User22617_38_t Brad Andersohn ~ Community BuilderREALTORS® - Get Your Copy of Agent Assist 5.0
View all real estate listings in your area:
Members: 120,713 - 1,967 Online Now  Login
 

Have you considered inviting others from your TEAM to ActiveRain?  How about your Lender, Loan Officer, Realtor, Stager, Title Company, Attorney or Inspector?  Don't forget your Processors, Property Managers, Financial Planners and your Insurance Broker.  Maybe you'd like to open an invitation to guests and visitors on your Blogs or Websites.

You've seen other members doing it
, and you are probably already aware that points are given not only for inviting others who join, but when they sign up and become active, you are rewarded additonal points based on their activity. 10% to be exact, which adds up quickly.  There are 3 ways you can do this.

The FIRST way is with the "Internal ActiveRain Referral Invitation."

  • Click the link    at the top of this page.
  • Next Click in the lower left corner of your screen. 

  • Now follow these 4 easy steps, and your invitation is complete.
    (with this method, you can only send one email at a time)

      



The Second way is to use the "Referral Link" that is provided on the same page as your email invite:
The referral link looks like this: http://activerain.com/action/referrals/activebrad (shown below)  This is the URL or web address you'll need to create links demonstrated ahead.

You can create a Hyperlink from any word or image by using the URL address above.  Just replace my username with yours and Bingo, you've got a text or graphic link inviting others.  This could be used in your email signature, a mailing to your email database, or even as a link on your webpage, Blog post, or Profile.  (This method allows you to send multiple invitations) NO SPAMMING, note the text disclaimer in RED above.
Here's a sample: 
Just highlight your text [You're Invided!], click on the and add the url that looks like http://activerain.com/action/referrals/YourUserNameHere - and now you'll have thisYOU'RE INVITED!



The Third way, and it seems to be the most requested lately, is to create a custom image, graphic, icon, or photo as your invitation, and then place it on your Blog, your Webpage, or your email etc.  I used this one as a sample.  I customized it using Paint Shop Pro.  You can use Picnik.com to create some pretty cool stuff.  There's also ImageChef.com, Button Maker and many other sites out there, and they're all FREE.

   You can create your own custom button or you can even use animated images and photos if you like.   Go ahead and click on them and see how they work, you don't have to join again, just check the links and see that they're functional.


Here's what you do:  Once you create and  import  an image, just link the same "Referral Link" you used on the text, but now apply it to your image or clipart instead.  To do this:
Click on your image one time, then click on the to insert your URL: it should look the same as before: http://activerain.com/action/referrals/YourUserName  Now you know how to link anything to anywhere.

To use an animated graphic like the frog as a link, you'll need to have that image hosted
on a server somewhere out on the internet.  There are plenty of FREE ones you can use, just Google Search the keywords "Free Animated .Gifs

       ***********************************************************************************

...is inviting you to invite others to ActiveRain.  Now that you know how, there is no excuse not to.

Hopefully this helps those who have been asking, sorry it took me longer than I expected to post.

 
Post is included in group: The Art Of Marketing You
Post is included in group: Active Rain Newbies
Post is included in group: Realtors®
Post is included in group: Blogging & SEO
Post is included in group: HELP/FAQ (Read 'Purpose Statement' Carefully!)

104 Comments on 3 Ways to Use the "Join ActiveRain" Referral Link

There is however the fact that for some here, they want the entire network all to themselves, and they will never invite anyone to join. Hmmm..

Maybe they feel they've discovered some of the hidden secrets and treasures here in the rain, and they just don't want to share those jewels with anyone else. :-) I'd understand that side too.

Then there are those whom you invite and they do absolutely nothing. I better save that for another post. lol~

06/17/2008 03:17 AM by Brad Andersohn ~ Community Builder (ActiveRain)


I have invited numerous people to join AR, including most recently my comrades at CB.  It continues to amaze me that no one except my BIC has signed up.  Their loss.  Most people here in my little corner of the world think I'm weird because I blog (she does that blogging thing!).

