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Active Rain - What's it good for?

I just received my September issue of Realtor Magazine. The cover of the magazine states... Connections Made. Now What? 6 Realities of Doing Business on the Social Web. On the front cover are Facebook, Linked In and Twitter. It caught my attention so I jumped to page 18. I briefly scanned over the article and then noticed this sidebar. Sites you need to know. Facebook, Twittter, Linked In - The usual suspects, then Active Rain. Here is a link to the online version of the sidebar. You can also view the complete article here. The article is well written, read it here.

Back to my original point!

From the article...

What's ActiveRain? A free social network and marketing platform for real estate professionals.

What's it good for? Building relationships within the industry. Getting search-engine optimization through a profile and blogging platform.

What's it good for? For me, I have built some great relationships in the industry. When I'm looking to give an out of area referral, I look online. Ask Ken from Staten Island. I had a lead and needed someone in his area, I checked out his profile, watched his you tube video and called him. You should as well if you are looking for someone in his area.

Active Rain kept me up late at night in the beginning (it still does). I spent many, many hours reading other peoples blogs until finally I got the courage to right my first one. Read it here.

When I joined Active Rain in October of 2006, there were about 10,000 members. Many people in my area had never heard of it. I have enjoyed getting to know people without knowing them. In November of 2008, Dawn and I went to the National Association of Realtors in Orlando. We were walking by Nestor and Katerina Gassett, they were our first Active Rain contacts in person. They invited us to sit at their table and it was like we were old friends. I was having a challenge with one of my files and Nestor opened up his day planner and gave me the direct line of the supervisor of the person who was giving me a hard time. A stranger would never do that for you. I had been reading their blog for over a year and knew all about them. We went to Active Rain parties and realized that we knew a whole bunch of people.

In June, we visited Las Vegas and of course I had to look up Renee Burrows. If you don't subscribe to her blog, you should. Sal Poliandro and Renee Burrows in Las Vegas Here is a picture Dawn took when I met Renee.

Now that I have started to think about it, we really have connected with some great Realtors around the country. I can't forget my first two New Jersey Active Rainers Leander McClain and Jim Albano.

By the way... Did I mention that I have closed at least 15 transactions from the general public who has contacted me through Active Rain?!

Active Rain is more than just a place to network. Meeting fellow Realtors and new families who need our Real Estate help is priceless.

Get Educated. Get Empowered.

For more information on this or any other topic, call Sal Poliandro, Broker Associate, Realtor, Marketing Advisor,

Short Sale Specialist and CDPE, Certified Distressed Property Expert

ePRO, SRES at 201-259-2187, visit our websites: www.SalAndDawn.com or shortsaleguy.org

Follow me on Twitter: @salanddawn

Sal can be reached by snail mail at RE/MAX Properties 73 East Allendale Road Saddle River, NJ 07458

Posted by Bergen County Realtor, Sal Poliandro, CDPE, SRES, ePRO, Short Sale Specialist on 08/22/2009 11:39 PM

Comments (86)

Social Media in the ActiveRain Channel

active bob, nestor and katerina gassett, renee burrows, sal poliandro, kenneth cole, leander mcclain, jim albano

Post is included in group: We Love North Jersey
Post is included in group: RE/MAX Active Rain Bloggers
Post is included in group: Most Active ActiveRain Blogging Agents

86 Comments on Active Rain - What's it good for?

AUG

Sal- Active Rain is by far my favorite place on line and for our biz too!

Dude that picture makes me look like I have a gap in my teeth or something ;)

It was awesome hanging at TGIFridays with ya and bumping ideas around! Thanks for the mention!

Sal. I am really still sort of new to Active Rain. I didn't want to post a blog because I didn't figure I had much of value to add. But since I got the courage to post my first blog I have posted a lot more. I love it. I like getting responses from others and I love that I am now going through the other posts out here and having the opportunity to connect with fellow agents all across the country. I especially like blogs like this one. I am trying to show agents in our office, agents in other companies and people in related fields this is genuinely with their time. Posts like this should help me do just that. Thanks!

Katerina and Nestor - Agreed. It really was cool that first time we met at the beginning of the NAR conference in Orlando.

Renee - No gap that I could see. My blackberry is cool to take pics, but the quality isn't that great. We'll have to see what the peeps think. It was hot that day!

Bob - Did you used to broadcast Mets games in NY? You have a great name. I posted a link to my first blog because it was not my best work but it was from the heart. Never mind, I'm not a great writer, everything I write is from the heart. It takes courage to let people really get to know you. Good job on getting involved. Subscribe to the two ladies who commented above you and you will not be disappointed. They both are so smart!

