What is ActiveRain?

Jon,

The past few weeks have the most difficult in my life.  I'm loosing someone I love, someone I love has also be diagnosised with a horible disease... ActiveRain has been a source of strength for me.  Thank you for making it possible

Jon,

You created the virtual world, and we polulated it, and made it a virtually real world.

I wrote abot it before, and I will write about it again. We were the witnesses and participants in the phenomenon

I was first intrigued back in 2007 in that I thought blogging was a novel idea and being a tech guy, I said to myself that this is cool, I will learn how this works and give it a chance.  I got side tracked and came back to it late last year and I have learned so incredibly much, consumers have found me online via this platform, I am much more aware of what is happening in our industry, and have forged some good friendships.  There aren't many places (in fact, I can't think of one) online that provides all this and more!

This is a collaborative effort between AR and it members.. a unique experience which enrichesthe life of each member who fully participates.. education, sharing, friendship, business, referrals and priceless relationship!

I don't post too often, but I have to tell you that if nothing else, Active Rain is a great reference tool...like the world's biggest encyclopedia for real estate professionals!

I do business in a small town, in a very rural area.  Active Rain allows me to connect to other real estate people everywhere.  Sometimes I read a post and feel that someone needs cheering up. I pick up the phone and call them. Sometimes I have a question and do the same or shoot an email to them. Sometimes I receive a phone call or an email from someone doing the same for me.

If I need to know about something, search active rain for a blog on it..  If I've learned something that's worth sharing, post it..

Businesswise?  It has brought me sellers and buyers both.. and sometimes just a question from a consumer.

What is Active Rain?  I don't think it would be an adequate description it even if you put everyone's comments together.

When I joined, I had never blogged,, did not know what one was, did not know what in the world I was doing.  Still don't by many measurements. BUT I'm a member of the greatest place to learn what I need to know about it if I'll just spend the time and be motivated to do so.

Thanks !

Jonathan, Active Rain has some great Members, some dedicated writers and what I think are some tremendous spirits among us. The learning alone is well worth its existence. I'm still looking to trade in some of these accumulated points for a new toaster LOL.

AR offers some brilliant connections daily. There is no possible way that we could have "foreseen" the train headed our way (in NY) absent some of the experiences shared by contributing members, high profile or not. Did it keep us in business? Yup. Would we be functioning without it? Depends on whether operating with a foundation of confusion qualifies- for type "A"s, the AR resource is the best real estate guidebook in existance- punch it in, and among the many blogs are those that hit the nail in question on the head. Whatever AR started out to be, it has morphed into a progressively forward thinking tool, absent which we would be relying on "hearsay", not REAL experiences. Lenn and BB, hobby notwithstanding, your contributions (and those of many others) have provided a lifeline without which many participants would be in the dark on many levels. AR gives participants an "edge"- and we all need that in good and bad markets, regardless of the markets in which we operate. Thank you for such an amazing resource.

Jon:  I'm an old warrior in the banking/real estate industry, having been in it in one form or another since I was 18 years old. As I'm now 52, that's alot of years!  AR has renewed me.  Each and every day, it teaches me something new, broadens my perspective, tweaks my sensibilties, opens new doors of opportunity, and widens my circle of friends and contacts (both business & customer).  I feel like an adventurer or explorer finding new land with unlimited treasures!  Thank you to you ... and all the other "Rainers" that so generously share themselves, their time, their thoughts, and talents! Your contributions are greatly appreciated.

Now ... how do I find out about that toaster Gary mentioned????  

Jon - ActiveRain has become an integral part of my life.  My "virtual" friends have become real-life friends.  For me, it's just just about the Google juice, or the referrals, or contacts from clients.  It's about the friendships and the support.  This is a magical community.

 

AR is the best mentor I have ever had. Willing to share the gut-wrenching truth...share in my joy...lift me up in my darkest hours...inspire me to try new things...introduce me to realms unknown...give me wings of hope...remind me to give back to others...laugh with me till I cry...cause me to face my weaknesses...allow me to shine for who I am...given me a voice that is heard in this massive world.

I love ActiveRain, and I'm really grateful for it. Thank you!

As a new AR member thanks for the information.

As I am very new to AR it is hard to say what it really means to me. I am enjoying reading others thoughts, problems and solution and think that this can only help me in my own work and life.

Active rain has the ability to allow the new agent or the experienced professional a way to speak to the public so they can attract clients and build an online business.

I've been pondering this since I first read your post. When I originally joined AR back in July of 2006 it was a small town with just one lane of traffic. First suggested by a colleague in my group (the CyberStars(r)), it sounded interesting, if a little odd. Blogging for points? What a concept? But the guys at AR understood us and what would motivate us to populate this little corner of the blogosphere.

I met fascinating people along the way and they became cyber friends. This place became a downright addiction for me back then. I had to pry myself away from the computer to function in the real world and to get the occasional night's sleep. Ultimately I wound up taking a sabbatical, albeit a longer one than originally planned, and when I came back, the place was unrecognizable. My old buddies seemed to be among the missing and a whole new generation of rainers were leading the pack. It's been fun playing catch-up, even though I no longer know all the rules and certainly have no handle on all the players.

So, back to the question at hand. What is ActiveRain? To me it's a place where the hierarchy has an innate ability to tap into what its constituency wants and deliver it in full measure. It started out as the little engine that thought it could, and it's become a force to be reckoned with. It delivers the currency of the kingdom by way of staggering numbers of points, it delivers Google juice and easy access to our consumers, and friendships . . . and education, and old fashioned caring. And just when we think we know what it is, it metamorphizes into something else, all the while carrying its citizenry along on a happy tidal wave.

Jon,

Activerain is all the people up above who contribute so much to our industry. Thank-you for the insight to allow this to happen!

Active Rain is a place that I can go to share ideas with some of the best minds in Real Estate.  The sharing of ideas is unbelievable.

Jon, AR had afforded me over $1M in sales this year. Without contacts here, I wouldn't have had the referral network that you afford. This is through conversation.. The "referral network" here though needs work.... I think the issue is that members don't know how to use the referral network. This could be a great mechanism...however, it is very confusing..No one understands this...and no one that goes to that site knows whether they want a buyer or a seller, or if the person posting has a buyer or a seller...JMHO...it is not being utilized or understood as well as it could be.

Dude....let's not forget the 47 referrals that I've received since joining AR.  That is testimony enough as to it's power!

It is amazing... I have joined AR lately and even if I do not know everything about it, I do beleive that it is going to give me a lot to increase my business and myself in terms of being a better professional