social media: The True Lasting Legacy of ActiveRain
- 03/05/19 12:58 PM
Today I had the most joyful surprise encounter with one of the true pioneer/rockstars of the Real Estate Interwebery, Kristal Kraft, one of the founding members of ActiveRain.
Thanks to the wonders of social media (Facebook) I became aware that Kristal was here in Seattle, along with her hubby, Larry, who is attending a meeting at the Evil Empire (Zillow Headquarters). She posted a picture of the Seattle waterfront, and I immediately commented/inquired, "Are you here in Seattle?" Much to my delight, she had just landed at the ferry terminal on Bainbridge Island!
Twenty-five minutes later, we were enjoying a delicious breakfast faire … (45 comments)
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social media: The Death of Civil Debate
- 05/06/18 02:36 PM
It's a sad and telling testament to our society. We've lost the ability to have civil debate. We can no longer 'agree to disagree.' Mutual respect for varying views and opinions is literally non-existent. Tolerance is only extended as long as you hold the same convictions and beliefs as the one granting tolerance. Nowadays, it's my way or the highway. I'm right, and you're wrong. Or, as in most instances, I'm right, and you're an idiot!
Nowhere is this more apparent than across the myriad of social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.
Have you ever encountered one of those people who … (5 comments)
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social media: Revival in the Rain
- 08/10/15 08:05 AM
I have to admit when I first caught wind of the purchase of ActiveRain by Ben Kinney, I was absolutely thrilled!....
As a Keller Williams broker myself, I have closely observed Ben's amazing track record for success over the years. What excites me, besides his obvious business acumen, is that Ben Kinney knows real estate. He has been down in the trenches. He has worked his way up, and has demonstrated proven, consistent success at very high levels.
In addition, as one of the 'Old Guard' who has watched the growth & progress of ActiveRain since its launch in 2006, the prospects of … (108 comments)
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social media: REBarCamp Seattle Returns March 13, 2014
- 02/25/14 03:14 AM
If you're a real estate professional in the Pacific Northwest, or have a business that is connected to the real estate industry, then you owe it to yourself to attend the upcoming REBarCamp Seattle at the Centerpoint Conference Center in Kent WA on March 13, 2014.
You can learn more about this event and register by going to REBarCamp Seattle.
If you're not familiar with the REBarCamp experience, you can find out all about it by clicking on the links below:
http://rebarcamp.com/seattle/what-is-rebarcamp-seattle-all-about/
http://activerain.com/blogsview/2086704/-what-is-an-rebarcamp-rebarcamp-seattle-wa-march-3-2011
I've had the pleasure of attending several REBarCamp events throughout the country and have never been disappointed. I always come away with tons … (3 comments)
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social media: "What is an REBarCamp?" REBarCamp Seattle WA March 3, 2011
- 01/19/11 09:37 AM
At the 1st REBarCamp in Seattle, which took place at Zillow Headquartes in downtown Seattle, former Zillowite, Drew Meyers, and I share what REBarCamp is all about: … (9 comments)
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social media: Realizing the Radical Returns of the Rain
- 06/26/10 07:17 AM
For the past several months, I've been marketing a home over near Port Ludlow in Jefferson County WA. It's a beautiful craftsman-style home situated on a private 1+ acre lot with 120 feet of low bank Puget Sound waterfront.
You can find more details about it at 'Breathtaking Waterfront View Property near Port Ludlow WA' and 'Stunning Low Bank Waterfront Property in Oak Bay near Port Ludlow WA'
We just went under contract this past week, but that's not the point of this article.
I pride myself in creating a very strong and effective online exposure/presence for my listings. Many of … (45 comments)
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social media: Video Made Easy! - The Flip Video Recorder
- 05/14/10 07:24 AM
Remember the horror movie, “The Blair Witch Project?”
While shooting a documentary, three student filmmakers mysteriously disappear in the woods of rural Maryland. A year later, their documentary footage is found.
Most people hate it or love it. Either it scares you so bad you pee your pants, or it leaves you nauseous with a splitting headache! Regardless, The Blair Witch Project only cost a meager $35K to produce, but grossed nearly $250M! Proving that even the most amateurish, low budget productions can achieve tremendous success.
