ACTIVERAIN, POINTS, COMPETITION, WINNING AND BLOGGING FOR BUSINESS

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ACTIVERAIN, POINTS, COMPETITION, WINNING AND BLOGGING FOR BUSINESS - It's Not A Sprint. It's A Marathon.

YOU HAVE TO START SOME WHERE.

COME ON FOLKS, YOU JUST CAN'T START AT THE TOP.

There has been so much on the RAIN lately about points, I thought I would jump in. Why not?? We all have different motivations and experiences on THE RAIN.

HISTORY ON THE RAIN. I have been a member of ActiveRain since August 2006. My first post was on August 13, 2006. I posted about Copyright, something with which I have some experience. Fact is, we can post about any topic in which we have an interest and will gain points. Whether or not we get comments, and more points, depends on the general interest of our articles.

BLOGGING FOR BUSINESS. Folks who know me, know that I generally post what I describe as Hard Core Real Estate Talk,and Localisms. I post hard core real estate talk articles to discuss real estate related matters with folks engaged in the real estate industry, real estate brokerage, mortgages, title work, home inspectors, appraisers and more. We have wonderful conversations about any and all of these industry segments.

BLOGGING FOR BUSINESS. The below is a post I made on ActiveRain and it's on Google SERP the same day for the search term "lovettsville real estate".

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Real EstateBlog - LOVETTSVILLE VA HOMES, COMMUNITY, CONVENIENCE ...

LOVETTSVILLERELOCATION PACKAGE, Welcoming folks to Loudoun County, Virginia. Page 1 of 20.LOVETTSVILLE REAL ESTATE, NORTHERN VIRGINIA, ...
activerain.com/blogsview/352987/LOVETTSVILLE-VA-HOMES-COMMUNITY - 87k - Cached - Similar pages

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FEATURES, COMMENTS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS. Many articles have been featured and get a wider viewing audience than a non-featured post. Posts that are not featured still receive comments and encourage discussions through the system of subscriptions. The subscription feature is wonderful for alerting your subscribers that you've posted something that might interest them. Subscribing to members' blog is a great way to manage your ActiveRain time. If you see a member whose writing you like or consider information worthy, subscribe and you'll be alerted each time they post.

HOW CAN NEW ACTIVE RAIN MEMBERS COMPETE? The answer is simple. YOU DON'T HAVE TO. Many folks don't blog for business. Many consider ActiveRain a "social" network and if there isn't something particularly interesting about their daily life that they wish to share, they're not likely to post. However, folks who blog for businessand realize that ActiveRain is a wonderful resource for Internet synergy are more likely to establish a schedule for blog reviews and blogging. Blogging for business isn't points dependant. Google doesn't care about points.

10,000 pts 20,000 pts 30,000 pts 100,000 pts

IT'S NOT A SPRINT. IT'S A MARATHON.

YOU CAN COMPETE FOR POINTS. You don't have to compete with the RAINERS who are at the top. Why not just compete with the person one place ahead of you and work hard until you pass that person, and the next one and the next one. Most members at the bottom of the lists in towns and counties who don't blog much are not going to present much of a problem. You'll zoom past them in no time. It's when you get to the active bloggers that passing members becomes more challenging. Blogging activity changes from person to person. Some will lose interest. Some will concentrate on their personal blog. Sooner or later, with some patience and hard work, you'll climb higher and higher on the list for your area.

But, just think, every post to your blog that is related to your business practice is not only helping you climb the ActiveRain ranking, it also helps your business.

Good luck.

Courtesy, Lenn Harley, Broker, Homefinders.com, 800-711-7988, E-Mail.

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Want to learn more about Loudoun County, VA? Join Loudoun County, VA on Facebook!

Posted by Lenn Harley, Real Estate Broker, Virginia & Maryland on 02/04/2008 11:28 AM

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70 Comments on ACTIVERAIN, POINTS, COMPETITION, WINNING AND BLOGGING FOR BUSINESS - It's Not A Sprint. It's A Marathon.

