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Happy Anniversary! Celebrating 8 Years of ActiveRain

By
Real Estate Agent with Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 CA BRE# 01261476

On August 4, 2008, I reluctantly joined ActiveRain at the behest of the #1 AR blogger in San Diego or maybe CA, I can't remember but I know he was way over 1 Million points back then, Russel Ray.

Russel was and still is one of my two trusted home inspectors. I had no idea what blogging was, I didn't know why people did it, and was even more mystified that with all the great books out there, "why would people read other peoples ramblings"??? I joined because I didn't want to disappoint his enthusiasm for ActiveRain; yep it was gentle peer pressure.

 

Out of The Gates!

I rarely signed on, in fact I think my first post wasn't until March 2009,8 months later. So, how did I go from barely remembering to log on a few times per month to now it's part of my morning coffee ritual?

 

What changed it for me and how I became a daily participant, author & Q&A contributor were:

  1. 2011 My first featured blog, which created a firestorm of opposition to my point of view, which was by design, polarizing. WOW! did my inbox blowup overnight-I was thrilled! This made me realize the more authentically-polarized your opinion, the stronger your beliefs and conviction, the more people were apt to read your blog posts. Now, thicken that skin because it's to love on them and to hate on them, but they read them! (WIN/WIN IS FOR AMATEURS
  2.  2012 My first Featured blog that was enjoyed and went viral, that got me my first paid gig on ActiveRain; I was hired to sell a house off a blog post I wrote ...wow! (NO GUARANTEES)
  3. 2013 or so I discovered The Q&A. I found it a great way to interact with the members through shared philosophies, spirited debates and silly humor. I started making friends here. I also seeing true colors here, so it was a great filter. 
  4. Meetups, I started attending Meetups sponsored by Jeff Dowler here in San Diego and began putting faces and personalities to names on AR posts & remarks. Jeff was actually my first friend I met in ActiveRain, aside from Russel who was my friend prior. Jeff was kind and I met him at an Encinitas Meetup roughly around 2011 I think and he and that group's warm welcome, encouraged me that there were some pretty nice folks in The Rain.
  5. I found out I truly love writing; maybe it's my creative ego, maybe it's to impact and hopefully improve the lives of my readers? Both? I know it's with the hope I build relationships in the process. Not just to earn referrals, but to enjoy the friendship and wisdom of those that I connect with. I realized that why I'll read your posts my fellow Rainmakers, why I'll consider your opinion or ask for your advice is you have a lot to offer with your life & work experiences. You come from different cultures, upbringings, tragedies you overcame, victories from your wisdom, work ethics & educations...and you care enough to share them. I finally got it! 

I love to write & connect with people, points or no points... here I'd be. I say thank you Active Rain. Thank you to the 298 that currently follow my blog, I appreciate your interest & support. And most importantly, thank you, to you many individuals, I think you know who you are, that genuinely connect with me each morning and impact and improve my life in The Rain. 

Posted by


Thomas J. Nelson
REALTOR®, CRS, RCS-D, CDPE, e-Pro, Certified Military Home Specialist, Luxury Home Specialist, Author, Keynote Speaker and  Podcast Host 

Serving Coastal San Diego from Carlsbad to Coronado, Downtown, Balboa Park Area,
La Jolla/UCSD & Mission Bay Park Areas
I Offer Rebates to Veterans
& Active Duty

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(858) 232-8722
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RCS-Divorce     Southern California Chapter of Certified Residential Specialists (CRS)

 
 
Disclaimer:  Nothing in this blog article is to be construed as legal advice, tax advice, medical advice or financial advice.  For legal advice see an attorney.   For tax advice, health or financial advice see a tax attorney, certified public accountant, or other qualified professional.

Comments (23)

Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Hi Thomas... happy 8th anniversary! I'm amazed you remember the day, as I don't have a clue as to mine!

Aug 04, 2016 08:37 AM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets

Thanks!


I still have the e-mail Russel Ray sent me to sign up, that's how I know.

Aug 04, 2016 11:51 AM
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

Hi Thomas Nelson,

Good memory.   You get 8 kudos from us  .

Aug 04, 2016 09:31 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Thomas- congrats on your milestone and glad to see you posting more!!! You and I started about the same time and I too was a very slow starter.  I miss Russel (we're both from Texas) and I follow him on Facebook.  Please tell him "Hello" for me!

