The Grand River runs through Johnson Park in Walker, MIFor the past 9 months, I've had the joy of moderating a great Localism Group...the Greater Grand Rapids Mi Real Estate Group.  The group has 70members who have posted hundreds of articles just about the Greater Grand Rapids Michigan Area.

What I appreciate most about being a part of this group is how much I've learned.  For instance, I may have missed the advance news regarding the Antiques Show filming in Grand Rapids if it had not been for Bonnie Westbrooks' early alert.  And then, I've learned a lot about what's happening in the east side neighborhoods from Terry Westbrook

Michelle Gordon has contributed several quality posts about the the F.L.O.W Project (A project supported by the Womens' Council of Realtors to landscape yards for low income home owners and East Grand Rapids. Gary White has shared a number of stories about Grand Rapids and interesting experiences he has has as a real estate agent.  The group has also benefited from articles for our lenders about Financing options available; Tom Vanderwalls' reports a great example of the wealth of knowledge in this regard. Heidi Herbruck has taught us about Staging from a local vantage point & Robert Brown has shared local real estate information, listings and inspiration.

These are just a few highlights from the members.  The point is that a great Local Group can serve a number of purposes.  The Greater Grand Rapids MI Real Estate Group is a place for folks to share their success stories, post a listing or an Open House, talk about the local area or highlight a local event.  It's a gathering spot, not just for the real estate world but for the greater community.  Today, the group is #2 for the Mid Michigan area on Active Rain. 

Here's a Sampling of What's on the Local Board of the Greater Grand Rapids MI Real Estate Group Right now...

 
 
Color Your Home Beautiful...4 Simple Tips to Enhance the Home Sale Process
09/05/2008 08:08 PM - (6 comments)
 
 
Open House in Bailey's Grove Sunday 9/7/08 2pm Check it Out!
09/05/2008 07:31 PM - (0 comments)
 
 
Grand Rapids, MI ~ Forest Hills Brick Ranch ~ New on the Market
09/04/2008 04:37 PM - (0 comments)
 
I like being a Realtor for a variety of reasons but variety is #1
09/04/2008 11:00 AM - (73 comments)
 
 
Landmark Lofts- A very cool 1500+ Square Foot RIVERFRONT condo in Downtown Grand Rapids. OPEN SUNDAY, September 7 2-4 pm.
09/03/2008 01:59 PM - (4 comments)
 
Open House Sunday September 14- 2-4 at 192 Glen Eagle Dr NE, Rockford MI
09/03/2008 01:51 PM - (0 comments)
 
John Ball Park Zoo ~ Escaped from Real Estate!
09/03/2008 05:44 AM - (5 comments)
 
How To Sell A Home in 31 Days During a Tough Market...Lessons from a Rookie!
09/02/2008 03:09 AM - (80 comments)
 
HGTV: 25 Biggest Real Estate Mistakes
09/01/2008 10:19 PM - (8 comments)
 
Customer Service - Client service
08/29/2008 07:57 AM - (16 comments)
 
New Listing 3 Bedroom Ranch, Rockford, Michigan 49341
08/28/2008 12:46 PM - (4 comments)
 
Beautiful Newer Home on 1 Acre and Priced to Sell!
08/27/2008 10:26 AM - (0 comments)
 
Just Listed!! Northeast GR Charmer, Knapp & Fuller
08/22/2008 02:14 PM - (0 comments)
 
New Development coming to Cascade Township, MI ~ Turnburry of Cascade
08/08/2008 02:36 PM - (4 comments)

This group is open to all members of the Active Rain Community, but articles which are posted must reflect information about the local area.  It's a great place to network and learn about other professionals across a wide variety of disciplines.

I think that this is what Local Groups are supposed to do.  Highlight local flavor and the individuals who serve their communities.  If you're not involved in a group that serves your local community, I would highly recommend you join one.

In addition to the Greater Grand Rapids MI Group, the following groups also serve the Grand Rapids community.  If you're in the Grand Rapids or West Michigan area...check them out.  Better yet, wherever you are, check out what's happening in your neighborhood and resolve to contribute and make a difference!

