By Rich Schiffer, Weichert Realtors 

I have recently received an official invitation to join the "The Activerain Bronze Star Hall of Fame."

I have proudly accepted that invitation.

I would like to take this opportunity to share with you a bit about how I achieved this milestone.

I joined the Active Rain Real Estate Network back in October.  Active Rain had about 5000 members back then.  Now there are over 34,000 members.  (If you are reading this, and are not a member of the Active Rain Real Estate Network, I suggest you become one today.  It is a great way to grow your business, reach the internet-driven consumer, and network with other real estate professionals.)

In March, I reached what I considered my first milestone.  I was one of the top featured members in Pennsylvania for a while.  At that point, I wrote a piece about how I got there, to serve as a bit of a road map for some of the rapidly expanding membership.

In what seems like a very short time -- only about 3 months -- I have achieved much more.  My business is growing.  I now actually have an "internet presence."  I was even mentioned in REALTOR Magazine because of my blogging and networking.  For a while, I have been getting about one lead a week generated by my blogs here on Active Rain.  For this, I am grateful.

To the members who have helped me along the way, I want to say thank you for your guidance, your helpful comments, and your exemplary blogs.  If I have achieved any degree of success it is because I have emulated the successful professionals I am surrounded by.

To the members who have recently joined, and are wondering how to go about improving your profile's rank or your point score, let me give you a few pointers, in no particular order of importance.

• Forget about points.  There are any number of reasons to write blog posts that far exceed the value of profile points.  Write resources for your clients and prospects.  Remember that every posted blog and piece of email is a potential marketing piece.  Market your services in everything that you wirte, regardless of the points.
• Comment, comment, comment.  By posting creative, thoughtful comments in the blogs that you read, you will attract those authors to check out your blogs, and likewise leave constructive comments in yours.
• Read, read, read. -- there is a virtual conucopia of quality posts out there.  Search the groups for topics that might interest you, and read some of the many helpful tips you will find in the blogs.
• Write, proofread, and post.  To have your work read, make sure that your blog gets the right exposure.  Be sure to check the spelling too!

To the creators of Active Rain, I would like to say a special thank you:  Despite my occasional long-windedness, you have continued to be etrememly responsive and dynamic -- always adding new features and providing the latest technology for reaching today's Internet-driven Real Estate consumer.

Lastly, as I accept membership in The Activerain Bronze Star Hall of Fame let me conclude by saying that although this "Award" is something to be proud of, it is nothing compared to the wealth of knowledge I have gained along the way.   It is for this reason I say, "The climb is worth more than the view."