"DON'T REST ON YOUR LAURELS". Or, past success doesn't guarantee future success.

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"DON'T REST ON YOUR LAURELS". Or, past success doesn't guarantee future success.

ACTIVERAIN MEMBERS EPITOMIZE THE "SOCIAL NETWORKING SUCCESS". However, they are a small cog in a very large wheel that represents real estate industry advertising.

Joe Manausa responded to a comment on his post, ACTIVE RAIN MEMBERS EPITIMIZE SUCCESS, in which I commented that social media isn't the only road to success for real estate agents. Joe asked:

"Hey Lenn. So what are saying, you don't need to take advantage of the internet and social networking if you are willing to work hard? ..."

HEY JOE, THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I'M SAYING. agent

Seems to me that many ActiveRain members often believe that, because participating in this real estate network brings success to them, that participating in social networks is the only answer to success in a real estate business.

I don't believe that is true.

ALONG CAME GOOGLE. I do believe that the unique benefits that rodound to active members are valuable and real. That said, after 15 years actively marketing on the Internet, I have seen them come and I have seen them go. HA! 12 years ago, YAHOO! was the place to be found on the Internet. Along came Google with the unique concept that, if a company was in the business of offering an advertising site, SEARCH was the answer to attracting visitors and profit. No complicated crowded portal, just a simple one line search line. The profit from advertising was also more subtle with AdWords, virtually invisible platform and AdSense, showing those unobtrusive little 3-4 line ads in response to your unique search term.

What are the remaining 94% doing??? The NAR says that only about 6% of REALTORS participate in online marketing, web sites/blogging. What are the remaining 94% doing? Just what agents have done for 100 years since real estate brokerage became a recognized business: meeting people, networking, working geographical spheres, working personal spheres, working office leads, working relocation leads from affiliates, etc., etc. Some are so busy with new business, they have no interest in expanding their marketing efforts to the Internet and see no need.

ACTIVERAIN STAYS AHEAD OF THE CURVE. As more and more social media web sites proliferate, there is a natural tendancy for online advertising consumers to give them a try. Some become successful, some do not. Fortunately, for ActiveRain members who grow with this unique real estate network, we continue to realize the benefits of online marketing through the use of one simple, yet comprehensive platform. Many of us venture into other sites and realize success. Fortunately, the ActiveRain braintrust is on top of this tendancy and brings other platforms into the ActiveRain umberella to benefit our membership. Of course, the members have to take advantage of these offerings to realize the benefits.

ACTIVERAIN IS OUR UNIQUE PERSONAL ADVERTISING COMPANY. Just as Google was unique in 1997, ActiveRain is unique in 2009. That said, the numbers and percentage of agents and brokers taking advantage of this unique advertising platform is minute as a percentage of real estate industry members. That's why. . . . . I STILL SUBMIT THAT: Blogging isn't the way to generate business. It is, of course, an efficiant way to extend your personal profile to the world via a real estate online publication.

If I had to cease participating in social media today, would my business suffer? I don't believe so. The time that I spend on ActiveRain, which is considerable, would be spent on other online advertising. For me, ActiveRain is more fun and efficiant than other forms of online advertising or networking with consumers and other real estate industry representatives.

However, don't make the mistake of believing that blogging or social media is the only way to market your Internet Advertising services. Agents who make that mistake risk getting lost in the crowd as the percentage of agents/brokers participating in social media increases.

IN JUNE 1995, when I first went online, my website, Homefinders.com, was one of the few in my area. That lasted for about 1-2 years until other local agents got the message. As competition grew, I had to continue to improve and expand my online presence, which, thankfully I did.

What's the old saying??? "DON'T REST ON YOUR LAURELS". Previous success doesn't guarantee future success.

Courtesy, Lenn Harley, Broker, Homefinders.com, 800-711-7988.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Want to learn more about Loudoun County, VA? Join Loudoun County, VA on Facebook!

Posted by Lenn Harley, Real Estate Broker, Virginia & Maryland on 12/25/2009 05:14 AM

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92 Comments on "DON'T REST ON YOUR LAURELS". Or, past success doesn't guarantee future success.

DEC

2009

Lenn, Right again! There is a need to ride the wave of success but don't be on that wave when it breaks on the beach. Most of my RE career I spent listing properties and let others sell them with an occacional double dip. Now I am working the foreclosure market on the buying side and being comfortably successful. Social media has been a part of my success and business influence but I don't rely on it exclucively. In a nutshell: Our businesses should be a mixed bouquet rather than a basket of eggs on a bumpy road.

