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Newbie Cautiously Addicted to AR

By
Real Estate Agent with www.KimThomasHomes.com 0449744

Ok so it's my first full day on AR, and I do mean FULL DAY, and I am hooked.  This harkens back to those first days in real estate where my husband, Ray, became an RE widower. Now he's feelin' the pain again.  I think he sees the writing on the wall.  Yup.  He's gonna be an AR widower!  But I accept no responsibility for this inevitable turn of events!  It's his fault. He told me to do it! (See yesterday's post).

Since 11am, except for some playtime with the kids out in the sprinklers today, an hour at the grocery store, and meals prep, oh, and some BlackBerry time (my other addiction), I have been in my home office, glued to this site.  I've been reading, learning, following links and getting lost! Just trying to figure this stuff out.  (Don't worry, the kids are OK. Ray and my mother kept them entertained.)

OMG there is so much to learn! There's the ettiquette, the Newbie Tips, The Groups. Do you post your blog Professional, Public, or to Members?  Yikes!  Who knew it was so involved?  I sure didn't. 

And what's with the points? No one told me there would be points.  Ray, says I'm already showing signs of becoming addicted like I did with that IWON! site back in the early millenium.  Too late, honey;  I'm there. 

Newbie Tip, just in case you didn't know: I got 50 points for looking at the explanation of my points! (Thanks Ben!) That's nuts! BUT I LOVE IT! (Just kidding, I know it's not about the points).

On the other hand, I am truly suffering from information overload. I just don't know where to begin...or how to end!  Can someone help? Oh, and a question for anyone who might be able to help:

How do I answer the lovely comments from yesterday's blog? I can't figure that out. I thought I was relatively smart until I joined this site!

Throw me a life vest, please. I feel like I'm sinking fast.   

I've already read stories from people who got into trouble from doing things improperly.  I don't ever want to awaken to those admonishing comments.  I like it here in the 'Rain, and I don't wanna skulk away because I inadvertently posted something in the wrong place.  Scary.   

So, I'm resolved to doing my homework - even if it takes a solid week.  I'm gonna try to learn all there is to learn.  Hunker down, Ray. You're gonna spend some quality time with the kids this week!

Ok, all kidding aside, what I really want to convey is that as awesome as this site is, it's equally intimidating.  So please, please bear with me, and the other newbies.  Not only is this my first full day on AR, it's my first attempt at blogging.  And my first foray into any on-line community, or social networking site, or whatever the buzz-word of the day is.  Nope, I've never done MySpace, FaceBook, MyFace, YourBook, whatever -it's all new to me.

So please, be gentle good people. Be gentle. And don't forget that life vest.

-Kim

Posted by

Kimberly Thomas, Broker-Salesperson

856-308-5989; www.KimThomasHomes.com

email: kim@kimcanhelp.com

Michelle Chamberlain
Above All Financial Services -Pennsylvania Mortgage Broker - Secane, PA
Suburban Philadelphia Mortgage Broker

Kim,

 

Most people just answer comments by posting in their own comments section.  For example if you wanted to respond to a comment written by Mary Smith you might post  something like this:

Mary: Thanks for the advice.

as a comment in your own blog.

Welcome to Active Rain.  You have a nice writing style and your personality really shines through!

Jul 19, 2008 03:03 PM
Martin Lopez
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Cerritos, CA

Wow!!! calm down Kimberly! (I love your name, in fact that's the name we gave to my first daughter who is 13 now)

This AR fever is extremely contagious, it happened to me too.  It's a great place to meet mind-like people and gain lots of experience and ideas.

Congrats on joining the rain!

Marty L.

Jul 19, 2008 03:08 PM
Teri Eckholm
Boardman Realty - White Bear Lake, MN
REALTOR Serving Mpls/St Paul North & East Metro

Kimberly--Welcome to the Rain...It takes a bit to get the addiction under control! :) The best part of being here is the localism aspect...Though they are changing that up a bit. Posting to the consumer consistantly will increase your real estate business. It takes a few months of consistant posting then BAM! You have internet clients! In the meantime you create some great relationships with other bloggers across the US. So have fun in the rain....And don't forget those wonderful people at home...Balance is the key to avoiding blogger burnout! :)

Jul 19, 2008 03:09 PM
Terry & Bonnie Westbrook
Westbrook Realty Broker-Owner - Grand Rapids, MI
Westbrook Realty - Grand Rapids Forest Hills MI Re

Good luck you will need to pace yourself or it can be very addictive. Welcome and good luck.

Jul 19, 2008 03:09 PM
Team Honeycutt
Allen Tate - Concord, NC

Welcome....we are new as well and still trying to learn the ropes as well.  Good Luck!

Jul 19, 2008 03:13 PM
Gregory Lohr
West Columbia, SC

Hi Kimberly, and welcome.  You share first names with my wife!

It's late and I'm about to go to bed as I have to get up fairly early tomorrow.  If your questions aren't answered, just click on my name at the bottom of this response.  This will take you to my page where you can get my email address or phone number.  Give me a call if you want.  I've learned a lot in my short time here and I will be happy to share what I know with you.  I can also give you a link to a free download for a program that will help you make your blogs look "oh so much better."  You don't have to learn the html codes, you just type what you want, add pics, etc. and it gives you the code you need.  I wrote a blog about how to use the program, and I'll give you that link too!

