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ActiveRain Carnival of Consumer Content Contest - Here's the Winners!

By
Real Estate Agent with Fathom Realty West Sound WA State 52404

They say that "Content is King!"

With nearly 140,000 members and growing daily, the rapid growth and success of the ActiveRain network has been nothing short of phenomenal! And we owe a huge part of that success to the valued support and participation of our community members. Obviously, one of the most effective ways we can ensure the continued growth and benefits of this platform is to strive towards consistently generating good, quality content. Never before has the need and demand for good quality, original, consumer-oriented, real estate-relevant articles been more pronounced than now. Today's Internet savvy consumers are hungry for helpful, practical, and knowledgeable advice from industry experts.

Announcing the Winners of the:

ActiveRain "Carnival of Consumer Content Contest"

 

Just to Re-Cap:   The ActiveRain "Carnival of Consumer Content" is a contest designed to challenge, encourage, and foster better/improved quality writing from among our membership.

This contest will accomplish several goals:

  • provide greater quality articles of enhanced value for Consumers
  • provide excellent examples of what constitutes good blog writing for our members
  • reward exemplary efforts

This contest is a "Call to Action!"

Let's face it, for most areas across the country, the real estate picture appears pretty bleak. At least that's the perception that the media has presented. But regardless of how difficult or challenging a situation may be, there are always positive aspects to be pursued. Now is your opportunity to turn the tide of negativism, and promote some 'positive' buzz for your markets. We want you to provide your most professional, knowledgeable, experienced, and 'practical' advice to consumers and potential clients. What opportunities exist in your particular corner of the world? What is working for you? What tools, tips, techniques have you utilized in helping your Clients, Buyers/Sellers to achieve success in your particular markets?

It doesn't matter what your particular vocation is, whether you're an agent, a loan officer, a stager, an inspector, etc., we all have valuable advice/information that we can offer to consumers.

Read the contest guidelines carefully and then enter your article! What do you have to lose? If nothing else, you'll at least get your usual 200 points for posting an article.

The Rules

  • Must be written and submitted no later than Monday February 9th at 5pm PST.
  • If it's not fresh/original, it will get cut. Don't submit anything you have previously posted here on ActiveRain or somewhere else.
  • No Cut and Paste. (Do we need to explain this?)
  • Copyscape (If it doesn't pass the Copyscape test, it's out. We will not tolerate plagiarism)
  • No Ghost Writing (we only want 'original' content articles. You have to write it yourself!) 
  • Late entries will not be accepted. No exceptions.
  • We have just added a new Group called "Carnival of Consumer Content." All contestants need to join this group and your article needs to be submitted to the Group to qualify for inclusion in the contest.
  • Tag your article "Carnival of Consumer Content"
  • Categorize your article for Localism.com, and place it in your respective State, County, city, and neighborhood.
  • Select the ActiveRain Channel for Consumers, and use the most appropriate channel category, i.e., Home Buying, Mortgage, etc.
  •  Only one article entry per member contestant

The Judging Criteria

  • Topic/Subject: Write about something that consumers will find interesting, engaging, informative, and helpful.
  • Minimum of 300 words
  • Grammar (if you have trouble with this, get someone to proof read your article)
  • Spelling (your blog has a spell checker, use it)
  • It's Not about You: Don't sabotage your article with blatant self-promotion. If your article contains more information about You than it does meaningful content for consumers, it will not be scored favorably.
  • Aesthetics (attractive layout and relevant graphics will get a more favorable rating.
  • Your Unique Voice (we want you to convey your own personality, perspective, and passions in your article)

The Prizes

A contest is no fun without prizes. So, here's what will happen to the winning articles.

There will be a first, second and third place winner.

  • There will be First, Second, and Third Place Winners.
  • All winning articles will be 'Featured' on the ActiveRain Blog Dashboard, in the Carnival of Consumer Content Group, and in the ActiveRain Newsletter.
  • 1st Place will receive 5000 points; 2nd Place will receive 3000 points; and 3rd Place will be awarded 1000 points. There will also be 10 Honorable Mentions that will receive 500 points each.

The Judges

There will a select panel of judges, comprised of ActiveRain Staff as well as some of the veteran members of our community. The names of these judges will not be announced until after the winners have been chosen.

~    o    ~    o    ~    o    ~    o    ~    o    ~    o    ~

So, without any further 'Adieu' we give you, The Winners!

First place and 5000 points goes to:

Elizabeth Bolton for her entry "Whaddya Mean There are Other Offers? I Though This was a Buyer's Market?"

Second Place and 3000 points goes to:

Stephanie Musa and her entry "Hey, Houston! Make Your Energy Efficiency Improvements in 2009. Here's Why!"

Third Place and 1000 points goes to:

Sharon Tara for her entry "Home Staging Advice Made Simple - Step 1- How to De-Clutter"

And the Ten Honorable Mentions who receive 500 points:

Sheldon Neal     Deb Brooks     Russell Lewis     Lola Audu     Lisa Udy     Jason Neumann     Terry Driscoll    

Jason Crouch     Matt Stigliano     Charles Buell

 

Our Heartfelt Congratulations to all the Winners and to everyone who submitted entries to the contest. We also wish to extend our appreciation to Sally Cheeseman, Bill Gassett, and Jeff Dowler for assisting in judging this event.

Posted by

Follow KitsapAgent on TwitterFriend Rich Jacobson on FacebookJoin Rich Jacobson's LinkedIn NetworkSubcribe to Rich Jacobson's YouTube Channel

 

Rich Jacobson is a REALTOR® and licensed Broker with Fathom Realty. He's a Crab Hunter, Clam Digger, and Oyster Shucker, skilffuly vanquishing anything in a shell! He is the Social Media Evangelist for Life on the Kitsap Peninsula & The Western Puget Sound in scenic WA State.

