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The Power of Your Profile

There have been many stories of business success as a result of blogging on ActiveRain, and elsewhere as well.

Indeed, much has been written about our profiles, how to improve them and keep them updated and appealing (just for starters, check out Colleen Kulikowski (and another of hers here, too), George Tallabas, Karen George, and Brad Andersohn) and how to grab a bit more of Google's attention (who doesn't like that?). They did a far better job than I could on telling you what to do and how to do it successfully.

The power of your profile cannot be ignored for other reasons. Like getting business.

I'm not going to tell you what to do, since the information you include has to be your doing - your creativity, your style, and information that will make your profile compelling to those that read it. Suffice it to say that it works if done well.

Keep it real
Be open and honest
Share information that consumers will want and need to know, and there you have it.

I have a relocating buyer who is now in escrow, having found my profile only (not my blog), liked what he saw, emailed me, and we met the next day when he was in the area for interviewing. Things clicked, and four weeks later we are in escrow on a home some place north of $1 million due to close in 5 weeks. Not too shabby for a profile. And this is not the first time this has happened, just the most lucrative.

So don't underestimate the power of your profile. You just never know when it might resonate with someone who needs your help. And isn't that what it's all about?

Posted by Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Real Estate on 12/04/2007 01:18 AM

Comments (45)

ar, agents, buyers, sellers, blogging

Post is included in group: Realtors®
Post is included in group: Everything California
Post is included in group: Active Rain Newbies
Post is included in group: RE/MAX Active Rain Bloggers

45 Comments on The Power of Your Profile

Hey great way to dress up your new look and sure to let the kids know I had seen you on AR.

12/04/2007 01:23 AM

by Gary Bland R (S) E-Pro, ABR (Century 21 All Islands)

I like my profile, but, maybe, I need to give it check up. Any suggestions, doc?

Jess Rankin, Pickering Group

Loans ala Jess

12/04/2007 01:27 AM

by Pickering Group

I just learned to put my website http://www.mckeonengineering.com/ and http://www.engineertrades.com/ at the head of my profile so it is shown on the preview type page.

I have also learned that posting on other forums...like mine on http://www.engineertrades.com/ will help boost your web exposure. I did a search just after posting on here and Google is fast on finding links. I found a bunch more links after posting.

Also, post on many other related forums, not just mine at http://www.engineertrades.com/ , but search for related forums and post there.

ActiveRain has a high rating and is searched often by the different search engines (as is mine at both sites...try searching 'orlando civil engineer' on yahoo...number 5 and searching 'orlando civil engineer land developer' on Google and we are number 1.

Actively posting on sites and keeping your profile direct and clean helps a lot with your online exposure.

Thanks again guys (and girls) for just simply putting up with me.

12/04/2007 01:44 AM

by Thomas McKeon, P.E. (McKeon Engineering & Associates, LLC)

Your profile IS fun, Jeff. And you clean up pretty good, too!
Thanks for the tips and links to some other great posts.

12/04/2007 01:46 AM

by Roswell Georgia Real Estate Agent - Nancy Rivera (RE/MAX Leading Edge in Roswell Ga)

Writing a profile can sometimes be challenging... But this case very well explains the upside to undergoing the challenge and getting it done, or in some instances, re-writing the profile.

™

12/04/2007 01:56 AM

by Ricardo Bueno (World Wide Credit Corporation)

Still one of the most overlooked aspects of this platform. Which reminds me, mine is need of updating!!!

12/04/2007 02:28 AM

by Rich Jacobson ~ ActiveRain Community Builder (ActiveRain Corporation)

Someone pointed out that I have a spelling mistake in the name of my blog ... which includes the name of my province? Any suggestions on how to fix this?

12/04/2007 03:20 AM

by Bryon Howard (Remax House of Real Estate)

I updated mine, after Brad's tutorial on it. Congratualations on the lead from your profile.

12/04/2007 04:08 AM

by Missy Caulk Ann Arbor Realtor Ann Arbor Real Estate (Keller Williams Ann Arbor)

Jeff, I just made a note last night before going to bed that I needed to update and rework my profile and I wake up to this! Amazing.

Congratulations on your client from Active Rain! Active Rain Rocks!

