RealEstate.Com…. Déjà Vu, Or Better Than Sliced Bread?

Jon:

I agree that we need to tone down our blogs about Market Leader and RealEstate.com.  Their services are being offered to us for a price.  We may or may not want to participate. No one is hold a gun to our heads.  I personally am not able to purchase my City now, but if it is still available, I may want to purchase it in the future.  My choice.

Hello Jon.........

At last...a voice of reason.

The majority of blogs written for AR are self-promotions. The reward is gaining points. I am not sure how much money these points would sell for on the open market????? Having the most points, doesn't automatically make one the most important Guru in their designated market. We live in a free country and have the ability to pick and choose. If we would all live by the "Golden Rule", we would be much happier.

RJ

Excellent perspective, Jon. There is no reason to respond with anger.

I think it bothers people to think that they are working hard to create an online presence on the internet. Then a company comes in that will garner more "google juice" and is selling something "back" to the individuals. Plus, it seems that we're always being bombarded by companies to buy a "presence". There is a sense of "urgency" generated in the calls and emails from these companies that implies "if we don't act now we'll lose out". If you're not super knowledgeable about the internet and internet marketing, that urgency can make you feel a sense of having something taken away from you if you don't pay up. I'm guessing this is what leads to the anger.

I wrote about the realestate.com program, but I wasn't angry. I look pretty carefully at any program that wants a commitment of money from me without a commitment of service from them. 

Dear Jon -
I think it is purely a problem of lack of communication.
Had AR - meaning Niki or Bob - sent out a short blanket email BEFORE THE CALLS STARTED to all 217,000+ members giving a heads up that the OWNER of ActiveRain was giving an advance opportunity to AR members before a new product went public - that would have alerted everyone that the phone calls would be coming.  Everyone on ActicveRain is a business person. Each AR member understands about a company's need to make money to survive. Not a new concept - is it? Just let the AR "family members" know what's coming ...
Have a happy day -
Lynn

My question is this (and not just about RealEstate.com, but others that sell leads):  If these leads converted at a good rate, just think how much money could be made on referrals.  These are not dumb companies and they have chosen not to go the referral route.  Does that mean they don't have that much faith in their leads?

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It appears Market Leader, with it's majority owenership of AR, the purchasing of RealEstate.con and SharperAgent.com along with it's partnership with Keller Williams is making a push to be the dominate player in the marketplace.