ActiveRain Success Stories - What Your Blog CAN Do For You

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ActiveRain Success Stories - What Your Blog CAN Do For You

ActiveRain Success Stories - What Your Blog CAN Do For You

Today I was talking on the phone with a New ActiveRain member ready to become a RainMaker, but wanted to know some of the successes and benefits that other members here had experienced from being here. I shared the "Success Stories" link located on the AR Homepage. Then, as I started looking for some Blog posts to share with her, I discovered that there are literally hundreds, even thousands of these success stories scattered all through-out the community.

After spending a couple hours scouring the network, I was able to come up with some really good examples of how other members are using AR to promote their business, connect with others, generate referrals, capitalize on our SEO, get picked up by the news media, grow their business, and in many cases, make hundreds of thousands of dollars just from their ActiveRain Blogs.

I joined ActiveRain, and here's what happened...

"I have roughly $2 million in contracts and potential business at the moment which is exclusively from people who found my AR posts" - Jason Crouch

"I just received my 43 referral from the rain" - Larry Bettag

"ActiveRain has put over $122,000 into my pocket, spread over 17 different buyers and sellers" - Donna Harris

"ActiveRain Does Not Rain! It Pours! $1,300,000 Closing Because of the Power of Active Rain!" - Katerina Gasset

"Just in the last 2 months, I have closed on 6 transactions just from blogging" - Jeff Belonger

"I have already placed three homes on the market, in the last 30 days, that were direct results of ActiveRain..." - Bryant Tutas

"At this point I am reaping the rewards of ActiveRain. Thank you Active Rain, it does work!" - Tinker Hulse

"What's Better than a Referral Form from ActiveRain?" - Kathleen "Kate" Elim

"Active Rain has put me on the map. I receive at least THREE calls each week.."." - Donald Bradbury

"This is a testimony to how ActiveRain has impacted our Business" - Mariana Wagner

"NBC picked up my blog... How do I EVEN BEGIN to thank ActiveRain" - Craig Schiller

"How Blogging Put Me On the Evening News" - Janet Guilbault

"I have been contemplating my "Rainmaker" status for a month or two" - Will Goodson

"So does blogging on Activerain bring business?" ***YES, YES, YES!"* *- Missy Caulk***

***"Brad Andersohn and Bob Stewart may actually know what they're talking about"* *- Suesan Jenifer Therriault***

There are so many great stories and testimonials from our members. It seems as though a new success story or "Victory" post goes up nearly everyday. These stories and testimonials should be persuasive enough to get you following successful members, subscribing to their Blogs, witnessing their successes, and following in their footsteps as rainmakers to create and build your own success stories here.

If you have a success story you've written about, we'd love for you to share it. Just leave me a link to your post. Hearing what other members have done here is great, but experiencing these successes for yourself is the REAL convincing factor, and WILL BE your motivation to Blog. YOUR unique stories will be YOUR greatest reward. Reading these, and seeing how and what these members did will hopefully help confirm your decision to be here as a successful RainMaker in YOUR area and community.

Here's to your success and the rewards you obtain from your efforts here in the "rain!" :-)

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"May this blog be just one more planted seed of wisdom that helps you or your business blossom today!"

Posted by Brad Andersohn on 09/11/2009 03:38 PM

Comments (92)

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Originally posted at: ActiveRain - The Official ActiveBlog: ActiveRain Success Stories - What Your Blog CAN Do For You

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92 Comments on ActiveRain Success Stories - What Your Blog CAN Do For You

SEP

2009

Brad, can't wait to get started and share my success story soon.

Great stories to share!

Liz - anxiously awaiting to hear all about it!!! :-)

Greg - I know you have quite a few of your own, sorry I missed them in my search.

Leave a link here to those you don't mind sharing. :-)

I am having very BIG success with ActiveRain

Well this should get those "thinking" about being a rainmaker off the fence.

My thoughts are this:

If you're going to blog, then blog to the consumers, which are on Google.

Congrat's to all the people above who have proved AR brings you success in business.

Brad

I sincerely mean no disrespect, but how can any of us contact you? Only once have I been able to get a return responce after leaving a request under contact us. On a few other occasions, my requests have never been responded to.

Again, I really appreciate what Active Rain offers me, but your post and fact that you actually were speaking to someone surprised me. When I go to the contact section of AR, it only allows me to fill in some info, then send.

Appreciate your feedback.

I think I wrote a couple along the way...gotta go look for em...but since then I attribute many more!

P.S. AR also gave me MANY friends too!

