internet: Hardcore Advice: Working Internet Leads (Not For The Meek, Mild, or Faint of Heart...) - 08/29/11 04:17 AM
** Disclaimer -- Hard-knock, old school advice contained within. (I usually write things with humor, sarcasm, and a certain lilt that most enjoy... This has none of that. Toughen up. This is about as serious as I can get without thinking I need coffee...or a vacation...)
“Internet leads are the new office phone call!” One of the folks that follows me on Facebook said that the other day. And, to be totally honest, I couldn't agree more.
The truth of the matter is that the internet lead is here to stay. (DUH!) And according to a recent NAR stat, 94% … (160 comments)

internet: 6 Ways To Not Suck - 01/19/10 11:20 PM
Because everyone needs to be reminded how not to suck....
I decided I needed to get a new pair of shoes.  The ones that I have are a couple years old and, quite frankly, a bit worn out.  So, I decided to head to the local ShoeEmporiumMart and get myself some shoes.  I knew exactly what I wanted...and in what section of the store to find it.  As I entered the store, I saw a couple customers browsing and 3 sales attendants by the cash register. 
As I stroll past them, one of them says, "Hi. I will be right with … (21 comments)

internet: I've Changed My Mind... Some Agents SHOULD Buy Leads - 01/05/10 06:29 AM
 
I think this post is DEAD ON accurate.  It is written by Steve Shatsky. I have no dealings with Mr Shatsky other than to see his post on the AR email today...but, I could not agree more!!
If you fit this bill, I can help you!
Thank you, Steve! Excellent post!
 
I have seen a number of posts on ActiveRain about buying leads.  Each time it comes up as a topic and a conversation begins there is a divided opinion about whether this is a good practice or not.
I have to admit, I had never given it much … (13 comments)

internet: A Testiment To Working Your Leads! - 03/02/09 11:09 PM
I have never made any secret of the fact that I work for an internet lead generation company.  And, having been at this company for nearly 5 years, I do believe that, when worked properly, internet leads can and will make you money.  But, as with anything in life, there is no "magic pill" that will allow you to automatically be successful.  This remains true for anything in life, but is especially true when discussing real estate...more specifically, internet-generated leads.
 
Really, what it boils down to is this: If you suck at follow up...internet leads are not for you.  (By … (17 comments)

internet: ActiveRain Bloggers -- Social Networking Geniuses? Or Internet Renegades? - 03/06/08 11:38 PM
I came in this morning thinking I was going to write some big awesome blog about some really important issue...and was listening to my Pandora radio on my computer when a song came on that made me think of this topic...
Are bloggers and my fellow RainBrains social networking geniuses and far ahead of our time???  Or merely internet junkies with renegade spirits and a need to be deemed as intelligent by the masses based on our ability to create some clever prose?
Interesting question isnt it? 
And, to be honest, I say its a bit of both...but, not for the reasons you … (6 comments)

internet: Free Radio Online! - 03/03/08 11:19 PM
Im just writing this because I love this service!!!! 
Commercial free music online played right through your PC or laptop...gotta love it.  Go to www.pandora.com and fill out a new user account.  Once you are logged in, you can tell the good folks at Pandora(r) what you would like to hear, and they custom build a 'radio' station just for you.  Whether your flavor is hard rock, country, celtic, gothic death metal, or Zamfir - Master of the Pan Flute, these guys got it.  It's awesome!  If you hear a song you dont like, you can tell them you dont like … (10 comments)

internet: Who Polices ActiveRain??? A Quick AR Rant... - 02/28/08 12:57 AM
Im curious who is policing the posts on ActiveRain....Anyone?  I have heard many rules about what to do and what not to do...and Im wondering if these are more guidelines than rules...and if there is anyone policing this activity.  Or, is this more of a 'gentlemans agreement' and its up to us to police ourselves...?  Is this AR's responsibility to ensure that posts follow the rules and are fair and equitable for everyone?  I dont think so...
Here are the top two 'rules' that I have been told about and constantly see broken:"Dont post active links in comments on someone elses blog"...(regardless … (30 comments)

internet: From Washed Up to WhooHoo!! - 01/18/08 12:18 AM
My name is Jeremiah Thompson. I started out as a complete and utter real estate rookie seven years ago working in a small RE/MAX office in Missoula, Montana. 
I spent countless hours "in the field"... hosting open houses, only to feed cookies to the neighbors.I spent long hours on the phone, cold-calling and even getting yelled at sometimes.I put in so many hours at work, that it cost me a relationship with my girlfriend and some of my most valuable possessions...
The "Crazy Idea" That Turned My Career Around and How It Can Work for You
I decided that things had to change. … (11 comments)

internet: Featured Member? - 01/15/08 03:39 AM
Well, with only a 2 months under my belt on AR, I have just become a "Featured Member" in my county and city.  Not sure exactly how that happened other than me blogging like a dog.  :-) 
But, where are my ribbons???  My confetti???  My hoots and hollars about what an amazing accomplishment this is???  Where's the dancing girls???  My free drinks???  My big band blowing a rendition of 'When the saints...'???
OH!!  WAIT!!!  My AR profile and several of my blogs are all ranked in the top 10 on Google on a natural search of my company (Real Estate Client Referrals) … (4 comments)

internet: "Life is like a box of......"???? - 01/04/08 12:00 AM
Unless you have lived under a rock for the last 15 years, you all know the obvious answer to this little proverb made famous by Forrest Gump -- "Life is like a box of chocolates....you never know what youre gonna get"  
However, Id like to propose an addendum to it.  Here's my version --- Life is like a box of chocolates...you never know what you are gonna get unless you are smart enough to look at the picture inside the box that tells you exactly which ones are the caramels and which ones are the coconut filled globs of doom...I hate coconut, … (4 comments)

internet: $5 Million in sales!!!...from Internet Leads??? - 12/26/07 02:30 AM
Thought you'd like to see a really interesting video from a fellow real estate agent, Amanda King from Century 21 in Bramptom, Ontario. She just grossed over $5 MILLION dollars in sales thanks to Real Estate Client Referrals - a unique real estate referral agency (not to be confused with lead generation - the two are as different as night and day!)
I should also add that Amanda was named as Century 21's International Realtor of the Year - a HIGHLY prestigous honor.  In fact, she gets nearly 40% of her business from us.   Where would you be if you … (1 comments)

internet: An Open Invitation To Make Money... - 12/14/07 02:39 AM
Attention all AR peeps...
I wanted to extend an open invitation to everyone to check out my company, Real Estate Client Referrals.  First off, let me explain that RECR is NOT a lead generation company.  We are a full-scale realty referral procurement agency that focuses on QUALITY referrals...with one single goal in mind: TO HELP YOU MAKE MONEY!
Here's what you get:
Verified referrals -- Real humans that actually want your help.  Anything less is not acceptable either to us or to you.Exclusive territories -- Your area is yours.  No recycled referrals.  No need to cut your commissions to attract a client away from … (1 comments)