Merry Christmas from my family to yours. I hope Santa was nice and brought you all your most wanted gifts.

Merry Christmas Lenn. Regards,

Featured @ Club Chaos

Lenn.....Merry Christmas.....hope Santa was good to you.....I added Active Rain to my marketing plan on Sept. 30 and all of my other marketing has stayed in place.....I do a lot of direct mail for the subdivisions...it also makes the phone ring with new listings....it works well for my team and me.....I'm confident AR will also contribute greatly in the future....I work diligently at this.

Great post Lenn, but I have an unrelated question. Is Active Rain (ActiveRain) one word or two?

Gabe. I have always taken my clue from the ActiveRain Guidelines.

http://activerain.com/blogsview/44665/ActiveRain-Community-Guidelines.

If it's ActiveRain to the ActiveRain folks, it's ActiveRain to me.

Actually, I believe that a Google search for ActiveRain with 1,700,000 returns is more than a Google search for Active Rain. In fact, even with a Boolian search, I believe that ActiveRain ranks higher.

C. Thanks.

Barbara. Smart program. IMO, the Internet for advertising to buyers than sellers so it would seem that the traditional agent/broker advertising for listing contacts is important.

Frank. Thanks.

Sara. I understand that my opinions are not the mainstreat for bloggers, but there they are.

Laura. HA! I am Santa Clause.

Being diversified in what you do to create business is important. At any moment Active Rain could be gone like the wind.

Bill. BINGO!

Putting all your eggs in one basket is never a good way to build a business plan.

Aw, Lenn, go ahead...rest on your laurels. Just for today though.

Hi Lenn...great post, The bottom line there is no silver bullet, and many thought the Internet was going to be one..it has the perception it is with consumers.

I use what I do online as part of my listing presentation and Active Rain is part of that...People want to see you have an online presence, and you better. Everything you put on line stays on line, so if you are online you are building a foundation..just Google yourself and see what you find..I did and I found some neat stuff that I did not know was there with one variation Fred Carver-Remax...Try it yourself.

Merry Christmas from Fred Carver

I'm not in the top results of Google....I do get clients from Zillow, Trulia and AR, I get out what I put into it. But most of my clients are still referrals, and my own hard work. Real Estate is a personal business and nothing replaces that.

Good points, we (I) get caught up in the Internet and ActiveRain and at times lose site of the basics. I do believe however that even if ActiveRain disappears that the internet and its' magic will increase as the younger generations move into home buyer ship. The good behaviours we learned 15 years still apply no matter where you market yourself - answering your phone and returning calls is foremost. Online/offline wherever.

Have a wonderful New Year Lenn and while ActiveRain is around we are glad that you are as well. Thank you for all your thoughts over the year (s).

Lenn - Merry Christmas Your Blog remains at the top of my Activerain list. Always interesting and a Blessing.

Lenn,

Active Rain isn't my whole business plan, but it's an important part. Merry Christmas.

AR is very important to me. I run around a lot promoting my business ventures and I love pointing people in this direction. It is the one spot where you will probably learn the most about me, although there are other spots I make quite a bit of noise in. :-)

Well put, the Internet in general is just one venue - one that should not be overlooked but just one. We still have to rely on Whit got us here. There are still those who prefer a smile and a handshake over a tweet and a link.

Merry Christmas to you and your Family - As wonderful a year as 2009 has been, we can all look forward to a brighter 2010.

Merry Christmas,

John

Merry Christmas Lenn,

You are so right you cannot rest on your laurels in real estate (or any other business). I agree with Bill being diversified is the key..any day ActiveRain could be gone! Continuous hard work, staying ahead of the curve and treating real estate like a business will garner more success than anything you can do on-line.

Lenn I agree. The Internet has helped my business, but it does not replace the face to face (what is referred in sales as pressing the flesh). The Internet has made staying in touch much easier, but this is still a people business, and we can never forget that.

Lenn

Our marketing needs to be diversified to successful today.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

I've learned that it takes continuous work and effort...online and in real life to have continued success. .... and working continuously on self sure helps too.

Merry Christmas Lenn...and a very happy, healthy and prosperous NEW YEAR!

Lenn, It looks like you were up early this morning! I appreciate the historical perspective this offers, in addition to the marketing information.