Brad,

Thank you for this post and your last. I feel re-charged and excited to write some really good stuff !

TX :-)

Brad

Wow!!!! Talk about being impressed.

I sent my responce, and in less than a minute Brad was on the phone to me.

Brad, you were a sincere gentleman.

Fellow AR Members..........I stand Corrected!

Have fun fishing Brad.

Brad..I have always been at the top of google,but now I soar..ActiveRain ROCKS

HELPFULHANNAH

ActiveRain has been a huge contributor to my business! Not only have I met some truly wonderful people here in the Rain, I've grown my referral base quicker in the past year than in all my years in the business combined.

Here's one success story for you...

Are Kidney Stones a Bad Thing? Take This Quiz To Find Out!

The power of the Rain is undeniable!

Brad,

Having just hit 5 months as an AR member - with my Outside Blog from the start, I don't yet have any paychecks to report. I am getting calls and lining up appointments from folks who found me through my blog. IMHO, AR participation is yielding results faster and cheaper than any other marketing mechanism. Plus, I'm learning daily and making friends all over.

Local Posts on Sussex County NJ Lake Communities - A Lovely Payoff

Brad... some great success stories that you have listed. I feel honored that you chose one of mine. That one was when I was only 14 months new on Active Rain, so you did some searching. I guess that is a good one because I even stated when I first joined. Here is a great one, because it shows even more success 2 1/2 years later. 2 1/2 years later on Active Rain & my success stories. I wanted to point this one out, because it can show new members that the more you hang around Active Rain, the more effort you put into blogging, that success will follow. Again, great job here and thanks. jeff

jeff belonger

Brad-I can point to one blog post for two listings and more neighborhood posts that have scored me buyers, sellers and press calls. Letting out our "trade secrets" becomes more difficult as the competitors watch to see what we are up to and try to mimic our success!

Brad-

One of my recent posts here on AR, a story about my recent social media successes and the snowballing effect I've experienced, turned into a success story in and of itself! Many people have contacted me and expressed interest in our platform after reading it.

The Social Media Snowball That Changed My Life

Thanks for featuring it last Friday. Have a great weekend!

Thanks for the encouragement Brad. I can't wait to post my success story.

Brad, thank you for sharing these. I'm looking forward to sharing when I have a success story from AR, which I know is only a matter of time once I start blogging more regularly on here!

Brad:

AR has been a great source of leads for me. The most recent addition came from a market report on adjacent community. She called to see if I did business in the area she was interested in moving to.

Hi Brad. Awesome incentive!

Missy - you're a pro! Well put.

Wayne - Glad we spoke, thanks for the kudos and quick response... whew! :-)))

Sally - are you kidding me? You have so "many" here. I thought I'd let you pick your own to share here.
(I didn't know which one to select)

Angela - that's awesome. If that were all this post did for today, then I can go fishin and have a great weekend!
You do the same. :-)

Hannah - there's definitely a method to the madness eh? Good madness that is...

Craig - this is a success story in your comment.
"I've grown my referral base quicker in the past year than in all my years in the business combined."
WOW! Congrats my friend, guess I'm preaching to the choir in your case. lol~ Now I'm off to read and take your kidney stone quiz...

Irene - Calls and appts are a HUGE success!!! "Calls and lining up appointments" is all just part of it, they will turn into checks, I have no doubt. Now is the time for planting and watering seeds "in the rain"; parts of the harvest are here now, but the BEST is yet to come.

Jeff - it's always been good to know that you and others from the mortgage industry have done so well here. Hind site says I probably should have looked for a post from each of the 20 something categories here, and then linked to one of each. Guess I got too excited and rushed to post this, you know how it goes... great post BTW.

Cindy - Buyers, Sellers, and Press Calls? point me to the post, there's no need to worry about the sharing of info here, that's for sure. (well maybe not your best kept secrets...wink wink) The bright side is that by sharing success opportunities, we get them in return, and from all over the Country. What I admire most about the members of this network is just how willing they are to support and share with each other, you included. :-) The activerain roots grow really deep here.

Ian - A feature worthy post fore sure. Thanks and Congrats!!

Sybil - Read Marney's comment just below yours, your comments were only 8 mins. apart. Both of you looking forward to posting your success stories, and you will, because Marney hit the nail on the head. "I know is only a matter of time once I start blogging more regularly on here! You're 100% right Marney.

Hi Brad,

I am an active blogger on AR, but haven't had any success stories as yet. I suspect part of the reason is being in a small market. My name is well known in my community and I promote my AR blog on Twitter, but I think many people here aren't as active in social networks yet.

