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Active Rain's a Master Class -- Who Are Your Instructors?

Have you ever been to a Master Class?

Cello player During my Thanksgiving trip to Florida, I had the wonderful opportunity to sit in the audience during a Master Class given at Lynn University Conservatory of Music by world-renowed cellist Orlando Cole. Watching this amazing 100 year old virtuoso instruct seven students 1/5 his age on the finer points of their beautiful cello performances was mesmerizing and awe-inspiring. At his advanced age, Mr. Cole truly remains a master of his art with a fine attention to detail and discerning ear for musical prowess.

Wikipedia defines a master class as a class given to students of a particular discipline by an expert of that discipline -- usually music, but also painting, drama, or any of the arts.

As Realtors, real estate is our discipline.

We should all be lifelong students of our craft, constantly striving to improve ourselves, our business, and our service to our clients.

Active Rain provides the opportunity to daily immerse ourselves in a Master Class on real estate.

This post honors some of those that I look up to as Masters in this class that we call Active Rain.

Blogging for Business

Master Lenn

Lenn Harley surely tops the list. Not only has she reached the highest peaks of Active Rain blogging, she constantly posts hardcore real estate information, discusses business blogging and posts about her success. There's always something to learn when you read one of Lenn's posts.

Blogging about the Business

Master Bryant

Joining Lenn in the Platinum Star Hall of Fame is Bryant Tutas, commonly known as Broker Bryant (or just BB). Bryant regularly contributes to the community by unselfishly instructing Realtors around the country on his business practices drawing upon his years of experience as a successful listing broker in Florida.

Working Expired Listings

Master & Mrs. Gasset

Bryant writes about expired listings and provided his letter in one of his posts. Nestor & Katerina Gasset have tirelessly informed the Active Rain network about marketing for and obtaining expired listings. Their posts and systems have inspired and helped many a member.

Active Rain Internal Workings

Master Brad

If you want to learn how to use all the tools that Active Rain offers whether it's spicing up your profile, adding video, marketing your blog, or just about anything else, look no further than Brad Andersohn, who's always there with helpful advice.

WHO ARE YOUR ACTIVE RAIN MASTER CLASS INSTRUCTORS?

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If you plan to purchase or sell a home in the Northern Virginia or D.C. area,
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Posted by Brian Block -- Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate on 12/02/2007 03:12 PM

Comments (38)

active rain, active rain block party, master class, lenn harley, bryant tutas, katerina gasset, brad andersohn

Post is included in group: RE/MAX Active Rain Bloggers

38 Comments on Active Rain's a Master Class -- Who Are Your Instructors?

DEC

2007

All of the above, plus Laurie Manny, Karen George, Jeff Belonger, Jay and Monika McGillicudy, Jeff Turner, Ed Rybczynski.

I'd like to spend a day with each of them.

Excellent post, Brian. Thank you!

Thank you Missy how nice. I too agree with the above list and all on Missy's list too. I would also like to add Mark Flanders to this list. He has helped me hours on end and I can't thank him enough. He is very proficient in WordPress.

Gee. Thanks. What else can I say. Yes, I blog for business. It works.

I also blog to vent. That helps tremendously.

I also blog for fun. It's like having a Chocolate Nut Brownie for desert.

Lenn is so cute. She has a bunch of reasons and gives such simple reasons why. She is the one who taught me...blogging is for business......and it's WORK so the amount of time spent is actually for our business...again...blogging for business. I agree with Missy...there are many more that I would consider great mentors as well. There aren't just a few ....although you gave a few good ones here!

Well thank you Brian. I, like Lenn....LOVE this place! Writing about what I do is fun. Must be an age thing:)

I wonder if Lenn has some more of those brownies?

I am taking a Master Class from Lola Audu to get my blogging up to speed. If you want help, just ask Lola.

Yes! I am an art fanatic and frequently take classes offered by local artists - many of whose artwork I own. It can be an inspiring glimpse into the creative psyche. I can think of a handful of AR masters that I would love to learn from. Maybe it's time to start asking :))

Unlike Lenn - I would still rather have a Chocolate Nut Brownie.... But Blogging for business is wonderful!

..Btw Brian - looking at ALL these posts - I see you have been busy. Glad you are back from vacation!

Cheers

Ummm interesting question. I think my answer would have to have Lenn, and Cynthia Thigman, Faina, Sally Cheesman, Julie Neerings, Missy Caulk, Sharon (Toni) Brown, and Toni Ellis, Carole Pavoline, Bobby Carrol, Ryan Martin, Todd Clark, William Johnson, Ted Baker, and others....but this group has all offered some life lesson....whether it be how to laugh, how to overcome adversity, and so many other things.......and all are so UNSELFISH, which I think is the number one attribute for any good REALTOR (R).........

My list could be longer, but hey, it's your Post Brian :) :) I might have misspelled some of the last names, but hey they're from memory :) :)

All the excellent bloggers listed can be great teachers and I am paying attention. But I have learned lots of things from many less read and unknown bloggers here on AR, it is worth looking around.

DEC

2007

I've said before that this year in real estate has been my Masters Degree. The clients, the consumers, and the wonderful people here on AR have been the instructors.