AUG

That's really cool that you've been able to meet fellow ActiveRainers. It is a great place to connect and share ideas.

active rain has energized me.. i like all the networking and the creativity and the knowledge and the gentle nudge to think about your business and how you market and it all gives me a boost! the people are really great and FUNNY and smart! the tech tips are priceless

Sal, I have notice a lot of the original bloggers are missing from AR and it seems that facebook, Linked In etc... have captures some but as you pointed out, it is still actually better over here at AR.

I agree, ActiveRain is more than "just" a social networking site for Real Estate professionals. The knowledge being shared on making me and my business better is awesome.

Sal, I have been on for a few months now and am learning and sharing things daily. AR is treuly an inspiration and I look forward to being inspired for years to come.

Sal, great summary from the magazine and focus on the benefits of Active Rain. There is just so much to learn.

As a mortgage broker in California, since my business model is to attract buyers and refer them to Realtors, I look to Realtors who are active in AR. That's what Active Rain is good for - we can help each other make more money! Thanks Sal - good post!

I bet the NAR won't publish my post allowing that over 55K of my income last year was derived directly from Active Rain (this did not account for sales derived from addtional SEO to my website).

Congratulations on your success with Active Rain!

What a cool post this was to read. It doesn't look like Renee has a gap in her teeth either.

Good post! I think that AR is a necessary part of the successful real estate agent's marketing arsenal. I teach MCE classes on internet marketing and spend a great deal of time plugging AR. I find myself citing examples of online marketing that works and saying the words, "I read in a blog on Active Rain..."

Jeani

Sal,

You point out a very good opportunity to network.

I do have a whole host of clients who really would like to buy something for the winter months. Right now, we are just waiting for the right time.

But, my friends on Active Rain will be the people I will call.

Brian

Sounds like you have had some real success with AR! I hope to have that someday! Congrats!

What's AR good for? How about allowing business to get far outside the walls of the office. How about connecting with other amazing people on AR? How about learning and sharing what you know. And how about generating business. Yeah, I'd say it's pretty good for something!

And your post didn't even touch on the Google juice you can get from your business if you blog regularly. I have dedicated myself to making the 10 posts per week, often 2 per day, and my leads have quadrupled.

Sal, I enjoy the blogging and though mine may not be in the top charts...I still enjoy it! I look forward to the day when I can say the same about generating business from AR....I know it will come.

Hi Sal -- The word "education" you used cannot be emphasized enough in this ever fast changing world. Keeping up with the HVCC and the impact, how it's structured, what it can mean to a transaction, I learned on here. In fact, when I spoke with a few loan officers I know, when it first came out, I knew more than they did about it and solely because of AR.

You're right. I've been following for awhile and just became a member and am amazed of the wealth of open information and opportunities to "meet" people. We use to live in Ridgewood right by the duck pond for about 10 years. Now we're in West Orange. I look forward to "seeing" you around.

Hi Sal- Thanks for the blog. It's helping to kick me in the rear to come up with some more content!

Richard

Active Rain is such an awesome place to network, learn, get business leads - and have a whole lot of fun! Love it!

Thanks for the great post. I had a similar meeting of AR people a few weeks ago. I was introduced to Jeff Dowler in San Diego at the race track. Immediately my mind was racing... "Wait, I know that name... AR... ah he's the guy from Encinitas" It was really nice to get to meet AR people in person. I also met William Johnson and Brian Brady, whom I hadn't heard of, but now am paying attention to their posts.

Sal,

As a newbie to Active Rain and the real estate sales community, I found your blog informative and encouraging. I have been smitten with the Active Rain possibilities, and have invested some considerable time getting up to date on the opportunity. Your post helps, and I am thrilled because today I got my first referral from my work here. I am a believer.

Sal,

The day wasn't the only hot thing; let Renee know that nobody looked at her teeth! LOL.

What fun - I can't wait for my first AR meet.

Active Rain should be a part of every growing Realtor's diet. It's more nutritious than Wonder Bread.

Active Rain is an amazing tool in so many ways. I've had the opportunity to learn so much, get to know some great people, and make some money.

I wonder why they don't mention the Realtor.com blogs built on WordPress.com those are the blogs that Realtor.com introduced after they were negotiating to buy ActiveRain.

http://www.realtor.com/blogs/

ActiveRain is a lot better of course.

I heard some discouraging words "pooh poohing" ActiveRain at rebarcamp this week.

Sal and Dawn,

I am new as of yesterday and can already feel the great energy vibes from all the posts!

