Real Estate Blog - Thinking OUTSIDE the box... you're welcome to come IN

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Thinking OUTSIDE the box... you're welcome to come IN

A "Virtual Office" Just Point and Click!

It's Not just the next best thing to being there, It's BETTER!

I got this idea from Craig and his "new door" idea for the Active Rain Network. I've often dreamed ofan office that was equipped with everything I would need to do business, yet not have to be there physically. This is a photo of my office (and desk), that used to be located in Benicia. When I moved to a new location in Vallejo, some clients were worried about not having access to me or my office. Hmmmm.......

Well.....here was my solution. You know what they say, "Take a picture, it lasts' a lot Longer!"
and today...I'm still only a click away!

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Posted by Brad Andersohn ~ Community Manager on 04/06/2007 01:33 AM

Comments (59)

virtual office, technology

Post is included in group: Active Rain Newbies
Post is included in group: Photography
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59 Comments on Thinking OUTSIDE the box... you're welcome to come IN

APR

2007

OK BRAD... I went for it.

At first I thought this was a gag where you would startle us with the unexpected.

Which you did't... but what you did do was VERY clever and engaging.

(That is all I will say so that I don't let the cat out of the bag.)

I've been working from hom for over a year and it really increased my business and also garnered a lot of loyalty. It also helped me only work with clients who I would invite to me home. It's been a great year. I may never go in an office again :)

Hey! Did you get a hair cut or just grow your hair out? It looks better that way!

Either way, I rather go to Jack in the Box...lol!

This is awesome- I love the interactive office...wish I knew how to do this sort of thing! A+

Love it! Thanks for the info, I've been seeing more on this and I must say I'm intrigued.

Brad - this is very cool! Very unique - I'm sure it'll keep visitors glued to your site a little longer then most

Oh, I LOVE this! Talk about engaging people....and they can clearly see all your accomplishments as well. Ravi is right, people will be visiting your site much longer!

Brad, very, very clever! I had fun checking out the different links (and finding them!)

Ardell, in my county, I am not allowed to have clients visit my home, but that doesn't stop me from working from home most of the time. But when it comes to actual meetings, we'll make it at my broker's office or somewhere else if convenient to us both. I love the flexibility.

Brad, that was very clever. I have no idea how you did the links in each of the areas. I didn't and still don't know how that would work since the photo is a jpg and once clicked it would give only 1 link...please share!! This is too clever!!

My wife would fall in love with me all over again if my desk was that neat!

Ardell - That is a different approach and philosophy, one I hadn't heard yet. Though others may question opening your home to clients like that, I think it's great that you are willing to try something different. Definately thinking "Outside The Box"!

Craig - Thanks for the inspiration, the first comment, and the support you've provided. I'm glad you went for it! Now I just need to create a "Virtual Me". LOL

Luke - Thanks for the hairy comment, glad you like the new dew. Regarding Jack? He's "Outside" the box now, I saw him on TV the other night! LOL :-)

Alison - Glad you liked it. My Virtual Door is always open to you. Thanks for the A+, been along time since I've seen one of those. I'll put a comment or a new post later, with instructions how to create your own virtual office.

Amy - Being Intrigued is quite a compliment, and I thank you. Creating posts that have an "impact" is always my goal. Your comments are always welcomed.

Ravi - Sticky, Sticky, Sticky....this page and others on my site, have created a longer stay time. I find that making changes and updates to your site often, keeps people coming back, but it is always the content that's makes them stay awhile. Thanks for your comment.

Carole - The purpose of my "Virtual Office" was never to boast or show off any accomplishments, I hadn't even thought of that. I was so focused on cleaning my desk for the photo, (and believe me it took forever to clean), my goal was ONLY to have a place for my clients and friends to access me. It's worked well for me. More than anything else, I get alot of "WOW" factor and "How'd You Do That" responses. Glad you loved it!