What a year for education, and what a year for friendships. Gotta love it!

Brian, Those you mentioned above are excellent trainers and share their knowledge, but I am convinced it is the collective efforts of all that makes ActiveRain itself a Master Class. Karen Kruschka www.e-virginiarealesate.com

MISSY: Thanks for your comments and for adding on to the list of Masters on Active Rain. Each of those that you have mentioned are excellent mentors here as well. I've had the opportunity to spend an afternoon with Nestor & Katerina Gasset. Maybe Lenn Harley will be next -- she lives and works close enough.

JOSEPH: Thanks for your comment.

We are surrounded by so many amazing people Brian. What a great post and you have quite the list. These are people who go that extra mile to help everyone of us with our success. There are many here on AR. I'm afraid to make a list in case I forget a name. Every person here has taught me a lesson or two and you are right there my friend. Have a fabulous day!

Kathy is back! Welcome back my friend and thank you for including me on your list. What an honorable place to be.

JAY: Thanks for your comment. I've looked at your wife's blog, but haven't stopped by yours yet -- I'll have to take a peek. Additionally, I'll take a look at Mark Flanders, although WordPress is not a tool in my arsenal right now.

LENN: Thanks for your comment. You are definitely a model of excellence in blogging for many here on Active Rain. Missy mentions wanting to spend a day with her favorite bloggers. We're both in Northern Virginia. Can I buy you lunch? Chocolate nut brownies for desert!

SALLY: Thanks for your comment. The community is chock full of gracious mentors who are always as willing to give as we are to receive instruction.

BRYANT: Thanks for stopping by. Better be careful -- too many brownies and Blogging Bertha is going to bust out of her britches!

DEE DEE: Lola's another excellent blogger and mentor. Thanks for adding to the list with your comment.

JENNIFER: I'd love to see some of your artwork. If it's as creative as your prose and poetry, I'm sure I'd enjoy it. My mother teaches art and art history to elementary school kids in her self-created curriculum. Take a look at her website at www.Art-Smart.us

All you have to do is ask -- the masters here are more than willing to share.

JAMES: Thanks for your comments. I have definitely gotten back on track with blogging since returning from my Thanksgiving vacation. And no chocolate brownies for me -- got to watch the weight during this holiday season.

I think you need a masters section for SEO and Karen George is pretty darn good there. How about mortgage folks and Brian Brady knows his stuff. Mortgage fraud Ed R.

I want to start getting CE credit for my time here!!

KATHY: Welcome back from your Hawaii vacation. You've got a great list of master mentors there, most of whom I consider teachers too, a few that I don't recognize and must check out. UNSELFISH is the key point -- they all are. They are successful and willingly share their success secrets to help bring everyone up. Thanks for your comments.

BONNIE: Thanks for your comments. You are right -- I learn something from just about every post I read. The ones that I've mentioned have been consistently excellent in their instruction.

KRIS: Your comment is so true. It has been a great year. I started on Active Rain in late June and have been blogging outside since March. Ready to hit 2008 and make use of all the new knowledge and friendships!

KAREN: Thanks for your comments. The collective efforts make every day spent in the Rain a worthwhile endeavor.

JULIE: Thanks for your comments. So many around us here do go the extra mile and I probably could have added another dozen to my list but wanted to keep the post relatively short. I hope you have a wonderful day too.

JOSETTE: You are right -- SEO and Karen George are synonymous! Brian Brady and Ed R. are certainly worthy additions to the list.

Speaking of CE credit -- I actually suggested a form of this to Bob Stewart a few weeks ago -- the possibility of using the Active Rain forum to offer CE classes.

DEC

2007

Well, Brian - you would actually be on my list. You know how I feel about your market studies...

I would have to include Brad Carroll - he doesn't post often, but when he does... VERY easy how-to's on SEO.

MARGARET: That's very kind of you to include me on your list, though I feel like I've got quite a climb ahead of me before I'd consider myself to have reached that peak. Brad Carroll is another blogger that I subscribed to very early on and I do wish he posted more often.

DEC

2007

Brian, besides some already mentioned...Cheryl Johnson is a genious with photoshop and other techie stuff, the late Mike Stankewich's photography blogs are awesome and timeless. Elizabeth Nieves is a master writer and communicator. I could go on forever..... What a great resource we have here!

Ginger

DEC

2007

GINGER: Thanks for adding to the list some additional master bloggers. I honestly haven't read much by any of these writers and look forward to taking a peek.

DEC

2007

Brian- I have no idea how I missed this post and another one! Thank you so much for putting me and Nestor in such awesome company with Bryant and Lenn and Brad. I love their posts and Brad is totally amazing when it comes to the internet and they all give tirelessly and unselfishly. I would add Sally to the list for her great use of photos and photoshop and her great posts for localism on Hawaii. I have seen any better than hers for that purpose. Katerina

KATERINA: Thanks for your comments. I'm glad you made it over here to the master class! Sally does have a unique touch with her great Hawaii photos and her Localism posts.

Nice post. I have read posts from all the people you have mentioned.

GITA: Thanks for stopping by and commenting.

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