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There Is Always Time to Be a Sensei or Grasshopper Here at ActiveRain

By
Home Builder with Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 CSL#642819

 

There Is Always Time to Be a Sensei or Grasshopper

Here at ActiveRain

When I first saw the Sensei/Grasshopper Contest, I was excited about all of the possibilities to gain new knowledge from the vast experience of those that are here. But where do I start? There always seems to be something more to learn and ways to improve my blogging. Who would I ask? I feel like I learn from everyone here in some way. No use jumping out there too early, there is always time to get this done before the end of the month.

Well, time passes by very quickly when you are busy and the idea of doing things tomorrow runs out. I don’t want to make this a pseudo-attempt, just throwing something together for points. I truly wanted to participate in the experience, but have run out of time to make a genuine attempt. I had made a list of some of the things that I could use mentoring in doing here. In reviewing the list I remember seeing so many of them in posts and discussions already.

I went to my bookmarked posts that have grown in number over the last few years, and many of the items that I had on the list were already in the bookmarked posts. Of course there is the ActiveRain University which houses a treasure chest of valuable information that I have only begun to uncover. So I had a change of heart.

I didn’t feel right truly participating in the contest because of the time remaining, but I had a great opportunity to still be a Grasshopper. I didn’t even feel comfortable asking Dick Greenberg for a change in “trying something a bit different”; I just had to do it different. We all have the ability to learn as a mentee from the resources that are already available.

So I gathered some bookmarked posts and visited the University and learned How to get Google Authorship. I had recently got a Google+ account and adding to it now. I found the instructions for Authorship very easy to do – I had the step-by-step posts. I look forward to seeing the effects of this in the next few days. This came from posts by Bob Stewart and Debbie Gartner.

I need to work on my Hyper-Local posts. I saw a great video explaining how to do this. I learned of the value in posting regularly about my local neighborhood in which I do business. This may not get as many comments as other posts but can really benefit me in gaining customers. I can add keyword use, calls to action, and so much more that has been rekindled.

This has taught me that there is much to learn still, so I signed up for the Bloggers Boot Camp too.

I realize that this was not the intended use of the contest, but I think that the ability for us to be Mentors and Mentees can happen at any time. This contest puts a spotlight on the areas that we feel we can improve upon, but we have the resources at any time. Whether it is through those that are here as the contest requires, in past posts and comments, or instructional format like that found in the ActiveRain University.

Thanks Dick Greenberg for putting together the second Sensei/Grasshopper Contest, your time and efforts are greatly appreciated.

Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Good for you continuing your learning.  And, thanks so much for the mention.  It's an honor to be mentioned in the same company as Bob Steward.

BTW, google authorship (and later authorrank) can have a huge impact on what you do, regardless of where you post on the internet.

Mar 29, 2013 08:54 PM
Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

Help is offered every day "in the Rain" and someone is always asking for help or an expert opinion too.  Dick's challenge is excellent and brings focus to it.

Mar 29, 2013 09:42 PM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Tom,

I have been helped along the journey in the Rain. there has been a lot of members who helped me and I have posted about their support.

Nothing better to have a membership dedicated to helping those who need it.

Have a great day in Sacramento and an even better Easter.

Best, Clint McKie

Mar 29, 2013 11:08 PM
Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

Tom, this is a brilliant post! Several times a week, I search the Active Rain Archives for opinions or an answer to a specific question.

Mar 30, 2013 01:34 AM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Tom I think you did GREAT with the intent of this contest, and everything you said came across to me as GROW GROW GROW, as you kept doing new things. Good luck with this into the future. You have given many others food for thought.

Mar 30, 2013 01:45 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Tom, You got creative and used the resources you knew you already had. There is so much information already available here in the Rain.  Good job in setting up Google authorship.

Mar 30, 2013 02:50 AM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

People like yourself have been instrumental in helping so many of us to learn Debbie.

Mar 30, 2013 10:44 AM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

I find that it just makes me more aware of what we have here Roger.

Mar 30, 2013 10:45 AM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

I agree Clint.

Mar 30, 2013 10:45 AM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

If you know what you are looking for, it's probably here Sharon.

Mar 30, 2013 10:45 AM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

Gary - Thanks for the kind words, growth is what counts.

Mar 30, 2013 10:45 AM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

Kathleen - It may be a coincidense but I got several calls just this morning.  :)

Mar 30, 2013 10:45 AM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Hi Tom, There is always something New for any of us to learn. Glad to see you take advantage of this contest and setup your Google Plus Page. I know it will give you lots of benefits in the near future.

Mar 31, 2013 01:52 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

I use to get stressed out about not knowing all that there is here. Come to find out, the learning never stops.

There are many things that I just need to stop and do Jerry.

Mar 31, 2013 02:57 PM