So glad to hear so many have had great success! I'm waiting in the wings -- and blogging away!

Brad - I started a new business from Activerain! I met my webinar business partner, Bryant Tutas, and have been teaching online classes in short sales and more... This opportunity would have never arisen had I not joined Activerain about one and a half years ago and met Bryant. You can read about the start of it all in my post "All Things Are Difficult Before They are Easy". This venture has expanded my knowledge and confidence, opened my eyes to more potential. Our webinar series, "Short Sale Basics" has awesome feedback from students. We have also developed a new website, www.ShortSaleSuperstars.com It's is a place for highly specialized short sale information, and already has almost 200 members! This all happened in the last three months! More exciting news will surely follow, and it would not have happened if not for Activerain!

Brad, Thanks for bringing these stories together in one place. It's always good to get a boost by reading about the success of others here in the rain. It gives us something to strive for. :)

Chanda panda

Bob - the "Force" is with you! :-)) Sorry... couldn't resist..

Marcy - it's the quiet before the perfect "Rain" storm! The planting before the bloom. Successes and rewards here can and will come from a multitude of opportunities and unknown sources, many business, some personal.

There's a great example just below your comment from Wendy Rulnick. (Thanks Wendy, that's a post in and of itself...)

The community that knows your name so well is coming from your blogging and personal contact I assume. It's the same here. Keep blogging transparently with great content, and you won't be waiting in the wings too long.

Waiting for it to rain on me!

Heather - It will happen for you, but you can't wait for it to rain, you must be the "rainmaker!" :-)

Rain Rain Dont Go Away! :)

Thanks for the shout-out, Brad. I have tons of AR stories... had another listing appt this afternoon from someone contacting me because someone else on AR didn't return their call or email.

Hey, Brad - It's a good thing you got one home inspector in there! LOL

I'll add to the lore:

I have received 17 referrals directly from Realtors and Mortgage Lenders at ActiveRain, 11 from San Diego County and 6 from Washington, Virginia, Texas, and D.C. Those 17 inspections total just over $6,000.
I have had 29 Clients find me "at ActiveRain." Those 29 inspections total just over $11,000.

So if you wanted to charge me a couple of dollars each month for my membership here, that would be okay -- LOL.

Without those inspections, I would not have been able to buy my new Canon Rebel XSi digital SLR camera. Well, maybe I would have, but since I use it to take pictures to put on my blog at ActiveRain, I consider it "my ActiveRain camera."

I live at the San Diego Zoo. Come see me during the NAR Convention in November.

I have not had as much success from blogging as the others..(I am a work in progress though) but Active Rain has benefited my business from the relationships that I have created... :)

Hi Brad ~ I find it amazing that the person you were talking to on the phone needed to know about the benefits of being on the Rain. Just like I found it amazing yesterday that a young man needed a month or two to decide to become a Rainmaker...For me it's a no-brainer...Everywhere you look on this site there are success stories to be found. I only signed up with AR at the end of July, so I'm not one of them - YET - but I will be. I know the power of blogging and I know the power of AR. If you are not a Rainmaker on AR, then my question is, why not?? What are you waiting for?

Denise

This is very timely for me. I have a post in draft form since the 9th about the very subject. I just needed a little more time to fine tune it and add graphics. I'll link it here when it's finished.

Mrs. Rainmaker here (see blog below) just landed 4 new customers via Active Rain amounting in requests in excess of $15M in requested property here in Broward county through blogging here on active rain. I've closed $1.6M so far from referrals through AR.

Brad... if you did that, that would have been a full time project just for one day. ;o) Besides, I saw your pretty face on my blog log and said... gee, this has been a first for a long time. Wondering what Brad is looking for or up to. ;o) Have a great weekend... and hopefully next time we meet, not only hoping that you aren't sick, but that we can spend some time... have a drink.

jeff belonger

Looks like AR is becoming THE PLACE consumers come to choose their real estate representations. Good job guys! (I mean the members.)

Holy Cow, ActiveRain Really Works!

Hi Brad, how about two Therriault's instead of one. I was lucky enough to get my first featured post after writing this one. More importantly is the fact that my phone is still ringing this morning. I did another quote today, the homeowner found my website and my AR blog. Active Rain has been great for my business.

Brad,

Thanks for the reminder. I do have a success story now. I just have to write it up.