Kent County MI Real Estate )
Founded: 01/08/2008
This group is for all Kent County MI related real estate listings, real estate information and local information posts for the following communities: Ada, Alaska, Belmont, Byron Center, Caledonia, Cannonsburg, Cascade, Casnovia, Cedar Springs, Comstock Park, Cutlerville, Dutton, East Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids, Grandville, Kent City, Kentwood, Lowell, North Park, Rockford, Sand Lake, Sparta, Walker, & Wyoming
Subscribers: 26 Blog Posts: 210

Grand Rapids MI Real Estate
Founded: 08/17/2007
Grand Rapids Real Estate, West Michigan Homes and Land, Discussion on Grand Rapids Economy, House Values, Real Estate Sales and conversation about economic and environmental issues which impact property values in West Michigan.
Subscribers: 23 Blog Posts: 117

 

West Michigan Real Estate 
Founded: 03/16/2008
West Michigan Real Estate Group is for all posts relating to our wonderful West Michigan Area, including listings, local events and attractions for the entire region. If you have an informative article for the West Michigan Area, this is the group to post it in.
Subscribers: 21 Blog Posts: 214

Copyright 2008  Audu Real Estate  All Rights Reserved

If you enjoyed this article, check out these Links to Related Posts on Grand Rapids, MI:

grand rapids: Innovative Neighborhood Programs Create Opportunities for Grand Rapids, Michigan Home Buyers

grand rapids: 5 Important Real Estate Trends To Watch in Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate in 2008!

grand rapids: How to Make Money While You're Waiting For Your House To Sell!

 

Lola Audu, CRS, GRI e-Pro ~ Audu Real Estate

Lola Audu, is the Designated Broker & Owner of Audu Real Estate.  Our company specializes in helping people buy and sell homes in the greater Grand Rapids, West Michigan area.  We've had the privilege of helping hundreds of clients succeed in their goals of purchasing and selling property including demonstrated success in the negotiation of Short Sale Transactions. You can contact us via e-mail @ info@auduhomes.com or by phone at 616-791-0511. 

Twitter feed for Lola Audu     Auduhomes on Facebook     Lola Audu's photostream on Flickr 

 
This post has been included in Michigan Information
Post is included in group: Greater GRAND RAPIDS, MI Real Estate
Post is included in group: Kent County MI Real Estate
Post is included in group: Localism Brainstorming
Post is included in group: Michigan Real Estate
Post is included in group: Michigan Realtors

23 Comments on Localism Group Blogging...A Case Study: The Greater Grand Rapids MI Real Estate Group

SEP
05
2008
598,553 Points 63 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Lola, what a tremendous way amongst you and all your fellow bloggers to get the word out about the Grand Rapids area.

9:57pm • #1
296,801 Points 100 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Absolutely Gary!  I've seen many of the blogs posted in this group ranking well in a variety of search engine results.  People want to know about their local area, they want to know what's going to be Open or about the latest new listing.  It's a great opportunity to have a discussion or simply obtain information.  That's what Local Groups are all about in my opinion.

10:01pm • #2
404,873 Points 1 Featured Post Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Thanks for the mention, Lola.  The power of blogging never ceases to amaze me.  The blog I just posted about a new listing on Greater Grand Rapids Real Estate Group was on pg 2 of Google within hrs when I searched a keyword. Awesome!

Thanks for the boost for our other local groups. If we all support these groups with our posts, we will all be on page 1 soon!!!

Bonnie Westbrook

10:09pm • #3
695,881 Points 145 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

Lola - this was a great wya to showcase what your group is doing, and give credit to the talented contributors, but also provide some inspiration for other group moderators, including yours truly. Bravo.

Jeff

11:18pm • #4
SEP
06
2008
657,993 Points 104 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

Lola- You are such a great contributor and this is so nice to highlight your own area localism writers.

12:21am • #5
144,154 Points 7 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Lola,

Thanks for the post. Great community effort. Very impressive.

6:34am • #6
279,903 Points 29 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Lola, what impresses me most is that, while you are competitors in the same market, you all have come together to share your expertise.  Do you ever find reluctance to share because of the competition?  I think your group has wonderful members!

8:35am • #7
296,801 Points 100 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Bonnie, Thanks for stopping by.  A year ago, you & Terry embraced this new technology and have benefited enormously.  I am thrilled to witness the results you are achieving.  This is a new era in which cooperation trumps competition.  The power of 'synergy' has the ability to create opportunities which are far in excess of individual efforts. It's a whole new way of thinking about Local Real Estate.

10:01am • #8
296,801 Points 100 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Jeff, you are very kind in your comment.  There is so much potential still untapped with Local Groups although many moderators are doing a great job.  The concept of Local Search is really huge.  In fact, we may eventually see Local Groups form around ZIP codes, streets or buildings.  This is where a Local Group can begin to serve the specific needs of the community in new and imaginative ways.

10:05am • #9
296,801 Points 100 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Katerina...I return the compliment.  You are a great contributor and we all continue to learn much from your willingness to share.  Thank you.