06/17/2008 04:01 AM by Susie Blackmon-Maggie Valley Waynesville NC Realtor/RE Blogger/Photographer (COLDWELL BANKER Kasey & Associates)


It is true,I have sent out multiple invitations and people for whatever reason have an excuse not to join...you would think,since it is free,they would at least give it a shot!

I have gotten 42+individuals to join though....

06/17/2008 04:46 AM by BLRGUY(Beach & Luxury Realty Inc)


I just invited my first two realtors to join. I have learned so much being a part of Active Rain and with more people that means more knowledge they have to share with us as we share with them.

06/17/2008 05:51 AM by Teresa McDonald Florence and Lake City SC Real Estate (EME Realty)


The smarter Realtors are the easier it is for everybody to get the job done.

06/17/2008 05:54 AM by Greg Hampton North Georgia Mountain Property,Blue Rid (Re/Max Around The Mountains)


My experience is that most people will not join and become active. And by far most people will not even join as a result of the referral link.

AR must be shown to other face to face before they are interested. I actually saw the link on a competitors site as I was trying to get website ideas, but did not sign up through that link. I googled AR and found how to join. I really did not know any better. Sorry Mr Competitor about you missing my referral points, but thanks for having the visible link.

No one has joined because I sent them an invitation. A few have joined via the second method when I followed up on the invitation, face to face.

And then I generally signed them up using the second method above.

It takes even more follow up to help them build up their profile and to encourage commenting and blog posts.

I really will not have the time to help them with footers and customizing their blogs, etc. But the time spent encouraging their participation is really good time spent in building a professional relationship.

Thanks Brad,

Richard

 

06/17/2008 06:33 AM by Richard Smith Mortgages Home Loans FHA TN GA AL (American Acceptance Mortgage, Inc)


Brad, how can I set this up so people can join from a Keller Williams office in Metro Detroit I am speaking at next week? I'm sure some will want to sign up and I'd like it to be under me. LOL

06/17/2008 06:49 AM by Missy Caulk-Ann Arbor- Realtor(R)- Ann Arbor Real Estate (Keller Williams-Ann Arbor)


Brad:  I've been having trouble getting my own team to join--their response, "I'm too busy beating the streets for business!"  UGH!  That's a great idea to send the links to other members of the real estate team--I'll do that for sure! 

Katerina told me about creating a button and I did get that done but, I LOVE yours--how did you do that?!  Also, how do you have all of your widgets centered on the right of your page?  That drives me nuts that mine aren't centered!!!

Debe in Charlotte

06/17/2008 06:50 AM by Debe Maxwell (Helen Adams Realty)


Brad you are the true widget master of Active Rain - LOL I love the custom join AR logo :)

06/17/2008 07:09 AM by Bill Gassett Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate (RE/MAX Executive Realty)


Brad - that's great information. Now I just need to decide how I want to use it. The weather in Middle Tennessee is great this week, highs in the low 80's and lows in the high 60's . When are you coming back? just kidding. I'll try to arrange something in Nashville later in the year if things go well.

06/17/2008 08:18 AM by Larry Brewer Nashville real estate (Keller Williams - Franklin tn)


I have the most success emailing the link as a hyperlink to people.  That seems to be the only way I can get people to sign up...lol

06/17/2008 08:28 AM by Clint Miller - www.recr.com (Real Estate Client Referrals LLC)


We have sent out many AR invites and only a few joined. The rest, well they did nothing. Maybe the Hyperlink is the ticket. thanks for showing us how and we love your Michigan J. Frog, he has always been a favorite of ours too.

06/17/2008 08:42 AM by Patty Carroll, ASP®, SRES® & Scott Carroll - RE/MAX, Vancouver WA (RE/MAX Equity Group)


Thanks for pointing out some different ways to invite other members.  I was only aware of the first one.  Thanks!  JENNIFER

06/17/2008 09:31 AM by Jennifer Kladny Loan Officer ~ Armstrong Co, PA (1st Metropolitan Mortgage)


Brad thanks for the information, I got to agree with some people here I have sent out at least 15 invitations and only 2 have joined, their excuses yes you got it right"I am too busy,I'll get around to it when I can"

I take myself for an example, I joined close to a year ago now, and I am finally bloging in here and responding t blogs, nobody ever explained to me how this works, until I got a call from a prospect last week then I decided "hhmm maybe I gotta give this Activerain a try."