Aug 04, 2016 09:48 AM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets

Will do! And Thank you!!!

Aug 04, 2016 11:51 AM
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Congrats on the milestone and finding the path that works for you.  Personally, I'm not looking to write the polarizing posts because other agents aren't for the most part my target audience at this point in my blogging life.  AR is part of my daily life,although like you initially it wasn't.  We signed up and promptly disappeared for 3 years, then came back and have been going steady for over 6 years now.  Bill

Aug 04, 2016 10:30 AM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets

Yep, sounds familiar.


I enjoy post a variety of topics that reach a broad audience, 99% are Public.

Aug 04, 2016 11:52 AM
Cynthia Biechler
Biechler Grp Real Estate w/HOMESMART Connect - Chicago - Chicago, IL

Great job & Happy Anniversary!

Aug 04, 2016 12:20 PM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets

Thank you! 

Aug 04, 2016 09:48 PM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

Thomas - congratulation.  Glad you are enjoying your journey on Active Rain.  Keep up the good work.-

Aug 04, 2016 12:45 PM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets

Thank you! 

Aug 04, 2016 09:49 PM
Mimi Foster
Falcon Property Company - Colorado Springs, CO
Voted Colorado Springs Best Realtor

Good for you! Now it's time to get busy writing your book :). Congratulations on your milestone.

Aug 04, 2016 02:13 PM
CA COASTAL ESTATES Lauren Selinsky Perez CRS
California Coastal Estates - Aliso Viejo, CA
"Your Real Estate Broker" #oclauren

Congrats! On 8 years! And I'm loving the coffee cup! 

Lauren Selinsky 

Aug 04, 2016 04:43 PM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets

Thank you! , yes that cup is cool looking and fair warning!

Aug 04, 2016 09:50 PM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

I love that coffee cup, too. Congrats on your anniversary and we are so glad to have you here.  You have been a great contributor.

Aug 04, 2016 08:54 PM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets

Thank you! -my fair warning in the morning cup! 

Aug 04, 2016 09:50 PM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Congratulations on 8 years, and on figuring out you like to write! Great job!

Aug 04, 2016 09:11 PM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets

Thank you! 

Aug 04, 2016 09:51 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor ,

Congratulations on passing this milestone!! I love the coffee cup and may mark one for me!!

Aug 04, 2016 10:40 PM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets

That's the morning-warning coffee cup! 

Aug 05, 2016 12:09 AM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Good.....Get to doing reminder here. We are on the clock.....Good job T.J.

Aug 04, 2016 11:41 PM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Thomas,

Congratulations, and Russel Ray was one of the first to comment on our posts and also reblog them.  A

Aug 05, 2016 03:37 AM
Debra Leisek
Bay Realty,Inc Homer Alaska - Homer, AK

Congratulations on 8 years! Time goes by so fast doesn't it! Keep stirring things up.... and I love the coffee cup too... fair warning right?

Aug 05, 2016 04:00 AM
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Congratulations, my friend.

I will see you tomorrow Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor - and if you can make it, at a meet up in Encinitas...

Aug 05, 2016 09:02 AM
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Congrats on your milestone & time here. Not to mention this feature. Russell stops by on my FB page every now & then. 

Aug 07, 2016 12:08 AM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets

He and just chatted for about 30 minutes yesterday on the phone, he has a lot going on these days, but has officially retired from inspections!

Aug 07, 2016 01:01 AM
Harry F. D'Elia III
WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ
Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

Wow time goes by fast when we are having fun.

Aug 07, 2016 12:25 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Congratulations on your feature recognition. Thanks for sharing some of your ActiveRain experience.

By the way, I saw your blog on LinkedIn.

Aug 08, 2016 01:40 AM
Alison Creamer
Keller Williams Elite - Virginia Beach, VA
Realtor,MRP,ABR, CDPE,IMSD,HamptonRoads

Congrats on your 8 years with Active Rain!  This is a great community to grow with!

Aug 10, 2016 06:03 AM
Claude Labbe
RLAH / @properties - Washington, DC
Realty for Your Busy Life

Tom, congrats on year #8.  Laura Cerrano was speaking of how 8 is the symbol of abundance, so that should be good.

I found you here after hearing you today on Real Estate Agent Podcast

Aug 25, 2016 05:02 PM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets

Thank you for listening to my Podcast episode and your visit to my blog.

Aug 25, 2016 08:39 PM