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ENTER THE RAIN... from a New, Beautiful & Different Perspective

By
Industry Observer

Every Realtor knows that first impressions matter. So can I be honest here? (And this has bugged me about Active Rain from the start.) Active Rain's front door is UGLY.

Yup UGLY! Yes, Yes I know it is fully "functional" door... but let's face it... its ugly. It has NO SNAP, NO WOW! NO... DANG I gotta go in and take a TOUR of this site.

And as all my staging colleagues (and Realtors too) know... first impressions matter... so it better be good!

Sooooo...  I did a little cyber Staging, and made a new fully functional doorway into Active Rain for my friends and staging colleagues (especially my colleagues!) to use when they invite others for a visit to a "Home Stagers Corner" on Active Rain for the first time.

Click on the image to the left and you will see what Michelle Tsioles, an AMAZINGLY creative designer we have here on staff at Real Estaging, created. This an fully functional gateway site that is up and running.

HOWEVER, don't get me wrong, this is NOT going to be the MAIN door into Active Rain. But for those of us in OUR industry who have been working together as a group to sing one song, you gotta admit this is a more attractive way to enter our group's corner of Active Rain.

It is NO secret how much I admire and am thankful for Active Rain and all it has done and is doing to help open doors for sooooo many of us who are members. So... I did run this past the Rain Gods to make sure this was cool with them... I think Caleb's words back to me said it all when he wrote... "I have to say YOU'VE GOT IT! Craig this is great.  This really helps. Thank you for putting this together."

Its not a big thing, but do I believe doing what  I can to create a bunch of small things that work in harmony can only benifit all of my staging colleagues... Stage It Forward.

Me

 

 

POST SCRIPT: ABC NEWS 7-DENVER picked up this post and published it HERE on their website.

Comments (63)

Leigh Brown
Leigh Brown & Associates, RE/MAX Executive - Charlotte, NC
CEO, Dream Maker - Charlotte, NC
Craig-thanks for making Jonathan admit that they're working on it!  You stagers are worth every penny.
Apr 05, 2007 11:19 PM
Anonymous
Cindy Jones

Very creative.  I wish I could come up with some of these fantastic ideas.

Apr 05, 2007 11:30 PM
#45
Sandi Gerrard
Toronto, ON

Craig, it's all been said I'm sure, but ... NICE JOB !

 

Apr 06, 2007 01:11 AM
Ginger Wilcox
Sindeo - San Francisco, CA
Very nice! Stagers thinking outside the box.  I love the bright colors!  It is proof that we must not forget the entrance and the front door- it is the first thing people see- it can engage and intrigue or prevent them from entering!
Apr 06, 2007 02:09 AM
Desiree Daniels
RE/MAX Tri County - Robbinsville, NJ

Craig

Great post.... I love all the talent on this site and the willingness everyone has to share with everyone.   Thanks again

Apr 06, 2007 02:55 AM
Maureen McCabe
HER Realtors - Columbus, OH
Columbus Ohio Real Estate

Jonathan.. I think your new mini redesign looks good.  Active Rain has never bothered me. I like simple.     It isn't gorgeous but it does not offend me.

That new site that is an Active Rain clone (the Doctor one?) on the other hand I think looks tacky.. I think Wanna Network looks tacky... but what do I know?  

What is a "UI contractor"?

Apr 06, 2007 03:32 AM
Anonymous
Abby Reilly

LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  two thumbs up from me, if they count!

 

Apr 06, 2007 04:14 AM
#51
Christy Powers
Keller Williams Coastal Area Partners - Pooler, GA
Pooler, Savannah Real Estate Agent
It's beautiful....do you want to do my doorway??? It looks good. I am amazed at what you can do on a computer.
Apr 06, 2007 04:56 AM
George W. Miller
Keller Williams Realty - Naugatuck, CT
Naugatuck and Beacon Falls Real Estate
Wow, I'd like to have the listing that goes with that door. Beautiful.
Apr 06, 2007 05:10 AM
Kelli Fronabarger
Bend River Realty Inc. - Bend, OR
Realtor - Bend Oregon
Really great ! Way to go. Can we keep it, use it, have parties on the other side? Just teasin'- Really really nice. : )
Apr 06, 2007 05:25 AM
Carole Cohen
Howard Hanna Cleveland City Office - Cleveland, OH
Realtor, ePRO
How cool Fav C. OMG I am blown away.  How you keep doing that to me is amazing :-)  Gorgeous
Apr 06, 2007 01:33 PM
Linda Davis
RE/MAX Home Team - Gales Ferry, CT
I predict Jane Fonda is on the other side of that door. - Carnac
Apr 06, 2007 01:36 PM
Lisa Dunn
Edina Realty - Minneapolis, MN
www.TwinCitySeller.com
Wowie, that's great!  You're just an all around great designer. This just isn't something that can be taught!
Apr 06, 2007 10:11 PM
Loreena and Michael Yeo
3:16 team REALTY ~ Locally-owned Prosper TX Real Estate Co. - Prosper, TX
Real Estate Agents

Craig: Kudos!!! You always have creative ideas. I dont doubt you are a great business man.

Apr 07, 2007 09:26 PM
Bruce Edgerly
Ogunquit Sunrise Properties - Ogunquit, ME
Craig, great job thank you...just started with active rain myself..and I am finding that I can't stay of the site.  I started 4 days ago and my score is almost 6000 already...love this now I just need to find time to do an open house  LOL just kidding.
Apr 08, 2007 03:05 AM
Duayne Weir
Investment Realities LLC/MarketLink Realty - Ham Lake, MN
Minnesota Real Estate Agent

Craig, That is a really cool entry that you created, and why aren't we using it for Active Rain? well maybe in the future. Thanks for the post!!

Good Day!! have a cup of java and a smile on me :)

Apr 18, 2007 04:12 AM
Devon Cerniga
Coldwell Banker Faucette Real Estate - Bentonville, AR

Great job....let's get 'the powers that be' to implement this change! 

Now, what about Localism.com...

Apr 19, 2007 10:15 PM
Molly S Ringer
Weichert Hallmark Properties - Mount Dora, FL
Realtor Lake County FL Luxury Homes

Very catchy!  I love it.

I would really like to see this implemented. 

May 06, 2007 03:13 PM
Kathy Somers
Stage it First - Toronto, ON
Stage it First Home Staging

As a 'stager' I think this is a great idea. I love the concept. Good work. I never thought of it but it would be nice to come thru a prettier door.

May 07, 2007 10:59 AM
Anonymous
Anonymous
Nice work Craig,  excellent design. 
May 11, 2007 11:55 AM
#64