FEB

2008

for me I write about half may posts about the business in general...and the other half is aimed at buyers or sellers. Points for the sake of points...I could care less.

I learned from the best here Lenn...and I love AR and what I've gotten out of it....that I put into it. :) I've learned to get my website and outside blogs up on first page right along with this one...but of course AR is tops for my stuff. Points? It mattered when I passed a milestone so I posted about what I've learned in that time. Other than that...it mattered more that I had readable content as well as reading great content. Thank you for you Lenn. I love the writing and reading here. :)

The points are a great progress marker, but the real "point" is that I'm having a terrific time sharing information about my community, products, trends and general information - and am becoming more visible in the ever-increasing online community.

Team DiMuria. Sounds like you're blogging for business. That's the whole idea.

Sally. Content, content, content. It's all about content. You're so right Sally.

Penny. Good for you. It will just get better.

Lenn,

You said it. If you are a business/ marketing blogger one of the ways to get most results is to set a weekly schedule for your blogging, commenting etc. and look at it as a long-term commitment. The benefits are there, it just takes some time to get established. Like in any marketing program.

Lenn - I stopped caring about points long ago. For me, it's about traffic, referrals, garnering knowledge, information & insight. The fact that I have fun here is icing on the proverbial cake. Oh yeah, I love writing and a few folks I just love to read.

Esko. You're right and have the right spirit. Actually, the ActiveRain system is easily structured for a schedule. Members simply have to make a personal commitment.

Jason. Me too. Many of the benefits of reading blogs are intangible, like meeting nice folks.

Lenn- I have one of these in draft! Why not chime in, yep, you are right, I got my 2 cents to say too, so I will. That is the beauty of the rain.

I would be lying through my teeth if I said the points do not matter! I love point driven platforms. That is what made me get involved with Active Rain. I will never forget that day I got points for doing my profile and I asked myself, What else can I get points for! The race was on! I love that type of competition and it makes me strive to be better. Being a top blogger is also a goal worthy to strive for- getting subscribers is key to the success and it is all so perfectly orchestrated together for a wonderful sprinkle or thunderstorm of rain, whichever one prefers! Love your post! Katerina

Lenn- Did you draw those stick figures?

You're absolutely right. When I started, it didn't take me too long to take the top slot in the DC category. Then I took some time off from AR and before I knew it Pat Kennedy came along and I'm sure I'll never catch back up to her. Then I invited Jim Downing to join and now that little bugger has zipped past me too. Of course I know where he lives, so maybe I'll just have to sabotage his internet connection for a few days. ;-p

Katerina. I agree completely and don't make fun of my stick figures.

Gregory. That's funny. Just do it. Work it and the points will come.

Lenn,

Sensible considerations! BTW, I've always admired your drawing ability...but this one must have been in haste...looks more like a soccer team than a marathon!!! LOL Thanks, Fran

Lenn- I'm a business blogger and while I enjoy many of the social blogs on AR my first priority is business..you can get a lot of points with good marketing material

Lenn, thanks for adding your two cents, what you said about challenging yourself with the one person in front of you is great wisdom. Step by step there is no one who can stop you but you yourself. I remember the day, I figured out about points, it was a challenge and exciting to see myself go up.

I remember the day I broke the 100 most subscribe bloggers, I could hardly sleep. But, I did it in a natural way, I wrote, I developed relationships and I blog when I have something on my heart to say........NEVER for points. That doesn't appeal to me at all.