I have been "practicing" social media since March.. I mean a LOT and this is the best group I have run into and most organized for getting discussion going.

Active Rain.. Sal and Dwan... you rock!

I look forward to learning so much more...

I am still confused on adding associates and how that works? Is that like friends or followers?What are notifications? How come my picture does not show up? ( I think I need to pay for that one) so just learning the ropes. I know I have the $5.00 coupon.. so thanks i am covered on that end. Will go do some more reading for newbies...

Warm aloha,

Carra Riley CRB, CRS, GRI aka Cosmic Cow Pie

Sal- The coolest thing is that you recognized me and Nestor right away! I will never forget it, because you were the second person on Active Rain that we ever met in person. The first person was Brian Block when he came down here to visit his parents.

Hi Sal, I don't see a gap in Renee's teeth on my computer; just a pretty smile....

Since I am new to active rain, this article was very encouraging. I am looking forward to networking and building lasting relationships.

Sal - Active Rain is the fuel that keeps the fire burning for me to blog and interact with the most wonderful people in the world. I had the opportunity to meet 3 other AR members (C Tann-Starr and Dan & Sandra Cumming) a couple of months ago and it was a blast. You feel as if you've known them forever.

Sal - Active Rain is BY FAR my favorite real estate site to be on! It's truly great to be a part of such a great community - I have met so many great people - and have closed many transactions due to my blog (and I learned to blog here!) I will always keep coming back to AR!!!

Sal,

I am trying. I hope to have a success story soon.

Active Rain energizeds and motivates me every time I read it. I know many that are members of some of other social networks such as Facebook and Twitter, and have even joined Facebook. I do find Active Rain so much more useful for me though becuase of all of the knowledge that I am able to receive from sharing and reading experiences that we all have.

Thanks for a great post, and I hope to meet you.

Renee

Active Rain Myth #1... it is just read by industry insiders... Aside from the 2,000,000 consumer hits each month, that might be correct.

Sal- Congrats on the feature post, glad to know that people like you are enjoying life & connecting with others in the field, it's what makes life feel fuller!

I need more time to meet some real estate agents in person. I guess I need to travel to some of the conventions.

Sal - You've hit the nail right on the head! I love AR! I've invited many and few seem to get the message! It's crazy! Keep up the good work!

Nice summary Sal !

Good to see you and Dawn doing so well from blogging here in the rain !

Hoepfully we can get a deal going in our area soon !

Cheers !

Sheldon

Sal,

That is a great picture of you and Renee. It is so heartwarming to hear about all the friends that you have made here on ActiveRain. This is a great place to network and hangout with your pals in the Rain.

Sharon

Sal -- I loved your post. That is so cool to connect with other members. I am fairly new here, but have enjoyed reading and learning from others. The ActiveRain is powerful and extremely well run. I am convinced it is THE place to be to build business and your post confirms that.

Just looked at your profile and saw that I'm only about an hour away from you. I used to go to Paramus Mall all the time! Just came back from the Jersey shore! Love it down there.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts about AR - I love it here! For every 5 min I spend on facebook I spend at least 1 hr on AR. Ha!

Sal... Social networking can be great if one seeks out others to network with. There are just so many out there and of all, Active Rain is my favorite of all. I look forward to actully getting to meet many in person in the future !

I've actually met three Rainers so far and am looking forward to meeting more. Of course all of the awesome stuff that we learn here is priceless...AR is indeed worth all of the time and energy that we all put into it.

Sal,

ActiveRain is included with some pretty serious networks, but since it's strictly real estate-related it should've been included in the front cover, too. Maybe next time.

Sal ~ I love to read success stories. We all agree that AR works on so many different levels.

Looked at the link on Realtor.com too..."What's ActiveRain? A free social network and marketing platform for real estate professionals."

I find this a misleading statement, since AR is only free if you use it as a social network. It's not a free marketing platform. It really only works as a marketing platform if you upgrade to Rainmaker status.

All you have to HIGHLIGHT was the number #15. Enough said there. The doubters - well, we could say it until we are blue in the face. That's okay. That means more for those who do this for a living.

AUG

A free social network and marketing platform for real estate professionals? Just a reminder that Active Rain is no longer free if you want the public to access it.

I have learned more from Active Rain than any other sole source in many years. I also like getting the scoop for other agents on how their markets are performing from other areas of the county.

Sal - As I continue to work with agents in my area on social media awareness, I promote Active Rain to every single one of them. There is no better place on the net to read and learn from some of the best bloggers in Real Estate. Thanks for sharing your successes...

