Today, ActiveRain Launched ActiveBlogs for our members.  I have been hinting that this was coming the past couple weeks and now it's finally live!  Jeff Corbett just sent out the global press release which you can read here: ActiveRain Launches ActiveBlogs, a Multi-Author Blogging Platform for Real Estate Industry Professionals.  Jorgen Hahn also posted Winning Wednesday: Introducing New Team and Individual Blogs.  Although I am in NYC right now enjoying the Inman Connect Conference, I just had to break away and take a minute to share a few suggestions and ideas with you on how you might possibly use these new ActiveBlogs to benefit you and your business.

In literally minutes, I was able to create and setup a "TEAM" or "Group" Blog without ever leaving the AR Network.  You can register, choose themes, create domain names, invite contributors, and more all from a (simple to use) interface.  It was created and setup in a way to minimize the hassle of setting up a new Blog.  Check out ActiveRainTeam.com.  It's just the skeleton right now, but we'll be using it to "TeamBlog" more in the days ahead.  To see how others are using Team or Group Blogs, check out GeekEstateBlog, RainCityGuide, or MyTechOpinion. You will also notice changes and improvements in the formatting of your existing individual Outside AR Blogs. 

I am totally jazzed about our new ActiveBlogs.

5 Ways To Maximize Your New Group Blogs

1.  Brokers, Companies and Franchises - Promote your company and agents.

This group or team Blog would work well for ANY Brokerage or Franchise that wants to add the power of multiple contributors and content from agents located and working in that office.  Maybe a Broker that has 20-100 agents, and wants to create an environment where each of them can add their expertise and experience.  This one will be a winner!

2.  Hyper-Localized - The Neighborhood Bullhorn

This group Blog would be focused on Local area content whether by demographic or geography.  You can invite others to contribute and share information with the sole purpose of providing Hyper Localized content to your community.  Being in control of what gets posted and who has editing, authoring and contributing rights makes managing the group blogs easy and effective.  I love these features.

3.  The Power TEAM - Your affiliates who contribute to your business and success.

This was hinted about vaguely in the "New Years Membership Drive" when I mentioned to invite others from your team that help make you and your business successful. Your Lender, Title Company, Stager, Inspector, Attorney etc.  Having a team or group Blog with all these affiliates contributing relative content to their fields, makes for a very powerful resource to your clients and readers.  This one is my personal favorite.

4.  ActiveRain Groups - Founders, Administrators & Moderators

There are over 5000 Groups on ActiveRain.  Why not consider an SEO packed group Blog from your best members, subscribers and contributors.  I can see this becoming a very popular way for our Groups to utilize ActiveBlogs.  You are likely to see many of these created early on.  It's a great way of taking our groups and content beyond the AR walls.

5.  Specialty Properties - Niche and Target Markets

Every Real Estate Office has individual professionals that focus on niche and targeted markets.  Vacant Land, Horse Property, Commercial, Relocation, Million Dollar Homes, WaterFront Properties etc.  This group could focus on one type or all types of specialty properties.  The sky is the limit when it comes to target and niche marketing using a group or team Blog.  Check out the links I provided in the second paragraph of this post,  they're a good example of what others have done with target and niche Blog Marketing.

Hopefully this will give you some ideas and creative ways to consider maximizing the potential of your New ActiveBlogs.  I am really looking forward to supporting and seeing our members get the most out of these Group and Team Blogs, both personally and for business.  How would you use a Team or Group Blog for your Business?