But, if anyone wants them they for sale. LOL

Lenn, If winning the game is what folks are after then there is on thing that's for sure......you can't win if you don't play!! If folks would just concentrate on blogging and participating everything else will take care of itself. There are a few of us that just keep on doing our thing and because of that we have had success. It has nothing to do with points. All though I do like them:)

Lenn: I am new to active rain and just came across the rain of complaints about the point system. As a newbie it never occurred to me to complain about that. Work for it. Do your posts and you will learn from yourself and others. Thanks for your post Cassie

Hey Missy, I thought we already had a deal for your points...you can forget about that truckload of TN Vols shirts now and no Titans hats at all!...lol

Great post Lenn, I always learn and am challeenged by you and the AR members here! I like especially your advice about setting your sights on the next rung up versus on the insutmountable feeling feat of the top from the bottom! I post for both reasons, points and personal. The great thing about AR is it takees all kinds to make it go round..We all are putting something in everytime we post or comment. That is way cool! *at least to me*

Fran. Thanks. Fixed. You were right.

Kaye. Absolutely right. If you work ActiveRain, the points will come.

Missy. Friendships on ActiveRain are worth the time. The real estate information is worth the time. The points are dessert.

Bryant. No question that I love points, or any challenge and reward. It was genius. But, what the points did for me was determine my blogging schedule.

Cassie. Absolutely right. Post for youself and the rewards will come. Points seem to come slowly, but then you look one day and you have a milestone.

Quality of content is better than quantity of content.

Lenn, Funny thing, I was going to write about the correlation between marathon training and blogging, I think I still will. I've been training for marathons about as long as I've been blogging and see similarities in successfully accomplishing both. It's about planning, dedication, commitment, consistency and sticking to the plan even when you just don't feel like it. Overtime, the plan will become second nature and will simply become part of the process.

Hi Lenn, I BLOG FOR THE BUSINESS BABY! I've received several hot leads from A/R directly due to my blogging efforts centered on my desired markets. The points make it even more fun. I was taken by surprise a few weeks ago when I noticed I'd posted 200 BLOG ENTRIES! Holy cow, how and when did that happen? Anyway, blogging for points or not...what's the big deal...so long as you conduct yourself in a respectable manner, it's all good.

LENN

I just love your post, graphics and move forward attitude- You are so right, it is not a race-it is a discipline.

Great post Lenn! I must admit I blog for business, but occasionally look back to see what type of lead I am maintaining! Active rain is great for filling in the gaps on my Internet marketing!

Lenn,

You are a hoot!!! And now you're getting technical on us!!! LOL Thanks, Fran

Lenn -- you hit it on the head when you said it is not a sprint -- it is a marathon! I think that the points and contest keep me more motivated, but that is not the main thing that drives me on active rain. It is the contacts, the information and the business building that are of paramount importance.

Lenn: I am fortunate that I do have enough points to stand out in my area. Yeah, that and a dollar will get you a cuppa coffee. Oh, wait, Isn't it about 3 bucks not? Damn inflation.

I blog to organize thoughts, and to know what others are thinking so I can reorganzie my thoughts.

The last post you read of mine was actually a presentation a real estate company asked me to do this morning. I made it a blog, and beforehand, checked out what Realtors were saying.

Such a nice tool. I like you, long for more hard core and less fluff. Guess there are only some of us who appreciate HARD CORE.

LENN - The truth is that most consumers are not going to find you by your ranking, although there are some searches that return the state list, so being on top is helpful. It's also helpful for Localism, but if you write great posts regularly, the consumers will find you, and so will other agents for referrals. It's more about making your presence felt on AR then it is about having the most points. That being said, we are competitive people by nature on here, and everyone likes to be playing on an even playing field. You can't pass the top person if you don't pass the others on the way up as you mentioned. I think that we all tend to monitor the activity of those just ahead of us to see what they're doing. I'm quite sure that there are people behind me that are trying to "game the system," but I don't see it because I'm not looking.

Lenn - And all you folks reading inane comments....Points...sure, rack'em up. Value....not the points my friends.....nope.............you blog to be read by consumers...you blog to share with others...you blog so that your phone rings and anther member is asking if you have the time to handle a referral.....that's the points that you can take to the bank.

Use this tool to embellish upon your career. The points will happen along the way.

Benjamin. Absolutely right. Some folks have little taste for dessert.

Craig. Write it, write it. It's a great analogy.

Antoinette. 200 posts. Now that took some work. That is money in the bank.

