The early days....
I have been a member of Active Rain since January 29, 2007. Sure seemed to be a bit different back then huh? Nobody was concerned with points or status. It was a small handful of professionals with passion and energy, doing what they love to do and talking about it the whole way. It was about spreading high quality information rather than self promotion. It was about forming bonds with other high quality professionals and knowing they would be there for you, ears wide open and ready to help. Although it has only been three years or so since I first started socially engaging with AR, reflecting back to 2007, I clearly see that many of the early Active Rainers are not now AR legends, but they are blogging trailblazers.
If you are an AR veteran, click on your comments in the left side bar. I find myself shaking my head as i pull up posts from 2007, at just how naive we all were regarding social networking and just how much the group below laid the foundation of social networking basics. It's always fun to read old posts regarding the future and see what Active Rain member really had their finger on the pulse. Is there a list of all time best posts on AR?
Looking over the profiles of my associates, I chuckle as it becomes more obvious some of these early pioneers of Active Rain, experts themselves in their chosen profession, are now viewed as a top tier social networker first, then their chosen profession next. They have branded themselves successfully. I wish everyone of my friends success in building their own personal brand. But mostly, the ones that are still actively or even occasionally contributing, I want to extend a hearty congratulations for staying the course. This group I am talking about are survivors and adapted to a horrible economy in a business that thrives in the good times and sinks in the bad.
Here are a few associates of mine from the early days. I apologize if i have left anyone out. This is just my way to pay homage and give recognition to my early Active Rain influencers. These names are in no particular order. As I see them in my associate list I am adding them below. Love them or not, they all deserve to be recognized. Thank you all for allowing me to contribute along the way -
Christine Costa - John Novak - Debe Maxwell - TLW - Broker Bryant - Mariana Wagner - Paul Chaney - Thesa Chambers - Jeff Dowler - Sally Cheeseman - Missy Caulk - David Podgursky - Rob Blake - Jason Sardi - Esko Kiuru - Ed Rybczynski - Robert Ashby - John MacArthur - Danny Thornton - Jeff Turner - Martha Brown - Bo Hussung - Pat Kennedy - Tom Elder - Margaret Woda - Jeff Belonger - Midori Miller - Karl Christen - Fred Glick - Lew Corcoran - Gerry Suarez - Fred Chamberlin - Ken Cook - Mirela Monte - Tom Burris - Renee Burrows - Brian Block - Fernando Herboso - Bob Stewart - Jim Crawford - Paul McFadden - Kate Bourland - Charles McDonald - Ben Kinney - Matt Rosov - Coleen Craig - Larry Bettag - Matt Blum - Gary Miljour - Richard Iarossi - Lenn Harley - Brian Tutus - Ed Brophy - Jason Price - George Souto - Randy Bolten - Janet Guilbault - Bill Burress - Jay Thompson - Brad Andersohn - Jeff Judge - Scott Geary - Aziz Abdur-Raoof - Andrew Scherer - Bill Archambault - Scott Gormley - Chris Ohlsen - Rich Sweum - Ken Montville - Lanre Folayan - Sara Bonert - Bill Nazur - Mike Mueller - Mike Jones - Eleanor Thorne - Stanley Barsch - Brian Brady - Ellie McIntire - Bill Ladewig - Donna Harris - Loreena Yeo - Ed Nailor - June Piper-Brandon - Rhonda Porter -
Do you know of an early Active Rain contributor not on this list? Please recognize them and add their name below.
I wish all my AR friends I have met along the way a Happy Thanksgiving, a safe holiday season and a prosperous 2011. - Stay the Course - Lewis Poretz
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