Often newer members of the AR community contact me and ask for advice, all kinds of advice. They want to know how long I have been on AR and where to start. Of course when they ask for advice, the flood gates open up and they are pretty much overwhelmed. After my welcome speech, I usually say something like this:
Do I have any advice? Sure! Brad (my son) and I have been involved in AR since June, so we are fairly new to the community too.
Suggestions:
- Read the guidelines and play by the rules. Never copy and paste articles and never "steal" images from iStock or other image bank sources. I don't get it when people steal those images and you see a watermark from the source.
- Subscribe to bloggers you connect with, who offer creditable advice and tips (valuable-usable information)
- Blog yourself and offer (contribute) something of value to the community (information, tips, unique perspectives). Make sure the copy is easy on the eyes. Break up long paragraphs and make sure the copy is scannable!
- Blogs don't have to be heavy or extremely long - also you can offer lighthearted anecdotes too!
- Comment - comment - comment on other peoples post
- Join groups that appeal to you (One of my personal favorites is The Art of Marketing You)
- You have XX years of experience....tell unique stories. Over time you will develop a "voice" and central theme to all your blogs
- Make sure your AR profile is SEO optimized..check out Brad's blog on this important element
- You can always recognize bloggers who post and "run" and never comment on their own post or anywhere else for that matter...it ultimately comes back to bit them as few people comment on their post. They're basically blogging for SEO "points"
- Never use the Profile contact to spam people....it's in bad taste and just annoying...like I need another spam message in my inbox! I just received one this morning soliciting my referrals.
- The community has some really sharp people offering outstanding tips and information. Don't just read information....take it and make something happen. Add a page to your website, implement that creative marketing idea, another words.....take action. Believe it or not that's what separates successful people and the mediocre!
That should help you get started with the AR stuff!
Other tips? Sure....get really proficient at the fundamental stuff of real estate.
1. Create a marketing plan and budget. It amazes me how often I speak to agents and brokers who say they have no plan and no budget. Those who fail to plan...plan to fail!
2. Select a farm community (500 homes minimum with better than average turnover rate 15% or higher would be good). Tie that farm into your blog site or website. Make the topics for the farm community relevant to your target market. being a family guy...I would be in my farm so much, they would look to me for information (of any kind-not just RE). Be there (sponsor) for yard sales, Mega open house events, HOA meetings..if it's happening there (in my farm community)...I'm either driving it or have a part in it!
3. Focus on your total web presence (this should be a priority). Buy our Web Accelerator Guide (Gratuitous self-promotion-hey I'm looking for SEO points too!)...it's an excellent resource and you can implement a good bit of it yourself or use a VA if you're short on your marketing budget. (Use offer code acceleratorAR for your Active Rain discount).
4. Become friends with other successful people....network...network...network. (My philosophy-success isn't measured by the things we own or the amount of money in our bank accounts!)
5. Always follow up. It's the mark of a true professional!
I actually just sent that email to a new AR friend (with some slight modifications) recently. Those tips should help you too! If you find this information of value, you're welcome to subscribe to my blog.
Have a successful day!
Bobby
Update: For your convenience, I linked to the Guidelines page of AR.
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