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I should have been paying attention:(

Today I read a couple of posts about Active Rains' Ambassador Program. Basically it sounded like Active Rain is looking for people to be sort of like a Welcoming/mentoring person for new members to Active Rain.

I thought that I was uniquely qualified for this position since I was the founder of the Active Rain Newbie Group and also the founder of the Actve Rain Rookie Group which is for new Realtors.

Anyone that knows me, understands my desire to help people thorough the some times foggy path here in Active Rain. For a time I was a moderator in the Practice Blogging group. I have personally welcomed many new members and offered my time and what little basic knowledge I had to help them get started.

However, as I started to fill out the application, on Brad Andersohn's blog, I notice that it asks for three blogs that are #1 on Google.

When I first started here at Active Rain in July 2006, I was quite frequently on the first page of Google. As time went by, I started other blogs and those were on the first page of Google.

This past January, I opened my own Brokerage, Stonehurst Realty and I have to say my blogging days have been extremely limited. My business has been living off my previous blogging efforts and I have been very busy. This is a good thing and also a testimonial to my blogging efforts here at Active Rain. These two blogs alone have brought me more prospective buyers than any others. http://activerain.com/blogsview/244592/conimicut-point-warwick-rhode-island

and http://activerain.com/blogsview/18490/oakland-beach-warwick-rhode-island-a-beachfront-community

They were both location centric blogs and the keywords are the locstions themselves. I wrote them because I love the two places I was writing about and that made the difference.

I have joined Facebook, Twitter, and a host of other social networking sites. So to come up with three blogs that are at the top of Google ended up being a big problem.

In the process of looking, I find that some of my blogs "should" have been on the first page of Google.

Here is one http://activerain.com/blogsview/875457/how-to-buy-a-home-in-a-buyers-market

This is obviously about buyers in RI and also correctly tagged Buyers market ri. Here is the google link for Buyers market ri Notice the second item where it says ALL activerain blogs tagged with Buyers Market. Where am I?

I rest my case. Of course I cannot show up on the first page of Google if my tags are not working.

In conclusion, I ended up not applying to be an Ambassador for my area, although I would have liked to be part of this new program. However, it has definitely opened my eyes, and as my title says, "I should have been paying attention".

Opinions are of Karen Hurst, Broker/Owner of Stonehurst Realty only. For a free consultation, visit me at Stonehurstrealty.com and find out if this is your time to buy.

Try Googling me and decide

If you are looking to sell, we can provide you with the latest stats for the market value of your home.

We specialize in bayside communities.

Click here to contact me

Posted by Karen Hurst ~ Principal Broker ~ Warwick ~ Rhode Island on 07/13/2009 08:57 PM

Comments (22)

active rain ambassador, active rain newbies, rhode island realtor

Post is included in group: Real Estate Rookie
Post is included in group: Active Rain Newbies

22 Comments on I should have been paying attention:(

JUL

Karen - well that is a valuable lesson, but business comes first. I suspec the program will change over time since folks will come and go. And now it have given you the incentive to watch things abit more closely, or have someone do it for you.

Jeff

Maybe you can get an a letter of reference = exemption

Hi Jeff, "have someone do it for me?" Now there is an option I hadn't considered. Although I prefer to write my own blogs, maybe I should get someone to do "other" things.

Eric:) Good idea. Will you give me a reference? Maybe I should get up a petition. Actually, as Jeff has noted, I need to get blogging.

Does this mean you will be doing more blogging, again? The bottom line is what is best for your business. You may not be able to apply for Ambassador, but it sounds like you are really on top of your business needs.

However, as I started to fill out the application, on Brad Andersohn's blog, I notice that it asks for three blogs that are #1 on Google.

Good evening Karen,

Go ahead and apply anyway! I think you would be excellent, if you have the time. The rules are not set in stone. Plus, there will be another wave of Ambassadors. This was just round one, as I understand it.

Karen you would have done a great job in that position. Maybe you will re-consider and apply for it in the future.