Funny...My word for this comment post is "PASSION" :-)

Maggie - Thanks. Glad you had some fun in my office...did you turn off the lights and lock the door before you left? LOL

Gena - Thanks for your comment. The .jpg photo you see on this post is just a One "hyperlink" to the actual hosted website page. The whole photo was linked in A/R just so I wouldn't have to figure out all the links within my post. If you were to go directly to the page outside of A/R, you'll find 46 hidden links on this photo.

I will be happy to give instructions on how to create a .jpg with multiple links later as either a "new post" or within the comments of this post. No time this morning, but I promise I will.

David - GO CLEAN YOUR DESK!! Then bring her some flowers and get her a spa treatment!
Love is a beautiful thang!!

Brad... Even more important than the technology and cleanliness..... are the friends and family photo's. Isn;t that what it is really all about?

Happy Easter...

-Meg

Meg - Yes, my family is my life!! They are the reason I am here on this earth, and nothing is more important to me. The next most important thing is..... technology and cleanliness... (BIG SMILE) Thanks
and have a great Easter Too!!

If my desk at home could only be that tidy. Darn it...

Brad - I think you can tell a lot about people by the way they keep their desk. I love the photo links. You have a beautiful family. Thanks for sharing this - it was really cool.

LOL - Thanks Jay, I think it took me 2 hours to get it like that....and that only lasted a couple days. :-)

Maureen Thanks. In all honesty, the desk was a mess before and after that photo. Of course then I moved, so now that office is gone and that photo can only be a memory. Thanks to Activerain, it's a memory that will live on a lot longer now. :-)

By the way....I did another post that explains how the above photo was created with multiple links.
This Links for you Maureen. :-) Let me know if it makes any cents (I mean sense) or not. You probably already know how to do this stuff evidenced by your egg hidden out here on the rain. (Big Smile) Thanks Again.

Oh Yeah.....My Family Rocks!! Disneyland in 3 weeks!! WOOHOO!! Thanks again Maureen :-)

APR

2007

Ah, the truth comes out. LOL

Jay - now I know you read posts and comments. A lot of people only read posts and then go straight to leaving a comment. I like to read the comments as well. It's fun to see the direction these posts take. Thanks for your short, but truthful comment. :-)

Brad,yes I read the other comments and yes your desk did look very orderly but I want to thank you for writing the other blog about how you did this...someday when I have 2 hours or more, I want to try it, too. And yes, I did know right away that there were multiple links...that's what impressed the heck out of me. I just love it. Thank you.

Very, very clever. 46 links. Wow. Peopel could click forever. Orderly desk, orderly mind. Thanks for adding a comment on how to do this if I ever find myself with extra time on my hands.

Thanks Debi - it will not take hours, shouldn't take more than a few minutes once layed out and ready to link. Enjoy! :-)

Thanks again Gena. :-)

Brad,

Great website very creative. I created a simliar website, but instead of an office I create a map and linked to our MLS area of Houston, Texas. People now can search the MLS area by just clicking on an area of the map. The greatest feature of this is when the listings come up and they request more infoamtion about the property, the leads come to me.

www.texasrealestategroup.com

But at least your site gave me an idea for an personal webpage...

Thanks for sharing Shayne. As a realtor, I can see the value your site would bring to a consumer. My customers are primarily Realtors, Lenders, Mortgage Brokers, Builders and Developers. I needed something more Title and Escrow based. This was the best I could come up with for now. Always looking for better ways to service my clients and their customers.

Wish my desk looked that great. Love the idea.

APR

2007

LOL! I KNOW it must had taken you forever to clean up your desk for this pic. It's toooo clean for it to be an Escrow Officer's desk. LOL!

Ashley and Luisa - if you only knew..... LOL (Big Smile)

APR

2007

Creative and will think of how I can use in my own way. Not real quick and easy to use, but fun.

Maybe, I would use it for something like photos and local activities, rather than work related.

Troy - it's the concept that counts, glad you had fun, now get back to work, this certainly is not WORK RELATED!!! (LOL) Enjoy!! Thanks for your comment, just messin with ya....havin more fun than I should be allowed. SEO SEO SEO!!

Hey Brad,

Great virtual office. How do you keep it so neat. I too work from home and have my own office in a loft in my home. I will not post a picture. It is a mess with paper and files everywhere.