12/04/2007 05:13 AM

by Linda Scanlan (A Fan of AR)

Jeff, I'm sure mine needs updating, but I just can't seem to get to it when I'm here. I guess I need to get busy

12/04/2007 06:09 AM

by Peggy K - Illinois Virtual Tour Provider and Real Estate Photographer (Grand Property Virtual Tours)

Jeff, I fully agree. The profile is your first impression.

12/04/2007 06:58 AM

by Frank Rubi Louisiana Real Estate-Homes for Sale (Specialized Real Estate Services, Inc.)

not to mention the power of a changing picture. Love yours!

I didn't get the profile thing when I first arrived in the Rain. Mine could still stand a little tweaking, I'm sure.

12/04/2007 08:14 AM

by Palmetto Bay | Redland Real Estate | Maggie Dokic (EWM Realtors)

HA ha Gary - my kids have not commented on the look as yet. Maybe it DOES make the profile more appealing. But will they buy a house?

Jeff

12/04/2007 08:36 AM

by Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Real Estate (RE/MAX Associates)

Jess - some cool stuff there. I like it.

Jeff

12/04/2007 08:41 AM

by Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Real Estate (RE/MAX Associates)

Thomas - well it is always work in progress, I think. Thanks for your thoughts and good luck.

Jeff

12/04/2007 08:44 AM

by Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Real Estate (RE/MAX Associates)

Ha ha, Nancy. You are too kind. :)

Jeff

12/04/2007 08:45 AM

by Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Real Estate (RE/MAX Associates)

Thank you, Ricardo. As Rich say, it IS often overlooked and there are some good reasons for taking time to improve it, and keep it updated.

Jeff

12/04/2007 08:46 AM

by Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Real Estate (RE/MAX Associates)

Rich. A good reminder for everyone to update regularly. BTW I always liked YOUR profile. And how is that weather treating you up there. Everything OK?

Jeff

12/04/2007 08:48 AM

by Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Real Estate (RE/MAX Associates)

Bryon - all the changes in your profile and blog can be made from the My Profile and My Settings linkson the left side of your home page. The BLOG TITLE is changed under My Settings. Click there, and the top field you can edit will be the Bog Title to correct the typop.

Jeff

12/04/2007 08:54 AM

by Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Real Estate (RE/MAX Associates)

Missy - thanks. I need to make some other changes in mine again. Brad's tutorial was great, wasn't it?

Jeff

12/04/2007 08:56 AM

by Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Real Estate (RE/MAX Associates)

See, Linda? It must be in the stars! So have you done it yet? :)

Jeff

12/04/2007 08:58 AM

by Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Real Estate (RE/MAX Associates)

Peggy - well, I know what you mean. Seems I have a number of things like that on my list. Just make it a MUST DO and do it. Even if you spend just 10 minutes you can make some amazing changes. It doesn't all have to be done at once.

Jeff

12/04/2007 09:01 AM

by Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Real Estate (RE/MAX Associates)

Ha! Yours gives me inspiration and a lot to strive for! I need more coffee and get started!

12/04/2007 09:01 AM

by Linda Scanlan (A Fan of AR)

Frank. I agree. And when you see the stats on your Statistics page and see how many time sthe profiel has been viewed, it brings home the point even more.

Jeff

12/04/2007 09:02 AM

by Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Real Estate (RE/MAX Associates)

Maggie. That's true. I think you have changed yours, too, a few times. It adds some interest, IMO. But I suppose it should not be done TOO often.

Jeff

12/04/2007 09:10 AM

by Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Real Estate (RE/MAX Associates)

Linda - Here's my pep talk. DO IT, LINDA. GRAB THAT COFFEE AND GET TO IT!

Jeff

12/04/2007 09:11 AM

by Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Real Estate (RE/MAX Associates)

Good points. I agree the profile should be professional and be an honest reflection of yourself.

12/04/2007 09:32 AM

by Matthew Zgonc, REALTOR® for Modesto, CA (ERA Village One Real Estate)

Very nice profile! Good job! :)

12/04/2007 10:00 AM

by Kelly Sibilsky ~ Lake Zurich RE/MAX Real Estate Agent (RE/MAX Unlimited Northwest)

Good post thanks for the reminder. I find it hard to change my profile but I will give it a try. Its hard to write about yourself sometimes.

