest Zillow Profile.  In this post, Sara discusses the importance of Keyword Rich information on your profile.  There is a graphic there that shows how Terri's social media profiles are dominating Google. 

If you do a google search of: "Use this section to write about yourself - don't be shy - Why should a buyer or seller want to work with you? Do you have any certifications and qualifications? What sets you apart from other agents/loan officers?" You will find over 18,000 members on ActiveRain that have never even filled in the description sections of their profile!  That means 18,000 members are missing the ability to be distinguished in google searches with their profile page.

So, my question to you is this?  Have you set up your profile on ActiveRain & other social media sites?  If the answer is no, have I convinced you yet of the importance of a complete profile?  I surely hope so!

If you are not sure where to begin to enhance your profile, here are some great tutorials to help:

 

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46 Comments on Are Complete Profiles important? You be the judge!

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

JUL
02
2009
422,520 Points 22 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Irene brought up a good comment - I wonder how much of my profile is duplicated from my personal web site -- will check that out. My profile is complete, but I'm sure going to check your link for optimizing it.

I recently invited a friend to join AR as she's new in the staging business. I checked out her profile, and she had filled virtually nothing out - only uploaded a photo. I was disappointed.

Tim, interesting stats!

5:13am • #27
827,699 Points 155 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Just last week, I had an ActiveRain contact who told me right up front, "I saw your Activerain profile..."  So it does make a difference!

I did (and posted) a 2-part study of Activerain profiles, about a year ago, based on members' profile points and focusing only on those with 1300 points or better.  Then I set out to modify my profile and mimic the "best" ones based on that criteria.  Funny thing, the better my profile got, the more profile points I earned. 

As an Activerain insider, Jeremy, I'll bet you could identify the top 50 profiles based on profile points without having to do all that grunt work I did - it might be interesting to members and provide a range of good examples for people to see some of the things that make a good profile.

7:15am • #28
7 Featured Posts

Great points Jeremy.  I think people have good intentions to get started and then just seem to never get back to it...too bad that consumers are looking at their profiles and maybe would have chosen to contact them if they had taken just that little bit of extra time to finish.

7:39am • #29
295,712 Points 15 Featured Posts

Jeremy, this is a good reminder that was important even ten years ago. FYI, you have a spam comment above and I have seen it on two other post as well.

7:45am • #30
320,757 Points 5 Featured Posts Outside Blog

My broker has been trying to develop a web site for a few months now. Its been up for a few. Im the only one that has done anything with it.

7:51am • #31
494,837 Points 75 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Blanton - Seems to me this is something very simple that everyone should do.  I'll probably update and hopefully improve my Zillow profile shortly and I'm always looking for better ways to enhance my AR profile.  I haven't found what I'd call the "Perfect Pitch" just yet... but that just keeps me on my toes:)  Thanks for the reminder, my friend.

7:59am • #32
519,895 Points 111 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Judy- That is exactly what I am saying!  Start Pimping that Profile!

Irene- You make an excellent point.  You can make tweaks to each profile to show you have creativity.  Also, what you write in a different place might appeal to someone that you didn't appeal to somewhere else with your profile.

Joan- I hope they will take my advice too!

Matt- It is sad how many are still using their 1970's glamour shot!

Tim- those are some staggering statistics!

Tim & Pam- You are spot on!  They are in constant need of updating.  Just like your website, adding fresh content to your profile makes the Google Monster very happy!

Steve- I think right away that they don't know how to do it.  So they just leave the profile empty.

Bethann- That is awesome that they chose you based on your profile!

William- It was kinda funny that I was writing mine at the same time as Sara.  Both though hold major nuggets of information!

Joe- This has always been an important part of business.  Back before the internet was even around.  Unfortunately, many never take advantage of it!

Sardi- I don't think you ever will find the perfect pitch.  As the business constantly changes, so will your pitch!

Jody- "People buy from People"  That is an excellent point!

Margaret- I am not sure if we have a stat that runs on that or not.  It would be interesting though if I can find one to see who has the best ones.

 

9:45am • #33
1,429,864 Points 52 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Of the 18,000 Rainers who haven't filled out profiles, how many have more than 10,000 points? My guess is that most if not all of these profiles are abandoned.

12:59pm • #37
Localism Sponsor

Now that you mention it, I better double check my Profile. I'm usually pretty good but there's always room for improvement to sparkle and shine and make that personal connection!

1:01pm • #38
8 Featured Posts

I better go check mine too...just when you think you're getting caught up on all the techie stuff, there's something else to do!  Thanks for the reminder, Jeremy!

1:37pm • #39
432,658 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Called Shot Master

18,000 - that's a lot of lack luster profiles on AR...off to tune mine up now as well!

2:02pm • #40
260,977 Points 10 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Jeremy, this is a great post. There are many agents in my office who don't have a complete profile. Part of me wants to remind them that they are really missing out, but they haven't jumped on the 'internet' train, so it would be kind of like preaching to a brick wall.

Also, it's tough because maybe I don't want all that competition! I'm very torn because on the one hand, I really stand out. On the other, I want to help everyone succeed...but I fret, will that end up putting me into a larger pond and I will suddenly become a smaller fish?

3:57pm • #41
629,905 Points 18 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hey Jer,

Thanks for the reminder and also for the help.  This is a very good help for all, the new member as well as the seasoned member.  Have a GREAT 4th my friend.

4:27pm • #42
4 Featured Posts

Fully filling out an online profile, no matter where it is, is very important (which reminds me, I need to work on my AR profile a bit).  It is important for all of the reasons you and the commenters have mentioned.  

One aspect that a lot of folks overlook, however, is having a current picture, if the profile allows a picture.  I get it-- we all know that you think you looked a lot better when you got that picture taken 10 years ago, but you look pretty darn good now, too.  Personally, I don't like it when folks have a picture that they KNOW isn't accurate.  It tells me that they are afraid of who they are.  Never be ashamed or afraid of who you are.  Be who you are, and people will respect you all the more for your honesty and sincerity.  

 

Christianne--

Don't worry about becoming a smaller fish.  Fish don't shrink-- they can only grow.  A bigger pond just means that you have more room to grow.  

4:50pm • #43
698,114 Points 84 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp

Jeremy - Spending 5 or 10 minutes can potentially bring in 5 to 10 more deals a year... hmmmmm, what to do ?  Is a no-brainer !  Great post : )

7:52pm • #44
JUL
03
2009
1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Hi Jeremy, Great post and this is soooo true, I have like 3 or 4 other profiles on other networks not including my website, and let me tell you it is so important to have a complete profile. I guess some folks just don't get it. So unfortunate!!  

3:06am • #45
JUL
04
2009
399,487 Points 5 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Jeremy, 

 Great post.  It looks like you are going to force me to work.  I knew a profile was important, but I didn' realize all the ways that I could improve it.  I have several profiles on differnt sites.  They will now become a priority.

12:42am • #46
JAN
02
2012
Thanks for writnig such an easy-to-understand article on this topic.
Prudence
2:51am • #47
JAN
03
2012
231,943 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Jeremy, Thanks for the great advice and the reminder to relook my profiles and update them as necessary. It's an easy "to-do" but sometimes the benefits of taking the time to do so are forgotten. The testimonial updates are key too...thanks for the nudge and reminder to ensure my profiles are up-to-date and working for me in every way possible.

7:44am • #48

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Jeremy Blanton

Myrtle Beach, SC

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