Today, I spoke on the phone withMargaret Rome from Baltimore. She shared with me that she was doing a presentation tomorrow for the WCR called "What's A Blog Anyway?" I decided to try something that has not been done yet here on our Active Rain Blogs.
Margaret sent me a copy of her PowerPoint Presentation, I told her I would try to upload it to Google or YouTube as a video. Then we could post it in a Blog on Active Rain. Well I found out tonight that it's just not possible. Let me backup just a bit. Margaret actually called me today because I had made a comment in a post earlier that, "Time is precious and priceless, therefore it is the greatest gift we can give!" She was just calling me to say thanks. Little did she know, that phone call made my day! She could have just commented back, but she took the time and called me, and left a very nice message on my voice mail.
So after we talked, and when I found that her presentation couldn't be uploaded to either of the video formats, I was bound and determined to invest the "Time" to somehow get it done. It has to be possible. I just couldn't let her down, I had to figure this out! Well 3 hours later, I am happy to say that it appears to have paid off. This may very well be the first ever Power Point Presentation on an Active Rain Blog. Imagine the possibilities!!
So without any further delay, I'm proud to present, Margaret Rome's March 13th, 2008 presentation entitled "What's A Blog Anyway?" I know that she and her presentation will be a hit. Please wish her the best as she goes to educate the WCR members in Baltimore! They will get to see the "Power" in her "Points" about Blogs and Blogging! This is yet another small step for man (and women), and another large step for Bloggers.
Thanks Margaret for your kind and thoughtful words today, and for the motivation and inspiration you gave me to not just give up and make an excuse, but to find a way, and get it done! That's what friends are for! You really made my day, I hope this makes yours! Congratulations and Best of Luck at WCR today!! :-)
***Note: This Powerpoint Blog best viewed with Mozilla Firefox or the Flock Browser. Internet Explorer users, If the box is empty or nothing appears on the screen, you can click on the magnifying glass and resize the .ppt to fit into the window, or just click on the box in the corner to open in a new window.
Hi Brad, this is a great presentation. Blogging hasn't caught on very much in my area yet, but I've noticed more people are asking about what in the heck I am doing. Thank you very much.
You have done it again! provided a valuable post full of terrific information. Idea for your next post: how you were able to convey a PowerPoint Presentation on your blog! (I bet you're already working on it...)
Brad- I cannot view the ppt either... it says "cannot load document, required parameter missing" ... I do hope we can figure out how to do this. My broker has asked me to make an AR blog for the company, and they asked me to make a presentation to all the agents about AR/blogging. So this would be a perfect piece for my presentation, also, if Margaret wouldn't mind my using it. I know you will let me know how to do that, and thanks for your hard work and time invested already. Knowing you, Brad, you won't stop until we can all learn how to use this format on AR. Thanks for all you do for everyone in The Rain.
And I can't even find what I am supposed to click on, am I just up to early to see straight? You put a lot of time into this project. You have such a kind heart and always so giving.
OK you guys, I was up late and missed a couple details....sorry! :-)
1. This post is best viewed with Mozilla Firefox or the Flock Browsers.
2. Internet Explorer users, If the box is empty or nothing on the screen, you can click on the magnifying glass and resize the .ppt to fit into the window, or you can open it in another window by clicking on the box in the corner.
Sorry for the "Hick-up" on the first go around! I was too excited to have this ready for Margaret today, and it was awfully late (or early) when I hit the "Submit Button" LOL!~ Let me know if it's not working in your browser or on your screen.
Yippee it is working! Thanks for the tip using the magnifying glass. Ok ,I am going to the Country Club to answer this question "What is a Blog Anyway?"
Laurie - yes, I am already working on it! Thanks for the comment and suggestion. This one really did take some research, time and effort. Now I just have to figure out how I did it!! LOL!~ :-)
Virginia - thanks, the how to will be coming soon to a Blog near you! :-) I'll post it next chance I get. I have a couple that are ahead of it in the que, but it will be coming.....