Jim. All about marketing. All about marketing. For me, as with RealTalk in past times, I meet some very good referral agents on ActiveRain.

Fran. Just correcting an image. You can't win a race by kicking a ball around.

Joan. What I've been reading lately is new members who want to change the rules to benefit new comers. Overall points are not the only benefit of posting. Contests are another way of gaining from good writing.

Janet. That's so funny. I used to say "That and $1.50 will get you a cup of coffee in a cheap hotel. Now, it's $4.00 in a Starbucks.

Adam. Whether a members receives points or not doesn't affect the Google juice benefit of AR.

Great post Lenn. I started blogging for business, but as the weeks passed I noticed that I was getting a lot of education from AR members. I subscribed to different members, you included, because I didn't want to miss any information, and then I started looking forward to socializing with Realtors all over the US. I've gotten to the point that I feel like I know them personally. I don't get many points for posting (my writing is very dry) but I don't care, I just like being part of AR. (It has been great for my business too.)

Thanks Maria. You are absolutely right. We do get to know folks. We don't meet often but we don't have to. We meet every day on ActiveRain. Points will come but in the mean time, business will come faster.

you make great points like usual, and get points at the same time, ha-ha. Thanks for the post it is good to read everyones take on the subject.

Joey. I don't believe many will argue that to reach a high level for points, it takes hard work.

Lenn - This is the best post I have read on the subject...If we still had the point system I would have rated it a 5....

Thanks Sandra. I appreciate the thought. Enjoy.

Thanks John. I believe that's what we've all been saying.

Works for me.

Lenn, Love your Blogging for Business. That's what it is for me. As to the points, I don't care. As to the next person, I really don't care. Won't deny that I did at one time. If it's going to be any kind of race, it will be a race with myself to be able to produce good posts with value (most of the times) and comment on others. It's up to each individual to decide what their motivating factor is and then how to utilize that.

Lenn, that's what I do. I compete against one person at a time. Some have given me problems but in the end I shall prevail.

Bill Roberts

I ran into another agent in my area at a meeting. The agent pointed a big finger at me and said "YOU are my competition on Active Rain." I said, no, I am really not. This agent believes in posting stuff copied from other sources. I believe instead of trying to pass each other in points, we should be finding a way to compete against ourselves and post better content.

Thanks for putting it into perspective. I have been on AR for almost a year now. I got burned out for a while but now I'm back. I am going to do things a little different this time!

Ok, so I'm late to the party, but all I can say is that you're absolutely right. When I started I was more focused on the points because I really didn't know what the true benefits of AR were... now that I understand that, the points are just... points. Google doesn't care about points... it's all about content. Very well said, Lenn.

FEB

2008

Lenn - Great post. I can't imagine why changing the points system would make it better. If anything, I would want to scale it back, so that it would take longer to move to the top. It's not really fair to change the rules so that newbies don't have to work hard to get ahead. We have welfare systems for people like that.

Marc. That's exactly what I did when I joined. I competed with myself to stick to my schedule of posting, reading and commenting. Next thing I knew, I had lots of points. They they started to grow by themselves because I had the foundation.

Bill. One at a time and a little patience. I had a lot to overcome passing some folks. But, I prevailed. I had to overcome the loss of 10,000 points when a lot of photos got dumped, but I stayed hard at work and passed that person too.

Ginger. If you see copied material, flag it. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't but it keeps AR cleaner. Once the person who copies material sees that everyone is on to what they're doing, they often fade. They aren't interested in working their way up the ladder. They're looking for short cuts.

Tina. Baby steps will eventually get you there.

Jesse and Kathy. Thanks. Even without points, ActiveRain is worth the work for the Google juice. The points are wonderful reward and incentive.

Larry. You are 100% correct. Changing the system to punish those who have worked hard would be a terrible disincentive to work hard and continue to work hard.

I started at the BOTTOM - like everyone else..... I am now #2. More importantly is the call from a new client who says; "I was reading your blog".