Lenn, I do about the same amount of business today as I did 3.5 years ago when I joined AR. I had business way before I had an internet presence and would continue to have business if the intermet shut down tomorrow. I might just have to work harder for it.

Hi Lenn... I always enjoy the insight and perspective you offer in many of your posts and this one is no exception! I enjoy AR and my business has most definitely benefitted from my involvement here, but I am also certain that had it not been for my invovement here that I would have found other channels to grow my business. As Bryant mentioned in his comment, "I might just have to work harder for it." And I might not have the weatlth of the relationships I have formed through my involvement here!

If Active Rain were to disappear, I would like to think that there would be a means by which I could import all the content I have created to another platform elsewhere. I recently migrated a non-real estate blog from Typepad to Wordpress (Or Type Pad and Word Press?). The point is that you have to have more than 1 iron in the fire.

Most of my business come from non-social networking/blogging means because to stop doing those things would be stupid. They make me money.

Great post. Social media and AR are not the only sources for online business. In fact for myself it is only a small portion of what I earn.

Not a good idea to keep all your eggs in one basket. I would never rely solely on AR or any other social media. What about agents that solely rely on referrals and stop all other forms of advertising? That isn't good either. Great post! Happy Holidays Lenn and have a Happy New Year! :)

Lenn - Floaties are no excuse for not learning how to swim. Great post and Merry Christmas

Also as they say... "never put all your eggs in one basket" and I NEVER will.

Social media are simply a few more tools that we can use to help us do our jobs. But there are other ways as well. I still hold to the belief that those who concentrate on Twitter, FaceBook, MySpace, etc for all for all of their leads will be sadly disappointed. Blogging is even more powerful as we all know.

But in many areas, like mine, good old fashioned service above and beyond the call, is what helps make me money and keeps my customers happy. Of course, I get lots of leads from the internet and use this fact to also show listers the venues I use to promote their homes. But all of the sites in the world will not overcome a bad reputation in a small city like mine. Word-of-mouth will kill you just as fast as it can help you. Good old hard work and attention to a customer's needs will trump just about anything else we can throw at it.

You know, I always wondered in Hardy rested on his Laurels. And if he did, would it crush Laurel? Who knows. All I did here was age myself!

Lenn, Being new to AR and blogging, I am still finding my way around. Putting all my eggs in one basket is not something I would count on. Merry Christmas!

Lenn...

"Don't rest on your laurels." You are so right. The better you do at something, the harder it is to stay on top. I do 10 times the work today just to maintain what I have achieved!

Active Rain, is an addition to the other forms of marketing my company is vested in. After 11 years of increasing business, it's not due to AR - no disrespect. AR helps a buyer understand how the services my office provides -- clearly demonstrated by the blogs I post about real estate -- sets me apart from other agents. Am I the agent they want to engage. I would like to think so, and when they indicate they've read my real estate blog, that's proof!

Lenn, I love active rain and its been so good to me the past few years. Merry Christmas...

I wonder where the market will go to in the years to come but hopefully AR will teach me.

Very well stated Lenn.... Merry Christmas to you and your family !

Lenn - Merry Christmas and thank you for your wisdom. There is no magic pill, and none of marketing venues should become the only one. For me, AR is responsible for respectable 6.977% of all closed transactions in 2009, which I'm very glad and grateful for. Does it guarantee the future success? No, but there is a big chance of a future success if we keep maintaining our blogs. I think, blogging will be good for at least few more years.

Well done! And very deserving of the feature! I have to say though, that my business would definitely suffer if I did not use the internet for my marketing and prospecting! In the past decade, since I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, the disease has gotten progressively worse... to the point of being "almost" debilitating. Chronic Fatigue keeps me working online, with a laptop, from BED for days now... which is the reason I have focused mostly on listings and working with sellers. Marketing, I can do! But I am in the process of making some changes to my business plan, in order to accommodate this #*$^%&#$^*@& problem. >=I There are times when we just do what we can. It sucks. But I'm doing what I can, in order to stay in the business, and work with someone whose weaknesses lie where I have strengths =) I guess, where there's a will, there's a way. Real Estate is my career; not just a job. And I'm determined to stay here! And God has opened a door for me =) I'll be sharing as things progress.

My point to all this was, for some people (who may have no other options), they may have found a way for online marketing and networking to be their only means of generating business. I won't say it's easy. And I won't say that it will work for everyone. But it can be done. =)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Wishing you all the best for 2010!