Pedro Gonzalez

www.VipTopTeam.com

06/17/2008 09:49 AM by ERA Regency Realtors


Thanks for the tips I just started blogging.... I haven't had anyone join from the people I invited....

06/17/2008 10:01 AM by Frank Marta Texas Home Loan Specialist (Gold Quest Mortgage)


Brad, I personally 'INVITE' peers outside my sandbox and assume they will get hooked and invite peers outside of theirs, that way everyone gets to play and I don't 'give' away the juice before I have to share.  In my little town, I invited one title gal, one lender, one insurance guy, but in non-competing areas I have invited every soul that crosses my path- theory is REFERRAL BABY!  Remember Missouri is 20 yrs behind the rest of the Union so I have a pretty good shot of knowing what I am doing before the other couple dozen real estate agents get a clue.  (I have a feeling as soon as the title chick gets started she will see the power of points and invite a couple of REALTORs)  It is all good--  cheryl

06/17/2008 10:07 AM by Cheryl Willis, MO BROKER GRI,SRS Buying & Selling Real Estate (Mt Vernon) (RE/MAX Solutions- OZARK MISSOURI)


Hi Brad - I have invited quite a few people, but I have only had three who signed up, one of whom is actively posting.  I have also sent a good number of email invites, and later I have had friends tell me that they didn't get them (perhaps a spam filter?).  Anyway, this was another terrific post about how things work!

06/17/2008 10:19 AM by Jason Crouch, Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (Austin Texas Homes, LLC)


Thanks for the suggestion Brad! I have had a similar situation as Jason where people have told me they haven't gotten the auto-emailed invite. Hmmmm, sounds like I will have to try your suggestions!

06/17/2008 11:28 AM by Mike Slager - Holland, MI Realtor (Greenridge Realty)


 Hi Brad, has anyone ever told you what a great teacher you are? Powerful info presented in a way that anyone can "get it".

 I hope the newbies appreciate how lucky they are. I love your animated frog BTW, reminds me of one of my favorite cartoons.

06/17/2008 12:00 PM by The Blog Artist - marti garaughty (The Art Of Marketing You)


Brad,
An easy way to invite.  I was surfing AR the other day when I asked for a referral and notice that 85% of all those who responded had not even written on post.  I thought that was interesting. AJ

06/17/2008 12:02 PM by Alan 'AJ' Nisen California Contra Costa Mortgage Officer (A Large Bank in America)


THanks Brad, I thought about writing a post like this to show people how to add a subscribe button to their page...I guess you got it covered already though.

06/17/2008 12:08 PM by Jeremy Blanton Myrtle Beach Real Estate (Coldwell Banker Chicora Real Estate)


Brad, I have always verbally invited people, and they have joined without giving me credit. :0( I think from now on I am going to use the tools AR has given us.

06/17/2008 12:43 PM by Camarillo CA Real Estate Agent/ Mana Tulberg (Beach View Real Estate)


Thanks Brad---still at little over my head but will bookmark page!  I must be the dumbest person on here.  ha! ha!

BUT AT LEAST I LEARNED HOW TO INSERT PICS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

06/17/2008 01:16 PM by Aida Pinto Real Estate and Loan Consultant (ReoLicensedSpecialist.com)


    Gonna bookmark this page Brad,  Still trying to get some of my agents to blog...good luck to me with that one......

06/17/2008 01:45 PM by Kim Harris-Broker/Owner/Sound Realty (Sound Realty)


I invite people, but then they just join - three so far. The others are wondering what this is all about so, maybe next year they'll join??? Good tip for ar fun.

06/17/2008 02:17 PM by Dawn Maloney, ABR (Geneva Chervenic Realty)


Ive have been trying to remember to invite all professionals I come in contact with.  You never know what loan officer or inspector will turn out to be a wealth of information.

06/17/2008 04:09 PM by DeAndrea "Dee Dee" Jones The Hampton Roads Real Estate Lady! (Wainwright Real Estate)


I've used all three ways and #2 orks the best in getting conversions.