10:05am • #10
296,801 Points 100 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

William...Thanks for stopping by to read and comment.

10:06am • #11
296,801 Points 100 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

share your lightDiane...You raise a very important issue in your comment.  It's the issue of competition.  And it's also about Fear...the fear of being diminished.

When I first started sharing these concepts with members of my local community, I was asked WHY I would want to let others know about something which was so powerful.  Many could not understand WHY I wouldn't keep this knowledge to myself.

In my classes, I often relate a story about the power of light.  If I had a little light in my hand and I'm traveling along a path with millions of other people, yes there will be light for my next step.  But, here's the rub...everyone else continues to walk in darkness. 

Yet, if everyone else is given a light, it is clear to me that the Value of My Light does not diminish.  Rather, the path of progress is lit for all who desire more knowledge and understanding.  In this way we move forward in ways that are far more expansive than we could ever imagine.

I think the real estate industry as a whole needs more visionaries who can demonstrate this principle.  Active Rain has come about for such a time as this...

10:14am • #12
2 Featured Posts

Lola, great post and thank you for the blog high light!  Grand Rapids is such a kind place.  My husband and I have lived many places.  People are the most giving here..........out of all the places we have lived.  Working and living in Grand Rapids is a pleasure!

4:10pm • #13
209,687 Points 12 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

We'll check out your group lola. 

btw: when we first saw the picture we thought it was a tree taken sideways.  The river threw us off. Good stuff.

8:35pm • #14
1 Featured Post Localism Sponsor

You have always done a great job of motderating. I could use some pointers from you for moderating my small group. I think people in our group deserve stars, but how do we go about awarding them? Would love to hear from you on how to do that. Congratulations to you and the other winners in your group.

10:34pm • #15
SEP
07
2008
1 Featured Post

Lola,


You're the best!  And were my inspiration to sitck my toes into the world of blogging. 

The adage that a rising tide raises all boats (or whatever the old adage is) seems to apply here.  Everyone seems pretty generous in sharing their ideas without regard to the whole competition thing.

Thanks for adding my open houses to your features from Localism!

Hope to see you soon!

1:49pm • #16
SEP
08
2008
296,801 Points 100 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Michelle, I agree with you.  There is a generosity of spirit and politeness in the West Michigan area that you don't find in many other parts of the country.  Thank you also for making so many valuable contributions to the Greater Grand Rapids MI Group.

12:46pm • #17
296,801 Points 100 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Castellum Realty....Thanks for your comment.  Please do check out the group, but better yet, join or start a local community group. 

12:48pm • #18
296,801 Points 100 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Eloise, Thanks for your gracious comment.  Featuring an entry can be done fairly easy if you are a Group Founder or are given Administrative capabilities by the Group Founder.  At the side of each individual you will see the outline of a star.  Clicking it turns in gold/yellow and features you post on your Group Home Page.

1:14pm • #19
296,801 Points 100 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Eric, you are very kind.  Thank you.  One of the things that attracts people to Active Rain is the quality and quantity of information that individuals are willing to freely share. 

This is an important element in the emerging new economy.  Although at first it seems almost counter intuitive, it's actually a fundamental principle of life which is exemplified by the the statement you referred to in the rising tide which lifts everything in the water. 

Winning does not have to involve destroying or depleting others to get ahead.  In fact, in a powerful way, we're beginning to understand that the exact opposite may actually provide the most benefit.

1:19pm • #20

Hi Lola, good post. I really enjoy blogging and plan to do more of it in the future. Even as a newer agent, I still find there are so many things to blog about as I begin to gather more experience in this career. Actually, I notice if I write blogs about new information, I remember it more whether than just reading about something new without the summarization. Blogging actually helps me preserve more knowledge in my brain!

7:56pm • #21
SEP
10
2008
Outside Blog

Great idea!  I have tried to tell other agents that there is an advantage to working together to get buyers to come to our area but they don't believe me...I am going to pass this on. Thanks!

2:27pm • #23
SEP
12
2008
2 Featured Posts

Lola, What a fantastic group and the service to Michigan is phenomenal.. It certainly is an example for the rest of us to follow.. God bless,

9:57am • #24

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Lola Audu~Real Estate Broker/Owner Grand Rapids, Michigan Real Estate

Grand Rapids, MI

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Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate

Address: 3659 Alpine NW, Suite 102, Grand Rapids, MI, 49321

Office Phone: (616) 791-0511

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Grand Rapids, Michigan real estate information including houses for sale, rent and home buyer/seller tips. Also includes wisdom and insights from Lola Audu, CRS Associate Broker.

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