-Keith

DEC

2009

Lenn- Funny how all the people who disagree with you are no where to be found when you write this type of post. I have the same result when I do also.

I quite BNI the day that I got more business from ActiveRain than from my BNI meetings and meet ups which I had done for over 20 years. There are only 2 bloggers on ActiveRain from our town and I am one of them.

The rest of the agents, and I know most of them very very well, we are a small tight group here in Wellington- ( it is when we get the agents from our of our area that causes all the commotion etc) and they get their business riding their horses with their friends and network on horseback:) They socialize in equestrian clubs and charity events which are big here. THey work their SOI.

Believe it or not, we are not the internet savvy capital of the world. Many of our sellers did not even use the internet until we listed their homes, many of them are baby boomers that are just learning the internet and computers. So we do mailings. We have to.

It has so much to do with the market location you are in. If you are in California in the Menlo Park area, you better be on line and internet savvy because most of your sellers are that way. But because you live there and know the way it is there, does not make it so everywhere else. Katerina

Katerina. You make an excellent point about location. Loudoun County VA is an aea where high tech has boomed since the late 1980s in the high tech boom with AOL, etc., located here. Home buyers from the high tech community responded to my web sites from the beginning. In fact, these buyers were glad to find an agent who used e-mail and my early adoption of the Internet catapulted my personal business when I went online in 1995.

Lisa. Good for you for overcoming a debilitating illness. Self employment is often a solution. You'd have a hard time managing if you had a 9-5 job.

Svetlana. Smart to examine where your business comes from. Knowing what makes your phone ring is something many online advertisers can't do.

Roland. You too. Thanks.

Russ. If AR is around, the clues will be here.

Judy. Same here.

Carla. I agree. AR isn't the primary source of my business. It enhances my other online presences.

Richard. Same here. If we're not "ahead of the curve", we're under the rock.

Elyse. Wise words.

Kyle. Not to those of us who remember.

John. Agreed. We need to know what works in our individual markets.

Tammy. Me too.

Yep. When you put your egg in one basket and the basket breaks or is gone what do you do?

Good post

Tony

Lenn,

I agree. We have a one man broker office here in Idabel that does not have a web page even. BUT he is very successful. He manages to be a successful real estate broker and has been for years WITHOUT even a website. He works hard at what he does and he's good at it.

So true, the line what you did that worked yesterday wont necessarily work tomorrow.

I use ActiveRain as part of my total web presence. Sometime I wonder if I should be using a different platform like wordPress. Any thoughts out there on this?

Thank you Lenn for your thorough and interesting blog. I could not agree more with you.

Quick question. you mentioned: "The NAR says that only about 6% of REALTORS participate in online marketing, web sites/blogging"
Do you know the year this survey was done?

Cathy Chaudemanche

Lenn - I agree. There are many ways one can implement to be successful. Blogging and social media is a tool, just like sending out cards and fliers. It is another way to attract clients. It may not be for everyone and some will be very successful without it.

You're right...online and social media enhancement are the wave to the future...Gone with the 8-tracks for the DVD when thinking about the change in marketing...

Good morning Lenn. Hope you had a great day.

Since I was licensed in 1995, I invested in the internet. It has paid off well for me. I've never done cold calls or some of the other things that work for agents. That's fine, know your market. Ann Arbor has always been technology orientated and that is where I choose to spend my time.

It is a constant challenge to improve...and no resting on my laurels here.

Hi Lenn! I have been absent from AR for the most part these past months but when I got their email and saw this I knew I had to read it. I couldn't agree more with you. For me, the value of AR has not been leads as my personal blog ranks above my AR blog (I do that on purpose). AR is a source of great friends, networking and education. As my business evolves it has become a smaller focus but that may change. Our personal business is constantly evloving. It is so important to recognize changes and trends and keep re-evaluating what works and doesn't work! You are one of the true treasures on AR. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. I have this feeling that 2010 is going to be an awesome year!

So true. Many Realtors are still content to have a web site, and that magically they will come. There is a bit more work than that involved. As a person on the leading edge of the post war baby boom, I didn't grow up on this, but for me it is something that is always new and exciting. Yes I have to struggle with something that is not second nature, but I have to be up to the challenge, and you do a much better job when it is something you want to do rather than have to do. One bit of warning though, technology is a tool not an end in itself. Just because you use it is not enough. You have to give it context and meaning. Happy Holidays, and a terrific 2010 to you.

