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Active Rain makes the world smaller and friendlier

By Sharon Simms

Real Estate Agent with Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International

January 22, 2008 11:52 PM

Active Rain gatherings - the regional ones - get lots of posts and photos - and are a great way to meet each other. We shouldn't discount, though, the small one-on-one meetings.

Last night Tami and I arrived in Oakland, for a brief overnight stop en route to Honolulu to teach the CLHMS class, and Laura Monroe met us at the airport. She drove an hour and a half from Sacramento, and we went out to dinner directly from the airport.

The restaurant had good seafood, and a nice environment where we could hear each other talk, but best of all was the ever-flowing conversation on all kinds of topics. We were so engrossed in that that neither Laura nor I thought of taking a picture of our threesome!

Pick up the phone when you know you're going to travel, and make arrangements to meet someone you've come to know online. It's wasn't out of the blue, of course, since we've read each others posts and made comments back and forth.

Beyond the SEO, beyond the posts and points, it's all about PEOPLE.

Thanks, Laura, for coming to meet us!

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Brian Block

RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA

Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate

Sharon, meeting other Active Rain bloggers has been great. To date, I've met at least 20 and have plans to meet many more.

Jan 22, 2008 11:56 PM

Dave Woodson

Dave Woodson - Chesterton, IN

Not the Average Agent

i look forward to meeting people from AR, but I hve been lucky to get people on here that are my friends already

Jan 23, 2008 12:00 AM

Jeanean Gendron

The Address Realty - Redding, CA

Specializing in Selling Unique Properties

Sharon, this is an excellent idea and I know so rewarding and fun. We have a local event scheduled in February, but I really like your idea. Traveling locally can apply, as well. I get to Chico now and again and to Sacramento. I can look up my fellow ActiveRainers on these trips. Nice post. Next time takes photos and share. They are so fun!

Jan 23, 2008 12:05 AM

Chris Griffith

Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL - Bonita Springs, FL

Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent

Sharon, I've had the opportunity to meet alot of poeple on Active Rain. Its so true that the world is a smaller place. I've kind of moved over to twitter and spend more time there, now. My circle is getting bigger.

Jan 23, 2008 12:05 AM

Linda Scanlan

A Fan of AR - Burleson, TX

Sharon - The AR members here in the Ft. Worth area are trying to get something together for a small gathering and I can't wait. I've visited with several members from all over the country by phone and it was great, but I can't wait to meet them in person.

Jan 23, 2008 12:51 AM

Anonymous

Matt Fagioli

Hey Sharon,

I'm just "chiming in" to be part of the Tomato group here.

I haven't done too much with activerain but it sounds like I should!

We're just now opening an office in Tampa. Maybe we can connect soon.

Be blessed, Matt Fagioli, Operating Broker, Diamond Dwellings Realty

Jan 23, 2008 01:06 AM

Sharon Simms

Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International - Saint Petersburg, FL

St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS

Brian - That's great. I haven't counted how many I've met but have made some good friends.

Dave - so very true.

Jeanean - I usually do, but then several others have done that as well, so we remind each other I'm sure I and others will take lots of photos at the Honolulu gathering.

Chris - we were talking about Twitter last night. You should blog about that experience - what it's about, what it's meant to you, how much time you spend on it, etc.

Linda - that could be a great networking group.

Matt - glad to know you're a fellow Tomato. Come on over to St Pete and see what our side of the bay is like - we'll have coffee or lunch in downtown St Pete.

Jan 23, 2008 01:31 AM

Rick & Ines - Miami Beach Real Estate

Majestic Properties - Miami Beach, FL

Where are the pictures Sharon? I want to see pictures!

Jan 23, 2008 01:55 AM

Jeff Dowler, CRS

eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA

The Southern California Relocation Dude

Such a good suggestion, Sharon, and so easy to do if you plan a little. I can;t imagine that anyone would ot take the opportunity to get together. I have been to large and small AR gatherings, some planned, some impromptu, and have met over 50Rainers to date - Hawaii will up that list substantially!! Can't wait. Have a good trip and see you Monday night.

Jeff

Jan 23, 2008 02:53 AM

Donna Harris

Donna Homes, powered by JPAR - TexasRealEstateMediationServices.com - Austin, TX

Realtor,Mediator,Ombudsman,Property Tax Arbitrator

I don't really travel, so I can't meet people that way, but I've met a few Rainers in the Dallas area, and they're wonderful people!

Jan 23, 2008 05:48 AM

Patricia Kennedy

RLAH@properties - Washington, DC

Home in the Capital

Sharon, you are so right! This afternoon, I had lunch with blog buddy James Downing and I felt like we'd known each other forever. And when you are in DC, you know who you must call!

Jan 23, 2008 10:35 AM

Margaret Woda

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Crofton, MD

Maryland Real Estate & Military Relocation

Even a phone call between "rainers" brings a smile. I've had one today and yesterday, and felt like I was talking with an old friend!

Jan 23, 2008 01:31 PM

Sharon Simms

Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International - Saint Petersburg, FL

St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS

Ines - picky, picky, picky.

Jeff - Jeff - you've made good use of ActiveRain in this and many other ways. 'Til Monday ...

Donna - for everyone who travels, someone has to be where they go - keep up the welcome committee in Dallas.

Patricia - good for you! Tami and I will be teaching a CLHMS class in DC right before the NAR-midyear conference in D.C.

Margaret - yes. phone calls are great.

Jan 23, 2008 02:02 PM

Sam Miller

RE/MAX Stars Realty - Howard, OH

Knox County Ohio Real Estate Specialist

Sharon,

Your comment is so right when you said "It's all about people".

Jan 23, 2008 02:06 PM

Robert Monk

100% Realty, Inc. - Santa Rosa Beach, FL

Florida Real Estate

You are so right, Sharon, when I travel now, I contact Realtors I associate with and let them know i'll be in their neighborhood... often we have lunch... ActiveRain is making the world smaller, as you say!

Jan 23, 2008 03:53 PM

Sharon Simms

Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International - Saint Petersburg, FL

St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS

Robert - taking a local Realtor to lunch is a small price to pay for getting to know someone and learning a bit about the area and market. And if they become a good friend? Now that's priceless.

Jan 25, 2008 12:59 AM

Laura Monroe

Inman News - San Francisco, CA

Dir. of Industry Engagement & Social Media

Sharon~ Sorry I'm a bit late responding to your blog, but wanted to say how fun it was to meet you and Tami! Its hard to believe that I've been reading your blogs since '06, and now can say I'm proud to know you:) ActiveRain has been such a valuable resource for friendships and learning!

P.S. You have an excuse for forgetting a camera, it was 11 pm Florida time when you arrived in CA:) Me, I have none, except maybe a little AR celebrity shock! Say hi to Tami!

Jan 27, 2008 01:25 PM

Sharon Simms

Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International - Saint Petersburg, FL

St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS

Laura - it was so great to meet you! We're still in Hawaii so it will be another week before we're back to Florida.

Jan 28, 2008 05:25 AM