06/17/2008 04:14 PM by Find a Notary Public | needAnotary (QEC Internet Services)


I just sent another one out today and know she would be an asset with a different slant.  I also know one of the ones Brad mentioned and wonder why he does not share the wealth of experience he has with us.  I learned more in about a year and a half than most people will learn in 5 lifetimes.

06/17/2008 04:17 PM by L. Wayne Denton I HAVE A HANDLE ON YOUR MARKET! ! ! ( Magnolia Signature Homes)


THANK YOU again! I never know the URL paths to these things. And then I forget them. I need to save a document on my computer, with a categorized list of these things.

06/17/2008 06:17 PM by Lisa Hill (Daytona Beach Real Estate) (Adams Cameron and Company)


Great ideas to get more people to join active rain.  I have one active blogger and several others that have joined.  They are helping me

06/17/2008 06:39 PM by Russ Ravary - Michigan Homes for sale - Michigan Real estate & Mortgage info (Remerica Hometown One)


Good information, I'm new to this site and not really sure what the point system means, but I sure like to collect them for some reason.

06/17/2008 06:47 PM by Robert Dawson SEO (Top Search Result)


You just never know - someone I had invited many, many months ago just accepted the invitation.  I had even sent it twice.  Now what do I do with the unaccepted invitation to the same person....is there a provision, that I've missed, for deleting duplicate invitees?

06/17/2008 07:28 PM by Gail MacMillan Titusville-Brevard County FL Real Estate (Home Sweet Home Florida Realty, Inc.)


Hi Brad,

I was just wondering about #3 and here you are posting this today! Thanks :)

06/17/2008 08:41 PM by Suzanne Sands-Somerset, MA Real Estate (Century 21 Associates Realty)


Brad- I am amazed at how many people ask me to do this. Now I can just tell them to come to this post;)

06/17/2008 08:41 PM by Nestor & Katerina Gasset Realtors® Wellington Florida Luxury Homes (International Properties and Investments, Inc.)


You explained this in simple terms - I will be able to follow these directions w/ no problem.

06/17/2008 08:42 PM by Linda Greco Baltimore and Harford Realtor (Integrity Realty Group, LLC)


You did it again..Brad many thanks.... I use this ,but it's good to have a review...I'm going to bookmark this one....

06/17/2008 09:07 PM by Donna Paul- Long Island Home Specialist Suffolk and Nassau County (Keller Williams Realty Greater Nassau)


Brad... Once again... Great Post... This is why you are now part of Active Rain.. You always have just the right post to help others.

06/17/2008 09:56 PM by Roland Woodworth "Clarksville-Fort Campbell Area Realtor" (Exit Realty Clarksville)


Thanks, I'll try to invite some more people, but out of about 30 invites, I've only had 3 join.  10% maybe that's not a bad percentage?

Have A Great Day

06/17/2008 10:32 PM by DORIS FREEMAN Realtor Hendersonville-Nashville (RELIANT REALTY LLC)


Thank you!  What a great reminder.  Now I just need to make the time to make the list of people I need to make the invitations to... I'll get it done!

06/17/2008 10:35 PM by Cathleen O'Hannigan, Cary NC Realtor (Fonville Morisey)


great post.... i didnt know about #2

I NEED TO USE THIS.

 

06/17/2008 10:59 PM by Tom Burris | FHA VA & Conv. Texas Mortgage Loans (DallasLoanGuy.com)


Brad,

Thanks for the great posts.  This is one that I had really needed more information on at this time.  It will be very usful to me.

06/18/2008 12:13 AM by Derenda Grubb (CENTURY 21 Bessette Realty, Inc.)


I keep asking but not to many are taking the hook yet.  Thanks for the post and I love Michigan J Frog...

06/18/2008 12:43 AM by Leslie Stewart – Realtor ®, CRS, eCertified (Prudential Real Estate Professionals)


Hi Brad,

I've always enjoyed reading your posts. I think the problem with the invitation is that many people who receive it could be turned off by the verbage that states "They will be credited if you signup". I think more would sign up if that wasn't mentioned. So, is it really necessary to mention? And if so, why?

Thanks for all of your hard work and effort, it is appreciated.

