Home : Blogs : Mike Jones : Tucson AZ Home Loan Info

Side Effects of Blogging On Active Rain

"Put together a Bio and we'll feature & sell your photography." WOWSERS! A dream come true!

The Relationship: This is an Active Rain success story that started when a couple in Tennessee decided to relocate to Tucson.

My phone rang, and a woman asked about qualifying for a mortgage to purchase a home. Charissa had found me "on the internet." (Thanks, Active Rain. This is the only place she would have found me.) "I read your blog," she said, "and you seem like someone I can trust." (Thanks again, Active Rain.)

We accomplished Charissa's goal of prequalification, and during the process I asked if she had a REALTOR relationship in Tucson.

She did not, and was open to a referral. I referred her to (who else?) an Active Rainer! (Thanks for making me a value-added lender, Active Rain!)

Charissa's husband Lee, a furniture designer for more than 20 years, met the owner of BAKER'S FINE FURNISHINGS (2303 East Grant Road, Tucson, AZ) at a furniture show back east.

One thing led to another, and Lee accepted a design position at Tucson's premier furniture store, Baker's Fine Furnishings.

Long story short, Lee & Charissa are now Tucson homeowners and friends with both their REALTOR and their lender.

The Marketing: You Rainers are a most encouraging community of creative bloggers.

Joan Mirantz in NH has commented more than once that I've missed my calling. (I guess that's why I've never been asked to do a loan for one of her clients...)

Virginia's Lenn Harley has used at least two of my photos as the inspiration for her oil paintings. (So far, I haven't been able to get her to part with one.)

I put together a portfolio, framed five or six photos, and went to see Lee Goodrum, designer at Baker's Fine Furnishings. And there's the bio up top.

Moral of the story: It pays to use Active Rain as more than a platform for listings.

Interaction is the key to widening circles of influence in social media. The most unexpected blessings come about when we bloggers interact with one another on the Active Rain Real Estate Network!

___________________

I'm Mike in Tucson, your preferred Tucson, AZ Mortgage lender.

SUNSTREET MORTGAGE
Call me if I can help you or someone you know
with a purchase or refi mortgage.
(520) 349-9090

photos copyright Mike in Tucson

Posted by Mike Jones on 10/29/2009 02:01 AM

Comments (48)

Relationship Marketing in the Networking Channel

mike in tucson, relationship marketing, social media interaction, tucson mortgage, sunstreet mortgage, refi tucson

Originally posted at: Tucson AZ Home Loan Info: Side Effects of Blogging On Active Rain

Post is included in group: Walking By Faith In The Rain!
Post is included in group: The Ninety-ninth Percentile
Post is included in group: The Art Of Marketing You
Post is included in group: Realtors®
Post is included in group: Out Of The Box!

48 Comments on Side Effects of Blogging On Active Rain

OCT

Mike, what a fabulous tale of zero degrees of separation. And look where it's landed you. Your photography could be eaten with a spoon. Consistent, frequent, beautifully done.

Wowsers indeed --- all the best selling the photos -- you have great photos!

Mike, The far reaching effects of Activerain are still unbeliveable to me. Congratulations to you, it sounds like you hit a home run and you didn't even know you were playing :)

Mike,

This is great, but I'd except no less!

What so many miss in our rush to show what we know is that the consumer doesn't care. Consumers don't understand mortgages, they want to get to know the people! That's why your photos work so well people learn so much about you!

Love the photos! The bottom one on the right, is that wildlife or a competitor?

Bill

Good morning, Bill

That would be wildlife in my backyard. Wile E Coyote!

Carole,

Isn't this a great place to blog? Love the Rain.

Bob & Carolin,

Thanks all the way to Gold Canyon, AZ!

Sherry,

Thanks for being the first to comment. It is "zero degrees of separation," now that you mention it.

Mike in Tucson

Mike - thanks for the reminder of where I belong - here in The Rain!!! I want to thank you for the jolt that brought me back!!!

And by the way, your photos are something I have always admired! You have many talents!!!

Mike - This has to be one of the most visually appealing posts I have seen on Active Rain and "wowser," there are some good ones. Now to mention the content of your post, again fantastic. You rock! Excellent post.

Mike - your photography is your true CALLING, and I enjoy everything you share here on ActiveRain.

Hi Mike - What an inspirational story, and with more beautiful photos to boot. I love the postcard bio!

What a great story and it's nice to cross reference your photography with your business. Funny, but I recently had someone contact me to use some pictures I shot around Lady Bird Lake (where I like to run) to use in promoting a race in the area. It's how Active Rain helps us connect to the rest of the world! Nice job Mike!

Mike...You made me cry! (Tears of joy) I am so, so happy for you!! It's always been obvious to me that that is where your heart is!

Congratulations 100 times over!