APR

2007

Thanks Mike. Definately old school stuff compared to what's out there now. They got multi-media that has you walk right out onto the screen (kinda virtual). They can take a photo and video of a house or development, and have you walk right into the picture, or come out the front door. Very cool stuff. This was just a temporary fix for moving to a new location. It's still active on my website just for fun.

As far as clean goes, you can use paint shop pro to erase everything on the photo of your desk. The photo will look great, and you can still keep your desk a mess. :-) Files everywhere is good Mike. That means your business is doing well, hopefully!! Thanks for the comment!

Brad - don't know how I missed this before but it was sooooooo cool - I want to know your secrets sometime since we are very virtual - just crazy about what you did - it is very impressive - you blew me away - great job Escrow Guy!!! look out Jeff Turner (LOL). gave you 5 stars

Thanks Cyndee - Well ask, and you shall receive. I did a post a few days later and gave instructions on how to do one of these. I don't normally put links in the comment section....oh that's right, this one's my post...ooops. (Big Smile)

http://activerain.com/blogsview/71269/Hotspots-on-a-Graphic

Thanks Brad - I'm off to do some homework - this is so clever!

Enjoy, here to help if you need it! :-)

APR

2007

Brad,

First of all, I have the exact same desk, even with the messing stain on the bottom.

Secondly, I use to live in Vallejo from age 6-12. I left in '78.

APR

2007

Earl - thanks for poppin by, it is a great desk, and vallejo is still vallejo. come back and see us sometime. :-)

I have had that desk for 9 years. I t has lasted several moves and still looks good. I haven't been up north in several years. I used to live on Calhoun and Evans Streets. I grew up going to the park by Lemon st behind the telephone company. I went to school until 6th grade there, but didn't want to go to Franklin for 7th grade. There were stabbings going on back then. Is Vallejo and better now?

APR

2007

Tell us the truth...That isn't really what is in the bottom draw! We have all had those days that we have had to get into the BOTTOM DRAW! - LOL

APR

2007

Brad~ That is really cool! I had fun going around and searching through your office....I'd probably do the same thing if I was there live..hehe

APR

2007

Earl - Vallejo is the place to be. The area has changed alot since you lived here I guess. I work in this city every day and absolutely love it. I think you will find crime everywhere in the world, Vallejo is no exception, but I personally feel it is a great and safe city to live.

Todd - the only thing that is in that bottom drawer, (that you can access) is what the link says it is. Now if I do a virtual refridgerator, I'd be in big trouble!! (LOL) :-0

Laura, I can't seem to find some things in my desk...did you put them back when you were done searching through my office? Glad you had fun going through my stuff, that's what it is there for....just for you!! (smile) :-)

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you all, I was at DISNEYLAND with the family...just got back today!

APR

2008

LOVE it! I always find myself pleased with every one of your post! You never fail to get my wheels to turning and "thinking outside of the box". Thanks!

APR

2008

Misty - thanks for that! I'm sure no pun was intended! LOL!~ The links in this photo have since been dismembered as I am no longer with the title company or in that industry anymore. It's great to be in a place now, where I can follow my passion and be surrounded by people who encourage and support what I do now. ActiveRain is my home now, and the communities here are where I live. Let me know if I can ever be of any assistance to you, your company or your team! :-)

Brad: Way cool man! Gives me some awesome ideas that I need to get to work on! Wheels are turning! Thanks! Steve

Steve - Imagine doing this with YOUR office, or with a clients home... Hmmmm. :-) Having Hot Spots or links in a graphic or photo is really cool as long as you have a way of letting people know they are there. I just did a video post that has hot spots where you can actually add comments, and video to an already existing video. There is some great Real Estate Technology out there, and it's just for the taking! Hope you'll enjoy!! :-)

Now you can add your brothers picture to your desk. Glad you had a great time.

APR

2008

Jay - thanks, since I don't work at this virtual desk anymore, I won't be adding any photos or updates to it, besides, my desk will never look this clean again.

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