Special offer

I Don't Care For Activerain Because You Have To Write About Real Estate...

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Compass 0524642

I recently asked a friend of mine to join AR, but he had serious reservations. First, he read somewhere that it cost $100.00 a month to blog, then he said.. "I don't think I want to write about real estate non-stop."

Did I miss a Featured blog by the AR Staff? Why is there so much speculation about the fee's? There's conversation, confusion and backtalk about the cost to blog here. I spend 2+ hours a day on AR and I don't even know what the costs are. Perhaps it's apparent when you "first" sign up.. the options are most likely available there.

Personally, I think AR needs to not yell, but SHOUT what the fees are again. This will silence the critics, haters and gossipers.

Secondly,

I think it's terrible that people are afraid to blog because they think you "have to talk shop" to be productive. My opinion is that blogging and social media is best when you create engagement with your target audience. How you do that is argumentative. The point is you should do what YOU ENJOY. You will only be successful if you are having some fun.

I almost always incorporate real estate into my posts, but I do so because I have sincere passion and love of the game.

Do what makes you happy when blogging and don't worry about any expectations. Some of my best of social media friends are "themselves" when blogging, tweeting or facebooking.

Have a nice Sunday!

Posted by
Greg Nino
Realtor
RE/MAX Compass 
Direct & Text 7 days a wk: 832-298-8555 
 
 
Realtor since 2004
Mediator & Arbitrator for the TX Assoc. of Realtors
Member of the Professional Standards Committee for the TX Assoc. of Realtors
Arbitrator for the Comptroller's office for the State of TX for Arbitration of Property Tax Values

 Member of the RE/MAX Hall of Fame & Platinum Club

 

The information contained in this blog is believed to be reliable and while every effort is made to assure that the information is as accurate as possible, the author of this blog, and its comments disclaim any implied warranty or representation about it's accuracy, completeness or appropriateness for any particular purpose. All information is copywritten and the property of Greg Nino.  

Comments(22)

Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Greg....why would anyone complain about the pennies that it costs to make thousands.....

Feb 06, 2011 03:41 AM
Connie Goodrich
Keller Williams Realty - McKinney, TX
CRS ABR (McKinney Realtor)Texas

There are different strokes of different folks as the saying goes.  What is your passion & enjoyment may just not feel right to another.  Yes there is a lot of value & fun with AR but not all like to express themselves or feel that they have something to say.  Too bad, they are the ones missing out.

Feb 06, 2011 03:47 AM
Anonymous
Mott Marvin Kornicki

I love A|R ...

Real Estate, Off-Topic, whatever! It is the very best thing since sliced bread. Too bad A|Rdoes not like nor want me! For years, I've been adding places and contributing content... Then.. Yer Fired! Sad, but life is like that... Is is the best place that I've been evicted from!

Looks like my log-in was sold to a high-tech broker with much I-Net savy... in New York City ~ No Less, No More! http://www.activeRain.com/mmk ~

MMK is my previous log-in at ♒ ♥ WATERWAY REALTY, REALTORS® ♥ ♒

Evict me, OK.. at least retire the log-in CASH IS KING!

Feb 06, 2011 04:13 AM
#5
Bob Haywood
McGraw Realtors - Owasso, OK
BobHaywood.com

Nailed it Nino!  I'm not sure I know who AR is much anymore.  Kind of weird.

Feb 06, 2011 04:17 AM
Laraine Shape
Comey & Shepherd Realtors - Glendale, OH
Selling Cincinnati...one kitchen at a time

We're allowed to have FUN here? Hmmm, are you sure? I didn't know that.

Feb 06, 2011 04:29 AM
Amanda Christiansen
Christiansen Group Realty (260)704-0843 - Fort Wayne, IN
Christiansen Group Realty

Couldn't agree more Greg.  You have to be yourself and have fun!

Feb 06, 2011 04:37 AM
San Antonio Texas New Homes for Sale
www.sanantoniotexasnewhomesforsale.com - San Antonio, TX
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hill Country

 

 

Greg ....You look taller in person !!!!!!    Oh and I agree about ActiveRain posting the fees just takes the gossip out

 

Thank You....

Feb 06, 2011 05:41 AM
Eric Michael
Remerica Integrity, Realtors®, Northville, MI - Livonia, MI
Metro Detroit Real Estate Professional 734.564.1519

Just be yourself. I was just trying to think of who I'd be if I was someone else, and I always came up with someone fun. Guess I'll just stay Me.

