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

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

APR
06
2007

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

Cindy Jones
6:30am • #45
2 Featured Posts
Craig - Very creative...I love it!  Jonathan - Glad to see a redesign is in the works! 
7:28am • #46
150,628 Points Localism Sponsor

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

 

8:11am • #47
1 Featured Post Localism Sponsor
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!
9:09am • #48
244,263 Points 30 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Craig

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

9:55am • #49
1,364,306 Points 93 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

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"?

10:32am • #50

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

 

Abby Reilly
11:14am • #51
122,017 Points 6 Featured Posts Outside Blog
It's beautiful....do you want to do my doorway??? It looks good. I am amazed at what you can do on a computer.
11:56am • #52
Wow, I'd like to have the listing that goes with that door. Beautiful.
12:10pm • #53
18 Featured Posts
Really great ! Way to go. Can we keep it, use it, have parties on the other side? Just teasin'- Really really nice. : )
12:25pm • #54
111,189 Points 26 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
How cool Fav C. OMG I am blown away.  How you keep doing that to me is amazing :-)  Gorgeous
8:33pm • #55
166,005 Points 58 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router
I predict Jane Fonda is on the other side of that door. - Carnac
8:36pm • #56
APR
07
2007
17 Featured Posts
Wowie, that's great!  You're just an all around great designer. This just isn't something that can be taught!
5:11am • #57
APR
08
2007
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.
10:05am • #59
APR
18
2007

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 :)

11:12am • #60
APR
20
2007

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

Now, what about Localism.com...

5:15am • #61
MAY
06
2007

Very catchy!  I love it.

I would really like to see this implemented. 

10:13pm • #62
MAY
07
2007
1 Featured Post

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.

5:59pm • #63
MAY
11
2007
Nice work Craig,  excellent design. 
6:55pm • #64

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Craig  Schiller (REAL ESTAGING, a nationally recognized leader in Staging.) Rainmaker_large

Craig Schiller

Chicago, IL

More about me…

REAL ESTAGING, a nationally recognized leader in Staging.

Address: PO BOX 5267, Aurora , IL, 60507

Office Phone: (847) 384-9369

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These are the creative writings of Craig Schiller, a home staging professional, passionate real estate marketing professional and founder of the Real Estaging, one of the nation's leading home staging companies.


















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