Active Rain As Big Brother? The Points Debate
For the second time this evening, I'm agreeing with what Karen has written.
I agree completely that what makes Active Rain so special is the "personality factor." Agents (and copywriters, stagers, inspectors, etc.) are all real people, and that "real" side is what draws other people to us.
This isn't broken, so let's not fix it.
I read a featured post today by Bryan Robertson where he was advocating changing the points system of Active Rain to award points to only certain blog posts. Those which he considered to be real estate related.
I'm burning up!
I'm sorry Bryan....and I really do have a great deal of respect and affection for you...but you are exactly wrong. I believe what sets Active Rain apart from other "real estate sites" are the more personal posts. Whenever someone wants to find a real estate professional in another part of the country, I always suggest they get on Active Rain and read about the agents in their area. See who they connect with, who appeals to them.
A sequence of market reports and listings is just plain boring.
Consumers don't care which agent can create the prettiest graphs, they care about who they can identify with....who they believe can understand them and their needs, and then act on this information. Not one of my clients from Active Rain have come from a market report or basic listing post. They have all mentioned the personal posts.
The Route 66 Road Trips (they always wanted to do that)
The Pepperdine Law School Graduation Post (they had a daughter who graduated from there)
Our Local Election Results (they couldn't find it anywhere else)
A Restaurant Review (they were looking for an address online)These are just a few which come to mind. And what about the referrals which come from other agents because they have gotten to "know" me? My personality in my posts....both personal and professional....create a bond with other Active Rain members and referrals follow.
If you want to award points based on the business the posts create....then sure. If you want to change the entire personality of Active Rain.....well, I'm not sure. I'm not sure of the benefit anymore. I hope things don't change....right now, it's working.
Karen Fiddler
Broker/Associate
The Fiddler Realty Team/eVantage Real Estate
Lic # 01494165www.SearchForOrangeCountyHomes.com
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