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"You've Just Sponsored a Community! - Now What?"

Silverdale WA Waterfront and Public Pier Okay, so if you're like many of your fellow ActiveRain members, you've recently been caught up in the Localism Land Rush, and have successfully acquired sponsorship of one or more communities within your market area.

After all the celebrative fireworks and fanfare, perhaps you're left scratching your head and asking yourself, ....Now what?

As a licensed real estate professional here on the beautiful Kitsap Peninsula in scenic Washington State, I was fortunate enough to have secured the town of Silverdale WA, an unincorporated community situated along the shores of Dyes Inlet, home to the Kitsap Mall and nearby Bangor Submarine Base.

I thought it might be fun (and perhaps helpful) if, over the next couple of weeks, I published a series of on-going articles to chronicle my activities on the Localism Silverdale WA community page. This might provide some of you with ideas on what you can do with your own sponsored community. As we go along, feel free to pipe in and share your creative thoughts and ideas on what you're doing!

To find the series, "Making the Most of Your Sponsored Localism Communities" and "Everything You've Always Wanted to Know About Localism, But were Afraid to Ask,"...go HERE!

Posted by Rich Jacobson Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Agent on 08/08/2008 11:16 AM

Comments (98)

localism, land rush, silverdale wa, real estate, kitsap county wa

Originally posted at: "Singing in the Rain!": "You've Just Sponsored a Community! - Now What?"

Post is included in group: Life on the Kitsap Peninsula WA

98 Comments on "You've Just Sponsored a Community! - Now What?"

AUG

2008

Rich, this should be a great serries. See my email. I still have some questions about the Localism site, etc. AJ

I like the series idea and will stay tuned. Thanks Rich

Rich,

That's eactly my question. I got a few communities and now trying to figure how it is reflected, as I do not see any change on AR.

On another note, we are coming as brokerage and this is a small family company, where each agent has their own account, however, if they contribute to the brokerage, how's that? Can we do that and at the end of the post say that it was so and so contribution?

Another thing are photos.Now you can upload more than one. WHen I was uploading two, it asked for description. At this moment you do not see the images, just the address, and it does not give you the idea, so I thought I knew the order, and there were only two, and I wrote the description, uploaded, and turned out I was wrong. How can I change or edit the photo that I have uploaded? Couldn't find the way.

Rich,

Is the picture upload working yet so we can add photos to the communities? Thanks.

Steve

I am looking forwarding to seeing your series. I hope I can get some insight.

Randy and I are agents in the same office in Mililani Hawaii. He sponsored Mililani and I created communities under Mililani. We have everything and anything in our area and most of we are centrally located on our island to ALL bases. We have already written many articles regarding personal experiences in our community as well as restaurants, information etc. It's like having everything organized and mingling in the community and businesses and such ....and in return hoping they will connect with me as well. Like ....getting to know our neighbors :)

Hmmm.... August 11th, May not be the way my wife expects to celebrate our 30th anniversary but I'll send her a link to the series...

A.J. - Just sent the money to my PayPal account....heh

Sally: Just wait until you see the REBlogs!....

Steve: Hey, man. Sorry for not responding to your earlier email. Yes, you can upload pictures now. Just log onto Localism, and go to the relevant community page. Over to the right middle of the page, you'll see the link that says "Upload Pictures"...it may take a while for the pictures to populate. Let me know if you need anything else...

Rich, I really appreciate your sharing these ideas and your experience. I have been floundering with developing an action plan.

Jon: I think you're gonna like the new REBlogs. They will work well with your brokerage. More to follow. I believe we're working on a function within Localism that will enable you to change/correct photo descriptions. Stay tuned....

Dan: You're such a romantic!....Just the two of you, nestled by the fire, glass of wine, and ActiveRain!

Vickie: It's so much more fun when you can 'flounder' together, don't ya think?

I have 3 sponsorships. I finally figured out how to do the descriptions and links. Now to start posting relative info. It will be helpful to see how you do it. Thanks

Thank you Rich! I've been to the new localism site and can't tell a speck of difference from before I sponsored a community. I'll be looking forward to this!

I'll be reading! My localism posts look good in AR and like !@#$% on the Localism site. Hoping to talk to Brad today as it is embarrassing! Anxious to read what is coming from you.

Still don't see the effects of localism on the general population, but you guys are smarter than me. I will await the series

Rich great idea, I have spent the days since Wed when I purchased 18 to be time consuming researching the communities, yes I knew most of them and could write spontaneously but some I wanted to make sure my facts were right. I can't wait to read this series, I know it will be extremely helpful.

Are you gonna give us an update on how many were purchased and if it met the AR expectations or exceeded them or more work to do. Just being nosey....

