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.
64 Comments on ENTER THE RAIN... from a New, Beautiful & Different Perspective
Very creative. I wish I could come up with some of these fantastic ideas.
Craig, it's all been said I'm sure, but ... NICE JOB !
Craig
Great post.... I love all the talent on this site and the willingness everyone has to share with everyone. Thanks again
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"?
LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! two thumbs up from me, if they count!
Craig: Kudos!!! You always have creative ideas. I dont doubt you are a great business man.
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 :)
Great job....let's get 'the powers that be' to implement this change!
Now, what about Localism.com...
Very catchy! I love it.
I would really like to see this implemented.
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.