Comments (64)

Stephanie Edwards-Musa
thredUP.com - The Woodlands, TX
knitwit at thred UP

Great surprise to come home to.  :)  Thanks guys!  I'm shocked. There were some fantastic posts submitted to the group that I read.

 

Mar 03, 2009 01:06 PM
Deb Brooks
Brooks Prime Properties Wichita Falls Texas - Wichita Falls, TX

Stephanie, you deserved it! You're cranking out some awesome posts and this is a great one! Your writing is so "real" so don't stop! You know what I told you. Just don't stop.

Congratulations my friend!!

Deb

Mar 03, 2009 01:34 PM
Jennifer Fivelsdal
JFIVE Home Realty LLC | 845-758-6842|162 Deer Run Rd Red Hook NY 12571 - Rhinebeck, NY
Mid Hudson Valley real estate connection

Congratulations to all the winners, I have to bookmark this to make sure I read the postings I missed.

Mar 03, 2009 01:38 PM
Stephanie Edwards-Musa
thredUP.com - The Woodlands, TX
knitwit at thred UP

Thanks Deb.  :)  did you get your deal worked out?  Hadn't heard from you so I was hoping that was good news.  LOL.

I'm sticking around.  Just need some time!  Dang busy over here.

Mar 03, 2009 01:40 PM
Lane Bailey
Century 21 Results Realty - Suwanee, GA
Realtor & Car Guy

What do you meanI didn't win?  Oh, wait... did I enter?  poop...

Mar 03, 2009 01:43 PM
Zilkia Olmeda-Martins
RE/MAX North - San Antonio - San Antonio, TX
GRI, Realtor, San Antonio Texas Luxury Homes

I need to pay attention to these contests.  I am ready for my first gold star...

Mar 03, 2009 01:58 PM
Regina P. Brown
MBA Broker Consultants - Carlsbad, CA
M.B.A., Broker, Instructor

Rich, thanks for posting this announcement.  I've been waiting anxiously to hear the results.  Now I better get reading and commenting, eh!

Mar 03, 2009 02:03 PM
Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices

Funny, I did not know anything about the contest. Tell me about how big we are, easy to get lost or not know what happens around.

 

Mar 03, 2009 02:07 PM
Rich Jacobson
Fathom Realty West Sound - Poulsbo, WA
Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker

Bill:   I have the utmost respect for your skills and talents as a Top Local Content Blogger! Thanks for your help in judging this contest!

Deb:   As always, your stuff always rises to the top of the pack! Thanks for participating!

Steph:  You are the BOMB for establishing a market niche presence! You are truly a Trail Blazing Blogger!

Mar 03, 2009 02:25 PM
Rich Jacobson
Fathom Realty West Sound - Poulsbo, WA
Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker

Lane:   Your entry was disqualified cuz' you mispelled your name.....poop

Mar 03, 2009 02:26 PM
Roland Woodworth
Blue Cord Realty - Clarksville, TN
Blue Cord Realty

A BIG Congratulations to all the winners for a job well done...

Mar 03, 2009 03:31 PM
Tracy Hunter
Virtual Real Estate & Marketing Assistant - Pearl River, NY

great contest and great choices. there was real variety amongst the winners. loved it :)

Mar 03, 2009 04:40 PM
Everard Korthals
---Preferred Lifestyle Advisors--- - Lancaster, PA
Mountain Realty

HI Rich, i take it we mispelled something too? our entry

Congratulations to the winners

Sincerely, Castellum

Mar 03, 2009 06:39 PM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

I'm still reading the winner's posts.  Congratulations to all the winners...Great job!

Mar 03, 2009 11:38 PM
Robert Hammerstein
Christie's International Real Estate - Hillsdale, NJ
Bergen County NJ Real Estate

Rich - Great job trying to pic winners from all these entries. A tough job for sure with so many great submissions. Congrats to all the winners!

Mar 04, 2009 12:33 AM
Russell Lewis
Realty Austin, Austin Texas Real Estate - Austin, TX
Broker,CLHMS,GRI

The Editor Oh no you didn't just spam Rich's blog post....Better get TLW on this!

Mar 04, 2009 04:39 AM
Matt Stigliano
Kimberly Howell Properties (210) 646-HOME - San Antonio, TX

Rich - Thanks.  I am guilty of putting too much into one piece, but there were so many thoughts swimming in my head the day I wrote it, I had to get them all out or risk losing them forever.  Russell knows my pain.  I still haven't had a chance to read the winners yet (although I'm sure I've read several of them while cruising through ActiveRain).  I may have to take my post and do a re-write of it for separate pieces as you suggest.  Thanks for the contest and the comments Rich.  Look forward to another round (I suggested this should be a regular deal in the announcement post).

Mar 04, 2009 10:09 PM
Marzena Melby
Coldwell Banker Burnet Realty - Richfield, MN
Realtor, Twin Cities Minnesota Real Estate

Great posts!  Congratulations to the winners.

Mar 05, 2009 01:59 AM
Kate Wheeler
Country Homes and Land Murphy NC Realtor - Murphy, NC
CCIM - Murphy NC Real Estate for Sale

This contest was a great way to get introduced to some well written posts.  Congratulations to all the winners.

Mar 11, 2009 06:27 AM
Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Talk about being late to the party!  Thanks for recognizing my blog post in this content.  It was a great way to showcase the local areas.

Mar 23, 2009 09:59 AM