My what? Oh yeah that thing I do for points! (well I don't say that - but you get the idea!)

Lenn~You are filled with a whole lot of wisdom and you will be one that I will follow from here on out. ActiveRain provides us with an incredible amount of resources to "get our name out there" and help our consumers be aware of our local area. I blog for business, networking, business, social, business, inspiration, business, you get the idea. I do like to mix it up and provide a wealth of information and have the end result, friends I have made here and business. Thank YOU for sharing your wisdom with us.

Lenn, great post and right on! Google really doesn't care about our points. What I like to see is when I post a Localism post and voila, up pops a link from Google sharing that post. That's what I'm working on the majority of the time. Every now and then I post for social purposes.....or to the members ...... if I feel strongly or am enthusiastic about something. That's it.......

Lenn - When I was a little girl, a boss of my Dad's gave me some of the best advice I've ever received. I think it even holds true here on The Rain:

The only time you start at the top is when you are digging a hole.

FEB

2008

I am a newbie, I have found that the point system is challenging me to do the things I need to do. I want to learn, I want to generate new business, and I want to contribute to others. And, of course, I want to gain points.

Lenn- No! I am not making fun, I think they are way cool and I want to know how you do them!

I've only been on AR for a little over a month now but saw the value immediately upon joining. For me, the value is not in the points, although it certainly motivates me to stay involved. For me, the value is in being in the face of my target market through a platform that allows me to educate and learn from others. It is great. And the points don't hurt either! Of course, being as competitive as I am (as we all are), I can't help but monitor what those above me in my state and county are doing to see if I can pass them. I made it my goal to get on the first page for my state. I am now just a few folks below that goal. I don't think being #1 in my state is going to do anything significant for me as I provide services to realtors outside of my state. But I wanted to set a goal for myself that I could concentrate on reaching. And I'm almost there. I'm just really glad that I learned immediately that it is more about the relationships than the points. Thanks for a great post!

~Renae

James. You betcha it works.

Julie. ActiveRain is full of helpful bloggers. We all learn from each other. I like your posts very much. Very professional.

Teri. I blog for business. Someone has to cover the "hard core" stuff. With great subscribers, it's always fun.

Debbie. That is so funny. I must remember that.

Laurie. Blog for business and the rest will follow and you'll be able to pay your mortgage payment waiting.

Katerina. If you mean the stick figures, that just takes a piece of paper and a black marker. I scan them, edit them in Photoshop and post. Nothing to it. Try it. They're free and only take a minute.

Renae. Just keep working your way up, whereever you are. The synergy is magic. I'm licensed in MD and Va but I'm in MD for ActiveRain because I had to choose, but my posts about VA real estate are all over Google.

Lenn, I agree with what you are saying. Blogging is not for points. But due to our human nature, it just seems "normal" to do that ie want to compete for the top spot. Realtors are entreprenuers and that is the quality that makes us competitive I guess.

FEB

2008

Lenn, Being new to Activerain I admire the posts you have written and the quality and information is unsurpassed and you just gave a newbie encouragement.As for your drawing abilities I personally think they are perfect for me as I can neither draw and after being in the business 20 years and remembering when a purchase agreement in ca. was only 2 pages and now am trying to learn this blogging stuff I kinda feel like those stickmen(stickpeople)look,bent,crooked and slow but still going forward as determined as ever.

Cameron. The secret is to keep going, keep going, keep going.

Do some Localism posts and get some Google juice.

Excellent!

Bill

FEB

2008

Lenn, every time I think I have nothing more to say, I read your blogs. You are an inspiration and great motivator to me. I keep going and learning more everyday. Thanks.

Lenn-Yes...Yes...Yes...I can't agree with you more...it's been interesting I have been in spot #2 for featured agent in Volusia County...I am happy with it...I try to be consistent...and blog with purpose...The young lady who has the #1 spot...has earned it...and I am very impressed!

gotta get better on my commenting...