Feb 06, 2011 07:46 AM
Heather Russo
Keller Williams Realty - Kerrville - Kerrville, TX
SRES , REALTOR, Kerrville, Texas Homes for Sale

I kind of agree with you on the posting the fees Greg... I was solicited by "Will" on Friday to become a Rainmaker... I confronted him about the fees... here is what he said:

If you sign up through a solicitation, it will cost $1 for each of the first two months. Each moth after that it will be $59 for the rest of the Rainmaker's time on activerain.

If you sign up on your own, it will cost $89 per month for the rest of the Rainmaker's time on activerain.

I, personally, do not have the income, YET, to afford this $708 per year cost. So, to me, this is something I just can't do... Thankfully, "Will" said that he will try to keep in touch each time they have a membership drive... :)

Feb 06, 2011 07:49 AM
Nick Good
The Good Home Team with eXp Realty - McKinney, TX
www.TheGoodHomeTeam.com

I have no clue what AR costs... but I do know that the blogging has made me money...so I would never complain.

Feb 06, 2011 09:38 AM
Bryan Robertson
Los Altos, CA

I'ev started to see a lot more activity and consider Activerain to be my best investment.  Paying for ads on Trulia and Zillow is a huge waste of time and money compared to what I get on here.  Well worth the $39/month.

Feb 06, 2011 10:56 AM
Not a real person
San Diego, CA

Just stopping by to invite you to the 2nd Annual ActiveRain Super Bowl Party. Hope you’ll come and bring some friends!

Feb 06, 2011 12:19 PM
Tammy Pearce
Haute Realty 214-994-6474 - Dallas, TX
Tammy Pearce

I've heard the same thing...AND from people I've invited to sign up that don't have a clue how they can write/read about real estate every day. Are you kidding me??

Feb 06, 2011 01:47 PM
Jon Washburn
Seattle, WA

Hi Greg,

Here are the details of our RainMaker subscription. Please let me know if I missed anything and I'll return with more answers.

We increased the price of RainMaker to $89 per month for all users who upgrade through the website. However, Kerrie calls all new RainMaker subscribers and offers to reduce their monthly fee to $59 if they attend one of our RainMaker jumpstart training webinars.

We also offer RainMaker subscriptions for $59 if a member upgrades through one of our sales people.

Right now we are offering a 2 month discounted introductory period where users can try out the RainMaker subscription for $1 or $2 per month. Most likely we will be reducing that trial period to 1 month soon.

There is no contract term for the Rainmaker subscription.

The price stays the same for everyone who is already a RainMaker.

Feb 06, 2011 04:16 PM
Lynda White
Bluegrass Homes & Farms Realty, Agent Know How - Louisville, KY
Admin. Mgr., Keller Williams Realty

Greg, many of my posts are about tech or motivational, only because I have to be careful of what I say since I am not a licensed real estate agent. However, I do love the business and I can talk about certain aspects of it. Nobody's ever called me out for not blogging about real estate.

Feb 07, 2011 02:43 AM
Greg Nino
RE/MAX Compass - Houston, TX
Houston, Texas

Hey Jon,

 

Thanks for taking the time to explain and share that with us! I'll be sure to pass the word!

 

Lynda - interesting..... I didn't know you weren't an agent!

Feb 07, 2011 03:22 PM
Kim Dean
www.GoSimplyTexas.com - McKinney, TX
Simply Texas Real Estate - Broker/Owner

Greg - that's the #1 thing I try to stress to other agents when they ask me about blogging. I say: WRITE LIKE YOU SPEAK! Too many people second guess every word they choose for their blogs and it SHOWS!

And regarding the $$ to blog on A/R - I'm just glad I'm grandfathered in!

Feb 07, 2011 03:28 PM
Greg Nino
RE/MAX Compass - Houston, TX
Houston, Texas

Me too, Kim! Great to hear from you sista!

Feb 07, 2011 03:43 PM
Gerry Michaels
Glasswork Media Arts - Gettysburg, PA
GettysburgGerry Social Meida

Kim, I think you are right on the money,  I also had a person tell me "well I have written two posts and nothings happened" really two posts  and your business hasn't doubled yet...come on really

Feb 08, 2011 05:40 AM
Sussie Sutton
David Tracy Real Estate - Houston, TX
David Tracy Real Estate for Buyers & Sellers

The reason I joined AR was BECAUSE the posts were not only helpful but there were so many that were just darn right fun to read.

If I want to get a laugh I just open AR up and start reading....some one here will be talking about nose hairs or whatever!

Feb 08, 2011 09:22 AM