Michael - we can enjoy the wave if we're in front, otherwise we have to do a lot of paddling to catch up or hold our breathe when being held under. Great analogy, thanks my friend!! :-)
Miriam - Micheal must have broke it!! It was working fine up until his comment! LOL!~ (Just kidding Micheal) I think I have it corrected now, hopefully you'll come back to confirm! I added a note to the post! :-)
Missy and Monika - are you both looped? hahaha!! :-) Sorry, it was my bad, I think the boo boo is all fixed now. Let me know how it works on your browser and monitor! I think I have resolved ALL issues in ALL browsers now. Thanks for your help and for always looking out for me! You guys are the best, and you saved me again! :-)
Margaret - sorry for the little glitch there, guess I just got tooo excited! It's fixed now. This was "Time" well spent, and now something new has been born because of it! Thank you, have a great presentation today!!
Oh the power of technology and knowledge - thanks for another fabulous post! I think I am overwhelmed with ideas, now I just need to get them down on paper word.
Brad you are one amazing guy!!! Just when I think you have shown us everything, you come up with something better and bigger than the last. I just love it. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
Awesome! A great presentation and very informative. As a "soon to blog" new member of ActiveRain, it was full of good info for me & very encouraging. I have been a little afraid to get started. Thanks!
Hey Brad, thanks for sharing. I once did a powerpoint presentation at our monthly staff meetings that are held every month at our office and not only did the agents love it, some of them had no idea what a blog was and have joined Active Rain.
fantastic post, great presentation, i'm giving a similar tutorial to about 20 agents in the next week or so and would love to use some of your points.. with credit of course thanks
How funny, or perfect, the timing was on this post (at least for me). I just posted an inquisitive blog (about blogging) that had lots of questions that this power point answered. That's a mouthful, but I'm really just trying to say "thanks".
Brad, I started my presentation today " I am too busy blogging about what to say about blogging that I have not had time to decide what I was going to say about blogging." It was a very receptive group of about 50 agents and afillialtes. Good presentation and lots of questions. Had a lot of fun. Got about 20 cards from people wishing to by invited to AR.
Wow! That was amazing! Brad what a great guy! I will be looking for the tutorial :). Margaret, You have a very nice presentation and it sounds like it went very well. How nice to see a story like this of AR'ers helping each other!
Sharon - I always have to check my posts in both to make sure it works. IE has a bit more restriction than FF. Glad it worked for you in FF. IE requires you to hit the space bar and then use the magnifying glass to zoom in on the power point. Thanks for checking it out! :-)
L & L (Lorraine & Loretta) thanks! Glad you liked it. Margaret gets ALL the credit for putting together the PPT presentation. She did a great job! Getting it into a post was a whole other story! WHEW!! New barriers have been crossed in the blogging world today! :-)
Jodie - soon, very soon. I am still trying to make it work more seemless with Internet Explorer, so thanks for being patient! You know me, if there's a way, I'll find it. Then I can't help sharing once I figure it out! Hang in there, I sense your excitement! :-)
Susan - the technology is cool! The presentation by Margaret is fantastic. I received an email and a call from her today that all went very well. That's all I needed to know!! I knew she'd rock Baltimore!! :-)
Barbara - isn't that prophetic!! I think every post we write, we try to do that. It's always hard to top the last one eh? That's what keeps us going and being creative. Always trying to one up ourselves, everyone wins that way! Thanks for the kudos and the Blogger Love!! :-)
Gail - fear not! We are here to help. Please feel free to contact me anytime you need help or have questions, that's what we do here on the Active Rain Network. Call or email me anytime! Thanks for being real and for taking the time to comment! :-)
Diana - Congrats! Getting people on Board to Active Rain is just as much a benefit to them as it is to you! It's nice to know that members like yourself are paying it forward by sharing and inviting others to our network family! :-)
Michael - go for it! If I didn't want you to use or have access to this information, I wouldn't post it for your use. If you want to fly me out, I'd be happy to assist you with any training and support you may need! :-)
You always know where to find me if you need me... :-)
Patrice - your Blogs WILL improve!! Just keep at it, like anything in life, you will only get better after time. What you put into your Blog, you WILL get back out of it...I promise!
