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Getting Subtle Value from Active Rain

By
Real Estate Agent with Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 REB.0759001

There are many posts written about getting the most value from our blogs and being creative about getting ‘Google Juice' and SEO. Hidden value can be achieved by simply completing our profile page. AR also rewards us for filling out our profile and updating it periodically. The easiest area to complete should be the testimonials section, especially as we often get notes, emails and letters at the end of a completed transaction.

I recently had a listing appointment with a prospective client that was referred to me by one of her cousins. She is relocating closer to her job and had been interviewing agents to sell her house and to get thoughts on how to get the house set to sell. I will be the last agent they interview, and will be getting the listing once the ‘punch list of items is completed.

A couple of days after our meeting I received emails from both the prospective client and her cousin thanking me for my help and patience. They both offered up a comment that I was every bit as helpful and knowledgeable as my testimonials on ActiveRain offered. This was a pleasant surprise to me as well as an appreciation for ActiveRain ‘pointing' me for completing this profile. 

As we blog, we often can see on the statistics section how often our blogs are viewed (seen by members), clicked (number of times someone has actually just clicked right to the blog, instead of viewing it on the blog roll), and of course number of comments. At the top of the statistics section is the number of times your profile is viewed by either other Rain members or prospective clients.

 This number can be staggering to some of us and also another indication of how successful we are being in reaching the Internet consumer.

There is so much available to us here on ActiveRain, and it takes patience and time to truly grasp how powerful a site and tool this can be for our business. Imagine a working site that is free, interactive, an incredible reference library of professionals from all over North America and a great database of agents for future referrals. It just doesn't get any better than this.

Posted by

 

Edward (Ed) Silva
Broker Associate

Serving Central Connecticut Sellers and Buyers

My Blog
Email Me
EdSilvaCTrealestate.com


C:  203-206-0754
Call or Text

O:  203-758-6440

 

Do you know anyone who is behind on their mortgage and doesn't know what to do? I may be able to help them. I am an experienced Short Sale Broker

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Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

Norma, this site offers benefits beyond what is noticed in points, etc. Just getting associated with professionals from around the country, and Canada makes us better and more learned. Thanks for stopping.

Lewis, thanks for stopping, and may your testimonials scream well for you.

Hannah, I am as guilty as anybody else, it was getting the 2 emails that gave me a subtle kick in the rear.

Norma, they are there for the asking as well as criticisms on your performance. Hopefully we get more of the former and less of the latter.

Margaret, good or bad we all need to know how were are perceived, it's the only true way to grow our business.

William, please be more discrete about the relationship, and thanks for the acknowledgment and stopping.

Nov 19, 2009 07:47 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

Maureen just think of it like sterling silver, every now and then it just needs a good cleaning so it can shine like new again. Thanks for stopping.

Carol, we can't always be the first just the best and if we do our jobs right the last.

Patricia, thanks for stopping

Steve, I would have to guess that they are cumulative as it would be much easier to record than to have the system monitor all unique IP addresses.

Judi, we are known by the company we keep and the jobs we do. The testimonials speak to the jobs and the comments speak to the company we keep, all of which are great

Nov 19, 2009 07:53 AM
Robert Hammerstein
Christie's International Real Estate - Hillsdale, NJ
Bergen County NJ Real Estate

Ed - congrats on the feature... Well deserved.... Now I have to go in and take off my testimonials... argh...

Nov 19, 2009 07:55 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

Al & Peggy  Thanks, go figure. The last star anybody gave me was Miss Phelan, my third grade teacher, and I got the star for just keeping quiet for 30 minutes. We all get a little complacent about maintenance and keeping a good presence with our web sites. I know mine is overdue for an overhaul and a little updating. Thanks for stopping.

Nov 19, 2009 07:58 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

No, No,No. Robert that's going the wrong way. The post was about putting them up. Thanks for stopping.

Nov 19, 2009 07:59 AM
James Lyon
Vista Pacific Realty - Sacramento, CA

Good post Ed and I definitely need to work on this section of my profile.

Nov 19, 2009 08:16 AM
Valerie Osterhoudt
Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT
ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Ed... Yes, updating and maintaining our profile on ActiveRain is a necessity.    Adding comments, like you mentioned is also a plus.  Thanks for blogging about this.

BTW.. Congratulations on the FEATURE.

valerie osterhoudt

Nov 19, 2009 08:35 AM
Sue Wettstein Brazzel & Dipper Wettstein
Howard County, MD - RE/MAX 100 - Columbia MD - Columbia, MD
"Fast, Efficient, Hassle-Free Service!"