Rich,

I must confess, as much as I posted comments against this Localism land rush. I am already excited today, hoping I get the ones I've targeted.

I actually was geared up July 31, only to read that day my schedule was August 8. I do not keep up very well sometimes.

What to do with the pages has been in my mind increasingly. Hopefully most who sponsor will feel a commitment to do a good job - with research, photos, and community building information, like Missy says. I think I am going to copy Missy Caulk's pages.

When can local non AR comment post, and how local can the posts be - will they be able to post their daughter's birthday this Saturday.

If not, then could we consider adding such a feature to our Localism page - a place for very local information.

Richard

Thank goodness. I'll be watching, and appreciate the help, Rich!

Rich - will love seeing your example. And please do share if any of your localism articles get "the boot", we're still trying to figure out exactly what does and does not get approved! Thanks again.

Rich, I bought 4 communities. Now I'm struggling to find the time to write the descriptions for my communities. This could take me awhile!!!

Rich,

What I'd be interested in seeing is some statical information about the difference of sponsoring versus not sponsoring.

Still under the bus.

Hey Rich I will loook forward to your posts. I am sure you will have some good ideas. Let me know if Hopkinton is available - thanks!

I was sitting at my computer at 3:00 PM Eastern time yesterday. Credit card in hand... I played beat the clock to get my 4 neighborhoods... I wanted 5 or 6 but between the expense and the threat of a T shirt... I just took the 4... on one I thought... should I? Or should I leave that for someone who really deserves that neighborhood... but I took it.

I believe my 4 neighborhoods are the ONLY sponsored neighborhoods in Franklin or Delaware County.

I have started posting content to one community, that I sponsored. I never got an answer about reposting content older than 6 months old.

I wonder why when I post content about Worthington it does not show up on Worthington Localism. Am I still under the bus?

Rich...

Excellent. We need some sort of uniformity in this area to ensure that all reap the full benefits! Have a great weekend and I look forward to you post on Monday!

I'm with Neal. Can people who do not sponsor also write stuff about the community and get posted to Localism. I really have to say I don't understand the difference.

Rich, I got my communities, yesterday...and on my agenda for today was to call you and find out how to use it since you have one too...I was also thinking of posting the how to's...but I guess people don't need 2 sets of them...oh well there goes the gold stars LOL

I'll start my series of articles next Monday, August 11th. Stay Tuned!]

I am exiced that is my day of birth.. couldn'tt pick a better day to start a series on Localism since I did buy half of New Jersey

Feel free to call me Baroness ........ and forward all B-Day presents and of course prizes

I've sponsored two communities and haven't done a darn thing. I'm hopping on it over the weekend. We'll see what I can accomplish.

We are awaiting your series on using localism. Thanks for keeping us posted. We are ready and waiting.

Gracious Rich...

...And the best way to teach is what? Lead by example. Show 'em. Don't boss 'em :)

Don't tell Blog Boy or Hubba I said that. They seem to enjoy me bossing them around :)

TLW...ROAR!

Rich~I'm looking forward to reading your series and creating some of my own for my neighborhoods! Have a great weekend!

Thanks so much and I am looking forward to seeing the series to get my own ideas.

Rich- Someone else was able to beat me to it and sponsored the towns I was interested in, however the sponsorship isn't showing up on Localism yet. Is this just something that takes a day or two to work?

Rich- All I can Say is Thank you- I have no idea where to go from here!

Hi Rich,

Like you, I am saying to myself, "Now what have I done?????" I am the broker/owner of our franchise, also the board president for the year, I belong to a guzzilian groups, try to keep a clean house and have a husband, 3 pets and grandchildren to love!!!! Who has time for keeping a community blog (especially where I bought 3 of the cities!). So it is with great interest that I will read your series and hopefully learn somethng...thanks!

Rich, sorry i forgot to log in - my blog just says "Rose", but thanks again for the upcoming series, I am definitely looking forward to it and will do whatever you say...

Hi Rich,

I am looking forward to 2:45pm today here in Texas and after that...following up with your posts!

Thanks-Russell

Rich - Bob here.... Yay! We bought a total of 16 communities in our area. Funny thing is there are only 8 real communities. So I ended up buying all of them. Makes no sense I know but there are apparently duplicates in there. Are these going to stay the way they are indefinatly or is somebody going to go in and maybe fix this? Justs curious. I really don't think I'll be keeping all 16 towns/communities as they are doubled but I was curious about how you guys/girls are going about working on these situations. Hope all is well and Lisa says Hi!

Rich, this is a good idea. My only question is now what? thanks

Rich, I look forward to all of your publications. Thank you for doing this for the rest of us. You are truly as TLW calls you Gracious Rich.

