Active Rain: Does It Really Work to Blog?

Active Rain:  Does It Really Work To Blog?

I am guilty of spending too much time away from one of the most powerful tools at my fingertips.  Everyone knows, as professionals in sales, we must always be working for the future, no matter how busy we are in the "now".  Real estate agents especially know that includes using all of our prospecting tools to get next week's clients, and next month's clients, even though this week may be slammed.

Easier said than done.

The funny thing is -- I love blogging.  I love reading other people's blogs.  I love commenting, and reading comments, and responding to comments.  And the question and answer format on Active Rain is great reading and learning as well.  And then don't get me started on the University and the learning.

Ah...if there were only two of me.  I used to spend, back when I had more free time, a good 2-3 hours on Active Rain.  Suddenly the morning would be gone. 

So, I almost had to go like...cold turkey.   I quit hanging out on Active Rain, but worse...my blogging posts reduced by half, and then by half again. Long story short - I do not actively blog as much as I want to, or need to, so I need to get back on track.

Here's why:

 I started blogging in June of 2010.  So, I just passed my 5 year anniversary online.  During that time, I learned blogging, networking sites, connecting and building SEO, and a few dozen other online tools to expand my Google presence.  It's been amazing and I have quadrupled, yes, quadrupled my business since that time.

Is it all Active Rain and SEO?  Well, perhaps not, but blogging on Active Rain is an invaluable tool I cannot quit using. 

I was asked to speak on an "Expert" Agent Panel on Social Media end of July at our Long Realty Corporate Office.  Long Realty is home to over 900 agents in the Tucson area alone. This morning I just started putting a few notes together on what I wanted to bring up at the "class".

Check out this screen shot.  I had logged out of Google, and then googled a phrase many a caller tells me when I ask, "How did you find me?"

The common answer?  The phrase:  "Real Estate Agents in Marana".  You can see I used it in the Google search box.

Now here's the neat part.  The first six listings are ads.  Then there's three companies.  Then there's...oh wait...can it be...yep...SW Desert Homes, Cara Mancuso.  The first PERSON to appear in today's Google ranking was little ole me.

Now, it's not my blogging site, but it's the first in an online selection that you can find me on, when you go to my web site.  And this would not have happened without Active Rain, Active Rain University, Active Rain Ambassadors, and the myriad of folks who have helped me throughout the years on Active Rain.

I am not a tekkie.  I have very little patience when it comes to things "working correctly" online. I had to learn Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Google+, and on and on.  I had to learn to link...and I learned what I learned, as amateur as I am...because of Active Rain. And I learned it a week at a time, a month at a time...a video, or a blog posting at a time.

I also Googled my name this morning, and that brings up close to a half million references.  It's fascinating what you can learn online with a network like the rainers and rainmakers and staff and ambassadors on Active Rain.

Am I a cheerleader...you bet.  Even if I'm not blogging as much as I should be...interacting as much as I could be. 

How many closed transactions are credited to my online presence? As much as 40% a few years ago...now with repeat clients and client referrals, it's closer to 26%...but wow...couldn't You use 25% more business?

Active Rain - it's worth the time.

Now I'm going to go blog about my listings....