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What's your Walk in the Rain Like?

With 161,505 members, and growing daily, I was wondering how many different ways the members used the Rain and what they got from it?

Do you Blog?

If every member Blogged today we would have 161,505 blogs. I don't know what the average number of daily Blogs is, but someone knows. How about a National Blog Day where every member writes one and only one blog. I doubt all the members would participate, but what if we got 100,000 or maybe 150,000. Just looking at the groups, we have such diverse groups, I can only imagine the topics and the plethora of information.

What groups do YOU belong to?

If you can't find some groups who share your interests you must have your head buried in the sand, and don't worry we could start a new group "Bloggers with their heads buried in the sand." Why not? there's just so much to enjoy.

Let me share a personal example; I was born in NH and moved to Southwest Florida in 1992. Right around now the foliage in NH is Faaaaaaaaaaaaaaantastic. I belong to two NH Groups and the photos by Steve Loynd are just so beautiful. If he didn't now how much we loved them, hopefully he does now. Thanks Steve, Great job!

Do you comment? and are they well thought out?

You can add to a post with thoughtful comments. They help the readers and the writer equally in my opinion. A blog is a forum and you don't have to always agree, BUT

Be Nice!

Do you learn much and do you share it with others?

I've learned a great deal from the writings of the "Rainers." So let me say thank you all very much! Does anyone use the information as a teaching tool? I would think many of the postings have that potential.

So enough from me. What I really want to know is;

What's YOUR walk in the Rain like?

ps: you can check out Steve Loynd's photos at New Hampshire: Real Estate and Life in the Granite State. It's worth the trip!

Posted by Jay Beckingham on 10/10/2009 06:30 AM

Comments (30)

A Walk in the Rain in the ActiveRain Channel

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30 Comments on What's your Walk in the Rain Like?

OCT

I actually use the rain for other peoples stories and to hear that I'm not the only one in the boat. THanks.

Hi Jay,

Great post! Maybe the comments on your post can help those that are just joining Active Rain realize the power in blogging.

You asked:

Do you Blog? Sure do. At least 25 posts a month. "I typically blog for the consumer in the Prince William County VAarea." Helping Home buyer and Sellers understand the real estate market conditions. I try to showcase what's happening in real estate in my community of Lake Ridge VA.

What Groups Do you Belong To? ABC's of Real Estate Marketing,Active Rain Newbies ,Advice for Buyers,Advice for Sellers ,Agents who want REFERRALS!,Blogging & SEO ,Diary of a Realtor ,Guerrilla Marketing Tactics ,Internet Lead Generation-How Best To Capture Your Audience,POSITIVE ATTITUDE,for the Weary Soul ,Rainmaking - Internet Marketing Strategies ,Realtors® ,Short Sale REALTORS® ,The Optimist ,Virginia neighborhoods ,Wordless Wednesday just to name a few!

Do You Comment? I comment quite a bit."Commenting on Active Rain is not just about expressing an opinion. It is also about connecting with other professionals. When someone comments on a post it lives on the Internet with that topic. It is so viral."

Do Your Learn Much and Share With Others? I have to admit, I get more than I could possibly ever give on Active Rain. However that said many bloggers have called or asked questions and I am thrilled to help!

What Has Your Walk In The Rain Been Like?It's been a transfusion into my real estate life. In 2008, when the local real estate market and my career were on life support, I found Active Rain. Active Rain and all the bloggers here, inspired me to change, to stretch and to open up and share what I know. "Because of Active Rain, I am no longer a Secret Agent in my community!"

Hi Jay....just getting my "feet wet"....joined 11 days ago.....I try to comment as much as possible....have posted 30 blogs about the subdivisions my team and I are marketing....great positioning online.....It's addictive....$349 for the year is cheaper than a drug habit!!! Thanks for asking.

Chris,

it's a real big boat, and you're not alone. after over 30 years in the mortgage business i can honestly say i still love it, but i can't possibly thank all the people who gave me support on the trip. but, i am thankful they were/are there.

Peggy,

you may be surprised that you are sharing with others more than you realize. 25 blogs a month is pretty strong. we never totally know how much this helps others. just keep on keepin on.

Barbara,

after 11 days i wasn't quite sure what i had gotten myself into. but i kept at it and really enjoy all the benefits of being a rainer.

jay

Hey Jay,

Only been here about a month...still searching my way through active rain....plan on blogging a lot more and love reading the blogs to help with learning info from around the country....love to comment but I do avoid the controversial blogs....no time in my life for that negativity....

Dennis,

i try to stay away from the negative and the nasty. it's contagious you know.

on the rain though that still leavews a lot of great stuff!

jay

OCT

Jay, from reading statistics from way back when only about 4,000 to 5,000 members regularly blog, so a lot sign up but fall away or don't do anything.

I love learning about new technology from the active rain network. I have also made some great relationships with other brokers

I've been dipping my toe in the Active Rain waters ... mostly reading the posts of others and commenting. I learn someething much every time come here!!

