Before ActiveRain and now, a journey of discovery. My life before AR, or BAR was empty. I often felt left out, knowing there was more out there to experience, more knowledge, more business, more creativity, just more. Little did I know what was really around the corner after joining AR, or AAR.
Life as a Realtor® was becoming more and more difficult. I understood enough about the Internet to know that I was an alien from some obscure planet as far as my web page was concerned. I had yearnings and desires I didn't quite understand. There just had to be another way of doing business, but how to get out there and get noticed by people, short of running out in the middle of the road wearing only a placard that said "hey, I am a Realtor®, use me"? I had no idea what to do. The world was cold and bleak, and I was tired, lonely and hungry.
One day the word "ActiveRain" was used by someone trying to promote their business to me. They promised me the sun, moon and stars if I would spend a paltry $400 a month, which by the way was half price for me because I am, after all, so special. Mentioning ActiveRain was their biggest mistake. After I hung the phone up I immediately went on the web and found ActiveRain. Wow, what a place!
February 15, 2009 is a date that will live in infamy! Before I knew it I had signed up, I didn't even know what I was getting myself into. I was brave enough to write a really boring post, people came and welcomed me and the rest, shall we say, is history. It was crazy how fast I became addicted, how fast I made friends, how fast I realized that I was learning things here that were leading edge, new ways of doing business, tips and tricks for technology. I can tell you the first 2 articles I read by Broker Bryant got me juiced and excited about doing my job. I could hardly wait to sink my teeth into a CMA and follow his instructions. This was too cool for words. (When the opportunity presented itself I followed his directions and nailed the listing.)
The friendships are many that I have formed here, the bonds are strong. My friends on ActiveRain have seen me through both good times and bad. The prayers that went up for my farmer friend when he had surgery were awesome! Sharing my frustrations when real estate goes awry are just what the doctor ordered. Being able to finally write to an audience (yes, I am a frustrated author) is fulfilling in itself. And did I mention photography? I learned tips and tricks from some very talented photographers here.
Oh, yes, a side note, the reason I landed on ActiveRain in the first place. I am now on some front pages of Google searches. I got a call yesterday from a small real estate office here in town, they were checking out my website, can I please come and talk to them? They were blown away by the website and my blog. Clients follow me on ActiveRain, potential clients have found me through the web. I have closed deals as a result of my new found web presence. I am more confident than ever about my knowledge of the new and ever changing real estate market. I have a place to go when I need an answer, when I am looking for a friend to talk to about things, when I want to clear my head.
ActiveRain is so much more to me than I ever expected or the founders ever intended. To my friends, you know who you are, all of you have become so special to me. To my teachers, thank you from the bottom of my heart for infusing new life into my business. To the staff and founders of ActiveRain, you really rock the house! I may still be an alien from some obscure planet, but I have found a place I can fit in, grow, learn and have fun in! (Naming all of you would mean my post would have been the longest post in the history of AR, so excuse me for not.)
(Photography is the property of and is used by permission of Robert Swetz and may not be reproduced. Thank you Vegas Bob, it was perfect for this post!)
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