Brian

Hi Brad, I have been on AR for less than a year, and I thoroughly enjoy the experience. I have seen an increase of buyer contacts in the past few months. So, I would say: consistency is key to success!

If anybody from the metro Detroit area reads this ...... it really doesn't work, blogging is just a waste of time. It works everywhere but the metro detroit area for some reason (cross my fingers)

Brad - Here's my contribution to the sucess stories from Active Rain.

Thank You Active Rain! My First Listing From Blogging!

In addition to this listing, I've also gotten 3 short sale listings, a condo listing that I can attribute directly to blogging on Active Rain.

Becoming a RainMaker and blogging consistently will have you "Singing In The Rain."

Thanks for sharing the links. It's good to see a sampling of results from different members.

Howdy there Brad

A lot of our members here in the community, sure have been found by folks. From their blogging to the folks in their communitys. So it sure is highly importent for each and every member to become a RainMaker in the community, so their info can get out to folks in their area.

Baker Home Inspection and Consulting AR Signature

Brad: Why isn't my testimonial in there? I've garnered over 55 clients from AR and I've bragged about it on numerous occasions.

AR is not only the best Real Estate training around (Street Real Estate as I like to call it), the most supportive network of peers, but it is also the best source of leads I know of.

This month marks my two year anniversary with Active Rain. I thank you and the rest of the AR team for making this such an amazing community! Many kudos to you and Bob and the rest of this wonderful team of extraordinary people.

I love you guys!

Hi Brad -- It's impossible to argue with success and results, plain and simple.

@Donna - lol~ @Mirela - your comment seems to be testimonial enough! 55? That's awesome. :-)

My business has grown tremendously since I've been on AR. It has driven my website to the front page of Google from somewhere in oblivion, and I'm receiving calls and doing business based on particular posts which people ask about.

Hey Brad,

Great job, this one is a winner even for some of us "ole-timers". I've missed so many of these myself, thanks for the heads up!

As always, my best to you and your family!

My son just invited his whole office in Gettysburg, PA! He is now David Monsour-Rainmaker...after his mother Karen Monsour-Rainmaker...a/k/a Mrs. Rainmaker...see my blog if you would like...just search for Mrs. Rainmaker...you'll understand.

Brad, thanks for posting the success stories on one page. Can't wait to read through them.

You know I'm not sure I can begin to share all the successes I've created since I got serious and understood the value Active Rain brings to my business and company.( it's a bit late on Friday after a very busy week) Direct sales/closing are about 5 or 6 so far AND beyond that the relationships and knowledge I've gained since early this year - is beyond my imagination. I am so onboard - my sails are up and the wind is flowing!

Thanks to all who have assisted me in my journey - I appreciate you all :)

BRad - you have to wonder how much more convincing does someone need? You have just touched on a few of the MANY success stories here. I always enjoy reading them myself as a source of inspiration...as if I really need it.

Jeff

Brad... These are great examples of the power in the rain. I will mark this post to use when talking to others.

I've just started blogging!! This inspires me to do more. Thanks for sharing.

SEP

2009

Brad - Now I have a great answer for the inevitable question at every Active Rain workshop... Is anybody making money off of this? I'll simply direct them to this post...

Thanks!

Brad ~ I never get tired of reading posts about a members success here on ActiveRain!

I appreciate the success stories. I have been blogging for over a year with no direct success story to tell yet, but I am keeping the faith. Besides, I enjoy the creativity of posting on my blog

Brad: I started using AR as a novelty and a place to get good info about real estate. .now it is a huge part of my business model. . example: we have a new buyers agent starting this week and one of her daily chores is to write a post about a community w/ a market report for one subdivision each day. This will ensure her a steady flow of leads by years end.

Hi Brad,

I always love to hear other people express their joy and success. Active Rain will pay off for anyone who puts the effort into it. I wish I was able to devote more time myself. Thank you for your encouragement.

Great reference to success on Active Rain! Thanks for sharing, I look forward to reading through them and sharing them with new agents in our area.

Sincerely,

Kathleen

Unless you published a book, it would be impossible to list all of the success stories. Maybe they should all be contributed under a success stories tab on the left. I think they can get so embedded in the different groups. This would keep the sound turned up on SUCCESS AT ACTIVE RAIN...keep the thunder rolling & give it the upfront appearance it deserves :-) I appreciate you and all you do to make ARain the unique & wonderful place it is in the professional world.

Here's the promised link to my post. I finally had a chance to finish it.

http://activerain.com/blogsview/1231937/hi-i-found-you-on-active-rain

Not to sound all mushy and such, but Active Rain has truly changed my life and the way I do business.

