Keep it going, Monika!  Naked can be good...

I know what you mean...I just started but I have already gotten a lot of results.

Monika- I love this post and this post deserves a big gold star so I am flagging it. What a great awakening! This is why I love the clients we get from our blog, they are loyal and choose to work with us, they call us, we don't have to knock on doors or call people. Like you said, they come! It is the best tool we have to build trusting relationships and the transparency is what it is all about. Katerina

Monika,

Good post especially for newbies and those who ask " Why Blog ". Keep on Keepin on Naked in the Rain.

Moni, You are the reason I began to blog but now I have found this to be a place to present who I am and love it here. I congratulate you and encourage you to keep strutting your stuff:) lol

Congrats on your gold star. Keep it up.

Hi Monika,

Oh, great now everyone will be running around here naked! LOL! Seriously, how nice to have gotten to know YOU here in the Rain! Keep up the good work. :)

That is an awesome testimony.  It is good to see how well it is working for you.

Monika - It is great to hear how Active Rain is helping you with your business, I guess I will keep blogging away.

Great job, Monika! I love this "new world" but it does take some getting used to. I have always been a very private person. Putting myself out there is a bit scary. You go Girl!! I enjoy your blogs.

I love this one, Monika!  Nothing like being naked while playing in the Rain!  Good for you and Jay for your consistent focus. 

Hi Monika,

Greetings from way down south.   I just stumbled on this blog and it is quite inspirational to me.  I am a newbie here, just wandering around the site trying to get my feet wet, make a few friends, and learn how to blog.  It's not as easy as I thought!  There is so much content here and most of it is really good stuff.  So I am already learning some new things and am hopeful that oneday I will have the same type of "testimony" to write about my own experiences here.  Good luck and happy blogging!

Jolynna 

I have had a couple of clients in the recent months recite back things about me that I wrote more than a year ago.  People are checking you out.  That is a good thing.  Clients are on the net and they want to know who they are working with.  This is a wonderful way for them to interview you silently.

 I'm a newbie to AR and can't wait for the day that someone contacts me in need of financing. Congratulations!!!!

Another great post Monika and it is great to be a part of Web 2.0 and AR is great avenue for new bloggers.

Monika:  So glad to hear that this is working for you.  It was actually one of your posts that I found on Google that made me aware of AR.  I was really amazed to find so many good agents & brokers in one place.  I knew I had to be a part of it. I learn something new every day on here and I hope that others learn from me as well.  I do think that this is a great idea and something that consumers will respond positively to.  It's pretty easy to see who is professional by reading their blog, that's probably why you are having success. BTW... thanks for subscribing to my blog.  You are my first subscriber!  

Hey...be stripped all you want...that's how we too...find out who about each other. 

Monika,  With all the exposed skin you have in your SEO here I figured you just a listed a nudist colony.  Good luck with all the bare naked clients that waddle your way!

Keep it up Monika.  It not just about the actual blogging - but the consistency as well, as you know.  Like most other forms of marketing, those that stick with it will see the success.  

Monika, I haven't been writing for nearly as long, but I completely understand the "naked" feeling. I'm not quite comfortable w/ it, but hopefully I will soon enough ;-)

This is awesome, Monika - thank you so much for posting this.  I totally appreciate this blog!

Wow I love what you right!  Monika, I'd like your advise, I'm thinking of dropping my Google Blooger page and just sticking with Activerain, what do you think?

Ger

Oh, Moni.. I love this post! It's so true! And I agree with Judy..strut it! I'm also flagging for a feature..it deserves it.

Monika, what a very nice post!  I love your signature too.

Thank you Mike!

J Manno...Keep at it and more leads will follow. 

Katrina...Thank you for flagging my post. It brings it all on a different level when clients and customers WANT to work with you. How sweet it is! 

Herb...LOL I'll keep on splashing in the Rain-naked. 

Judy...Thank you so much and I love watching your bloom in the Rain!

Thank you Kevin! 

Suzanne...Yeah we have a bunch naked Rainers running around!

Thank you Rob and Pam...yes keep at it. It will happen! 

Stephanie...It does feel weird to be so open. But it is all well wroth it.

Amanda...LOL how true... there is nothing like being naked while playing in the Rain!

Monika, You look good nakid!!! Jays a lucky man. But he knows that:)

OK back to the post. Blogging, just like any advertising or marketing, takes time time to pay off. But once it does....BAM!! Folks start calling from all over the place. And it sure is nice when they are presold on you and your services. It just doesn't get any better than that.