Rich - I am looking forward to your posts on this topic. My land rush begins at 2:00pm today.

Rich,

Now what is exaclty what I am asking also. From what I can see, I can write a description and add 3 links. What does that do for me? Since I authored all of the articles on the page and uploaded all of the photos....I was already featured on the page. I am not sure what I get for my $9/month. I will continue read your responses

Leander McClain, Real Estate Consultant

Yup....we are all part of the growing community of Localism too....everyone here is a business in their community as well.

Looking forward to yours...will go check what you got so far :)

....wow...you did a wonderful job on your description... mine is ewwww compared to that! I better spend time and do mine properly :)

Hi RIch, got a question for you, why is it that I have writtenn several localism posts about Bellingham neighborhoods that never make it to Loclism?

What about Market Reports, where are they? how does a consumer find them? why are my old ones showing up for Sudden Valley but not my latest one? what is going on here?

Look forward to seeing your series.

Michael: this should help to explain it better... http://activerain.com/blogsview/612513/-Going-Loco-Over

:raising hand and squirming in seat: TEACHER TEACHER I HAVE A QUESTION!

OK, what constitutes as a NON COMMERCIAL link? Can that PLEASE be defined?

I would rather use my commercial link to myself (of course) BUT what if I included something like a golf course (which is commercial.) Would I have to choose between the two for my commercial link? Are blogs commercial link? What if I just linked it to my area tag cloud?

I think this area needs to be addressed in another post :)

Rich - Will we be able to edit after adding the description?

In other words:

1) If I do a basic description to my precious communities, can I go back later and fine-tune it and add photos and links?

2) Is there a time-frame when we should have the descriptions in?

3) Forgot the question.

Man, I haven't even started this show, and already, I've got questions!...

Miss Burrows: Yes, you may be excused to use the Ladie's Room. Yes, we need to provide some clarification here, and state our premise behind this requirement.

Give me a sec....

One more, is there a requirement of minimum or maximum words?

Yea, I am one of those PITA students.

<g>

Renee: The other two links need to be unrelated to you or your business. They should be links to other area businesses or sites that help convey the flavor our your community. Hope that helps....

Virginia: I was wondering that myself. I don't see where you can upload pictures in your description. Guess we'll work through all those issues starting next Monday!

Renee: Short and sweet. I don't know that there's a word count limit. If it's long, it may simply populate/scroll down the page....

Gotchaaaaaaaaa! Perfect and thank you!

My office is trying to do this, so we'll be watching you to see what it should look like.

Rich,

I am waiting for Monday... cant wait to see what you have..

Thanks,

Mark

very much looking forward to the upcoming series of events that will help me with my localism sponsored communities.

Katrina Madewell, in Tampa FL

HI RICH!

I'm anxiously awaiting my time so I can get my communitites. But, I was wondering what to do after I got them. This would be a really good idea...so folks know what to do next!

Thanks for that idea!

Hi Rich, That would be most useful indeed. I can see where there needs to be a good bit of thought put into this and of making a plan of the types of posts that are needed . One writing to set the stage about the community itself and then to have activity reports, information reports, market reports, service reports, business reports, listings, subdivision identifications and illustration , photos, videos, community activities, calendar of events, , the list goes way beyond my immediate thinking on this. If if you have a few there is going to be quite a bit of work. Come to think of it, AR should be paying us, lol. Sounds like another full time job, just kidding but if this is going to be effective for the many communities, it might even require some collaboration down the road. Just thinking out loud.

I wanted the small city that I live in soooooooooooo badly, but it was gone by the time I could log in.

So, now i am checking everyday

Who has it and what do they have to say.

NOTHING has changed in a week? What is this all about?

Does anybody KNOW?

I'm glad to see this post. I'll be looking forward to reading your series.

Hi Rich - thanks so much for all your helpful advice. I'm pretty much a newbie but I find myself reading and learning from you at every opportunity/post.

Have a great weekend!

Hi Rich I will be waiting with baited breath. This is all so exciting. The best part is that I haven't even got a clue what I'm excited about.

See you on Monday in the AR

Have a great weekend.

Thanks for the responses on my blog posts. I can't imagine how you do it all.

Sincerely,

Bill

This should be very helpful. Hopefully we will hear from others who are sharing what they are doing. It's still a bit unclear about posting old stuff, and hearing that some things are not showing where they should be, and seeing so many incorrectly spelled communities (and those listed under the wrong towns and cities) is frustrating. Looking forward to seeing more improvements and clarification asa weget off the ground. Now to find time to write all those community descriptions.