Hi Lenn, Active Rain is a great tool to have in your toolbox but you need to have lots of others too. I work with a lot of clients that don't even use computers.

Absolutely! One needs to be comfortable with whatever platform one decides to use to build a business because when you attract a client who is also comfortable with that platform they will have expectations you will need to meet! I know plenty of successful agents who wouldn't even consider blogging.

I, too, am in a very tech savvy area and am fortunate that I LIKE tech! I also love incorporating new avenues of marketing in my business plan but will walk away from one that doesn't work for me or that I don't like doing.(Not surprisingly the two go hand in glove.)

I do have to admit however, that I roll my eyes when I end up on the opposite side of a transaction from an agent who doesn't use email or can't figure out how to download the Sellers Disclosure from MLS! Some 'new' tools are simply no brainers.

Lenn, you offer such great words of wisdom to us all. I have made a commitment to myself to not only continue on with all the Internet marketing I am doing (I couldn't stop AR even if I wanted to, LOL) but that I will network more this year. I am weak in that respect, I have not reached out enough to meet new people at all. I have always been a bit of a home body and am not always comfortable in social gatherings, I am going to push myself more this coming year to get out there. AR forced me to push the envelope with writing and taking pictures, and now will push me to get out there in real life.

Happy Holidays Lenn, thanks for yet another great post.

Lenn - great insight! Very accurate observation - 'don't put your eggs in one basket' ...lol...We cannot forsee the future but we can definitely learn from the past or history...observing and knowing your market is the key here...(as mentioned in previous posts). There always will be some new gadget and/or concept introduced to the market and some will work and some will not...but nothing will change human touch, connection and interaction...Wishing you the greatest year ever!!! And let's 'go golfing' with our shotguns sometime, what d'ya say?

With smiles,

Bo in Yukon

Lenn, I had to come back because you content is so good here on not resting on your laurels. It made me think of the great Satchel Page line, "Don't look back, something might be gaining on you".

Very well said. Diversity is key. I'm still doing quite a few things that I've been doing sucessfully for a couple years, and being newer to AR, that is typically what suffers :-(

Diversity is the key, and don't forget every January 1st we start again at zero! I don't agree that if I stopped participating in AR that I don't think my business would suffer, because I think that it would! It's a little pompous to think otherwise I believe. All your business just comes 'too' you because we're all so fabulous?

Lenn, ABSOLUTELY true. I know some TOP Realtors that don't even know what the word blogging means.

Hi Lenn, You're preaching to the choir here . Whenever I hear someone proclaim they have found the one and only this or that I start chuckling - knowing that many 'Rainers will set them straight. Just because AR works well for many doesn't mean it works well for everyone or that there arn't many who do very well yet have never heard of AR. Happy 2010 to you !

Lenn, You're right that the technology will always evolve, and we with it. The challenge these days appears to be blenidn the various online channgels to be most effective.Happy New Year

"Just when you think you've got it all together, your dentist asks you if you floss your teeth."

That used to be a favourite line when I was younger and didn't need to floss so much. Now that I'm a bit older, I'm a compulsive flosser LOL. But the meaning of that line still rings true. Just when we think we're on top of things, along comes someone or something to suggest that we'd better keep moving/improving/learning as the job is NEVER completely done. I appreciate your insight and wisdom, Lenn. Now that I've got my web-site up and running as well as my outside blog, the temptation is to rest a bit (while still blogging, of course). I know, however, that I need to get out there in the "real" world to take care of existing social and business relationships and create new ones. All the best to you in 2010, Lenn. -- Tanya in Montreal

Hi Lenn, the last four deals I have gotten have been from farming my neighborhood.

Lenn: Sounds like you have done an awesome job staying ahead of the crowd with your online presence. Congratulations!

Lenn,

That NAR stat on real estate agents using the Internet for marketing is an eye-opener. The competition is pretty slim, leaving the medium wide open for those who "dare" get into it.

Looking eyeball to eyeball and asking for business will NEVER not work. But it is work, maybe that is why we shy away from it, constantly looking for the subtle, magic pill.

Lenn - You always give us great advise! I am trying to find a balance act and then continue to try to keep it in balance, that is... once I get there. : ) I think we will always have the need to recheck what we are doing and question whether or not we should do something different.

I have foung that not everything works for everyone. There are some very succesful agents in my area that do very little internet marketing. They work on past bussines referals. I like activerain.

