I joined Active Rain in February 2007. At the time, I knew the term "blog", but really didn't know what it meant...
Over the first year, I wrote about 5 posts, and wondered, "Why isn't this bringing me any business?"
I didn't get it.
One year later, I made a committment to AR, blogging, and my real estate business.
At the time, Active Rain was my only social media outlet, and I ate it up. Facebook, Twitter, and Trulia were either months or years awar for me.
So again, I poured my soul into writing posts on Active Rain. I still go back from time to time and read the old ones. If you are struggling as an agent today, I strongly suggest you go read some of my old ones. Not necessarily well written, but honest, raw and passionate. Gives me the chills reading the painful times I went through and my honest sharing of them...
So much has changed in the last several years for me. My passion remains the same, but I am spreading it out over several mediums now, not just focusing it on one...
About 3 years ago, a corporation purchased AR from its founders, Jon Washburn and friends, and believe AR may has lost it's way.
I don't write this to criticize the current owners, but rather to inspire them to greatness.
Two issues I currently have:
- Price
Like many agents, business still remains challenging for me. Many are struggling to make ends meat, pay MLS dues, and to survive in these times...
There was a time when I sang the praises of AR to all that would listen. Now, however, I not only need to explain the value of the time commitment, but I also need to tell them that it is worth $39/month (is that the going rate?).
This is a tough sell, and one I don't make. I could not afford to make that investment personally, so I don't ask others to...
Facebook, Trulia, and just about every other social media site is free. AR needs to find a way...
- The Facebook Issue
Facebook is my most valuable social media asset. The benefits I receive from participating on FB outweighs the benefits from every other site I use combined.
My problem is this: I want to promote Active Rain, and I would like to use FB to do it. However, when I go to post my writing from AR, the link doesn't really work. It looks lame. I have to post a picture with it. Many that would be interested in my writing click on the picture, and never see the words associated with it.
This is a serious problem for me, as well as others I have spoken to. I have asked Active Rain (on Facebook, ironically) multiple times why this occurs, and I have never heard back.
I have a simple solution. I now post my writings from Trulia, not Active Rain. My posts from Trulia look clean and neat, with the title of the post, the first several lines, as well as a picture. Facebook is a visual forum, and a picture with the links are a must...
I would prefer to post from AR, but frankly, I lose to much exposure, and I won't do that.
Again, this is not sour grapes. I have no ill will. I would like to see AR prosper in this changing world, and believe it can.
I don't expect pricing to change. I am OK with that. I have a free account as one of the early adopters.
I do expect a good answer as why I can't post on FB. I have suspicions why it happens (don't want to share content?). I hope those suspicions aren't true, and it is a technological glitch. If so, FIX THE GLITCH!
Ken
Read my post, "I am a horrible Realtor!"
Read all of them. Lots of good stuff. Some not so good, but you have to break some eggs to make an omelette...
Hi Ken...
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