Jolynna ...Good luck to you as well and thank you for your kind words. Keep playing in the Rain..there is a learning curve and there are many people who will help you. Just ask and someone will give you a hand.

Randy...You hit it right on with "This is a wonderful way for them to interview you silently" It makes such a big difference.

Charlie...Thank you so much and IT WILL happen to you!  

Katherine...Your welcome on the subscriber part :)  and thank you for the compliments. This is a great place to learn and as you can see, to share with each other as well. 

Sally...Stripped we shall be and you're right it is how get to really know each other as well. 

Dan....LOL on the nudest colony. Now that would be interesting!

Steve... Absolutely consistency is key. 2-3 times a week at a minimum, I've never been a daily blogger. I envy those that can write everyday and have something interesting to talk about. Maybe when I grow up.

Colleen...I'm still taken aback when someone mentions a real old post of mine. Makes me realize just how deep their search has gone. It is a weird feeling!

Karen..Thank you for reading and commenting! 

Gerry...I have both an outside blog (wordpress.org) and my Active Rain blog. I would not give up my outside blog for anything. My leads come from my blogging both AR and my outside Blog. Together they give me an awesome Internet presence. I don't know anything about Blogger but my wordpress.org allows for a lot of customizing.  Consistency is the key.

Thank you Linda...You have been a wonderful AR friend! Meeting people like you have made such an impact on my life! Thank You! 

Thank you April :) 

Bryant... You are so cute!

It does take awhile. For me it was not over night and like you said once it does...BAM !!! Thank you so much for stopping by Bryant!

Well, now...that little gold star goes good with naked! LOL  I am very proud to call you "friend"!

Great post, I too hope to be "naked" someday lol

Great to hear the success you are having! I'm 3 months old in AR myself and yet to experience a lead from this. However, I'm on AR mostly to learn from others in the community, which so far has been great!

Great post!  Thanks for sharing.  I'm still a little modest, so I haven't gotten naked yet!

Great post and congratulations! Blogging does make you feel like you are putting it "all out there" for everyone to see. I am just surprised (I am a newbie) at how much fun this is. Such great info and if clients can find you via your blog, then you are doing something right.  

Monika, I love that billboard. We need those all over the place.

What a great success story. Thanks for sharing.

That's my hope too!  When I grow up I want to be a blogger/Realtor just like you!!!  Congratulations!

I can wait til I find out I am naked.

Fantastic, so excited for you !

What a great Blog.. that is the one thing I always try to do.. Let my clients know me!! I know I'm a nice person and try to do my best always and if you can get them to see that then you are ahead of the game...

Monika-you will laugh..I walk up to people who I want to write about and telling them I am a blogger before introducing as a REALTOR..sometimes they already know! :)  I think its really important for the public to see us as people..not much different than themselves...yes I have been feeling a bit naked since blogging...darn I better quit eating those chocolate bunnies.  

Monika - I guess that's why we need to be comfortable in our own skin.  Good job--your persistence is paying off.

'Transparency'....a word thats back in vogue again........Eckart Tolle - talks about it in his book, The New Earth............sure beats....'masque', 'facade', 'acting'...'seasoned'....lol.........

What a great post, Monika!  I've found that slowly but surely, I am also gaining the readership and clients I read about happening to others here.  It is really wonderful.  But scary at the same time.  People "know" you.  They know stuff about you that you don't expect to come back to you.  But there is something liberating about that as well, isn't it?  It allows you to just be "you."

~Renae

Congratulations Monika.  I've been plugging away for about 5-months and have already seen results.  When you post a lot of blogs, the true person has to shine through.  Great post!

Wow, congratulations!  I hope to get some success stories soon too!

Monika, congratulations on drawing them in and thanks for the inspiration, we've only been here for a little while and it is so encouraging to see such success and such great people all across the Rain.

Bonnie

TheHomeInspectorsWife

Nice post and our 6 months seems like we have a good start. It is encouraging to hear good stories thanks.

Monika, I clicked on the blog expecting to find a video or pictures to illustrate your point :) :)

Now if it was Jay I would have moved onto the next blog ........ LOL

It does feel good when a client finds us because of our blogs. 

Monika, familiarity breeds trust. When people already know you, like you and trust you - that is such a better way to begin a relationship with a new client.

Hi, Monika - Congratulations on your gold star and great post.  It's amazing, isn't it, how different the first meeting is when clients seem to know you up front?!   I love it!

Is it Naked Friday?  Did I miss a memo?  Good thing it wasn't yesterday...

Great post, Monika! They like you!  They really, really like you!

