I've been here for 1.5 years. I love it. I thought I'd share my few pearls of wisdom that'll help you learn quicker than I learned. This past weekend, I asked an fairly straightforward question that evolved into a sub bloggin post of it's own. Members started to get cross against each other before finally getting everything past them and moving forward today. So....in hindsight, I was thinking that there are some AR safety tips (Image from www.bellaonline.com/articles/art42143.asp)
First....communication should be two way....
. One way communication tends to get lost or taken the wrong way. One of the nice tips that I first recieved was when PEOPLE POST ON YOUR BLOG IS TO ANSWER THEM. So stupid that cyperspace has it's own set of unwritten rules and etiquette, but it does. This has made a huge difference in the way that I interact with others.
Second, DON'T HAWK! Selling your wares is OK, but some people are so obvious that they use AR only as a self-promotion tool. I'm sure that they are not receiving what they're truly looking for from AR. That's recognition and sales. As you're recognized in the AR community the deals will come. BALANCE YOURSELF...intertwine your personality between your business blogs. Show business sales blogs, but don't make that the end all. Have fun, write about things that you're passionate about. Comment on hobbies, whatever, but DON'T JUST HAWK YOUR WARES. You want a true following.
Thirdly, subscribe to other people's blogs. There's really a 2 fold reason for this. First, you should subscribe to people who you like. You like their blogs, their wit, their intellect, their humor. You build relationships that way. The rapport you build is awesome. You'll kick some people to the side, but others....you'll build awesome and deep relationships with. Additionally, you'll find that as you subscribe to others, the "right" people will begin to subscribe to your blogs and you'll get even more exposure.
Fourthly, be on ACTIVE RAIN. That doesn't mean once every three weeks or twice a year. You don't need to obsess about AR, but do make sure that you're INJECTING YOURSELF INTO THE COMMUNITY. It's SO NECESSARY!!!!! Out of sight, out of mind is such an apprapro position here. YOU DON'T HAVE TO BLOG EVERY 2 MINUTES OR EVERY 2 DAYS, but you need to be present if you want to be known.
Next, BE GRACIOUS.....e-mail doesn't have the tonal inflections that a conversation has. Some of the worst fights have been through misinterpreting e-mail. When in doubt give the writer the benefit of the doubt! No fires to put out if they never get started, you know?
I've seen more anger and snapshot responses from people who just assume what was written was actually saying something else. Be quick to forgive....this is an awesome community. Although tifs rarely play out for the experienced blogger, it's important that we're always moving forward. By harping on what someone has done to you (I had to deal with this myself last week), you don't....YOU JUST DON'T have the ability to move forward.
Finally....DRINK THE KOOL - AID....have fun....reach out and connect with others. I have exchanged information with so many AR members that I can truly say that I have some great relationships as a result. I have reaped financial benefits to the tune of more than 10 closings in the past 16 months. Have fun...welcome...embrace and enjoy.
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Larry, some great tips... Thanks & have a fantastic day!