ActiveRain Real Estate CommunityIntermixed with the daily struggle of running a company that is grasping for revenues, in what seems like a never ending attempt to bridge that last little gap to profitability, I am blessed with inspiring messages from the members of this network about how ActiveRain is impacting their lives.

My most recent inspiration came from an article authored by Russ Ravary and the accompanying comments on it. Whenever I am in a certain mood, and read one of these posts, I am reminded that ActiveRain is something greater than just a business. I am elevated above the grind-level view of daily operations, and if only for a few fleeting minutes, I recognize the incredible opportunity we have in front of us to change, and improve, the way an entire industry operates. Indeed we are doing something even more than revolutionizing an industry in need of change; we are enriching the lives of our fellow colleagues and creating one of the greatest caring communities in the world. 

We are a part of something that is quite rare, something that is both exciting and humbling at the same time.

I am often charged with answering the question, "What is ActiveRain?", and now even after years of running the company I haven't been able to articulate an answer that seems sufficient. ActiveRain is clearly more than just a business; It seems to mean something powerful and slightly different to everyone who embraces it and makes it a part of their lives. Recognizing this, I would like to turn the question over to the individual members of this community to answer in the comments below.

My hope is that in the future when someone wants to know "What is ActiveRain", I can point them here.

What does ActiveRain mean to you? How has it impacted your life. How has it helped your business?

 
Star Posted by Jon Washburn on 07/25/2009 08:32 PM   Comments (124)   ActiveRain in the ActiveRain Channel   activerain  
Originally posted at: jonwashburn: What is ActiveRain?
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124 Comments on What is ActiveRain?

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AUG
28
2009
1,113,862 Points 101 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Jon,

The past few weeks have the most difficult in my life.  I'm loosing someone I love, someone I love has also be diagnosised with a horible disease... ActiveRain has been a source of strength for me.  Thank you for making it possible
10:01pm • #108
1,210,315 Points 118 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Jon,

You created the virtual world, and we polulated it, and made it a virtually real world.

I wrote abot it before, and I will write about it again. We were the witnesses and participants in the phenomenon
10:36pm • #109
556,363 Points 11 Featured Posts Outside Blog

I was first intrigued back in 2007 in that I thought blogging was a novel idea and being a tech guy, I said to myself that this is cool, I will learn how this works and give it a chance.  I got side tracked and came back to it late last year and I have learned so incredibly much, consumers have found me online via this platform, I am much more aware of what is happening in our industry, and have forged some good friendships.  There aren't many places (in fact, I can't think of one) online that provides all this and more!
10:38pm • #110
864,323 Points 18 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

This is a collaborative effort between AR and it members.. a unique experience which enrichesthe life of each member who fully participates.. education, sharing, friendship, business, referrals and priceless relationship!
10:38pm • #111
AUG
29
2009
424,096 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Called Shot Master

I don't post too often, but I have to tell you that if nothing else, Active Rain is a great reference tool...like the world's biggest encyclopedia for real estate professionals!
12:54am • #112
1,651,981 Points 134 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I do business in a small town, in a very rural area.  Active Rain allows me to connect to other real estate people everywhere.  Sometimes I read a post and feel that someone needs cheering up. I pick up the phone and call them. Sometimes I have a question and do the same or shoot an email to them. Sometimes I receive a phone call or an email from someone doing the same for me.

If I need to know about something, search active rain for a blog on it..  If I've learned something that's worth sharing, post it..

Businesswise?  It has brought me sellers and buyers both.. and sometimes just a question from a consumer.

What is Active Rain?  I don't think it would be an adequate description it even if you put everyone's comments together.

When I joined, I had never blogged,, did not know what one was, did not know what in the world I was doing.  Still don't by many measurements. BUT I'm a member of the greatest place to learn what I need to know about it if I'll just spend the time and be motivated to do so.

Thanks !
7:46am • #113
1,326,616 Points 187 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Jonathan, Active Rain has some great Members, some dedicated writers and what I think are some tremendous spirits among us. The learning alone is well worth its existence. I'm still looking to trade in some of these accumulated points for a new toaster LOL.
7:56am • #114
220,580 Points 2 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master
AR offers some brilliant connections daily. There is no possible way that we could have "foreseen" the train headed our way (in NY) absent some of the experiences shared by contributing members, high profile or not. Did it keep us in business? Yup. Would we be functioning without it? Depends on whether operating with a foundation of confusion qualifies- for type "A"s, the AR resource is the best real estate guidebook in existance- punch it in, and among the many blogs are those that hit the nail in question on the head. Whatever AR started out to be, it has morphed into a progressively forward thinking tool, absent which we would be relying on "hearsay", not REAL experiences. Lenn and BB, hobby notwithstanding, your contributions (and those of many others) have provided a lifeline without which many participants would be in the dark on many levels. AR gives participants an "edge"- and we all need that in good and bad markets, regardless of the markets in which we operate. Thank you for such an amazing resource.
8:28am • #115
496,108 Points 149 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Called Shot Master