-Keith

06/18/2008 01:06 AM by


I'm the Keith that just made the above comment. Thought I was still logged in...sigh.

-Keith

06/18/2008 01:08 AM by Keith Elliott Jr -"Prince William County Real Estate Expert" (RE/MAX Olympic Realty)


Several of our agents who originally joined don't seem to ue the AR site any more.  We are all pressed for time now but I still enjoy it.  Thanks for #3, may give it a try.

06/18/2008 01:09 PM by Jackie Cross (All Florida GMAC Real Estate)


WOW!  I go golfing for an afternoon and look what happens, guess I need to play the twilight or midnight golf to keep up with ya all here.  My oldest son beat me today on a 9 hole course, 29 to 36.  It was a great day, even though I suffered the loss. lol~  I'll have to skim through here for any questions, I'll try to reposnd as quickly as I can. Thanks.  :-)

06/18/2008 02:35 PM by Brad Andersohn ~ Community Builder (ActiveRain)


Brad, Please tell me you just didn't suggest people put annimated graphics on their page! haha but serisouly, good info. It's  always very telling to see how many people sign up and fail to really take advantage of AR. They don't know what they are missing!

06/18/2008 03:20 PM by Brad Carroll - Real Estate Web Designer (Dakno Marketing)


Brad,

As you know I have brought aboard most of my office Realtors but also one home inspector and one lender. I am always inviting.

06/18/2008 04:00 PM by Mike Frazier, Dyersburg Tn Real Estate (Carousel Realty of Dyer County)


Hey Brad! I've only invited a couple of people from my area becasue I didn't want to share with anyone else. I am now over it.

06/18/2008 04:23 PM by John Ford (Champion Real Estate)


I have invited several other people.  I had problems at first with button on the activerain page as most everybody I sent it to didn't receive the invitation.  I had to use the link button and its worked much better.  I now have to get the people I invited to get active

06/18/2008 08:36 PM by Jeff Thornton ABR CRB CRS CSP e-Pro GRI


Hi: this is great. I recently wrote a blog in the newbies group addressing "What are these points?" I invite people regularly and hope to use some of the techniques you shared. Now my question still is whether or not you get points for just inviting people. I have been told that you do not and I never gotten any points for doing that.

Thanks for your thoughtful and creative presentation.

Ann Hutchens, MDIV, CRTS, Creating Divine Order: Senior Move Manager serving people in greater Orlando who want their new home to be in divine order when they move in. www.creatingdivineorder.com.

06/18/2008 08:57 PM by Ann Hutchens (Creating Divine Order)


Awesome post! Wow- I'm not sure how long it took you to post this, but probably way less time than I think it would take me! I will be using this info asap. Thanks.

06/18/2008 10:28 PM by Carrie Perez, MBA-Exit Realty of Elk Rapids (Exit Realty of Elk Rapids)


MR Brad,
I missed you, in the good way eh?    How are you doing my friend? hope that everything is fine with you and family, great blog as always with great information for first time rainers, I do not remember if you helped me once with my number, I think so, LOL, I do not use it, but I will start creating my buttons.

If they want to avoid to get online always to search for animated gifs, they can buy collections and you have them on DVD's or CDS or the hard drive, anyway, good info.

Keep it good !
ray saenz

06/19/2008 12:42 AM by Aurora Colorado Real Estate Ray Saenz, Colorado Realtor (United Property Brokers, INC)


Brad,

I am a new 'blogger' and still in the learning stages so I found your article very informative.  I have a feeling I could get addicted!  I look forward to checking out the rest of your real estate ideas.  Sincerely, Rose Jeffries

Rose

06/19/2008 06:58 AM by Rose Jeffries


I like the alternate ways to create INVITATIONS! I've invited colleagues several times, and then they wanted to join & didn't save the link. I found out you can reach a max of invites to a person (2, I think), and THAT'S IT! So these set-ups are wonderful. Thanks, as always, for "manna" from the AR Heavens!! :-)

06/19/2008 07:25 AM by Mara Hawks, REALTOR®, Homes For Sale in Auburn-Opelika, Alabama, AU, Lee County (FIRST REALTY)


Thanks for the information, I didn't think of using the second way of inviting.  I'll have to try that and see if some of the folks that didn't respond to the first invitation might take a look this time.