Mike - this comes as no surprise to me. Your photos are absolutely stunning and your talent ... well, more than evident in each and every one. Your newfound outlet for your craft is terrific! I'm so proud of, and for, you!

Congratulations on your successes! You and your darlin' are in my prayers.

(**I'm padding that Tuscon Trip envelope frequently. Never know what spring will bring.)

Beautifully presented, Mike. I am going to do mine today, although it is going to be difficult without my laptop which is drying out. Nope, not from drinking, from swimming.

I love the way you laid this out.

Darling,

You certainly write well and of course the photos are great. You show God's creation in a beautiful way, using the gifts with which He has blessed you. The best part is that I get to share in all of that with you!

Love & Mrs, Darlin'

Congrats Mike!

You take some absolutely spectacular shots. I'm glad you're reaching a wider audience.

Great post, Mike. I always get encouraged when I read other people's success stories derived directly from Active Rain. I've only been here a couple months, but it's been great so far. I do sometimes get writers block, but I love that I can write about anything I want and there's someone bound to be interested (at least that's what I tell myself). Congrats on your success!

Mike- Very encouraging story. I absolutely love your photos- especially the cactus one!

Mike , I love your photos, I post many of my own here and never considered using them for more than my own blog. One of my Clients a Robert Kozlow...is a semi famous photographer in New Hampshire...but is also a full time Dentist and is quite good at both.

I haven't seen photography like that in a very long time! I just love the coyote picture :)

Congratulations

Your photos are wonderful and it couldn't have happened to anyone more deserving. I love the coyote too.

Beautiful pictures Mike. Thanks for the post.

Mike, what a great story!!! You can thanks AR, but you are the one who writes the good content that makes someone trust you. Great job!

What a great story and one with a good point! There is more to this Active Rain blogging thing than meets the eye. I cannot believe the calls I get and they are not all real estate related! It is really cool!

Wow your profile page makes me want to move back to Tucson especially when I am stomping in from a foot of snow here in Colorado. A great Realtor is almost always behind a thoughtful and compelling profile.

Awesome!

And so well deserved.

Congratulatons.

You may have to give up the day job :)

Mike,

There I was on the activerain home page just crusing and then I see Side Effects of Blogging On Active Rain I click on the headline and WOWSER... beautiful Arizona scenery... then I look down and see your shining smile and I say WOWSER again.. I know that guy! We sat together at the acitverain event in Phoenix with Anna Banana! What a beautiful pictorial essay.. I am sure you post on posterous, slide.com, flickr, istock, dreamstime right? You can even sell your photos and I know people would buy them for blogs!

Thanks for sharing your wonderful work.. Please stop by the Cosmic Cow Pie as I would love to feature this post too. RESULTS from playing in the rain! WOWSER!

When you have a talent like yours, it opens up doors for you. I love your photographs

Mike....I really like what you've done! I will try and use a lot of your layouts in the future!

Thanks

Some of the best photos I have ever seen. Great blog!

Your photos are beautiful. I can certainly see how this could be your calling and am glad to hear AR has helped you in that career too.

Neat story! The photos are really eye catching. I am blogging about clients and services they provide to help them get jobs lately!@

Michael, I have to agree with you that bonds can be formed across hundreds or thousands of miles through AR.

MIke -- Loved your story and your pictures are phenomenal. Love the setup of the bio, too. Nice work!

I keep coming back for more keep the great photos coming.

Your photos are always remarkable - too good for just a glance. I also think that you have missed your calling but would definitely ask for your help with a home loan, if you only had a NV license.

Whoa! This got featured, and I'm WAY behind...

Thank you to each of you for your encouragement and kind words. That's the joy of blogging in the Rain and coming to know and appreciate members of this wonderful community.

THANK YOU, Sybil, Cheryl, Christine, Judy G, Rob, Russ, Cara, Judi, Sabrina, Jeani, Marnay, Lindsay, Maureen, Jacki, Steve, Kristy, Will, Bruce, My Darlin' Ginny, Jane, Carol, Joan, Russell, Karen, Christine, Judy J, & Barbara Jo!

Mike in Tucson

I love reading about success stories on AR. I especially like your photos. They are beautiful.

OCT

Mike - congrats on your success - especially since I know it comes out of the love for what you do! I'm proud for you.

Great pictures Mike. I also liked your story/blog. You are an entertainer.

You deserve such good things happening You photos are first class and so are you... congratulations! that is way too cool!

Debra,

Thanks!

Mark,

We all love stories, don't we? Thanks for commenting.

Kent,

Thank you for your support! LOL

Tammie,

Me too. Thanks for stopping to comment; I'll see you on your blog.

Mike in Tucson

Nice photos for sure. Thanks for sharing today.

Patricia/Seacoast NH

Love the bio. It has a wonderful human interest quality to it that I would think strike an emotional note with your clients. If I was in your area looking for a lender this would get me to call you.