Special offer

My Introduction to ActiveRain

By
Real Estate Agent with InlandHomeFinder.com

My name is Nick Ondatje.  I am a realtor in San Bernardino County, often referred to as the "Inland Empire" region of Southern California.  I am a husband of two years to my beautiful wife Amber and a father to my 18 month old son Nicholaus Elmo, but we call him NEO (like the matrix).

my wife & son

I joined ActiveRain last week and I'm very interested in exploring all this unique network has to offer.  I found out about the site while reading REALTOR magazine.  I have to admit that I didn't fully understand the concept at first.  I had never posted a blog before so that's where I began.  I quickly started generating multiple blogs on local city and area information.  I compiled about 10 generic general pieces of information and started to accumulate points for doing so.  At that point I wanted to dig deeper and develop more of an understanding about the network so I started reading other blogs that had been posted.  I quickly realized that I was doing it all wrong.  This site is not about listing catalogs of general local facts but rather sharing unique ideas, perspectives and advice.

Moving forward, I really look forward to contributing my input and more impotantly (for me at least) picking up on the valuable nuggets of wisdom being offered hera on ActiveRain

Maggie Dokic /Indialantic | 321-252-8696
Magdalena Dokic - Indialantic, FL
Selling the beach in Florida's space coast
Nick, welcome to Active Rain.  You're going to love it here.  I want to add, that in addition to networking and sharing ideas with other real estate professionals, make sure you blog about your local market.  Your local posts get sent over to Localism automatically and that will help you be found by your consumers.  Everyone wants top ranking on google.  I have so much fun here in the Rain with the pros that I sometimes forget my local content.  I have to be ever mindful to stay on top of it.
Mar 12, 2007 05:19 AM
Inland Empire Real Estate Short Sale Pro
InlandHomeFinder.com - San Bernardino, CA
InlandHomeFinder.com
Maggie - Thanks for the comment.  I really appreciate the tips.  I will definitely put that advice into action.  My first priority is to serve my clients and having a web presence that caters to my local audience is certainly part of that.
Mar 12, 2007 06:43 AM
Maggie Dokic /Indialantic | 321-252-8696
Magdalena Dokic - Indialantic, FL
Selling the beach in Florida's space coast
Nick, I forgot to comment on your family.  They're precious. Continued blessings.
Mar 12, 2007 09:07 AM
Inland Empire Real Estate Short Sale Pro
InlandHomeFinder.com - San Bernardino, CA
InlandHomeFinder.com
Thank you Maggie.  They are the reason for everything I do.
Mar 12, 2007 09:28 AM
Rich Schiffer
Swarthmore, PA
Referral Agent, e-PRO

Nick you are off to a great start here.  The localism side of blogging is important.  That is what the consumer will be looking for, and what will set you apart in their eyes.  Develop your blog strategy, and incorporate blogging into your business plan and you will do well.

some good reading I can recommend for you:

Real Estate Blogging 101 - How to Get Started - Building Your Plan

and my own So, You Found ActiveRain -- Now What?

Mar 15, 2007 03:50 PM
Inland Empire Real Estate Short Sale Pro
InlandHomeFinder.com - San Bernardino, CA
InlandHomeFinder.com
Thanks Rich.  I will check these articles out.  I really do want to develop these tools.  I look forward to writing many, many blog posts in the future.
Mar 15, 2007 06:07 PM