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I Know You From Activerain...

If I had a dollar for every time someone said to me "I know you from Activerain" at the Maryland Association of REALTORS Convention earlier this week, I could take my hubby out to dinner tonight! Okay, that's an exaggeration, unless we're talking McDonalds, but it did happen several times. I almost felt like a celebrity.

Ocean City Maryland
'Just got back from three days in Ocean City, Maryland, but I saw the Atlantic only briefly each morning through my hotel room window. My days were spent in windowless rooms at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center, where I attended several continuing ed classes. (And yes, I did attend the Capitol Title and MetLife Home Loans parties on Sunday night.)

It wasn't unusual for someone to tap me on the shoulder and say "Aren't you Margaret from Activerain?" One person sitting next to me said "I read all your blogs." And several people approached me on Monday, as I sat outside the Convention Center on a bench to absorb a few rays of sunshine during the lunch break. None of these people are among those I consider my "Activerain friends"... Activerainers with whom I often exchange comments, talk with on the phone, even get together with to exchange "how-to's" and ideas - although I did see some Activerain friends, as well.

You'll probably see me posting listings more often now that I realize so many other agents in my marketplace are following me on Activerain. What a great way to get additional exposure for my clients! Who knew... 'Guess it just goes to prove that you never know who is reading your posts, since only a small percentage of readers take the time to comment.

(This is my cue to say, "Click through now to read about a Crofton Condo at a Short-Sale Price without Short-Sale Hassles or Delays.")

Thanks for following me, and thanks for saying "Hi" at MAR. If you gave me your name, subscribing to your blog was one of the first things I did when I got home.

Posted by Margaret Woda, Maryland Real Estate on 09/18/2009 06:30 AM

Comments (77)

ActiveRain Networking in the Networking Channel

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77 Comments on I Know You From Activerain...

SEP

That will be very cool when that happens. I am looking forward to an AR get together as well. I will look for you. :)

Margaret, That is good news for all of us. From time to time I have had someone tell me that they saw a post on the blog. It is amazing to me as well. I guess I need to be more aware of this point. Congrats on the recognition and your right this is great news for our clients in the form of addition exposure.

Margaret, I missed MAR this year (too busy with listings) but you are right, this is a great venue to showplace your listings and get added exposure. And, it's not just to other agents either, post them to localism too. Good luck and keep blogging.

Margaret- How cool is that! This is such a wonderful place, AR. You're right, you never know who is reading!

AH! This is an great example of networking at it's best. Folks are following you and you don't even know how popular you are.

You're a "stealth" celeb.

Marcia, I did think it was a shame to not have some kind of unofficial Activerain gathering... Now that I realize so many Activerainers are attending MAR, maybe I'll try to organize something for next year.

Frank - It IS good... I had no idea!

June - Congrats on being "too busy" AND for staying home to take care of them. I don't have too many listings, although I am very busy, but I just had to get away. 'Do wish I'd seen more of the beach, however. My hotel room didn't even have a balcony.

Lenn - I looked for you... You would have been the real celebrity! Why don't we think about planning something for next year?

Margaret,

June is right about localism ~ post your listings and write about the community. It is amazig the clients it will reach!

Margaret-you are a definetly someone I'm glad to have meet on Active Rain. You've been an inspiration to me on localism posts and I always look forward to the energy you bring to our little meetings in Tysons Corner.

It's always nice to be acknowledged for your hard work. Good job!

Margaret, fantastic! Lenn summed it up well - networking at its best. I'm also always amazed at the other people who tell me that they've been reading my blog, following me on Active Rain or "stalking me on Facebook or Twitter."

Just this week I've had several friends and past clients tell me that they've been "stalking me." Never knew that so many were interested in my every move.

GOOD MORNING MARGARET! What a great feeling that must have been! Though it hasn't happened to me - it did happen to my husband the other day - he was talking with some folks and one of the guys said, "Hey is your wife Gabrielle?...I've read a bunch of her stuff on this "Rain" site!" You are right - you never know who is reading - and often, they never leave a comment! Enjoy your Friday -- Gabrielle

Margaret,

One more thing that I just thought... Active Rain really makes the real estate world and industry like "Cheers" -- Where Everybody Knows Your Name!

Margaret, way to go! What a great way to network among your peers. Celebrity status is good!

Margaret - I have been to a couple of trainings and seminars lately, and I am starting to recognize faces from Active Rain. In a way it's sorta cool, because you feel like you already know these people.

Margaret, it sounds like you had a great time and picked up some CE at the same time. Good for you! How cool to have your blog recognized. I'm waiting to have this happen to me!

