I have noticed that of about a hundred Active Rain Members in our area, that only a handful regularly post. I personally know about 10% of our areas members, and they all say that yes they eventually plan on getting to it. It seems like the majority never do. I have offered to help them and have actually set down one on one with a couple of the members for a training session, yet they still don't seem to want to make the effort. I have tried to relay the positive benefits, but just can't seem yto get through to them.
I suppose that using Active Rain to enhance and grow your business is no different than a lot of the tools at our disposal as agents. The intentions are good, but often we fail to force ourselves to just start using the tools. This is really a shame because I personally feel Active Rain is one of the very best of those tools . It may very well be the best value in the profession.
I like to see agents succeed and offer to help mentor my friends and colleagues, but when it is said and done we are competitors. If they don't utilize the tools that are freely available, it ends up being better for me.
Trey: Same in my area. I "think" that for some, it is just a matter of "jumping in." Most fellow realtors, when I suggest they start blogging on AR, say "What exactly is it? What does it do for me?" And I give my speech.
As Cree stated, some people fade away from this medium because they do not see quick results, while others feel that it will not provide them with results. As in any marketing campaign, time and effort are needed, and people fail to see that blogging is a campaign (not just a past time), and that this form of marketing has its own rules, like creating new material each week (preferably three times a week).
Trey - This is a good point. Myself I would love to create blogs, but I'm unsure of what exactly to write about. Just about everything has been covered in Active Rain by fellow AR'ers. Sometimes I think we "new" AR'ers are somewhat intimidated by the pro's here on AR. Is there somewhere we can go to help us to learn to put together our content without sounding repiticious of all the others?
I am so busy reading all of the wonderful information that I barely have time to write. It's not my fault that you guys are all so insightful. That said, i'll try harder to contribute more.
Hi Trey, I think it's because a lot of people are just plain afraid of the computer. Then other 'think' they don't have time. It DOES take time to blog. Lately I have not been blogging and making comments every day like I did before I had heart surgery. I'm still trying to get into a 'routine'...whatever that means.
It isn't enough to just have a system that works, you have to work the system. I think too many people are short sighted and not willing to put in the effort it takes to be successful. That's ok. More business for the rest of us.
I think you've gotten some good feedback and comments here. As far as I go, I've enjoyed AR so much that I started letting it become too time consuming. However, I also noticed that the phone calls that I was starting to get (maybe 3 or 4) died off to nothing in less than a month of being off.
I used to be addicted to cigarettes...then I gave them up ....cold turkey. I can breathe again!
I used to drink 3 Dr. Peppers a day ...then I gave them up. I am loosing weight!
I can't believe AR can be a negative addiction......positive benefits can include more real estate business, increased presence for search engines, friendship, fun, knowledge, increased written communication skills, and much faster typing fingers!
I keep hearing from friends that they are afraid of spending too much time blogging and not enough time working.... phooey! I worked 10 hours today,walked the dogs, played with the cat and parrot, watered the garden, and instead of watching TV or surfing the Internet I am practicing my blogging Skills.
Trey~ I love this post, and commend you for trying to get your colleagues involved more. I did a nice big intro on my sister while back and she got sooo much encouragement, and yet hasn't posted one blog..go figure:(
Many people don't get it. I've had 21 REALTORS join AR that I've been credited for. There are more than that, when you just count the ones who joined without using the invitations. Only 3 of them actually post blogs and none of them are regular. But that's OK. I guess I'll just have to keep all these leads for myself =)
I think it is the simple fact that blogging is WORK! Some have had enough by the end of the day, and then there are addicts like me who find pleasure in it. The benefits are just a bonus compared to the pleasure factor.
Its just human nature. I had a RE trainer back when I first started who said "don't hesitate to share your good ideas with other people- most of them won't do it anyway". And its the absolute truth. Most people just won't bother.
Trey: I agree with Bronson. It does take dedication to keep up on Active Rain. Some people just want the presence and don't understand the full scope of the rain.
I was told on my facebook page once that my picture was "stuffy" ;O) so I am going for an image change....Ha! This old image is irreparable. Actually the cap thing is the "real Me" I once had dinner with the Governor and he turned and whispered "I hate dressing like this all the time , don't you?" and laughed.
You are so right on blogging. . Like every other tool some take advantage, some don't!
I think blogging comes natural to some people, and not others. I think it also takes someone with a more adventurous attitude. Some people are so worried to put anything out there on the web for someone else to read!
Well, I can tell you that when I mention blogging to other realtors I get the "oh, you go ahead and waste your time blogging" look on their faces. They don't get it. Quite frankly, that is fine with me. It gives me a bit of an edge. My last three listings came from Active Rain.
I can only speak for myself, but I love AR and thing it is a great tool however the 2 main important reasons I don't blog as often as I should or could is.....I am usually working on loans or running to meeting or taking care of my kids (so I guess the number 1 reason is because I am busy, which I won't complain about) and the second reason is because I like to think of my subject for the blog and plan it out - Which I am known for analyzing everything a little much before I put my name on it. But I agree with you, I should take the time to utilize this tool much more than I do.
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It is the 80/20 rule. 20% of the people do 80% of the work. The other 80% do 20% of the work.