Jul 19, 2008 03:28 PM
Kimberly Thomas, Broker-Associate
www.KimThomasHomes.com - Voorhees, NJ
Keller Williams Realty - Voorhees, NJ

All Good advice!  But as you can see, I'm still on!!!  Ok, ok. I'm going.  But I wanna say that I appreciate all the "welcomes"..thank you very much for those, and the kind words, and most importantly, the advice about pacing myself.  I'm calling it a day.  

Above All Financial Services:  Thanks for the advice about how to use comments.  

Teri: Thanks for tips on Localism -- that's another thing that confounds me. 

Ok, I'm pushing away from the keyboard. Good night all!

Jul 19, 2008 03:31 PM
Kimberly Thomas, Broker-Associate
www.KimThomasHomes.com - Voorhees, NJ
Keller Williams Realty - Voorhees, NJ

Gregory: Great and Thanks!  I hate the way my blogs look.  So, after church tomorrow, I'll check out your blog.  Night.

Kim

Jul 19, 2008 03:34 PM
Cindy Marchant
Keller Williams Indy NE 317-290-7775 www.marchantteam.com - Carmel, IN
"Cindy in Indy" , Realtor, Fishers Real Estate

Welcome Kimberly, it can be addicting.  There are some real experts on AR, specifically in the areas of SEO that amaze me.  It is truly a great place to be with "like" kind especially with all the changes in the market/lending, etc that are going on.

Jul 19, 2008 03:35 PM
Tony & Darcy Cannon
Aubrey and Associates Realty - Layton, UT
The C Team

Kim, welcome to Active Rain.  I would warn you about it becoming addictive, but you have found that out already.  It is a fun place to spend some time!

Jul 19, 2008 05:40 PM
Lorena Westervelt
Van West Realty - Greenville, SC
Co-Founder/Co-Owner

Hello, welcome to Active Rain! This seems like a wonderful environment to network as well as learn from others. I hope you enjoy yourself and participate often in the Active Rain environment!

Jul 20, 2008 01:22 AM
Daniel J. Brudnok, REALTOR
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Fox & Roach, REALTORS - Exton - PA License #RS-225179-L / Delaware License #RS-0025038 - Downingtown, PA
SRES, e-PRO,ABR,GREEN,CSP

Kimberly,

AR can be addicting and at the same time resourceful and rewarding.....a balance must be kept, yet I just plan the time daily to fit....not as important as my calls and fac-to-face time, yet it is important to my overall daily plan......not to mention we are just about kid free.....LOL

Jul 20, 2008 01:36 AM
Rick Sergison
EXP Realty of Canada Inc., Brokerage - Pickering, ON
Durham Region Real Estate Blog

I just stopped by to welcome you to Active Rain. I hope that you find it a great benefit to your business and that you see the value that I have also found here. I am from Charlottesville Virginia and using Active Rain has really increased my business!

My main blog on Active Rain is here: Charlottesville Real Estate Blog, not the link at the bottom of this post. 

I hope you will look into the many groups as there are some great group both local and broad based,.... 

enjoy!

Jul 20, 2008 07:11 AM
Steve Hoffacker
Steve Hoffacker LLC - West Palm Beach, FL
Certified Aging In Place Specialist-Instructor

Kim (or is it Kimberly?),

Welcome to Active Rain. You definitely have what it takes to become addicted. Hold on.

Steve

 

Jul 20, 2008 07:22 AM
Neal Barnes
Starstate Realty - Killeen, TX
Broker, REALTOR, ABR, CRS, GRI, SRES, SRS.

Hi Kimberly  --  Welcome to ActiveRain (AR).  I am a REALTOR in Central Texas.  I look forward to networking with you and reading your future post.  Have a great day!!!

Jul 20, 2008 08:29 AM
Vicente A. Martinez
Prudential Douglas Elliman Licensed Real Estate Salesperson - Woodhaven, NY
Realtor, Brooklyn - Long Island - Queens Homes

Hi Kimberly and welcome to active|rain. There are thousands of tips, tools, and tricks of the trade here. Be sure to check them out. Best of luck and see you around.

Jul 20, 2008 04:17 PM
Linda Bourgault
lulugraphix-creative photography & fine art - Flower Mound, TX

Hi Kim—I stumbled upon a comment you made on SAD at Activerain tonight and thought I'd pay you a visit. You have a great writing style and Yes... you are addicted! I am too, but there isn't any 12 Step program that helps - LOL!

You haven't posted since July 2008. Where are you and what has happend? If you ever get back in the RAIN come see me. Take care and I hope life is improving for you and your family.

Mar 25, 2009 08:30 PM
Kimberly Thomas, Broker-Associate
www.KimThomasHomes.com - Voorhees, NJ
Keller Williams Realty - Voorhees, NJ

HI Linda,

Thanks for your kind words. I disappeared because I got busy with day-to-day business back during the summer months and have to learn to better balance the facetime with blogging. I tend to be an all-or-nothing personality. I had a rough winter -- pneumonia, and so I took three months off recently. Then I moved from RE/MAX to a new Realty Executives franchise in my area. That of course cost me in terms of disruption to business. Now I'm trying to rebuild my client-base and am attempting to have a more balanced day that includes time for prospecting, client interaction, and blogging. Wish me luck!

 

Apr 04, 2009 06:45 AM