Karen - You seem to be too busy now to do this type of function. Isn't it great to have success, and then find out it's very demanding of your time.

Karen; perhaps others will have the same hurdle to jump and not be able to do so. I agree you should apply anyway as your heart is obviously in the right place to offer support of others.

Sharon, Yes, you are exactly right. I was blogging before and it is what made me busy now. This is no time to stop. It was and still is important to my business.

Bruce, I won't feel right until I get those three blogs up on Google...but I will be ready for the next round. Thanks for the vote of confidence.

George, thankyou for your kind words, and yes, see above comment.

Larry, I think that being too busy has been my mantra for the last six months. It's time to reorganize. My first change is to reorganize my priorities.

Linda, I am sure there will be others that feel the same way. As Bruce mentions, this may just be the first round and it will give others a chance to be ready.

I try to keep an eye on my SEO, just to make sure nothing is moving out of position.

There are always way too many comments on Brad's posts so I totally understand not reading through them all. Somewhere in that post I left a comment that said 'if you have a passion for ActiveRain, don't worry about the Google requirement'. Karen, you would be perfect and we would be honored to have you submit to be an Ambassador. It's not too late.

JUL

You ARE the epitomy of "Madame ActiveRain Ambassador". Fill out that application. I learned more about SEO just on the webinar yesterday so went back and redid July and June 2009 posts... now I only need to go back through to all the local posts to August 2006.....

HI Karen, as Bob said go ahead. You have helped many folks on AR over the years. Starting a brokerage would be no small task.Life takes a turn, we all get busy but doesn't mean you can't help other folks on AR that just sign up.

Steven, You are smart! I have learned my lesson!

Bob, You're right, I did not get through all the comments:( but thankyou, I will go back and apply and leave that part blank...I could come up with some posts that "at one time" were #1 on google:)

Maureen, Madame ActiveRain ambassador? chuckle...thanks:) I'll have to check that (webinar) out and see if I can get some posts moving.

Missy, thankyou and yes, I have been totally immersed in starting my Brokerage, but I am coming up for air. I appreciate your support.

Thankyou all for your votes of confidence. I am going to apply and see what happens!

JUL

I say go for it - you helped me when I was new!! I have been busy - much from my participation on Activerain - now I worry that things may slide as time is less to keep up some of the momentum and have a life. I didn't know about the ambassador program - will have to check it out and see what it is.

Hi Cathy, This is the point. Once one gets on Active Rain and starts blogging, they become busy and then end up letting the blogging lapse. I think you should apply for the Ambassador program. I am amazed at what you have learned since I met you.

Hi Karen! If you needed nominations from the members you KNOW you'd have mine! If it had not been for you, i would still be wearing pampers and sipping from a big old bottle of spoiled milk.

Congratulations on opening your own Brokerage! I know your Agents will be blessed working for and with you. Judging from Bob's comments you've got the job! YEAH! Keep us informed!

JUL

Thankyou Diane! The more agents I get, the more active I can be here at AR!! Hope all is well with you:)

Karen: I can't think of a better ambassador than you regardless of blogs or not. I think you have more than proven your support of and for Active Rain. Like you, I've reached a point where there are just not enough hours in the day and night for that matter to keep up with blogging on AR, then Twitter and Facebook. I do miss AR and I keep trying to find a way to get back into a routine. How wonderful that you've opened your own brokerage! That's awesome.

JUL

Hi Donna,

Thanks for your kind words! The fact that I opened in January and people are just finding out is a lesson it itself!!! I am doing very well, considering. My biggest problem is finding good Realtors.

As for a routine with AR...the hardest thing is comitting myself to answering comments each day. I have loads of blogs in my head, lol. Every day in Real Estate brings a new blog topic!! Nice to see you:)

JUL

Hi, Karen! Glad to see you're blogging again and congrats on your new brokerage. You're brave to go it alone. I think you're well qualified to be an "ambassador" in my book. :)

JUL

Thankyou Yolanda, I did actually apply but have not heard anything.

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