I love the comments, the points and the featured when it happens...but it's more important to see where I end up in the search engines...I check it frequently...great post...and I love your very direct aproach...

FEB

2008

Lenn - I've enjoyed my year on Active Rain and like to feel that reading, commenting and posting on this blog is a treat, not work. As a result, I probably have fewer points than most people who started around the same time I did, but I feel good about the posts that I have written and I like to take the time to read through others posts and all the comments. I also like to think that a potential client will realize that I am knowledgeable about my profession by reading my posts. I know that is the approach you take, but you also are able to write in a style that other professionals on Active Rain greatly enjoy, which only a few can accomplish.

FEB

2008

Hi Lenn - I found this post from Adam's "Sunday Bloggy Sunday" today. I have been actively here on AR since August, and I have a number of reasons for being here, which you outlined in this post. I have been very happy to receive referrals from my friends, direct contact from consumers on my Localism-type posts, and a couple of calls for interviews that were really based mostly on my point total. I took the approach that you have suggested (competing with the person right above me) and I am now #4 in Texas for points, and soon I will be #3. Great post!

Bill. Thanks.

Kay. Thanks. That's very nice. Glad to be here.

Midori. Thanks very much. Direct is my style. But, keep working. You'll get there. Comments are more important than folks know. I saw one of my comments as a back link to homefinders.com today.

Gail. Thanks and I enjoy every minute and every word written and read.

Jason. Very nice. That really works. Baby steps. Soon you'll be at the top.

FEB

2008

Great post. I like Active Rain because I can network with others across the country and get great tips from others. I also like the fact that localism helps with google ranking.

Gita. I think you have discovered the secret of ActiveRain. Great networking. Great Google juice.

FEB

2009

Hi Lenn,

Great post and especially new active rain members should read this post as I think it will encourage them to blog more!

Great job!

Thanks

Tom Davis

DE REALTOR (R)

FEB

2009

Thanks Tom. Perhaps I'll rebublish it.

APR

2009

Lenn, when I found out about Activerain at a Continuing Education class last January 2009. I liked the sharing of real estate ideas among the best in the country and Canada as a new social media tool to promote my real estate business. It took me a week to decide to jump in with my first blog on January 30th. It is now 9 weeks later with 31 blogs and 29 associations. I have found a daily home to visit after I have accomplished my daily real estate business. I find some time to play in the rain and meet and build relationships and future referrals friends. I made this committment and found that with patience and consistency I could complete and perhaps surpass others in my state. In no time points began to accumulate and motivated me to go from the last page to Page one with 10K points and growing.

APR

2009

Kathleen. Good for you and welcome.

I start my work day with answering overnight e-mail and then ActiveRain. It's a great way to "get the juices flowing".

Careful use of text links helps my web sites too.

APR

2009

Great post Lenn. I didn't know about the points initially, but when I started seeing the numbers go up, I realized it then. Thanks for the info.

APR

2009

Suma. Goodness. You're reading some old posts. Work ActiveRain and the points will come.

Thanks a lot Lenn. Will try. Happy Easter.

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Lenn Harley, Real Estate Broker, Virginia & Maryland

Leesburg, VA

More about me…

Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate

Address: Lovettsville, Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, Stafford, Woodbridge, King George, Fredericksburg, Leesburg in VA., Rockville, Laurel, Columbia, Baltimore, Waldorf, Frederick, Eastern Shore, Bowie, Harford, Annapolis in MD. , Maryland, Virginia

Office Phone: (800) 711-7988

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Maryland and Virginia real estate agents and brokers serving buyers and sellers with experience. Search listings in Maryland and Northern Virginia and get daily updates of new homes for sale by e-mail. Contact Lenn for a tour of homes. REALTORS available every day for home tours. Homefinders network of experienced agents and brokers includes new home specialists, resale specialists and luxury home experts. We can help you with your home buying needs. Homefinders offers discounted 5% listings for Maryland, Northern Virginia home owners. Experienced agents helping buyers and sellers in the Washington Metro area since 1985.

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