Lenn: Great article. Congrats on another gold star. I am with you. Success in this business is based on hard work. Not all 96% of those Realtors not participating in online social networking are actually working. There are those that get a license and keep preparing to prepare to work, or are just waiting for clients to fall from the sky. This business is not for anyone who is afraid of hard work.

Ultimately, to do real business, people want face to face. It's great to be able to do so much online, but we can't forget the basics - one-on-one human contact! That's one area of the business that will never go away!

Isn't it amazing that many business owners will spend over 50% of their time on returning less than 10% of their profits? Being #1 on Google doesn't guarantee profits, you still have to convert and close sales, so AR, Zillow, Trulia and other marketing networks are simply tools as you so effectively stated.

I have rediscovered that direct marketing to targeted marketing areas continues to be the most successful means to real estate. Working smarter not harder is key and while some Realtors are successful using social media marketing to produce the majority of their profits, most all of the successful and profitable Realtors I know in my marketing area are either doing the basic marketing of farming territories or face to face marketing.

This is a great opportunity for invading targeted markets where Realtors once dominated but have abandoned their brand by spending their time marketing primarily over the Internet, providing competitive Realtors to seize their territory and thus establishing brand recognition and credibility.

Lenn - I think tools are there for everyone to figure out which one or ones they can make work for them and their personality! I have had much success with real estate agents sending me their business and my clients referring clients as well as coming back. The internet and blogging has also added to those initial sources. I am always trying news ideas to grow as a business woman and offer the best service that I can.

Aloha Lenn,

A couple of months ago, I wrote an article about social networking and stressed the importance of good 'ol face-to-face contact. While social media is bringing people together, as you suggested, personal interactions still carry a lot of weight.

To read my article, please visit my marketing web site (in addition to being a Realtor, I'm a freelance copywriter) at http://www.writedirection.com/articles/BeingSocialKBR.html

Happy holidays.

Debra

Debra A. Jason, Kauai realtor-associate

Debra A. Jason, RA, ABR

Na Pali Properties, Inc. - Hanalei, Kauai, HI

Christine. Good for you. We need to determine what works for us.

Kimo. VERY INTERESTING. I suspect that many previously successful agents have "slacked off" working their old techniques. That means opportunity time for others.

Karen. Agreed. That's why the completely online home sales services do little to nothing.

Chris. Of course, which is why the stats from NAR are always suspect. I for one am not included in that 6% because the NAR surveys always have questions that don't apply or that are designed to elicit a predetermined stat.

Tere. I like Internet leads. They work fabulously well for me.

Scott. For me, it's all in the numbers no matter what your marketing program.

Esko. Agreed. However, it supports my prediction of about 2 years ago that said that there will not be a huge percentage of REALTORS who blog.

Dianne. Thanks. I got a running start.

David. HA! Sounds like a plan.

Tanya. Thanks. Don't ignore a web site or it will cease to work. They need attention, like a farm.

Tina. The challenge these days is to find the gems in online marketing sites.

Bill. In deed. We're really like a private club where anyone can join but not everyone will enjoy.

Gary. So do I. I love it when I get e-mail from an agent somewhere asking "Lenn, can you tell me in a few words how to get business from the Internet.

I just send them to the Google Webmaster Guidlines.

Lyn. I don't believe that my business would suffer if I stopped my AR activity, but I'd have to work other blogs instead. AR has everything working so well.

Justin. Not to worry. You'll figure out where to devote your time.

Joe P. That's very good and very true.

Bo. Just let me know when you're in my area and I'll take you to the range and we'll "shoot a few".

Andrea. One of the most important benefits for me from AR is meeting new and wonderful referral agents.

Lenn, you know it's quite interesting that such a high percentage of active agents do not have an internet presence, and MOST don't know what one is. I cannot tell you how many times I have invited other agents I know to get onto ActiveRain. I talk about it all the time. Everyone thinks it sounds really great. So, I send them an email with a link to follow and get a very low percentage who actually do it. I have even told them that I truly believe I learn more in the Rain that half the seminars and webinars I have attended. I just don't get it. Oh well, more Rain for the rest of us.