One of the fastest growing social networks on the Internet is YouTube. The popularity of … (91 comments)
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social media: "Beyond Your Blog" - Developing a Social Media Strategy Part VIII
- 02/25/10 07:36 AM
Welcome back to our informative series,
"Developing a Social Media Strategy"
If you've missed out on the previous installments, here they are:
"Social Media is a Conversation, not an Advertisement!" "The 'WHY' of Social Media?" "Taking AIM"
"Social Media Sushi" "5 Keys to Having a Killer Blog!" "Top 10 Ways to Feed Your Blog."
"What's in Your Social Media Tool Belt?"
In this next part of our series, we're going to take a bold step....
"Beyond The Blog"
At this point, we're going to assume that you have a blog and that you've been diligently posting good quality content … (53 comments)
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social media: "What's in Your Social Media Tool Belt?" - Developing a Social Media Strategy Part VII
- 01/18/10 05:04 PM
Welcome once again to our series,
"Developing a Social Media Strategy"
So far, we've realized that "Social Media is a Conversation, not an Advertisement!"
We've answered "The 'WHY' of Social Media?" (Why it should be a vital part of your Annual Marketing Plan)
We identified that one of the key strategies is "Taking AIM" (Audience, Image/Brand, and Message)
We learned how to become a skilled blogging chef by serving up "Social Media Sushi"
We discovered the "5 Keys to Having a Killer Blog!"
And, we explored the "Top 10 Ways to Feed Your Blog."
(for what it's worth: I plan on … (38 comments)
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social media: Top 10 Ways to Feed Your Blog - Social Media Strategies Part VI
- 01/11/10 06:50 PM
Welcome back to our series, "Developing a Social Media Strategy"
So far, we've realized that....
"Social Media is a Conversation, not an Advertisement!"
We've answered "The 'WHY' of Social Media?" (Why Social Media should be a part of your Annual Marketing Plan)
We identified that one of the key strategies is "Taking AIM" (Audience, Image/Brand, and Message)
How to become a skilled blogging chef by serving up "Social Media Sushi"
And, we discovered the "5 Keys to Having a Killer Blog!"
In this week's installment, we going to embark on a fun learning journey entitled,
"Blogging and The Little Shop of … (64 comments)
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social media: "Attack of the Killer Blog!" - Developing a Social Media Strategy Part V
- 12/29/09 02:22 PM
Okay, so this post ushers in the 5th installment of a series entitled 'Developing a Social Media Strategy.'
Thus far, we've discovered that "Social Media is a Conversation, not an Advertisement!"
We've explored "The 'WHY' of Social Media?" (Why Social Media should be a part of your Annual Marketing Plan)
The key strategy of "Taking AIM" (Audience, Image/Brand, and Message)
And becoming a skilled chef by serving up "Social Media Sushi"
This episode is called:
"Attack of the Killer Blog!"
or
5 Top Secrets of a Successful Blog
Maybe you've just recently started your blogging adventure. You've heard all the … (92 comments)
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social media: "Social Media Sushi" - Developing a Social Media Strategy Part IV
- 12/21/09 01:16 PM
Okay, so this post marks the 4th installment in this series on 'Developing a Social Media Strategy.'
So far, we've realized that "Social Media is a Conversation, not an Advertisement!"
We've answered "The 'WHY' of Social Media?" (Why We should Make it Part of our Annual Marketing Plan)
And, the importance of "Taking AIM" (Audience, Image/Brand, and Message)
This week, we're going to start to unwrap the various tools that are available for you to create, package, and serve up your message so that it reaches your intended audience(s).
Serving Up Social Media Sushi
Samurai Real Estate Professional
Anyone … (68 comments)
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social media: "Taking AIM" - Developing a Social Media Strategy Part III
- 12/09/09 03:54 PM
"If You Aim at Nothing, You'll Hit It Every Time!"
~ Zig Ziglar ~
Okay, so the first two installments of this series helped us to better understand what Social Media is, what it isn't, and why we should consider using it to grow and promote our business:
"Social Media is a Conversation, Not an Advertisement"
"The 'WHY' of Social Media"
In this 3rd part, I want to begin to dial things down, and become much more basic and practical. If this is covering old ground for some of you, I apologize. It's always challenging to know where to start … (94 comments)
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social media: "Is Social Networking an Excuse for REAL Marketing?" - Counter Point
- 12/02/09 06:55 PM
Liz Provo, with Mass Marketing Resources, recently published a semi-provocative article on ActiveRain which garnered an expected amount of comments. It was entitled,
"Are We Kidding Ourselves about the Value of Social Networking?"