Jon:  I'm an old warrior in the banking/real estate industry, having been in it in one form or another since I was 18 years old. As I'm now 52, that's alot of years!  AR has renewed me.  Each and every day, it teaches me something new, broadens my perspective, tweaks my sensibilties, opens new doors of opportunity, and widens my circle of friends and contacts (both business & customer).  I feel like an adventurer or explorer finding new land with unlimited treasures!  Thank you to you ... and all the other "Rainers" that so generously share themselves, their time, their thoughts, and talents! Your contributions are greatly appreciated.

Now ... how do I find out about that toaster Gary mentioned????  
9:10am • #116
873,435 Points 167 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Jon - ActiveRain has become an integral part of my life.  My "virtual" friends have become real-life friends.  For me, it's just just about the Google juice, or the referrals, or contacts from clients.  It's about the friendships and the support.  This is a magical community.

 
11:26am • #117
330,653 Points 16 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

AR is the best mentor I have ever had. Willing to share the gut-wrenching truth...share in my joy...lift me up in my darkest hours...inspire me to try new things...introduce me to realms unknown...give me wings of hope...remind me to give back to others...laugh with me till I cry...cause me to face my weaknesses...allow me to shine for who I am...given me a voice that is heard in this massive world.

I love ActiveRain, and I'm really grateful for it. Thank you!
11:27am • #118

As a new AR member thanks for the information.
11:37am • #119

As I am very new to AR it is hard to say what it really means to me. I am enjoying reading others thoughts, problems and solution and think that this can only help me in my own work and life.
1:28pm • #120
568,937 Points 1 Featured Post Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Active rain has the ability to allow the new agent or the experienced professional a way to speak to the public so they can attract clients and build an online business.
2:46pm • #121
339,497 Points 16 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

I've been pondering this since I first read your post. When I originally joined AR back in July of 2006 it was a small town with just one lane of traffic. First suggested by a colleague in my group (the CyberStars(r)), it sounded interesting, if a little odd. Blogging for points? What a concept? But the guys at AR understood us and what would motivate us to populate this little corner of the blogosphere.

I met fascinating people along the way and they became cyber friends. This place became a downright addiction for me back then. I had to pry myself away from the computer to function in the real world and to get the occasional night's sleep. Ultimately I wound up taking a sabbatical, albeit a longer one than originally planned, and when I came back, the place was unrecognizable. My old buddies seemed to be among the missing and a whole new generation of rainers were leading the pack. It's been fun playing catch-up, even though I no longer know all the rules and certainly have no handle on all the players.

So, back to the question at hand. What is ActiveRain? To me it's a place where the hierarchy has an innate ability to tap into what its constituency wants and deliver it in full measure. It started out as the little engine that thought it could, and it's become a force to be reckoned with. It delivers the currency of the kingdom by way of staggering numbers of points, it delivers Google juice and easy access to our consumers, and friendships . . . and education, and old fashioned caring. And just when we think we know what it is, it metamorphizes into something else, all the while carrying its citizenry along on a happy tidal wave.
5:21pm • #122
644,526 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Jon,

Activerain is all the people up above who contribute so much to our industry. Thank-you for the insight to allow this to happen!
9:23pm • #123
AUG
30
2009
306,520 Points 9 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Active Rain is a place that I can go to share ideas with some of the best minds in Real Estate.  The sharing of ideas is unbelievable.
12:17am • #124
406,245 Points 25 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master
Jon, AR had afforded me over $1M in sales this year. Without contacts here, I wouldn't have had the referral network that you afford. This is through conversation.. The "referral network" here though needs work.... I think the issue is that members don't know how to use the referral network. This could be a great mechanism...however, it is very confusing..No one understands this...and no one that goes to that site knows whether they want a buyer or a seller, or if the person posting has a buyer or a seller...JMHO...it is not being utilized or understood as well as it could be.
8:05pm • #125
OCT
05
2009
842,598 Points 85 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Dude....let's not forget the 47 referrals that I've received since joining AR.  That is testimony enough as to it's power!
9:02am • #126
APR
23
2011
Attended Rain Camp

It is amazing... I have joined AR lately and even if I do not know everything about it, I do beleive that it is going to give me a lot to increase my business and myself in terms of being a better professional
12:55pm • #127

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