Cynthia - I think I have most of the issues resolved! Thanks for checking it out, I am excited to produce the first post on AR with a Powerpoint incorporated into it. This is a first on AR that I'm aware of. I have never seen this done before here or outside the rain. We have tread new ground and made history in the rain today! :-) YEAH!!
Barabara - think about how much we can learn here on Active Rain and never have to go to a conference, seminar, NAR Convention, and other travelling events. This network and our Blogs is the next best thing to "Being There!" :-) Great comment, I know Margaret will appreciate that very much!! I do too!
...me again...and click that little button that says "advertise a listing". Sellers love it! And I've had buyers find listings through my blog...so it works!
Candis - thank you! Margaret thanks you too!! I appreciate that you took the time to comment, and I love the "mouthful" comments! Again, Thank you! :-)
Jill - I am so glad it worked for you. I think there were just a couple glitches that have now been corrected. Glad you stopped by to check it out. Mark this day in History, this has never been accomplished before to the best of my knowledge. Active Rain provided the platform for this new type of "Technology" discovery. I am so glad they let me do this stuff here!! You saw it here first!! :-) Thanks Jill
Lenn - Margaret did a fabulous job today! Even though I was not there, I am confident that she rocked! Yes, now it will be preserved for Blog eternity! LOL!~
Jeff - OK! The secret is safe with me! haha! Who are the "Experts" anyway! I think you and the others commenting here are the experts!! Those are the one's I don't mind sharing this with. (Big Smile)
Brad, I started my presentation today " I am too busy blogging about what to say about blogging that I have not had time to decide what I was going to say about blogging." It was a very receptive group of about 50 agents and afillialtes. Good presentation and lots of questions. Had a lot of fun. Got about 20 cards from people wishing to by invited to AR.
I knew you'd do the "rainers" and "bloggers" proud! Thanks Margaret for letting me use your powerpoint to discover new ground for our Blogging community. Like Lenn said, this will be preserved forever, and I say, today is a day that you and I made a great discovery and some worthy history! Thanks for allowing me to be a part of YOUR successes! You're the best! :-)
Terry - sometimes I go where no man has gone before, but bravely....well, I'm not too sure about that! Fearless might be a better word! haha! Oh, does that mean the same as brave?!? LOL!~ Thanks my friend!
Jo - the tutorial is on it's way...as soon as I get through all these wonderful comments! I'm just soaking in it for a bit!! LOL! Active Rain is a place where people helping people is the most common occurence! Think about it, that's really all that ever happens here. "People Helping Peiople!" ...for the most part! :-)
Kelly - I have to agree with listings on your Blog here at AR. I started a group called Active Rain MLS Online, and many have used it to replace their "Listing Domain" names. You can search Google for any address in our group and they will come up #1 in Google everytime. What a great listing tool and good foer listing presentations too! Not to mention how much money you'll save from not buying address urls. Great comment, hope you're posting YOUR listings in our group! :-)
Kelly - me again. I agree, are you posting your listings and including them in our group? If not, we'd love to have you. I also think there is a mis-understanding in the PPT regarding the listings on your Blog! I know that Margaret actually posts her listings on AR and in our Group, I think she might have been referring to something different. Not sure, maybe we can get her to pop in and expand on that a little.
Freddy - Blogging is an art and a skill just like time mangement, if you're not careful with that skill, you could very easily Blog your life away. At least everyone who read your Blog when you are gone would know what a great life you had...right? You made me think about that one, thanks Freddy! :-)
Hi Ann - this is very cool, this is one I am truly happy that got featured. Not just because of our ground breaking discovery, but because I think it's great that Margaret is out helping others and promoting Active Rain.
"People helping People" should be our new mission statement here on Active Rain, or at least part of it. Nice to see you, thanks for stopping by. I need to close my AR shop for a while just so I can get around to others and make some long over due visits and comments...starting with you!! :-)
Brad, very informative post! Thanks so much for you time in putting it all together. I've been looking at online power point providers as well, and have found this one: http://www.slideshare.net/ I haven't used it yet, but might start playing with it soon.
Darn -- for some reason when I click on the magnifying glass, nothing is happening ... I have talked with Margaret and referred a client to her. She is awesome.
Brad, very informative. Thanks for sharing! I had no problem viewing it in microsoft IE. Great information, I also learned a lot from the presentation.