Margaret, How great! It is so rewarding to receive confirmation. Congratulations BIG TIME! Kate

Margaret - This is awesome! I love when that happens. I was also recently surprised at how many of my friends and past clients are paying attention to my blog. It's a great feeling. As you indicated, it makes you feel like a celebrity, and that's a very good thing indeed. :)

Margaret..What a wonderful feeling..I for one love your blogs ..Keep them coming! Thanks

HELPFULHANNAH your friend in Philadelphia

AR pot luck supper...are you bring that killer green bean casserole you create? Networking, the groups you belong too help the connection that leads to business, sales, friendship and support.

It is amazing the reach this venue has. It does feel great to be a star in your universe. Congratulations! Did you have to sign autographs? :-)

Margaret -

It's one thing for people to recognize you - it's another for them to actually make the acknowledgement in person. Good for them - good for you.

AR takes networking to another level. I think a lot of people are "watching" both inside and outside of real estate... and it is a great opportunity to gain exposure for your clients, yourself and the communities you serve. Hope you enjoyed the convention.

Margaret - What a great story! I love hearing stories like this. So far, I haven't heard that one - yet. However, I do get a kick out of some of my callers who tell me, "I saw your blog on the activerain website". That's nice to hear too. Have a good day Margaret and keep on blogging. :)

That's so cool, Margaret. Amazes you, doesn't it, when people mention that they're following you in the Rain. Like Donna, I haven't heard that yet, but I will...

Congrats on the additional exposure in your local area. Hopefully this will help your business grow even more.

Hi Margaret,

I know a lot of other agents read my blog, but they seem scared to get into it themselves. I have also helped a few agents get started in blogging, yeah they are my competition, but I'm all for a healthy competitve environment, it makes me work harder. :)

As the membership keeps increasing this is going to happen even more !!!!!

I have had similar experiences in training classes in other boards. Active Rain has been very good for me~

That's not really a surprise, is it... I mean you ARE a celebrity! :)

Margaret isn't this wonderful - I've been running into the same thing here in Phoenix. They say "Oh I know you - you're Anna Banana on Active Rain" It's like they know us already - which is pretty darn cool, et :) I am looking forward to San Diego - a whole bunch of us will know each other already!

Hi Margaret. That's wonderful but I am not surprised because you write and you do it well. You capture alot of attention.

At rebarcamp Ohio I went up to say hi to someone I felt like I knew from ActiveRain.... she asked me to repeat my name a few times and she could not place me...

Oh well...

Dorie - I've never had anyone respond to a listing post on Localism, but I've had several contacts through other local posts including market studies.

Cindy - I've gotta go check out your new photo. Way too tiny here! Yes, I really enjoy our get-togethers and I think of you whenever I go to Panera Bread over here, as well.

Lina - You're right, it is. And I think it's good for Activerain newbies to realize that there IS a benefit to investing time on Activerain.

Brian - I'm one of those Twitter and Facebook stalkers of yours. LOL. And yes, it is our own little cyber-Cheers.

Gabrielle - When I checked my Activerain statistics, I found that maybe 1 in 10 viewers comments and about 1 in 4 click-throughs comment. That's a lot of mystery followers.

Michael - So long as it's "good" celebrity, I'm all for it - especially if it helps my clients.

Troy - You're right! When I went to REBar Camp in Philly, I already "knew" almost everyone there.

Marcy - With so many members now, it helps to have a head start (started in 3/07), but I truly believe it's a matter of time, assuming you post with some regularity and frequency. Whoops... I haven't been doing that much lately, so it must be that "head start" working for me. LOL.

Kate - Each time it happened, I was more surprised than the last time. It made me very self-conscious... you know, like driving around with your name and phone number on a car magnet makes you think twice about cutting someone off in traffic.

Jason - You're right. The weekend before I left for MAR, I had a new client that was a direct result of recent posts on my Tomato blog (Focus On Crofton) about renting in Crofton. And I've had old clients contact me after finding my blogs in Google.

I'm glad to read this . . . and it must be very rewarding to know you have a "presence"

Good example of how our online presence translates to real life. Blogging is creating a lot of micro-celebrities.

Isn't that just the BEST???? I love hearing this! I am working toward the day when my peers tell me they are reading all my blogs!! Super job and have a great weekend!

Margaret - Very cool, indeed. It's amazing how many agents check out Active Rain and yet many never comment and obviously consumers do the same. In the past consumers said, "I see your ads everywhere." Now it's, "I read your blog."

I have really enjoyed reading blogs and getting ideas from agents and other professionals on Active Rain. I feel as if I know a lot of you already!

That's quite awesome. Since I'm #1 in my county, I have been "afraid" that people would recognize me from my local Realtor board. Many of them are on there but perhaps are not as active. I like to stay under the radar and away from the spotlight.

Margaret, I never tire of hearing active rain stories like yours. It keeps me going with my own blog.

