Reconnecting... No wait. Connecting with Active Rain

How does a blog fail? I think the person running it doesn't keep it current and put things out that people want to read.  I think that there is a 'chasm' between NAR and member realtors at the moment.  Both on current & future policies.  I've noticed that NAR has a group blog going and I enjoy reading market stats there.  That's the only thing I really pay attention too.  I can't say I feel that I get ANYTHING for my dues money.  I actually feel that NAR lags behind the membership.  An example is you right here!  Hello, you just figured out AR is here?  Twitter too?  Yikes.  NAR reminds me of a 'dinosaur' seeing a cell phone for the first time!

Before this gets uglier, let me add to my "nice post" comment earlier.

Todd is a leader in blogging and in community building.  He's been using this stuff pretty much longer than 98% - no, 99% of EVERYONE here at ActiveRain and in the real estate related space at large.  He did not just discover anything.  He's been showing it to us for years.  If you have been active in blogging and social media in the past 4 years or so, you probably would have heard of him by now.  He's kind of a big deal.

The NAR job is new.  It didn't even exist until, what, February 2009?  I'm not going to revisit the hubub over what it means that NAR hired a social media person - again, if you don't know anything about that, you weren't paying attention to your industry.

Todd's here, now, to connect with you guys and has very openly asked what he can do to help, to see what's on your minds, and to generally be inolved.  By all means, tell this guy what's on your mind, your concerns, your hopes, where you see things could be better, where they're doing okay already.  But don't confuse the crazy ninja skills of Todd with the legacy of the organization he now works for - and WE are that organization.  So help him out - he works for us.  He'll return the favor.

And now that my protective mama reflex has been satisfied, hopping back off the thread...

Stopping back by....Like kelley above me mentioned, Todd hasn't just discovered AR.  He has been here for a long time.  He may not have used it fully to his advantage over the last 11months, but the guy knows social media.  Why else would NAR hire him to be the director of it?  While we all may agree that NAR doesn't always use forward thinking, one place they did this was by hiring Todd! 

The reason Todd is back here is to help educate you the members of NAR & AR on ways to use Social media.  When he opened up for suggestions/comments, it wasn't to discuss NAR & issues with it, it was to learn what the needs of members are and how he can share his knowledge & also the actions NAR is taking to use social media to increase business.

Todd,

Welcome back.  Looking forward to your updates and posts

A game plan for newer agents (and some older ones) to make use of social networking for business would be helpful. We've had many here, but I don't know if they work in all markets, in al areas.

We're a funny bunch, eh? So glad you are back, tcar! Obviously there is some confusion and yes, strong opinions about NAR & REALTOR.com...but back to you - you've come at SM from the grass roots and not much time was spent here on AR (comparatively). Just goes to show that there is a lot more out there. Hint for newbies: It's simpler here and you will get more mileage from your efforts here - in my experience.

How can you, tcar, connect here? Blog and comment. Your blogs are going to have a lot more weight due to your earned expertise. You won't have any problem connecting now that you are so well established.

Good job and glad you are here (again).

P.S. If you aren't following @tcar on twitter, you should. Very helpful person to follow!

Todd,

Good to have you back and from a great vantage point such as NAR. :)

Steve

Does that mean I have to go back to my AR profile?  Damn the things you make me do!

**still laughing at Kelley's "Nice Post" comment :)

Todd - Great to have you here!  I have enjoyed getting to know more about your musical tastes via Blip.fm.  I look forward to seeing you around more often!

Hey, Todd.  Nice to see you on AR.  This is a big week for the Rain - You and the Zebra crashing through the cobwebs in the same 7 day period!  

Sounds like you're just as enthusiastic about your position today as you were your official first day on the job at ReBAR camp Virginia this past March.  Love the teasers on the new tools NAR's working on.

Where's the RT button????  Now, if Jason's comment didn't just explain how down to earth (and normal real) Todd is...Nothing can!

just a bit of Bad timing tcar.  Glad to have you on board.  Been following you on Twitter since i joined in I think March.  I am LoveTheGulfRE there.  But you decided to pop back on here, when there are alot of agents here a little ticked off at NAR for supporting Cap & Trade.  And i think you are unfairly catching some flack for that.  Given the current climate I would recommend reading the top blog posts here and the discussions that ensue as a result.  I think keeping your finger on the pulse here will tell you more about the group, than any individual will.

I just joined all these social media sites, and My head is still swimming, trying to keep them straight, trying to remember how each one works, and which one is geared towards what AAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH

Twitter I find to be best as an information service.  I buiilt my following by following NAR realtormag infocentralnar FAR PRO, all are core real estate institutions in my business.  as a result I immediately hit 2000 following and am currently at about 1600 followers, and growing every day.

So far this site has had the most impact on my business.   I think BrokerAgentSocial.com will come in second.   it only has 20,000, of which i have no idea how many are actually active, but a good site too.

But I love that my national, state & local Board/association send tweets directly to my phone.  I am the first in the now in my office, which i point out everytime i get a tweet at our office meetings, because nobody else is involved in it

and again, glad you deicded to give it another try.   You mentioned failure, but all that is is a valuable learning tool.  A feather in the cap.  Keep on Trucking ;-)

 anybody interested in connecting can find me at

http://ActiveRain.com/DanHunter
http://www.Twitter.com/LoveTheGulfRE
http://www.FaceBook.com/daniel.j.hunter personal site

http://www.facebook.com/pages/edit/?id=74623532832#/pages/httpAgentListingWebsitescom/74623532832 business page
http://www.LinkedIn.com/in/DanielJHunter
http://www.BrokerAgentSocial.com/DeeJayH

I'm fortunate to be able to call Todd my friend and AR is fortunate to have him participating in the network for all members benefit (AR and NAR).  He is as knowledgeable and passionate about this industry as anyone. 

Everyone has their gripes about NAR, including Todd.  He did what most people don't, and got involved...laid his cards on the table and went after a position I thought he had no chance in hell in getting.  I'm glad I was wrong. 

Now enagage him mercilessly!  Just remember he's not a pinata, although he has been known to wear a sombrero from time to time...

Todd,

Good to have you back in a new role for the NAR. Keep everyone posted on what's going on over there, and elsewhere.

Heck, there goes the neighborhood. I am sure you're one of the good guys but I really have no use for NAR. They have sold us down the river so many times starting with Realtor.com. I want get started in the disappointment I have  because MAMA always said if you can't say something good about someone or something then best leave it alone.

I leave it up to all the others to sugar coat with nicieties while hiding their true feeling as well. But hey it's all good and good luck.

If you did nothing else aside from organize the RE Bar Camp movement, you would be a cool guy...  And you did more!  Maybe you can slap a little reality into the Realtorsauruses at NAR...