Tina in Virginia

Hi Brad, Very inspirational blog! AR is a wonderful place to be. lots of knowledge, and friends. mabe the $$$ will come later.. thanks for sharing!

I have had no success getting any clients from AR. Not yet, anyway. I have been blogging here for almost 3 years. I did have one contact about 3 months after I started blogging, but that is it. I hope to share some success stories soon!

I have not had the kind of success noted above, but it is bringing me business and web traffic. A lot of it is hard to measure.

AR has brought me referrals, internet presence and I have business as a result of it. Also, made some great friends along the way!

Brad - Thanks for including my quote here! I hope you have a stellar weekend.

Brad - My outside blog has been producing a lot of leads, which I've been referring out to other agents since I'm so busy. AR is a great lead source.

I'm waiting for the rain to come as well, but I'm optimistic is will happen.

Staying positive.

Patricia Aulson/portsmouth nh homes

Blog-N-Roll Brad...

I can't share my success story. It's a secret :)

TLW...ROAR!

I have had a couple of things but really waiting for it to take off like some of those fab testimonials.

Okay...

What did you do to the sidebar? I had all your cookies blocked :)

TLW...ROAR!

The bottom line is that true real estate professionals support and refer to each other. That's how we keep our profession elevated. Congrats to all!

Brad,

Those success stories are just a tip of the iceberg. But they should convince newbies what a strong performer AR is, so long as they put in the time and effort.

Brad...these links are awesome. Thanks for sharing!

I don't have a positive success story to tell yet, but I know I will soon. I can't wait to link you to it. Wish me luck.

Have I Told You That I Love You Lately?

Okay, not JUST you Brad, but that goes out to you and the numerous members (and staff) of this great community. There have been so many outstanding posts that it is impossible to recognize everyone and thank them personally. It is without a doubt that Active Rain is responsible for providing me with the exposure I need to expand my business.

I hope I can somehow help contribute to the future growth of this community for many years to come. Thank you so many times over.

I must admit that I haven't mastered the art of blogging for business. I am ever hopeful that will change but, in the meantime, I am thrilled beyond measure at the knowledge and support I have gained from Active Rain (and YOU, Mr. Andersohn with an "h")!

Brad, What a bunch of wonderful success stories. I can't wait until I can share mine!

SEP

2009

I've heard read many great success stories from AR members. I could not be more proud to be a part of such a great group.

-->"I don't have time to Blog and go around leaving comments on people's posts!"

I believe you should award yourself a gazillion points for that remark. If I could do it for you, I would :)

TLW...ROAR!

SEP

2009

Last month I closed a $900,000 cash deal with an out-of-state Buyer who found me through my ActiveRain Blog.

Now that's a Success Story!

On a lighter note, I'm being called on a weekly basis by customers looking for the new Pavillions Market ..... simply because I blogged about it and my post landed up on the first page of Google :)

Stewart - that is a phenomenal success story. Thanks for sharing it here on this post. I have been sending and will continue to send this post to new or hesitant members wanting to know what an AR Blog and Rainmaker membership can do for them. Stories like yours and all the others here make it a "no brainer" if you're ready and willing to work the AR network and Blogging platform. Thanks again my friend. :-)

Thanks to you Brad, and the team at ActiveRain.

You guys are GREAT!

Thanks Stewart, we're nothing without our members like yourself. There are Great days and paths ahead for sure... :-)

SEP

2009

Any of these folks look familar? These are ActiveRain's founding members, and most are still going strong today. Blogging is not just a sprint to the win, it's a marathon to the "victory!" Thank you to the members below for believing in themselves first, and then for believing in ActiveRain. They helped create, build, and set the standards for a network that we all get to enjoy today. Congrats and kudos!!

Whaaaaaaaaaaaa...

I didn't make the cut. Hell Brad if it weren't for me this place would have become just another "icky" Real Estate Site. I fought the battle that allows us to have fun in the Rain :)

If you can't call me a founding member can I have more points just for being me and standing up for all that is right :)

TLW...ROAR!

SEP

2009

No kidding TLW...you have been a driving force....how dare you BRAD! :)

Anyway, here's my link....and it's full of other stuff from along the way as well :)

What ActiveRain Has Done For Me...and Can Do For You!

TLW - My bad, if you scroll down the page, your pretty mug is on there... :-)))

Sally - thanks for adding your link, I'm off to check it out as soon as I finish my next post and announcement.

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Brad Andersohn

Fairfield, CA

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