She starts out by stating that she's having 'serious' doubts about the overall value of social networking. She then cites as an example a local business she's been following on Twitter who posts upwards of 20 tweets a day to a following of 140 Twitter members, most who, according to her, are from outside their geographical market area. She suggests that this company is wasting time trying to … (16 comments)
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social media: "Hello? McFly! It's called 'Social' Media for a Reason!" - Blog Tips for Rain Drips
- 11/15/09 09:39 AM
As we test the social media waters for the first time, we all make our fair share of naive mistakes and newbie blunders.
Yikes! Just go back through my early blog archives and you'll find boatloads of them! I wouldn't advise going there, though, it's pretty scary! There's been many times when I've been tempted to go back and delete a bunch of my early articles, but they're a good reminder of the lessons learned and the progress I've made along the way.
One of the most common mistakes that people make is trying to shove a square Web 1.0 peg in a … (86 comments)
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social media: "Don't Throw Out the Baby with the Bath Water!" Balancing Your Marketing
- 05/15/09 07:27 AM
With all the hype and hoopla about using blogging and social media to promote/grow your business, there is a tendency for many to ignore or neglect the more tradtional, time-honored methods of generating revenue.
Let's be very clear on something - blogging and social media ARE NOT the magical purple pill that will solve all your business woes or put you on the road to financial freedom. They are simply more marketing tools at your disposal that can be used in conjunction with your past methods.
Now, it could be argued that a steady, consistent habit of posting to your blog … (81 comments)
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social media: My Answers to SKCAR Panel Questions hosted by Claudia Wicks of RE BaseCamp
- 04/17/09 11:42 PM
On the morning of Wednesday, April 29th, I will be participating in a panel discussion at the Seattle-King County Association of Realtors in Bellevue WA. The event is being put on by Claudia Wicks, the guiding force behind the Real Estate Base Camp.
Claudia had provided me with some questions in preparation for the panel, and I thought I would post the answers here for those of you who won't be able to attend:
What made you decide to blog?
Blogging really wasn't an intentional decision for me. I kind of 'fell' into it actually. My broker at the … (36 comments)
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social media: "Agents Doing It Right" - Using Web 2.0 Effectively in Your Business
- 04/17/09 04:48 AM
I was recently chased down on Twitter by Stacey Harmon, Social Media Director for Cochella Valley Escrow down in La Quinta CA, and also a licensed agent with Surterre Properties in Newport Beach CA. She was attempting to politely inform me that I had been mentioned in one of her recent blog articles.
I have had the pleasure of meeting Stacey at a number of industry-related events. She is a very knowledgeable and gifted social mediaist who not only understands and deftly navigates social media, but more importantly, knows how it can be effectively and practically implemented into everyday business.
And … (18 comments)
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social media: "There's a reason they call it 'Social' Media!" - Blog Tips for Rain Drips
- 04/15/09 05:21 AM
Okay, time for a quick rant and to vent some recent frustration....
I was watching Bill Hemmer and Megan Kelly on Fox News the other morning (one of my rare TV routines after the morning gym workout with the wife), and Bill was interviewing some big wig with AT&T over the recent fiber-optic cable sabotage in Silicon Valley.
What was so annoying about listening to this guy being interviewed was that he totally ignored the questions that Bill was asking, and used the entire time to simply 'plug' how great AT&T was. Rather than apologizing for the inconvenience to their customers, … (44 comments)
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social media: How To Use Zillow Advice - The Video!
- 03/26/09 07:29 AM
Let's face it, as a group, real estate agents are not the most trusting bunch on the planet. Each of us has our fair share of horror stories where we've been taken advantage of by 3rd party providers promising one thing or another. So it's only natural for us to be suspicious.
For so long Agents have been hesitant to participate on Zillow due to past misplaced attitudes towards Zestimates and a lack of trust. However, with the sheer amount of traffic that accesses Zillow daily, it's impossible for today's real estate professionals to ignore the value of establishing a … (9 comments)
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Today I had the most joyful surprise encounter with one of the true pioneer/rockstars of the Real Estate Interwebery, Kristal Kraft, one of the founding members of ActiveRain.
;)
;)
;)