I do love the AR network. I try to read and learn as much as possible, and make a few friends along the way:)

I am in the beginning stages of blogging but have been reading on active rain for a few months now. I have learned soooooo much! I still read and am getting ready to really kick the blogging up a notch. This is definitely the most useful sight to go to for anything related to real estate. I am just starting to join groups. There is a wealth of knowledge here for anyone wanting some assistance in almost anything. Treasure chest for anyone who is looking for it!

Thought provoking post. I have wandered into the rain off and on this last year, after being in the initial downpour quite a bit. Why? Mostly trying to balance life and deal with stressors etc. I have been "singing in the rain" more often lately though and it feels just fine!

Hi Jay. Thanks for the information. My husband and I are getting our broker licenses in Arizona (currently licensed in Ohio), so I need all the help with blogging and information I can get to help with our rankings here. Thanks to your post I found some helpful information about groups for real estate marketing that I joined.

I read, comment & learn a lot... just a little slow at posting my thoughts...

I Blog 10 times a week and leave lots of responses for people. Part of it is about points (which is about exposure) but I also learn alot. Active Rain is one of my first stops for information on a subject. I have more things "Bookmarked" to do than I will ever get to.

Hi Jay, I read many, comment on some and learn from and enjoy my time in the 'Rain !

I read most posts that have relevance to the Canadian market, comment some and have written only one blog post to date. I really don't know how so many find the time. I really appreciate that they do and pass on so much information.

Donna Webbe, Broker, ArcRealty Inc.

Gary,

i believe that that's less than 5%.

veeery interesting.

Sandy,

i'm not a techie so the info i find here is very helpful.

Karen,

i can't imagine how many different magazines or websites i would have to review to pick up 1/10 of the info on the Rain.

Ginger,

me too.

Dianne,

it's true, this is the best real estate resource outlet anywhere.

Vanessa,

just keep singing, i can hear you.

Joyce,

this is a great resource tool. if there is ever anything you need help with in southwest Florida just let me know.

Dianne,

just give it time and stay with it. it will grow

Gene,

the exposure is nice and the google juice is great.

Bill,

it really can be quite enjoyable. i enjoy my time here also. this is my favorite site.

Donna,

are there any sites with pictures of the beautiful canadian countryside or some of the small towns. i've spent some time in canada it it truly is beautiful.

thanks,

jay

Hello Jay,

In my walk on Active Rain:

I learn LOTS about technology--new products, free products, and ways to use them
I learn to write better ad copy and make my headers more interesting
I learn how many agents all over the country and in Canada are supportive of others and willing to share their knowledge
I learn great networking tips and see daily examples
I have lots of fun!

So much to learn about what people are seeing in the market and the overall industry, so I really enjoy reading what people are thinking. I comment frequently and blog a little, probably not nearly as much as I should be, but I'm getting better about it. Often I get little tidbits of information here and there that I find useful and can implement in my business, so it's definitely time well spent.

OCT

Lottie,

stop and take a serious look at your list.

this is pretty cool.

you learn a great deal and you have fun.

Dan,

i very much agree it's time well spent. it's a tool which we can all decide how it best suits our needs, and there are sooo many options.

jay

Jay,

YOU'RE one of the 'Rainers that I continually learn ! That's for putting forth so much effort to help educate 160,000+ REALTORS!

Much appreciated!

Kathy Opatka

PS I,too, moved in 1992..... from the city to the beach! It's right up there with one of my best decisions!

Kathy,

thank you, thank you, thank you for the kind words.

it makes everything worthwhile when we are able to help each other.

let me ask you a personal question.

has anyone told you today how wonderful you are?

because you are truly wonderful.

jay

OCT

Hello Jay. My walk here on AR has been full of new learning and surprises. Great people and great information.

Jay, I am learning a lot from AR members, finally i started blogging and commenting.

I read a lot of comments but I never read a long long comments. In my opinion the comment should not be longer than 3 sentences.

Mark,

how do you feel about this comment.

the most complete real estate educational tool is active rain.

Haris,

part of the beauty of this system is that you get to use it how you want.

if you don't like long winded reply's, it is your right as a rainer to move on.

Jay

Jay, I just did an anniversary piece on this and there was only one active blogger really left when I started just 2 years ago. Shame, because I've learned so much here. Sounds like the same old story but it's true.

I also wondered if there are too many groups to belong to? I've got a list that I jump around in.

Sandbox issue: Yes I try and play nice with all the other boys and girls, but sometimes it's just nice to throw some sand in some bully's face. I'm spunky! ;-0

Lyn,

Like anything else in todays world many have or see a good thing, but they don't have much staying power.

I browse the groups occasionally, but mostly stick with the florida related set.

how spunky?

jay

OCT

Jay,

AR is THE resource for anything. Not just RE related. I have been schooled here in what is going on in the rest of the Country regarding finance and real estate as well as what works in technology for each agent. The free websites and tools are amazing.

I am not as good at blogging as I should be...spurts rather than consistency for now, but soon I am going to schedule it into every week. Very hard to keep up with others and find something of my own to write about.

Some days are a stroll in the rain, and others are a sprint! Thanks for making us all think!