Lenn, We definitely need to SHIFT with the times, as real estate information, our clients needs and wants change. I just started with AR this year. It's fascinating, informative and part of my marketing for the future. All the best in 2010! Michelle

Hi Lenn,

I get finding referral agents, learning best practices, current trends & national real estate news. I get making a blog available for consumers to read, for the percentage of consumers who might be interested in reading a blog. Other benefits of social networking include learning enough about it to be able to bring value to my business networking groups. I look forward to attending RainCamp in NYC to learn more about Social Networking.

I guess the key questions each of us must define are how much fun do you have blogging and how does it actually fit into your business plan/generating real business for you.

Thank you for bringing a challenge to the conventional wisdom & an interesting discussion.

I am always trying to figure out what will be next, before the other guy. I love Active Rain and will continue to use it.

Social media brings in business, but the majority of my business is through face-to-face contact. I find that one reinforces the other. When people who have met me do a Google search and run across my profile, my online presence makes me more credible as an Internet savvy agent.

As the internet gets clogged with tons of ways to access information and realtors add so much more information available with all these blogs, I say the old fashioned method will work even better than before. Face to face, belly to belly, referral based, snail mail, open houses, meet and greet will always work the best. I never bought anything significant until I met the sales person. And often, most often it's from a referral. Anyone who found me online actually had heard of me before and comfirmed their interest by researching about me.

The basics work the best. I hope this isn't forgotten. I'm with you on the other 94%.

DEC

2009

Jean. I enjoy watching developing trends. I invited a number of agents/brokers in my network to join AR some time ago. To date, not one of them has created a significant presence on AR. They joined but never really participated.

There's a missing link here and I'm working the "little gray cells" to figure it out.

Michele. Thanks and welcome. I'm sure you'll benefit from your participation here.

Dana. I enjoy my participation in ActiveRain. If I didn't, I wouldn't be here. That said, I believe that the benefits are largely more subtle than most think.

Gene. Good thought. AR participants may spot trends far earlier than most real estate practitioners.

Gail. My business is largely referral so face-to-face is no longer paramount. Contacts, however, are.

Frank. My first contact is usually online and has been for 15 years. That said, I work the Internet quite differently than most agents.

Len

What works for you or me or the person in the next city is different as is the clients we attract or do not appeal to. If the marketing that you do brngs you the financial goals you want, that's great. If not, then change the marketing

Lenn,

This is exactly the kind of sound, level headed advice from a trusted source that we all need to remember as we head into a new year!

I am not exactly a genius, but I do like to think that I am smart enough to recognize great advice when I see it. And often times even take it! :-)

Thank you so much for taking the time to share this.

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

DEC

2009

Lenn, I always look forward to your blogs because they are REAL. I love Active Rain and I love to write so this is a great place for me to do some writing that "might" be productive. I also find that I can relax, find encouragement and motivation here. So I think I'm here to stay. But I'm also an old-timer, having been in business now for 15 years, and I know that much of what works for me has nothing to do with social media.

Happy New Year!

Lenn, Your blogs are always right on top and I really enjoy them. I have invited many agents to AR and they have signed up and never followed through. Face to face is still a very strong part of my marketing as well as referrals. Our local area is rapidly changing from baby boomers (with no computers) to employers now looking to expand on nursing, life science jobs. Diversification, diversify, diversify and be ready to change as needed. I personally have made many friends on AR and the knowledge is endless. Happy Holidays!

DEC

2009

I don't think it is a good idea to put all your eggs in one basket...my business comes from more sources than the Internet alone.

DEC

2009

Lenn, this is so true. Too many replace social media for face-to-face. It's never meant to replace the personal touch, it should be seen as an enhancement that can work well.

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Lenn Harley, Real Estate Broker, Virginia & Maryland

Leesburg, VA

More about me…

Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate

Address: Lovettsville, Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, Stafford, Woodbridge, King George, Fredericksburg, Leesburg in VA., Rockville, Laurel, Columbia, Baltimore, Waldorf, Frederick, Eastern Shore, Bowie, Harford, Annapolis in MD. , Maryland, Virginia

Office Phone: (800) 711-7988

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Maryland and Virginia real estate agents and brokers serving buyers and sellers with experience. Search listings in Maryland and Northern Virginia and get daily updates of new homes for sale by e-mail. Contact Lenn for a tour of homes. REALTORS available every day for home tours. Homefinders network of experienced agents and brokers includes new home specialists, resale specialists and luxury home experts. We can help you with your home buying needs. Homefinders offers discounted 5% listings for Maryland, Northern Virginia home owners. Experienced agents helping buyers and sellers in the Washington Metro area since 1985.

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