Margaret - I have had the same experience. Isn't it a blast? You just never know when you may run into someone, or they will seek you out. Amazing the reach that Ar has around the country.

Will you be out here in San Diego at N.A.R.?

Jeff

I am attending the Oklahoma Association of Realtors convention in one week. Hopefully the few active bloggers from AR will be there. In Oklahoma City that is all two of us.

Margaret ~ I hope to be one of those people who will walk up to you one and say "Hey, aren't you Margaret Woda? I read all of your blogs." It would make my day!

I think we are all more recognizable because of active rain. They notice us on google thanks active rain.

Margaret, just face it, you are a STAR!!!!

Hi Margaret,

That's great news! It's nice ot be validated isn't it. With all the time spent on AR it sure is good to know you are "out there" so to speak.

Patricia

I have never met you in person, but feel certain that I would recognize you instantly!!! I, too, read all of your blog posts - glad you are getting some well deserved recognition!

It is kind of fun to be "recognized"... Of course, sometimes it would be better not to have the notoriety... in my case.

;^ )

Margaret - It must have been awesome to be recognized by others in the industry and find out they follow you.

That is incredible! Just from reading blogs, I have picked out a few people that I think I have seen in person either driving or at the grocery store. I am still new to AR, however addicted nonetheless.

Thats awesome Margaret. See what happens when you write quality material about your area? Kudos to you!

A couple of years ago I had an agent recognize me from AR when I went to show a home and he was leaving. He STILL had to lock the lock box on the house.

Margaret...Congrats on being recognized for a job well done. It is always nice to get positive feedback!

Hannah - Thank you! (Are you going to REBARCampDC in October?)

Andrew - How 'bout my husband's famous blueberry pie? I've really lucked out since people discovered his pies... I almost never have to bring anything!

Geri - I do find it interesting that blogging touches so many people. I certainly could not have imagined it when I wrote that first post in March '07.

Michael - I know what you mean... I don't always take the time to reach out to someone I recognize.

Joan - When I started, I wanted to pick up more clients, but now I realize that I can use Activerain to find buyers and/or homes for my clients. Just one more benefit of belonging to Activerain.

Donne - That is always a surprise, isn't it?

William - Don't worry, it will happen. Just make sure that a fair percentage of your posts are local in nature so that consumers find you.

Integrity Mortgage Funding - So wish I had a name to go with that picture...

Lisa - Like you, I always encourage other agents in my area to blog, but not many do.

Michael - I believe you're right about that.

Hi Margaret -- The social aspect really keeps growing which can only help your business as well -- how cool is that?

Hey, that is a lot of fun when people you don't know recognize you and say hi.

I was at the convention too, I'm sorry I missed you! Keep us posted about the AR get-together.

Dawn :)

I am looking forward to attending an AR event but have yet to do so.

SEP

Margaret, I have agents tell me that too in my local area. Of course they will never comment but I know they are reading and I am always shocked when I hear it.

To be the bell of the ball......how wonderful!

I can't say anyone in ATL has said that to me, but we have a limited number of ATL agents that have hopped on the AR bandwagon....many throughout the state....but that's fine....I don't want to lose my #3 position in Atlanta, my #3 position in Fulton County and my #19 in the state. (Selfish...Yes!)

I can hardly wait to meet you in person....you'll be getting a big old hug from me so get ready!

I have not gotten that yet but looking forward to the day someone says I found you on Active Rain ;-)

Wow that is a real compliment Margaret! Keep on blogging.

Awesome! That is mad cool. :-)

SEP

Yikes, trying to catch up and still do business!

Vicki - I don't know about you, but it was a total surprise to me.

Jesse - Great to hear from you! I miss your posts, but I'm not sure if that's because I've been too busy to spend much time on AR or because you've been busy... How's the new brokerage going?

Anna - Haha... (about the whole "bunch" of us...) I think that crazy tie-in with bananas has got to do wonders for the memory factor... who could forget you, even if they wanted to?

Lana - Thank you. Sometimes I'm not sure if that attention is good or bad because acknowledging comments on a featured posts is very important, but it does take time away from reading other people's posts and commenting on them. And I LIKE to read other people's posts...

Maureen - My recognition factor probably has something to do with being #2 in the state behind the infamous Lenn Harley... every time someone in Maryland logs onto Activerain, they see my face. How did you enjoy ReBar Camp?

Carla - Just keep writing and commenting... I have a head start on most of you.

John - You're right! Who knew this could happen, back in the early days of blog-writing.

Jeani - It's great news for our clients that our peers are reading our posts.

Norma - That's true. Back in the days when I did a lot of mailings, I'd sometimes be in the grocery store and have someone comment that they saw my ads everywhere. Funny thing, that never led to any business, but blogging does - and it's free!

Sybil - Getting to know other agents around the country is definately one of the best things about Activerain!