Ed,

Thanks for the pointers - I'm loving learning about this blogging world and your words have helped make it clearer for me.

Sue

Nov 19, 2009 08:38 AM
Lori Churchill Cofer
Beasley Realty - Pullman, WA
Realtor - 509-330-0086 - Pullman, WA

Ed,

It amazes me how many people put up a profile and then don't use it...what a great idea for a blog....maybe it will remind a few folks....

Nov 19, 2009 08:59 AM
Al & Peggy Cunningham, Brokers
RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage - Brampton, ON
Our Family Wants To Help Your Family!

LOL Ed.... a gold star for being quiet for 30 minutes?? THAT star was well earned.

Nov 19, 2009 10:33 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

James, it is like getting bonus points, not to mention self promotion Thanks for stopping

Valerie, maintaining our online persona is as important as any other aspect of our business, and thanks for the recognition

Sue, everyday on this site is a learning adventure, thanks for stopping

Lori, if not for the emails I got this blog doesn't get written at least by me. Thanks for stopping

Al & Peg: You have to realize, all those little Johnny jokes you've heard over the years should have been Little Eddie. The name was changed to protect the not so innocent!

Nov 19, 2009 10:49 AM
Melissa Zavala
Broadpoint Properties - Escondido, CA
Broker, Escondido Real Estate, San Diego County

I agree that there are so many benefits to blogging. It does take awhile to really get the whole blog thing figured out, doesn't it?

Nov 19, 2009 01:29 PM
Richard Weisser
Richard Weisser Realty - Newnan, GA
Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional

Ed...

You are so right ... the potential is EVERYWHERE thoughout the platform. It is an invaluable aid for connecting with the public.

Nov 19, 2009 01:31 PM
Wayne B. Pruner
Oregon First - Tigard, OR
Tigard Oregon Homes for Sale, Realtor, GRI

Congratulations Ed. I love to hear Active Rain success stories. I hope you have more.

Nov 19, 2009 02:08 PM
Sybil Campbell
Fernandina Beach, FL
Referral Agent Amelia Island Florida

I didn't realize that we could see how many times our profile had been viewed through the statistics, but I am going to check that out right now.

Nov 19, 2009 04:18 PM
William James Walton Sr.
WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Briotti Group - Waterbury, CT
Greater Waterbury Real Estate

Ed - Discreet we will be. It's still amazing how fantastic this platform is for our business.

Nov 19, 2009 10:36 PM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

Melissa, it certainly takes time. Lately I find myself talking to someone about something and then pause and think to myself, that would make a good blog. Unfortunately I don't write the thought down at the time and it gets lost. Thanks for stopping.

Richard, nobody knows that better than yourself, thanks for stopping

Tigard, thanks for the thought, the pursuit of success is why we are here.

Sybil, this site is like going out on an egg hunt at Easter. You need to do a little looking to find a reward, Thanks for stopping

William, Shhhhhhh

Nov 20, 2009 12:29 AM
Carra Riley & Declan Kenyon
Brokers Guild Cherry Creek Ltd - Westminster, CO
Helping people Transition at all ages!

Ed,

Wonderful post to share and be featured!  You remind us all to update the profile information... ask for new testimonials... and then share the statistics of how many EYEBALLS are looking at our content on a listing presentation!  THAT is a POWERFUL tool!  I am going to put.. check into video testimonials on the to do list... wouldn't that be cool!  Thanks for all the inspiration! 

Nov 21, 2009 11:02 AM
Margaret Woda
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Crofton, MD
Maryland Real Estate & Military Relocation

Thanks for changing this to public so I can re-blog it.  You know, even though it is targeted to members and not consumers, I think "public" is a good thing unless it's a rant (hate those!)... it shows that you're an experienced agent mentoring newer ones.  And I think consumers like that.  At least that's what I hear!

Great job on explaining some Activerain nuances here... and I'n going to re-blog this post now.

Jul 25, 2010 12:01 AM
Jim Paulson
Progressive Realty (Boise Idaho) www.Progressive-Realty.info - Boise, ID
Owner,Broker

 To me, this is a good thing to watch since people not only read your blogs, but took it a step further to check out the person behind the blog!  I guess it is kind of like an ActiveRain click through.  

I am closing in on the 10,000 mark so I was currious if I am doing well or not myself.  I am please with the calls and the emails that I get from ActiveRain for the time I invest in it

Mar 11, 2011 12:41 PM