06/19/2008 08:59 AM by Hope Goss (Ventura Property Shoppe)


Missy - you can add a link to your profile page and send guests and visitors there.  I have one on my profile and it works great for those situations. 

06/19/2008 07:06 PM by Brad Andersohn ~ Community Builder (ActiveRain)


Debe - I opened the original logo in a program called Paint Shop Pro, and then just edited in the additional text.  You can use Picnik.com or other free web sites to do the same thing.  Need Help? Let me know. :-)

06/19/2008 07:08 PM by Brad Andersohn ~ Community Builder (ActiveRain)


Larry - coming back when it gets down to 70 or 75 degrees. lol~  Seriously, I'm available to work around any schedule right now. Free to roam about the country!!  :-) 

06/19/2008 07:10 PM by Brad Andersohn ~ Community Builder (ActiveRain)


Pedro - it's really clear that everyone has their own timing, and some may never join, you can only do the best you can do. On the other hand, new members are joining every day now by the hundreds. Now we need to get them active once they join. Hundreds really are joining every day. :-)

06/19/2008 07:15 PM by Brad Andersohn ~ Community Builder (ActiveRain)






A



Mana - I left that one out and it's probably the most effective!  Word of mouth and in person is really the best way to go. Sign em up and teach em on the spot. I've done it many times myself!  :-) 

I knew I was forgeting the 4th way!  Thanks.

06/19/2008 07:21 PM by Brad Andersohn ~ Community Builder (ActiveRain)


Aida - you crack me up! You're one of the funniest for sure!  :-))

06/19/2008 07:22 PM by Brad Andersohn ~ Community Builder (ActiveRain)


You just never know - someone I had invited many, many months ago just accepted the invitation. I had even sent it twice. Now what do I do with the unaccepted invitation to the same person....is there a provision, that I've missed, for deleting duplicate invitees?

Gail - that does happen sometimes, people hang on to those emails forever eh? As far as provision, there is only the notification link which tells you your invite status and that is only for those you send from AR. The limit is 4 I think and then the system stops.  You can use email with no limitations, just don't spam people. Not sure how to delete duplicate invitees in the system. I'll find out if you need me to?  :-0

06/19/2008 07:28 PM by Brad Andersohn ~ Community Builder (ActiveRain)


Hi Brad, I've always enjoyed reading your posts. I think the problem with the invitation is that many people who receive it could be turned off by the verbage that states "They will be credited if you signup". I think more would sign up if that wasn't mentioned. So, is it really necessary to mention? And if so, why? Thanks for all of your hard work and effort, it is appreciated. -Keith

Keith - you may be right on that, but we are an industry of Full Disclosure right? lol~ Not sure it's a "Must Mention" item other than for those who do join, it may inspire or motive them to tell others which keeps the word spreading and viral.   I think you pose a great question, so for now I'm falling back on "Full-Disclosure!" and I'm sticking to it!  :-)

Thanks for pointing that out Keith, that's what really makes these posts valuable, it's the comments, not always the post.

06/19/2008 07:35 PM by Brad Andersohn ~ Community Builder (ActiveRain)


Brad, you did it again.  I am having so much fun adding new things to my website.  Following your instructions above, it took me less than 5 minutes to add this referral link to my site.  Great stuff as always, and I can't wait to find more and more great things from you.  It will just take me forever to read all your blogs.

07/14/2008 03:15 AM by Troy Erickson (Terra Solis Realty, LLC)


Troy - I'm following you around my blog! lol~ That's funny.  Did you doubt my instructions for a single moment?  hahaha!!  You can click on my name below and it will take you to my profile where you can have your pick of the litter. All my posts are sorted there by category. Since you're new here, you might find a couple other posts and videos that might be helpful. The invitation is yours, the door is always unlocked and open there.  :-))

07/14/2008 04:30 AM by Brad Andersohn ~ Community Builder (ActiveRain)


Georgina - thank you, I actually do try very hard.  It's not easy as you know to have your next post out-do your last one.  I'm always competing against myself to keep doing better. Man I hate me sometimes, I make me work too hard! ROFLOL~