I enjoyed this immensely. I look forward to the day when I meet in person some of the great agents who are here on Activerain. I hope I don't get "star struck" and tongue tied when I meet you! Well, until I get un updated picture of me (showing the grey hair) you might not recognize me, but hopefully I'll recognize you!

Thanks everyone for your posts and comments and thank you Sal for sharing with us the true value of participating here in this community at AR.

Sal, Great summary of the article. I read it as well and found it to be extremely interesting. I'm still surprised how many agents in our area don't even know what AR is!! I guess we'll just leave them behind.

I am actively back on AR after I neglected it for a while, this is very inspirational and I am actively on Board again! Thanks for sharing

I started out on Active Rain a while back as a Home Stager having been in that business for many years. Then I got my Real Estate license and am now a REALTOR/Staging Specialist. As a long time stager - I mentored many on AR and now am getting help and advice from veteran agents on that aspect of my business. This is a great site with caring giving members.

Active Rain always comes up high on the search engines! It has been time well spent for me.

Great to hear about people's success here on AR. I'm new to AR, but learning alot.

Amazing results. I cannot say I have 15 leads due to Active Rain, but it is my favorite marketing tool.

Sal: What Active Rain has done for me is keep my head in the game. Where else can I read and write about the industry I'm in? This is the first place I head for up-to-the-minute news about what I love. Enough said. Thanks for the post!

Sal,

I am pretty new to Active Rain, but love checking out the new blogs every day. This has been a huge boost to my business in the past year and helps me keep up with new trends across the country. I love AR and recommend it to all my associates!

Ar is a great place to learn and meet new referral partners. You can meet folks that you can help and those that can help you.

Congrats on feature post! Pretty new to AR myself. Love it. thanks for sharing!

This network has really grown over the years and it's obvious to see why! Congrats on getting 15 closings through this network, wow!

Sal,

Thanks for reminding me to READ my REALTOR magazine! It's always full of great, up-to-date info. that makes being a REALTOR a true profession!

Great post!

Kathy Opatka

There have been a lot of benefits from being a part of this community. Thanks for sharing your post and best of luck on your future success.

I am still figuring out the whole active rain thing but in less than a month I have had two referrals from AR.

Wow...15 closings due to Active Rain...that is fantastic. Congrats and wishing you continued success :)

Sal, I agree that there is a LOT of value in AR! Not only in contacts and leads but information as well. I needed a new CRM and I came here to see what others had to say about the many choices we have. It was extremely helpful to me. So, great all around!
Trish Giassa
www.Homes-in-Crested-Butte.com

Sal, thanks for sharing. Doing business in a small, rural county of 13,500 people keeps me busy; I'm still waiting for my creative juices to start flowing into a blog, on AR of course!

I love learning things from the AR community. Great group, lots of fun and help as well.

Patricia Aulson

I love that people are so supportive of each other on AR. I have heard stories about offices where people don't help each other out or give them advice. Personally my office is amazing but it is always nice to talk to people from other places and see what they think about certain issues in our business.

Sal - first great post. Second, Active Rain is the absolute best for those in the Real Estate Profession to network and to get presence in your market through the power of the internet juice AR provides. I challenge anyone to find better bang for the buck.

Sal, thanks for the post and giving us all the opportunity to let the world know how much we appreciate Activerain, on so many levels - for the social and professional connections made, for all the learning available relative to the real estate industry and all the industries affiliated with it, and the benefit we all gain by participating relative to our web presence.

I subscribed to Renee, and look forward to more from you and her!

You get out of it what you put into it. Looks like you've got a lot.

AUG

Sal; Thanks for the promotion. Congratz on the feature. Ken

AUG

Congratulations Sal. Keep up the good work. It is great meeting new friends in different states.

I am just glad to have found Activerain. It has been a big source of inrfomation and entertainment.

Sal, it sounds like AR is really working for you. I am new, so look forward to learning more.

Active rain has worked for me, even though time has been limited in being "ACTIVE" due to time restraints, but I still have managed to benefit from it. I assume as we are more active, the more benefits you get with more points and referral activity ?

Is that really Renee? LOL Well it just goes to show you the fast paced thinking of our Realtor Mag - NOT.

OCT

I too love AR there is the true beginning of my blog, my link to realtors nationwide, inman, everything real estate. They are hands, no miles above our brokers. It came to me via my lenders support of the real estate show! Thanks to RESPRES. for this, my true map forward. So Grateful for all.

OCT

Hi Lynne,

Everybody loves RESPRES! Trying to get him to come to NJ and speak to us.

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