Monika - I will teach Jay anything he wants to learn. Tell him thank you for the phone call, I have been swamped and unable to return the call, but intend to do so when I get the chance. I will also do a post showing how to add a powerpoint to your Active Rain Blog when I get another chance! :-)
Gary - I'll share that in a bit. The audio will not work in this format, but I use Pinnacle Studio to do text overlays and add audio. Then it actually becomes a movie file and can be added to a video host like google or youtube etc. Watch for my next couple posts, I'll be sharing my secrets there... :-)
Margaret - thanks for calling Kelly and for the clarification on the phone yesterday! You really are something else, and I know how much you were appreciated yesterday at WCR! Once again, great job!! :-)
Brad - Thank you for all the time you put into helping all of us, I was just trying to do some research on putting together a presentation for our MLS on blogging. There is plenty of help on AR, what a group!
Hi Vickie - it can be embedded, but there are a couple things you'll need to know about the HTML embed code. It's not too hard...once you know how or figure it out, I'm working on the tutorial post right now. It's taking a bit longer than I expected due to some unforseen circumstances that happened today.... it's coming though, I promise!! :-)
Jeannie - I have seen Zappos.com which contributes to slideshare.net, but I had challenges with the <script> and HTML embed codes. Mostly with IE, not FF. I like the format of their Beta now, I'll have to check it out and see if it's any better working with Active Rain Blog formats. Thanks so much for sharing and reminding me of that. I think they may have removed their advertising, that's the other thing I wanted to NOT have on my posts.
*TIP: That's why I am now using Google Video instead of Youtube, NO ADVERTISING other videos. Watch for my post on that one! It will be fun. :-)
Darn -- for some reason when I click on the magnifying glass, nothing is happening ... I have talked with Margaret and referred a client to her. She is awesome.
Joan - you can't just click on the Mag Glass, you have to also adjust the little slide bar to the size you want the presentation to appear on your screen. Try that and let's see how it works! :-) Nice job on the referral to Margaret, that's what Active Rain is all about! She is awesome, and so are you for doing that!!! :-)
Roland - Her presentation was a hit! 50 or so people there and she rocked! If you know Margaret, you know what she can do, especially when it comes to Blogging! :-)
Brad - Thank you for all the time you put into helping all of us, I was just trying to do some research on putting together a presentation for our MLS on blogging. There is plenty of help on AR, what a group!
Sue - I happen to use a lot of power point presentations, but as I travel more and more, it makes it nice to have them built into a post so I can just use the internet to present. No more carrying around a laptop or memory stick or CD Rom or worry about file transfers etc! Love it!! Thanks for commenting and sharing.
Joddie - that was sweet! And to answer it, there is a lot better out there, just not running "My" Blog! LOL!~ Have a wonderful weekend and thanks again Joddie, always nice to see you, and to have your visits and comments! :-)
We are so very blessed to have you on AR. That was very nice of you to help Margaret. I gained some pointers from her presentation. Thanks for the post.
Thanks for the great information and I can't wait for the tutorials. I also love the tip about google not showing other videos, I need to learn that one b/c it seems my local competitor is the one that always seems to come up RIGHT after min. Not Good.
Brad your the BEST.... I think this is such a great idea.....but it doesn't show up on my computer... I did click on the box... I'll try to work it out when I have more time..... You have been BOOKMARK
Holy COW! When I joined AR I had no idea what I had been missing. I am always using PPT and love this idea. I am set up with a huge email data base and always setting up webinars. What is cool about this is I can send out the PPT before hand to my Realtor base, they can send me back questions and I can have the answers handy for the webinar. This is going to be such a time saver. Now if I can only find the time to set it up???
I'm so excited about sharing this with our agents.. we've started our company blog here on AR, and I'm planning a presentation for our agents to get them started. Of course I will be using the Brad Andersohn School of Blogging for my curriculum! Thanks for sharing all this expertise with your Rain family! (Jan E.)