12/04/2007 10:57 AM

by Rosemary Brooks -Mother & Daughter (866)-750-8282 (Family Realty Group - 866-750-8282)

Jeff -- Thanks for the mention -- and you are very right! It is a very important part of your internet presence. And make sure that you have Call To Action and Links to Email you directly, search the MLS and links to favorite articles of yours...

12/04/2007 11:21 AM

by Western New York Home Sales | Colleen Kulikowski (Hunt Real Estate ERA)

Good post Jeff! Thank you for providing the links to all of this great information.

12/04/2007 05:15 PM

by Ana Connell (Exit Family Realty)

Jeff - You are correct. It is disappointing to read a great post by someone and be let down by their profile page.

12/04/2007 05:24 PM

by Ryan Martin - Bellingham Real Estate Agent (Windermere Real Estate / Whatcom Inc.)

Howdy Jeff

You have done a fine written post with very fine info for all of us to think about. Keep the good work.

Have a good one

Dale

12/04/2007 05:30 PM

by Dale Baker, Home Inspector- in NH & VT (Baker Home Inspections and Consulting Service)

George helped me with mine in the beginning...then I started tweaking it... :) Good pointers here Jeff!

12/04/2007 05:52 PM

by Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman (RA), e-PRO HAWAII Real Estate & HAWAII Relocation (Century 21 Liberty Homes -Mililani, Hawaii)

Hey Jeff - great post, thanks for the link love. Way to keep it all real! BTW - Love your profile page!! :-)

12/04/2007 07:25 PM

by Brad Andersohn ~ Community Builder (ActiveRain)

Good one Jeff, I see lots of links and bullets. Chris, Georges and Colleen have great profiles.

12/04/2007 09:24 PM

by LLoyd Nichols~SW Florida Homes (Right Choice Realty LLC)

Thank you Jeff. Need all that great advice. I periodically take a look at my profile and try to make improvements. Time to do it again.

12/04/2007 10:08 PM

by Pat Baker Real Estate Expert Needham, MA (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage )

Hi Jeff,

This is a great reminder, to keep are profiles updated mine is way over due! Those are all great profiles, thanks! :)

12/04/2007 10:20 PM

by Suzanne Sands-Somerset, MA Real Estate (Century 21 Associates Realty)

There are many blogs posted on Active Rain about how to make an effective profile. Just go to search, select blog and type profile. You should see some great posts come up about this topic. Brad has a great tutorial which helped me a lot. Also, Jeff, quite an eye catching photo!

12/05/2007 10:05 AM

by Donna Yates, Georgia Realtor North Georgia Blue Ridge Real Estate (Mountain Investments of North Georgia)

Good post Jeff ... we all need to practice promoting ourselves in writing an verbally.

12/05/2007 09:50 PM

by Larry Wright (nwRealty.Com)

Great advice i am going to look at mine and see if it needs updating.

12/06/2007 06:59 AM

by Vicki Bishop GRI - Alabama Real Estate (Coldwell Banker United Realtors®)

Mayhap I will go take another teensy look at mine...North of a Mil you say? I could handle that...lol

12/06/2007 08:32 AM

by Brentwood TN Real Estate/Homes - Vanessa Stalets REALTOR® (RE/MAX Elite)

Thank you all for your comments!

Well, I feel guilty for not getting back quickly and responding to all the great comments. Too much to do right now.

I think the reminder is that we can all take a look at our blogs and profiles periodically and make changes, and there is certainly lots of help here from others who have written great posts. The lesson for me has been that it is not just the posts that bring in business. But like others, writing about myself is not something I do well.

Finding the right combination of information about us that benefits potential clients without sounding like a commercial seems to be the key. And keeping it interesting with lots of links to information and photos.

Jeff

12/06/2007 09:50 AM

by Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Real Estate (RE/MAX Associates)

Hi Jeff -- Great Post... and nice profile.

04/14/2008 03:12 AM

by Neal Barnes, Broker REALTOR®, ABR, CRS, GRI, SRES, SRS. (REALTY WORLD Neal Barnes & Associates)

Jeff, what a shock to see you all dressed up. I would have never ever though that was the same person as on your profile.

Anyway, excellent stuff regarding profiles. I am new and just getting info gathered together to make my profile even better. Right now, just looking at all the other blogs to gather up info. Soon I will take the plunge and write my own.

07/14/2008 02:22 AM

by Troy Erickson (Terra Solis Realty, LLC)