Loreena - I'm sure other agents recognize you... 'Hard to stay under the radar when you're #1!

Barb - I feel the same way. Activerain success stories encouraged me a lot in my early days, and that's why I keep posting them now... because I know Newbies who haven't yet experienced business from blogging are asking themselves "Why?"

Jeff - I had planned to attend... 'would love to return to San Diego, where I lived for four years. However, other priorities have crept into my life, so I'm gonna have to pass 'til it goes back there in the future.

Joe - Well, I guess you don't have much blogging competition in Oklahoma City. But I bet you would enjoy going to a ReBarCamp or the NAR Convention.

Terri - Well, I'll be in Nevada in January for the Miss America Pageant. If you happen to be in Las Vegas that week, who knows... maybe we'll do just that!

Thanks - I second that! Thanks, Activerain!

Gary - You're too funny!

Patricia - My business from Activerain was a big surprise, but now I almost take that for granted. Now the agent recognition is another surprise. I guess this blogging thing actually works!

Emily - Thank you so much. That really means a lot to me. I look forward to meeting you some day soon. Why don't you come to REBARCamp D.C.? There are lots of us in this area!

Lane - I already "knew" you from your Hobbs Herder campaign, and I've enjoyed following you on Activerain, too!

Michelle - About the third time it happened, I started thinking about what it means to my sellers... Activerain really is a great way to promote listings!

Christina - Addicted to Activerain... that describes a lot of us! LOL!

John - New photo! Very nice. Yes, there apparently is a bit of notoriety that comes with posting to Activerain. No working under the radar any more.

Mike - 'Bet that was a surprise, too! Funny about the lockbox. LOL.

Lisa - Hmmm... now that raises a question... they said they recognized me, but I don't really know if that was positive feedback or they just think... well, never mind.

Chris - VERY cool, indeed!

James - Yes, and fortunately I was dressed professionally because I was at a convention. Now I'm going to have to think twice about going places in my yardword clothes...

Dawn - Did you enjoy it? I got some great classes.

Steven - I've had the opportunity to attend a few, plus ReBar Camp Philly. Always nice to put the names, photos and real-life faces together!

Missy - I've heard from some third parties that other agents have mentioned my blog, so I knew it. But it kinda surprised me when a few people I know said something, as well as some I didn't know before.

Thom - All talk, and no action! Are you coming to ReBar Camp in Herndon, Va on October 27 (Well, Oct. 26 for the social - which may be the best part)? You could drive it in a day, spend one night, and then leave early enough on the 27 to get a head start on the drive back... maybe even make it the whole way.

Greater Mortgage Solutions - Hang in their, and post consistently. It will happen.

Erica - We really don't know who we touch with our blogging, do we?

C. Tann-Starr - Hey, about you... am I going to see you again at ReBar Camp DC?

SEP

Margaret - I have had this same experience and you are right about local Realtors following you as it does help the exposure with your listings.

SEP

Margaret: I know you from Active Rain, too ! You were the first one to welcome me when I joined over two years ago. How time flies ! By the way... I really appreciated that welcome !

Sharon - Let's hope so! I have one that needs all the help it can get.

Karen Anne - I remember that post... Yes, time does fly!

SEP

I went to an ReBar camp in Denver and I was amazed at all the people who kept saying someone is around and she/he is looking for you. I am really going to try and post a fresh AR photo before the CAR convention next month. I love meeting members in person as much as in cyber-space.

SEP

Margaret - Thanks for the reminder that while we do not always see comments from our friends (and others) here in the rain we are still being read. I just read a post by Kathy Mcgraw about some missing in action rainers so I decided I should get out and about and do some reconnecting.

Sabrina - I think the updated photo does help... No one would have recognized the person in my old one (although I do prefer my appearance from 15 years ago... lol)

Kathy - I'm sure people are wondering where I've disappeared to... at one time, I never failed to reciprocate a comment and acknowledge it on my own post. Now it's pretty much one or the other, and it's because I'm so very busy. I think the slow market had a lot to do with Activerain's initial success because it was that way for most of us.

Margaret - How true .. but for those of us who drop by on ocassion we know you are still here and very active working at making up for the slow times.

Margaret -- I actually saw you Monday on the bench and was going to approach you, but you were engaged with another person from Active Rain! You are instantly recognizable and it was awesome seeing someone I recognized from here. I think a gathering of Active Rain members next year would be fabulous!

SEP

Being new to active rain I appreciate your encouragement!

OCT

How encouraging to know we post for fun with the hope of some response then you are showered with it. Way to Go!

OCT

Hi Margaret! I just happened upon this post--how wonderful! I LOVE it when that happens--I always have to take them under my wing and I love to watch them grow!

Have a terrific Thursday...

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