Jeff

I was told that after sponsoring the communities of my choice I could contact you and you would be happy to write descriptions and photograph my local areas. Is this not true????

information overload this week. more fun things to work on.

Thanks, as always this will be well needed! I am peeking out from under the bus!

Well, all I can say is....I AM A SHOPAHOLIC.

I bought 22 communities. All that I'm familiar with and looking to doing more buisness in. Luckily, I had a fairly free day today. I woke up this morning devoted to making a huge dent in those descriptions. Holy cow, I only have 8 left!!! Anywho, very much looking forward to your tips, hints, and progress, Rich. :)

As a side note, am I correct in assuming the noncommercial links would be town websites and/or school websites?

I will await with baited breath to see what you show us so that we can then emulate it.

Looking forward to your series. I just updated my cities and communities, but a lot of work is still ahead. :-)

LOL @ Antoinette. Glad I'm not the only holic in the rain :)

TLW...ROAR!

Rich- You read my mind. Looking forward to your posts and some guidelines.

Steven- I uploaded a couple of photos this morning and it couldn't have been easier. Funny, I hit upload and then went to get a cup of coffee thinking this will probably take awhile. Shazam, they were uploaded before I finished stirring in the sugar:-) easy peasy!

Here is MY question, how can I get pictures (or better yet a Flickr widget) into community descriptions for the communities I sponsor?

Rich- my problem isn't what to do now....already have my descriptions, and have been doing the other stuff....my question is:

Jon stated that the Sponsor would be under the Top Neighbors....which most of us stated we liked a lot. That would mean being on the right sidebar. I see my Descriptions, and links in the middle....not on the sidebar?

Hi Rich,

Are you almost done yet.....;)

OK so here's the thing. I haven't seen any numbers for Localism. In amongst the three or four unanswered e-mails I've sent in were questions about numbers. So considering my mail is going unanswered, I thought I'd ask here.

1. How many NON AR people are going to Localism on a daily basis?

2. When will break down figures be available? By State? By County? By City?

Once I have the answers to those I will probably be interested.

Rich, I am one of those that is not sure what the benifit is in all those, so I have held off on doing anything. I will be interested in not just seeing how this works, but also looking for the advantage in it.

Rich,

Thanks for the post and taking the lead and creating a model for the uninitiated.

Rich, is there a timeline to get our descriptions in? I hopped on and did the sponsorship today, but I have an extremely busy weekend.

Just wondering. I want to do it asap but don't know if I'll have time this weekend. Would do it tonight but I'm about to fall asleep standing up. :)

Will be looking forward to this series you write. We have some communities but have not had time to do anything with them yet.

Rich I am definitely going to be looking forward to this series. I haven't even purchased a community yet. But once I want to know first what I am going to do with them once I purchase them. Have a great weekend. Great post.

Thanks for the post Rich, looking forward to the series.

AUG

2008

Rich, excellent idea! I have my own ideas but you are always one step ahead so I'm sure I will learn much from your series!

Great idea Rich. I can't wait to see what you have to say. It helps to see a sample of someone else's ideas to help develop your own.

Look forward to seeing how you progress. My communities were bought - I am a newbie to AR, but look forward to posting good content. Thanks for doing this.

My community was also in there several times. I think perhaps two of us purchased Ellenwood, Ga. Whatzup with that?

I'll be following along Rich! Anxious to see it!

Rich, I might have to send a real question to you, if you don't get this...but do we post on our own website or localism?

Looking forward to the series and the answers to all of the questions posted here. thanks

AUG

2008

Great idea, thanks so much. I locked in a few areas near Charlotte NC and would appreciate any help.

Rich, I have subscribed to your blog specifically to learn more about putting the communities I managed to claim" to the best possible use. Thanks you for posting because I am s-l-o-w-l-y starting to get a handle on this!

AUG

2008

Thanks Rich,
I kinda rushed and did not do a great job with my descriptions so I'm going back and redo. Thanks for all the good info.

SEP

2008

Hey Rich...do you know when the maps on Localism can be fixed? I played around but was not able to save a map that really showed the community. Thanks for all your work:-)

OCT

2008

Rich,

Have you started this series, because I haven't seen any posts on it. I just sponsored a community and I am very interested in knowing what to do with it. Also, I was wondering why someone can sponsor a community and never post anything to it...I can understand if the person just acquired a community and is working on getting posts together...but I have seen some cases where the person has been sponsoring for well over a month with no posts to the community while others have posted content. Shouldn't there be a stipulation to sponsor a community you have to at least post 1 - 2 things a month? That's is just my thought.

Chastity

Chastity: You can find the first five articles in this series HERE!

OCT

2008

Thanks Rich

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