Donna - if you are using explorer, you have to click on the magnifying glass at the top of the box, then use the "slider" tool to size the powerpoint within the window. It should work fine, let me know... :-)
Mary - that's another awesome idea on how to use this tool. I'll post instructions so you can use this for your webinars. I actually had the very same thing in mind. I will be doing some training and webinars and feel this could work nicely. Watch for the instructional post coming soon, still working on it. Thanks! :-)
Jan E - let me know if you need any assistance, be glad to help. I am putting together a series of classes and webinars to share with other members and offices. I'd be glad to add you to our support campaign if you're interested. Details to follow: :-)
Cool, BRad. I knew you would be successful. Great job, Margaret. My only feedback is that I think there is too much detail on the slides for a slide presentation in front of an audience, but terrific content. Just my .02.
Jeff, I agree with you 100% ! Thanks for pointing this out.
If you read my post......I did not use this as slide presentation but gave it as a handout at the end of the presentation...condensed (2 slides each) to 5 pages back and front. Wanted the audience to leave with some resource material.
Brad- I found my way to your pst from Margaret's site. We share a Baltimore connection which links you to me. Thank you for peservering. The powerpont is wondeful tool. I learned from it and it was timely. One slide, in particular, I need to share with my group. Great job!
Margaret - I loved it! Thanks for all the kudo's and mention. The pleasure was all mine. Let's do it again sometime, next time, maybe I'll just show up in person! :-)
Jan E - if there is any way I can get out there, I will. We may have to do a combination of webinars and seminars and maybe even some textinars...(ok...time for bed...I'm losing it!!) LOL!~ You will be at the top of my list to come and see. Thanks for all the appreciation! :-)
Jeff - I have to admit, when you get in front of 50 - 60 people, you better be prepared for anything. The fact that she gave hand-outs probably made it seem like much less detail, and gave them something to walk away with and think about. I know that people really only hear about 7-10% of what we say anyway, it's always good to leave them something behind to soak in later.
(Now they'll have it online to refer to if they want...) Just my .02 cent contribution..... LOL!~ :-)))))
Eloise - isn't it incredible how we meet and are somehow all connected together? This is such a great time to be alive and enjoy all the benefits of technology and how it is making the world such a small and manageable place. I am in awe of all the things that happen here, and how we are all touched and connected by one way or another. Thanks for your wonderful comment, I am off to finish the instructions for this, so other can use this technology too! Have a great week! :-)
This is great! I used a ton of power point when I was in academia and I do listing presentations on it. I often wanted to include what I created in power point in my blogs, but didn't know how! Thanks! I wouldn't use it that often, but there are times when I really want to include a few slides.
Ruthmarie - I see this as a tool that many of us in the industry can use on our Blogs both in and out of the "rain". I am working on a tutorial that I will be posting soon. Just trying to simplify it right now. Thanks for the positive comment and support! :-)
Hal - and I am so lucky to have a network of really great people like yourself! Looking forward to many more great presentations and networking here on AR. This truly is the best place to have a blog and grow your business!! :-)
Brad, thank you for taking the time to post this. It was very nice of you investing three hours to make this happen and wanting to share with everyone. You are a good guy :)
Brad - I missed this, until Bob Stewart referenced it. Margaret Rome is just the greatest - her phone calls are really Wows! I'm so fortunate to know both you and Margaret!
Diana - thanks, and it was great talking with you on the phone today. Looking forward to working on that project with you if it comes to fruition. Let me know.. Thanks!! PS - Tell Hubby I said hi, it was nice to speak to him for a short bit today too! :-)
Sharon - thanks, you can't catch every post even if you're are one of the best in the biz!! LOL!~ :-))))) I hope to see you again very soon. If you read Bob's post, then you know what I mean. Can't wait to be part of what's ahead. :-)
Rosemary - if you are using IE as a browser, just click on the magnifying glass, and move the little view slider to the right, the powerpoint slide will be enlarged. If you are using FF (Firefox) it should be working ok... LMK!!
Margaret - been working on the instructional post for 3 days now!! No, it won't be all that, it's just taking me time to get it done!! :-) On it's way....
Margaret - hahahaha!! I truly have not had the time to get it done! I am juggling many things and the plate runneth over right now. I should have that post up sometime today or by this evening. Thanks for the patience and gentle push!! :-)
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
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