I'm so glad it's kicked in for you. I remember reading some of your past comments wondering when business was going to come, and thinking I was relieved to not be the only one not getting business from AR. But then my WP blog kicked in and it's wonderful.

I'm so glad it's now working for you! 

Monika-I liked how you said this.  I remember telling Sally that I didn't come here to make friends, and I didn't want anyone to expect anything from me.....well, how naive that was LOL :)  I have made friends, and have gotten, and given business.  And the part about expectations....when we're transparent...the expectations are built in.....people expect that you are as they see you :)   I am very very happy to hear of your successes :)

what a great post, I will keep my fingures crossed for my first AR related deal or connection

Monika,

I'm very happy you're experienceing such success with AR.  That's the way it should be.

i have something to look forward to

I love to hear ActiveRain success stories Monika. It keeps me motivated.

That's nice to hear.  Gives me motivation to put myself out there. 

Isn't it sweet when it all comes together?? Great going!  Keep up your wonderful blog.

Congratulations!!  Sometimes you wonder if anybody is out there and all of a sudden its like Horton hears a who and they find you and love you. Its great when it happens.

Congratulations Monika. Great story. Even though I haven't gotten a lead yet from Active Rain,I have learned so much from great people like yourself. I know it is going to come one day. But for now,I am going continue to learn from the best while I wait patiently like everybody else to start getting business from Active Rain. Great post.

Congrats Monika!  That is great!   Congrats on all your hard work:)

Monika, I had already logged out, but I just had to leave a short comment.  What you are describing is an incredible phenomenon.  It  does happen...people are reading and they do care.  Hearty Congratulations on your well deserved success.

All the best and keep on doing what you are doing -- it seems to be working.

Another success story for the record books here at AR.  I love being able to get out now and read blogs like yours Monika.  I experienced the very same thing my first year here at ActiveRain, now it has changed my business and my life! Literally!!  :-)))

Monika, congrats on your blog's success, continue to be open to the changes in our industry and you will do fine!

Monika, This is a great story and very inspirational. Good luck with your continued success!

Monika- Congrats!   Your blog is one of the best around and is sure to bring you more and more success!!  I am so glad that people are now starting to find it!  I have my coffee and logged on and first thing I thought when I saw the features is "Monika....she's naked?!?!?"  Good title, and really so true, (not the naked part, but the transparency part).  This is one reason I love blogging.  Sometimes I feel more comfortable to be myself behind the 'puter screen!  Have a great day, you and your star!

Great job Monika!  It is good to blog here on Active Rain.  I hope that you continue your success!

Monika, I love reading your posts. Naked is good and your freckles are so cute!

Pictures please!

In the immortal words of Wayne of Wayne's World: "Schwing!"

Great going Monika!  You're an inspiration to those of us that are still clothed (somewhat!)...  LOL

Thanks for a great post and a creative opening line!
Steve Homer
Keller Williams
The HBH Group
Round Rock, TX - The 8th fastest growing area in the USA per Entrepreneur Magazine (2008) - We love your referrals of clients and investors!

Congratulations on getting good clients from blogging.

Very true and wise words Monika.  I read your blogs weekly...You made it!  ; )

Monika, I loved this post.  It is definitely encouraging.  It sounds like clients are coming to you with trust and already want to work with you, which is so similar to referral business and that is why I love working by referral...but now it is going to be working by referral AND blogging. :-)

Super post.  This one is certainly worth reading, every word. Thank you.

Being naked online can be scary but can also make you prosper. Good luck!

Congrats!! What a great post! My next step is to subscribe to your blog!

Monika.... how funny that you talked about some of the things that I was trying to get across, but I went over-board and mine was long winded... lol  Transparency - FHA, Conventional, or VA mortgages .... What does it all mean?

But you said it very well in few words. SO many think that we shouldn't talk about ourselves, that our lives are private. I disagree... I have been getting more business now, because people are getting to know the real me. I think it's a great way to introduce yourself. I think people can relate to you better and just feel comfortable about you.  Gee, just because I have changed up my writing style a tad, I just received a referral from Hawaii... yes, they would rather work with me because they feel comfortable from what they read of me.  Not even feeling comfortable with someone in Hawaii or even California, because they don't know who to trust.

Now, in regards to being naked and naked on AR, what does Jay think about it?  lol

Great post. "Naked in the Rain"  is a great analogy.  I like it!

Monika:

Great story. It looks like your blogging is paying off.

SO SO very cool!  Congratulations!  I am hoping the same happens to me!

Monika -- you had me worried.  Since it is still cold out I was hoping you would find something to keep you warm.  Keep up the blogging and the continued success.